Honeyed Chicken with Mashed Potatoes, Carrots and Biscuits

 

I figured I would pass on recipes of the food I ate in various and sundry restaurants while on vacation  in Daytona Beach..
 

You will love this one..these delicious morsels of chicken will disappear..I suggest making more than the 10 called for here...I ate this chicken with rice pilaf and pickled beets...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grilled Chicken Tenderloin Recipe

 

 

A delicious honey glazed chicken tenderloin.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless chicken breast tenders
• 1/2 cup Zesty Italian dressing
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

1. Mix dressing, lime juice and honey in a large resealable bag or container.
2. Add the chicken. Marinate for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator.
3. In a large non-stick skillet over med/high heat, add the entire mixture with chicken to the pan.
4. Braise chicken on all sides until golden but not dry.(I do this until most of the liquid has evaporated out which is why mine have a dark color)

Notes

Tip: I have tried the recipe until they are golden and a little longer like I am showing you. I feel that the darker pieces are more tastier than just a piece of “golden” chicken. The dressing sticks onto the chicken which gives it the color and much more flavor as it caramelizes.

Yummy Baby Carrots

2 pounds fresh baby carrots
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons margarine

Rinse carrots and place in a two-quart sauce pan. Pour enough water in sauce pan to just cover the top of the carrots. Cover carrots with a lid, place on medium-heat and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, until the carrots are tender when pricked with a fork.
When carrots start to become tender, pour half of the water off carrots and add salt, sugar and margarine. Place lid on pan and cook until completely tender but not mushy. More salt may be added if needed.
Serve carrots alongside your favorite entree. The kids will enjoy the little baby carrots. For a little flair, add a dash of nutmeg.

 

 

 Mashed Potatoes

 6 medium russet potatoes
4 tablespoons margarine (do not use “spread”)
1/4 to 1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper


Wash potatoes thoroughly, cut into uniform pieces, and drop into salted, boiling water. Cook potatoes until they are fork-tender. Take potatoes out of boiling water and drain. Peel most of the potatoes; make sure you leave about one fifth of each not peeled. Place potatoes into a bowl with the other ingredients and mash the potatoes. I would not use an electric mixer; you do not want to take out all of the lumps. Transfer the whipped potatoes to a serving dish, and serve the mashed potatoes.




Fluffy Biscuits

These are the tastiest Biscuits!

Ingredients

• 2 and 1/4 cups Bisquick
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix first three ingredients together; add melted butter into batter. Stir ingredients until soft dough forms. Turn onto surface that has been dusted with flour. Knead 20 times, roll out until 1/2 inch thick, and place in an ungreased 8x8 inch cake pan. Place biscuits next to each other. When the you have placed all of them in there, flatten them slightly. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
To make like Popeye's Biscuits or KFC Biscuits, prepare the same way but brush melted butter on top when they are placed in the oven and when you take the biscuits out of the oven.

From Doug..Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls (a.k.a. Crack Bread)

What deliciousness has Doug found for us??? 

 

LOOK BELOW!!!

 

This bread is highly addictive. We will refer to this bread as "Crack Bread" from now on! Give it a try at your next gathering. I guarantee everyone will love it!

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls (a.k.a. Crack Bread)



1 unsliced loaf of (round is preferable) sourdough bread
8-12 oz cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
8 oz of bacon, cooked crisp and crumble
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 Tbsp Ranch dressing mix

Using a sharp bread knife cut the bread going both directions. Do not cut through the bottom crust. Place slices of cheese in between cuts. Sprinkle bacon on bread, making sure to get in between cuts. Mix together butter and Ranch dressing mix. Pour over bread. Wrap in foil the entire loaf in foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Unwrap. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.


recipe courtesy of Plain Chicken

Stream of Consciousness Blogging...very dangerous, but authentic

Good Day my little foodies....
     June of (Doug and June) is on vacation at one of my most favorite places in the world..Daytona Beach Shores in Florida..  It almost didn't happen, as I was in hospital for the six days prior with a severe kidney infection, kidney stones, and other yukky stuff.  But truly, it is tough to break vacation plans, especially one you have been planning on and waiting for.  So, on Friday, when the doc told me he would like me to stay a few more days for observation...mmm..I said no..I have a plane to catch tomorrow.  But I am a good girl, and promised as soon as I get back to see my GP and the urologist and various and sundry other medicos.  So I am on vacation, not much worse for where..I have decided I must have no veins, because of the multiple IV sites and their various shades of purple..(50 shades of purple???) and anyone who has had lovanox injections can tell you how attractive black and blue marks the size of a dinner plate are on your abdomen..especially 5 of them in different places on your belly...(I think I see the face of Keith Richard in one!!!).

