Summer is here.
Well… at least the calendar says it is, not so sure we would know that by the weather! But, being hardy Midwestern folk, we press on. I thought it would be fun to give you a few of my favorite summer recipes.
We will start with dessert first, Lemon Brownies. These are simply delicious. So refreshing and easy to make. Definitely, a delight to serve in the summer and leave the chocolate for the fall and winter. Credit goes to Jill, fellow blogger at Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons. She created this absolutely delicious recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
LEMON BROWNIES
- 1 C unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 C sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
Photo Credit: Fruitnmore
LEMON GLAZE INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 C powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 4 tbsp. lemon zest
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper
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Using a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder
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Using a standing mixer, beat together the butter, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until light and fluffy
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Beat in eggs, one at a time until combined
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Gradually beat in the dry ingredients until combined
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Pour batter into the baking pan and bake in the oven for 25-28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Make sure to not over bake.
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Allow to completely cool on the counter
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Using a large mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until combined
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Pour the glaze over the lemon bars and spread evenly
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Allow hardening overnight before enjoying (but that is mighty hard to do-mrb)
Next up, is a recipe I have been working on, Smoked Baked Beans. It has been fun drawing from my days working in the Deli at the Piggly Wiggly. I know the name is pretty fun! Who wouldn’t want to buy groceries from a pig wiggling around?! Just so you know, I am the type of cook that likes to eyeball it, keep it to one bowl and see what happens with my recipes. But for your sake, I measured it out once.
Smoked Beans by Michele Bruxvoort
Ingredients
- 1 28 oz. can Bush Baked Beans Original
- 1/8 cup molasses
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 tsp. mustard
- 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar (light is fine also but the dark has more molasses)
- 1/2 diced red onion
- 1 cup seasoned pork sausage, fried
Directions
- Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees, use either mesquite or hickory chips/pellets
- Fry up one pound of seasoned pork sausage, drain if you wish and set aside 1 cup
- Take a “smoker worthy” bread tin, spray the bottom and sides generously with cooking spray
- Place the above ingredients into the tin and mix well
- Place tin with bean mixture in the smoker at 225 degrees for 4 hours, the beans will take on a darker look, with a thin skin on top. I run down at hour 2 to make sure everything is okay, sampling a bit as you go never hurts. Enjoy the smoky goodness!
Last, is a fun summer drink favorite. My friend Lorna made these so much I decided I needed the recipe too! They are so fun to drink and the taste satisfies my coffee chocolate craving. Enjoy making them in your kitchen blender.
Homemade frappuccino
Photo Credit: MorningbirdPhoto
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. Nestle’s Quick
- 2 tbsp. Coffee-Mate Creamer
- 2 tsp. powdered sugar
- 2 tsp. instant coffee
- 6 large ice cubes
- Your choice of either: 2/3 cup of milk, 2/3 cup cold coffee, 2/3 cup Starbucks (R) Mocha
- Can of Whipped Cream for Garnish
- DeRuijter Milk Chocolate Sprinkles for Garnish- this is a must if you are Dutch
Directions
- Add first 5 ingredients to your blender
- Then add 6 large ice cubes
- Next, add the 2/3 cup of coffee, milk or Starbucks Mocha – I PREFER THE Starbucks Mocha
- Blend till smooth
- Pour into a 12 oz glass top with whipped cream and milk chocolate sprinkles
I hope you make this tasty little drink with a bunch of friends and sit out on the patio and enjoy some great conversations. Here is to a great summer, Cheers!
Check out some of Mandy’s Favorite Recipes on her Memoirs Blog
Michele Bruxvoort is sure to draw you in with her delightful sense of humor and love for living life. She enjoys reading, repurposing, as well as remodeling the family home with her husband. Drawing from her life experience as wife, mom, and follower of Jesus, Michele brings you a very honest and real perspective on life. When you don’t find her writing, you can find her mowing lawns, stocking shelves, taking care of her grandbaby and tackling her latest life adventure.
Wisconsin native and empty-nester, she now makes her home with her husband of 27 years in the South West Prairie plains of Minnesota.
Yesterday, I came across a recipe for lemonade cookies…and now lemon brownies! Lemon just says summer!! I think I need to try these:)
Jennifer! How fun… I love lemon. So, when life hands you lemon… make lemonade! The brownies are sure a hit here, rows rapidly disappear. ENJOY!
Thanks for dropping by!
Michele
These all sound yummy! I love homemade baked beans, and I can only imagine how great they would taste from the smoker! Thanks for fun summer thoughts. Congratulations on your new Grandbaby!
Hello Bettie! Thanks for dropping by and for congratulating me on my new grandson. I love to try out new stuff on the smoker. Enjoy the recipes and your summer.
Michele
these looks scrumptious! Are lemon brownies the same as lemon bars? Yum! want to share these over at fb hospitality group called Welcome Heart, Welcome Home?
Hello Sue, thanks for dropping by. I would not say they are a bar, more like a Texas Cake Brownie… it has a soft cake feel. Love these bars! Be sure to give Jill at Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.
Enjoy your coffee groups!
Michele
Lemon brownies sound great, I’m sure they all are.
Hello Rebecca! Thanks for stopping by. Yes, they are all good recipes, but the best is lemon brownies… you can’t just eat one! Very refreshing for summer.
Michele
Those beans sound delish. Visiting you from the let’s have coffee link up. laurensparks.net