7 Layer Bars or Congo Bars

When I was pregnant with Lacey I had an addiction to 7 layers bars, I made them every day for like a month!  I am still not tired of them!  I used to just use the recipe you can find online, however I do like more of a crust base (like you get at Great Harvest) and I found this recipe in Fat Witch Brownies by Patricia Helding and made them, and now I wont make anything but these!  Some people have commented to me when I make them that there is maybe too much butter , so you can cut back by a Tblsp or two if you want!
(Also, I like to  make these in a 9 x 13, so just double the ingredients and it works out great, I still only use the one can sweetened condensed milk though)

7 Layer Bars or Congo Bars

Crust:
1/4 unbleached flour
1/4 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs (about 11 whole crackers, crushed)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
7 Tblsp unsalted butter softened to room temp (I use salted butter)

Topping:
1  1/4 cups sweetened flaked coconut 
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup chopped pecans or other nuts (optional)

Directions:
Grease a 9 in by 9 in baking pan with butter, dust with flour and tap out excess flour. (or double the ingred and use 9 x 13)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
To make the crust, measure the flour, baking powder, and salt and then sift together into a medium bowl.  Stir in the graham cracker crumbs and light brown sugar.  Mix well.  (I just put all the ingredients together and mix well, I don't sift)
Cut the butter into a few pieces and mix into the dough with a fork (I use my hands and mix it all around till the chunks are pea sized)
until the dough is crumbly.  Continue mixing with your hands until smooth.  Spread the dough evenly in a thin layer in the prepared baking pan, pressing down with your hands.  Bake for 10 minutes or until the crust is slightly golden .  Remove from the oven and set aside.  
Sprinkle on the coconut, butterscotch chips and choc chips and nuts and then sweetened condensed milk.  
Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is well set and light brown. 
Watch carefully near the end of baking time and make sure the top does not become too bubbly or too dark. 
Remove from oven and cool on rack 2 hours 
cut just before serving!
YUMMY!

Bacon Lettuce Tomato Wrap

I am a bacon lettuce tomato lover!  Shauna shared this recipe with me, and I love this lady's site, you will enjoy her blog as well, you can find her recipe here:

Bacon Lettuce Tomato Wrap

10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled  (*for how to cook , see below)
1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
Dash of salt and pepper
2 cups shredded lettuce
4 burrito sized tortillas
3 ounces cream cheese, softened (room temp is best)
1 Tblsp mayo
1 Tblsp dijon mustard

Directions:
In a small bowl, toss quartered grape tomatoes with a dash of salt and pepper.  In another small bowl, combine softened cream cheese with mayo and mustard.  Mix well.  
In large bowl, combine, bacon, lettuce, and tomato with the sauce.
Divide the mixture evenly among the 4 large size burrito tortillas.  Place the mixture on the bottom 1/3 of the tortilla.  roll the wrap up tightly and cut in half on a diagonal.  Best eaten fresh.

*Note for cooking bacon:
She says it is best to cook in the oven.  Line a baking sheet with foil.  Arrange the bacon slices, then place tray in cold oven and turn it on to 400 degrees.  bake anywhere between 20-25 min.  once bacon is crisp, pull out of oven and transfer to paper towel lined pan to drain. 

And here is the thought for today:

Whatever we think about and thank about we bring about - Dr John Demartini

As soon as you start to feel different about what you already have, you will start to attract more of the good things.  More of the things you can be grateful for.  -Dr Joe Vitale

The daily practice of gratitude is one of the conduits by which your wealth will come to you. - Wallace Wattles

So let's be grateful! we will get more of what we want when we do!
.

Texas Roadhouse Butter

Here is a recipe I whipped up tonight and it was really good:

Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter
1 cup softened butter (not melted)
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk (chilled if possible)
1 Tblsp corn syrup (or honey)
1 1/2 - 2 Tblsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 cup powder sugar
Whip butter with a handmixer, then add the other ingredients and chill.
* You can make this several days in advance, simply stir the butter together again because some of the condensed milk does begin to separate.  Note - if made with honey it tastes more like honey butter than if you use corn syrup, then the cinnamon flavor comes out.  You can also add nutmeg to this if you like.

