This Holiday Season Help #ShareAMeal With Unilever

November 12, 2015 By Aly Leave a Comment

I participated in the Unilever brightFuture #ShareAMeal blog program as a member of One2One Network. I received compensation for this post (which I will be donating to my local food pantry) but all opinions are my own.

Childhood hunger is a cause I feel strongly about. Did you know that 1 in 5 children in America face hunger every day? I was watching the news and had no idea that food pantries near me have cupboards that are running bare. With the economy and hard times, there has to be something that we can do to help.

Thankfully, Unilever, in partnership with Feeding America, is providing a million meals to those in need this holiday season and you can help just by joining the conversation on social media. Whenever you see the hashtag #ShareAMeal – whether it’s a tweet, retweet or a photo of an empty plate on Instagram or Twitter tagging #ShareAMeal, Unilever will donate a meal to Feeding America….

Orange Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies For #FBCookieSwap

December 15, 2014 By Aly 9 Comments

Orange Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies are always a hit of the cookie swap. Chocolate chips, sweetly tart cranberries and orange are woven into a delicious cookie dough for a fun take on a classic cookie recipe.

When I first started on my culinary journey with the determination that I can and will learn to bake (other than my infamous Rum Soaked Chocolate Chip Cookies), I once decided that I would channel my inner Martha and go on a baking spree that made my friends happy and gave me some new recipes to play with.

During that inner Martha moment is when I discovered these Orange Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies. I make this recipe every year and it is the first to go from the cookie plate. Friends and family ask for this more than Bacon Bark and that amazes me because Bacon Bark is the bomb. If I could I would have sent Bacon Bark to everyone on my Cookie Swap List. However, since this is the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap, I don’t think sending Bacon Bark fits the requirements….

Apples and Spice and Everything Nice – Baking A Difference With #OXOGoodCupcake

September 30, 2013 By Aly 5 Comments

Childhood cancer is a cause near and dear to my heart. One of my dear friends, Justine, passed from Neuroblastoma when she was only 19 so any chance that I can help raise funds for childhood cancer research, I’m up for the challenge. OXO asked some food bloggers to Bake A Difference and OXO would donate $100 per post towards childhood cancer via the Cookies for Kids Cancer Foundation which was founded by two OXO employees who lost their dear son to Neuroblastoma. Reading his story, I knew that I had to participate.

I decided to go out of my comfort zone and, instead of playing with cookies, I decided to do stuffed cupcakes. One of my favorite flavors this fall is, of course, apple, so I decided to do an Apples and Spice Cupcake, full of warmth and comfort and frosted with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting. OXO sent a cupcake assist kit and one of my favorite toys to play with from it was their cupcake corer. See – I’d see all these lovely stuffed cupcake ideas but when it came to attempting on my own – I was terrified. However, I decided to get my stilettos in the kitchen and get to baking – all for a good cause….

Tried and True: Cookies and Cream Brownies #recipesfromtheheart

June 16, 2013 By Aly 32 Comments

Today’s event is being hosted by Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic and Jen of Juanita’s Cocina. They teamed up with their blogger friends to help raise awareness and support for Cancer and Hospice today in memory of Kim’s dad. We encourage everyone to read the posts and share their own experiences with cancer. We also would like to encourage everyone to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society and also to the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. Hospice was a key element during Kim’s father’s battle with cancer. They made it possible for Kim to care for him at home. So please show your support and donate if you can. You can also contact your local Hospice and donate directly to them if you wish. A little goes a long way!

When Kim mentioned that she was planning to do an event to raise awareness for cancer, I knew I had to participate. It’s amazing how many people have had cancer touch their lives in some way. One of my good friends, Justine Michaelczyk, passed away from Neuroblastoma at the young age of 19. The Dancin’ On Air/Dance Party USA Alumni hosted a cancer benefit a couple years ago and we raised over $2k for the American Cancer Society that was donated in memory of our alumni who fought the battle. One of my favorite memories of that night, besides us all sharing memories of our time with those that had lost their fight, was celebrating our dear friend Joe who is still bravely battling cancer. I am in awe of his courage and positive attitude and his love of life. He celebrates every day and his attitude is infectious. I do have to laugh – sometimes when I see YouTube clips online, I always smile when I see either Justine or Joe dancin’ away.

Just a Few Alumni (Photo Credit: Annette Pizzo McGill)

When I was thinking of a great recipe to feature for #RecipesFromTheHeart, I thought these Cookie and Cream Brownies were perfect. Who doesn’t love brownies and to meld those brownies with these Oreo-esque cookies – even better. I decided to make the brownies from scratch and it was so simple and I adapted Lorraine Pascale’s recipe a bit. The cookies are scattered throughout the batter and with the extra chocolate deliciousness that I may or may not have snuck in there – oh my heavens! These brownies will bring a smile to your face!

On to the recipe:

Gather your ingredients

Resist the urge to lick the spatula

Don’t forget the cookies – they are vital

Off to the oven – don’t worry they will puff up.

Hot out of the oven – let them cool.

Grab a glass of milk and cozy up with one or two of these – I promise – no judgement.

