Captain’s Log. Daddy Chronicles. Diaper Date 2256.
The “mess hall” is not The Captain’s greatest contribution to the family, but it is something that my family does well. Especially around the holiday season. Thanksgiving and Christmas meals are legendary. There is something about good food and company that makes the holidays complete.
Now one of the running nicknames in the Poop Deck Community is that I refer to my mother-in-law as “Betty Crocker”. She is the ringleader of the kitchen. Her roast is in my food hall of fame, and there are a number of other dishes that we all enjoy. I mention her nickname because today I am actually writing about Betty Crocker Betty Crocker (the trademark, the one that I am not related to and whose goods you can find in the store) and I do not want you to be confused.
Betty Crocker (the trademark) recently unveiled a list of “Red Hot Holiday Trends” – recipes that are trending for the holiday season. The recipes include: French, Indian, Korean, and Mexican cheese balls, a “Jam Hattan” cocktail, Upside Down Apple Cake (with whiskey soaked fruit), Mini Popovers, Spicy Three Cheese Bacon Bites, and Triple Popcorn Fudge. A little bit of something can be found for everyone in this list.
The Captain’s family has a holiday tradition that is coming up real soon – Cookie Day. Cookie Day is a cornucopia of delight. It is a day that the entire family gets together at Betty Crocker’s (the one I am related to) house and spends the day making all sorts of holiday desserts. Normally, The Captain is a quality control expert (I test the goodies). I also run interference when the children start to get to liberal with their consumption of cookies before a meal. Cookie Day is a serious day; it is a big big deal.
This year, with the assistance of Betty Crocker (the trademark AND probably also my mother-in-law) I may have found a trademark dessert.
PEANUT BUTTER CUP BROWNIES.
Admit it. Your stomach just got hungry. I know mine did. As far as desserts go, there are few combinations that can match the tremendous tag team of chocolate and peanut butter. Love it.
So here is the recipe that I plan on attempting:
Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
Prep Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Start to Finish: 2 Hours
Brownie Mixture
1 box Betty Crocker® fudge brownie mix
3 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa
2/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup water
1 egg
Cookie Filling
1 pouch Betty Crocker® peanut butter cookie mix
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Topping
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips, melted, cooled
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Cut about 1/2 inch off around top of each of 48 regular-size foil baking cups. Place cup in each of 48 regular-size muffin cups.
2. In large bowl, stir together Brownie Mixture ingredients until well blended. In another large bowl, stir together Cookie Filling ingredients until dough forms. Spoon and spread 1 measuring teaspoon brownie mixture evenly into bottom of each foil cup. Shape 1 measuring teaspoon cookie filling into a ball; flatten into 1-inch circle. Place on top of brownie mixture in each foil cup. Spoon and spread 1 measuring teaspoon brownie mixture over cookie filling in each cup.
3. Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until toothpick inserted into edge comes out clean. Spoon generous teaspoon melted chocolate on top of each, spreading chocolate to edge of foil cup. Remove cups from pan. Refrigerate 30 minutes to set chocolate.
I don’t know. Think I can do it, Poop Deck Community? I’m thinking this might be a good thing to bring in for one of my work pith-ins. There is less of chance of my kids eating them all if I take it to work:)
In what should I serve it? How should I decorate them? I need some creative ideas.
Maybe, just maybe, I can try out a few of these recipes on the Betty Crocker Red Hot Holiday Trend list.
So what are your favorite holiday treats? Tweet me (acjlist) or leave me comment here. I would love to hear from you! If you haven’t “Liked” the Captain on Facebook yet, do so soon. I will be giving away some goodies, but only to members of the Poop Deck Community.
Okay, I’m signing off because now I am hungry.
So for now…Captain out.