Dulce de Leche

How did I ever go 31 years without trying dulce de leche?? Apparently that's a side effect of growing up in Wisconsin, eh? :) Anyway, you need to try this. Serve on ice cream or head to Joy the Baker and check out her February 27,2011 recipe for Dulce de Leche cupcakes. You'll thank me and you'll love her! here's how to make super yummy dulce de leche...take 2 cans sweetened condensed milk and pour them into an 8x8 glass pan, top with foil. Set this pan inside a larger pan like a 9x13 pan and fill it with water so the smaller pan has water halfway up the sides. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 for 1 1/2 hours. Check occassionally to keep the water level up. Cool completely. When cool, whip until smooth and enjoy!

M&M Bars

As promised, here are the M&M bars. These make a really nice, big pan so they are great for taking to a potluck...or bake sale. :) Enjoy!

M&M Bars

1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cup ap flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups quick cooking oats
14 oz pkg caramels (unwrapped)
3 tbsp water
1 cup mini chocolate chips*
1 cup chopped nuts, pecans or walnuts as you prefer*
1 cup mini m&m's*

*I don't bother to measure, usually. I just pour them on til it looks good. :)

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture. Stir in oats. Press into 15x10x1 baking pan. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the caramels and water. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with chips, nuts and m&m's. Gently press into the caramel and allow to cool completely before cutting.

Caramel Apple Bread

This is something that Tim brought me home from Kwik Trip and I loved it. When I can bake, why should I pay per piece what I can pay for a whole loaf if I make it myself? I think this one is better than the one I had tasted.

Caramel Apple Bread

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 cup sugar

1/2 cups shredded apples, a combination of sweet and tart is really nice I use Braeburn and Granny Smith

1/4 cup fat free plain or vanilla yogurt 1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup caramel bits

Grease the bottom and sides of 1-8x4x2 loaf pan; set aside. In a medium bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg. Make a well in the center and set aside. In another bowl, mix egg, sugar, apple, vanilla, and yogurt. Combine with flour mixture. Fold in caramel bits. Pour into loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!