    And, voila, here I am on the beach..this morning drinking in a gorgeous sunrise of pinks and streaks of purple, slowly kissing the ocean good morning...the waves are a bit higher than normal from stormy weather off the coast (vestiges of Hurricane Leslie)..whitecaps that are majestic as they are beautiful.  Here on Daytona Beach Shores, one has the warming effect of the Gulf Stream.. so unlike beaches on Cape Cod..the water is warm and soothing.  Another huge difference is the beach itself..in Florida it is devoid of the rocks, jagged shells, razor sharp dried seaweed that are indicative of New England beaches.  The sand here is soft, smooth and pale.  I am sitting, enjoying my first cup of Earl Grey tea over looking the ocean, listening to the rumble of the waves as they crash in.  The beach is empty save a few seabirds preening.  But I know it wont be but a few hours before it will be a jumble of juvenile architects building sandcastles, insane and intrepid surfers, various exercise affectionados walking /running on the beach and the equally daring waders. 

    No one has really been swimming, the power of the waves as they crash in easily knock you down and the undertow draws you in.  Even I don't swim in this beach water, but plant my feet in the swirling sands..look over the water rather moodily..content in my aloneness ... I do avoid the beach in all the daytime turbulence, preferring early morning and late evenings.
    Most people don't like the beach at night..it is deserted and bereft of all artificial light.  Some people here have described it to me as "too spooky".  But I think they are missing the allure of the moon reflecting off the ocean water and the water caressing it like a lover.  I stare at the scene and contemplate my place and purpose here.  I always believed when I was in my fifties, I would be settled..content... and nothing could be further from the truth.  One thing I have realized about myself is my constant striving to be "better" to be "successful"... the need to be adaptable, open, willing to take risks...to dream, to hope, to desire.. "and win some or learn some".  I don't measure success by money or power...ever.  My goal is to be kind and good..to be loving and caring..to touch lives in a positive way...to make everyone I meet a little richer for having met me...if I can so that..then I am a success.

    Geminis are the archetypal youth..our dual nature putting one foot in childlike enthusiasm and the other in nurturing determination.  And personal growth is essential to the Gemini.. and to love me you have to understand that.  At times, I may seem certifiably crazy,  wildly impractical, intensely romantic, and abhorrent of monotony and boredom. But that's not all of me either.  I can also be sensible, reliable, strong, dependable..(I sound like a paper towel...damn).  I like to describe myself with a dreamer with my feet firmly planted in the stars. When I need to talk, I talk and when I need to act, I act.  I am a loyal friend and devoted lover.  I do approach my relationships with passionate energy. (And I tend to drag the people I love along with me...sometimes kicking and screaming..damn Capricorns..lol). I don't do things in half measures.  And although, sometimes my judgement may be a bit askew... I always enjoy the ride (and make sure you do too)!  My strengths can be my weaknesses...so I need to be aware and not blissfully ignorant (as I would love to be..lol).  Who is fond of life, fun and pleasure? Who is adaptable and doesn't fear change?? Who loves attention without any limit???  It is the Gemini.When the Gemini woman falls in love, the fun, adventure, and romance are all-consuming. Geminis are always on the go. So you better be ready!  They will expect much affection and much attention.She can be your best buddy and talk to you about anything. She can join all your activities with the same energy that you have. She wants to find only one true love and she wants to meet her dream guy. She expects a lot and usually gets it. She will not lie. She will work hard and once in a while take a long rest.  Once you get to know her, she will be a supportive person and always be beside you. She has a beautiful dream and she loves to have someone walk side by side with her, together and equally.

