January 13, 2011

The Snow Day Rule

 Today it is snowing.
You guys know the rule about snow days, right?
Here's the super mathematical equation:
Snow Day = Eat Day.
(SD = ED)
Baking, slow cooking and basically sitting around all day thinking about what I can eat next are my past times of choice when under house arrest on snow days.
And it's totally legit, hence the snow day rule.
There are no sandwiches on snow days.  No cereal. No salads.
Snow days are exclusive to warm cozy foods that smell delicious while simmering for hours.
Foods that can only be consumed while wearing sweats and cozy socks.
Foods that contain butter or beg for butter to be slathered on top.
Foods that help build an extra layer of fat for when you have to go scavenging for more food.
(And by scavenging I mean hoisting yourself off the couch)
This morning as I peeked outside at the untouched white blanket of snow that had covered our front lawn I saw a woman...
She. Was. Jogging.
(insert sound effect of record player needle scratching)
Doesn't she know about the SD = ED rule?
I really hope that she is reading this.
Who jogs when there is 8" of snow of the ground?
She's kinda letting the mathematical community as a whole down...
don't you think?
...as well as inadvertently making me feel like a lazy butt.
 You really shouldn't argue with math.
On a side note, a few weeks ago I found this at the store:
Have you guys seen this stuff? 
I abruptly stopped my shopping cart mid-aisle, nearly getting my Achilles snapped by the pushy supermarket tailgater behind me.  
It was worth the risk of injury...Toasted Marshmallow Creme.  
That is serious.
So, armed with Toasted Marshmallow Creme, I adhered to the SD = ED rule today and made brownies.
It's the right thing to do.
Toasted Marshmallow brownies
for brownies:
1/2 cup (1 stick) room temp butter
1 cup. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted
1/2 cup all purpose flour

frosting:
1, 7oz container of Toasted Marshmallow creme
1/2 cup room temp butter
1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

chocolate glaze:
1 oz. unsweetened chocolate
2 T. butter
2 T. milk
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

The same day I found the marshmallow creme, I also found this little bit of genius. 
No melting necessary.
You just squeeze the pouch a little and use them wherever you would use unsweetened baking squares.  Awesome.
Talk about a successful day at the supermarket!
 Preheat to 325°
Lightly spray 8x8 pan with baking spray.
Combine butter, sugar and vanilla and beat until combined.  Add in eggs and melted unsweetened chocolate.
 Mix until incorporated.
  Stir in flour.
Spread into prepared pan.
 Bake for 25 min or until a toothpick inserted 1" from edge of pan comes out clean.
While brownies are cooling make your frosting.
Beat together your marshmallow cream and butter until smooth.
Slowly add in your vanilla and powdered sugar and continue mixing for 1 min on medium speed.
Reserve for later.
When brownies have cooled completely spread frosting evenly on top.

Now make your chocolate glaze.
In small saucepan melt butter, unsweetened chocolate and milk over low heat.
When melted remove from heat and add in your powdered sugar.
Stir until smooth.
Pour this on top of frosting.
 Refrigerate for 30 minutes until chocolate top is set.
Cut into squares when ready to serve.
Now, just because I wanted to be cute I made some little marshmallow snowmen to top the brownies.
They are super easy and TOTALLY optional.
You can use them on brownies or as cupcake toppers.
Push 3 mini marshmallows onto a toothpick.
Melt some white chocolate or almond bark.  I always add a nice teaspoon of vegetable shortening to my chocolate before melting because it makes it thinner and easier to dip.
(about a tablespoon for every 4 oz.)
Dip the marshmallows into the white chocolate and immediately top with a chocolate chip "hat".  
Let set.
Once set, I drew on faces with edible markers.
How do you spend your snow days?
And please don't answer, "I jog"!
 

74 comments:

Anonymous said...

Eek! Adorable.

Caroline said...

I sleep in, eat (maybe sew) and bake stuff with waaaaay too much butter and sugar!

Love the brownies - and the snowmen are adorable!!

Liz said...

These are so cute! Love the snowmen on top.

