Hazelnut Toffee Chip Cookies

This is a Giada De Larurentiis recipe that I've had waiting to be made for quite some time.

I will definetly make them again and again-they were sooo good!

A little bit crispy on the edges and soft in the center-perfect!!

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Recipe rundown:

old fashioned oats-finely chopped in food processor

transfer oats to medium bowl and add the above ingredients

room temperature butter-lots of it!

in another bowl cream butter and sugars, slowly add eggs and vanilla

toast, husk and chop hazelnuts

stir until just blended

stir these in...

scoop and bake

Another delicious cookie for another Cookie Friday!

Enjoy!!

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Camping Cookies

I am not sure what these cookies are actually called but they became "camping" cookies because I make them almost every time we go camping.

"Are you making the camping cookies???"

"Are we going camping? then of course I'm making them!!"

Every time!!!

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These are not just your run of the mill chocolate chip cookies they are super, super yummy!!

And just so you know I don't really even like chocolate chip cookies-that's how good these cookies are!

Cinnamon is the secret ingredient and I usually add just a tiny bit extra because I like the spicy, warm flavor it gives. I also like to add pecans if I can get by with it!

Now let me tell you what up with 'em:

basic-butter{2-1/4 c.!!!} sugar and brown sugar-beat until fluffy

that's alot of butter!;)

flour, baking soda and salt

and oats to add at the end with the chips

3 eggs and some vanilla

this recipe makes a ton of cookies-perfect for freezing or company:)

We made S'mores with 'em!

DELISH!!

at this point you would add in the oats and cinnamon

6 cups of chocolate chips!!

I thought that was too many but the hubs thought maybe just a bit more would have been nice-but his favorite cookie is chocolate chip...

guess we don't have that in common;)

I decided I didn't want to be scooping cookies forever so I used the large scoop but you do whatever ya want;)

Perfection!!

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!!!

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Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake Recipe

I have never made/attempted a plain cheesecake in a springform pan before so when I had to make a strawberry cheesecake for my SIL for her birthday I knew that I wanted to make one in a spring foam pan!! So I found a Cheesecake Factory cheesecake recipe all over the internet and figured I would give it a shot!!! The crust alone sounded different then the typical crust with all the different nuts and no graham crackers!! Someday I would love to go to the Cheesecake Factory and have a real sample besides the samples I get at Starbucks but until  then this recipe will do in the mean time!!!  This recipe will not let you down…if you are a cheesecake lover then you must try this recipe!!!!
For the crust pulse together the pecans,walnuts,almonds, and the vanilla wafers…then mix in melted butter.

Press into a 9 inch buttered springform pan, trying to line the sides as much as possible about 1 1/2" up the sides of the pan, set aside.

*Make sure all of your cheesecake ingredients are at room temperature!!!
{I totally forgot to get any pictures of the mixing of the cheesecake part…sorry} 
You will beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy on low {always keep this setting} Add sugar a little at a time and continue beating until creamy. Add one egg at a time and beat after each egg. Add flour, vanilla and lemon juice, mix well. Add the sour cream and beat well. Pour cream cheese mixture into the springform pan.Place on the top rack in the middle of a 325 degree F preheated oven for one hour and 15 minutes.

When time is up turn oven off, prop open oven door and leave in oven for one hour. Remove from oven and let cool then refrigerate for 24 hours.
Remember this important tip : A cheesecake should season. The wait is worth it. The flavor ripens and becomes enriched.
Serve it with a drizzle of strawberry sauce and you are all set!!!!

Enjoy because it is delish!!!!
{If anyone is interested in the strawberry sauce let us know!!!}
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Peanut Butter Cookie Candy Bars

These bars are a "Prize-Winning Recipe 2008" from the Betty Crocker

website and let me tell you...

they definitely taste prize winning too!!

Look at the layers... yummy PB, nougat, caramel with nuts

and topped with chocolate! Yummm!

Another thing I love about this recipe is even though you have all

the layers, they are relatively easy to throw together!!

Mix a peanut butter cookie mix together with oil, water and egg.

Press mixture into the bottom of a sprayed pan.

Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, start you next layer....

corn syrup, butter, peanut butter, water vanilla and start!

The ingredient list alone makes my mouth

water (I am a hug PB fan!! :)!!

Creamy and smooth!

Add powdered sugar...

and you have your nougat layer!

Layer the "nougat" on top of the cooled cookie base.

On to the caramel layer....

melt caramels and water over low heat.

Stir in peanuts.

Layer it up!

Melt your chocolate chips...

Ready to Enjoy!!!

Eat one quickly... lol!! They will disappear fast!

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Gooey Chex Mix

I better start by giving you all a warning.... this mix is VERY addictive!!

It has to sit on the counter for 1 hour after its done and every time I make it the same thing happens..... I keep grabbing a small amount thinking Ok that is all now and pretting soon i find myself popping in some more!

So Easy and Crazy good!

In a large bowl add your chex mix, golden grahams, coconut and nuts. You can use any kind of nuts you like. This time i used a mix of everything!


Melt butter, sugar and karo syrup.


Boil for 3-4 minutes.



Dump the gooey goodness over your prepared mix.


Spread on wax paper and let sit for 1 hour or longer.

The kids go crazy over it {well, adults too!}

Enjoy!!

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Pecan Surprise Bars

These are so totally, smashingly delicious bars!!

One thing I LOVE about baking with Michelle {co-author} is that she remembers everything!!!

Like taking pictures of each step.

Like what was the last ingredient we put into those cookies or that cake.

Like what time we put them into bake-because I forgot {heehee} to set the timer-again!

I especially love that she introduced me to these bars!!

So thank you Michelle for baking with me!!!

As always the complete recipe is available in the printable.

Here is a little step by step rundown...

1 yellow cake mix, 1 egg, 1/2 c. melted butter.

Mix together.

Dump it into 13x9 inch baking dish.

Press it out nicely:)

Pop it into a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 mins.

Start the filling by combining 2/3 c. reserved cake mix, dark corn syrup, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla. Mix well.

Partially baked crust.

Pour in the filling.

Top with chopped pecans and bake for another 30 to 35 minutes.

Cool and cut into bite-sized bars.

The bottom layer is so good-very gooey and caramelly and then you have the crunch of the nut topping-Totally delicious!!

Enjoy!!!

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