cookies

Five-Ingredient Graham Cracker HEATH Bar Toffee

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Have you started your holiday baking yet? This past weekend I realized that I hadn’t baked anything yet (hello, 3 kids including one 4-month-old who wants to be held all the time plus a full-time job) and decided to change things immediately. When B offered to take the baby with him when he went out on Saturday, leaving me home with just the 3 and 5-year-old, I knew it would be the perfect time for baking!

One of my favorite things to make this time of year is graham cracker toffee. There are so many recipes for it, but my favorite is easy and very few ingredients – chocolate chips, butter, brown sugar, graham crackers and HEATH bar bits. If I make it during the holidays, I also add some festive sprinkles, but that’s it! Easy peasy as my preschooler would say. And yes, it is easy- she even helped me!

graham cracker toffee_i crashed the web

Five-Ingredient Graham Cracker HEATH Bar Toffee

Here’s what you need:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 15-18 graham crackers (enough to fill the baking sheet you have)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup HEATH bits o’brickle
  • Optional: festive sprinkles for sprinkling all over

Here’s what you do:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Line a large jelly roll baking sheet (mine was about 11×15 inches) with a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper. Place graham crackers side-by-side, face up, in a single layer on the baking sheet. To help you reach the end, you may need to break graham crackers in half – this is okay because you’ll be breaking everything at the end.
  3. In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat, until it starts to boil. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, and stir so to ensure it doesn’t burn. Remove from heat, and pour mixture over graham crackers.
  4. Place baking sheet in oven and bake for 8 minutes. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over the top of the graham crackers. Let the chocolate chips sit for a few minutes so they’re able to melt. Spread melted chocolate with a knife or rubber spatula. Sprinkle HEATH bites and sprinkles (optional) on top.
  5. Let the toffee harden in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. After it’s hard, break the toffee into pieces or cut with a knife. Enjoy!

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My three and five-year-old helped spread the butter/sugar mixture on the graham crackers before they went into the oven.

Some questions for you:

  • What’s your go-to holiday cookie or treat you like to share?
  • Are you baking up a storm right now?

A Very Merry Weekend

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 2 Comments

Hello from New York! We are currently celebrating the holidays in New York with my family, and I’m off the routine, which means that this week in running will be a little off. But we’re having tons of fun while we’re here. Some of the highlights or our week so far:

FW and LM met Santa! He stopped by school last week and FW asked for some gifts (he asked for “presents.” When Santa prodded, he asked for “books and dinosaurs.”

LM got in some quality Nonna time.

And FW bonded with Uncle Greg over trains and music.

FW even got close to my parents’ dog a few times.

LM got to meet a good college friend of mine, whose parents live nearby.

We had my favorite local pizza, Defazios.

We braved the line and caught the lights in the park. FW loved them!

I also got to run outdoors by myself during the day! Time off from work, plus mild (cold but not snowy) weather, plus grandparents to watch the kids meant I got to spend some time outdoors, running. In fact, last week’s running went really well. We had a warm front and I was able to run outside every day this week, including one stroller run to kick off the week! I got in a 6.3 miler in NY, which put me at my highest post-LM mileage week thus far!

Here’s how the week looked:

I can’t complain! The week was great in running and beyond. I just love this time of year!

Some questions for you:

  • Has the weather been mild around where you are?
  • Are you in the holiday spirit?

I’m linking up with the weekly wrap.

1 Weekend, 2 Runs (Plus Some Good Food)

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 5 Comments

Before we had two kids, weekends looked a little different. Not only did we get in more sleep and stay out later, but weekends meant running. There was usually one long run and one shorter run. Weekends were time to spend hours on the roads, and whether I was running by myself or with B, I’d be getting in some miles.

Weekends are a little different now. Why? Weekends are time for me to spend with my family- any time I am outside on a run by myself, I’m not with the kids. Do I sometimes feel guilty? Yes, especially now that we have 2! But somehow this weekend I managed now 1, but 2 runs! Saturday by myself and then Sunday with FW.

In addition to the 2 runs, the weekend also included some good food. B made some great French onion soup Saturday night for dinner.

I also baked some cookies.

And check out these spooky sweet treats my niece and mother-in-law made!

