08May / 2013

Recipe: Lemon Brownies

I describe today’s recipe as a spring brownie—light, refreshing flavor with the same rich, dense texture of a regular brownie. These are not lemon bars, these are lemon brownies (you know, minus the brown). Whip up a batch for Mother’s Day this weekend and you won’t be sorry. These little squares of sunshine would be perfect as a light dessert, or even a sweet side for a Mother’s Day breakfast or brunch. They are delicious warm out of the oven and just as good days later at room temperature.

Lemon Brownies
adapted from Rita’s Recipes

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
4 eggs
juice of 1 lemon
zest of 1 lemon

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. In a large mixing bowl, stir the flour, sugar and salt together. Add the softened butter and mix until you have a thick, combined dough (almost like a sugar cookie dough). In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, lemon juice, and zest together, then add to the flour mixture. Mix for several minutes on medium speed until batter becomes light and fluffy. Transfer batter to the baking dish and spread evenly. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove and allow to cool for 10 minutes before adding glaze. (Recipe below.)

Lemon Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Directions
Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Pour evenly over still-warm brownies, using a spatula to reach all four corners of the pan. Allow brownies to cool to room temperature before cutting and serving.

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06May / 2013

DIY Teacher Appreciation Gifts

As the school year winds down to an end, it’s time to think about how to thank the teachers who have been working hard for your kids all year long. I’ve been gathering some fun DIY ideas to show your appreciation in a sweet way. Plus, they’re all simple enough to have the kids help out.

1. Candy Pencils - A sweet look alike that is so easy to put together.
2. Cookies Stacked in a Spaghetti Canister - I recommend my Blue Ribbon Chocolate Chip Cookies
3. School Supply Cake - A great way to display some much-needed supplies that teacher won’t have to buy next fall.
4. Reusable Drink Cups with Lemonade Mix - Every teacher could use some cute hydration.
5. Apple-shaped Gift Box - Made from plastic soda bottles, you could fill this box with any small treasure.
6. Poster Candy-Gram - I’m a sucker for a clever candy-gram, and this site gives you a perfect script to follow.
7. Apple-Shaped Cupcakes - Whether you give one or a dozen, these treats will bring a smile.
8. Chalkboard Paint Flower Pot - A fun plant that can brighten up the classroom now, and teacher’s home later.
9. Paper Bag Flower Box - Dress up a gift for the yard with this clever idea.

If DIY is not your thing, I’ve got some favorite gifts from Mrs. Fields that will thrill any teacher on your list.

Sunshine Satchel

Classic Mini Ribbon Box

Thank You Big Cookie Cake

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03May / 2013

The Lost Art of a Thank You

Thank You Big Cookie Cake

A sincere thank you is one of the most powerful ways to make someone feel valued, recognized, and appreciated. The irony is that sharing your thanks usually takes very little time, but has an enormous impact on others. And in my opinion, it’s something of a habit to be in. The more you offer thanks, the more you’ll be aware of feeling thankful. Most of us in our busy lives have a lot of good intentions to offer our thanks to others, but get sidetracked with all the little things that fill our days. Here are some tips to help you reclaim the lost art of a thank you:

Make it easier by having supplies on hand, like thank you cards and stamps. I always have a couple of packages of thank you cards, one in my desk and one in my purse. I can write one out as soon as I think of it. (HINT: I try to choose cards that are more gender-neutral so I can send them to anyone.)
One of my favorite places to pick up thank you cards is in the dollar section of craft stores. There is always a nice variety.
If you don’t have a card on hand, utilize technology and send a quick text while you’re thinking of it. Even if you plan to send a hand-written note later, type a quick text and say thank you now.
While I prefer an actual hand-written note, apps like ThankYouPro allow you to write and send a professional thank you note from your smartphone or tablet, either by email or regular mail (for a fee). Very convenient!
Having a hard time knowing what to write? Check out this smart advice to get you started.
Another great way to offer thanks is with a phone call. Thinking about the great party your friend threw last weekend? Pick up the phone and call to tell her. Mention some of the details you noticed. She’ll appreciate it, I promise.
If a service professional goes the extra mile for you, an email or phone call to his or her superior could make a big impact.
For birthday parties, showers, weddings, and other occasions that garner a lot of gifts, be sure to keep a good record. If you are the guest of honor, ask a trusted friend to take detailed notes so that nothing is forgotten. Don’t rely on your memory on such occasions; there’s too much going on!
Get your kids in the habit of thanking others. Coach them as they write their own notes to thank teachers, friends, or family. If they are writing several, help them come up with a template to keep from getting overwhelmed.
When a thank you gift is in order, when someone has really gone above and beyond, take time to think about what they might truly enjoy. Some of my favorite thank you gifts are movie tickets (easy to tuck into a card), fresh flowers, and, of course, a little box of cookies (my favorite).