If you don't have sweetened condensed milk, here is one I found in a ward cookbook that is different, 

Texas Roadhouse Butter
2 sticks butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup honey
2 tsp cinnamon

whip all together and enjoy on warm rolls.

Here is the thought for today:
We all possess more power and greater possibilities than we realize, and visualizing is one of the greatest of these powers. -Generere Behrend

The only difference between people who live in this way, who live in the magic way of life, and who don't, is that the people who live in the magic of life have habituated ways of being.  They've made a habit of using the law of attraction, and magic happens with them wherever they go.  Because they remember to use it.  They use it all the time, not just as a one time event -Marci Shimoff

I want to let you in on a secret to The Secret.  The shortcut to anything you want in your life is to Be and Feel Happy Now - Rhonda Byrne

Krista's Strawberry Fruit Dip

This is from my daughter in law Krista, who serves this with crepes as well.  It is yummy!

Strawberry Fruit Dip

1 small tub strawberry cream cheese
1 small container cool whip
1 jar marshmallow cream

Mix cream cheese with marshmallow cream with electric mixer.  Fold in cool whip.  Serve with fruit, crepes, etc.

The thought for today is:

The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, or a Hell of Heaven. -John Molton

Nothing has any power over me other than that which I give it through my conscious thoughts. -Anthony Robbins

Cream Corn

This recipe is from my daughter in law Krista.  She brought this to a family potluck and we loved it!  It is now tradition!

CREAM CORN

8 oz cream cheese
1/2 stick butter
3 cans corn

Put all ingredients in a crock pot.  Cook on medium heat until butter and cream cheese mix smoothly with corn.

Can be doubled!
It is yummy!

The thought for today:
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.  -Helen Keller

Let's make our lives an adventure!  go out and LIVE!

Taco Pasta Salad

Shauna got this recipe from my friend Diane who got it from Heidi Edwards.  I have heard that it is "to die for" and that when you take it places, everyone asks for the recipe.  So if you want to be a big hit with the crowd , make this and take this!  I made it and it is very yummy!

Taco Pasta Salad

1 box 16 oz rotini pasta
1 can red beans
1 can black beans
1 can sliced olives
1 bag of shredded mozzarella cheese
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 medium red onion chopped
1 can baby corn (I just used a can of regular corn)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper
1 pkg Hidden Valley Dip called Fiesta Ranch (it is like taco seasoning)  (I have only found it at WalMart)

Boil the pasta, rinse in cold water and drain.  Put in large bowl
Mix up the Dip with 1 cup sour cream and 1 cup mayonnaise and salt and pepper.
Add Dip to the Pasta, Stir, and then add the rest of the ingredients.  Stir well. 
Enjoy!

The thought for today:

The Royal Road to a person's heart is to talk about the things he or she treasures most!  (I forgot to write down who said that)

The way to get things done is to stimulate competition -Charles Schwab

Frosted Grapes

We had a family reunion long ago and I found this recipe sent to me in the email when I asked for it:

Frosted Grapes (or Strawberries or Fruit)

1  8 oz Cream cheese
1  cup Powdered Sugar
1  cup Sour Cream
2  tsp Vanilla
2  lbs Grapes or Strawberries

Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, sour cream and vanilla.  Pour over grapes or strawberries.  Chill until ready to serve.

It is yummy!

The thought for today is:

Simply by changing your habitual vocabulary - the words you consistently use to describe the emotions of your life - you can instantaneously change how you feel, how you think, and how you live.

