Tempting Tuesdays ~ Mint Chocolate Brownies

This week, I wanted to give a holiday flair to a fantastic favorite. I found this recipes for Mint Chocolate brownies on Jamie Cooks It Up.


Ingredients

Brownies

1 cup butter
2 cups cugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips


Mint Filling

(for extra thick layer, double these ingredients)

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp mint extract
2-3 drops of green food coloring
3 tbsp whipping cream
dash of salt

Chocolate Topping

(for extra thick layer, double these ingredients)

1/3 cup whipping cream
1 1/3 cups chocolate chips
1/3 cup butter

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Place 1 cup melted butter, 2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa powder and 2 teaspoons vanilla into your stand mixer or large mixing bowl. Mix on low-speed until combined and smooth, should take about 1 minute.

Add 4 eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each one.

In a small bowl place 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Toss the two together with a fork to combine. Add these dry ingredients to the brownie batter and mix on medium speed for about 2 minutes or until smooth. Stir in 3/4 cup chocolate chips.

Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and spread the batter out into it. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes. Be sure not to over bake these babies. Remove the pan from the oven and let the brownies cool completely.

While your brownies cool go ahead and make the chocolate topping. Toss 1/3 cup whipping cream, 1 1/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips and 1/3 cup butter into a medium-sized sauce pan. Heat the ingredients up over medium high heat, stirring constantly until everything is melted and well combined. Should just take a few minutes. Set the pan aside to cool. You want this mixture to be lukewarm when you pour it over the mint filling.

To make the heavenly mint filling of wonder and bliss, grab a medium-sized mixing bowl or use your stand mixer. To the bowl add 2 1/2 C powdered sugar, 2 T softened butter,
4 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/2 t mint extract, 2-3 drops green food coloring ad 3 T whipping cream. Beat the ingredients for 2-3 minutes or until everything is well combined.

When the brownies are completely cool spread the mint filling over the top. Pop the pan into the fridge and allow it to set up for about 20 minutes.

When the filling has had a chance to set pour the chocolate topping all over the top. Then spread it around with a knife.

Place the pan back in the fridge for an hour, or until the chocolate layer is set. When you are ready to serve slice them with a sharp knife. Top with a dollop of flavored whipped cream for an extra kick. Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer.

Sneak Peek Sunday - Jeanne McDonald

Indulgence

by: Jeanne McDonald

Genre: Erotica/Erotic Romance

Release date: TBD

One night of indulging in her carnal nature will unlock a world of mystery and desire she never dreamed existed.

A year has passed since Addison George was left at the altar after her husband-to-be announced he was gay. Still friends despite what happened, she secretly harbors hope that all of this was a phase and he will come crawling back to her. That dream is shattered when he announces that he’s engaged to the man he left her for.

Spiraling out of control, Addison agrees to accompany her best friend to the sex party of the year. Hosted by world-renowned erotic romance author, Sebastian Hawk, exposed anonymity is the name of the game. The rules are simple: all guests are required to remain nude for the duration of the event, except for a mask to hide one’s identity, and everyone must partake in at least one salacious delight.

Out of her sexual league, Addison spends the evening with a certain clothed employee who explains to her the world in which the enigmatic author lives. While she wishes to understand more about the strange novelist, Addison can’t help but feel drawn to the handsome and mysterious employee who has introduced her to the sensual realm of Indulgence.

Lost in a world of secrets and passion, Addison will unmask the man behind the mystery while exploring her carnal nature. Through it all, she’ll discover that not everything is as it seems, and to never judge a book solely by its cover.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXHxSQ8nHDw

Jeanne McDonald began telling stories at the ripe young age of five, when her mother considered the truth to be a lie due to her extensive embellishment to the retelling of an event. She wrote her first short story when she was twelve years old, and at the age of sixteen she tried her hand at poetry. She reconnected with her love for writing in 2010 thanks to the encouragement of a dear friend.

Her passions include a "mild" Starbucks addiction, music, reading, quotes, movies, and romance. When she's not spending time with her family, she can be found reading, writing, chatting with her friends or diligently working toward her bachelor's degree in Literature. A proud Texan, Jeanne currently resides in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with her family.

