Fruit Pizza

Per request of Valerie a few weeks ago for a fruit pizza- there were some recipes posted in the comment section.
But
The best part of a recipe is the picture
And
What a pretty picture a fruit pizza makes :)

Crust
1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 tsp almond extract

Mix together and spread with fingers evenly onto a pizza pan. Bake according to cookie instructions (350 for around 10 min) but be careful not to burn.

Sauce
1 package softened cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 bottle marshmallow creme
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract

Whip all together and spread on cooled cookie. Arrange assorted fruits on sauce- strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, bluberries, bananas, peaches, mangoes, kiwis, whatever your little heart desires...
Dust with confectioners sugar and squeeze the juice of a lime or lemon over.

Coconut Cupcakes

If you LOVE coconut...this is the recipe for you! And SUPER EASY too!

2 C. Coconut flakes

(1) 14 oz. can of Sweetened Condensed milk

1 Box Yellow Cake Mix

Eggs, Oil & Water

Preheat your oven to 375.

Combine the coconut flakes and sweetened condensed milk together in a small bowl; stir and make sure the coconut is getting a nice coat of the sweetened condensed milk. Now set aside and let it sort of "rehydrate" the coconut.

Make the Yellow cake mix as directed on the box....using the eggs, oil & water as specified.

Divide the batter among the cupcake liners - should be able to get 24.

Take a small spoon or a teaspoon and add 1 spoonful to each cupcake mix, more if there are leftovers at the end...less if you prefer less coconut.

Bake for about 15 minutes. It really didn't take me long - the baking time actually averaged 12-15 minutes each batch.

Cool on a wire rack.

I also iced these (they were for my SIL's baby shower) with a white chocolate ganache frosting. They turned out AMAZING....!

White Chocolate Ganache

1 pkg white chocolate chips

1 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp whipping cream or milk

1/2 tsp coconut extract

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Melt everything (MINUS the extracts) all together in a double boiler - OR - on a low heat in a sturdy sauce pan. Take care to work out the lumps - once it's smooth, remove off of heat and add the extracts. Dip the cupcakes into the ganache and let it cool.

I also added a small "embellishment" on top - kinda like a hostess cupcake...but not...and these were a major hit at the baby shower. :) ENJOY!

Beef and Broccoli

I got this recipe from my friend Lisa! It is super super yummy and actually quite easy! Enjoy!

1 pound top round beef steak
1/4 c soy sauce
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 c apple juice
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 cup water
2 c fresh broccoli
4 Tbsp oil
2-3 cloves garlic
2 tsp sesame oil

Cut beef steak into thin strips, set aside. Combine soy sauce, sugar, water, juice, and cornstarch in small bowl and set aside. In large skillet stir fry broccoli with 2 Tbsp oil for about 2-3 minutes. Do not overcook. Set broccoli aside in a dish. Pour remaining oil into skillet and add beef steak and cook until well browned on all sides. Add garlic and cook until fragrant but not more than 1 min. Pour soy sauce mixture over meat and cook until slightly thickened. Stir in sesame oil. Remove from heat. Stir in broccoli serve over rice.

Anyone have a recipe for fruit pizza? Please post :)

PW's Mocha Brownies

Would you like to die by lusciousness? Well if yes was what you answered- make these.
And dont worry about the 4 cubes of butter and 7 cups of sugar used, its all zeroed out by the look on peoples faces when they see the ginormous amount of frosting spread on these hunks of goodness.
Happiness.

(I am by no means a food photographer- forgive my little Canon point and shoot)

Pioneer Womans Mocha Brownies

Brownies
four 1 oz squares unsweetened chocolate
2 sticks softened butter
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Pre- heat oven to 325. Spray baking pan (8x8 or 9x12) with nonstick cooking spray. Melt chocolate in microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, being careful not to burn. Cool slightly. Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Drizzle in melted chocolate and vanilla extract. Add flour to bowl and just until combined; do not over mix.
Pour batter in pan and bake 40-45 minutes, until the center is no longer soft. Cool brownies completely before icing.

Mae's Mocha Icing
2 sticks softened butter
5 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp salt
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup to 3/4 cup brewed coffee, cooled to room temp.

Mix until combined butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, salt and vanilla. Add in coffee and whip until the icing is the desired consistency. Add 1/4 cup more coffee if icing is overly thick. It should be very light and fluffy.
Ice the cooled brownies spreading the icing on thick. Chill in the refrigerator until firm and slice brownies into squares.