Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

I was ambitious the other night and made the Italian Venison, mashed potatoes and corn and I even made these bars for dessert. I love desserts, but don't make them too often since I'm busy preparing the rest of dinner and hubby doesn't have a huge sweet tooth. I know I shouldn't be eating the whole pan myself!

These bars were pretty easy to put together and were very yummy. We each ate a few of them and I sent the remaining 2/3 of the pan with my husband to work. They will finish anything there! This is a great recipe if you're looking for a quick, throw together dessert for dinner or a bake sale or unexpected company.

Chocolate Oatmeal Bars From Taste of Home's Quick Cooking
2/3 cup butter softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups quick cooking oats
1 pkg (11 1/2 oz) milk chocolate chips (I used semisweet)
2/3 cup peanut butter
4 Heath candy bars, crushed (I had some toffee bits that I sprinkled on instead, about 1/2 cup)

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add corn syrup and vanilla; beat well. Stir in oats; press into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter; stir until blended. Spread over cooled bars. Sprinkle with crushed candy bars. Refrigerate until set before cutting.

Cappuccino Cake Brownies

I had a fantastic baking weekend. I wish I would have gotten more done, but I have dinner rolls, 2 apples pies and 2 poppy seed rolls in the freezer to bring to Thanksgiving dinner. I had to work all day today (the joys of working in a SNF) because of the holiday this week and our travels to WI so I didn't get much baking done today. I did make a yummy quiche, some baked apples and these brownies for dinner tonight. These were thrown together literally in about 5 minutes and were full of chocolaty coffee goodness. A great way to finish off dinner!

Cappuccino Cake Brownies From Taste of Home
1 T instant coffee granules
2 tsp boiling water
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp cinnamon

In a small bowl, dissolve coffee in water; set aside. In a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips. In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, melted chocolate and coffee mixture. Combine flour and cinnamon; add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Pour into a greased 8x8" baking pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cute into squares.

Spice 'n Nice Streusel Cheesecake

Who doesn't love cheesecake? It's not something that I make too often, but I love cheesecake. This bite size little cheesecake squares were so simple to make. I made them for a baby shower this weekend and received many compliments on them. The pumpkin pie spice gives them a nice fall, spiced flavor. Mmmm!

Spice 'n Nice Streusel Cheesecake From Gold Medal Fall Baking

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Streusel (see below)
2 pkg (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix butter, flour and 1/4 cup sugar with spoon. Press in ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Bake 15 minutes. Make streusel; set aside. Beat cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until smooth. Pour over crust. Sprinkle streusel over cream cheese mixture. Bake about 35 minutes or just until puffed and center is dry. (Do not overbake.) Cool completely. Store covered in refrigerator.

Streusel:
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup quick cooking or old fashioned oats
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (may substitute cinnamon)
Mix all ingredients with spoon until crumbly.