Snickerdoodle Blondies

These squares remind me exactly of the speculaas cookies, otherwise known as Windmill cookies, that I enjoyed so much with sweet tea when I was growing up (and when I was older too). These are much softer then the traditional cookie but have the same yummy spices as the original.

Snickerdoodle Blondies
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1 cup unsalted butter
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Topping
2 Tbsp. white sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs one at a time and vanilla. Mix together dry ingredients and add slowly to creamed mixture. Spread dough evenly in greased 9 x 13 pan. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of the batter. Bake at 350F for 25 to 30 minutes or until surface springs back when gently pressed.

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

Here's another chicken recipe, since its been a week or two since I gave you one. This is a recipe I tried not that long ago and it was delicious. Much fresher tasting then deep fried but similar flavour and maybe? a few less calories.
It all starts with boneless, skinless chicken, lightly battered, then simmered in a tasty sauce in the oven.

Fry it up and put it in a 9 x 13 baking dish....

Mix up sauce and pour over chicken.......

Doesn't that look yummy?

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups cornstarch
3 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil

Sweet and Sour Sauce
1 cup white sugar
4 Tablespoons Ketchup
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar  ( I thought the vinegar should be slightly reduced)
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. garlic salt

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Place cornstarch and eggs in separate bowls. Dip chicken in cornstarch, then in egg and brown in skillet with canola oil.
Place chicken in 9 x 13 baking dish. In a medium bowl, mix together sauce ingredients and pour over chicken. Bake ONE hour at 325 F.

Kraftin' Kimmie Tic Tac Toe

My photo angle is a little wonky but you get the idea. Kraftin' Kimmie had a Tic Tac Toe challenge this week and I chose blue, die cuts and gems. My gem is a little discreet (check out her hair bow) but I think I managed to fulfill my obligations for the challenge. I really like this colour combo. Best   Fur-iends is the stamp set from Cheryl Alger.

Another Sketch Challenge

I found Challenge #162 - A Sketch, lived up to its name. I struggled with the dimensions at first and then used some different colours then usual and I love how the card turned out. Of course, when you start with an adorable image, the rest usually falls into place. I glossed the glass in the lantern and the nose on the dog etc.  Here's Sassy Cheryl's Challenge for this week....

and here's the sketch, I based it on....

and the sentiment that went along with the stamp was so sweet, I had to include it on the inside of my card....

Delightful Inspiration

This month's Free Digital Stamp at From the Heart Stamps; Delightful Inspiration is this adorable chicken peeking out of a pot. The sentiment (which I actually used) is also included. If you play along every month, you get the next month free. I think it's pretty cute and the flowers are sparkled but you can't really tell.

Challenges are worse, then on-line shopping. They become a little addictive but so much fun.

Sweet Marie Bars

This recipe has been in my arsenal for years. I think it may be one of the first things I learned to (not) bake, way back when. Sometimes, we call them cottage squares as they are a very quick and easy square to take along in the summertime. You can speed things up with canned frosting.
Still yum!

Sweet Marie Squares
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 Tbsp. butter
Blend and heat in a saucepan on low temperature. Then add 2 cups
Rice Krispies and 1/2 cup peanuts. Put in 8x8 pan.
You can cover with coconut or just ice with chocolate frosting.
Chill and cut.

Gettin' Sketchy

I was able to squeeze in one more card this week. I think I'm on a roll. This card is based on a sketch from Kraftin' Kimmies Krafty Krop, say THAT a few times. It's challenge #5 and is based on a card that was provided as a map.
Here's my take....

You can see the original card here, Kraftin Kimmie. So I'm off to Scrapfest shortly, a whole collection of stores and scrapbooking retreats and on-line businesses all under one roof. So fun!