Magic Cookie Bars

Hello everyone! I hope that this post finds everyone having a wonderful day...today I am bringing y'all a recipe that is just one of my favorites. My mom has it on a recipe card that says April '77 on it. I think that is so cool. Anyway I made it a couple of weeks ago for the boys and they went over well. You might also know these as "seven layer bars" although mine do not have seven layers but you get the idea...they are very similar. Also in my next post I will be sharing my FAVORITE cornbread recipe...just thought I would give everyone something to look forward to that is not a dessert :) From the Splendid Kitchen enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 Sticks of butter
1 1/2 Cups of graham crackers or vanilla wafers
1 Can of Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
6 Oz. Semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 Cup coconut
1 Tbsp. sugar

Begin by pre-heating your oven to 350 and grabbing a 13X9X2 inch pan. There is no need to grease it because the crumbs will have butter in them and that should be enough to keep them from sticking.

First off take your butter and melt it in the microwave again just a friendly reminder to cover it so you do not experience a butter explosion.


Next measure your graham cracker crumbs or vanilla wafers. If using vanilla wafers just put them in a bag and crush then measure. I just opted for store bought graham cracker crumbs....I am also guessing that you could use honey maid graham crackers as well. I might have to try that next time. Anyway...


Once the butter is melted take you "crumbs" and pour them in with the butter. Also add the sugar to the crumb mixture.



Next grab a spoon and mix together...



And then you are done with the crust. Now take your pan and pour the freshly buttered crumbs into the pan.


Now what I do now is simply pat the crumbs down into the pan with my hands because I think it is easiest but if you have an easier way let me know!


Time to add the chocolate...


And the coconut...It is starting to look very yummy.



Next you will add the sweetened condensed milk. Now my mom told me that the way you are supposed to open it is to get a bottle opener with a point on it. If you do not have one just use something that you can cut through the can with. Here is where it gets interesting. You take the can and make a small opening on one side and the on the other side directly across you make a big opening like so...

And if you ask me why I will simply tell you that her mom always taught her that way. So that is my answer, "That is how my granny taught my mom and my mom taught me." I will have to ask my granny and get back to you on the real reason.

Once you have opened it properly :) begin to pour it over the coconut back and forth and up and down. It should look like this.


Once you have poured all of it on there it will be ready to go into the oven.


Put them in and after about 25-30 min. they will come out looking glorious.


Let them cool and then cut. What is so great about these is that everything seems to just sink into one another. Also I think you can add other things to this and make it your own if you like. Let me know if you do or if you have another great recipe. Enjoy!

Printable Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350
Measure crumbs, sugar, and melted butter into a 13X9X2 pan
Press to make it stick together to make a crust
Sprinkle the chocolate chips over crust and then the coconut
Pour the milk evenly over the coconut
Bake for about 25 min.
Let cool and cut

Puppy Chow

Hey guys sorry it has been a while...things have been busy but no fear I am still baking! This week the recipe is extremely easy and one that I thought most people had heard of; however, after mentioning to some people what it was that I was baking many thought that I was talking about dog food. I could not believe that they had never heard of this incredibly addicting treat...let's just say that I had a teacher that called it "crack" ha ha Anyway enjoy and let me know if you have heard of this fantastic treat and if you make it what you think of it. From the Splendid Kitchen Enjoy!!! Warning: Do not feed to your dog.

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup of Peanut butter
1 Stick of butter
1 12oz. Bag of chocolate chips
1/2 lb.-1 lb. of powdered sugar
1 Box of Chex Mix Cereal

Begin by grabbing a large mixing bowl and pouring in the box of Chex Mix Cereal


In a large measuring cup scoop 1/2 cup of peanut butter into it.

Next add the chocolate chips



Now all that is left is to add one stick of butter on top. I would then recommend placing a paper towel over the cup so that the mixture does not blow up all over your microwave :)



Take out after about 30 sec. and mix then put back in for a remaining 30 sec.



Take out and stir together...it should look like this...


Time to pour it onto the the cereal


Grab a large spoon and just begin the "over,under" motion...it will begin to get all chocolaty and delicious :)


Quickly get your powdered sugar begin to add in little intervals and then you can either 1) stir the powdered sugar in or 2) if you are feeling rather skilled you can toss it around in the bowl by moving it back and forth, up and down...let's just say I let my mom do this part :) otherwise I just stir


Once you decide how much powdered sugar you want it is good to go! I just put it in little baggies to take to the team because that was easiest.


