Table for 7: 02/01/2012

2.29.2012

Google Friend Connect- Goodbye!

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to let remind everyone that Google Friend Connect is going to retire tomorrow, Thursday, March 1st. I would love to stay in touch with everyone, so I wanted to reach out to you to let you know some options for staying connected to Table for {7}

Option 1

The easiest way to stay connected is to follow these steps:

On the right side of the screen, scroll down to the Follow by Email section.

Enter your email address in the box and click the Submit button.

An email will be sent to that email address so that you can confirm the subscription.

When you receive the email, click the Confirm button.

You will now receive emails for each new blog post! :)

Option 2

You can also follow Table for {7} on Google +

Option 3

You can follow Table for {7} on Facebook & Pinterest.

Please let me know if I can be any additional assistance-

Thank you everyone for following!

Erin

Granola & Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies

Happy Leap Day! I made you some cookies for breakfast to celebrate!

Yep. Cookies for breakfast. Now, make these. Eat a few. Toss the rest in the freezer. Grab and go in the morning. Simple and healthy. Delicious. Can't forgot..they are delicious.
You don't actually have to wait for breakfast to have these. I did not. I have been snacking on them since yesterday afternoon.
Besides being delicious. These are very versatile. You can add (or subtract) what you want to add to them. We are simple here. So, I stuck with granola and mini chocolate chips. But, dried fruit, coconut, oats, raisins, whatever you desire will work.

Printable Version
Adapted From

Ingredients:
1-1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla
1-1/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup dried milk
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4 cups {total} of whatever you chose to add in: chocolate chips, coconut, dried fruit, oats, granola, raisins, etc.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or spray lightly with non stick cooking spray.
In a mixing bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla and brown sugar. Beat until fluffy. Then, add, liquid milk, eggs. Mix until well combined. Slowly, mix in flour, dried milk, cinnamon. Beat until dough is formed.
Add your favorite add-ins and stir well.
Scoop approx 1/4 cup sections of dough on to prepared cookie sheet, about 2 ins apart. Bake 15-18 minutes or until lightly brown.

2.27.2012

Fruit & Yogurt Muffins

Today's post does not contain any chocolate! The last few posts I have bombarded you guys with it...not, that I heard any complaining, though :)
This is actually pretty healthy...

Question, though..for all the baking pros out there. How do get a muffin to dome? My didn't dome. They taste great, but, are dome-less. Any ideas?
These muffins may be dome-less, but, they are very good and easy to add your own twist to them. I went with french vanilla yogurt and dried apples. For a topping, I sprinkled them with brown sugar and rolled oats. Go with whatever combo you want to make them your own.

Printable Version
Adapted From

Ingredients:
1& 1/2 cup flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 &1/2 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup milk
3/4 cup yogurt---any flavor you desire
2 eggs
1/4 cup melted butter
1 cup dried fruit..any flavor or mixture you desire

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 12 count muffin pan with non stick cooking spray or line with cupcake papers. Whisk together flour, sugar and baking powder in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine, eggs, yogurt and milk. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Gently stir in melted butter.
Spoon batter into prepared cupcake pan and bake 15-18 minutes or until lightly brown.

Optional Topping:
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 TBSP soft butter
Combine all and spoon over muffins before baking.

2.23.2012

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

I just kinda noticed, that my last few posts have been sweets.

I have been cooking real food at my house. Sometimes. It's seems that lately the days have been crazy and when dinner times rolls around, we are either eating pizza (homemade, really!), sandwiches or I am throwing pasta in to boil up. Nothing to thrilling to post here. OK, we have been doing our share of take-out too.
Of course, there is always time to make cookies, cakes, and any type of sweets, right?
Speaking of sweets, I came across these yummy items over at Stella B's Kitchen. They are fabulous and waayyy to easy to make. You can have a few of these done in mere minutes. I made a few, tossed them in the freezer and then snacked on one (OK, three) later on. Worked out great.

Printable Version
Adapted From

Ingredients:
Ritz crackers
creamy peanut butter
2 -3 bricks chocolate almond bark (for approx 6 cookies)

Directions:
Spread generous amount of peanut butter on flat side of cracker. Top off with another cracker to create a sandwich. Make sure peanut butter is not squirt out of sandwich.
Melt chocolate is small saucepan on low heat ( or you can use a double boiler). Once chocolate is melted. Dip prepared sandwiches and coat well using two forks. Place coated cookies on wax paper to cool for approx an hour. You can also place in the freezer to speed up the process.
Store in a sealed container.

2.21.2012

Mounds Brownies

Whew! What a week it has been! Last week was crazy busy here and then, yesterday everyone was off for President's Day. Very nice, but, it was borderline impossible to get at a computer for more than a few minutes. Thanks for understanding!

Now, I realize, my last post was brownies.Cheesecake brownies. They were awesome, but, my husband, Mr Plain is not a huge fan of anything cheesecake-related. So, he was a bit bummed, when he found a pan a brownies and they swirled with cream cheese. So, I hunted around and found a brownie recipe just for him. Mounds Brownies. Mr Plain loves Mounds candy bar and Almond Joy candy bars, so, this was a no-brainer. Mr Plain is a happy guy now.

