St Patty's Day Trifle

To celebrate this St. Patty's Day, here's a little treat that is sure to please.  This chocolate trifle includes layers of brownie, chocolate pudding, and cool whip dyed green for this festive occasion.  It can be adapted for any craving, but these ingredients give the best consistency for a chewy, creamy mouthful.  If you'd rather have a crunch in your dessert, just add some Heath bars, graham crackers, or peanuts to your layering.

St Patty's Day Trifle

Ingredients

Brownies:

* 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate

*1/2 cup butter

*1 1/2 cups sugar

*2 eggs

*1 tsp vanilla

*1 cup all-purpose flour

Pudding:

*Jello instant pudding mix-chocolate

*3 cups milk

Cool whip:

*1 carton cool whip

*Green food coloring (about 25 drops)

Directions:

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9 x 9 inch pan.

*Melt butter in microwave or on the stove and pour into a bowl with the chocolate.  Stir well until the chocolate has melted into the butter.

*Add in the sugar and eggs.  Then, mix in the flour until just blended.

*Pour into the greased pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

*Set pan aside to cool.

*Follow the directions on the Jello package.  Mix the packet into the milk in a medium bowl.  Whisk well to remove lumps.

*Place in the fridge to set for at least ten minutes.

*Mix the green food coloring into the cool whip.  Use as many drops as needed until the desired color is achieved.

*Cut or crumble the brownies into small bite sized pieces.

*In a deep bowl or several small cups, layer the ingredients in the following order: brownies, pudding, cool whip.  Make sure to spread each layer to the edge of the bowl or cup.  Repeat the layering a second time.

*Chill until ready to eat.  Enjoy!

(Brownie recipe from Allrecipes.com)

S'mores Bars

What's more fun on a cold night at home then warm, gooey s'mores bars to remind you of a summer campfire?  This is the perfect treat for a kids sleepover.  It's a no fuss recipe that kids can help make and drool over as they bake in the oven.  They can even be packaged up for the neighbors, kids at school, or the soccer team.  Of course, even the adults will love this nostalgic dessert.

S'mores Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 package miniature marshmallows

Directions:

* Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

* Stir together 2 cups of the crumbs with the flour, butter, and sugar in a large bowl until well combined. 

* Press half into a greased 13 x 9 pan.  Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and pour the chocolate chips over the top.  Let sit until the chocolate begins to melt and then spread the chocolate over the crust.

 * Set the oven to broil.

* Sprinkle with marshmallows and the remaining 1/4 cup of crumb mixture. Press the marshmallows into the chocolate lightly.

* Broil in the oven on the top rack for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the tops of the marshmallows are toasted to your liking.

* Cool and cut into bars to enjoy.