One last thing—it’s never too late to send your thanks. There is no statute of limitations, so if you’re feeling embarrassed that you forgot to send a card thanking Grandma for the thoughtful Christmas gift five months ago, do something about it! Write a card now and you’ll both end up feeling great!

Do you have any other tips? Share them in the comments section. Oh, and thanks!

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02May / 2013

Mrs. Fields Trivia is here – Win free cookies!

Mrs. Fields Trivia – May 2nd, 2013

Here’s your chance again to win another amazing gift of FREE cookies from Mrs. Fields.

Enter the contest by leaving a comment on our blog. If we pick you as our winner, we will contact you via the email you’ve provided.

We will draw 1 name from the correct answers given and that person will receive a FREE Mrs. Fields Springtime Bites Box ($35.00 value, with shipping). Answers will be accepted until midnight (May 2nd, 2013). Limited to one win per month per entrant. Winner will be notified via email.

Prize Details:

This week we’ll be giving away one of our Mrs. Fields Spring Time Bites Box – item #10EC249, a $35.00 value, including shipping. It contains assortment of 18 Nibblers® bite-sized cookies, 12 Brownie Bites, and two hand-frosted daisy cookies. Perfection!

Fill in the blank:

Our “We Love You Mom Basket” arrives with ____ hand-frosted heart shaped cookies.

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01May / 2013

Recipe: 3 Salsas, Red, Yellow and Green

Are you ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo? I’m going to celebrate with a salsa bar, inviting all my friends to bring their favorite salsa and chips to share. I’m providing three salsas, one red restaurant-style; one yellow with mango, pineapple, and corn; and one green with lots of avocado. All three are just the right amount of spicy for me, and oh-so-delicious on a crispy chip! Give them a try and let me know which one is your favorite. Olé!

Red Restaurant Salsa
adapted from Pioneer Woman

1 can (28 Ounce) whole tomatoes with juice
2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)
1/4 cup chopped white or yellow onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 whole jalapeno, quartered and sliced thin
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cumin
3/4 cup cilantro, washed and chopped
juice of 1 lime

Directions
In a food processor or blender, pulse the whole tomatoes with the onion about 10-15 pulses, or until texture reaches your preferred consistency. Pour into a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients to the food processor and pulse again for 10-15 pulses, then pour mixture into the bowl, stirring to combine both mixtures. Taste and add additional salt, if needed. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Yellow Salsa

1 cup pickled jalapeno slices
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
2 ears fresh corn (roasted or raw)
1/2 red onion
1/2 cup cilantro, washed and chopped
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine jalapeno slices, sugar, and water, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Allow to simmer on the stove while you prepare the other ingredients (about 20-25 minutes). In a mixing bowl, combine mango and pineapple and stir. Using a sharp knife, cut the kernels from the cob and add them to the bowl, along with onion and cilantro. Once the jalapenos have been candied (the inner flesh will have a translucent look), remove them from the heat. Transfer the jalapenos to a cutting board with a slotted spoon and allow them to cool for 5 minutes before mincing them and adding them to the bowl. Finally, sprinkle salt over the top, stir everything together, and add more salt if needed.

Green Salsa

3 ripe (but not overripe) avocados
1 plum tomato
1 lime, juiced
1/4 fresh jalapeno
1 tablespoon cilantro, washed and chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions
In a food processor or blender, combine 1 avocado, lime juice, jalapeno, cilantro, garlic, cumin, and salt. Blend until you reach a fine puree with no chunks. Pour into a serving bowl. Cut remaining avocados and tomato into large chunks and add to the puree. Add salt and stir. (Keep this salsa covered with plastic wrap before serving to prevent browning.)

Looking for more great Cinco de Mayo recipes? Try these:

Dessert Nachos
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Sugar Chips
Enchiladas with Chocolate Molé Sauce
Key Lime Pie
Watermelon Aqua Fresca

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29Apr / 2013

Mother’s Day Giveaway: What Is Your Mom’s Most Famous Line?

From teaching us about hygiene to love and everything in between, Moms have always had their own special way of communicating Life’s lessons. Now is your chance to share your mom’s best line and win great gifts for Mother’s Day, including these incredible picks:

Mom’s Memory Box

Mom’s Memory Box is one of our favorite gifts this season. Part scrumptious gift, part keepsake box to save special cards and letters.

Floral Mother’s Day Box

Floral Mother’s Day Box is pretty and popular and perfect for Mom.

Mother’s Day Daisy Tin

Mother’s Day Daisy Tin offers a variety of our bite-sized cookies and frosted cookies. Maybe even enough for Mom to share.

Ready to play? Leave a comment answering this question: What is your mom’s most famous line? We’ll choose three lucky winners who will get their prize delivered to Mom in time for Mother’s Day, along with their nomination.

So let’s hear it. Share mom’s best with us.

