100th Blog Post (and recipe)

So I just realized that yesterday's post was my 100th post on Bites with Brandi! Woohoo! I am so glad that my blog has lasted this long (and a little surprised!). It has been very exciting posting recipes and restaurant reviews and such. I hope to continue posting for a long time!

To celebrate my 100th post (although technically this one is 101), I am posting a "secret recipe" of mine that is requested by many people for Christmas, birthdays, and other holidays. Actually, the recipe is not really a secret, there is just a trick to getting it to turn out right. :) Here it is:

Peanut Butter Fudge

3 cups granulated sugar
1 stick butter
1 cup milk
1 small jar marshmallow cream
1 small jar peanut butter, melted

Melt butter in saucepan. Add sugar and milk. Stir well. Cook until soft ball stage. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter and marshmallow cream. Stir well (mixture will begin to get stiff.) Pour into buttered 9x13 baking dish and let set. Cut into pieces and enjoy!

Have you figured out the trick yet? It's melting the peanut butter! This makes the mixture so smooth and it incorporates well into the sugar and marshmallow cream. It is SO yummy!

Thank you, blog followers, for reading my posts and I hope you will continue to read them! I also hope you enjoy this recipe (it is so easy!). :)

Kickin' it into gear...

Okay, today I "officially" start Weight Watchers again -- on my own, that is. I simply cannot afford to pay $40 a month to go to a meeting just to have someone weigh me and tell me that I have gained 2.4 pounds. So, I am trusting in the Lord to help me with this journey.

I have already gotten rid of almost all of the sweets in the house (except those cheesecake bites I just posted about which are 1 point each, I think) and the only "sweet" thing we are going to have from now on are 100 calorie packs. These are actually not that bad, if you are looking for a little snack. Plus, there are TONS of 100 calorie foods out there in the snack world, including these and these. My favorites, though, are the 100 calorie candy bars made by Hershey. They make chocolate covered pretzels, York peppermint patty sticks, and the best one so far....

These taste like those Reese sticks that you find in the candy aisle at your grocery store, but only 100 calories! And actually, most 100 calorie products are only about 2 points on WW. So...I can indulge for only a couple of points. Hey, it's hard enough trying to lose weight...don't take my sweets away too!!

Anyway, I hope you will pray for me and with me as I begin this weight journey. I don't think it will be too hard since I lost 50 lbs. before I became pregnant. But, you never know (especially now that I have a little one and a lot of "baby fat" as they call it). My husband is going to do this with me, and my sister, so be praying for them as well. Thank you! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you single and married people out there!!! I hope you have had a day full of blessings and chocolate! :)

My sweet husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day last night (Friday) because I had to start a special 3-day diet today (bleh) as part of an extended glucose test for my pregnancy (the first one was elevated). So, needless to say, I cannot have any chocolate today. :( It's okay, though, I had a couple of pieces last night. Jay got me a heart-shaped Hershey's Pot of Gold, the sweetest card that he made himself, and a dozen yellow roses (my favorite!!). I got him one of those "singing" cards that plays "So Happy Together" and the new Keith and Kristyn Getty CD, plus made him some chocolate-covered strawberries.

We ate at O'Charleys for dinner and headed to Lowe's Home Improvement store to pick out our real gift to each other (not really, but that is our story) -- a washer and dryer. Yep, our dryer (nicknamed "Old Faithful") bit the dust a couple of days ago. We tried everything to revive it - cleaned out the vent, cleaned the outside vent, flipped the breaker -- but to no avail. His friend, washer, was just about to bite the dust and probably wouldn't have lasted long without him, so we replaced it too. Besides, Jay has had the pair since 2000 when he purchased these refurbished appliances from a scratch-n-dent place. So they have served their term well.

We ended up purchasing this set (on sale):



We figured since we would be doing double (or even triple) the amount of laundry we do now when the baby comes, we had better have something reliable and that would last a long time. Despite the dryer not fitting into our laundry space and us having to deplete the bank account, we are pleased with our V-day gift. :)

How was your Valentine's Day? What did you get? Did you cook/bake anything special? I would love to hear your stories!

On the 12th day of Christmas treats...

my daddy gave to me.....Yep, today's post is one of my dad's recipes, and it is made in the microwave!