Anonymous said...

I feel the same way about snow days!!! These are adorable!

Jade said...

These look fabulous and so cute. I have to find the roasted marshmallow creme. It would take a fluffynutter to a whole new level! Oh and who runs outside when its that cold!

Kori said...

These are quite possibly the cutest Snow Day idea EVER! Love them.

marla {Family Fresh Cooking} said...

I know snow days do equal eat days. Travel days equal eat days too. These are darling, those snowmen are precious!

Mostly Food and Crafts said...

These are adorable!

Our Italian Kitchen said...

Aw! How cute! I almost couldn't eat it!

Sue said...

You are so funny:) I need to go more slowly down my grocery aisles...I am obviously missing out! Your brownies look so adorable! Though we don't have snow here, it is COLD right now, and I can definitely get behind your mathematical equation:)

Pink Little Cake said...

I love this post. I spend my snow days..if I am working: snacking all day and sitting in my chair getting fat at the office. If I am home: eating all day and running around my little one trying to getting rid of the calories I'm eating.

Unknown said...

In the south, rain is eating day and my husband puts this theory to rest every rainy day! If rain is in the forecast, it means it time to shop! lol Love your blog and loved this post! Donna @ http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com

Joanna said...

Must find toasted marshmallow creme!
I spent my snow day yesterday eating cinnamon pancakes with Frangelico flavored coffee. Yum! Then I made lots and lots of valentines... I had to do something productive!

CantStopBaking said...

these are too cute! I am with you the SD=ED! We had a snow day yesterday, and I baked the whole day...makes the house smell yummy!

Mary Bergfeld said...

I'll set bread to rise and then plop on the sofa and read in front of the fireplace. Towards late afternoon I'll make a pot of soup for supper and get the bread into the oven. This is my first visit to your blog and I must tell you how much I enjoyed it. I've been browsing through your earlier posts and I really like the food and recipes you feature here. I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Mini Baker said...

I live in LA so I don't have snow days :( wish i could experience just one!
I WANT THAT MARSHMALLOW FLUFF! not fair!! we don't have it at any of our grocery stores:(

SweetSugarBelle said...

Hahaha...u don't have to worry about me jogging LOL...EVER!!!I bet you will never guess how I spend my snowdays...I bake cookies:)

Anonymous said...

For me, snow days call for a hearty soup. Jogging should be banned.

Jocelyn said...

Those mini snowmen are adorable! and toasted marshmallow cream...I have to go to the store now and find some!!!

Anonymous said...

OMG...totally drool worthy!!!

And my snow day ritual is just trying not kill the children. heh! ;)

Suzie said...

as always, love your stuff.
I put it up on my blog.

www.imlovinyourblog.blogspot.com

thanks for the fun ideas!!

tease-spoon of sugar said...

I'm loving the ratio of marshmallows to brownie. They look amazing. We have snow days here all the time...so unfortunately it just means we pull out the shovel and get on with life as usual. Brutal.

Kristen said...

I like your math! Yum!

Trainer T.s Fitness said...

Love this blog so cute, and I would bake if I could but your keeping me inspired ;-)

Snow days, pot of chili on the crock pot, make snow angels and hot cocoa.
Lounge, read and nap.......under a BIG down comforter and snuggle in tight.

When dinner time comes, I open the lid of the chili and dig in!

Nope I don't run :-)

Anita said...

While I wholly support the SD=ED equation, for those of us living where there is no snow and the weather is perpetually mild, is there a comparative equation for us? And while I've never seen Toasted Marshmallow Creme in a container, just the thought of such a thing makes me a little weepy with joy.

Lisa said...

What an adorable touch to your brownies. Have never seen that toasted marshmallow creme but it sounds fantastic. As for me, we don't have snow, but we do have rain. Surely there's a rule that says RD = ED right? On those days, I love to stay in and bake.

Joanne said...

I'm seriously a crazy person when it comes to running and even I don't run when there's that much snow on the ground. It defies every rule in the snow rulebook. Crazy woman.

