Mint Brownies

From the kitchen of Aunt Kaye: Yes, you read right. There are 5 1/2 sticks of butter in this pan of brownies. And yes, this recipe makes a ton, but the amount of butter alone should tell you how good these are. I think we figured out one time that one brownie contains about half of your calories for the day, so if you are going to splurge, this is the way to do it.

Brownies:
3 c. flour
3/8 c. powdered milk
3 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
3/4 c. cocoa
1 rounded tsp. baking powder

Add :
2 1/2 cubes melted butter
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. water

Bake in jelly roll pan at 325 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool before frosting.

Mint Frosting:
3 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. soft butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cap peppermint extract
red food coloring (make the frosting pink)
little milk

Mix well and frost brownies evenly. Put in fridge till firm.

Chocolate Topping:
1 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips (12 oz.)
1 stick butter

Melt together. When shiny, spread over top of mint frosting in a very thin layer. Cool.

Cut off the edges before serving.

These need to be kept in the fridge until just before serving.

Cheese on Bagels

Just a simple breakfast idea to mix things up. You can't go wrong with this - I guarantee everybody will love it.

Cut your bagels in half and place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of each bagels half. Toast under the broiler until the cheese starts to bubble. Then you have two options: go ahead and eat it like it is, or sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. I know some people who stand firmly in the no salt and pepper camp, and others who won't eat it without. Which do you prefer?

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've been on the lookout for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. When the activity day girls brought these by my house, I was pretty sure I had found it. This is Leslie's recipe, but I don't think she even knows I tracked it down. Thanks, Leslie! Now I just have to get mine to look as pretty as hers did. She claims the secret is to undercook them - and the pudding.

I also have another chocolate chip cookie recipe to post, so watch for that to come in the next few days.

Have a favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe? I'd love you to email me or post it in the comments.

1 1/2 c. butter or margarine softened

1 c. firmly packed light brown sugar

1/2 c. granulated sugar
3 eggs

1 pkg. (6 serving size) Jello Brand Vanilla instant pudding mix

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
3 1/2 c. flour

3/4 pkg. Guitard milk chocolate chips

1 1/2 c. chopped nuts optional

Mix flour with baking soda. Combine butter, sugars, pudding mix, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl; beat until smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs. Gradually add flour mix then stir in chips. Batter should be stiff, if not you may want to add a bit more flour. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Makes about 4 dozen.