Brownie Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches

One of our family's favorite summertime treats is a brownie waffle ice cream sandwich.  They are so easy to make and you can customize them with your favorite ice cream.  Let me show you how I make mine.

You will need:
1 chocolate cake mix, (without the pudding in the mix)
2 large eggs
6 Tabs. softened butter
3/4 cup water

Baking spray
waffle maker
Your favorite flavor ice cream
Any optional add-ins for the batter, or to add around the outside of the ice cream sandwich.

In a large sized bowl add the dry cake mix, softened butter, eggs, and water.

Stir until smooth and well blended.

If you like, you can add chocolate chips to the batter for an extra chocolate flavor.

Now place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.  This will allow the batter to sit up well for baking in the waffle maker.

After 30 minutes, remove the cake mix from the refrigerator.

As per your waffle maker's instructions, make sure to spray the waffle iron with baking spray and preheat the waffle iron.

As per your waffle maker's instructions, add 1/3 to 1/2 cup of cake mix into the center of the waffle maker.  Close the lid and cook, (as per your waffle maker's instructions).

When the waffle maker signals the batter is done, lift the lid and remove the chocolate waffles, (carefully), to a plate.   Continue cooking the cake mix until you have cooked all the batter.

I usually get 6 double waffles, (12 singles), from one batch of cake mix.

 I just stack them on a plate as I cook them, so they can cool.

Sometimes, we just use these waffles like this.  We add a scoop of ice cream on top, some chocolate syrup, (or caramel syrup), and enjoy.  But, today I kept everyone away until I get the ice cream sandwiches made.

Once they have cooled, place your favorite ice cream in the center of one waffle (I like to use vanilla).  Make sure to spread the ice cream from crust to crust.

Top with a 2nd waffle and gently press down, so the ice cream starts to ooze out the sides.

I then cut my waffles in half.  This gives me 12 sandwiches.

You will then want to place them in a container with a tight fitting lid and place in the freezer for a couple of hours.  After that, you can enjoy.

In our house, the family likes to roll the waffle sandwiches in sprinkles before freezing.  You can use so many different options, (i.e.: chocolate chips, berries, chopped fruit, chopped nuts, crushed toffee pieces, coconut, etc.), whatever goes with the type of ice cream you use in your sandwich.

For the little ones, I cut the sandwiches in fourths which makes them easier for the kids to handle.

So, while the hot days of summer are upon us, give these brownie waffle ice cream sandwiches a try.  Your family will thank you.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Cinnamon Cake (Quick and Easy)

There are times when you want a quick dessert, but not a large amount.  Maybe just enough for 2, 4, or even 6 people.  This is one of our favorites.  It's just enough for a small family, especially when there are only 2 or 4.  It comes together quick, and you probably have the ingredients in your pantry.

You will need:
2/3 cup baking mix, (such as Bisquick or Jiffy)
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tabs. cocoa
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 Tabs. softened butter
1/2 cup chocolate flavored syrup

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a small / medium bowl, combine baking mix, sugar, cocoa, and 1/2 teas cinnamon.  Whisk together to remove any lumps in the baking mix and cocoa.

Add in milk, egg, and softened butter.  With a hand mixer on low, mix for 30 seconds, then with the hand mixer on medium mix for 3 minutes.  Be sure to scrape the bowl often.

Pour into an 8 X 4 inch loaf pan that has been sprayed with baking spray.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from oven, and allow to cool on a cooling rack for 10 minutes.

Gently remove cake from pan, and allow to cool.

While the cake is cooling, in a small microwaveable bowl combine the chocolate syrup and the remaining 1/4 teas. cinnamon.  Microwave on high for 1 minute.  Remove and stir.

Drizzle the topping over the top of the cake.

Your quick and easy chocolate cinnamon cake is now ready to serve.

The cinnamon adds a nice touch to the chocolate.  My husband likes to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of his cake, which is also very delicious.

So, the next time, you're in a hurry to get a dessert for your dinner - give this chocolate cinnamon cake a try.

Enjoy !!

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

It's hot outside, and you just want a quick cookie, without heating up the oven.  You also don't want to make several dozen, you just want a couple to satisfy the urge.  Here's just the thing!  A no bake chocolate oatmeal cookie.  It only makes a quick 9 cookies, and if you're watching your sugar, you can substitute the sugar with a sugar substitute, (but sugar taste much better in these cookies).  Let me show how I make them.

