Dessert Library: Chocolate Nutty Squares



	Candy \| Baking \| Chocolate \| Valentine's Day Ideas Chocolate Nutty Squares join our Healthy Lifestyle & Cooking Groups

	This week's Dessert of the Week features a delicious confection, Chocolate Nutty Squares. This homemade candy would be a perfect Valentine's gift wrapped in pretty pink plastic wrap. Make sure you make extra for all your little Valentines at home! What you need: 2 cups of chopped hazelnuts or nuts of your choice 1/4 cup of sugar 4 tablespoons of margarine or butter- melted 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine 2 teaspoons of vanilla 1 cup of milk chocolate chips What you do: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 1/2 cups of nuts with sugar until the nuts are ground. Combine the ground nuts with the melted margarine or butter. In a 9 inch square pan press mixture firmly on bottom. Bake 15-18 minutes or until edges are golden. In a sauce pan bring the sweetened condensed milk and the 2 tablespoons of margarine or butter to a boil over medium - low heat, stirring constantly- about 5 minutes or until the mixture thickens. Stir in the vanilla. Careful spoon over the hot nut crust. bake until 12 minutes or until golden. After removing the pan from the oven sprinkle with the chocolate chips. Let it stand for 2 minutes; spread the chocolate evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of nuts. Place on a wire rack and allow to cool; when cool refrigerate until set about 3-4 hours. To serve cut the dessert into squares. Valentine Heart Pins These heart shaped pins are charming and easy for the whole family to make. First you make the play dough. This dough will last for months in an airtight container. The pin directions follow the dough instructions. Have fun! Meet the Author: Debbie Barnhill author of: 3D Valentine Boxes interview & FREE craft All you have to do is save your empty cardboard boxes, oatmeal and coffee containers, carpet tubes, newspapers, paper-towel rolls and other househol items and it is amazing how you can convert trash into treasure. As an elementary school teacher she has seen the valentine box evolve over the years. Debbie's book features step-by-step instrictions with beautiful illustrations and we are featuring one of the crafts in the book called Paper Mache Hot Air Balloon.			How do I love thee? Valentine Poems Doggie Pics Valentine Crafts Valentine Recipes HomeBiz FREE money tips FREE Crafts FREE Recipes FREE Fix-It Ideas FREE Scholarships & $$$ Pyrex Candy Thermometer more thermometers & timers special kitchen values FREE candymaking recipes interview with the Cake Mix Doctor, Anne Byrn more cake books more baking books more Bakeware Sets more Baking Supplies Cheesecake Recipe Library See our library of cheesecake recipes - some decadent and others more weight conscious, but ALL delicious.

	Comments? Questions? Ideas? Share a craft idea?