Printable Version
Adapted From

What you need:
9 x 13 pan of brownies ( boxed or your own homemade version)
5 1/3 cup shredded coconut
14oz can condensed milk
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 can chocolate frosting

To Prepare:
Prepare brownies according to box (or recipe) and let cool completely. Mix coconut, condensed milk and powdered sugar in bowl in well combined. Spread coconut mixture over cooled brownies.
Remove foil top from frosting and microwave for approx 30 seconds until frosting is pourable. Pour frosting over coconut mixture. Let cool completely before serving.

2.13.2012

A Crazy Week

This week is a bit crazy here. The car needs to be fixed, there are doctor appointments, special ed meetings at school, Valentine's Day parties and parent/teacher conferences. Then, the kids have a half day of school and a day off this week. Add all that into the regular nuttiness of my house and it makes me a bit dizzy thinking about it. With all this going on, I have decided to lay low this week with my blog. I am afraid that whatever is posted will be a bit half-a$$ed honestly and that is not something I want to do. So, I will be checking in on Facebook, but, won't be posting anything new this week. Please feel free to browse all the recipes in our archives. See you next week!
Thanks-
Erin

2.09.2012

Cheesecake Brownies

Brownies. By themselves...divine. Add a little cream cheese and sugar....divine + awesome.

My mom gave me this recipe a few years ago, but, for some reason, I haven't made them as often as planned. It was tucked away in a folder of recipes, until it was recently discovered on a hunt for something a bit different. These are very easy to make and really give a kick to a plain pan of brownies. Add a drop or 2 of red food coloring to the cream cheese and they would great for a Valentine's Day treat.

Printable Version

Ingredients:
1- pack of 19.8 Brownie Mix ( or your homemade version for a 13 x 9 pan)
1/3 cup sugar
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, Spray 13 x 9 baking dish with non stick cooking spray.
Prepare brownies as directed. Pour into prepared dish. In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Pour cream cheese mixture over brownies and with slice with knife for marble effect.
Bake 25-28 minutes until knife or toothpick comes out clean.

Pin It

2.07.2012

Strawberry Pineapple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This is one those cakes that I love. Easy. Quick. Delicious.

I have made these awesome Pineapple Bliss Cupcakes a few bazillion times from Skinny Taste. So, when, I discovered strawberry cake mix and a can of pineapple in my pantry, I figure, why not give the strawberry a try.
Now, you may be surprised to know, this cake is only 2 ingredients. Yes, TWO! Now, if you don't care for strawberry or don't have on hand, just use the original recipe with yellow cake mix and you are good to go.
For the frosting, I made the Cream Cheese Frosting, because, I was sadly, out of marshmallow fluff. But, the Pineapple Fluff Frosting (listed with the Pineapple Bliss recipe) is another yummy option.

Printable Version

Ingredients:
for cake:
1 box- strawberry cake mix
1 -20 oz can crushed pineapple

for cream cheese frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:
for cake:
Add dry cake mix and pineapple in a bowl. Do not drain pineapple. Mix until well combined. Bake according to the cake mix box directions.
for frosting:
mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until combined.

Frost on cooled cake. Top with coconut if desired.

2.03.2012

White Chocolate & Peanut Butter Party Mix

I wasn't sure if technically this should be called "Valentine Chex Mix". I did use their recipe, but, did not use actual Chex cereal. The store brand worked just as well and was a bit cheaper. Also, to call this Valentine, does apply to this time of year, but, you could add any color M & M's ( or chocolate coated candies ) and eat it for any holiday, special occasion or just to snack on during movie night at your house.

This is a an easy recipe to throw together and with a bit of help...a snap for kids to do too.

Printable Version

Ingredients:

9 cups rice or corn cereal

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup butter

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup candy coated candies

sprinkles

Directions:

	In a large bowl, place cereal. Set aside. In small saucepan, add vanilla chips, peanut butter and butter. Mix on medium heat, stirring often, until mixture is melted and smooth. Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.
	Place 1/2 of the cereal mixture in 1-gallon food-storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes.
	Meanwhile, stir candies and sprinkles into remaining cereal mixture. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes.
	In serving bowl, mix both cereal mixtures. Store in airtight container.

2.02.2012

Crock Pot Chocolate Cake

Mmmm....not sure about this photo:

I really don't think it does this cake justice. But, this is what happens when you miss your window of natural light when photographing food. I have been doing pretty good getting my pictures done before a certain time of the day. But, this one...just got away from me. I'm learning these things as I go along as a food blogger.

The other thing that I have learned is that you guys love your crock pots. Two of my most popular posts so far are the Crock Pot Shredded Chicken and the Crock Pot Mac n Cheese.

With that, I decided to give a dessert a whirl. I found this recipe on Pinterest, and it looked really good and all the ingredients were in my pantry. Plus and Plus.

We will be repeating this dessert in our house, so, no fear! A new picture will be available soon!

Now, the original recipe says it will take about 3 hours to cook. I have a large crock pot, so, it took mine over 4 hours to be done. So, keep an eye on it, depending on the size of your crock pot. I also was not able to get out nice, neat perfectly cut pieces out of it, so, I just scooped it and served it warmed from a bowl with some powdered sugar and chocolate syrup. Yum.

Printable Version

Ingredients:

2 cups white sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Directions:

Spray crock pot with non stick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla until well combined. Whisk in the boiling water. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix well.

Pour the cake batter into the prepared crock pot.

Set cooker to "Low". Cook until cake has no wet spots on top and has pulled away from the sides of the crock, about 3-4 hours.

Turn off slow cooker and allow cake to rest for 30 minutes before serving.