   A very dear and wise friend has shown me that my guardian spirit right now is a white wolf.  A white wolf symbolizes hope, and the ability live long in a good and/or bad situation. This wolf helps you pull through so you can live your dreams and conquer your fears. Native Americans believed that it has been sent to protect you...some peoples believe it is the spirit of a protector(family member, friend, etc).  What can she show me about myself? Well the white wolf is the phantom wolf.. the teacher, the protector, intuition. She is strong and loyal, a teacher, a wanderer and a family guardian. She she speaks of survival in the toughest of environments. She teaches stamina and determination, and the ability to stand up and thrive in situations that would break many others. She walks beside me lending me her strength and medicine A female wolf is a creature of community. She's rarely alone. She shares responsibilities of family with her pack. She is loyal to a fault, some she-wolves have died trying to save one of their own pack members from danger. So being loyal to a fault isn't necessarily good, but it ain't that bad either. I prefer looking at it as being loyal with acceptance.  A female wolf is territorial and not afraid of fighting for her home or pack. She is a little jealous of those she doesn't know or trust and will often try to put herself between her home/family and others. It's an act of protection, not possession. And in typical wolf fashion, she is also on guard to sense the slightest changes in energy for good or bad.

   Do you think you know about me?  Well, no..I am sorry you dont'.  I am complex at best and confusing and contradictory at worst.  Most who think they know me only are scratching at the surface... Very, very few, I will let in, because those I let in, I know can destroy me as easily as love me.  And I have a terrible habit of putting the people I love through "tests"... making them "prove" their worth to me.  Only then, can I let down my guard...only then do I let you get close enough. I then I become completely devoted and fiercely protective.  I will do anything for those I love... and I mean anything!! Yeah, like I said there are less than a handful of people I have that kind of devotion for..and you know who you are!  If you are wondering, it's not you.  Cause those I love, KNOW I love them.  I am so blessed to have wonderful people in my life.  And I never take them for granted.
   A vacation can be a respite for the body, but never for the mind... it is the perfect time to explore yourself.. without restraint.  The perfect time to dream, to hope, and to plan how to make some of those dreams a reality. 

   I wish you all some solitude and peace.  And I urge you to never give up on your dreams.. "lose your dreams and you will lose your mind".
    

You know you are a firefighter when....

 

 

 

 

You know you're a firefighter when...

 

 

 

if the smell of a fire excites you more than sex does.

 

if you have more pagers than than money in your wallet.

 

you have ever walked 3 miles into the woods in 100 degree heat in full turnout gear and a 5 gal or more water can strapped on your back just to put out a fire

 

If you have ever dried your gloves on the trucks exhaust

 

 if your idea of a water fight includes a 100ft. tower with dual monitors, and several shots of 2.5 inch lines

 

 all your friends give you t-shirts from their departments for your birthday, Christmas, anniversary, etc.

you carry a ton of specially modified tools in your pocket.

you have ever had a heated debate over the color of firetrucks.

you are caught on the back of a truck with your girlfriend in the middle of something and the page goes out for a call. (or online with your girlfriend in the middle of something hot..when the alarm goes off)

you take great joy in smashing the windows of a car parked in a fire zone or in front of a hydrant.

you've been called a nozzle hog.

if someone starts reciting movie lines from "Backdraft" at a fire.

your kids are afraid to get into water fights with you.

you have ever juggled hot coals with your gloves.

you have ever taken 10 or more showers in 1 day.

you have ever said, "she's hot tonight" and not been talking about a girl.

you double your weight every time you go on a job a building.

you carry enough in your pockets to give the Swiss army knives competition.

you carry enough in your car to extinguish a minor blaze.

when you take all of your improtant stuff (like wallets and pagers) out of your pockets before going to a training involving a portable tank.

you can blame the 10 lbs that you've gained on the food cooked at the station.

you talk about alcohol foams and you are not refering to the head of your beer.

you've ever felt like a ghost-buster while operating a water-vac

if you wash your Fire Truck more than your personal vehicle.

your work gear makes you sound like Darth Vader.

ou run towards a dangerous situation instead of away

All the shirts you own say you are a firefighter

if you ever said that real fire trucks/engines are RED DAMMIT!!!!

