Cinnamon Sugar Mini Apple Pies

Every now and then you need some external influence for your cooking.  That's probably why you're here looking up recipes on our blog. Welcome Friend!  Here at 2Brokebakers we also learn from others.  Especially the TV show The Chew.  If you haven't seen this lovely show, its time to start.  With a great set of hosts who hilariously banter and amazing recipes, its a sure win.  And thats where we got the idea for these Cinnamon Sugar Mini Apple Pies.  They're bite-sized and delicious and you'll have to walk away before you eat them all up single-handedly.

Start by peeling four Granny Smith Apples.

Cut the apples into some pieces.






 In a medium sauce pan add 2 tablespoons of butter.  Once melted add all the apple slices.

Add 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, the zest of 1 lemon and 1/8 cup flour.

Once cooked pull off the stove. Let sit.

On a floured surface lay a pre-made pie crust and cut out circles.  Do this with both pie crusts in the box.

Ashley's tip: We used a small bowl but a cookie cutter would also work.  Find what's available in the kitchen.  

Put a small amount of the apple mix on a crust. It's about a tablespoon of apple mix.

Fold over and use a fork to seal the edges together.

Flash fry in a pan of oil.  Once pulled out of the oil place on a paper towel.  After plotted dry, but not completely cold, place the mini apple pie into a container of cinnamon sugar mix  (1/2 sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon).

These are definitely better warm so consume immediately.  For a more tart flavor add the juice of the lemon as well.  For a sweeter flavor skip the lemon altogether.

Double Dipped Rice Krispies Buckeyes

When it comes to baking, utilize your resources.  We had a box of Rice Krispies in the cupboard just lying around and we decided to not let them go to waste.  And from here the true creativity begins.  Instead of normal old (but still delicious) Rice Krispy Treats, we chose to combine two classics: Rice Krispies and Peanut Butter Buckeyes.  And ta-da! Double Dipped Rice Krispies Buckeyes.  Normal buckeyes are rich and you can only eat a couple at a time.  With the krispy rice in the beginning, these bite-sized treats take on a whole new dimension.  And become that more irresistible in the process.

The Double Dipped Rice Krispies Buckeyes require peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, butter, rice krispies, semi sweet chocolate and paraffin wax.

Start by emptying one 18 ounce jar of peanut butter into a large bowl. Mix with 1/2 cup of softened butter. Add in a tablespoon of vanilla extract.

Mix in one pound of powdered sugar. 

Slowly add in 2 cups of rice krispies treats.  If you want more crunch add in more of the cereal. 

 Roll the mix into 1 inch balls.  Place onto a cookie sheet and then into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. 

Ashley's Tip: Rub butter onto your hands in order to prevent massive amounts of peanut butter sticking to your hands. 

While the peanut butter mix is in the refrigerator, heat the entire bag of semi sweet chocolate on medium heat in a small sauce pan.  Add 3-4 oz of paraffin wax.  Keep stirring to avoid overheating the chocolate.

 

Use tooth picks to dip the peanut butter balls.  Then place onto a cookie sheet.  To save on toothpicks pull them out after a couple of minutes and reuse them.

Aubree's Note: To add more chocolate flavor dip them twice. Wait for the chocolate to harden the first time before dipping them again.

These are still pretty rich so beware, however the recipe makes lots so be sure to share!

Recipe

1 18oz jar of peanut butter
1/2 cup of softened butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 lb powdered sugar
2 cups rice krispies
1 bag semi sweet chocolate
3-4 ounces of paraffin wax

Beat peanut butter, butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
Add powdered sugar and then slowly add in rice krispies.
Roll into balls and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.
Melt chocolate and paraffin wax in a small sauce pan over medium heat.
Dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate and let harden on a cookie sheet.
Dip a second time.
Enjoy!

Chocolate Covered Frozen Bananas

So basically its been super hot lately.  And with that, our need for dessert goes from warm gooey cakes to cold and icy delights.  We decided to create our own version of Trader Joe's Gone Bananas, which are delicious little bite sized  frozen banana chips and chocolate. These Chocolate Covered Frozen Bananas are ridiculously simple with only 2 ingredients. Plus even more importantly, Ashley recently got herself a new camera.  One that makes taking pictures of our kitchen creations even more enticing.  So you can be sure that there will be plenty of recipes to come soon!

There are really two ingredients needed.  Bananas and chocolate. 

Start by slicing bananas into small pieces.

Place the slices onto a lined cookie sheet and freeze for 10 mins.

 Meanwhile heat the chocolate in a saucepan over low heat.





