still a few spots left...

if you had procrastinated, but were still interested in signing up, it's your lucky day! there are a few spots left in classes if you are interested. email me soon... classes start tuesday:) click here to see all the class details. hope to see you there!

my new favorite frosting...

i love discovering & experimenting with different products that give old recipes a new twist. make them tastier. a little better.

ok, so my new love... vanilla bean paste! i just picked it up at Williams~Sonoma. it has a stronger vanilla flavor, the great bean flecks as well as a sweetener flavor. it's a little pricey, but well worth it. substitute it for vanilla extract in any recipe that you can actually taste the vanilla as the primary flavor. example- don't just throw it into your banana bread recipe, cause that would be a waste, but it would make any frosting, icing or creams delicious & pretty. give it a try!

{my favorite frosting recipe}

1 stick butter, softened

1 package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 tsp salt

1-2 tsp vanilla bean paste

3-4 cups powdered sugar

in an medium bowl, beat together butter, cream cheese & whipping cream. add salt & vanilla bean paste. beat until combined. slowly whip in powdered sugar until light & fluffy. add more cream or powdered sugar to reach desired consistency. pipe or spread onto cookies, cupcakes or bars.

i'm teaching again...

i know that this isn't food related, but i always have people asking me- so i'm putting the information out there.

i'm going to be teaching 3 classes in february.

1:: beginning-intermediate scraping class~ tuesdays 6:30-8.

1:: advanced scraping class~ thursdays 6:30-8.

& 1:: photo editing class~ thursdays 8-9:30.

all classes will run for 4 weeks & cost $60.00. if you have any questions, or for more info email me britfullmer@yahoo.com

this is a great way to learn more about the blog headers i make for our blog as well as others. the printable recipe cards that i feature on here. also, tags... labels & more!

easy homemade mac & cheese...

so believe it or not, i had never made homemade mac & cheese before yesterday. i don't know why. but it was so easy & super yummy. i took it as my "dish i had never made before" for recipe club last night & i'm glad i did. i think it would be so yummy with bbq chicken or i might even make it this weekend as a side dish for my sons cowboy party... which don't worry, we're having pigs in a blanket:) give me a break- they're 5. hope that you took me up on my try new recipe challenge & that you HAVE found some new favorites! happy cooking- Brit

{easy cheesy homemade mac & cheese}

1 lb. elbow noodles
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
3 1/4 cups half and half
1 tsp salt
4 1/2 Cups Colby Jack, divided

1/2 tsp tabasco

1/4 tsp white pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions. making sure to

salt the water.

In large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour making a roux. Gradually stir in half and half whisking until thickened. Stir in salt, tabasco & pepper. Remove from heat. Add 3 cups of cheese, stir until cheese melts. Add drained & rinsed pasta to cheese sauce. Stir until well combined. Stir in 3/4 cup more cheese & stir, cheese should be stringy. Spoon into a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until cheese on top is melted & bubbly.

brit's fudge filled blonde brownies...

i got this recipe about 4 years ago from a recipe exchange & i love it! i took them to work last night & one of my managers come out from the back loudly saying my voice- "Britnee... i am going to have to fire you if you keep bringing yummy treats! how can i stay on my diet with this in the store:)?" as i have said 1000 times before... i {heart} an easy, yet delicious bar recipe!!! & this is just that. the fudgy filling couldn't be any simpler! i hope you enjoy it as much me & my fellow employees.

{brit's fudge filled blonde brownies}

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup margarine

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/4 cup flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

3 cups quick cook oats

in a small microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk & vanilla, on 50% power for 90 seconds. stir & cook another 20 seconds in not completely melted. set aside.

in a large bowl, cream together margarine & sugar. add eggs & vanilla & beat well. sift in flour, salt & baking soda. mix until combined. stir in oatmeal.

press 1/2 of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish. spread chocolate mixture evenly over crust. spoon over remaining oatmeal mixture. bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until crust is golden. let cool several hours before cutting.

my january resolution...

first let me start with HAPPY NEW YEAR! i have always hated new years resolution, i think that they are just a set up for failure:) but this year i decided to make monthly goals instead of just new years resolutions. so, in recipe club we like to have themes for the month, in january i set kind of a different theme going along with my own january goal of trying new things. our theme is to make something for recipe club that we have never made before. i know will definitely be different, but that is the goal! so my challenge you all of our online members is the same. this month try some new recipes, make your family get a little out of there casserole comfort zones & maybe even get your kids some new food favorites! whether you try them from here, somewhere else online, or even the grocery store check out line cooking magazines:) we would love to hear if you find some really great ones!