Non-Returnable Gifts!

Non-Returnable Gifts!

My dear readers, we know all about those gifts we get at Christmas… that either don’t fit or we have 6 of them or for whatever reason…they need to be returned.

Our children have found over the years, that giving gift cards to the movies or restaurants, are always enjoyed by the Captain and me and we think of each grown-up child when we use those gift cards!  (Who doesn’t like to see a free movie or to eat out at a favorite restaurant?…that is always a treat!)  These gift cards are perfect for those who are hard to buy for, or who really don’t need anything.  

Some may say gift cards are impersonal…but I disagree.

Tell that to the hundreds waiting in long lines to exchange that pair of house slippers for a different size, only to find out that after 3 hours of “exchanging” time….the store is out of the correct size and the only color in stock, (closest to the sought after size), is bright purple! Add to that, the jumble of gift returners/shoppers seeking present substitutes (closest to the correct amount of money) and the fender-benders in the crowded parking lot and the unhappy child crying that she dropped her sticky wet, candy cane and….well, you get the picture!  Suddenly, those gift cards look mighty good….AND you don’t have to worry about a 30 day return policy.   

However, there is something to be said about a pretty present under the Christmas Tree and the excitement of tearing through the red ribbons and glittery gold wrapping paper and the excitement when one sees beneath the ribbons….a truly Non-Returnable gift.  

As we grow older, we find that we really don’t need anything and we certainly get more enjoyment out of giving than receiving …and then it happens! There comes along “that special gift” that you know was given totally from the heart and that is when you know…this gift is Non-Returnable! And your heart melts and your eyes well up with tears….because the person giving the gift…really understands you and “gets it”…the true gift-giving spirit!

I am sure you have heard over the years, if you are giving gifts….home made gifts are the best and I have to agree.  Of course, this does require some thought and some of your precious time to “get it together”.

This year, my heart melted when I opened the package from Only Daughter!! Actually, she sent two gifts that are so special to me! She knows my love of cooking and she made me an apron because she also knows how sloppy I can get when cooking! 😉  

She also knows my love of sports and she knows that right now….the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas City Chiefs are dominating my time…so she sent me a Jayhawk Garden Flag. (This flag will go beautifully with my Kansas City Royals flag)

“Only Daughter” is not only pretty on the outside…she is beautiful on the inside! Thank you my sweetie,….for giving of your time and making me such a beautifully made apron and Jayhawk Flag.

“Only Daughter” also loves to cook and she likes to experiment and combine ingredients….the acorn does not fall from the tree!

She told me she had a brownie mix and some left over cherry chips and so one day she put them together with a few walnuts and came up with the pretty little cakes you see on her serving plate above.  She used chocolate almond bark to coat the cakes and boy do they look good! 

So below is her recipe for Brownie Cherry Chip Cakes in a handy dandy printable!

Thanks “Only Daughter” for your thoughtfulness in gift giving and for your wonderful recipe! 😉 

After making the Brownie Cherry Chip Cakes and you still have cherry chips left over from your Christmas Baking….click on the below link to try my BFF Sweet Lu’s recipe for cherry mash bars!  Luan’s Cherry Mash Bars

I posted it a year ago and they taste just like the Cherry Mash Bars my Mother loved so much.

I really love it when my readers send me recipes….You guys are the greatest!  

Oh, and a special thank you goes out to our family for the movie and restaurant gift cards! 

Star Wars and Outback Steak House….here we come!!!

Happy Baking!  The New Year is almost here!

Brownie Cherry Chip Cakes

2015-12-29 10:30:34

These cute little cakes are double the chocolate and the cherry chips add the finishing touch. It is for certain that these cakes won't hang around too long at your home.!

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Ingredients

1. 1 box Brownie Mix
2. 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped walnuts
3. 1/2 to 1 cup of Cherry baking chips
4. Chocolate bark as needed

Instructions

1. Make the boxed brownie mix of your choice according to directions on the box
2. Gently, fold in the walnuts and cherry baking chips to the batter
3. Pour the batter into a 9X13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray
4. Bake according to the Brownie Mix directions
5. After the brownies have cooled, use a biscuit cutter to cut out cake circles
6. Melt the chocolate bark in a double boiler or you can use the microwave (be careful to not overcook your chocolate while melting)
7. Dip each cake into the melted chocolate bark and top with a cherry chip!

Notes

1. You can use a cupcake pan if you prefer or you can cut your cakes into any shape you desire.

By "Only Daughter"

Me and My Captain https://meandmycaptain.com/