'Twix' Dessert Bars

I haven't posted a recipe on here for a while, which is weird because I've been finding some great ones on Pinterest that we've really liked.

I'm sure I'll get around to them, but I HAD HAD HAD to share this one with you all.

These are seriously ah-maz-ing!!!!

I actually first pinned this recipe almost 2 years ago, and just never got around to making it.

I am so glad I finally did though because now that I know how awesome it is, it will be whipped up MANY times in the future. I can't believe how much these actually taste like a Twix bar.

Sooooo good people.

This recipe is perfect to have on hand to use it at all of your upcoming holiday festivities.

It's also one that you can make ahead, and stores really well.

These only lasted a couple of days at our house before they were gone, and they were still just as yummy as the first day we made them.

Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes

My new recipe for you this week is a dessert.

I love mini desserts, and these strawberry cheesecakes are amazing!

A couple of weeks ago I was in the mood to bake something new.

It was a Monday, and that night we would be having our weekly Family Home Evening, so I had an excuse to make a dessert :)

(If you are unfamiliar with Family Home Evening, you can learn more about it here)

I had found a recipe on Pinterest I wanted to try, but I didn't have a couple of the ingredients, so I decided to just get the basics of a cheesecake and then make my own version.

This is what I came up with. 

I was pretty proud of myself, because these turned out so good!

Mini Coconut Cream Pies

Good morning all!
It's no secret that I love mini desserts.

Maybe I feel less guilty if I'm eating smaller portions...but I don't think it counts if I pop multiple ones in my mouth in one sitting...hmmm, oh well~
On to the recipe!
I feel like pies just come with territory when you're talking about Thanksgiving and Christmas, so lucky for you this post comes right before Thanksgiving, yay!

Guests at your holiday get-together will definitely appreciate the individual serving size :)

I first made these last year for Thanksgiving, and they were DELICIOUS!

Since then, I've actually made these a couple of times, and I've tweaked the recipe to save a little time here and there. Even with that help, they are a little involved, but SOOOO worth it, I promise!

You can do this a day in advance and refrigerate the dough and cream filling if that helps!

Here we go!

Pie Crust

1/3 c. cold water with an ice cube or two to keep it cold

1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

2/3 c. shortening

Pour flour, salt, and brown sugar into a bowl. Using a pastry blender or fork cut the shortening into the dry ingredients until it starts to resemble pea-sized clumps.

Pour in a small amount of water and press the dough together, keep adding small dashes of water until you can form the dough into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour. 

(If you want to you can also leave it overnight)

When you are ready, break the dough ball in half and roll it out on a sheet of wax paper sprinkled lightly with flour. Cut out circles and place in a greased muffin tin. Gently push it down so it makes a little cup.

Poke a few tiny holes in the bottom so it doesn't puff up.

Fudgy Brownie Dessert

First of all, the most important thing to tell you, is this brownie batter is made by throwing everything in one pot, that's right ONE.  I love anything that cuts down on dirty dishes!!  

So, my husband requested this delicious dessert Friday night, luckily I was able to use his phone to take pictures...yes, my camera is still getting fixed :(.  At least his phone can take really good photos, so I just had to share it with this dessert with the rest of the world!  IT IS SOOO GOOD!  I've made these brownies for A LONG time, like years, that's how are delicious they are on their own, but one night after I'd made them my husband looked through our fridge to try and take them up a notch.  

This is the glorious masterpiece he came up with.  Now we just make the brownies just to have this...

 Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. unsalted butter
• 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate (pictured below so you'd know what it looks like)
• 1 c. sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2/3 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda

Toppings:

• vanilla ice cream
• dulce de leche, or caramel
• shredded coconut
• whipped cream
• we've also added chopped nuts before, there's no right or wrong, let your imagination run wild! :)

In a medium saucepan melt butter and unsweetened chocolate over low heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.  Once it's melted remove from heat.  Stir in the sugar, and then add the eggs, one at a time, and mixing in completely with a wooden spoon after each egg.  Stir in the vanilla.  Then add the flour and baking soda, and mix it all together.

Pour the batter into a greased 9x13 cake pan and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.  Let cool for a few minutes, then assemble the masterpiece.  We spread a layer of dulce de leche, or caramel, on the brownie, then top with the vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, shredded coconut, and on this one I drizzled a little more caramel on top.  Sorry there aren't more pictures of the process, but with just having to throw it all in one pot, I felt there wasn't much I could document...again with the one dish...I know, I know...

Hope you enjoy!

For a printable version of this recipe click here.