Dad's Divinity

2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 egg whites
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Butter a 8-inch baking dish, set aside. In a 2-quart microwave-safe glass measuring cup with handle, combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes. Stir well until sugar dissolves. Microwave on HIGH for another 5-6 minutes or until mixture reaches 260 degrees (check temp with a candy thermometer).

In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites untiol stiff peaks form. While beating at low speed, slowly pour hot syrup into egg whites. Continue beating until mixture loses its gloss, about 10-12 minutes. Blend in vanilla, stir in walnuts and quickly press mixture into a buttered 8-inch square pan. Let stand until firm then cut into squares. Makes 1 1/2 pounds.

May each of you and your families have a very blessed Christmas and New Year!!

Now for the 11th day of Christmas treats...

These are so easy -- I made a batch in no time. A perfect snack too!

White Chocolate Pretzels

1 bag mini pretzels
1 bag white chocolate chips (I use Hershey's)
Paraffin (optional)
Sprinkles (optional)

Melt white chocolate chips in a double broiler on the stove. Mix in about 2 tablespoons of paraffin if desired. Stir until all chips/paraffin are melted and smooth. Dip pretzels in white chocolate and place on waxed paper. Sprinkle with red and green sprinkles, or other sprinkles. Let cool until set. Makes a whole bag of pretzels (however big of a bag you have).

On the 6th, 7th, and 8th days of Christmas treats....

Okay, I guess I shouldn't make a promise I cannot keep. I promised that I would not fail to post each day's Christmas treats...but indeed I have failed. Therefore I am making it up today with 3 Christmas treats! I hope you enjoy them.

Oreo Truffles

1 package Oreos, crushed until very fine (I use a food processor)
2 pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1 pkg. white chocolate bark, melted

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Stir in crushed Oreos until mixed well. Roll into balls. Place on wax paper and freeze for 10-15 minutes. Remove from freezer and dip in melted bark. Makes 75 truffles. (These are to die for!!)

Oatmeal Scotchies (this recipe is from my friend Tricia)

1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract or grated peel of 1 orange
3 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
1 2/3 cups (11 oz. pkg) Nestle Toll House Butterscotch Flavored Morsels

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats and morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 7-8 minutes for chewy cookies; 9 to 10 minutes for crisp cookies. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. (Makes about 4 dozen cookies)

Easy Hot Fudge Ice Cream Sauce (a recipe from Chef Pam Price)

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup miniature marshmallows
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon real vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and cook over medium to low heat until melted and smooth, stirring constantly. Pour into decorative jars and store in the refrigerator up to one week.

Gift Idea: Tie a nice ribbon around the jar top and dangle jingle bells from the ends. Pack in a nice bag with a new ice cream scoop, ice cream themed paper napkins, or a set of colorful dessert/ice cream bowls.

More to come in the next few days!! :)

On the 3rd day of Christmas treats, tell me what can it be??

So sorry I failed to post yesterday's Christmas treat! I promise not to let it happen again. :)

Today's Christmas treat is one of my all-time favorite goodies, especially at Christmas-time. They are so yummy, so easy to make, and fun! The only thing that is a little time-consuming is rolling the mixture into balls (but that is the fun part). :)

Peanut Butter Balls

2 sticks butter, melted
2 tsp. vanilla
2 boxes powdered sugar
1 jar creamy (or crunchy) peanut butter
Chocolate for dipping **

Mix butter, vanilla, powdered sugar, and penaut butter together until the mixture forms a dough. Roll into little balls about 1 inch in size. Dip balls in chocolate (dark, milk, or white) and place on wax or parchment paper to cool. Enjoy! Makes about 75 balls.

**You can also melt a little bit of paraffin wax into your chocolate for a glossy finish on your peanut butter balls.

Day 2 of "The 12 Days of Christmas Treats"

For today's treat, I thought I would post something a little different than your usual Christmas cookie or candy. This recipe is from one of my long-time best friends, Melissa. I am hooked on this mix!! Try it for yourself:

Yum-Yum Candied Mix

5 cups Rice Chex cereal
5 cups Corn Chex cereal
4 cups Wheat Chex cereal
4 cups oats and honey granola
1 box Honey Teddy Grahams (about 3 cups)
4 cups pecan pieces (or whole pecans)
1 package of dried cranberries

1 cup (2 sticks) of butter
¾ cup light corn syrup
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup honey

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Spray large roasting pan with cooking spray. Combine the first 7 ingredients in large sprayed roasting pan; set aside. Combine butter and remaining ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour mixture over the combine cereals, tossing to coat. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Pour onto wax paper to cool, gently separating with a spoon. Store in airtight container.

