cookie dough brownies

A layer of brownie and a layer of cookie dough... YES PLEASE!

These were super yummy and the more I ate the more I wanted!

(recipe found via here - I love her blog!)

At first, I did feel that the brownie layer was a little too dry, but after a few days keeping in the fridge it didn't seem so dry anymore. Could have just been an error on my part (maybe a little over baked?), but I think next time I will adapt the brownie layer a little in an attempt to make it more moist (I'll update this post if I do this successfully!)

Cookie Dough Brownies

1 cup soft butter

2 cups light brown sugar

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

4 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted & cooled slightly

1 cup flour

Mix the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs & vanilla. Mix in the melted chocolate until combined. On low speed mix in the flour just until combined. Line a 9x13 pan with foil. Butter the foil. Pour in brownie batter and bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes. Toothpick inserted in center should come out clean. Cool completely.

3/4 cup soft butter

3/4 cup light brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar

3 tablespoons milk

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

 1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips

(plus extra for sprinkling on top)

Mix together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the milk and vanilla and mix until combined. On low speed mix in the flour just until combined. Mix in the chocolate chips by hand. Spread cookie dough over cooled brownie layer. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top. Refrigerate until the dough is firm (about an hour). Cut into squares and store in the refrigerator.

You will thank me for sharing this recipe... I promise!

hannah & matt get married

This past weekend, one of my little sisters got married!

The wedding was at the park close to my parents house... we spent a whole lot of time at this park growing up so it was fun to have another great memory made there!

Here's the ceremony set up

Hannah and Dad

So pretty

{close up}

The new Mr. & Mrs. share their first married kiss!

Hannah did her own flowers... they were so pretty!

Family pic

The wedding party

The ladies of the family

Dad & Mom

Kevin & I

April & Mark

{sister & brother}

My sister, Angela, made the cake. It was lemon and the flowers were tissue paper flowers.

It was delicious and beautiful!!! I was so impressed!!!

My sister, Bonnie, was the maid of honor

My sister, Angela (who made the cake), was a bridesmaid

My sister, Marsha, was also a bridesmaid

Sarah's wedding is next... later this summer!

I made all the cookies for the cookie buffet. It was fun and yummy!

What a fun day! Yes, I listed a lot of siblings, maybe I'll have to do a post to introduce them all!

peanut butter blondies

I got this recipe from the October 2009 Family Circle magazine.

These pretty much taste like soft iced peanut butter cookies... did someone say YUM?!

Peanut Butter Blondies

2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup shortening

1 cup peanut butter

1 lb brown sugar

3 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

1/2 cup chopped peanuts (I omitted)

Heat oven to 350. Coat two 9x13 pans with cooking spray. In a large bowl, beat shortening, peanut butter and brown sugar on medium-high for 3 minutes. Add eggs; beat 3 minutes more. Add vanilla. On low spead add flower, baking powder and salt. Beat until mixed. Stir in the peanuts (if desired). Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool slightly.

Frosting

1 lb confectioners sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup shortening

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup hot water (I used a little more)

Beat sugar, peanut butter, shortening, salt and vanilla. Add hot water a little at a time. Beat until smooth. Spread over blondies while still warm.

Two pans is a big batch, but I brought one to work so that took care of half pretty quick!!

I just love how these are a "soft" cookie!

love, marriage, and cookies!!!

This past weekend we visited Pittsburg, PA for Kevin's cousin's wedding and were able to spend an extra couple of days there for a mini vacation with some of Kevin's family. It was great! The wedding was so much fun and I loved the town! We crammed a lot of activity into our couple of days so get ready for a whole slew of posts about it!!!

Here's the newly married couple!

Kevin & I all purdied up :)

Eric & Casey

The brothers looking sharp in their various shades of blue

Kevin's cousins  (and uncle)

I tried to get Kevin to take a "cute" pic and this is the best we could do. Guess "cute" isn't our cup of tea.

Yes, we got stuck driving the "kids" around :)

Maybe we're not so far from being "kids" ourselves

Love this pic of Kevin's parents!

Another shot of us - we stopped at a wine bar on the way to reception! The sangria was mmmm

All parts of the wedding and reception were beautiful and fun, but I've got to give a big (5 picture) shout out for my favorite part... the cookie bar!!! Each mother made 40+ dozen cookies (that's 80+ dozen total) for this delicious appetizer/dessert/snack bar and I LOVED IT. I can't wait to use this idea for my next party

I'm not gonna lie... I ate a lot of cookies and even was able to take a few to-go to snack on the rest of the weekend. love love love