Showing posts with label gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gifts. Show all posts

11.30.2012

Knock Off {Cranberry Bliss Bars}

Cranberry Bliss Bars...
you know, the ones from Starbucks?
Totally awesome, right!?

Well, the other night
I was wasting time on Pintrest {again}
and came across a copy cat recipe for them!

I know what you're thinking -
"WHAAAAT!"
Yeah, that's what I said, too! ;)


Ingredients
{Recipe adapted from Averie Cooks}
1 stick Butter, melted
1 cup Brown Sugar 
1 Egg
Vanilla Beans, scraped from 1 pod
1 cup Flour, all purpose
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 cup Dried Cranberries, lightly chopped
1/2 cup White Chocolate Chunks {or chips}

Method
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Chop dried cranberries and set aside. If using a white chocolate bar rather than chips, chop into small chunks and set aside.
Grease a baking pan {I used a 9 inch round, but if you want smaller slices, an 8x8 inch square will be your best bet. If you want to double the recipe for a large batch, use a 9x13 inch rectangle pan.} and set aside.
In a medium size bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla beans {1 1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract can also be used} with a wooden spoon. Add in flour and salt and stir just until the thick batter comes together. Next, stir in white chocolate and cranberries making sure not to over mix. Pour batter into your pan and bake for 18-20 minutes. Invert onto a pretty little plate and let cool completely before frosting the top. While the bars are cooling, prepare the 

White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
4 oz. Cream Cheese
1 cup White Chocolate, melted in a double broiler
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Powder Sugar
1/4 cup Dried Cranberries, lightly chopped 

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix cream cheese, 2/3 cup of the melted white chocolate and vanilla extract until combined. Slowly add powder sugar {note: you may need a little more or a little less sugar, depending on your frosting consistency preference}and beat on med-high for several minutes. 

When the bars have cooled, smooth the frosting on top with a spatula or knife. Sprinkle chopped cranberries on top and drizzle with remaining melted chocolate. Cut into slices or squares and serve! YUM! If you wish to slice in triangles like Starbucks, simply first cut into squares and then make a second cut across {from corner to corner} each square.

Whoa, momma!
These things are magical morsels
of pure happiness!


The bar is moist and chewy
with just the right amount of
sweet texture from the white chocolate.

But, you know what really put these over the edge?
The tart bite from those
dried cranberries!

Starbucks ain't got nothin'
on this recipe, baby dolls!


Not only would they look amazing
on a Christmas dessert table,
but your guests will also go ga-ga over the taste!

You could always bake up
a huge batch
for gift giving, too!

Or, keep the whole pan for yourself!
I think I'm indulging in another
blissful moment after dinner!

Enjoy and Happy Baking!

Yeah, I partied this week ->

Check out where on my sidebar!

6.11.2011

DIY Vanilla Extract

I love subscribing to blogs!
I think I follow close to 200 hundred different sites...
there is SO MUCH talent out there!
So many ideas, recipes, suggestions and tips on how to live...well, better!

Well, I ran across an idea/recipe the other day in a linky party that I am pretty sure is going to change my life!

Homemade Vanilla Extract

I had no idea it was so easy!
The hardest part is waiting 6 months for the steeping process to be complete - 
literally!

I am ALL about giving credit where credit is due...so, run on over to Southern Girl Creations and read about their AWESOME idea I'm totally copying!! 

Here's The Recipe:

1 gallon Vodka {any brand, any grade you like}
100 Vanilla Beans

THAT'S IT!

All you have to do it split the vanilla bean down the shell's center, leaving about an inch on each end uncut {so the bean stays intact} and let them steep in the vodka for 6 months. Your container needs to be placed in a cool, dry spot {like the back of your pantry} ... and just needs a little shimmy-shake every week or two. 


Southern Girl Creations had a fantastic lead on quality vanilla beans at a wholesale price through a shop on ebay - CLICK HERE to check them out!

As you can imagine, I go through a lot of vanilla in a year's time - I'm super stoked about having my own supply! One of those half gallons is ALL MINE!!  :)  But, I will share the other, I promise! 


Once it's bottled up and given a cutsie tag, they will be perfect for gift giving and event favors!  

**If you start now, your batch could be ready for Christmas!!**


Parties I Linked To:
Amaze Me Monday - Dittle Dattle
Masterpiece Monday - Boogieboard Cottage