Carmel Nut Brownies

Oh My Word are these so good!  If you are looking for something somewhat healthy,  you will have to look else where!  My Aunt used to make these for me growing up and then recently I saw that Pioneer Woman had a version out too.  It made me reminisce so I made them.

Pretty quick to put together and they will get rave reviews!

Tons of gooey caramel encased in chocolate brownie with a few chocolate chips thrown in as well!
A picture just doesn't do it justice!

Enjoy!
Caramel Nut Brownies

1 box – Duncan Hines German Choc Cake Mix

1 cup finely chopped pecans

1/3 cup evaporated milk

½ cup evaporated milk

½ cup butter, melted

1 bag Kraft Caramels, unwrapped

1/3 cup semi-sweet choc chips

Preheat oven to 350.

In large bowl, mix together cake mix, chopped pecans, 1/3 cup evaporated milk and melted butter.  Stir together until totally combined.  Mixture will be thick.

Press HALF the mixture into a well-greased 9 x 9 square baking pan.  Bake for 8-10 minutes.  Remove pan from oven and set aside.

In double boiler melt caramel and ½ cup evaporated milk.  When melted and combined, pour over brownie base.  Sprinkle choc chips as evenly as possible over caramel.

Turn out remaining brownie dough on work surface.  Use your hand to press it into a large square a little smaller than the pan.  Use a spatula to remove it from the surface and set on top of the caramel and choc chips.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.  Allow to cool, cut into squares, then refrigerate bars.

To eat; allow bars to come to room temp or microwave for 10 seconds.

Picket Fence - C.A.S.E.

The second I saw this project over at Oopsey Daisey, I knew I had to CASE this!  

I had alot of mdf boards laying around so I used those for my pickets (1 1/2 inches wide).  I cut the pickets to 13 inches (need 11 total). Then I made a paper template of how I wanted the point of each picket and traced those onto the 11 pickets and cut.

The base of the fence is also mdf, 18 3/4 inches long, 3 1/2 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick.  You also need 2 pieces of lattice wood 17 inches in length.

Once I had all the wood cut, I used Gorilla wood glue and glued the side of each picket together, making sure the bottom of each picket was even with the previous picket.  Once I glued 11 pickets together I used blue painters tape to really hold it together. Then I glued on the 2 pieces of lattice wood and taped them down.   
I let it dry over night and glued the pickets to the base board.

I then spray painted it brown (haphazardly) and let dry.  Then I used Krylon Blue Ocean Breeze (Hobby Lobby) to cover up the entire fence, front and back.

Once dried I lightly took sand paper to a few parts so the brown would show through a bit.

I cut out an initial with my Cameo and lightly used a pencil to trace the outline of the letter, then hand painted the letter with white paint.

The bunting is made from some fabric attached to seam binding tape.

I liked it so much I made one for a friend as well!  For the second one, I left the mdf pickets white before painting with the Blue Ocean Breeze.

Click here for the inspiration & tutorial from Oopsey Daisy.

Thank you for looking!

This post is linked up with Made By You Monday by Skip to my Lou.

Best Ever Chocolate Cupcakes

These are hands down the BEST chocolate cupcakes I have had. The frosting is just a perfect touch.  I have to order it on line, but I like to use Ghiradelli unsweetened cocoa for this recipe. 

Perfectly Chocolate Cupcakes

Makes 24-27 cupcakes

2 cups sugar

1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa (I use Ghirardelli)
1 ½ teaspoons baking power
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup whole milk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Line muffin tin with paper liners.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.

In large mixing bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla.  Beat on medium speed for one minute.

Stir in boiling water.  Batter will be thin, this is correct.

Fill liners 2/3 full with batter.

Bake cupcakes for 22-24 minutes.

Cool completely on wire rack before frosting.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, set out for 10 minutes

8 oz cream cheese, directly from the fridge
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
1-4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream (can use milk)

Place butter in large mixing bowl and blend slightly. 

Add cream cheese and blend until combined about 30 seconds.
Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar and blend on low speed until combined.
Increase speed to medium speed and beat until it begins to get fluffy.
Slowly add the heavy cream, little bit at a time until desired consistency is met.  (I use 1 tablespoon to pipe on frosting)
Beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.
Use at once or keep refrigerated.

This recipe comes from glorious treats blog.  Her blog is such eye candy and the recipes are soo good!
Enjoy!

Seasonal Pillowcases

Just finished the pillow case for 4th of July and a "fill-in" period. These are so easy to make.  To make them really finished looking I use both my sewing machine and serger.

K picked out the USMC fabric for her 4th of July pillowcase.  She wanted to honor her Mommy & Daddy and all the other veterans.  (Her words)

I made Christmas, Valentines, Easter, 4th of July and a 50 states pillowcase.  I just need to make a Halloween and Thanksgiving one and she is all set!
Here is where you can find the pattern.
This Monday post is also linked up with Skip to My Lou.

Easter Cookies

Just made these for Easter.

I just love being able to put them in the treat bags and seal them shut with a flat iron. 

Have a great Easter!

Felt Animal Cookies

Just finished up these felt animal cookies.  I love to give these along with a receiving blanket at baby showers.

I increased the pattern size to 114% and the pattern includes a side band, but I just sew the pieces together without the little band along the "cookie" sides.

After I sew the colored felt piece to the tan felt (before sewing shut) I lightly stuff it and then join both tan pieces and stuff again.

Here is where I located the pattern.

Mouse in a Tin House

These are my new fun things to make for kids gifts.  I bought the pattern from mmmcrafts at her etsy shop.  She has some great patterns in her shop and blog.

I got to use more of my felt stash but did have to buy a little flannel for the mouse.  I followed her pattern except I find it much easier to use tissue paper than freezer paper.  I trace the shape onto tissue paper and sew along the line.  Then just rip off the tissue paper and cut out close to the sew line.

Everything fits nice and neat into the little Altoids tin.  Great for travel.

You can find the pattern here.