Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

We had a family gathering last night and I made these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from Our Best Bites.  They were a HIT!  So I guess that makes this recipe a keeper!  You can find the recipe HERE on their blog.

Ingredients
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
3/4 cups white sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups chocolate chips (any kind you like, or a mix)
1/2 cup toffee bits (optional)

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with foil and lightly spray the bottom with cooking spray.  Set aside.

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and whisk to combine.  Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, white sugar, and melted butter.  Add eggs, one at a time, stirring between each addition, and vanilla.  Add dry ingredients a little at a time until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips (save a few for the top if desired).  Once dough is thoroughly mixed, press into the prepared baking pan.  Bake for about 25 minutes (all ovens are different, set timer for 20 minutes to start checking on them.  They will bake for 20-30, 25 is perfection in my oven.)  Remove from oven when edges are golden brown and center appears set, but still soft.  Cool completely to room temperature and then cut into squares.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

I didn't have a garden this year so I had to buy zucchini's to make this...that is just unreal to me.  Usually they are growing like crazy in my garden and I can't give them away fast enough.  Anyway, this recipe my kids approved although one time I forgot to add the chocolate chips and then it didn't seem to turn out so moist.  So add those chocolate chips and maybe a little more applesauce!  I found this recipe on Six Sisters Stuff that can be found HERE


Ingredients:
-1 1/2 cups sugar
-1 cup unsweetened applesauce (can substitute 1 cup canola oil)
-3 eggs
-3 teaspoons vanilla extract
-2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I used 1 1/2 cups all-purpose and 1 cup whole wheat flour)
-1/2 cup baking cocoa
-1 teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
-1/4 teaspoon baking powder
-2-3 cups shredded zucchini
-1 cup chocolate chips (optional, but they taste amazing!)

Directions:
In a large bowl, beat the sugar, applesauce, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and baking powder; gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended. Stir in zucchini. Fold in chocolate chips. Transfer to two 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans coated with non-stick cooking spray.

Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 2 loaves (12 slices each).

Famous Dave's Corn Bread

Last night at Chay's work party we were catered by Famous Dave's. Since Chay's in HR we were able to take home some of the extra food at the end of the night. We ended up with 2 huge foil pans of Famous Dave's cornbread. Have you had this ever?? Oh my gosh. The best! I can't stop eating it. It is very moist and sweet. My kids love it and so does Chay. I found the actual recipe online not a copycat.


Famous Dave's corn bread muffins

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 cup stone ground cornmeal

1 (9-ounce) package yellow cake mix

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs, beaten

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

Jalapeno honey glaze (recipe below; see note)

Mix yellow cornmeal, stone-ground cornmeal, cake mix, baking powder, salt and cayenne pepper in bowl. Combine milk, buttermilk, oil, eggs, brown sugar and honey in a bowl. Mix well. Add to cornmeal mixture and mix gently. There should be no lumps, but do not overmix. Fold in the mayonnaise. Let rest, covered, in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or overnight.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spoon cold batter into muffin tin or a cast iron skillet. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Drizzle with jalapeno honey glaze. Yield: 9 servings.

Note: Burress said the restaurant does not use the jalapeno honey glaze. To duplicate the restaurant's glaze, omit jalapeno, red pepper and cayenne pepper.

Jalapeno honey glaze

1/2 cup butter

1 large jalapeno ( 1/8-inch pieces, seeded)

3 tablespoons ( 1/8-inch pieces) red bell pepper

1/4 cup honey

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Heat butter in saucepan until melted. Stir in jalapeno and red pepper. Bring to a simmer. Stir in honey and cayenne. Simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Store, covered, in refrigerator. Reheat before serving. Drizzle over Famous Dave's corn bread muffins.

Peach Pie (from Taste of Home)

• I made this recently and it was yummy! The recipe comes from Taste of Home.  You can find it HERE
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 4-1/2 cups sliced peeled peaches
• Pastry for double-crust pie (9 inches)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine sugars; add peaches and toss gently. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. Line a 9-in. pie plate with bottom pastry; trim even with edge. Set aside. Drain peaches, reserving juice.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the cornstarch, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt; gradually stir in reserved juice. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in lemon juice and butter. Gently fold in peaches. Pour into crust.
3. Roll out remaining pastry; make a lattice crust. Trim, seal and flute edges. Cover edges loosely with foil. Bake at 400° for 50-60 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Remove foil. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 6-8 servings.

***FOR MY WONDERFUL FAMILY, I make my own pie crust.  It comes from the recipe book - Set for Life - called Never-Fail Pie Crust.  It is easy and I know you have the recipe!