{Strawberry Cookie Bars}

When I see fresh strawberries at the grocery store in the spring, these bars are the first thing I think of. And then I make them all summer long until the prices of berries go up and the quality goes down.

My friend Liz gave me this recipe a few years ago, and it quickly became one of my favorite treats.

These bars are different from anything I’ve ever eaten. The texture is amazing, and the mixture of flavors is divine! Every time I take them somewhere, people ask me for the recipe.

And no one can believe it when they find out how easy and quick they are.

{Strawberry Cookie Bars}

1 large tube refrigerated cookie dough*

8 oz. cream cheese

1/3 cup sugar

1 T cocoa

2 cups Cool Whip

2 cups sliced strawberries

1 cup chocolate chips (mini are best!)

*Now listen up, friends…I’m not usually one to use store-bought dough, for any reason. But I’ve tried this recipe with homemade cookie dough and it wasn’t as good! Trust me on this one and just

fork out the dough for this dough:

Preheat oven to 350. Spread the cookie dough evenly onto a cookie sheet.

{Note: If you use a big cookie sheet, you will end up with bars that are firm enough to hold in your hand. If you use a smaller one, you will have a softer bar that is more messy. Both ways are delicious…it just depends on what you’re going for.}

Bake cookie dough for 15 minutes. Let cool completely.

Mix cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa and beat until smooth.

Stir in Cool Whip.

Spread mixture evenly on top of cooled cookie layer.

Top with sliced strawberries and mini chocolate chips

{I never measure these…I just sprinkle until it looks just right}.

Refrigerate until serving.

Strawberries, cream cheese, and chocolate…

OH, MY!

--Tammy

*Click HERE to see the lovely linky parties we participate in!*

 

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{We're Guests at Snips & Spice!}

We're guest posting at Snips & Spice today!

Here's a little preview of what we're sharing in celebration of Cupcake Month:

Stop on over to see all the fun cupcakes, and while you're there...
 be sure to check out Malory's amazing skillz.
We've been friends for years, and I can say first-hand that she bakes, sews, knits, crafts, and quilts like a professional. She's a perfectionist...big time...and it shows!
Oh, and guess what? She made her own wedding cake. For reals!

--Tammy

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{Our Favorite Meatloaf Recipe}

Ooooh, look at those. Yum!

We have a few of our favorite recipes we will be sharing with you over the next week.

Today, it's the most delicious meatloaf ever.

{MEATLOAF}

1 1/2 lbs Lean Ground Beef

2 Eggs, Beaten

1/4 cup Ketchup (plus more for tops)

3/4 cup Herb-Seasoned Dry Bread Stuffing Mix (Pepperidge Farms)

1/2 Package Dry Ranch Dressing Mix

6 oz can French Fried Onions

1) Preheat oven to 350

2) In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well

3) Shape into a single loaf and fit into a 9x5 inch loaf pan or split evenly into smaller portions and fit into a mini-loaf pan (as pictured)

4) Smother the top with additional ketchup

5) Bake, covered loosely with foil, for 50-60 minutes or until meat is thoroughly cooked.

(If using a mini-loaf pan, check after 45 minutes, as the mini-loaves can cook a bit quicker)

6) OPTIONAL YUMMINESS:

Sprinkle on additional fried onions during the last 5 minutes of baking

*be mindful of over-baking, as this can cause the meatloaf to dry out quickly*

Try it!  You wont be disappointed.

Enjoy!

-Annie

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Giveaway {WINNER}

Thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway and let us know you are still around!

Our randomly selected winner is....

Congrats, Arya!

This basket of goods will soon be headed your way:

Please email us at PeppermintPlum[at]Hotmail[dot]com with your name and address.

Hooray!

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{Chewy Chocolatey S'MORES Cookies}

There have been some really great S’Mores-themed goodies all over blogland this summer. I decided to try the idea with my favorite chocolate cookie recipe, and man, they were yummy!

These are a great way to celebrate the last few weeks of summer.

Here is the basic recipe:

{Chocolate Cookies}

1 1/2 sticks butter

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups flour

Cream butter and sugars, and then add eggs and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients. Roll into small balls and place onto greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

{For S’Mores Variation}

Break up some graham crackers into 1-inch pieces, and stick two into the sides of the top of each cookie, at an angle. Break up a Hershey bar into the pre-scored rectangles, and then break each piece in half. Stick one in the top of each cookie, also at an angle, so you have a little cavity to put a mini-marshmallow right on top without it rolling off:

Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.

Enjoy!

-Tammy

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We're Back + a {GIVEAWAY}

Hello, lovely readers!

We are officially back to blogging.

We've had a great Summer so far and we are happy to be back to share some of our ideas with you.

We'd like to thank all of you for sticking with us during our break, and what better way is there to do that than with a

GIVEAWAY!

I picked up a few extra items during my last IKEA visit (which I am lucky enough to have within 2 minutes from where I work) so I could put together this sweet giveaway basket... and by sweet, I mean AWESOME!

Check out the goods:

Perfect for a patio picnic during the last, hot days of Summer.

(The basket is included as well.)

This is not a sponsored giveaway.  We just love cute IKEA products and wanted you to have some, too!

Would you like to WIN?

(of course!)

Just leave us a comment letting us know you are still around and would like to win.

Simple as that.

Comment entries will be accepted until midnight (MST) on Thursday, August 25th and a winner will be chosen Friday morning.  Please be sure to leave a way for us to contact you if you are the lucky winner!

THANKS, EVERYONE!

And..... good luck!

- Annie + Tammy -

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