Texans Cheerleader of the Week Monica, the final veteran to be showcased in HoustonTexans.com's weekly feature, had a sweet sendoff for her veteran class.
The second-year cheerleader and Houston native whipped up two desserts perfect for the holiday season, and was kind enough to share her recipes to go along with her instructional video.
Monica's Brownie DelightBrownies
1 bag Brownie mix
2 large eggs
2/3 cup oil
¼ cup water
1 cup chocolate chips
Pour brownie mix into bowl. Crack two large eggs into bowl. Pour oil into bowl and add water. Beat for approx. one minute, tilting bowl to side to prevent spilling. Coat pan with non-stick spray. With a spoon, pour brownie mix from bowl into pan, spreading evenly over bottom of pan. Add chocolate chips to pan, distributing evenly. Mix chips in with spoon. Place in oven and let bake for 24-30 minutes.
Cream cheese topping
2 eight oz. cream cheese sticks
1 ½ cup of confectioner's sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Salted cashews (optional; peanuts or almonds viable alternatives)
Hot fudge
Place cream cheese sticks in bowl. Add sugar and vanilla extract. Beat for approx. one minute.
Let brownies sit for 25 minutes after baking. With a spatula, spread cream cheese mix over brownies. If desired, spread salted cashews over brownies and cream cheese. Spread hot fudge over mix to your liking. Let cool for 20 minutes before eating.
Candy coated reindeer candy canesWhite chocolate
Candy canes
Pretzels
Chocolate chip morsels
Red Hots
Place white chocolate pieces in bowl. Melt chocolate in microwave for no longer than one minute, until smooth and milky. Dip stem of candy cane in melted chocolate. Let cool for about 15 minutes on wax paper until chocolate cools and hardens. Cut pretzels into reindeer antler shape with knife. At bare top of candy cane, add drop of melted chocolate and affix pretzel antler. Hold in place and add more chocolate to secure pretzel. Let dry for a few minutes. Repeat for second antler. Using the same method, add melted chocolate to bare front of candy cane and affix chocolate chips for reindeer eyes. Once dry, follow same steps to affix Red Hot for reindeer nose.
