No, it's not the holidays yet...

...however, I do have a recipe that would be great for gift giving at holiday time.

But first let me update those of you who are interested on what fun (annoying) things have happened this week.  Lab went well until we discovered the protocols we're basing this synthesis on have conflicting information.  One says what we want will be in the aqueous layer.  One says what we want will be in the toluene layer.  What the heck.  So, both are saved and these are the fun pictures (yes, they both came from the same experiment, just a little more workup with the yellow):

At least what we're working on is pretty to look at.  Almost makes up for the frustration of not being entirely sure where the product I want is.  My bet is on the right image.  I believe what we're looking for will be a pale yellow in color and it makes the most amount of sense that's where it will be. Good thing it won't be going anywhere until we decide what we're doing with it.

I am also taking a data mining class that is absolutely the bane of my existence.  I have spent more time on this class (approximately 15 hours a week) than I think I should.  This week I finally formatted my data in a way I can actually mine it so that was an accomplishment in itself.  Yay!  And finally, we had a group presentation yesterday (on handling interpersonal conflicts in a workplace) that went well -- it's always a good thing when people work together and actually do what they're supposed to on time.  I just want to say thank you to my group -- good work!

Now for what everyone came for ... a recipe!  Since the creation of cake pops, it seems there are 1,001 variations.  Some use actual cake, others take the cake and squish it up and mix it with frosting to form the balls. One of Adrienne's favorites to make even involves animal crackers and frosting (eek.. too sweet for me!) covered in candy coating.  Today we were supposed to go help out on a friend of mine's farm and I decided to make something bite size to bring.  While our plans got cancelled due to sickness (get better soon!), I still have these lovely balls of sugary goodness to share.

I made two different kinds - caramel and mint.  Easy enough, and now I will bring them in tomorrow and share the wealth so to speak.  Liam ate the above one I cut in half and declared them delicious, even asking me if I plan to sell them (no).  I think this will have to be on my list of holiday goodies Adrienne and I will be making to share this season.  Enjoy!

Not so much a recipe as a 'plan', first bake a 13 x 9 pan of brownies.  I used a mix to make things easier.  Once they're baked and cooled, cut them into rough squares about 1 to 1 1/2 inch.  In each square place a unwrapped hershey's kiss and then use another brownie to wrap it up like a package until completely covered.  Roll them into balls and then put them in the refrigerator overnight (or the freezer for about an hour).  Once they're cold, use melted coating chocolate to coat and set them aside to set.  Share!

Comments

[Cindy Brooks]

Mmmmmmmmmm, these sound yummy!

[Cindy Brooks]

Pinned this and realized it doesn't have a name, so I'm calling them Alisha's Brownie Pops :)

[Alisha]

Aww, thanks Cindy! :)

I have to tell you that I took them in with me to work/school and gave out baggies of 3. 2 people told me they ate all 3 for breakfast and the other person ate all 3 as we walked over for dinner. It was a major success!

[Gail]

They sound really good! Nice to hear they were such a big hit.