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Decadent Overload: 4 Dangerously Delicious Desserts

Plus two more buttery baked goods you must add your to your recipe arsenal!

Decadent Overload: 4 Dangerously Delicious Desserts

Okay, first- don’t look if you’re hungry. You have been warned… ;)

It has been a crazy-ridiculous, supremely fun-filled baking extravaganza in my kitchen this weekend. Kevin’s dear brother came up to visit for a few days- and I just love it when we have company! :) I have a folder about 5 gigabytes thick on my hard drive full of recipes labeled “Need to Try!!!” – just waiting for a special occasion to be made. :)

Now, when it comes to *cooking*- like, actual *meals*- no way would I try something new on company. I stick to tried and true favorites I’m familiar with there! But when it comes to baked goods? Desserts? Snacks? Treats? Anything goes. *Everything* goes. :D In fact… This time… I may have gone a little crazy. But I’ll let you be the judge of that. ;)

1. Football Brownies

football-brownies

We’ll start off innocently enough… ;) I saw these cute little football brownies over on Paige and Brooke’s blog– have you seen this blog? It’s so cute. So many fun ideas! And I knew I had to make these scrumptious little brownie bites. I sent them to work with Kevin on Friday- there are a couple of new guys and they’re all big SEC football fans over there. I got the football cookie cutter at Hobby Lobby and I used this icing to decorate them with:

Betty Crocker Cookie Icing White

So easy! BTW, a tutorial you will never see on kevinandamanda.com? “Perfectly Precise: How to Ice and Decorate Cookies and Cakes”. I think the above picture speaks for itself.

2. For the Win- The Ultimate Chocolate Trifle

ultimate-chocolate-brownie-trifle-cake

Wow. Okay. *Wow*. You know that dessert on table that simultaneously makes everyone’s jaw drop and mouth water? The one that’s gone first, everyone’s still talking about, and all the ladies are asking for the recipe? That’s this. And it’s so easy. But so, so impressive. You’ve gotta make it.

First, I started off by making my Best Chocolate Cake (ever!) recipe, mixing in smooth, luscious milk chocolate chips into the batter. The big kind. Not the mini ones. ;)

the-best-chocolate-cake-everGooey.

In a trifle bowl, I scooped a layer of:

1. Chocolate Cake
2. Chocolate Jello Pudding
3. Cool Whip

ultimate-chocolate-brownie-trifle-cake

Now, remember those football brownies I cut out? Well, there were lots of scraps leftover. :D And while Kevin and I scarfed most of them down, there were *just* enough left over… *grin* So, after the first cool whip layer, I added the fudgy brownie scraps. :D

ultimate-chocolate-brownie-trifle-cake

I did another layer of cake, pudding, and cool whip, then topped with crushed, double chocolate oreos. Oh. Baby. Come to mama.

oreos-ultimate-chocolate-brownie-trifle-cake

A couple of notes:

1. I only had 1 box of jello pudding, but the second layer was pretty skimpy. You might want to do 2 boxes, although I don’t know if you’d need two full boxes.

2. I definitely needed a second tub of Cool Whip, although I only used about half of it. Maybe I should’ve just done smaller layers. Wait what! Nevermind. Forget I said that. ;)

3. This is best when it’s super fresh, so try to try make it and serve it within a few hours of each other. If you have to refrigerate it overnight, be sure and cover it tightly (hard to do when it’s overflowing like mine was!) and let it come (mostly) to room temperature before serving.

