Chocolate Banana Bread

This is one of the creations I left go way too long. 

I know I found my inspiration from Pinterest,

but I can't remember the changes I made to it.

I know I used sour cream instead of yogurt.

And my topping is just a little different.

But you can add any kind of topping you want to sweet bread.  

I'm not a big fan of banana bread.

But I do have to say, this one was very good.

My work crew loved it.

I will just give you the link so you can make it yourself.

Here it is: Running With Spoons, Double Chocolate Banana Bread

Nutella Frosting

 What have you been doing with your time during this long cold winter?

Johnie and I decided to hibernate with a puzzle.

And CAKE! 

We have been spending the weekends working on this "Say Cheese" puzzle.

Last weekend Johnie said out loud.... "I want cake!"

So to the kitchen we went.

He also said, "I'll make the cake if you make the frosting,"

Because we work awesome as a team like that.

When Johnie makes his boxed cakes he always uses mayonnaise 

in place of the oil. 

And since we were both raised in Northwest Ohio

we eat cake in a bowl with milk over it.

 But what was I going to do for frosting?

I started searching the pantry.

No peanut butter.....

No tub of store bought frosting.....

But I found a container of Nutella.

I decided to see what I could create with Nutella.

Now when I make frosting I usually just dump.

But I'm going to do my best to get this into print for you.

You can make your own adjustments as you go.

Ignore the Christmas sprinkles. 

We just wanted to dress it up a bit.

Nutella Frosting

1/2 c. butter room temp
1/2 c. nutella
Place these two ingredients in a mixing bowl. With electric mixer and whip attachment, whip the two ingredients until creamy.
Slowly add 3-4 c. powdered sugar. Whip until combined. Slowly thin with chocolate milk (maybe 2-3 TBS) while mixer is running. This frosting turned out almost like a whipped cream frosting. It was so light and fluffy. And the nutella flavor was awesome on the cake.

See Ya'all Soon

Peanut Butter Sheet Cake with Brownie Brittle Crunches

 Have you had the chance to try the brownie brittle.

I will be honest....

When I first heard of brownie brittle my first thoughts were:

It is going to be sticky and get get stuck in my teeth.

So I swayed myself from trying it.

I finally got up the nerve to disappoint myself and bought a bag.

 Was I disappointed?

NO WAY!

This stuff is surly a brownie crunchy corner lover's dream.

Yes, I am one that will attack the corners on a pan of brownies.

I love the chocolaty crunch that the corners provide.

And to have a whole bag of crunchy corners.....

Truly in heaven.

But when I got to the bottom of the bag there were a

bunch of leftover crumbs from all the crunchy goodness.

What do you do with crunchy brownie crumbs?

Well let's see.....

You could put them on ice cream,

on a frosted cupcake,

sprinkle in oatmeal,

and the list could be endless.

 This is what I chose to do with my leftover crunchies.....

I made a peanut butter sheet cake.

Everyone knows that peanut butter and brownies go hand in hand.

RIGHT?

RIGHT!

 I topped off our Sunday meal with

Peanut Butter Sheet Cake with Brownie Brittle Crunches.

Fantabulous!!

Plus, it's been a long time since I've made 

something sweet for my Johnie.

Here is the recipe for the cake:

Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

The frosting is simply:

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. creamy peanut butter

1/3 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

4 c. powdered sugar

Bottom of the bag Brownie Brittle Crunchies

In 2-quart saucepan, heat butter, peanut butter and milk over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until butter and peanut butter are melted. Heat to boiling; remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Working quickly, add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating with whisk until incorporated and icing is smooth. Immediately spread icing over cake. Sprinkle with Brownie Brittle. Store loosely covered.

 See Ya'all Soon

Hot Fudge Sauce

 A couple weekends ago it was rainy and cold.

So Johnie and I decided to shut ourselves in and 

make the whole entire day a Netflix day.

I could not stay awake for anything.

Have you ever had a whole entire day filled with napping,

and cuddling,

and movie watching?

I love those days.

 I did manage to stay awake long enough to make this 

amazing hot fudge sauce.

On a cold rainy day we were craving ice cream.

Many people say we are not right.....

But AMAZING it was.

The inspiration for this recipe came from Lil' Luna.

I only made one change.

Hot Fudge Sauce

2 c. powdered sugar

1-12 oz. can evaporated milk

1/2 c. butter

3/4 c. marshmallow cream

3/4 c. semi sweet chocolate chips

Place everything in a large sauce pan and bring to a slow boil. Boil for 8 minutes.

Let cool. Be careful on the size of sauce pan you use. Make sure the ingredients have plenty room to boil up. Mine boiled over.....