Want to join Jeanne's street team? New members are being accepted at this time.

Saturday Snapshots: 12-13-14

Saturday Snapshots is a picture prompt brought to you by Author to Author, meant to inspire the creative genius within you.

Maybe you'll be moved to write flash fiction for it, perhaps it will kick start an old idea for a novel, or it may inspire a new short story. Whatever it does, we hope you'll enjoy these images around the web.

If inspiration does hit, we hope you'll post a snippet in the comments.

Today's image: Christmas Puppy

Photo credit: 

http://cdn.cutestpaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/christmas-puppy-l.jpg

Tempting Tuesdays ~ Butter Pecan Cookies

I was in the mood for something a little lighter this week. I thought about those little snowball cookies that seem to be everywhere this year, but I can never get them to bake just right. So, I turned them into regular cookies! Great idea, right? They are light and airy with that buttery taste we crave.

Adapted from Right @ Home.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar + another 1/2 cup to sprinkle over cookies
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

Cream butter in mixing bowl.

Gradually add 1/2 cup powdered sugar and salt. Mix until a fluffy consistency is reached.

Add nuts and vanilla.

Blend in flour gradually and mix until ingredients are completely combined. Shape into teaspoon balls. Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar while cookies are still on the baking sheet. Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then place on wire rack to completely cool. Serve with a cold glass of milk or favorite holiday beverage.

Sneak Peek Sunday - Exquisite Quills

A Holiday Anthology (Volume Two)

A Collection of Winter Holiday Tales

 

Please join us in reading this fantastically diverse FREE collection of stories to warm your heart while you wait for the kids, the oven to buzz, on a 15-minute break from work, or when you just need to hide for ten minutes from everyone! Every story is PG,but a few have a hint of zing.

The calendar on the wall says 2014 but the holidays are a magical time where anything is possible when it comes to romance. Prepare to travel through snow or to a tropical setting with a little dash of fantasy sprinkled in to make your holiday reading enjoyable. This heart-warming collection of all new, very short stories is our way of saying happy holidays to you.

 Frankie's Wish by Jennifer Garcia

“Every night, as my daddy taught me, I kneeled by my bed and said my prayers. But tonight, I wanted to ask for something. “Now I lay me down to sleep… I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Oh, please bring me a mommy. Amen”

 

&

THE GIFT OF TIME by Rose Anderson

“Rose is a multi-published, award-winning author and dilettante who loves great conversation and discovering interesting things to weave into stories. She lives with her family and small menagerie amid oak groves and prairie in the rolling glacial hills of the upper Midwest. Possessing an active imagination, she writes everything from children’s stories to historical non-fiction.”

FRANKIE'S WISH by Jennifer Garcia

Jennifer believes in writing love stories that connect families and touch hearts. Her first novel, My Mr. Manny, was released August 2013 and her first novella, In My Mother’s Footsteps, was released July 2013.

A KISS AT MIDNIGHT by Lily Bishop

Lily Bishop lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense, and has published two books in the City Lights series, No Strings Attached and Under His Protection. She is working on the third book now.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER by Dee Ann Palmer

In every age the heart loves, and Dee Ann Palmer's romances reflect those eras in fantasy, historic, contemporary and futuristic tales. The award winning Palmer is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America and belongs to the Los Angeles chapter of Sisters in Crime.

MARJA'S VICTORY By Barb Caffrey

Barb Caffrey is a writer, editor, book reviewer and musician from the Midwest. She is the author of the humorous urban fantasy/romance AN ELFY ON THE LOOSE, and is the co-author of the Adventures of Joey Maverick series (with late husband Michael B. Caffrey).

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS by Beverley Bateman

Beverley Bateman is a Canadian author of several books who loves traveling, good wine and a mystery. She lives with her husband and two Shiba Inu dogs among vineyards and orchards set in lake country and surrounded by mountains – beaches, swimming and skiing.

