Let me start off by saying that viewer discretion is advised for today’s post.  OK now with the story that preludes possibly the greatest brownie I have ever sunk my teeth in thus far in my life.  Last Saturday Mrs. Zesty had a baby shower to attend and she was designated for a dessert/sweet treat for the girls.  Last week was a bit of a zoo and I think I forgot about prepping this dessert until Friday afternoon at work.  After work I did a quick scan for some ideas and came up with a chocolate caramel brownie.  I figured that would be a hit with a “bunch” of girls.

I knew time was tight and I didn’t want to spend all night Friday night to prep a dessert.  With that said, I counted on Google and did a quick chocolate caramel brownie search.  At that point you can say my life may have changed forever.  See below for all the details.

This recipe, I cannot take any credit for and nor will I try as it is compliments of Nestle Toll House and as you can see from the reviews…. I am not the only one that liked them.

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. (18.25 oz.) chocolate cake mix
• 1 cup chopped nuts ( Optional )
• 1 cup Evaporated Milk
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted
• 35 (10-oz. pkg.) caramels, unwrapped
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Combine cake mix and nuts in large bowl. Stir in 2/3 cup evaporated milk and butter (batter will be thick). Spread half of batter into ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan.



3. Bake for 15 minutes.
4. Heat caramels and remaining evaporated milk in small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted. Sprinkle morsels over brownie; drizzle with caramel mixture.







5. Drop remaining batter by heaping teaspoon over caramel mixture.





6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set.
7. Cool in pan on wire rack.



8. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: The only tip I could recommend for this recipe is too make it at least in double batch form.  It is absolutely amazing.

If you like gooey, chocolate, caramel and oh did I mention brownies…. if so you have to make these TODAY!  As I know a lot of people have great brownie recipes from scratch but too follow this recipe which literally takes 10 minutes to prep, the results are so satisfying.  Girls if you are reading from the shower, let me know what you thought of the brownie in the comments.

Have an awesome Wednesday and let me know if you have any questions concerning this recipe or any other recipe that you see here.

Thanks

zesty

2 Days until Christmas!!  Good morning and welcome to another exciting blurb from yours truly.  Today is the day we have been waiting for the last six months – We are moving in TONIGHT!  The Upholstery cleaning team did their thing and we are good to go.  We worked at the house until about midnight last night trying to get the bedrooms prepped and I think we are ready to take the plunge tonight.

As promised from yesterday’s post – I told you I would get a little closer with a fantastic dessert delivered to the party by a “zesty” cousin.  I am a pretty huge fan of bread in general but when you throw it into a bread pudding dessert, I pretty much fly off the handle with excitement.  When I caught a glimpse of the bread pudding and  heard rumblings that it was in the kitchen I went scouting with the camera around my neck, snapping pictures left and right to get a good shot for you. 

Cranberries inside the bread pudding is so festive and exciting.   It was so delicious, moist and the sauce was crazy good.  Check it out below: 

Ingredients

Pudding

• 1 Quart milk
• 2 Cups sugar (I use 1 white, 1 brown)
• 1 Cup dried sweetened cranberries
• 6 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons vanilla
• 1 Tsp. baking powder
• 1 Tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 Loaves of white bread (Cut off all crust, cube andf then dry the cubes out on a baking sheet in a low 200 degree oven)

Sauce

• 2 Cups brown sugar
• 1 Cup cream
• 3/4 Cup butter
• 1/2 Tsp. Vanila

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 13X9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine 1 quart milk, 2 cups sugar, cranberries, eggs, vanilla, baking powder and cinnamon in large bowl; stir until well blended.
3. Add bread and toss to blend thoroughly.
4. Pour mixture into prepared dish.
5. Bake 50 to 70 minutes or until golden and knife inserted into center comes out clean.
6. For sauce, mix sugar,cream and butter; bring to a boil in small saucepan.
7. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until butter melts and sugar dissolves.
8. After about 3 minutes and the sauce begins to thicken add vanilla.
9. Remove from heat.
10. Cut bread pudding into squares.
11. Spoon sauce over each serving.
12. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: Feel free to use raisins instead of cranberries if you want to go the more traditional route.  Nothing else in the recipe has to change to accommodate the raisins.

I want to thank my zesty cousin so much for a great recipe and the oppurtunity to share it with you.  It tasted fabulous and by all means if you try it – let me know through the comments or email.  Have a great Wednesday and I will talk to you tomorrow.

Take care

zesty