So wake up and say YAY for today!  I am so happy to be alive today!  (unless you are in your first months of pregnancy like some of my daughters, then you have a right to hate the world! ha ha)

Blondies

Here is another recipe from the Fat Witch Bakery who makes the best brownies.  She(patricia helding)  says her Blondies are very popular and I always think of the blondies we order at Applebees.  These are really good:

BLONDIES

8 Tblsp unsalted butter (1 stick) at room temp
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar 
1 Tblsp molasses 
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups unbleached flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans (optional)

Grease a 9 x 9 baking pan with butter and dust with flour.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Cream the butter and eggs together .  Beat in the sugar, molasses, and vanilla until well blended.
Measure the flour, salt, and baking soda, and then sift together into the butter mixture.  Mix the batter until gently combined and no trace of dry ingred
Stir in choc chips by hand, and pecans if desired.

Spread the batter evenly in prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean
Remove from oven and cool for one hour.

Thought for today:
I am the source of all my emotions.  Nothing and no one can change how I feel except me.  If I find myself in reaction to anything, I can change it in a moment.
If you ever feel angry or upset with someone, remember its your rules that are upsetting you, not their behavior! -Anthony Robbins

Fat Witch Brownies

I checked out a book from the library called Fat Witch Brownies, and tried her brownie recipe (Patricia Helding), and it was DELICIOUS, she runs her own bakery in New York, and here it is:

Fat Witch Brownies

14 Tblsp unsalted butter (1 3/4 sticks)  (I used salted, it was fine)

1/2 cup plus 2 Tblsp bittersweet chocolate chips (or 4 ounces of unsweetened chocolate mixed with 1/3 cup granulated sugar)

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup plus 2 Tblsp unbleached flour
pinch of salt

Grease a 9 x 9 baking pan with butter.  Dust with flour and tap out excess flour.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Melt the butter and chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. Set aside to cool.

Cream the sugar, eggs, and vanilla together.  Add the cooled chocolate mixture and mix until well blended.

Measure the flour and salt and then sift together directly into the chocolate mixture and mix the batter gently until well combined and no trace of dry ingredients remain.

At this point, gently stir in nuts or other additions you wish, like mini chocolate chips.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan and bake 33 minutes (mine was done at 30 min) or until toothpick in center comes out clean, or with crumbs on it, but no liquid batter.
Remove from oven and cool on rack for one hour.

I did everything she asked, except I used salted butter and I did not sift my flour and salt together, and I used 4 oz of unsweetened chocolate and added sugar like she said  and  my brownies were perfect!  Try this and see for yourself  !  YUM

She also has COCOA BROWNIES for when we dont have the unsweetened stuff so here is that recipe:

COCOA BROWNIES

12 Tblsp unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 Tblsp pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup unbleached flour
1/2 tsp salt

Grease 9 x 9 baking pan with butter.  Dust with flour and tap out the excess.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
In small saucepan, heat the butter over low heat just until it is melted, but not brown.  Set aside to cool for  5 minutes.
Add the cocoa powder and sugar to the butter and whisk until well blended.  Add the eggs one at a time, whisking after each  until the mixture is smooth and shiny.  Add vanilla and whisk well.
Measure the flour and salt and sift together into the batter.  Mix the batter gently until well combined and no trace of dry ingred remain

At this point stir in any extras if desired, nuts chips, etc.
Spread batter evenly in prepared baking pan and bake 30 min or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Remove from oven and cool for one hour.

And if you prefer cake like brownies (which I sometimes do) then here is that version:

CAKEY BROWNIES

6 Tblsp (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup whole milk at room temp
1 cup unbleached flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt

Grease 9  x 9 pan with butter and flour
 Preheat oven to 350
Melt butter and chocolate in small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently.  Set aside to cool. 
Cream the sugar and eggs together.  Add vanilla and milk and mix well.  Add the cooled chocolate mixture and mix until well blended.
Measure the flour, baking powder, and salt and then sift together directly into chocolate mixture.  Mix the batter gently until well combined and no trace of dry ingred.
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan and bake for 20 min or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Remove from oven and cool on rack for one hour

Thought for today!
Success is creating a state of mind that allows you to achieve whatever it is you want - Anthony Robbins
The future depends on what we do in the present. -Mahatama Gandhi
I like thinking big.  I always have.  To me it's very simple; if your'e going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big. - Donald Trump