And in some other exciting, running-related news, I’m excited to share that once again I’m a Cleveland Marathon Ambassador this year! Last year I ran the 5k/10k challenge series at 39 weeks pregnant (LM was born 4 days later) –we’ll see what this year’s race entails for me!

Some questions for you:

  • Have you ever made French onion soup before?
  • How often do you run on the weekends?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps

WIAW: Birthday Treats!

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 5 Comments

 

Happy Birthday to ME! That’s right, my birthday was this week and B, FW and I had fun celebrating this weekend and enjoying some great weather, going for runs, spending time with friends, and more.

I also had some TREATS on Monday to celebrate my BIG DAY – so that’s what today’s What I Ate Wednesday is from!

The day started with going out to breakfast with B and FW! We went to Yours Truly (I know, I went there last week!) and this time I got the Eggs Bruschetta. They were so good! Two sunny side up eggs on top of spinach, tomato, parmesan and toast!

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Lunch was a leftover veggie burger, kale salad and a sweet potato. And La Croix 🙂

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Snacks during the day (in no certain order) included some energy bites! 20170123_095616

And mixed nuts …20170123_104724

Some tea and kombucha …20170123_095440

And an apple. Yup. I was snacky. 20170123_131547

And for my birthday dinner I chose sushi! It was so good – I got  veggie roll,  a rainbow roll and mackerel sashimi. And B and I shared this seaweed salad!20170123_191317

And with our dinner – some champagne. Because it was my birthday 🙂20170123_193001

Oh and some treats, of course! I made cookies and enjoyed these soft M&M cookies and some new Hershey’s Kisses. 20170123_173623 20170123_153658

And that was it! Happy birthday to ME! Some questions for you:

  • Do you like bubbly? I used to not be able to drink it but love it now!
  • What’s your go-to sushi order?

Homemade Gingersnaps

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 1 Comment

I know, I know. When was the last time I posted a recipe?! This blog used to be all about recipes – but suddenly it’s become about eating, weekends, relaxing, being a mom and running. In all honesty, I haven’t had much time to bake lately. And when I do find time to bake, finding time to write down the recipe is waaaay last on my list.

BUT when I made these gingersnaps, I knew I had to share them. They were easy and so perfect to make now – right before the holidays – and any time of year! They’re quick to make, make enough to share (mine made about 33) and the best part – they taste great! I’d never tried to make gingersnaps before because I know I can always buy them if I want; but I highly recommend you make these. I’m so excited to bake them again and try different add-ins next time – candied ginger, dried cranberries, etc.

homemade-gingersnaps-cookies-recipe

Homemade Gingersnaps

Here’s what you need:

  • 3/4 cup shortening
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, plus 3 Tablespoons for rolling
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tablespoons molasses
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp. baking soda
  • 2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. salt

Here’s what you do:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking sheet. (Or use a nonstick surface, I like to use my silat and they don’t need greasing)
  2. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream shortening and 1 c. sugar. Add in egg, molasses and honey and continue to mix until combined.
  4. Slowly add in flour mixture to sugar mixture.
  5. Roll dough into small, Tablespoon-ish size balls. Dip balls into the 3 Tbs. granulated sugar and place onto baking sheet. Bake until light brown, 12-14 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.
  6. Enjoy! Makes about 30-36 cookies.

homemade gingersnaps cookies

Some questions for you:

  • Are you a ginger fan? Yes! I love everything ginger. ginger tea. pickled ginger. gingersnaps. gingerbread. ginger candy. yum yum yum!
  • What’s on your holiday baking list?

WIAW: Cookies For Lunch (Whoops!)

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 5 Comments

Happy What I Ate Wednesday ! Hopefully you’re enjoying a great week and you’re enjoying the last few days of summer (I can’t believe the unofficial end is in sight! eep!)

This day includes a less-than-heathy day…a day when I happened to have a few cookies for lunch. Whoops!

It all started out fine – some delicious fruit salad (peaches this year ARE SO GOOD!) and some of these boobie balls (recipe here).

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Local peaches and blackberries FTW!20160829_080102

And then lunch – I was baking to bring in treats to B’s office and ended up baking while FW slept and when I usually eat lunch. So this became my lunch. These peanut butter bars were SO good though!20160829_141212 20160829_152815

In the afternoon, FW and I took a walk to Bloom bakery. Not pictured – but while we were there buying a loaf of their amazing house white (it tastes like sour dough!) we enjoyed some free samples. A bite or two of brownie and chocolate chip cookie.