5-double-chocolate-oreosMmm. Leftovers. :D

BTW, that chocolaty background in these pics is the color of my living room walls. It’s Sherwin-Williams Latte. I love it. We think it should be called “Frosty” because it’s the exact color of a Wendy’s Frosty. :D Complements this ultimate chocolate trifle cake perfectly dontcha think? ;)

3. Ooey-Gooey Peanut Butter Brownies

ooey-gooey-peanut-butter-and-marshmallow-fluff-brownies

These brownies live up to their name! They were the stickiest, gooiest mess I have ever made. LOL. Don’t *even* attempt to spread this batter out with your hands like it says in the recipe. I was laughing out loud at that part. Yeah right. Just use a slick spatula that’s been well-greased with Pam. But I have got to tell you. As a self-proclaimed batter *lover*- this chocolate batter was THE best batter I have ever tasted. Hands down. I’m honestly surprised I had enough to fill the entire 9×13 pan. I thought I was going to have to shrink the recipe down to 8×8. I could not. stop. taste testing. That’s what we’ll call it. I will make these again just for the batter. And they were a huge hit- I took these over to a friends house on Saturday night and only came back with these two! And that’s because I hid them so I could bring them back and get this picture. ;) BTW, the recipe calls for one egg white, but go ahead and use a whole egg if you want. I did. It’s just saying to use the white to make it less caloric. Hah. Brownies are not health food, ya’ll! :D

4. Blondies

blondies

My new, most favoritest dessert ever!!! I am in *love* with blondies! :) I make these anytime I can come up with a good enough excuse now. They are so simple, and taste sooooooooo good. I just can’t convey through the picture (or words) how moist, soft, chewy and rich these little blonde bombshells are- they really melt in your mouth. And they stay that way for days. Actually I’ve never had them last more than a couple days. But anyway. They taste just like butter and brown sugar. :D And just as good several days later as the first day you make them. I could eat these by the truckload. No lie. The recipe is here– I just used regular light and dark brown sugar (whatever muscovado is?). I also left out all the nuts and chocolate chips. Just plain blondies for me, please! :) Oh, and I also used regular salted butter, but I always do that. *blush*

5. Homemade Sweet Bread

sweet-white-bread-homemade

The first time I made this bread I thought I was going to *pass*. *out*. My house smelled sooooo good. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. That is seriously what heaven must smell like. If I could bottle that scent and and sell it I would be a millionaire. A very, very happy millionaire because then I could smell that scent 24 hours a day. But then I would be hungry all the time. Oh man. By the time it is almost done, I am standing over the timer, *begging* it to be done faster! :) It tastes just as wonderful as it smells. The bread is so soft and buttery. The crust is so crispy and sweet. When it’s fresh out of the oven, it’s best with just some soft butter spread over the warm bread. It’s great as toast and excellent for sandwiches too. Peanut butter & Jelly. Chicken, Bacon & Cheese. And these pulled pork sandwiches we had on Saturday. Perfect.

Perfect Pulled Pork Sandwiches with fresh Homemade Bread

The recipe is a bread machine recipe, and that’s what I use, but if you read the first review, it tells you how to make it the old fashioned way too. ;) One of these days I just might try that, because I’ve heard the texture is a lot better on breads baked in the oven vs. in the machine. Can anyone elaborate on this for me?

6. Southern Biscuits

southern-biscuits

Yum!! These were incredibly soft and fluffy biscuits!!! Alton Brown is a true southern boy, and he knows how to make his biscuits! This is a no-fail recipe, ya’ll. They come out of the oven looking perfect and tasting delicious. These were the highlight of Sunday brunch- I served these with sausage, bacon, eggs, and grits. BTW, Alton talks about this in his show, but it doesn’t say it in the recipe- use an all purpose flour that is made from soft winter wheat. If you’re in the north, it may be labeled “Better for Biscuits”. If you’re in the south, probably any all-purpose flour will work. I used White Lily, it says right on the front “100% Soft Winter Wheat” and on the back it talks about how it’s better for biscuits.

So… Are you hungry yet? ;) I know I am! And guess what. I have leftovers. Hehe.

Thanks for looking! ;)

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59 Responses
  1. Shelli Flowers

    Hey…have not eaten the trifle yet…it is for tonight, Christmas Eve. But, you are right…Best Chocolate Cake EVER!!! Love it! Thank you for sharing!! Merry Christmas!

