The Sweet Swap is Coming Up!

Can you believe it's almost Sweet Swap time again?!
Where did this year go?!?!

For those of you who are new here this year, let me tell you a little about the Sweet Swap.

It's basically an online cookie exchange, except we exchange recipes. And they don't have to be cookies...any delicious dessert will do.

This will be the third year for the Sweet Swap!!!

Last year we had about 10 participants.
I'm hoping this year is even better!

Plus, there will be a prize for one lucky participant!
It's a good one...trust me.


I would like your opinion on the new button, though.
I've made 3 different ones...which is your favorite?


#1.



#2.



#3.

2nd Annual Sweet Swap Is Here!

It's time for the 2nd Annual Bring on the Lloyds Sweet Swap!

Here's how to participate:

1. Post your favorite sweets recipe on your blog.
It can be cookies, cake, brownies, fudge, etc.
(if you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your recipe in the comments!)

2. Copy the permalink from your recipe entry.
(A permalink is the special link/url to one particular post, rather than the main url to your whole blog. If you run into trouble - email me!)

3. Come back here and enter your name or your blog name along with the name of your recipe and permalink in the MckLinky box below!
(example of formatting: Bring on the Lloyds... (Peanut Butter Cookies)
This just makes it easier for everyone to know where they're going and what they'll find!)


The Sweet Swap MckLinky will be open through Friday!

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Peanut Butter Cookies


These are incredibly rich cookies.
And that's coming from a girl who could easily eat half a chocolate cheesecake by myself if there were no calories and my stomach never got full!

Yield is approx 12-18 cookies.
I make mine fairly big and I ended up with 15.

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar (white, brown or any combo of the two!)
1 egg

Beat all ingredients together. Bake for 8-12 minutes at 350 degrees.

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Sweet Swap Reminder

Just a quick reminder before you head off for the weekend, that the Sweet Swap be will up and ready for you when you get back on Monday!!!

Three hopefully-not-too-short days to go!

Get your sweet tooth (or teeth in some cases!) ready for a delicious day of yummy treats!

If you've not read about this Sweet Swap business, you can go here to read all about it!

2nd Annual Sweet Swap Coming Up

It's nearly time for the 2nd Annual Bring on the Lloyds Sweet Swap!

Last year there were approximately 4 participants, 5 if you include me. (I was aiming for 3!)
This year, I'm hoping we can make it to 10 participants!

I know there are a handful of you who love sweets, so I'm hoping you'll join in the fun!


Here are the details:

What: a virtual Sweet Swap!

When: Monday, Nov. 9th

How: Post your favorite desert recipe on your blog, then come back here and add your link to the list! Easy peasy. If you don't have a blog, you can still participate! Just leave your awesome recipe in the comments!

Feel free to add my little button to your post! ;)

Hope to see you there!

Sweet Swap!

It's time for the 1st ever Bring on the Lloyds... Sweet Swap!

I thought it would be fun to get together with my girlfriends and do this as a real live swap, but most of us have young kids and therefore are very busy. Plus, I wanted a way to include friends who aren't within driving distance. Hence the virtual Sweet Swap!

So, what do you need to do to participate?! Glad you asked...

1. Post your favorite sweets recipe on your blog. It can be cookies, cake, brownies, fudge, etc.
(if you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your recipe in the comments!)

2. Copy the permalink from your recipe entry.
(A permalink is the special link/url to one particular post, rather than the main url to your whole blog. You can usually get to that page by clicking on the title of your post or clicking on one of a variety of links that are automatically generated. Mine happens to be the time stamp. You should be able to find it by moving your cursor over the links...one should say 'permalink' in a tiny box near your cursor. If you run into trouble - email me!)

3. Come back here and enter your name along with the name of your recipe and permalink in the Mr. Linky box! (at the very bottom of this post)

here's an example:
Name: Bring on the Lloyds... (chocolate cheesecake)
Link: *your link here*


Here's my favorite cheesecake recipe, adapted from the Fudge Truffle Cheesecake recipe on AllRecipes.com



Chocolate Cheesecake

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups crushed chocolate graham crackers
  
• 1/4 cup margarine, softened
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 (8 ounce) packages low fat cream cheese
• 1 (14 ounce) can low fat sweetened condensed milk
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together crushed chocolate graham crackers and margarine by hand. Press ingredients into a 9 inch springform pan.
3. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for approx 1 1/2 minutes or until melted. Stir every 30 seconds.
   
4. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy with an electric mixer. Gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth. Mix in melted chocolate, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are thoroughly blended. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.
5. Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 60 minutes. Turn the oven off, open the door slightly and allow cheesecake to set in oven for another hour. Then remove from oven and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
   
6. When cutting the cheesecake, be sure to clean the knife between each cut.