Now where is that toasted marshmallow stuff in my life! Why does it not exist in my supermarket?!?!? Tragedy. I wonder if Amazon sells it.

Unknown said...

this made me LOL :
"I abruptly stopped my shopping cart mid-aisle, nearly getting my Achilles snapped by the pushy supermarket tailgater behind me."

I never seen this stuff but it sounds and looks fantastic.

I agree with you snow day = eat day.

Lilianna Grace said...

Adorable. Just adorable. Love your math too! I wonder when we'll get snow in San Diego????

Taija said...

Those brownies sound HEAVENLY! and the little snowmen are adorable! I had to laugh as I was reading this because my husband is a marathon runner and LOVES to run in the rain and snow. He is undeniably CRAZY, I tell him so often :) I'm with you! I want cozy sweats, slippers and warm yummy food... alas we live in sunny CA, those blue skies and singing birds tell me spring is just about here. Better dust off my spandex...after I make some brownies.

Pam said...

I can't wait to make some of these! My kids will love making the snowmen!

oneordinaryday said...

Ha! I do NOT jog! These brownies are awesome and the little snowmen toppers are beyond adorable.

Patti said...

I ♥ snow days! Lazy pj wearin', face stuffin', couch snuggin' snow days!

Look at all that wonderful marshmallow fluff frosting! YUM!!

Anonymous said...

Hilarious !!!

Anonymous said...

The snowmen are so tiny! I love them. I think that snow days are for making giant bread bowls and then making soup to go in them. A creamy soup of course.

Manni said...

OMG! I want one! They look so good and so yummy!
Too cute : )

Taylor said...

If I still had snow days, I would totally go by the SD=ED rule, obviously!

Rebecca said...

Those are the cutest desserts that I've ever seen!

Diane Schmidt said...

Shelly, those are absolutely adorable. I haven't see the toasted marshmallow cream yet...haven't seen any white blanket of snow either :) but these would suer make my day a "snow day" What is that person thinking-jogging in the snow, but people jog in the rain her all the time, I think that is weird too.

Monica H said...

We don't really have snow days. But when we do, I go outside, freeze my butt off, and take pics...when I'm not sitting on my butt!

Kate Morgan Jackson said...

First of all, thanks for stopping by my blog (FramedCooks) and leaving your sweet comment, and I am so happy you did because now I know about YOUR fabulous blog! Second of all, those are officially the cutest edible snowmen I have ever seen!! And last...pre-melted chocolate?? Love it. :)

Sweet Sins said...

Those snowmen are so dang cute woman! And jog... in snow... She was probably a robot stepford wife because otherwise I don't see why you would waste a perfectly good SD with jogging!! That would be like have peas in place of a birthday cake! UNHEARD OF!!!

Olivia said...

Hi! My name's Anna and I'm from Italy :)
Your blog is very very interesting, and fantastic!!
Compliments!!!:):)

If you like italian food I invite you in my blog ^-^
Bye!

Anonymous said...

Have you tried using pretzel sticks instead of toothpicks...would that work? I just worry about my kids takin' a big ol' bite outa that thing without checking for non-edibles.
Oh...and I'm SO not joggin'.

ElisaPavan said...

these are gorgeous... awesome!

Sugar Swings said...

are you kidding me??! these are so awesomely awesome!!! And toasted marhsmallow creme! I need that :)

ps I spend my snow days perusing cool food blogs

Jaclyn's Cookies said...

I just stumbled across your blog and this post made me laugh out loud. SD definitely equals ED! That lady must have been crazy.

Cupcake Crazy Gem said...

These are so cool! I love the eat day equation! I have never seen the toasted marshmallow creme and hmm i just want to eat my screen!
I have tagged you in a post over on my blog if you want to do a question time!

Holly said...

LOL!! Jogging of all things!! What in the world?!? Especially when there are brownies like these to be consumed!!!!

Monet said...

These are so adorable! I completely agree that snow days equal baking/eating days. I don't know how people can find the motivation to run in this weather...it boggles my mind! Thank you for sharing such a sweet recipe. I hope your weekend overflows with good food, good friends, and love!

grace said...

campfire taste! ha.
i'm in love with your cutie-patootie snow men--VERY clever and well done!