  2. Melanie

    I made this yesterday for my 5 year olds birthday as “dirt”. Let me tell you I have never seen adults eat dirt so fast! It was wonderful, thank you for sharing your recipe.

  3. KTN

    This is awesome! I LOVE the death by chocolate trifle. I recently made one but I love the oreos addition and can’t wait to try it out! Keep up the scrumptious work, guys! =)

  4. April

    Amanda, wanted to let you know I made the sweet bread, it was so good. I am teaching my son how to cook and we added this to our chicken stuffed shells and chocolate eclair. I have to say I love your site, I have made more recipes from here than I have from most of my store bought cookbooks. I look forward to reading your blog. Thanks for sharing.

  5. Rachel

    I am much the same way! New desserts, no new meals recipes! Lot’s in my “to try” files! Lol!;D Thank you for all these fantastic recipes! I am going to have to try that cake/trifle, and the blondies, and the biscuits, and the…well, everything! ;) Lol!

    Blessings!
    ~Miss Rachel~

  6. Megan

    For that trifle, try adding crushed up Heath bars. You can sometimes find them in the baking aisle, or you may have to cut them up with a knife yourself, but it is oh so worth it!

  7. Christine

    Excellent! As usual you make every recipe so that it looks and sound like the simplest to make. You inspire me as usual and I am happy that I found your wonderful fully loaded…food and all website!

    You ROCK Amanda GOD bless you!

    -christine

  8. Alisha

    Hey Amanda – I love the “Frosty” color on your wall! We are about to have our house painted and need a good neutral to do EVERYTHING except accent walls and the bedrooms in. Do you think Latte is a good choice for a whole house? Just to warm things up a bit… Thanks!

  9. Megan {Shabby Blogs}

    I’m pretty sure you are the sweetest girl on the planet…this just proves it. :) I think I gained about 10 pounds just looking at your scrumptious photos. I am SO trying these.

  10. Jynx

    Thanks for sharing more recipes!!

    I love making bread in my bread machine but I don’t like the crust. I use the machine to mix the ingredients and let it rise once. I take it out, punch down the dough, and let it rise again on a prepared pan. That way, I have the ease of using the bread machine without the crust of the bread machine.

    Jynx :)

  11. Misha

    Amanda, I just wanted to share that I used your “Best Chocolate Cake Ever” recipe for a bake sale that my daughter’s Brownie troop had, and it was a big hit. So, Brownie Troop 2210 thanks you, and I thank you for adding another great recipe to my arsenal! Yum!

  12. Michelle W.

    Wow that looks so yummy….. Was not hungry when I looked but now I am. LOL I would gain 10 pounds in one week if I lived in your home.

  13. Megan

    I want to be company at your house! Those treats, especially the triffle, look DELICIOUS! I miss baking and really should start again but I don’t like my kitchen and until I do, I don’t feel like spending a lot of time in there. It’s stupid, I know, but if you saw my kitchen you’d understand. :) Maybe I should go and visit my mom and bake in her nice, new, clean, pretty kitchen.

  14. Anna

    I’m so making that trifle for our halloween party! and putting orange food coloring on the cool wip and hanging gummy worms from the top!!! I can’t wait to make it… maybe I’ll do practice one, just to make sure I got it…

  15. Kelly

    Amanda- I love your recipes! Thanks so much for sharing. I can’t wait to make the Blondies. I have been looking for a great Blondie recipe! Thanks so much and keep sharing!