For dinner, I was craving something summery. So I may have gone a little overboard. Some turkey burgers with corn on the cob, some sweet potato and red potato salad, fat free refried beans, spinach and a side salad.

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That was it! I opted to only have a bite of one of those cookie bars before giving it to B to try. Enough dessert for one day! And that was my What I Ate Wednesday eats.

Some questions for you:

  • Do you ever end up working through lunch and eating something less-than-healthy?
  • What’s your favorite summery meal?

WIAW: Ugly Sandwich

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 4 Comments

It’s Wednesday already? Thank goodness – only three more full days until the weekend and it’s also What I Ate Wednesday! For those of you new, it’s a time for sharing and checking out a random day of eats. I love seeing everyone’s eats and sharing my own! These were my eats from Monday. I was at home with FW and had lunch with Cuoghi.

Breakfast was eaten fast with a crying baby before heading out for a walk to sooth crying baby and consisted of a few bites of a nectarine, yogurt and handful of blueberries with one hand. And no phot.

Lunch, however, was different. My friend Cuoghi brought me a sandwich from Herb & Twine and it was delicious! BUT it may have been the ugliest sandwich ever. It was a vegetarian meatball sub and not very photogenic. I meant to eat half Monday and the rest Tuesday, but I couldn’t help but eat it all.

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We ate outside in the new Public Square which was great, and FW slept the entire time. On the way back we took a break and met up with Nicole.

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After lunch, I finished off a cookie (or two) that I had made on Sunday.

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And then, FW was fussy so I put him in the baby carrier and he slept for 30 minutes! While he slept, I made some of Arman’s black bean brownie bars – they were great! I of course had to taste test them.

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baking with a baby isn’t as easy as it looks

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We didn’t get to eat dinner until late, so for a pre-dinner snack, B and I had some bread and cheese.

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And dinner was toast with pesto and chicken and pasta soup. My mom had brought us a big container of soup when she came and visited and it was SO nice just to be able to take it out of the freezer and heat it up for an easy and satisfying dinner.

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And that was it! I typically have dessert after dinner, but I was so exhausted I passed out on the couch shortly after eating.

 

Some questions for you:

  • Do you have dessert every night? Any go-to desserts?
  • Have you ever made any black bean-type of desserts? Or chickpea? Or snuck other healthy ingredients into desserts (like zucchini, carrots, avocado, etc.)?

WIAW: Cinco De Mayo

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 5 Comments

Cinco Cinco Cinco De Mayoooo … woopwoop! That’s right, I’m sharing my Cinco De Mayo eats for  What I Ate Wednesday. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a very Mexican-themed day–but I did try with dinner!

The day started with the return of the smoothie bowl! It had some vanilla protein powder, ice and some frozen blueberries and raspberries. I had not had one of these in AGES and it was so good!

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And a snack of a plum.

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Lunch was a ginormous salad I had made – so good. It had a little bit of chicken, broccoli, cauliflower, feta, avocado, tomato and a Japanese sweet potato (hidden).20160505_123904

And a few ginger candies.20160505_133049

My afternoon snack was some yogurt and granola and cashews. 20160505_150349

And then I headed out to Barrio to celebrate Cinco De Mayo! I didn’t imbibe and only could be there for a little, but thy do have the best chips and salsa.

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Before dinner, I admit I had another sweet snack – one of these freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. It was SO good.

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Dinner was semi-Cinco De Mayo themed? I made some cilantro lime quinoa with avocado, feta, broccoli and black beans. I paired it with some chicken and cumin/lime roasted potatoes and cauliflower.

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Confession – I couldn’t finish my plate. I’ve been getting super full while pregnant and my stomach was too full to finish dinner. After dinner, I made some granola, but somehow found room for a bowl 🙂 You know, for quality control.grnaola

 

I really wanted to do more Cinco De Mayo themed food and even a fun dessert (homemade churros perhaps?) but pregnancy fatigue sat in and I was too tired after dinner and making granola to do much else. Still, a satisfying What I Ate Wednesday.

 

Some questions for you:

  • Did you do anything fun for Cinco De Mayo?
  • Do you like smoothies? Smoothie bowls? Which do you prefer??

