Mint Chocolate Brownies

Mint Chocolate Brownies
Makes 24 brownies

1 box Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate cake mix
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
2 tbsp water
4 oz. Andes crème de menthe baking chips
6 oz. semisweet chocolate morsels
1 can vanilla frosting
¼ tsp green food color

Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl, add cake mix, eggs, oil, and water together. Use mixer until a dough forms. Stir in morsels and baking chips. Add to rectangular dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 20 minutes until set in the middle. Use tooth pick to ensure the middle is cooked. While brownies bake, mix together vanilla frosting and food color until it’s green. Once brownies are done, add frosting on top.

Nutritional Information: Again, NOT healthified, but fun and festive nonetheless. :)

Review: These were SO minty fresh - loved that. I only had a small bite of one and it was like danger danger danger! They were super thick and chocolatey, and the andes added minty crunch. The frosting was such a gluttenous add but they weren't "green enough" without it so why not? They went FAST. I think I should have worked on the presentation, and they would look cute with flags (which I felt were too much of a disconnect with a "beer fest" hehe.) Great recipe though - could see myself making it again for an event!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens
Makes 36 cookies
DISCLAIMER: These are NOT healthified. I know, I know -then why are they on the site? They're on here because we do a St. Patty's party every year and they're awesome. The end. Don't hate me! :)

1 pouch Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
½ cup butter, softened (stick butter)
½ tsp mint extract
1/4 tsp green food color
1 egg
1 cup Andes crème de menthe baking chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350. Mix cookie mix, butter, extract, food color and egg in a bowl. Stir until soft dough forms. Stir in baking chips and chocolate chunks. Using gloved hands, form small balls of dough, about 2" in diameter, and place them 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets (3 rectangular sheets with 12 cookies each). Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool 3 minutes. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

Nutritional Information: This is not healthified! It's just a fun event dish for St. Patrick's Day. Or maybe Christmas. I dunno - I guess you could make green & red cookies - fun! Anywho - no nutritionals today! :)

Review: Wow. It's like a chocolate thin mint. Move over girl scouts - i've met your match. I had a half of one of these and was pretty dang impressed with myself (j/k - it's a super easy recipe). I'll definitely make this again and could see this recipe being used again for sure! Probably a fun one for kids, too. :)

many of the 36!

Strawberries and Cream

Strawberries and Cream
Recipe by Gina's WW Recipes
Makes 4 Servings

12 large/extra large strawberries, washed
Fat free whipped topping

Cut greens off tops of strawberries so when you flip them around the strawberries sit flat. With a sharp knife cut slits all the way down the berry in an X shape, careful not to cut through. Arrange strawberries on a plate, and open them like a flower. Fill with cream.

Nutritional Information (per serving – 3 strawberries): 29 calories, 7 carbs, 0 fat grams and 0 protein grams.

Review: So yummy! and I love the presentation - adorable!

Snickers Pie

Snickers Pie
Recipe makes two pies
Recipe from Recipegirl

8 ounces cream cheese, softened (divided in half)
1½ cups powdered sugar (divided in half)
½ cup chunky or creamy peanut butter (divided in half)
3 regular-sized Snickers candy bars, chopped (divided in half)
16 ounces Cool Whip, thawed (divided in half)
Two prepared chocolate pie crusts
Lite Chocolate syrup for garnish
Caramel Syrup for garnish
Chopped nuts for garnish

In a large mixing bowl, beat 4 oz. cream cheese, ¾ cup sugar and ¼ peanut butter until creamy. Stir in one chopped candy bar. Add to pie crust, smoothing across top. Add whipped cream on top, smoothing for 2-3 minutes on top with a rubber spatula. Now, repeat with leftover cream cheese, sugar and peanut butter adding to other pie crust. Now you have two pies, with no toppings. Add syrups making a grid pattern, then top with nuts. Divide the third and final snickers bar in half, and top each pie with the pieces. Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Nutritional Information: Not calculating! This is a sinful dish to enjoy without knowing. :)

Review: They were SO good – it went over well with Austin’s family and mine- love that the recipe makes two pies! Next time, I’m going to try reduced fat cream cheese and cool whip – I don’t think you would have been able to tell!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Adapted from Gina's Weight Watchers Recipes
Makes 4 servings

2 oz dark semi-sweet chocolate
20 small/medium strawberries

Rinse and completely dry the strawberries. In a medium microwave safe bowl, microwave chocolate on high for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until all the chocolate is melted. Dip strawberries and place on waxed paper to cool. Refrigerate to give it a hard chocolate coating.

Nutritional Information (per serving 5 strawberries): 93 calories, 14 carbs and 5 fat grams.

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