 

Your idea of a good time involves soaking the new probies.

 

You have ever smoked and there wasn't a cigarette in sight.

 

You eat till you're sleep, then sleep till you eat.

 

if assembling a mile and a half of hose to catch fire in running up hill is a good day.

 

the term "Hard Suction" doesn't make you chuckle

 

You have more toy fire trucks than your kids.

 

If "humping hose" doesn't excite you.

 

If you are running in the opposite direction of everyone else

 

climbing the corporate ladder" has nothing to do with career advancement.

 

You have ever dressed from head to foot in rubber and it was not a sexual experience.

 

 

Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone! Land of Kidney Stones!!



Love is missing someone whenever you’re apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you’re close in heart.

Hello, my little blogees,
    Today is Wednesday Sept 5.  I would like to share a very strange occurance with you...
Last Sunday, after being in severe pain, I (June of June and Doug fame) ended up in our local hospital emergency room. After a CT scan and other body fluid testing..I was found to have kidney stones..granted a common problem and in itself not blog worthy.  I was admitted to the hospital due to a severe infection in the same kidney on antibiotics  and here I still sit...not blog worthy of itself.  Okay, here is where the twilight zone theme music comes in...Doug (of June and Doug fame) was on his way to work on Tuesday,  to keep Canada safe...firefighting hero he is...and as he was driving, he was stricken with intense pain and barely managed to make it to work.  When he did get there he was sent by ambulance to hospital.  After testing, he was found to have kidney stones...we share so much, it's true...but kidney stones????  Everybody say....ooooooo weird; ooooo spooky!
Well, it's what I was thinking!!  What are the chances??  Now, whe he has a toothache and my gums hurt..or when he has a cold and I get a cough..I agree that may be sympathy pains... but kidney stones???  So, please send us both your good wishes for a speedy recovery and healing white light!  And since I am so committed to expanding not just your waistline, but also your mind...I will share.

What is a kidney stone?

A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in a kidney out of substances in the urine.  A stone may stay in the kidney or break loose and travel down the urinary tract. A small stone may pass all the way out of the body without causing too much pain.  A larger stone may get stuck in a ureter, the bladder, or the urethra. A problem stone can block the flow of urine and cause great pain.

Are all kidney stones alike?

No. Doctors have found four major types of kidney stones.

• The most common type of stone contains calcium. Calcium is a normal part of a healthy diet. Calcium that is not used by the bones and muscles goes to the kidneys. In most people, the kidneys flush out the extra calcium with the rest of the urine. People who have calcium stones keep the calcium in their kidneys. The calcium that stays behind joins with other waste products to form a stone. The most common combination is called calcium oxalate.
• A struvite stone may form after an infection in the urinary system. These stones contain the mineral magnesium and the waste product ammonia.
• A uric acid stone may form when the urine contains too much acid. If you tend to form uric acid stones, you may need to cut back on the amount of meat you eat.
• Cystine stones are rare. Cystine is one of the building blocks that make up muscles, nerves, and other parts of the body. Cystine can build up in the urine to form a stone. The disease that causes cystine stones runs in families.

June and her kidneys

 

 

 

 

When should I call a doctor?

 

If you have a kidney stone, you may already know how painful it can be. Most kidney stones pass out of the body without help from a doctor. But sometimes a stone will not pass. It may even get larger. Your doctor can help.

You should call a doctor if you have any of the following signs:

• extreme pain in your back or side that will not go away
• blood in your urine
• fever and chills
• vomiting
• urine that smells bad or looks cloudy
• a burning feeling when you urinate

 

 

Questions to Ask the Doctor

• What kind of kidney stone do I have?
• How much fluid should I drink every day?
• How much protein and what type of protein should I eat every day?
• Am I getting enough calcium in my diet?
• Can you recommend a dietitian who specializes in kidney stone prevention or renal nutrition?
• Do I need to take medication to prevent kidney stones?

 

 

 

 

What can I do to avoid more stones?

