Tag Archives: chocolate

It’s The Thought That Counts… Right?!?

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Hi everyone!

It’s Mommy Monday!

Have you ever wondered what goes on in the mind of a 12-year-old???  Or how a set of twins can process things at totally opposite ends of the spectrum???

I know I sure have… and still do!

Like today, for instance…

The boys and I were on our way home from running an errand and somehow the subject of Christmas came up.

It was just this past summer that they “discovered” where all of their COOL Christmas presents REALLY come from.

Up until that point, I had been very successful in keeping the fantasy alive by reminding them that WE certainly couldn’t afford to pay for all those things that “magically” appeared underneath the Christmas tree… and how would I find the time to BUY them… or WRAP them… and where on earth would I HIDE them?!?

That logic totally pacified them… and also seemed to be buying me a little more time to continue using the “naughty-list” threat… or at least it did… until they had a little chat with their great-grandma this summer.

Oh well… so maybe it was time for them to find out… you know- before they become the laughing-stock of middle school.  It was still a good run while it lasted.

Anyway…

Now that they “know what they know”, they’ve begun to “experiment” with the concept of gift “giving”.  Apparently the two of them have had some discussion about this and came to the conclusion that they want to buy Christmas presents for US because we “work so hard” and “always give to everyone else”.

They’ve decided that this year it’s OUR turn to receive gifts… or at least it WILL be if grandpa agrees to reinstate their allowance!   😉

So, I spent the entire ride home fielding a barrage of questions…

What size boots do you wear?  What kind of perfume do you like?  What’s your favorite movie? Do you need a new attachment for your mixer?  Do you need more furniture to paint? Do you like leather coats?  Would you wear a nice bracelet?

After careful consideration of my answers…they both announced that they had figured out the PERFECT gift!

Jimmy said, “You can never go wrong with chocolate!”  (<<<<<Smart boy, right?!?)

And Jeff?!?

He wants to buy me a box of HAIR DYE!

Ok… I know I’ve always been taught that it’s the THOUGHT that counts… but, HAIR DYE?!?  SERIOUSLY?!?

I’m not quite sure if he just has a lot to learn yet… or if he’s trying to tell me something in his own awkwardly “subtle” way… or if this is simply “payback” for the toothpaste he got in his stocking last year…

But, either way… for his sake, I really hope he ends up marrying someone with an incredible sense of humor… sheesh!

Enjoy!

Lynn

Mounds Brownies

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Hi everyone!

It’s What’s Cookin’? Wednesday!

There has been a recipe floating around on Facebook recently that I just had to try. Personally, I’m more of an Almond Joy fan, but coconut surrounded by chocolate is always a winner no matter what you call it!

Actually, the version I made tasted more like an Almond Joy brownie (without the almonds!) because I used milk chocolate frosting, instead of dark chocolate, because that’s what I already had on hand.

The recipe calls for a Family Size box of brownie mix… I don’t know how anyone else’s brownies turn out, but whenever I bake them in a 9×13 pan (per the box instructions)… they always seem to be too thin, so I usually just bake them in a 9×9 pan- for 5 minutes less than the recommended baking time, and they come out fudgy and perfect each and every time!

For this recipe, I did use the 9×13 pan, but next time I’ll try the smaller one.  One change I had to make was the amount of frosting- I thought I had a nearly full container in the fridge, but it turned out to be only half full (it’s been a REALLY long summer!).  In my opinion, that was “just enough” topping for this delicious dessert!

Soooooooo….. if you like either of those candy bars, then you will LOVE these brownies… I know MY family did 😉

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Mounds Brownies

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook/Bake Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Family Size (9x13) box of brownie mix
  • 1 (14 oz.) package of sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 (14 oz.) can of sweetened condensed milk
  • 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 container of prepared frosting (or less, depending on your taste and choice of pan size)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the brownies according to the package directions (or your usual preference); let cool completely
  2. Blend the sweetened condensed milk with the powdered sugar until thoroughly mixed
  3. Add coconut, and stir well
  4. Spread the coconut mixture over the cooled brownies
  5. Remove all foil from frosting container and microwave entire container at 10 second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until frosting becomes "pourable"
  6. Pour the melted frosting over the top of the coconut mixture
  7. Refrigerate until frosting has "set up" - overnight is best

Notes

The "Family-Size" box of brownie mix usually bakes up pretty thin in a 9"x13" pan, so I generally take them out of the oven approximately 5 minutes sooner than the recommended baking time... otherwise, they taste a little on the "overbaked" side...

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The filling really does taste like the candy bar… the chocolate brownies are just an added BONUS!

Oh, and to my family: Guess what I’m bringing to the family reunion this weekend 😉

Don’t forget to CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE and LEAVE A COMMENT to let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

Lynn