Fine print: One entry per person, please. Comments will be accepted until midnight, Sunday, May 5, 2013. Winners will be chosen and notified via email.

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26Apr / 2013

Homemade Green Cleansers for the Whole House

As part of Earth Week, I’ve committed myself to replacing some of my regular chemical cleansers in the closet with homemade cleansers that are safer for my family, safer for the planet, and kinder to my wallet! I’ve scoured the Internet (no pun intended) to find the best homemade alternatives to the everyday products we use. Will you join me in replacing at least one of your regular cleansers with something homemade? (Be sure to check out my special hints below!)

Orange Vinegar – Good as an all-purpose cleanser and especially for wood, the recipe for this concentrate utilizes the cleansing power of vinegar and orange oil.

All-Purpose Cleaner & Antibacterial Cleaner – Clean a host of things around the house, including your oven with these easy recipes.

Mold and Mildew Removers – Remove mold and mildew from tile, paint, and even leather and luggage with this simple recipe.

Bathroom Cleaners – Find simple recipes to clean everything from your bathroom mirror, down to your toilet and everything in between (include a calcium and lime remover).

Antibacterial Soft Scrub – Perfect to use on sinks and tubs, this smells great and gets everything squeaky clean.

Laundry Detergent – Three simple ingredients gets a load of laundry clean for about a nickel per load.

Dishwasher Detergent Cubes – Use this recipe and some ice cube trays to make your own dishwashing detergent.

Stainless Steel Polish/Cleanser – The right cloth and some olive oil clean up your stainless steel appliances and buff out trouble spots.

HINT: In my research, one theme seems to keep emerging about limited shelf life of homemade cleansers. Because they aren’t made with strong chemicals or preservatives, the potency of liquid cleansers can start to fade after a few months. A simple solution is to make smaller batches.

HINT: Before using any new cleanser on fabrics, granite, or hardwood, test them in an inconspicuous spot and give them 24 hours before proceeding.

HINT: If you have trouble finding tea tree oil mentioned in a few of the recipes, lavender or eucalyptus essential oils have similar properties.

{Image via Google}

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25Apr / 2013

Mrs. Fields Trivia is here – Win free cookies!

Mrs. Fields Trivia – April 25th, 2013

Here’s your chance again to win another amazing gift of FREE cookies from Mrs. Fields.

Enter the contest by leaving a comment on our blog. If we pick you as our winner, we will contact you via the email you’ve provided.

We will draw 1 name from the correct answers given and that person will receive a FREE Mrs. Fields Springtime Bites Box ($35.00 value, with shipping). Answers will be accepted until midnight (April 25th, 2013). Limited to one win per month per entrant. Winner will be notified via email.

Prize Details:

Question:

Our Mother’s Day Personalized Jar allows you to personalize with an image and up to how many characters and spaces?

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24Apr / 2013

Recipe: Earth Day Cupcakes with Cloud Frosting

Mrs. Fields Secrets Earth Cupcakes and Cloud Frosting
In honor of Earth Day this week, I couldn’t pass up making these adorable Earth Day Cupcakes. You can adapt your favorite from-scratch white cake recipe or even use a boxed mix. You’ll need a generous amount of blue and green food coloring to get the right effect, so check your supply before you start. They are awfully cute and perfectly tasty without frosting, but I thought a little puffy cumulus frosting cloud was the perfect touch. Pipe little puffs on top, just enough that you can still see the great coloring underneath.

Earth Day Cupcakes

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 large egg whites
3/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
blue and green food coloring
cupcake liners

Directions
Line muffin tins with cupcake liners. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar for about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt, then set aside. Combine egg whites, milk and vanilla. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to butter mixture then add half the milk mixture. Continue to alternate beginning and ending with flour mixture. Divide batter into two mixing bowls, about 2/3 in one and 1/3 in the other. Stir in approximately 50-75 drops of blue food coloring into the bowl with more batter, or until you reach the desired color. Stir approximately 30-45 drops of green food coloring into the bowl with less batter, or until you reach the desired color.

Add two tablespoons of blue batter into each cupcake liner, followed by a generous tablespoon of green batter, offset to the side (to create the look of land and sea. Add more green or blue to create desired look, or until liner is 2/3 full. Bake for 18-24 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove and cool before frosting.

Cloud Frosting (aka Perfect Frosting)

5 tablespoons flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup butter (room temperature)
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions
Mix flour and milk together in a double boiler over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk, until a thick paste forms. Cool mixture completely (you can use the fridge or freezer to speed it up). Cream butter at high speed until it is light and creamy. Add the sugar and blend until fluffy. Take a generous scoop of the sugar/butter mixture and add it to the cooled flour/milk mixture and blend it well. Add all of the flour/milk mixture to the sugar/butter mixture and beat until fluffy and light. Finally, add almond extract and mix well.

Mrs. Fields Secrets Earth Day cupcakes