PA Farm News - Mix It Up With Jenny

Mix It Up With Jenny
By Jenny Harper
(Family Features) -- It’s true — the kitchen is the heart of the home. Ever notice how people always gather there? Whether baking treats, making dinner or spending time with family and friends, the kitchen is my favorite place to be. Since my day job is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestlé Test Kitchens, you can bet I love to stir things up. This column lets me pass along to you some of my best recipes, tips and baking secrets.

Sweet Treats and Warm Memories on Chilly Days
There’s nothing like chilly temperatures and snow coming down to get me in the mood for baking. So let Old Man Winter bring on his best!

Get ready for cozy cocooning indoors—whether you’re having friends in for the Super Bowl, an afternoon of games or hosting the kids on a snow day.

Work up an appetite! If weather permits, build a snowman, have a snowball fight or go sledding; then gather at home for goodies from your kitchen.

Let the kids enjoy a baking session--creating edible fun, great aromas and memories.

Set out favorite board games for everyone’s entertainment.

Page through photos from last summer’s vacation.

Be armchair quarterbacks and cheer your favorite team on TV.

Find plenty of baking inspiration for curing cabin fever and creating lasting memories at www.VeryBestBaking.com.

Delicious Dilemma
(Makes 2 dozen servings)
1 package (16.5 ounces) NESTLÉ Toll House Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Bar Dough
1/2 cup seedless red raspberry jam
1 cup (6 ounces) NESTLÉ Toll House Premier White Morsels, divided
1 cup (6 ounces) NESTLÉ Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels, divided
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup slivered almonds

PREHEAT oven to 325° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan. PLACE bar dough in prepared baking pan. Allow to soften for 5 to 10 minutes. Using fingertips, pat dough gently to cover bottom and one inch up side of pan. STIR raspberry jam in small bowl until smooth. Spread the jam evenly over the dough leaving a 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle 2/3 cup white morsels and 2/3 cup mini morsels over the jam. BEAT cream cheese and sugar in medium mixer bowl until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract; beat until combined. Spread cream cheese mixture over the morsels. Sprinkle the top with remaining 1/3 cup morsels and almonds. BAKE for 35 to 40 minutes or until sides are golden brown and center is set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Information per serving: 190 calories; 100 calories from fat; 11 g total fat; 6 g saturated fat; 20 mg cholesterol; 55 mg sodium; 20 g carbohydrate; <1 g fiber; 15 g sugars; 3 g protein

Snow-Capped Cinnamon Hot Cocoa
(Makes 4 servings)
4 cups 2% milk
1 cup Nestlé Nesquik Chocolate Flavor Syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup sweetened whipped cream
1 tablespoon Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels

COMBINE milk and chocolate flavor syrup in medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot (do not boil). Remove from heat; stir in cinnamon. Pour into 4 large mugs. Top with whipped cream and morsels.

Nutrition Information per serving: 350 calories; 60 calories from fat; 7 g total fat; 4 g saturated fat; 20 mg cholesterol; 220 mg sodium; 65 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 59 g sugars; 8 g protein

Jenny Harper is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com. Courtesy of Family Features

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