Keep your clothes on....

Last weekend, I made these incredible brownies - chocolate, of course, with a caramel center, and a generous dusting of powdered sugar.  Incredible.  The recipe is from the Pioneer Woman, and they are called "Knock-You-Naked Brownies."  I won't copy her recipe, but here is a link to it on her website - they are a-MAZ-ing!!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/05/knock-you-naked-brownies/

Brulee a la Mango

Compliments of my Martha Stewart Living magazine...  This dessert is fantastically simple and delicious, and actually pretty healthy for a dessert!

Mango Brulee

Ingredients:
2 mangos
8 tbsp turbinado (raw) sugar
1 lime, cut into wedges

1.  Halve the mango on either side of the pit.  (To do this, I slice in the middle until I hit the pit.  Then I cut 1/8" to the right of that and repeat until I can slice all the way through; that leaves the pit, but you get a flat surface on that one half.  That is important because it won't crust if it's not flat.)
2.  Preheat the broiler to high (mine goes to 450F); line a baking sheet with foil.
3.  Arrange the mango halves on the foil; sprinkle 2 tbsp sugar on each half.  Be sure to make a good layer that covers the mango thoroughly.
4.  Broil on high until the sugar is browned and hardened; it takes me approximately 10 minutes.  (I watch for it to stop bubbling, and then it usually starts to harden.)
5.  Serve warm with lime wedges.

If lovin' you is wrong, I don't wanna be right

I'm pretty sure Barbara Mandrell was singing about this cake when she belted out that line.  WARNING - these are not healthy by any stretch!

I frosted them all together like a cake for my friend's birthday,

and we just pulled them apart

(my decorating skills need some work, I know)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake (or cupcake cake, in this case)

Just cheat and use a chocolate cake mix (I used a Betty Croker Super Moist cake mix)

Peanut butter filling:
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1 c. powdered sugar

Beat PB and butter until smooth.  Mix in sugar until smooth.

Chocolate frosting:
3 1/2 c. powdered sugar
3/4 c. shortening
1/4 c. butter, softened
2 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Dash of salt
2 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled

Beat all ingredients in large bowl with mixer on medium speed until smooth and spreadable.

To assemble:

Pipe about a tablespoon (?) of the peanut butter filling into the cupcake with an icing bag/large tip.  (Thanks, Mom, for this idea!)  Then frost with the chocolate frosting, and that's it!  (These are FANTASTIC when the cupcake is still warm, and it melts the PB filling.... YUM!!)