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Come Party With Me: Tree Trimming - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:30:09 -0800

The best dessert for a holiday cocktail party? Something indulgent and chocolatey that can be made in advance.

This brownie recipe is perfect because it incorporates the festive flavor of mint and can be made the night before a party. To make the celebration even more sweet, I'll fill bowls with red and green M&Ms.

For the brownie recipe, read more.

Mint Chocolate Brownies
From Everyday Food

Ingredients

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
25 small (1 1/2 inch) peppermint patties

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides; butter foil. Set aside.
Place chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of gently simmering water. Stir occasionally just until melted, 4 to 5 minutes.
Remove from heat. Whisk in sugar and salt until smooth; whisk in eggs. Gently whisk in flour and cocoa powder just until smooth (do not overmix).
Spread 1/3 of batter in prepared pan. Arrange peppermint patties on batter in a single layer, leaving a narrow border on all sides. Top with remaining batter, and smooth surface.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 45 to 55 minutes.
Cool completely in pan. Use foil to lift from pan; peel off foil and discard. Cut into 16 squares (4 rows by 4 rows).

Makes 16.

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Come Party With Me: Tree Trimming - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:53:50 -0800

With lights, ornaments, and the tree, Christmas is a busy holiday in terms of decorations, but if you let the tree be your focal point, it's easy to create a clean look for any holiday cocktail party. Set a red table runner down the middle of a banquette. Place the appetizers on large gold chargers and arrange on the runner. On another table set out a clear punch bowl, wine, beer, and versatile stemless glasses. The minted brownies look scrumptious when displayed on a three-tiered dessert tray.

Stick the brownies on the bottom two trays and fill the top with candy canes. Stack shiny green appetizer plates and Christmas tree napkins near the food. Gold candles in various shapes and sizes and mini poinsettias are finishing touches to this elegant and sophisticated look.

Source

Summer of Sandwiches: Vanilla Berry Brownies

YumSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 08:03:28 -0700

It was my turn to make ice cream sandwiches this week - I know, tough task! - and I was staring at some leftover rich, fudgy brownies when it hit me. Duh! Why not cut the brownies in half and fill them with ice cream?!?

Once I had a plan, it was time to determine the flavor. I really wanted mint-chip, but we had vanilla in the house, and more than one open container of ice cream at a time is really bad news in our house... However, I wasn't totally thrilled with plain vanilla, so I took some fresh blueberries and raspberries and mixed them in.

To learn how to do it yourself, as well as more pictures of brownie-ice cream goodness, read more

First you need to take the ice cream out of the freezer and let it thaw for a while. Next you'll gently fold in the berries. You want to make sure to be gentle so that you don't mash the berries. Once they're mixed in, put the mixture in an air tight container and stick it back in the freezer until it firms up. Or, alternatively - if you have the space in your freezer - spread the ice cream on a flat baking sheet. This will make it easier to cut into ice cream sandwich sized pieces.

When the ice cream is firm, cut into squares the same size as brownies, cut the brownies in half horizontally and stick the ice cream in between! You can serve immediately, or put back into freezer (in a container or wrapped in foil) until ready to serve.

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Summer of Sandwiches: Crave Treats and Coffee Ice Cream

YumSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:28:31 -0700

A few weeks ago Grace of Crave Treats sent us a care package containing three packs of adorable, miniature cookies. Naturally we had to taste them all, and although they were lovely (even if the mint was a bit overpowering in the brownie mint), we immediately knew that they would be the perfect vehicle for ice cream. So the next day we purchased a pint of Häagen-Daz coffee ice cream and set about making mini-ice cream sandwiches.

Of the three cookie flavors - brownie mint, pb chip and mocha chip - our favorite was the mocha chip. The way the flavors blended with the ice cream caused a taste explosion in my mouth. To make your own mini-ice cream delights, you can order a dozen mini-cookies and have them shipped to your front door. A dozen will cost you $9 or you can get a combo pack for $24. Personally I want to try her PB+Jellyness cookies, I think they would be smashing with creme fraiche ice cream. What do you think? What flavors would you choose and what ice cream would you use?

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Mint + Chocolate = Divine Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:58:31 -0700

Yesterday, on TeamSugar's food and entertaining channel, reader krys786 sent out a cry for help by asking for a tried and true choco-mint dessert. Apparently that combination is her boyfriend's fave and like a good girlfriend, she wants to make him a sweet treat. Always one to please, I thought I'd help a girl out by providing my favorite chocolate mint layer bars recipe. It's simple and easy to make consisting of a chocolate cake layer topped with a green mint glazed layer and a chocolate glaze layer. Think jazzed up minty brownies, think mouth watering, think absolutely to die for. Think you want the recipe? Well please read more

Chocolate Mint Bars
From Hersheys

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
4 eggs
1-1/2 cups (16-oz. can) chocolate syrup, such as Hersheys
Mint cream center, recipe follows
Chocolate glaze, recipe follows

Heat oven to 350° F. Grease 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
Combine flour, sugar, butter, eggs and syrup in large bowl; beat until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
Spread mint cream center on cake.
Cover; refrigerate. Pour chocolate glaze over chilled dessert
Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
Cover; refrigerate leftover dessert.

