Tasty Tuesday ~~ Sweets for Your Sweets?!

If you're trying to think of something to get your Valentine's this year, what about something made with love from your kitchen? Here's a few options...

BROWNIE CAKE BALLS

1 brownie mix cooked according to pkg. directions
1 16-oz can of complimentary flavored frosting (or prepared butter cream icing)
6 or 7 oz. chocolate chips, melts or almond bark

After brownies are cool enough to handle, crumble the panfull into a large mixing bowl. Add 2/3 of the can of frosting or comparapble amount of butter cream. Put bowl in fridge for at least 4 hours.

Form small balls (these are rich!) and put on wax paper-lined cookie sheet using your hands like making meatballs, or a melon baller if you have one. Flash freeze for about an hour.

Melt chips in a small glass bowl in microwave, stirring between heatings to get it smooth. (You can add a few drops of food coloring if you use the almond bark or white chips). Either dip each ball with a spoon into chocolate, or drizzle it on top, or just dunk in the top half! This recipe has lots of leeway and flavor choices! Set balls on clean wax paper. Put in refrigerator until choclate sets.

You can also use the leftover frosting with a cup of chips/melts to drizzle over brownie balls. Or just dust with powdered sugar!

BUTTER CREAM FROSTING

1/3 c. margarine or butter, softened
Flavor:  1 1/2 t. vanilla, almond extract OR 1/2 tsp. peppermint
3 T. milk

Mix all ingredients until smooth.

Your love will eat these up! Find a pretty container or tin...or even use candy sticks to make a bouquet of sweets in a styrofoam wedge.

When I get back from New Orleans this afternoon, I'll post the recipe that goes with this...........

Beth Bennett's Italian Creme Cake

1 stick butter
2c. sugar
5 eggs, separated
2 c. flour
1 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 can coconut
1 c. chopped nuts

Blend sugar, butter and egg yolks. Add flour, buttermilk, baking soda and vanilla. Fold in coconut, nuts and beaten egg whites. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Let cool.

Frosting

Blend 1 8-oz. package cream cheese, 1 stick butter and 1 tsp. vanilla. Gradually add in 1 box powdered sugar, then one cup chopped nuts. Apply to cool cake. Garnish with a sprinkle of nuts.

******This cake is amazing!!!! Twin Alaine ate so much of it she got sick. LOL



 What's your plan for the fourteenth???