You will need:
1/3 cup sugar, (or sugar substitute)
1 large pinch of salt
2 teas. unsweetened cocoa
2 Tabs fat free or low fat milk
1/4 teas vanilla extract
2 Tabs peanut butter, (smooth or crunch)
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup Craisins, (optional)
parchment paper

In a medium microwave safe bowl combine the sugar, cocoa, salt, and milk.  Mix together well.

Microwave on high for 30 seconds.  Stir once.  Continue microwaving for another 30 to 45 seconds until the mixture is boiling.

 Add in the peanut butter and vanilla extract.  Stir until blended well.

 Add in the oatmeal and Craisins, (or you can use raisins).  Stir well to incorporate into the chocolate mixture.

Drop unto parchment paper, using a tablespoon.  Place in the freezer for 15 or 20 minutes until the chocolate sets up.

And you now have a quick, easy, cookie without heating up the kitchen.  

It's just enough to satisfy the urge.  Nice and chocolate flavor, with the oats and sweetened cranberries.

Enjoy !

Skillet Brownie (for 2 or 4)

I don't know many people who don't like brownies.  And a skillet brownie is an extra special treat.  This is my recipe, it's easy to make and easy on the budget - but still very tasty.

You will need:
4 Tabs. butter, melted
6 Tabs. sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 egg
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
3 Tabs. flour
1/8 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

You will need a 5 inch cast iron skillet.
You can also use 4 mini 3 1/2 inch individual cast iron skillets, or one bread loaf pan., (be sure to spray the bread loaf pan with baking spray).

In a medium bowl, combine the sugar and melted butter.  Stir well.

Note:  if you are watching your sugar intake, you can use a sugar substitute.  I have done this several times, and it turns out fine.

Add the cocoa powder.

Add the egg.

Add the vanilla extract.

Stir well to combine everything.

Add the flour.

Add the salt.

Stir well to combine everything well.

Pour into the cast iron skillet.

Smooth out the batter.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the edges of the brownie start to pull away from the pan.

Remove from over and allow to cool on a baking rack for 5 minutes.

Now it's ready to eat.

We like to add a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream and a few sprinkles on top, (just for festive decorations).

When you bring a warm skillet brownie dessert to the table, your family and friends will feel extra special.  And only you know that it was quick and easy to make.

Give this a try, and you mike be making brownie desserts more often.

Enjoy !

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

We arrived home from vacation and found that our neighbor had just finished mowing our lawn for us.  What a wonderful  welcome home surprise.  My husband was dreading the idea of mowing on his first day back from vacation.  As a thank you gift, I  went to my list of 50 muffin recipes and decided to make his family a batch of my banana chocolate chip muffins.  If you've followed my blog, you've already read my blueberry lemon muffin recipe.  Here's another one to add to the list.  This recipe will make 1 dozen 2 inch muffins.

You will need:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 Tabs. baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup oil
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 banana
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Line 12 cup muffin pan with muffin cups, (or spray with baking spray).

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.   Stir together well.

In a large bowl, combine the milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.  Beat on medium speed for 1 minute.

Add the flour mixture.  Beat on low speed, just until the flour is mixed in.

You should not see any flour streaks.  But don't over mix the batter.

Mash the banana.  You can use a fresh very ripe banana, or a a frozen banana that you have thawed out.  (I always have bananas in my freezer for baking).

Add the banana to the batter.

 Add the baking chips.

Stir the banana and chips into the batter.

Fill the muffin cups.

Bake for 18 - 20 minutes, until tops of muffins spring back when touched.

Remove from oven, and set on a baking rack to cool for a few minutes.

Once you can handle the muffins, remove from the pan, and allow to cool a few more minutes on a baking sheet.

Now you are ready to eat the muffins.

Notice how fluffy the interior of the muffin is.  And the banana adds a nice sweetness to the flavor of the muffin.  And of course kids love the chocolate chips.  You can eat them plain, (which is how I like my muffins), or you can add some butter, or peanut butter to your muffin.  These make a great breakfast muffin, or an after school treat.  And the great thing is, it doesn't require a lot of time or ingredients to make a batch.

Give these a try.

Enjoy !