  16. Brooke

    I admit I passed right through the warning and headed straight for the photos and recipes. I am a newbie to your blog and have completely fallen in love with you both. First, love the fonts, love the scrumpdilliumpous recipes you share with all of us. I must also admit my husband is standing over my shoulder right now giving you many props for the best chocolate cake ever recipe. I made it this past weekend and he is already hitting me up to make another one for next weekends football extravaganza. I am now thinking I will give in to his request but for myself I think that trifle is SO calling my name. Bad thing about you guys is I just lost 65 pounds since February and your recipes are FAR from figure friendly. Well, let me re-word that…you guys are making me hit the tredmill 10 times harder than I was…but it’s “SO” well worth it. Keep up the fabulous work! Take Care -Brooke R

  17. Clare Jones

    It’s 8.55pm,I’m starving..thanks Amanda ;-) Going to try that bread, and the peanut butter brownies…and the tifle ;-) LOL

  18. Candace

    Okay, I’m in the middle of my three hour break at my college, wondering what to do, when I see there’s a new email from you! Of course, I open it…and now I think I’m going to go to the cafeteria and DEMAND that they make all those HERE. This is mainly because I’m on a low budget, and VERY VERY lazy when it comes to cooking and baking.
    Thank you so much for the recipes!! (prints out and runs over to cafeteria)

  19. Lydz

    Ok, now I’m drooling. That chocolate trifle looks fantastic! I guess I’ll need an excuse to make it. I can’t make it just for me…..or can it? Hm. Something to think about

  20. Becky

    OMG…..I’m dying…..these all look soooo good especially the homemade bread. I can’t imagine being there while you were baking it. I bet Miley and Howie were wanting a taste. :D I can’t wait to try some of your recipes especially the chocolate ones. Thanks for posting, Becky

  21. Kelli Hobbs

    I wanted to eat your pictures, and now I am going to the store so I can do some baking!!! :0)
    Thank you…my kids will thank you too!

  22. Suzanne

    You are right–I shouldn’t have looked! The pictures were almost good enough to smell! Every single dessert looked wonderful and if it has chocolate, it has to be good! Thanks for the recipes.

  23. Alexis

    You’re so funny! I am totally into baking and even though I don’t like chocolate *GASP! yes I just said that* my husband is a chocoholic and I’m sure he will die when I make ALL of these. I’m especially excited about the brownies I love peanut butter…Mmmmmm oh and I made the best chocolate cake ever and everyone loved it! Thanks!

  24. Sarai

    Those pb brownies reminded me of a super simple recipe I use that always gets rave reviews (some even say it should be against the law…I might agree, except that I wouldn’t get to eat them anymore!). Mix up a regular box of brownie mix (I usually use Betty Crocker Low Fat mix) and pour half of it into a greased 9×13 pan. Buy the big blocks of Reese’s (I get mine at Wal-Mart on the candy aisle)-you’ll need 3 of them. Lay the Reese’s blocks on the batter, spaced evenly apart. Pour the rest of the batter over top and spread it out. Bake according to the directions on the box (and add a few more minutes to they’ll get done in the middle). I can’t even tell you how good they are…but I can tell you that you won’t be able to eat just one!!

  25. Sassy

    WOW those are some brilliant photos that have made my mouth water and I can’t wait to make them ALL!!! Oh, by the way, Muscavado sugar is a type of brown sugar (it’s very very dark brown, almost black (think malassas color)and it’s got a very deep flavor). I only came across it when I moved to the UK and was looking for brown sugar for my chocolate chip cookie recipe. Any dark brown sugar would work in it’s place…but it’s so rich in flavor and so sticky that I could eat it by the spoonful…when baking and using Muscavado, I have a spoonful for the recipe, a spoonful for me lol and it’s fab in coffee too! If you aren’t able to find it over your way, email me privately with your details and I’ll be happy to send a bag over to ya, ok? I’m dying to try those blondies, they look sooo good and omg! Thank you so much for the link to get those Southern biscuits recipe! They don’t have biscuits here in the UK and I lost my Dad’s recipe (he was from the south) and I hadn’t found a recipe close to his…this looks very similar! Your breakfast that you used these biscuits in sounded great…some sausage, a little scrapple and some grits, now that’s heaven! Thanks again for sharing the photos and the recipes (and LOVE the colour of your walls…how are you not always craving chocolate??).

