Mocha Hazelnut Sandwich Cookies

 Coffee + Chocolate = Heaven. 

These two ingredients were made for each other. I’ve always been a fan of a good chocolate and coffee duo. Evan's mother recently introduced us to Publix's Espresso Chip frozen yogurt and I am obsessed! It's a super rich, creamy, coffee-flavored concoction with a hint of coconut flavor, and sprinkled with chocolate-espresso chips. If you’ve ever tried this chocolate and coffee combo you know exactly what I am talking about!

This amazing combination of flavors was my inspiration for these Mocha Hazelnut Sandwich Cookies. These cookies are great with a hot cup of coffee in the morning, or a glass of milk as a late night snack! 

 If you're a coffee and chocolate addict like myself, you will love these!

Mocha Hazelnut Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients:

1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon instant coffee powder, dissolved in 1 tablespoon water

3/4 cup Nutella

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 2 cookies sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix the cake mix, oil. eggs, and coffee mixture in a large bowl with a wooden spoon until blended.  
3. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart, onto prepared cookie sheets.
4. Bake 8 to 11 minutes or until just barely set at center when lightly touched. Cool 1 minute on sheets, then remove cookies with spatula to wire racks to cool completely.
5. Spread flat side of half of cookies with Nutella spread, then sandwich with remaining cookies.

Happy National S'more Day!

Today is National S'more Day! I love that one of my favorite desserts has its own day! This classic campfire sandwich is ooey, gooey and oh-so messy! 

Let's celebrate with some S'mores Brownies...

S'mores Cookies...

and last but not least...S'mores Gooey Cake Bars! 

 ENJOY! :)

Strawberries and Cream Bars

These bars are pretty amazing. There are some things that just scream summertime and these bars are one of them. Breakfast? Dessert? Either way, you can't go wrong! 

You start with a soft and chewy cookie crust...topped with smooth cream cheese with a hint of vanilla...then sweet and juicy strawberries with an extra layer of cookie goodness! 

SO. GOOD.

 

Strawberries and Cream Bars

Recipe adapted from Cookies and Cups

Ingredients:

1 box vanilla cake mix

1/3 cup butter, room temperature

2 eggs

3 cups strawberries, sliced

8 oz cream cheese

1/3 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray.
• In large bowl combine butter, one egg and cake mix until dough forms. Set aside 1 cup of the dough mixture for the topping.
• Using your hands, press the remaining dough mixture in the bottom of the pan and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• While the crust is baking, slice the strawberries into approx 1/4 inch slices.
• In a mixing bowl beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and remaining egg until smooth.
• Spread cream cheese over the partially baked crust and arrange the sliced strawberries over the cream cheese mixture. Break up the rest of the reserved dough mixture and sprinkle over the top.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until center is set and crumbs on top turn golden brown.
• Cool completely and chill at least 30 minutes before serving.