The Ultimate Brownie

SUBMITTED BY: Carol PHOTO BY: Allrecipes

"Fudgy Brownies that are the best you have ever tried. Fattening but worth it!"

SERVINGS & SCALING Original recipe yield: 2 dozen brownies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter
• 3 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 7 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line one 9x9 inch baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat melt the butter. Stir in the sugar until dissolved. Remove mixture from heat and beat in the eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.
3. Sift the flour, cocoa and salt together. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until combined. Stir in the walnuts. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 to 50 minutes. Do not overbake! These brownies freeze well so that you can enjoy them later.

Spider Cupcakes

"These are a huge hit with kids!"

PREP TIME	1 Hr
COOK TIME	30 Min
READY IN	1 Hr 30 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 24 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
• 1 pound black shoestring licorice
• 1 (16 ounce) can white frosting
• 48 pieces candy corn
• 48 cinnamon red hot candies
• 1/4 cup orange decorator sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare cupcakes according to package directions. Let cool completely.
2. Cut licorice into 3 inch sections. Working with one or two cupcakes at a time, so the frosting doesn't set before decorating, frost the cupcakes with the white frosting. Insert licorice pieces into the outer edges of the cupcakes to make the legs of the spider, 3 legs on each side (4 takes up too much space). Place two pieces of candy corn on the front of the cupcake for fangs and use two red hots as eyes. Sprinkle with decorator sugar. Repeat with remaining cupcakes

Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies

SUBMITTED BY: Joan

"A great combination of chocolate chips, oatmeal, and peanut butter."

PREP TIME	15 Min
COOK TIME	10 Min
READY IN	25 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 3 dozen

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla and egg until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter just until moistened. Mix in the oats and chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Drop by tablespoonfuls on to lightly greased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges start to brown. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Thin Mint Crackers

SUBMITTED BY: Kim
"Just like the Girl Scout cookies!"
SERVINGS & SCALING Original recipe yield: 80 cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound bittersweet chocolate
• 80 buttery round crackers
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Using a double boiler method, melt the chocolate coatings over hot tap water for 15 - 20 minutes. Stir . Do not cook or get water into the chocolate.
2. After it is melted, stir in a couple drops of peppermint flavor into the chocolate.
3. Dip crackers into the melted chocolate and then place onto a cold cookie sheet and put into the refrigerator to set. (A freezing tray to rest the dipped cookies will keep the bottoms neat looking.)
4. In a few minutes take them out and package in candy cups. The cookies are best kept at room temperature or a cool dry place away from any odors.

Mashed Potato, Rutabaga, And Parsnip Casserole With Caramelized Onions

SUBMITTED BY: Christine L.
"This is great with Apricot Glazed Turkey and Green Beans With Walnuts And Walnut Oil. This dish can be made one day ahead. The broth made in this recipe can be used as stock for turkey soup. Originally submitted to ThanksgivingRecipe.com."
Original recipe yield:
8 to 10 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 1/2 pounds rutabagas, peeled and cubed
• 1 1/4 pounds parsnips, peeled and cubed
• 8 cloves garlic
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 onions, thinly sliced
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine chicken broth, potatoes, rutabagas, parsnips, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme in a large pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and cover partially. Simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes. Drain.
2. Transfer vegetables to large bowl. Add 1/2 cup butter or margarine . Use an electric mixer, beat mixture until mashed but still chunky. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer mashed vegetables to a buttered 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish.
3. Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter or margarine in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions. Saute until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Saute until onions are tender and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Spread onions evenly over mashed vegetables. Casserole can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes, or until heated through and top begins to crisp.

   NUTRITION INFORMATION

   Servings Per Recipe: 9

   Amount Per Serving

   Calories: 372

5. Total Fat: 17g
6. Cholesterol: 44mg
7. Sodium: 274mg
8. Total Carbs: 50.1g
9. Dietary Fiber: 9.4g
10. Protein: 7.9g