  26. HeatherB

    Amanda – I am blaming you for the drool on my keyboard! Everything looks yummy! And I think I will have to make a batch of blondies this week! ;)

  27. Amy Johnson

    Wow! I love blondies, and this recipe is superb. My kids were looking at the pics with me and now want me to make it all! I love your blog, btw. It’s fabulous!

  28. Sandi Hixson

    You are the sweetest litle thing EVER! I love your website and all you do with it! You are are so generous and thoughtful…what a delight it is to “tour” your blog! I have used many of your fonts and love them to death! Thanks for being the person you are and sharing yourself with the rest of us!

  29. Rae Rae Patterson

    WOW! I’m in love with the football brownies, they look adorable! And the chocolate trifle… mmm mmm I think it will be very fabutastic!

    You did great! Not only do they sound yummy you made them look yummy, I don’t always have that kind of success. Bueno Job Girl!

    Thanks for sharing!

  30. Cheryl Newton

    I so wish I were rich! Then I could fly you here (northern Utah) to pick colors, furniture, etc. for my still-builders’-colors house. You have the best taste ever. Oh, yeah, and you could probably cook and bake stuff too. You’re awesome, and I’m so glad I signed up for e-mail updates for your blog. Best way to start a week! Cheryl

  31. Laura

    Oh good golly! It’s 8 am and my tummy is growling like crazy now..lol. Thanks for sharing all these yummy recipes. I’m going to try the ooey gooey pb brownies first :)

  32. Brooke

    Oh my goodness!! These look so so unbelievably good! I love bread and I’m a HUGE chocolate fan so these are right up my alley. And those blondies….can’t believe I haven’t tried those yet but it’s comin’. Thank you Amanda, for including us in your post!!! I was SO SO EXCITED when I noticed! No I’m craving something sweet….for breakfast!

  33. Glynis

    I can’t decide which recipe I’m going to try first! Your blog always appeal to my two vices (okay, my two biggest vices): scrapping and eating :)

  34. Tina

    my rear thanks you…it just grew another two inches looking at those pictures! off to buy some yeast to make some bread…mmmmmm!!!!

  35. Joann

    wonderful recipes!
    Muscovado is a type of unrefined brown sugar with a strong molasses flavor this is the Mexican version of brown sugar, even though I live in Mexico I don’t use it, you have to get used to the flavor.

  36. Vernie

    Holy Cow, what a way to start the morning! I think I might actually bake today. My kids will be in Heaven! Thanks for sharing, especially the Blondies, I’ve got a son who doesn’t like chocolate (yeah, we wonder if he’s the milkman’s kid too!) so he will be thrilled to try these. Thanks so much, I love your stuff!!!

  37. Brooke

    Wow! I bet your brother in law can’t wait to come back!! – talk about spoiled!!

    I don’t know which one to try first!!

    Isn’t bread what they say you should bake in the oven when trying to sell your house. Apparently the aroma will MAKE people buy it!

  38. Lisa

    Really yummy, but that’s nothing new – your recipes are always really marvellous! I’m just wondering what font that is you have been using for titles….???

  39. Amy Holt

    Hey Amanda,
    I love your blog…. I think you just made us spend 5 more hours in the gym. But i love your recipes thanks for sharing! Great ideas!!!

  40. Michele

    cannot wait to try your recipes, but most especially the blondie!
    Thanks so much for sharing…and I just love a website (or blog??) – i’m new to this – that just gives great info and wants nothing in return! You’ve got great tips and ideas!
    Thanks,
    Michele Brown

  41. Jessica

    Alright…I KNOW you said not to read if I was hungry, but I couldn’t resist. Now my mouth is watering and I’m going to have to go grab a mid-night snack that I was SO trying to avoid.

    Thank you for sharing these yummy treats, Amanda!

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Meet Kevin & Amanda

Kevin and Amanda

We love to travel and to eat! Here we share our favorite quick and easy recipes, plus travel tips and guides for our favorite places around the world. If you have any questions about what camera I use or how I edit my photos, check out my photography tutorials.

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