GINGERBREAD DREAMS by Victoria Adams

Victoria Adams is a romance writer, dividing her writing between contemporary romance and New Adult contemporary romance. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and kitten, Licorice. She likes to study Raqs Sharqi (Egyptian belly dance), garden, and bake.

CHE GELIDA MANINA by M. S. Spencer

Although she has lived or traveled in every continent except Antarctica and Australia (bucket list), M. S. Spencer has spent the last thirty years mostly in Washington, D.C. as a librarian, Congressional staff assistant, speechwriter, editor, birdwatcher, kayaker, policy wonk, non-profit director and parent. She has two fabulous grown children, and currently divides her time between the Gulf coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine. Ms. Spencer has published nine romantic suspense novels.

ROMANCE VALLEY by Kaye Spencer

Native Coloradoan Kaye Spencer writes romances from her basement hovel in a small, rural town in the far southeastern corner of Colorado—no mountains in sight—just prairie dogs, buffalo grass, and glorious prairie sunsets. While drawn to cowboys and the Old West, all genres are within her story-crafting realm. Retired from a long career in public education that included teaching through a community college outreach program, Kaye is enjoying being a full-time writer and spoiler of grandchildren. Kaye is also afflicted with ACD—Accumulative Cat Disorder—with no cure in sight.

THE CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT by Janis Susan May

Janis Susan May is a seventh-generation Texan and a third-generation wordsmith who writes mysteries as Janis Patterson, romances and other things as Janis Susan May, children’s books as Janis Susan Patterson and scholarly works and non-fiction as J.S.M. Patterson. Janis and her husband live in Texas with an assortment of rescued furbabies.

TROPICAL CHRISTMAS by Gemma Juliana

GEMMA JULIANA is a multi-published author who lives in an enchanted cottage in north Texas with her handsome hero, teen son and a comical dog. She loves making new friends and hearing from readers. Exotic coffee and chocolate fuel her creativity.

A KISS AND A PROMISE by Lyndi Lamont

Lyndi Lamont is the racy alter ego of author Linda McLaughlin, who writes historical and Regency Romance. Since becoming Lyndi Lamont, she has discovered that writing sexy romance is a license to be naughty, at least between the pages of a book.

A COWBOY'S HOLIDAY by E. Ayers

E. Ayers is a multi-published and best-selling author of western and contemporary romances. Her books are never too sweet or too hot. She writes down the middle.

It is available for FREE at 

will be available at Barnes & Noble, Apple, and Kobo.

Last year's anthology is also available at

 and

Saturday Snapshots: 12-6-14

Saturday Snapshots is a picture prompt brought to you by Author to Author, meant to inspire the creative genius within you.

Maybe you'll be moved to write flash fiction for it, perhaps it will kick start an old idea for a novel, or it may inspire a new short story. Whatever it does, we hope you'll enjoy these images around the web.

If inspiration does hit, we hope you'll post a snippet in the comments.

Today's image: Snowy Lighthouse

 

Photo Credit:

http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000GBoEu6H6bBw/s/860/860/Snowy-Sunday-at-Doubling-Point-Lighthouse.jpg

Tempting Tuesdays ~ Oreo Peppermint Bark

To start of the holiday season, I went hunting for an easy, seasonal treat that can be made to give as a gift or to eat at one of your own holiday gatherings. This recipe is adapted from A Southern Fairytale.

Ingredients

8-10 Oreos, chopped
1 cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
8 mini or 4 regular sized candy canes, crushed

Line 8x8 or 9x9 pan with wax paper. In microwave safe bowl, melt milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips in 30 second increments, stirring in-between. Once chocolate is melted, spread over the bottom of the pan.

Chop Oreos and sprinkle over chocolate layer. Chill in freezer for 10 minutes.

In microwave safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips in 30 second increments, stirring in-between. Once chocolate is melted, spread over the top. Sprinkle crushed peppermint on top. For an extra zing, add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil to white chocolate before spreading in the pan.

Chill in freezer until hardened. Break or cut into pieces before eating or wrapping up to gift. Store in airtight container. ENJOY!