Nutella Rice Krispies Treats

I think Rice Krispies treats are one of the easiest treats to make for the kids. I probably make them a few times a year since they are a perfect dessert snack for the kids. My husband likes the peanut butter ones the best. So, I figured I would try adding Nutella but I didn't want Nutella all through it so I frosted the top of the treats with Nutella. Since I prefer my treats with a little more marshmallow, I decrease the cereal by a little. I wasn't sure how the kids would like this change but by the end of the day the majority of the treats were gone. I think that is always the best sign.

Nutella Rice Krispies Treats

3 Tbsp unsalted butter

4 cups mini marshmallows

5 1/2 cups Rice Krispies cereal

1 cup Nutella spread

Directions:

1. Spray a 13x9 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In a large pan, melt the butter over low heat.
3. Add the marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
4. Fold in the cereal until well coated.
5. Spread the cereal mixture into the prepared pan and press lightly.
6. On top, evenly spread the Nutella over the cereal mixture.
7. Allow to cool before serving.

Recipe adapted from Kellogg's. 

One year ago.................................I made Chocolate Cookie Cutouts.

Did you already know...................

-In 1939, Troop leader Mildred Day came up with the idea of Rice Krispies Treats while discussing a funraiser with Malitta Jensen for their Campfire Girls.

-Mildred Day was an employee of Kellogg's.

-Also, Mildred Day  used Campfire marshmallows in the recipe.

Strawberry Shortcake Whoppie Pies

It is strawberry season in Maine so we take the kids with us to the strawberry fields. My husband seems like it takes him no time to fill our containers full of strawberries. I did notice my son may have contributed three to our container. He did tell us afterwards that he just ate his lunch. I'm sure he did. I did ask the ladies to weigh him before we began but they told me it is expected some of the strawberries would be eaten. With all these strawberries, I decided to do a twist on the traditional strawberry shortcake. These are really good. 

Strawberry Shortcake Whoppie Pies (makes about 18 whoopie pies)
4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 stick (8 oz.) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk
1 cup strawberries, chopped

Filling:
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup strawberries, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar until fluffy.
5. Add one egg at a time. Mix well after each egg.
6. Add the vanilla and mix.
7. Slowly, add 1/2 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined.
8. Add 1/4 cup of milk to the butter mixture and combine.
9. Add the remaining flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix before adding the remaining milk to the butter mixture.
10. Gently, fold in 1 cup of chopped strawberries to the batter.
11. Scope about 1/4 cup of batter onto the cookie sheet. (I used a large ice cream scoop.) Space the batter about 4 inches apart.
12. Bake for 6  minutes and rotate the cookie sheet.
13. Bake for another 6 minutes or until the whoopie tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
14. Remove from the oven and allow the whoopie tops to cool for a couple of minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Filling:

1. In a mixer, mix the heavy cream until soft peaks begin to form.
2. Carefully add the cup of powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until incorporated for another minute.

Assemble:

1. Take one of the cooled whoopie pie tops and flip it over so the flat side is facing up.
2. Add the whipped filling and top with a few strawberries.
3. Place another whoopie pie top with the flat side facing down on top of the filling. Gently press down.
4. Eat immediately or refrigerate. (I individually wrap each one if I refrigerate.) 

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago...............................I made Chocolate Cookie Cutouts.

Did you already know.................
-Once picked, a strawberry will not ripen anymore.
-Size doesn't determine flavor but the growing conditions and when harvested.
-If the strawberry is red, then it is ripe and should be picked even if the berry is small. 

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

Oreo Cupcakes

Did you know there are rules about making cupcakes? The first rule is you should share cupcakes if you make them. If you don't want to share, then you should make a cake and tell everyone that you licked the top. It usually will deter some from eating your cake. The second rule is if you decide to make extra sweet frosting then the cupcake shouldn't be to sweet. The third rule is do not over bake the cupcakes as my oldest daughter learned. I guess most people do not like crispy or dry cupcakes. If your cupcakes are too crispy or dry cupcakes, then do not follow the first rule.