Drink more water. Try to drink 12 full glasses of water a day. Drinking lots of water helps to flush away the substances that form stones in the kidneys.
You can also drink ginger ale, lemon-lime sodas, and fruit juices. But water is best. Limit your coffee, tea, and cola to 1 or 2 cups a day because the caffeine may cause you to lose fluid too quickly.
Your doctor may ask you to eat more of some foods and to cut back on other foods. For example, if you have a uric acid stone, your doctor may ask you to eat less meat, because meat breaks down to make uric acid
If you are prone to forming calcium oxalate stones, you may need to limit foods that are high in oxalate. These foods include rhubarb, beets, spinach, and chocolate.

Points to Remember

• Most stones will pass out of the body without a doctor's help.
• See your doctor if you have severe pain in your back or side that will not go away.
• See your doctor if you have blood in your urine-urine will appear pink.
• When you pass a stone, try to catch it in a strainer to show your doctor.
• Drink lots of water to prevent more kidney stones from forming.

 

 

wonder what he sees in there???

Something good???

 

 

 

AND NOW PREVENTION

(yes, I know locking the barn door after the cow has escaped..but to keep you from getting any..and us from getting more...)

 

 



 

How much fluid should a person drink to prevent stone formation?

The amount of fluid a person needs to drink depends on the weather and the person's activity level. People who have had a kidney stone should drink enough water and other fluids to produce at least 2 quarts of urine a day. Some doctors have their patients collect urine for 24 hours so the volume can be measured. The doctor can then advise the patient about increasing fluid intake, if necessary. People who work or exercise in hot weather need more fluid to replace the fluid they lose through sweat. Drinking enough water helps keep urine diluted and flushes away materials that might form stones and is the most important thing a person can do to prevent kidney stones.
A person at risk for cystine stones should drink enough water each day to dilute the concentration of cystine that escapes into the urine, which may be difficult. More than a gallon of water may be needed every 24 hours.

What fluids should be avoided?

Grapefruit juice and dark colas have been found to increase the risk of stone formation and should be avoided by people who are prone to calcium oxalate stone formation. Although cranberry juice is often promoted as useful for preventing urinary tract infections, it contains oxalate and may be harmful to stone formers.

How does salt in the diet affect kidney stone formation?

Salt is made up of sodium and chloride. The sodium in salt, when excreted by the kidneys, causes more calcium to be excreted into the urine. High concentrations of calcium in the urine combine with oxalate and phosphorus to form stones. Reducing salt intake is preferred to reducing calcium intake.
The U.S. recommended daily allowance (RDA) of sodium is 2,400 milligrams (mg), but Americans' intake averages 3,300 mg, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The risk of kidney stones increases with increased daily sodium consumption. Limiting salt to the U.S. RDA goal of 2,400 mg is an important step for people who form calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate stones. People taking medications-such as hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, or indapamide-to prevent stones still need to limit salt intake.

How can a person limit sodium intake?

Learning the sodium content of foods can help people control their sodium intake. Food labels provide information about sodium and other nutrients. Keeping a sodium diary can help a person limit sodium intake to 2,400 mg. When eating out, people should ask about the sodium content of foods they order.
Some foods have such large amounts of sodium that a single serving provides a major portion of the daily allowance. Foods that contain high levels of sodium include

• hot dogs
• canned soups and vegetables
• processed frozen foods
• luncheon meats
• fast food

People who are trying to limit their sodium intake should check labels for ingredients and hidden sodium, such as

• monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• sodium bicarbonate, the chemical name for baking soda
• baking powder, which contains sodium bicarbonate and other chemicals
• disodium phosphate
• sodium alginate
• sodium nitrate or nitrite

How does animal protein in the diet affect kidney stone formation?

Meats and other animal proteins-such as eggs and fish-contain purines, which break down into uric acid in the urine. Foods that are especially rich in purines include organ meats, such as liver. People who form uric acid stones should limit their meat consumption to 6 ounces each day.
Nondairy animal proteins may also increase the risk of calcium stones by increasing the excretion of calcium and reducing the excretion of citrate into the urine. Citrate prevents kidney stones, but the acid in animal protein reduces the citrate in urine.

