Author: Ashley

Chocolate Fudge

Chocolate Fudge

I have always LOVED fudge!  Whenever we went on vacation I would always find a candy shop and bring home some freshly made fudge.  I had no idea it was so easy to make at home.  I’m sure I will be experimenting with different flavors 

Peanut Butter Fudge

Peanut Butter Fudge

It probably isn’t a good thing that I learned how easy it is to make delicious homemade fudge.  If you are craving peanut butter this fudge will satisfy your craving and is so easy to make. Ingredients: 1 ½ cup sweetened condensed milk 1 ¼ 

Thin Mint Brownies

Thin Mint Brownies

Packaged brownie mix doesn’t have to be boring. I made these within minutes on a busy Friday night when we just needed some chocolate.   These brownies have a layer of Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies in the middle and were topped with dark chocolate chips. 

Ingredients:

1 package brownie mix (I used Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge mix)

2 eggs

½ cup unsweetened apple sauce

¼ cup water (or brewed coffee)

12 Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies ( I used the other half of this mix for Tag A Long Peanut Butter Brownies, double this if using 1 9×13 dish)

¼ cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 2 8×8 or 1 9×13 dish with baking spray. 
  2. Add brownie mix, eggs, water (or coffee), and applesauce to a large bowl.  Mix to combine.
  3. Pour a layer of brownie mix in the bottom of the pan.
  4. Gently press Thin Mint cookies into the brownie mix.
  5. Top with the remaining brownie mix. 
  6. Sprinkle with dark chocolate chips.
  7. Bake according to package directions 25-35 minutes until the edges start to firm.
  8. Enjoy!
  9. I cut these into 12 brownies and cooled them in the fridge.  
Tag-a-Long Peanut Butter Stuffed Brownies

Tag-a-Long Peanut Butter Stuffed Brownies

I usually make brownies from scratch, but after a long week on a Friday night I decided to cheat and use a box mix with a few upgrades.  These brownies have a layer of Girl Scout Tag A Long cookies in the middle and are 

Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

I was in the mood for strawberries for a Mother’s Day dessert and decided to try this recipe since I had saved it a long time ago.  My family loved this cake.  The strawberry flavor shines and this is a light dessert perfect for the 

Veggie Burgers with Special Sauce

Veggie Burgers with Special Sauce

I love veggie burgers and I am always experimenting with different combinations.  This recipe uses some different ingredients, but the final result is memorable. The special sauce was a memorable addition to these burgers and a sauce I will be making again.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Special Sauce-

¼ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

¼ cup ketchup

½ tablespoon dill pickle relish

1 teaspoon dill pickle juice

Pinch of garlic powder

Pinch of paprika

Dash of salt and pepepr

Burgers-

1 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed

2 tablespoons grated raw beets

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

Salt

½ cup old fashioned oats

½ cup panko bread crumbs

1 shredded carrot

½ cup shredded cauliflower

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

¼ teaspoon liquid smoke

8 slices of cheese

Sliced tomato, onion, spinach

Buns

Directions:

  1. Sauce- Add yogurt, ketchup, relish, pickle juice, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to a small bowl.  Stir to combine.
  2. Add carrots, beets, and cauliflower to the food processor.  Pulse to chop. 
  3. Add black beans, garlic powder, onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt to a food processor.  Pulse to chop.
  4. Add panko, oatmeal, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke.  Pulse until mixture starts to come together.
  5. Transfer to a medium bowl.  Stir to combine.
  6. Divide into 4 patties.  Set on a plate/platter.  Refrigerate until ready to cook.
  7. Grill on high heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
  8. Add cheese slice the last minute of cooking.
  9. Serve on buns with 2 patties per bun with sauce and toppings or serve over a spinach salad. 
German Style Sweet Potato Salad

German Style Sweet Potato Salad

I love German potato salad!  It was a dish my grandfather used to make that still makes my mouth water.  This is a new spin on an old recipe. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 pounds sweet potatoes peeled and cut into ¾ inch 

Crabby Asparagus Melts

Crabby Asparagus Melts

Crab with melted cheese is always a winning combination.  The addition of asparagus and whole wheat sandwich thins help lighten this dish. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat 4 tablespoons plain nonfat Greek yogurt 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon 

Everything Green Beans

Everything Green Beans

If you haven’t bought Everything Bagel seasoning yet I highly recommend it.  This simple recipe is full of flavor and tastes fantastic.

Recipe adapted from 2B Mindset

Ingredients:

2 cups green beans trimmed

1 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Everything Bagel seasoning blend

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.  Spray with olive oil spray.
  2. Add green beans, water, oil, honey, and seasoning to a large bowl.  Mix to coat.
  3. Spread green bean mixture out in a single layer on the baking sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes.
  4. Enjoy!
Lighter Asian Noodle Salad

Lighter Asian Noodle Salad

If you are craving Asian flavors, but not looking for a lot of salt and fat then you should try this salad. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/8 cup reduced sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger