Chess Squares

These chess squares are nearly identical to Paula Deen's Ooey Gooey Butter Bars, but this particular recipe shown came from HERE. 

Chess Squares pair nicely with regular brownies if you are asked to bring dessert! 

Chess Squares

1 box yellow cake mix

3 eggs

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 stick butter, melted

1 lb (4 cups) powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 300 degrees and spray a 9x13 dish with Pam.  By hand, mix cake mix, 1 egg, and melted butter to a soft dough.  Press evenly into bottom of pan.  

With mixer, mix powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, and remaining two eggs until smooth, about 1-2 minutes.  Pour mixture on top of crust.  

Bake at 300 degrees for 40-50 minutes until top is golden brown.  (I found the full 50 minutes was necessary...check often at end of bake time)

Allow to cool before cutting into squares for serving. 

Lemon Mini Tarts

LEMON MINI TARTS



2 eggs yolks

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon lemon peel

1 tablespoon sugar

24 mini frozen phyllo shells ( or use mini tartlets shells)

Fruit for topping ...either raspberries or blueberries)

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together egg yolks, butter, powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon peel and sugar in a small bowl.

2. Spoon 1 teaspoon filling into each frozen phyllo shell. Bake about 13 to 15 minutes,or until center is set.

3. If desired, garnish with 1 raspberry or 1 blueberry.

Makes 12 servings. ( 2 tarts per serving)

Recipe adapted from Diabetic Cooking

M & M Cookies

(Photo Courtesy of PlainChicken.blogspot.com)

Try these easy cookies that call for cake mix in the batter.  You can substitute any color of M & M's to coordinate with a Holiday or special occasion. 

M & M Cookies

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups M&M or chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, stir together the cake mix and baking powder. Add eggs and oil, then mix until well blended. Stir in M&Ms or chocolate chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto cookie sheets. (I used a medium Pampered Chef cookie scoop)

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Recipe found at PlainChicken.blogspot.com and originally from allrecipes.com.

Double Chocolate Mocha Trifle

This scrumptious dessert looks complicated, but it is easy, feeds many folks, and makes a beautiful presentation. Try it the next time you are asked to bring dessert to a Holiday gathering!

Double Chocolate Mocha Trifle

Trifle bowl (cheap and easy to find at Walmart, BBB)

1 pkg brownie mix (plus ingredients to make brownies)

1 3/4 cups cold milk

2 pkgs (3.4 oz each) white chocolate instant pudding and pie filling ***can substitute vanilla if you can't find white chocolate

1/4 cup warm water

4 t. instant coffee granules

2 cups thawed frozen whipped topping

1 bag Heath English toffee bits (on baking aisle but sometimes not available at Walmart)

Bake brownies according to directions in a 9x13 dish. Cool completely. In a large bowl, whisk pudding mix into milk until mixture begins to thicken. Dissolve coffee granules in warm water; add to pudding mixture, mixing well. Fold in whipped topping, mixing well. Cut brownies into 1-inch cubes (I spray pizza cutter with Pam to cut easily). Layer 1/3 of brownie cubes onto bottom of your trifle bowl. Top with 1/3 of pudding mixture, pressing lightly and smoothing with spatula. Then sprinkle a thin layer of Heath. Repeat layers two more times. Chill 30 minutes before serving.

Serves 12.