Creamy Lemon Crumb Squares

The weather is getting warm and it's time for some yummy summer recipes.  If you are looking for a good one, then try this variation of lemon bars.  They are SO good.  That is, if you like lemon.  They are originally from the Pioneer Woman.  I think they were one of the first things I ever "pinned" and I have been making them ever since.

Creamy Lemon Crumb Squares

Recipe:
1 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, slightly softened

1 cup brown sugar (lightly packed)

1 cup oats

1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk

½ cups lemon juice

zest of 1 lemon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix butter and brown sugar until well combined.

Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder.

Add oats and flour to butter/sugar mixture and mix to combine.

Press half of oat crumb mixture into the bottom of an 8 x 11 inch pan. You can use a 9 x 13 pan; it will just be thinner.

Mix together condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Spread onto the bottom layer of the crumb mixture. The other half of the crumb mixture mix and knead together with clean hands so that the butter that you added earlier gets incorporated then crumble on top of lemon layer but don’t press.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Allow pan to sit on counter for 30 minutes after baking. Cut into squares and refrigerate for a couple of hours or until cool.

Serve cool. Makes one dozen.

Heart Garland

Happy month of love everybody!  I finally found a way to use some of the extra felt I had leftover from quiet books (you can see those here).  I've had this big bag of felt scraps just sitting by my sewing machine waiting to be used.  Introducing my latest craft... heart garland!

It's a cute and cheap way to decorate for V-day.  I was inspired by the Felt Heart Garland at Oopsey Daisy (which I came across on pinterest... of course).  She actually hand sewed hers while I used my machine.  I thought it would be a little bit faster.  Obviously you can do it either way.

Here are the steps for making a lovely heart garland (warning: pictures were taken on my phone... sorry!):

First start cutting hearts!  Lots and lots of felt hearts (I think I cut like 80).  I really didn't worry too much about cutting the perfect heart.  I just kept the ones that looked fairly good :).  I figured once they're all put together the mistakes will be hidden anyway.

All of my hearts

Then start sewing them together.  I pretty much just fed them into my machine one right after the other.  I did make my stitch length a little longer... not quite as long as basting, but close.  I just figured it would go more quickly that way.

Sewing time!  And yes I did have some glittery felt (found @ Hobby Lobby).

Once they're all connected, you are done!  Go put it somewhere and get ready for your home to be a little bit more festive!

All sewn together!  As you can see, I didn't worry one bit about a pattern.  Just kept it random!

Hanging on my banister.  If I had a mantle it would probably be there, but this works too.

Have fun!

Marshmallow Fudge

Alright, I've got one more delicious treat to share with you for the holiday season.  How can you resist anything with the word "marshmallow" in it?  I know I can't!  I have so many memories of this delicious (and ridiculously easy) fudge.  My mom made it when we were kids and I would always sneak into the fridge to eat more!  I love this fudge (just writing about it has me wanting to make more)!

Marshmallow Fudge
Recipe from... my awesome Mom!

1 1/2 c. milk chocolate chips
1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 c. miniature marshmallows (more if you want to put some on top like I did)
1 c. nuts (optional... i left them out)
1  1/2 tsp. vanilla

In a bowl combine chocolate chips (both kinds), sweetened condensed milk and marshmallows.  Microwave on high 1 1/2 min. (that's right, I said microwave... no double boiler here!  Told ya it was easy!) Remove & stir.  At this point my ingredients were all melted nicely.  If yours aren't quite melted completely, you can put it back in the microwave for another minute or so.  Then add nuts & vanilla.  Blend well.  Pour into a buttered (or greased) 8x8 inch pan.  You can then put more marshmallows on top like I did, but you don't have to.  Refrigerate.  Once set up, cut and enjoy!  You will want to store extra fudge in the fridge, otherwise it'll get too soft and melted-ish.

Yummy!  I took these to a party and they were a major hit!

Christmas Cookies

Still looking for some cookies to make for Santa this weekend?  Here are a few easy and delicious options for you!  I actually baked them for my neighbors, but made sure to keep a few for the jolly old man!

First up we have Peppermint Kiss Cookies!  They are made with a cake mix (i LOVE cake mix cookies!).  

Peppermint Kiss Cookies

1 box chocolate cake mix

2 eggs

1/3 c. oil

1 bag candy cane kisses

Mix the cake mix, eggs and oil together to create dough.  Roll into balls and place on greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 7-8 minutes.  Once you remove the cookies from the oven, allow them to cool for about 2 minutes (otherwise kisses will melt too much).  Place a candy cane kiss on top of each cookie.  Move to cooling rack and enjoy!  My husband especially loved these right out of the oven when the kiss was a little melted and the cookies were gooey!  

You can also use this basic chocolate cookie recipe to make homemade oreos or rolo cookies (place a rolo in the center and you've got a caramel surprise!).  

Christmas cookie #2 are m&m cookies!  I actually used my very favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and substituted Christmas m&ms instead of chocolate chips.  So you can also use this recipe for chocolate chip cookies too!

M&M Cookies
(recipe adapted from The Essential Mormon Cookbook by Julie Badger Jensen)

1 c. butter or margarine, softened
3/4 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 bag christmas m&ms (11 oz.)

Cream together butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla.  In separate bowl sift flour, salt, and baking soda.  Add dry mixture to creamed mixture and beat well.  Stir in m&ms.  Roll into balls and place on greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 min.  Once pulled out of oven, allow to cool for a few minutes then move to cooling rack.

I hope you enjoy these recipes and have a fabulous holiday!!!

Thanksgiving Blocks

Oh hello there!  I know, it has been a while!  Recently I went shopping for some Thanksgiving decorations and what did I find?  Lots and lots of Christmas decorations!  I really don't have much in the way of Thanksgiving decor, so I decided I would just have to make my own decorations because the stores are done with Halloween and ready for Christmas.  So here you go, presenting my "give thanks" blocks!

I wish I could take full credit for these blocks, but I actually saw these on Pinterest first and knew I had to make something similar for myself!  

I love them.  Plus they are a great reminder to give thanks!