Cocoa Rice Krispies Football Treats

I made these for my boyfriend who was working on the same day the San Francisco 49ers were playing the New York Giants for the NFC Championships. The sad part is, he didn't even end up having to go into work, and so he dropped them off at work for those who had to be there, and stayed at home and watched the game.

These were pretty good, although I'm not sure if I were to make them again, I would use peanut butter. I think the great taste of the cocoa rice krispies are enough. Damn, these treats are HUGE. Maybe I just can't shape them correctly, but next time, they'll be smaller. I'll probably end up making a half recipe or something.

Regardless, the 49ers didn't end up winning, but it was a great first season for Coach Harbaugh. Next year!

Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler Pie [sms]

This week's Sweet Melissa Sundays pick, Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler Pie, was chosen by Tracey of Tracey’s Culinary Adventures. She's always helpful and in two of the same groups I am in!

This was a definite hit with my Circle K friends. They dove in and ate the pie within a couple of minutes. I swear whenever I bring things to the meeting, they are gone in a few minutes.

Instead of using fresh strawberries, I used some fresh strawberries that I had cut up and frozen. They were on sale a couple of weeks ago and I thought that I would not be able to make a grocery trip before making this pie so I decided to go that that route, but also because they were on sale! I also used a frozen pie crust! I KNOW! I just don't have the kind of time to make pies crusts. I'll try harder next time we make a pie crust. In addition to those two, I decided to go with a cocoa topping instead of the biscuits as suggested by Melissa. I had some left over cocoa strudel from my mini cocoa strudel cheesecakes so I decided to top the pie with that strudel.

It was so delicious. The strawberry and chocolate is such a great combination! I hope everyone else enjoyed it as well. I still don't know the exact flavor of rhubarb, but I would definitely make this pie again!

Make sure to check out the rest of the SMS bakers on the blogroll.

PS I got my Secret Baker's gift. Thanks to Lisa S. for the wonderful apple cake. It was delicious!

Mini Cocoa Strudel Cheesecake

Apparently all my friends seem to be born in April. Or perhaps, I just know lots of people born in this month, but this is one of the birthday dinner parties that I went to...and let's just say I probably gained a couple pounds from all this eating...just for dinner.

Anyways, back to the baking. I made these Cocoa Strudel Cheesecake Bars into cupcake form. Since I had made a half batch of Oreo Fudge Bars...or as the birthday boy liked to call them, Oreo Orgasms, I had left over condensed milk that I used in these.

But let's talk about the cocoa strudel cheesecake instead. It was really delicious.

Cocoa Cheesecake Streusel Bars

adapted from My Baking Adventures

7/8 cup flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 c natural cocoa powder
1/2 cup butter
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
7 oz. sweetened condensed milk [half of a can]
1/2 egg
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Place 12 cupcake liners in a cupcake pan.
Combine flour, sugar, and cocoa in a large bowl and then cut in the butter until crumbly and rather dry. [I used my hands, it's just a lot easier. I melted the butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds to melt it only a little bit and then used my hands to mix everything together.]
Press a tablespoon of the mixture into each cupcake liner.
Bake the crust for about 10 minutes.

Beat cream cheese until fluffy and then gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth.

Add egg and vanilla.

Place 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture over crust.

Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of the strudel mixture over cream cheese mixture.

Bake 15 minutes until bubbly.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over top as soon as you remove from oven. [I put three chocolate chips on each. Like 2 and then 1 for 21!]

Chill thoroughly.

WARNING.

THE FOLLOWING PICTURES ARE WHAT WE HAD TO EAT FOR BIRTHDAY DINNER.

LET THE FATTINESS COMMENCE.

[I apologize for the quality of the pictures. I was using a friend's camera...and also everyone was so hungry. We all just wanted to eat.]Thank you to Brandon's parents for a wonderful dinner!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON!

[I'm on the bottom right corner!]