Points to Remember

• Diet is one of several factors that can promote or inhibit kidney stone formation.
• Different kinds of kidney stones require different prevention diets.
• Drinking water and other fluids is the most important thing a person can do to prevent kidney stones.
• People who have had a kidney stone should drink enough water and other fluids to make at least 2 quarts of urine each day.
• Diets high in salt, or sodium, can increase the excretion of calcium into the urine and thus increase the risk of calcium containing kidney stones. Reducing salt intake is preferred to reducing calcium intake.
• Foods rich in animal proteins-such as meat, eggs, and fish-contain purines and can increase the risk of uric acid stones and calcium stones.
• Calcium from food can help prevent kidney stone formation and help maintain bone density.
• Avoiding foods rich in oxalates, such as spinach and rhubarb, may help prevent calcium oxalate stones.
• After a doctor has completed an evaluation and determined the causes of a person’s stones, a dietitian can help a person plan meals that lower the risk of forming stones.

 

Cake Pops and Brownie Pops...Cutting Edge but Delicious

Cake Pops

  The first time I saw a cake pop ...I was confused.  After all cake is fine and if you want individual portions of cake..voila!! cupcakes.. But then I got it..like pet rocks (just more edible)..we have cake pops... a fad albiet delicious whose time is NOW... Part of my job is to keep you hip!  Trendy desserts how are the rest of us, who don't wear Italian shoes, show our elan!!

I don't know what they're talking about
I'm making my own decisions
This thing that I found ain't gonna bring me down
I'm like a junkie without an addiction

 

CAKE POP

 

All my life I've been over the top
I don't know what I'm doing all I know is I don't wanna stop
All fired up, I'm gonna go 'til I drop
You're either in or in the way, don't make me I don't wanna stop

 

CAKE POP

 

 

                                  NOT THAT KIND OF CAKE POP....THIS KIND

Cake Pops Recipe

1 (18-ounce) box cake mix of choice, baked in a 13x9-inch pan, cooled and halved (freeze other half for next time)

1/2 cup creamy frosting of choice

1 (14-ounce) bag White Candy Melt

18 lollipop sticks

Candy Colors

Colored sugars, pearls and other decorations

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, crumble half of a 13x9-inch cake with the hands (use gloves if you can't stand mess) until no large chunks remain. Add icing and mix with fingers until well combined. Using a cookie scoop, portion into 18 balls. Roll between the hands until round and smooth. Place on parchment-lined sheet pan and freeze until no longer sticky, but not rock hard, about 1 hour.
2. Melt Candy Melts according to package directions. Dip lollipop stick ends into melted candy and insert into cake pops. Place back on parchment-lined tray and freeze for 1 hour to set the stick in the pop.
3. Add candy color to small amounts of melted chocolate and, working with one pop at a time (leave the rest in the freezer), dip in melted chocolate until completely covered. Shake off excess. Immediately roll in sugars or place decorations on. If chocolate dries too fast, you can use royal icing to apply decorations. Stick in a thick piece of styrofoam to dry completely. Proceed with remainder of pops.
4. If desired, place pops in a Cake Pops Gift Box or wrap in lollipop papers and tie with a pretty ribbon.

                       SOME AWESOME IDEAS..Just goes to prove however,
                      some people have far too much time on their hands
                                         and no reliable internet
                                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

another take on the same cool pops

 

Ingredients:

• 1 box (about 18 ounces) Favorite cake mix
• 1 box (3.4 ounces) instant pudding and pie filling mix
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup Ready-To-Use White Frosting/Icing
• 1 bag (14 ounces) Candy Melts®
• lollipop sticks

 

 

Instructions:

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray one 13 x 9 x 2 in. sheet pan or two 8 in. or 9 in. round pans with vegetable pan spray.

Step 2

In large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water and oil; beat at medium speed with electric mixer 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan.

Step 3

Bake 30-35 minutes for round pans; 35-40 minutes for sheet pan, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling grid and cool completely. Divide cake in half; freeze one half for future use.

Step 4

In large bowl, use hands to crumble cake until no large chunks remain. Add icing; mix with fingers until well combined. Form mixture into cake balls. Chill in refrigerator at least 2 hours. Melt Candy Melts according to package directions. Dip sticks into melted Candy Melts and insert into cake balls; let set. Wait until candy is completely firm before dipping the pops completely in melted Candy Melts.

