S'Mores Bars

I came across this recipe several months ago and have made it quite a few times. I thought I had posted it, but apparently I didn't. These goodies are so yummy, they do not last a full day at our house. (Seriously. I'll make them after lunch and they're gone before bedtime.)

Ingredients:
#1
*1 1/2 cups brown sugar
*1/2 cup margarine

#2
*1 tsp. vanilla
*2 eggs

#3
*2 cups flour
*2 cups graham cracker crumbs (smash about a package with a rolling pin)
*1 tsp. baking powder
*1/4 tsp. salt

#4
*1 jar (7oz) marshmallow creme
*1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (Just use a full 12 oz bag. Don't skimp!)

Directions:
1.  Cream #1. Mix in #2.

2.  Combine #3 in a separate bowl. Slowly mix in wet mixture.

3.  Line 9x13 pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.

4.  Press half of dough into pan.

5.  Drop globs of marshmallow creme on top then play Connect the Dots with the tip of a spoon.

6.  Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.

7.  Crumble remaining dough on top.

8.  Bake 28 minutes at 350 degrees.

9.  Allow to cool completely. (This is the hard part.)

I assume these should be stored in an air-tight container and enjoyed in days ahead, but I wouldn't know for certain because they don't last that long at my house.

Recipe Source:  Adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe (www.melskitchencafe.com)

Chocolate Lava Cake

Ingredients:
#1:
*12oz chocolate
*1/4 cup sugar
*1/4 cup margarine

#2:
*4 eggs
*1/8 tsp. salt

#3:
*1/2 cup flour
*1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:
1.  Melt #1 in a double boiler. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat.

2.  Whisk eggs and salt together. Whisk into chocolate. Whisk quickly so eggs don't cook.

3.  Stir in #3.

4.  Pour into greased 8oz Ramekins.

5.  Bake for 17 minutes** at 400 degrees.

6.  Dump onto plates. Top with vanilla ice cream.

Notes:  **17 minutes is perfect in my oven at this temperature. You may need to make adjustments to get the consistency you desire.

Recipe Source:  Adapted from The Kitchy Kitchen.

White Chocolate Cranberry Cake

*1/2 cup margarine
*1/4 cup applesauce
*1 1/4 cups brown sugar
*3 eggs
*1 tsp. ginger
*1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
*1/4 tsp. salt
*1/2 tsp. baking powder
*1 1/2 cups flour
*3/4 cup white chocolate chips
* dried cranberries


*Beat margarine, applesauce and brown sugar.

*Add eggs, vanilla, ginger, salt and baking powder**

*Gradually stir in flour. Mix well.

*Add white chips.

*Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Do not over bake. **For a bar-like dessert instead of cake, omit the baking powder.

Frosting:
*4oz. cream cheese (I use 1/3 less fat.)
*2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
*1/2 tsp. vanilla
*1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice.

*Combine all ingredients. Mix well. Frost cake when cool. Sprinkle cranberries on top. Store in fridge.

Pumpkin Bars

I had this treat at an Enrichment activity quite a few years ago and it was so yummy. I got the recipe and tried to make it, it was awful. I never tried again until about a month ago. It still didn't turn out very well so I've been experimenting and I've finally figured it out.

*1/4 cup margarine, softened (REALLY soft)
*1/4 cup applesauce
*1/2 cup brown sugar
*1/2 cup sugar
*2 eggs
*14 oz can pumpkin
*1 cup flour
*1 tsp cinnamon
*1/4 tsp nutmeg
*1/4 tsp ginger
*1 tsp baking powder
*1/2 tsp baking soda
*1/4 tsp salt

Mix margarine, applesauce and sugars. Add eggs, beat well. Beat in pumpkin. Add dry ingredients. Pour into greased 9x13** pan. Bake 25-30 nminutes (my oven bakes it in 27)at 350 degrees.

**Do NOT use anything smaller than 9x13. The middle stays gooey and the edges over-bake.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
*4 oz cream cheese, softened (I use lowfat but not fat free, its gross.)
*1 tsp vanila
*2 - 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

From the Critics
Brittany: 9

Brooklyn: 10

Damon: 9

Oatmeal Cake with Maple Frosting

Once again, my pictures just didn't do justice for this yummy dessert so I'm not posting any.

This cake is similar to a spice cake, my grandma used to make it all the time and its one of my favorites. My kids and I do not like pie, so I always make this cake for us on Thanksgiving. (Brent also does not like pie, but he doesn't like sweets in general so we don't have to share the cake with him either.)

*1 1/2 cups boiling water
*1 cup oats (quick oats work best)
*1/2 cup margarine
*1 cup brown sugar
*1 cup sugar
*2 eggs
*1 1/2 cups flour
*1 tsp baking soda
*1/2 tsp salt
*1 tsp cinnamon
*1 tsp nutmeg
*1 tsp vanilla

Pour water over oats. Add margarine and both sugars. Let cool slightly. Mix and add eggs. Beat well. Add all dry ingredients. Blend well. Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Bake 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool before frosting. Store in fridge. I think this cake best when its served cold.

Maple-Cream cheese Frosting:
*4 oz cream cheese, softened (I use low fat, but not fat free. Its gross.)
*1/2 tsp maple flavoring
*2 - 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Mix all ingredients until smooth.

Note: If you don't care for the maple flavor, use vanilla instead of the maple.

From the Critics
Brittany: 8

Brooklyn: 10

Damon: 8