Cookies and Cream Brownies

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Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks of butter
8 oz of dark chocolate, finely chopped
4 eggs
3/4 cup of light brown sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 cup of flour
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/8 teaspoon of salt
2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa
12 - 16 chocolate sandwich cookies, broken into quarters

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Grease a 9 x 13 pan with butter or baking spray and set aside.
Over a low flame, melt the butter. When the butter is melted, remove from the heat, add the chocolate and stir until melted. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the eggs until they are starting to get light and fluffy.
Add the vanilla extract and continue to mix.
Slowly add the brown sugar so as not to lose the air and continue to mix.
Slowly drizzle in the melted chocolate until fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt.
To the chocolate mixture, add the flour mixture slowly.
Mix in 1/2 of the broken cookies.
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
Add the remaining cookies to the top of the batter, pressing them in slightly.
Bake for about 25 - 30 minutes.
Let cool for a bit and enjoy!

Notes

Adapted from Lorraine Pascale

https://cookinginstilettos.com/cookies-and-cream-brownies/

All images and content are © Cooking In Stilettos. Please do not republish without contacting us first. Thank you.

Check out these fabulous recipes from some amazing bloggers who also are showing their support for cancer awareness and hospice:
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Home-made Strawberry Topping by Cravings of a Lunatic

Chili Verde by Juanita’s Cocina

S’Mores Brownies in Jars by That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Dark Chocolate and Orange Muffins by The Dutch Baker’s Daughter

Boston Cream Pie by Pass The Sushi

My Fathers Day Recipe Round Up by Curry and Comfort

Tropical Smoothie by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts

Mini Gugelhupf by Masala Herb

Sauteed Strawberry and Sugarsnap Salad by Cook The Story

Cranberry Cashew Breakfast Muffins by In Fine Balance

Arugula Salad with Sundried Tomatoes and Mushrooms by Crazy Foodie Stunts

Spicy Beef Sliders by Katie’s Cucina

Thai Red Curry Soup by Damn Delicious

Suman (Sweet Rice and Banana Leaves) by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Fresh Vegetable Salad by White Lights on Wednesday

Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Sundae by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen

Cinnamon Chip Cookie Butter Bars by The Messy Baker

Berry/Cherry Fro-Yo Ice Cream by Cookistry

Honey Beer Bread by Hungry Couple

Cinnamon-Chocolate Chip Pancakes by The Spiffy Cookie

Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars by Sweet Remedy

Cookies and Cream Brownies by Cooking in Stilettos

Blueberry Lemon Cake by Roxana’s Home Baking

Angel Cake by Ninja Baking

and

Knit (or crocheted) Grey Brain Cancer Mustache Pin by Knit, Purl, Damn!

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Enter for your chance to Win an Artisan® Series KitchenAid® Stand Mixer in the color of your choice (there are 26 to choose from) as well as an Ice Cream Maker Attachment. A sweet choice for all, this creative attachment features the largest ice cream bowl capacity in the industry. Prepare 2 quarts of ice cream, sorbet, gelato or other frozen desserts. We’re pleased to announce the giveaway is open to Canadian residents, as well as U.S. Residents. Winner will be chosen and announced during the pinchatlive event, described below. Winner will also be notified via email and has 48 hours to respond. If winner does not respond another winner will be chosen. 1 Stand Mixer and 1 Ice Cream Attachment are being given away as a group, not 1 per blog just to be clear for our readers. There are bonus prizes for the pinchatlive event. We are giving away 1 Vanilla Infused Gift Box Set, 1 Lemon Infused Gift Box Set and a $30 Amazon Gift Card. In order to participate in this event follow the Pinterest Board #recipesfromtheheart. Hop on the Pinterest board on June 22 at 2 pm Est to follow along. We’ll ask questions and those who comment are entered to win the bonus prizes. There will be a G+ Hangout on Air during the event as well. Winners of the pinchatlive event must be Canadian or U.S. residents. Visit Facebook.com/KitchenAidCanada and click on the “More than a Mixer” tab to explore all 12 attachments available for the KitchenAid® Stand Mixer. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Partying With A Purpose To Benefit The American Cancer Society

December 10, 2011 By Aly 5 Comments

Just a Few Dance Party USA & Dancin’ On Air Alumni (Photo Credit: Annette Pizzo McGill)

This post has been sponsored by the American Cancer Society. My love and support for this organization is all my own.

One of the things I’m so thankful for is my Dancin’ on Air/Dance Party USA Alumni family. We have been getting together over the years to celebrate various birthdays, marriages or just because. With the resurgence of popularity of the show due to the recent Dancin’ on Air marathons and the vids popping up online recently, the alumni decided to put our best dancin’ foot forward and “party with a purpose”.

Recently, the Dancin’ Party Alumni hosted our first inaugural benefit at one of Philly’s premiere fun spots, Dave & Busters, one Sunday afternoon where we raised almost $2,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society. This is a cause near and dear to our hearts as many of our alumni have battled the Big C and, sadly, one of our alum lost her fight and there’s not a day that goes by that we don’t think of Justine. Two other honorees that have faced cancer and won their battle were in attendance and it was awesome to see them take the stage. I’m hoping that they will have many more birthdays that we will be able to celebrate with them….