German Chocolate Brownie Torte

Would you all please stand for the German National Anthem..... I mean, if they were really the ones who invented this German Chocolate frosting thing, then it's the least that we can do!!

I made this dessert up one day, having never made an actual German Chocolate Cake before, because I never really liked the cake part of the German Chocolate Cake, so I fixed that!! I used a brownie instead; I like brownies. Now, for those of you who are sticklers about such things, I KNOW this isn't truly a "torte" in the true sense of the word. A "torte" by definition is a heavy, flourless cake but I still called it a "torte" because it sounded better in the name; so there.

Now, this isn't my easiest recipe, by any means, but it's truly not hard. I have confidence in y'all!

German Chocolate Brownie Torte

• 1 9x13 brownie mix
• 1 stick margarine
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 egg yolks, beaten with 1 tsp. water
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 4 oz. chocolate chips, melted
• 1 pint whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• chopped pecans for topping

Bake brownie mix according to directions on box in a 9-inch springform pan. Cool and separate from pan.

Cook butter, milk, sugar & eggs on top of stove (on medium low) till boiling around the edges; then cook for additional 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Take off of heat and add the vanilla, coconut and the 1 cup pecans. Cool slightly, then pour onto cooled brownie. Spread just to the edges. Let cool completely.

Melt chocolate chips and drizzle top in a criss-cross pattern (this is optional, but it makes the thing look like you REALLY know what you're doing!!)

Whip cream till stiff, then add powdered sugar and whip till blended. Put whipped cream in pastry bag and pipe around edges. (AGAIN, this is optional, but AGAIN, do you want to look like you know what you are doing?) Sprinkle pecan pieces on top of whipped cream.

And then just relish in the applause. aahhhhhh.

Strawberry Jam'n Bars

It has fruit in it......it's GOT to be healthy, right?! That's what we tell ourselves as we dive into these scrumptious bars. Now, as I look at this picture of them, above, I have admit, they don't look all that "scrumptious"; my camera doesn't do them justice. It's a good thing I know what they really taste like!!! Otherwise I'd be missing out!

Strawberry Jam'n Bars

• 1-1/3 cups margarine
• 2-1/4 cups flour
• 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1-1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2-1/4 cups quick oatmeal
• 8 ozs. fruit jam (any flavor can be used, we like strawberry best)
• vanilla frosting for drizzle

Mix first 6 ingredients together well. Pat 2/3 of the mixture into bottom of 9x13 pan. Spread jam on top evenly, which I heat slightly in the microwave to make it easier to spread. Take remaining oatmeal mixture and crumble on top of the jam. Bake at 350 till just slightly browned on top and bubbly around edges. Let cool completely. Drizzle with vanilla frosting. Easiest way to do this (I have found) is to put the frosting in a ziploc bag, heat in microwave for about 10-15 seconds, snip corner of bag and drizzle!

And remember as you slice and partake; these are healthy, right?!!