Step 5

Makes 48 - 1 tablespoon sized cake ball pops (each about 1-1/4 in. diameter)
Makes 24 - 2 tablespoon sized cake ball pops (each about 1-1/2 in. diameter)
Makes 16 - 3 tablespoon sized cake ball pops (each about 1-3/4 in. diameter)

NOTE:If your balls fall off the toothpick into the chocolate they are not frozen enough. 9) Place in refrigerator to set.(gentlemen....words to live by)

Here’s some of the variations: Variations/flavors:

• White cake mix and mint chocolate chip icing – Dipped in chocolate confectioners coating.
• French vanilla cake with white chocolate almond icing. – Dipped in chocolate confectioners coating.
• Red velvet with cream cheese icing and vanilla confectioners coating.
• Red velvet with cream cheese icing dipped into milk chocolate coating.
• Chocolate cake, milk chocolate icing, dipped into chocolate bark.
• Lemon cake with lemon frosting and dip them in white chocolate.
• Lemon cake mixed in white chocolate chips and lemon frosting, dipped in white chocolate.
• Spice cake with cream cheese frosting and coated them with white chocolate coating.
• Cherry chip cake mix and cream cheese frosting dipped in white chocolate.
• Fudge cake, mixed in peppermint chips and fudge frosting. Dip in dark chocolate.
• Chocolate fudge cake mix and coconut pecan frosting dipped into chocolate.
• Chocolate cake, butter cream icing, and dark chocolate coating.
• Chocolate cake/chocolate icing and dipped into raspberry/chocolate chips are melted with a bit of oil.
• German chocolate cake mix with coconut pecan frosting & dipped in melted semi sweet chocolate chips.
• Strawberry with vanilla frosting, dipped in chocolate.
• Carrot cake with cream cheese frost

Brownie Pops

Brownie Pops are fun, playful candies that combine two favorite tastes into one great candy. Brownies and chocolate frosting are mixed and formed into balls that are placed on sticks and dipped in chocolate. These “pops” taste like decadent fudgy brownies and make perfect party food or favors.

Ingredients:

• 1 pan (13x9) brownies, baked and cooled
• 1/2 cup chocolate frosting
• 1 lb chocolate-flavored candy coating
• 40-50 lollipop sticks
• Decorative toppings (sprinkles, nuts, coconut, etc)

Preparation:

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil or waxed paper.
2. Place the brownies in a large bowl, and crumble them roughly with your hands. Add the chocolate frosting, and begin to mix it with your hands into the brownies, working until the brownies are crumbs and the mixture is evenly moistened. You want the brownie mixture to easily hold together when you press it into a ball, but still retain a little texture. My personal preference is to have some “crumb” left to the brownie, so that it is not just a gooey frosting ball. Of course, tastes vary, so add more frosting if you want a fudgier pop.
3. Using a cookie scoop or teaspoon, form the mixture into small balls and roll them between your hands to get them round. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.
4. After the pops have been frozen, remove them from the freezer. Melt the chocolate candy coating in the microwave and stir until completely smooth.
5. Use a skewer to poke a hole in the bottom of each brownie ball. Dip the end of a lollipop stick into the melted coating, then stick this end into the hole made by the skewer, to help hold the stick in place.
6. To prevent cracks from forming in the chocolate coating, you want to dip the brownie pops when they have lost some of their coldness from the freezer, but do not allow them to get so warm that they fall off the lollipop stick when being dipped. I’ve found that a moderately cool temperature is best. Dip the pops one at a time in the coating, holding the dipped pop over the bowl and allowing excess coating to drip back in the bowl.
7. While the coating is still tacky but no longer dripping, sprinkle the desired toppings (nuts, coconut, sprinkles, etc) on the brownie pop before setting it on a baking sheet to finish setting. Alternately, you can stick the pops upright in Styrofoam to allow them to finish drying.
8. Brownie Pops can be served immediately, or they will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The chocolate coating will get softer as time progresses. Allow to come to room temperature for best taste and texture when serving.