Oreo Cupcakes 1 cup salted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 egg whites 
1 Tbsp vanilla extract 
3 cup all purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk 3/4 cup crushed Oreo

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add the egg whites and vanilla. Combine until just incorporated. 
5. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Slowly, add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture. 
7. Add 1/2 cup milk to the butter mixture.
8. Add the remaining flour mixture to the bowl.
9. Add the remaining milk to the butter mixture. Mix until combined.
10. Fold in the crushed Oreo cookies.
11. Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full with the batter.
12. Cook the cupcakes for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. 

Recipe adapted from here. Frosting recipe posted here.

One year ago........................Muffin Tops with berries and cream.

Did you already know...........
-When baking, the ingredients need to be measured properly.
-When measuring flour, spoon it into the measuring cup and level off. Do not pack down.
-When cooking with powdered sugar, always sift if not there will be lumps in your frosting.

Sugar Cookies Ice Cream Sandwiches

Yes, I know that I just posted a sugar cookie recipe but they had frosting on them. They didn't have ice cream in the middle with sprinkles on the edges. Plus this recipe the cookies are perfect to make up some ice cream sandwiches. The frosted sugar cookies were requested by my youngest daughter. These sprinkle cookies were made for my niece for her birthday party. Since I had doubled the recipe, I softened some ice cream and sandwiched it between two of these cookies. Then I rolled them in some more sprinkles. I am pretty sure my oldest daughter was eating one a day. I picked a red, white, and blue theme since it is so close to the 4th of July.

Sugar Cookies Ice Cream Sandwiches
Sugar Cookies (made with red, white, and blue sprinkles)
Ice Cream (made with no added cookie dough)
Sprinkles

Directions:

1. Take the ice cream out of the freezer and allow to soften. If it is a hot day, the ice cream will soften within minutes.
2. Shape the ice cream into disks the size of the sugar cookies.
3. Place the ice cream on top of one sugar cookie and top with another sugar cookie. 
4. Press down lightly but be careful not to break the cookies.
5. Place the sprinkles onto a small plate.
6. Roll the sides of the ice cream into the sprinkles.
7. Wrap up the ice cream sandwiches or place in freezer bags and freeze until harden. 

Tip: If it is hot day, the ice cream sandwiches should be made in batches.

One year ago..............................I made roasted chicken.

Did you already know.................
-In July 1776, there were about 2.5 million people living in the American colonies.
-Last year, the U.S. population was almost 314 million. 
-President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4th, 1872.

Flag Cookies

I am so happy summer has arrived. Do you have any plans this summer? Our big plans are my children are attending camp during the day. At first, they really didn't want to go but now love it. Also, my sister is staying with us for the summer with her two girls. I love having them around but the best part is when we have dinner at night with all the kids. They really enjoy listening to my husband's stories about when he was young. Do you share a lot of your stories at dinner time too?

My abstract flags

Frosted Soft Sugar Cookies
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 Tbsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
3. Add one egg at a time and mix well. 
4. Add the vanilla and scrap down the bowl.
5. Slowly, add the flour mixture. Mix until incorporated.
6. Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
8. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
9. Scoop about 1/4 cup of chilled dough and roll into a ball.
10. Place on the parchment paper and flatten slightly.
11. Space the cookies about 3 inches apart.
12. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies are just set. Don't over bake.
13. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring onto a wire rack. Allow to cool completely.

Frosting:
5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 tsp vanilla extract
7 Tbsp milk (more if needed)
Sprinkles red and blue if making the abstract flags

1. In a medium bowl, add the sifted powdered sugar.
2. To the bowl, add the melted butter, vanilla, and the milk.
3. Whisk the mixture until smooth. 
4. Frost the cooled cookies and top with the sprinkles.

Recipe adapted from Annie's Eats.

One year ago......................I made Virgin Bloody Marys.

Did you already know........
-Summer solstice for this year was June 21st.
-Today the moon was closest to the Earth than it will be all year.
-Since the moon will be a full moon when it is this close to the Earth, it is called a Supermoon.