And that is it! So simple,yummy and dainty. Enjoy and if possible be careful how much of this you eat otherwise a tummy ache will be inevitable.
Printable Directions:
1)Begin by putting the Chex Mix cereal into a large mixing bowl.
2)Put your peanut butter, butter, and chocolate chips in a microwavable cup or bowl and microwave for about 1 minute stirring half way through.
3)Stir, mixing it all together and pour over Chex Mix cereal.
4)Mix all throughout and begin to add powdered sugar.
5)Stir in powdered sugar.

The Best Chocolate Cake Ever

Hey Y'all. I am coming to you today with a family favorite recipe that I decided to make for the team a couple of weeks ago. My mom got it from the Houston Chronicle believe it or not and let me just say that if we are making a chocolate cake it is this one and I did not name the cake but I do agree with it! :) Did I mention how incredibly easy it is? So basically it is easy and delicious...what more could you ask for? From the Splendid Kitchen enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 Package of chocolate cake mix-also need whatever ingredients are called for on the cake box such as water, vegetable oil and possibly more eggs
1 3.9 Oz. package instant chocolate pudding mix
2 Cups sour cream
1 Cup room temperature butter
5 Eggs
1 Tsp. vanilla extract
2 Cups semisweet chocolate chips
Powdered sugar (optional)

Begin by pre-heating your oven to 350 and gathering all your ingredients. Also grease a 10-inch bundt pan.



Combine cake mix(make according to back of box) and pudding mix and make a well in the center. Add sour cream, butter, eggs, and vanilla.


Mix well, scraping down the edges half way through.




This is what it should look like once mixed....yum!


Time to add the chocolate chips...Go ahead and pour the whole bag in. You read it right the whole bag :)


Fold in the chocolate chips. Do not turn on the mixer! Things will end badly.


Pour into the pan and bake for about 60-70 min. When done it will be puffed up in all its glory looking like this...


After letting it cool a bit turn over onto a wire rack or a plate, then after it completely cools you would add the powdered sugar. I always put it on; however, because I was taking it somewhere the next day it would not look very appetizing because more than likely as it seeps into the cake it will turn a light brown. So it is your call. If given the option I would say yes to the powdered sugar especially because it looks prettier but no one is going to know if it is missing.



All that is left to do is to grab a slice and get a nice cold glass of milk.


P.S. It is very good served warm and it got rave reviews from the team...I am just guessing that there was none left! Until next time go whip up this cake and let me know what you think!
Printable Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Grease a 10-inch bundt pan
Stir together cake mix and pudding mix.
Make a well and add sour cream, butter, eggs, and vanilla.
Scrape bowl and beat again.
Pour in chocolate chips and fold in. Batter will be very thick.
Pour into pan and bake 60-70 min.
Let cool in pan for about 10 min. and then flip over onto a wire rack.
After completely cooled sprinkle powdered sugar over cake. Slice and serve.

Chocolate Chilled Coffee

Sorry it has been awhile...things have been very busy around here. Today I want to share with y'all one of my favorite coffee drinks that is very easy to make. It has a nice combination of coffee and sweetness that makes it delicious. My sister made this for me during Christmas break and I fell in love with it. From The Splendid Kitchen enjoy!

Ingredients:
3 1/2 Cups water
1 Cup Ground Coffee
2 Tbsp. Sugar
3/4 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon
2 Cups Half and Half
1/3 Cup Chocolate Syrup

Begin by taking your coffee grounds and water and pour into a small/medium pot.



After a while it will begin to boil. Once it is all boiling take off the burner immediately. Let stand for about 10 min.



In the mean time grab a pitcher and put sugar and cinnamon into it.




After coffee has cooled a bit pour the mixture through a fine wired mesh strainer into a bowl. Discard the coffee grounds when done.




Pour the coffee into the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Stir well.


Let cool completely. This will take about 30-45 min. Then pour half and half and chocolate syrup into coffee mixture.



Stir well and it will begin to look yummy.


Put in refrigerator for about 2 hours. Then pour a cup and enjoy!



This drink is very good and creamy. It is a nice to have in the morning with a blueberry muffin or in the afternoon as a pick-me-up! Enjoy :)

Printable Directions:
Bring 3 1/2 cups water and coffee to a boil in a saucepan; remove from heat and let stand 10 min.
Put sugar and cinnamon into pitcher.
After 10 min. pour mixture through a fine wire-meshed strainer into a bowl, discarding the coffee grounds.
Pour into pitcher and stir. Let cool completely.
Stir in half and half and syrup.
Chill for 2 hours
Serve when cool.