no-bake dessert

Bready or Not: Maple Truffles

Posted by on Jul 16, 2014 in Blog, Bready or Not, maple, no-bake dessert | 1 comment

Every time I make truffles, I always end up raving to my husband, “I HATE MAKING TRUFFLES.”

Maple Cookie Truffles4_sm

The chocolate is always so slow to melt. I usually end up burning myself in some small way. My truffles never look as pretty as other truffles I see online (yes, I’m judging myself by my truffle beauty, dangit).

Maple Cookie Truffles2_sm

However, I always end up making truffles again because my husband’s co-workers go absolutely bonkers for them. They are referred to as “Mrs. Cato’s Balls.” Yeah. Go ahead and snicker.

The standard home truffle uses Oreos. This is my unique version, done using maple creme cookies. You could also substitute Golden Oreos and add more maple flavor.

Everything is better with maple.

Maple Cookie Truffles1_sm

Bready or Not: Maple Truffles

A sweet no-bake treat perfect for parties and potlucks!
Course: Dessert, Snack
Keyword: maple, no bake
Author: Beth Cato

Ingredients

A Bready or Not Original Recipe

  • 8 ounces cream cheese 1 block
  • 1 package of maple creme cookies or substitute Golden Oreos, and add more maple flavor
  • 3/4 teaspoon maple flavor
  • 11 ounces white chocolate or white candy melts

Instructions

  • Bring cream cheese to room temperature, or place unwrapped block in a bowl and zap in microwave until softened, about 20 seconds.
  • Pulverize the cookies. Use a blender to rend them to crumbs, or put cookies in a gallon zipper bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
  • In a large bowl, combine soft cream cheese and crumbs. Begin to mix together, add maple flavor, then mix until completely combined and fully beige. Arrange a shelf in your freezer that will fit a mid-size cookie sheet; line the cookie sheet with wax paper. Use a tablespoon or teaspoon scoop or a spoon to form truffles, then use hands to compress the balls more. Set them all on the wax paper, then place in freezer for at least 30 minutes.
  • Choose your method of melting the chocolate: the microwave or a double boiler. The latter has the advantage of keeping the chocolate warm. Carefully dip the cookie balls into the chocolate to completely cover. Let set. Often it's best to do a second coat.

With any leftover chocolate, use a spoon to form lumps on the wax paper, and add nuts, candies, etc, or dip crackers or fruit from your kitchen.

    Keep truffles stored in fridge; they will stay good for weeks.

      OM NOM NOM.

        Read More

        Bready or Not: Oreo Fudge

        Posted by on Jun 25, 2014 in Blog, Bready or Not, fudge, no-bake dessert, oreo | 5 comments

        ‘Tis the season. The season when I am keenly aware that air conditioning is the greatest invention in the last century.

        This also means I’ll be pulling out a lot of non-bake sweet recipes, because 1) the oven makes the house hot, 2) I have a gazillion other things to do than stand in the kitchen for an hour, 3) fudge is awesome.

        Some purists say this isn’t kind of fudge isn’t fudge because it’s not made on a stovetop, with a candy thermometer, with the proper animal sacrifices. I say they’re rather silly. All fudge is good and worthy.

        This recipe is so easy to throw together. It’s great for potlucks because it makes a ton of fudge. It also keeps well in the fridge.

        This is a good time to point out a similar recipe I posted a few years ago–Oreo Bars, featuring three ingredients. Oreos. Marshmallows. Butter. It’s like Rice Krispie Treats, but uses Oreos. Also non-bake, and makes a smaller amount.

        Just in case, you know, you’re wanting to make something without chocolate and, uh, healthier.

        Tweaked from Shugary Sweets.

        Bready or Not: Oreo Fudge

        Easy no-fuss fudge that uses Oreos!
        Course: Dessert
        Keyword: fudge, no bake, oreo, quick fudge
        Author: Beth Cato

        Ingredients

        • 3 cups white chocolate chips
        • 20 Oreo cookies crushed/chopped/maimed
        • 7 oz marshmallow fluff jar
        • 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
        • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract

        Instructions

        • Prepare a 9x13 pan by lining it with foil and applying nonstick spray.
        • Either in microwave or on stovetop, carefully melt chocolate with canned milk and marshmallow cream. If microwaving, do it in short bursts because it can burn fast. Stir often.
        • When the mix is smooth, add the vanilla extract. Fold in the Oreos.
        • Refrigerate 3 hours until firm. Cut into bite size pieces. Keep stored in fridge.

        OM NOM NOM.

          Read More

          Bready or Not: Triple-Layer Lemon Pie

          Posted by on Jun 11, 2014 in Blog, Bready or Not, lemon, no-bake dessert, pie | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Triple-Layer Lemon Pie

          Two of my husband’s favorite things: lemon and pie.

          Another, more recent favorite thing: ease of eating. See, my husband decided to get braces last fall. I didn’t endure that particular hell as a teenager (I had other hells instead), so it’s been rather educational to see everything he has to endure–sore teeth, broken wires, and just overall trickiness with choosing food to eat. He needs things that won’t get stuck between his teeth and that he can easily eat with a fork or spoon.

          He had to go get his monthly dental tweaking done, so I decided to surprise him.

          He was absolutely delighted with this pie. It’s cold and soothing, lemony and sweet, and very easy to eat. It’s really an awesome summer pie because it is cold and it’s totally no-bake. It comes together in a matter of minutes and just has to set. It also keeps well–my husband ate it slowly over five days.

          The perfect summer pie!

          From Kraft Recipes.

          Bready or Not: Triple-Layer Lemon Pie

          Easy no-bake lemon bake, perfect for summer!
          Course: Dessert, Snack
          Keyword: lemon, no bake, pie
          Author: Beth Cato

          Ingredients

          • 2 3.4 oz boxes Jell-O Lemon Flavor Instant Pudding
          • 2 cups cold milk
          • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
          • 1 graham cracker crust homemade or bought
          • 8 oz Cool Whip thawed; reduced fat is fine

          Instructions

          • Whisk together pudding mixes, milk and lemon juice. It will be thick. Spread 1 1/2 cups onto bottom of crust.
          • Mix half of the Cool Whip into the remaining pudding.
          • Spread the Cool Whip/pudding mixture over the pure pudding layer in crust. Top with remaining Cool Whip--the third layer. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.

          OM NOM NOM.

            Read More