Valentine's Day Series: Brownie Torte ♥

 Happy Friday Friends!

News Flash!

I'm going to be doing a mini series on this blog reposting some of my favorite desserts (mostly chocolate-y ones) leading up to Valentine's Day.  I don't know how you feel about it, but I love Valentines Day.  I always have.  Any excuse to eat chocolate and decorate my home with pink hearts is ok in my book ♥  

Also included in the series will be all my favorite romantic things, like movies, books, & music.  I'm excited to share these posts with you and celebrate all things LOVE ♥

So.....since February 14th is less than a month away, I thought why not start now?! And what better way to celebrate a Friday than with brownies! 

I got this recipe from my hairdresser and immediately made it twice in a two week span.  It's easy to make, looks darling on the table, and is absolutely delicious! It's looks way more fancy than it actually is.  As someone who loves shortcuts, I appreciate that : ) 

Originally posted April 24, 2018

Hello Everyone!  

I hope this week finds you well!  It's finally starting to feel like spring around here! Yesterday I was able to open my windows for a little while and let some of the fresh air in.  It felt so good! I hope it lasts! 

*fingers crossed*

Anyway, today I want to share with you a quick dessert recipe that I just made for the first time.  This recipe was given to me by my hairdresser.  As soon as she described it I knew it would be something I would love.  She was right.  And it's so easy!  Wanna see?  

It's brownie heaven ♥ 

Here's how to make it: 

1 brownie mix

1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup cold water

1 package vanilla instant pudding

4 oz. container whipped topping (I used 1/2 of an 8 oz. container of Cool Whip : ) 

Grease 2. 9 inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.  

Prepare cake-like brownies according to the box directions.  Split batter evenly into both pans and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (or until done).  

Remove from pans and let cool.  

I was happy both pans fit in my counter top oven! ♥ 

 For the filling....

In a large mixing bowl combine the sweetened condensed milk and the water.  Beat in the pudding mix.  Chill for at least 5 minutes.  

Fold in the whipped topping ♥ 

To assemble, layer the filling in between the two brownie layers.

Use about 1/2 of the filling.  That should be enough.  The rest is supposed to be reserved for the top....more on that later.... 

Add strawberries...

Make a sandwich! 

The original recipe said to frost the remaining filling on the top but I felt that might be a little too sweet so instead I just added a dollop of Cool Whip and a strawberry ♥

Definitely refrigerate this until you are ready to eat it or the filling will get soft.  You want it nice and firm.  Store leftovers (if there are any) in the fridge as well!

This was a big winner in my family and I'm sure I'll be making this again soon!

♥

Enjoy! ♥♥♥ 




I hope you all come back and join me for my Valentine's Day series! 

Let's celebrate all things love (and chocolate!).


Have a great weekend! XO 

Rustic fruit tart ♥

 

Hello Friends! It's the last week of February.  How did we get here so fast?

 

♥

 

I am totally excited that it's almost March because it means we are getting closer to Spring.  This past week we had temperature well into the 60's. I saw people walking around town in shorts.  Even I'm not that crazy.  I know better, because 2 days later it snowed.  Go figure. 

 

♥

 

I have the day off from work today and after I do a quick grocery run I am planning on some light housework and (sadly) putting away all my Valentine decorations.  I need to give St. Patrick's Day some equal showing time because before we know it  Easter will be here. I already saw the candy in the stores before Valentines Day! I'll never understand the rush.  Seriously, if I bought Easter candy this early, it would never make it to Easter....if you know what I mean.  I would eat it all and then have to buy more.  Maybe that's what the stores are hoping for! : )

 

♥

 

 

 

Speaking of candy, may I interest you in something fruity to wash down all that leftover Valentine chocolate?

 

I discovered that I have a new favorite dessert and I'm dying to tell you about it.

 

♥

 

  I noticed that I had a sheet of puff pastry in the freezer and I spent about 20 minutes trying to figure out what I could do with it.  I thought about making an apple tart but when I went to the grocery store to get the apples (and the rest of my dinner) I came across frozen mixed berries, which were on sale! Bingo!

 

I've never made one of these tarts before.  This was my first time.  But I really love the word "rustic" because we all know that means it's pretty impossible to mess it up. 

 

Rustic.  Yes, I like that ♥

 

 

 

 

The recipe is very simple :

 

♥

 

1/2 lb frozen puff pastry (one sheet), thawed

3 cups frozen mixed berries

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp. white sugar

2 tbsp. flour

3/4 tbsp. cinnamon

1 tbsp. butter

powered sugar for dusting

 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

 

 

 

 

 

♥

 

Roll out the pastry to about 14 inches.  It's supposed to be rustic so don't worry too much about the shape.  Just make sure it's big enough to hold the fruit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I rolled out my dough right on a piece of parchment paper.

I recommend doing this because after this step you need to chill the dough. 

I was able to slide the paper right onto a cookie sheet and pop it in the fridge ♥

 

 

 

 

 

While the dough is chilling you can prepare the fruit.

 

♥

 

I used Wyman's frozen mixed berries.  So good!  (and 2 for $6.99)

 

 

 

♥

 

 

Pour 3 cups of fruit (which is about a bag and a half) right into a bowl.

 

 

 

 

 

 ♥

 

Add the brown sugar, white sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter.

 

 

 

 

 

♥

 

 Toss it up!

 

 

 

 

 

Take the dough out of the fridge.

 

♥

 

Now dump the fruit right in the center. 

 

 

 

 

 ♥

 

 

Pull up and fold all the edges around the fruit.  Leave a 4-5 inch opening in the center.

 

Brush folds with a little water and sprinkle with sugar ♥

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bake for 40 minutes~ 

 

♥

 

Let cool and sprinkle with a dusting of powdered sugar!

 

 

 

 

 

♥

 

Cut pie wedges and serve with vanilla ice cream!

 

 

 

 

 

 This is truly my new favorite dessert!

 

♥

 

While eating it my mother and I were discussing how delicious this would be with summer peaches!

 

 

I can not wait to try that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Ok, so I probably should have slide it onto a pretty plate once it was cooled....but hey, we're all family.  No need to be fancy! (actually I was just too eager to cut into it that I forgot! : )

 

And there you have it.  Enjoy! ♥

 

 

Well, I'm off to make the most out of this day.  One my coffee and I'll be perfectly caffeinated for a Monday!  Grocery store, here I come!

 

 

Have a good day, my friends! Thanks for stopping by!

 

♥