Add a small piece of paraffin wax into the saucepan.  Continue stirring until completely melted.

Ashley's Tip: The more wax you use the thinner the chocolate.  If you want the bananas to be covered in a thicker layer of chocolate use less wax.

Use a toothpick to dip the bananas in the chocolate.

Aubree's Note: if the bananas get soft and the toothpicks fall out put them back into the freezer for a few minutes.

Once they are dipped put them back onto the sheet and into the freezer.  Now the patience has to occur--it takes about 30-40 minutes for the bananas to completely freeze.

Super quick and easy, these go even faster with more hands.  Also if you have other fruit laying around the house the chocolate is perfect to cover strawberries and such. 

Recipe

4 Bananas

1 bag of semi sweet chocolate chips

1 oz parrafin wax

Slice the bananas.  Freeze for 10 minutes.

Melt chocolate in saucepan over medium to low heat.  Add wax.

Use toothpick to dip bananas in chocolate.  Place on cookie sheet.

Freeze for 30-40 minutes.  

Enjoy!

Pirate Cake Pops

Helloooooo SUMMER! Hello to more free time, enjoying that beautiful summer sun, and more baking adventures to please our souls.  Summer is all about relaxing and doing the things that make us happy.  So naturally we had to start this summer off right by making some Cake Pops.  This time around we made little pirates.  They are random but cute and super easy to make.  And most importantly, ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS.  If you're unfamiliar with cake pops, 1. Where have you been lately? 2. You can find the step by step guide here.

Start the pirates by using a white colored modeling chocolate as the base.

Let them dry completely before moving on to the next steps.

Separate some red (or whatever color you would like to use as the bandannas) M&Ms and star sprinkles into a small bowl. You will need them before the dipping of the bandannas starts.

This step requires some quick or multiple sets of hands.  Dip half the cake pop into another color like red.

Ashley's Tip: in order to get a smooth top don't tap the cake pops on the rim of the bowl like you would when dipping the entire pop. 

Immediately after dipping, add the M&M and one sprinkle.  They might want to fall off but if you hold them for a few seconds they will stay.

Last step is to add faces with black marker or frosting.  Then these one eyed pirates are ready to eat.  Hope you enjoy them!

Caramel Covered Pretzel Sticks

Our grandmother has turned into a teenager.  She has become someone with a million different nicknames and frankly we can't keep up.  In December her nickname on our presents was "Granny J."  Where this came from, don't ask us.  Then there's our nickname for her when we're texting- "Gma" and lastly the good old "Grandma" because we're classy like that. She is not only responsible for many good times, but is also responsible for these Caramel Covered Pretzel Sticks.  We know what you're thinking: Caramel AND drizzled chocolate? That must be super rich! But the pretzel provides a perfect salty balance to that delicious sweetness.  Perfect for the Super Bowl or other parties, these Caramel Covered Pretzel Sticks will become your favorite go-to snack.

This recipe requires pretzel sticks, one 16 oz package of caramel, walnuts, condensed milk, and chocolate--we used bother vanilla and semi sweet.

 Start by melting one package of caramels in a sauce pan on medium heat.  Add 2 tablespoons of cream.  We had condensed milk on hand and used that.  It's only a small amount so use what you have on hand.

Continue stirring until the caramel is completely melted.  Be sure not to over heat.

Meanwhile chop a cup of nuts. The more pretzel sticks you cover, the more walnuts needed.

Once the caramel is melted start covering the pretzels.

Aubree's Note: Use a spoon to cover the pretzel with caramel.  Tip it down so the extra caramel goes back into the sauce pan and so the layer of caramel isn't too thick.

Cover the pretzels with the walnuts. Having multiple hands help with this process.

Ashley's Tip: Roll the caramel covered pretzels in nuts on a plate and then place on a greased cookie seat.  

Melt both chocolates and prepare them to cover the caramel covered pretzel sticks.  Only a cup of chocolate melted is needed.

Create any design you want. The zig zag was the easiest. 

These Caramel Covered Pretzel Sticks were made in a snap and destroyed even quicker.  Best thing is our Gma discovered something great in time for the Super Bowl.

Recipe

1 Package Pretzel Sticks
1 16 oz Package Caramels
2 Tablespoons Condensed Milk
1 Cup Chopped Walnuts
1 Cup Melted Chocolate

Melt the caramel in a sauce pan on medium heat.  Add in the condensed milk.
Cover the pretzels with caramel and immediately add nuts. Let dry on greased cookie seat.
Use melted chocolate to drizzle over pretzels.
Enjoy!