Brownie Cookies from 10.5 oz Envelope of Mix

I see lots of recipes that call for Brownie Cookies from an 18oz-ish box of mix. I like to buy the 10.5 oz envelopes instead, and since I know I'm not alone... I thought I'd help other folks out with the smaller recipe. With the holidays approaching, this is a nice starting point for cookies. Options: We can add nuts (chopped mixed in or on top), crushed candy canes (maybe top with a white candy melt once out of the oven and sprinkle with candy canes), M&M's, a frosting that firms up nicely, and of course festive sprinkles. Sounds like a little something for everyone:@)

I chose a whole pecan (walnuts would be good too), a dusting of powdered sugar, and plain chocolate. I also liked making them small, two or three bites. 

There is wiggle room on the baking time with these cookies. For softer cookies choose 9-10 minutes. If you like crisper cookies, add a couple extra minutes. If you're curious and think you'd like to make them for the holidays, I suggest making a test batch... It will help you figure out your favorite baking time, and I'm sure your crew would love to try them out:@)

Brownie Cookies from 10.5oz Mix

10.5 oz brownie mix

3 Tblsp vegetable oil

1 egg

2 Tblsp A/P flour

*Nuts optional

1. Mix everything together, let sit for 15-30 minutes in the refrigerator.
2. *If adding nuts, they can be mixed into the batter or sprinkled on top of cookies before baking.
3. Add small (bing cherry size) dallops of dough to cookie sheets, 2" apart. I ended  up with about 28-30, 2" wide cookies.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for about 9-10 minutes. 
5. Remove from oven, let sit on sheet for a couple minutes, then remove to cooling rack.
6. Store in air tight container.

Enjoy a cookie and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Jam Schmeared Crescent Rolls with Cinnamon Glaze

I usually have a can of rolls in the refrigerator in case I need them for Sunday dinner, but decided to go the breakfast route this time... These Jam Schmeared Crescent Rolls with Cinnamon Glaze literally come together in no time and will be on your table in about 30 minutes total. Not to mention the house will smell pretty good too:@) I like using the term schmear in the title because we really only want to use a small amount of jam so it doesn't make a mess as mine did below. I also like using jam or preserves that have the little bits of fruit in them, not jelly. As for the glaze, cinnamon adds some extra flavor, or you could use pumpkin spice if you'd like. Or omit the spice and have a milk glaze, or maybe add a touch of vanilla or lemon extract if that sounds good. We like options here at Pig In Mud!

Out of the oven cooling a bit before the glaze.

Oooey, sticky goodness...

Jam Schmeared Crescent Rolls with Cinnamon Glaze

8 oz can crescent rolls

Jam or preserves, flavor of choice

Glaze

1/4 C powdered sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Enough milk or Half and Half to make a thick glaze

1. Add parchment to baking sheet (I just lined mine with foil).
2. Unroll the dough, separate into triangles.
3. Spread a small amount of jam onto dough, leave about 1/2" around the edge without jam to help the dough stick together.
4. Starting with the wide end, roll the dough. Place the open end down on the parchment, shape into a crescent shape.
5. Bake per package directions.
6. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.
7. Mix glaze in small bowl. Go easy on the milk, it will come together quickly and you may only need a tablespoon or less. If it gets too thin add more powdered sugar.
8. Drizzle over rolls.

Enjoy a treat and 

Have a Happy Day:@)

Eagles NFC East Pumpkin -Contest Entry

We decided to have a pumpkin contest at the office this year. It was the first time so nobody knew what to expect, but the rules were 'anything goes'. After kicking around two traditional Holiday icon ideas for a while I woke up Monday morning and knew exactly what I'd do...

HA, Go Birds!!!

I tied for 1st Place🎃

I hope you all had a fun Halloween! Now, let's grab whatever marked down candy we might need for holiday baking season...

Have a great weekend:@)

Pumpkin Ketchup

I was determined to enjoy every last drop of that Pumpkin Spread from Aldi and this Pumpkin Ketchup was very good:@) Super simple, equal amounts of pumpkin spread/butter/jam and ketchup. I also chose to add a few shakes of hot sauce, and full disclosure, added quite a few more shakes before I ate my fries:@) The pumpkin adds an extra little something seasonal, and was a sweet addition to my lunch.

The jam I bought:

Pumpkin Ketchup

Equal amounts pumpkin spread/butter or jam.

Optional: A few shakes of hot sauce to taste.