This is better than any granola I have had, or almost any other snack mix (there a few that rank pretty high on my list). Plus it is so easy!! Even kids can help you with this treat, just make sure they stay away from the hot sugar mixture (of course).

This mix would be a great gift for co-workers, teachers, and friends. Just put a scoop into a Christmas cellophane bag (like those treat bags you find at the dollar store), tie it with a pretty ribbon, and attach a little card and there you go -- instant Christmas gift!!

The 12 Days of Chrismas Treats....Day 1

In honor of Christmas and the official start of the "baking season", I thought I would do a series of posts on yummy Christmas treats -- 12 days of them!

The one I have chosen for today is super, super easy and very festive. The main thing to remember when making this treat is to use a good quality white chocolate, NOT vanilla bark. I would recommend Ghirardelli White Chocolate Chips or another good quality white chocolate chip. Here is the recipe:

Peppermint Bark

2 packages white chocolate chips
1 box candy canes (either these or these)

Pour both packages of chips into a glass mixing bowl. Melt using double-broiler method (or microwave) until chips are completely melted and smooth.

Meanwhile, unwrap each candy cane and place in a sturdy, plastic zip-top bag. Crush with rolling pin or meat mallot until there are no more large pieces (some chunky pieces are okay, do not crush them too fine).

Pour candy cane pieces into melted white chocolate (reserve a couple of tablespoons full). Stir until well blended. Pour onto cookie sheet covered in wax paper or parchment paper. Spread evenly over the sheet. Put in fridge to cool and harden.

Once hardened, break into pieces - big, medium, small. Enjoy!!

*Option: you can add peppermint extract/flavoring to the bark if you would like, but it is kind of overpowering.

Stay tuned to Day 2 of The 12 Days of Christmas Treats!! Who knows what yummy goodness will come up next..... :)

The Perfect "Fall Snack"...

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Which tastes like a

For the Sweet Tooth...

I am continuing with recipes from my wonderful friends. Today's recipe is a yummy candy/dessert that is so easy and semi-good for you! :) Enjoy!

Recipe for Today: Date Balls
Shout-out: My friend and fellow church member, Jenny Bennett

Date Balls

1 stick of salted butter
1 package of chopped dates
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups of crispy rice cereal
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Powdered sugar

Combine butter, dates, and sugar into saucepan and wait until melted...keep on medium/high for around 2 minutes (be very careful how long you cook so it doesn't start to harden). Stir in crispy rice cereal and pecans and let cool. Roll into balls and dip in powdered sugar. (Be careful - the mixture will be hot!) Allow to cool before eating. Makes about 15-30 balls, depending on how big you make them.

**Jenny made these for my "Baking Party" last year at Christmas. They were delicious! I ended up making them for my family as gifts.

Rocky Road Bark ...

...is the easiest to make, most delicious candy in the world!! Well, not in the world. I can think of plenty of other homemade candies that I would probably choose over this one (peanut butter roll is one of them). But it is the easiest to make, as is any type of bark candy. All you need is a bowl, a wooden spoon, and your ingredients. Check it out:


Rocky Road Bark

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (I use Hershey's)

1 bag milk chocolate chips (also Hershey's)

1/2 can salted peanuts or roasted peanuts

1/2 bag miniature marshmallows

Yep, that's it!!

Now, pour each bag of chocolate chips into a glass mixing bowl. Toss them a little so that you have a "mixture" of chocolate flavors throughout. You can either melt the chips in the microwave or over a pan of water on the stove (double-boiler method). Once the chips are completely melted and the chocolate is smooth (it will have a glossy sheen to it), fold in the peanuts and marshmallows making sure that each piece is coated well.

Turn onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and spread out. The mixture should encompass the entire pan. Pop in the fridge until set. When it is set (or if you just can't wait any longer!) take it out of the fridge and break into pieces.

This recipe makes a lot of candy, and I'm warning you, it is super rich!