Serves 12.

Mint cream center: Combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter or margarine and 2 tablespoons green creme de menthe (OR 1 tablespoon water plus 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon mint extract and 3 drops green food color may be substituted for creme de menthe) in medium bowl; beat until smooth.

Chocolate glaze: Melt 6 tablespoons butter or margarine and 1 cup HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips in small saucepan over very low heat. Remove from heat; stir until smooth. Cool slightly.

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Dreyer's/Edy's Unveil Their New Season of American Idol-Themed Ice Cream

YumSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:13:31 -0800

Just in time for the new season of American Idol, the folks at Dreyer's/Edy's have released their "second season" of American Idol flavors. They're urging their customers to check out all five Idol-themed Slow Churned Light flavors, and then vote for their favorite. This year the flavors are:

Cheesecake Diva - cheesecake ice cream, brownie bites, and fudge swirls
Cookies 'n' Dreamz - chocolate ice cream with crunchy chocolate cookies
Mint Karaoke Cookie - mint ice cream with chocolate cookies
Most Orange-inal - vanilla ice cream with orange sorbet swirls
One Split Wonder - banana ice cream with fruit and fudge swirls

You have until May 31 to vote, but if you cast your vote before April 29, you will be entered in a contest to win a trip to the American Idol finale. The winning flavor will end up in the regular Slow Churned Light lineup.

To get the nation ready for the new flavors, last year's American Idol finalists Melinda Doolittle and Chris Richardson will go on a 20-city tour to perform and sample the flavors. They will actually give private living-room tours in each city.

Do any of the flavors strike your fancy? I haven't tried any of them yet, but going on names and descriptions only, I'll have to vote for Most Orange-inal. It sounds like a creamsicle in an ice-cream format!

Summer of Sandwiches: Summer's Over

YumSugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:01:33 -0700

I can't believe that summer is just about over. Seems like we were just eating ice cream sandwiches yesterday... oh wait, we were! But in all seriousness, the end of the summer also means the end of our summer of sandwiches - after all, we have to make room for new fall features! However, just in case you missed any of them, here's a full recap.

Minty Fresh: Fresh Mint Ice Cream with Ice Cream Cone Cookies
Classic Choco-Vanilla: Chocolate Cookies with Vanilla Ice Cream
The Americone Dream: Americone Dream Ice Cream with Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Peachy Keen: Peach Ice Cream with Ginger Cookies
Salty Sweet: Vanilla Caramel Ice Cream with Saltine Crackers

Graham Caramel: Dulce De Leche Ice Cream with Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers
Cravers: Crave Treat Cookies with Coffee Ice Cream
Puff Ups: Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream with Puff Pastry
Bisco Inferno: Chocolate Citrus Biscotti with Orange Ice Cream
Minis It's Its: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream with Bite-sized Oatmeal Cookies

Berry Heaven: Vanilla Berry Ice Cream with Fudgy Brownies
PB Choco: Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Ice Cream
Old School Nilla: Strawberry and Banana Ice Cream with Nilla Wafers
Coo-Coo for Coconut: Coconut Macaroons with Creme Brulee Ice Cream

Yummy Link: Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches

YumSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:00:32 -0700

Looks like Party and I aren't the only ones who are into ice cream sandwiches. These double chocolate brownie cookies with vanilla mint ice cream sound way too good to pass up. - Foodie Obsessed

What's Yummy This Week: YumSugar Weekly Recap

YumSugar — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 07:57:31 -0700

Don't miss this interesting gallery of families surrounded by a week's worth of food. The difference between countries is astonishing.
This week we started things off with National Cheese Day. We showed you some great cheese tools, how to store cheese and we wanted to know your fave cheese. If you've got any leftover, you can always make cheese chips.

June is national candy month, so I'm challenging you to come up with great candy recipes and stories.
The summer of cooking reality shows has begun. Be sure to check out our recaps for Top Chef, The Next Food Network Star, and Hell's Kitchen. While you're at it, let us know which one you plan on watching.
Could you eat 59 1/2 hot dogs in 12 minutes?
If you're looking for some delectable sweet treats, try chocolate mint bars or chocolate-malt brownies. Not into chocolate? How about strawberry cheesecake (easy and expert recipes!) instead?
These drop dead gorgeous photos really blow my mind. Death by gummi bears, nutella, cotton candy and more.
Know someone graduating this year? Plan them a great graduation party.
Are you buddies with your barista?
If you're getting married soon, don't forget to eat on your wedding day! Also, here are some ideas for a great rehearsal dinner.
And finally, we find out if Mexican (real sugar) Coke tastes better than regular Coke.