Weekend Update: So Long, January

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 8 Comments

Well, January is gone. And it was a great month. B and I spent a week in Mexico City. I celebrated my birthday. I did some runs. And now, February is here!

We had a great weekend to close out the month. I spent half the time in Columbus, celebrating a cousin-in-law and her upcoming baby, got in a few runs, enjoyed some seasonably warm weather and even relaxed. Not a bad first weekend back in the country!

Saturday morning started with a 4.78 mile run in Columbus. Actually ended up running TO a restaurant for brunch, which was awesome.

Farm in the background – skyline in the waaay background

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pretty straightforward run

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Post-run brunch! Eggs, toast and bacon. 20160130_111712

Then it was baby shower time. We showered Stephanie and her little peanut with lots of love and gifts! Can’t wait to meet the baby in March 🙂20160130_141942 20160130_124343

Saturday night we got back pretty late, so the evening included some fruit and TV watching. 20160130_203748

And by TV watching, I mean watching the Sebastian episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Which was awesome. I’m a big fan of Sebastian Maniscalco and his comedy (B got me hooked on the Pete and Sebastian podcast and we’ve now seen him a few times live).

Sunday morning included ANOTHER outdoor run. That’s right – two in one weekend (if you’re counting). This time it was mid 50s and I wore capris. On Jan. 31. See my new shoes?? I love them!

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Followed by brunch at Phuel. Oh yogurt parfait bowl – it has been too long! 20160131_123026

And then a free Starbucks. OF course I had to get a venti because it was a FREE reward! And yes, I’ll be drinking it for a few days because it is HUGE.20160131_142228

And then a little meal prep while catching up on some work.

salads for this week!

salads for this week!

Without our usual Sunday dinner plans, we opted for Italian. So Sunday afternoon included some sauce making. And meatball making. I can’t take credit – B actually made the meatballs. But I helped roll them!

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And some Mitchells, Arctic Zero and homemade cookies for dessert. Just as any Sunday should end!

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And that was it – my last weekend of January. How was yours?

Some questions for you:

  • What’s your favorite baby shower activity?
  • Was the weather warm where you live this weekend?
  • What’s something good you ate this weekend?

I’m linking up with Erin for my weekend snapshot post, Katie for MIMM and as usual, the weekly wraps.

Chocolate Fudge Thumbprint Cookies

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / Leave a comment

It’s Christmas Eve! If you’re like me, that means lots of relaxing, eating, and spending time with my family. And maybe some last minute (yes, now it’s really last minute) baking.

If you’re seeking a relatively quick, very easy, festive holiday cookie, look no further. These are great for the chocoholic (sorry, not me) in your family. Or a chocolic friend, because who doesn’t like to be surprised with a plate of cookies this time of year?

Chocolate Fudge Thumbprint Cookies-icrashedtheweb

Chocolate Fudge Thumbprint Cookies

from Cafe Mom

Here’s what you need

  • 2 sticks + 2 tablespoons of butter, softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 heaping cup powdered sugar
  • 2­ Tablespoons hot water
  • 1 Tablespoon milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • holiday sprinkles

Here’s what you do:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Cream the butter, sugar and ⅓ cup cocoa powder. Mix well until one thorough mixture.
  2. Combine the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder in a separate bowl. Add to the butter mixture by thirds and mix until combined.
  3. Roll the dough into small balls, about one-inch in diameter. Indent each ball with your thumb or a small spoon in the center.
  4. Bake for 7-8 minutes until cookie dough is lightly cracked on the surface but still soft.
  5. When they come out of the oven, don’t be surprised if your thumbprint is gone!  You’ll likely need to press the center of each cookie down again to make your frosting well. Cool completely.
  6. While cookies are cooling, make the frosting: mix the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, hot water, and vanilla. Spoon the frosting into the centers of the cooled cookies and add festive sprinkles while frosting is still wet. Allow frosting to set before putting away.

Enjoy! I’m not a huge chocolate fan and even I enjoyed one (or a few). They’re not MY favorite (again, not a big chocolate fan) but they were definitely a hit. For simple modifications, I may play with the filling, adding peppermint or peanut butter in the future.

Chocolate Fudge Thumbprint Cookies

Questions for you:

  • Chocolate lover or not?
  • What are some thumbprint cookies you enjoy? I love jam cookies!