~Mix well and serve with anything you like to dip in ketchup (fries, tator tots, chicken nuggets, etc)

Enjoy a seasonal twist and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Marinated Cheddar Cheese -Honey & Thyme

I whipped up this Marinated Cheese from the latest edition of Food Network Magazine as soon as I saw it. With the exception of fresh thyme (unfortunately my plant gave up the ghost this year), everything was on-hand. I subbed a little dry thyme, but highly recommend using a few sprigs of fresh if you can get it. Simply mix a couple ingredients, stir in some cubed cheddar, let sit for 30 minutes, stir and serve. It's a nice easy addition to charcuterie boards, appy trays, and football munchies. Served with team colored food picks of course:@)

Other options:

Marinated Mozzarella and Olives & Marinated Pepperoni and Cheese

Marinated Cheddar Cheese-from Food Network

8 oz sharp cheddar into 1/2" cubes

1/3 C olive oil

2 Tblsp honey

Few thyme sprigs

1/4 tsp kosher salt

Big pinch red pepper flakes

~Toss together, transfer to covered jar, marinate 30 minutes at room temperature before serving.

Enjoy a snack and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Football Shaped Chocolate Chips

Have you seen the new Nestle Toll House Football Shaped Chocolate Chips? I found them in that center isle where Walmart puts the holiday and seasonal baking items. A fun idea to add a little something extra to our next batch of cookies for the football party:@)

Grab it when you see it and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Philadelphia Eagles Pumpkin & Free Stencil

My son had a volunteer pumpkin vine grow out of his compost bin this year. It was a very happy plant:@) He ended up with 15 pumpkins ranging in size from cantaloupe to about 10" round. Unfortunately the vine died before they all had a chance to get orange. But I saw an opportunity to carve an Eagles Green Jack-O-Lantern:@) What I didn't realize was, just how hard the green makes it to see the little dots to follow the outline of the design...

The pumpkins:

Never afraid to share a bloggy blooper... I had some carving issues, and the cheap little plastic etching tool was not a good idea after all. Wish I borrowed some of my son's wood working tools, they would have gone through the pumpkin like butter...

But warts and all,

the Philly Boo Crew approves:@)

Another logo option, as I was looking around I found some free stencils provided by the Eagles themselves HERE... There are small, medium and large sizes. All you need is a printer, or as I've done many times. simply place a piece of paper over your computer screen and trace the pattern. 

Happy Halloween Season🎃

Trick or Treating in Barbie's World

Barbie promised the kid dolls that if they ate dinner, they could do a little Trick or Treating early in the evening. The weather was beautiful, and as the sun was just beginning to set, it was still warm out so coats weren't needed. The kids were running around and excited (and just a bit hyped up on sugar). Until they stopped at Ken's... They were a little apprehensive approaching this spooky house...

But Frankenstein was the perfect host...

This year's costumes were a glamourous witch, little pumpkins, and a baby chick:@)

DIY Halloween Craft links:  Barbie Pumpkin No-Sew Poncho ~ K-Cup Frankenstein Mask ~ K-Cup Boo Bucket ~ Felt Pumpkin (or any day) Jumper Free Pattern (for Barbie, Curvy Barbie, Chelsea and Kelly dolls)

~This chick~ says Halloween can be fun for everyone!

Previous Halloween Dioramas:

Trunk or Treating Diorama

Halloween Party 2021

Loading Huge Pumpkin onto Jeep

Pumpkin Picking with Anthony Diorama-2023

Halloween at the Farm Diorama 2022

BOO!

Have a Happy Day🎃

Butter Bean Soup -Vegetarian or Not

It feels like we went to bed one night and the next morning it was soup season here in Philly... This Butter Bean Soup is a quick 30 minute meal that only gets better the next day:@) Canned beans are easy to use and always consistently creamy. Make this vegetarian/vegan by using vegetable broth, or we can also use chicken broth, which is what I did. Depending on where you shop and the sales, I think this meal for 4-6 people can be made for about $4. If you're a bean lover like me, don't hesitate to give this a try folks!

Recipe is easily cut in half.

And this freezes beautifully too:@)

📌My Beans Pinterest Board HERE.

Butter Bean Soup -from here

1 Tblsp olive oil

1 onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/4 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

2 medium carrots, diced

2 medium celery ribs, diced

2 (14 oz) can butter beans, drained

1 c water *If optionally mashing beans

2 c broth, vegetable or I used chicken

1 bay leaf

S&P to taste

*I had some fresh parsley in the garden, so I added it  for garnish

1. Heat oil, cook onion for a few minutes, add garlic and cook for another minute.
2. Add everything to pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
3. *Optional, remove some of the beans to a food processor and blend until smooth for a creamier texture. You can click the original recipe for full instructions. I just mashed some beans with a fork.

Enjoy a hearty meal and

Have a Happy Day:@)