Buhbuhbutter said...

Really amazing recipes! it's a pity to eat this wonderful snowmen.
=)
Have a nice day! Stefania
http://buhbuhbutter.blogspot.com

Cookbook Queen said...

I spend my snow days:

Eating (duh)
Baking
Reading
TV watching

And mostly begging my child to find something to do so I can do any of the four above uninterrupted.

I'm such a bad mom. ;)

Unknown said...

They are adorable, fantastic recipe!
dadá flavours

Reeni said...

Toasted marshamallow cream? What a great find! These look scrumptious - the snowmen are so cute! I do the same as you - bake and stay in jammies all day.

Unknown said...

these are adorable! I love!

Barbara said...

Good heavens! Our market doesn't have that yet! I better give that section a closer look to make certain and then ask. What a time saver!
Super recipe...love the snowmen on top!

Joyti said...

Ooo, those are adorable! It doesn't snow where I live...can rain day = eat day instead?

Simply Life said...

oh those are too fun and look deeelicious!

Jaime said...

those are beyond cute!

Jennifer said...

Running if for emergencies. That's my motto.

Meg Luby said...

where do you find choco bake?! i've been tearing apart the east coast searching! and i have NEVER seen marshmallow like that!

i am astounded. awestruck. i need to find these magical ingredients and make these for myself! like some kind of an epic quest but with the prize being my hips expanding...

marshmallows are supposed to be fat free right? that goes for the whole recipe, right?

:) love this, really. thanks for posting
-meg
@http://clutzycooking.blogspot.com
@http://myscribblednotebook.blogspot.com

Val said...

Be still my heart!!!!!!!!! Yum

Anonymous said...

Oh. My. Goodness.
You are so freakin creative!
How cute are those lil marshmallow snowmen!!!

I like to spend my snow days under a warm blanket, drinking hot tea and playing around on my laptop!

La Bella Cooks said...

Awww, I want a snow day! Can I participate on Fog Day? Ha ha, jogging. Not going to happen here unless I am jogging to grab one of these. You have such creative treats.

Lorraine said...

These look amazing. Love the snowmen. They would be so cute on cupcakes. Does not sound like a lazy day for you really since you baked these incredible treats. You should have thrown a brownie at the jogger..lol

I bake on snow days too. Though, my things do not come out as cute as yours.

Mythreyi said...

The Little Snowmans are very cute and fun for kids for sure. I am not so good at deserts, I guess I have to come here often to check out for more fun cake recipes.

meanwhile, you can check out some spicy and savory recipes on the other side of hill. :-)
http://yummyodds.blogpsot.com

Paige Reese Designer Bakeshop said...

100% Adorable!! Also, would you be so kind and share with me... how did you get the titles at the top of your blogs (i.e. - (home), (recipe index), (cookies), etc... what is it called? Thanks.

Adena (aka cre82learn) said...

I swear I gain weight just looking thru your site!! But yet, I enjoy every minute of it. Wanted to let you know that I have awarded you with the Versatile Blogger Award. You can read about it here.

Megan said...

I adhered to the SD = ED rule!!!

Love the little snowmen too!

Anonymous said...

Ton blog est délicieux :)

bridget {bake at 350} said...

Next time you have snow, I'm flying in!!! These are adorable! AND I HAVE seen that toasted marsh creme...I'm BUYING it next time I'm at the store!

Bobbi said...

Just wanted to say I have been perusing your blog and all your scrumptious recipies. I love your blog and your recipies thanks for giving me a laugh today, especially on this post, I never Jog - ESPECIALLY not on snow days! Thanks for sharing all your amazing recipies and talent with us, and I so have to try your swiss meringue buttercream recipie!

Unknown said...

Toasted marshmallow cream, and pre melted baking chocolate! How I wish I lived in America :(

There's no snow here, but we have rain, and that totally follows your SD=ED rule :)

These look adorable :)

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