A New Recipe for Soft Peanut Butter Cookies–Brownie Style?

It seems like I always have 101 things on my list of “want to do’s”,  but today that list has been whittled down to just 100 things.   You see, I made a new peanut butter cookie recipe that I promised myself I would get around to trying sooner than later. 

Ah, to describe this cookie…  A soft interior encased in a crispy exterior.  Much like my homemade Triple Chocolate Brownies. 

Are you ready to see what I’m talking about?

No, I cannot take credit for this recipe.  I found it on Pinterest and immediately pinned it to my Cookies, Bars, and Mini’s board.   Thank you  Juliasalbum.com for sharing this yummy recipe.

When I made these cookies I followed the instructions to the letter and came out with very similar results.  I think her cookies look a little more gooey in the center than mine, but I baked mine for 13 minutes.  The recipe suggests  baking them for just 12 minutes.  I was using an oven that I’m not really use to and I wanted to make sure the cookies were done in the center. 

This recipe is a keeper.  I will make them again, and again!

I’m all for trying new recipes – how about you?  Have you made any recipes that you’ve found on Pinterest?  If so, were you happy with the results?

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Test Kitchen–Yellow Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting

I recently had to make a birthday cake to take to a celebration so I went looking for a yummy recipe.  And as I’ve said before, it’s photo’s that help convince me if I will or won’t make a recipe.  And that my friends is why I love Pinterest.  So many pictures, so many recipes, so many creative people! 

Once I found a convincing picture with a recipe that I was happy with, I pinned it on my Party! board went to work. 

I did make a couple modifications to this recipe.  I used margarine in the cake since I was nearly out of butter – I saved the butter for the frosting.   I also used skim milk instead of whole milk, and added an extra teaspoon of vanilla to the batter for good measure. 

I made a 6” double layer cake and 6 cupcakes from this recipe.  I baked the cupcakes for about 11 minutes, and the cake for about 26 minutes.

And how did this cake recipe fare in my book?  The cake was delicious and received a lot of compliments, but it was a bit heavier than I had expected.  I would have preferred a lighter version.  The frosting was perfect because the cream cheese helped cut the sweetness that you’d find in a typical buttercream frosting.

 

So, are you like me?  Do you need a picture of a recipe to convince you to try it?

Heart Cookies for Valentine’s Day

This is my last post before cupid show’s himself tomorrow.  I have really had fun with Valentine’s Day recipes this year.  I hope you’ve enjoyed all the treats and recipes I’ve shared.

Now, for my final treat.  Yes, there is still time for you to whip up a batch of these delicious Valentine Cream Wafer Cookies.  The recipe is straight from Betty Crocker’s Kitchen.  When I saw these I immediately pinned them on one of my Pinterest boards and knew I NEEDED to make them. 

I tweaked the original  recipe ever so slightly by adding 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter.  Other than that, I followed the recipe and instructions to the letter.  *Note – the original recipe say’s it yields about 44 cookies.  I got about 1 1/2 dozen with a slightly bigger cookie cutter.

These cookies are tender, sweet, and delicious.  I’m adding this recipe to my tried and true recipe box. 

Wishing all you romantics out there a Happy Valentine’s Day!

When Sweet Meets Salty

 

What do you get when you cover square pretzels with candy wafers, bake them for 3-4 minutes in a 200 degree oven, and top them off with Sixlets?

I found this idea at BeBetsy on Pinterest who pinned it from the blog G*rated. G*rated made the treats using Hershey’s Hugs/Kisses and plain M&M’s.  I adapted the recipe and used ingredients I normally have on hand.

Use your imagination; mix colors and flavors to create your ultimate sweet and salty snacks!

A Peachy Summer Dessert – Lemon Cheesecakes with Peach Glace’ Topping

I couldn’t wait to buy my first quart of fresh peaches of the season because I knew exactly what I wanted to make with them. 

And while I’m not convinced they came from the Finger Lakes Region quite yet,  I am convinced they are from Pennsylvania – just over the border.

I strongly envy the folks in Georgia, or the South for that matter, who have fresh peaches far more often than we do here in New York.

This recipe is simple to make, yet so delicious. 

This cheesecake recipe was passed onto me by a co-worker quite a few years ago.  I substituted lemon juice for the vanilla extract that the recipe originally called for, and I cut the recipe in half.  *Warning – these are extremely dangerous to have in the house if you are lacking in the willpower department.

The peach glace’ topping is a slightly modified version of a peach glace’ pie my mom use to make every summer.

The two are a match made in heaven!

Mini Lemon Cheesecakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 12 regular sized cupcake tins with paper cupcake liners.

1  (8oz.) package of light cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 egg, beaten

1-2 tbsp. of lemon juice (I use 2 tbsp. for a stronger lemon flavor)

12 vanilla wafer cookies

Place one vanilla wafer in the bottom of each paper liner.  In a medium sized bowl, add cream cheese, sugar, and beaten egg.  Mix until smooth and creamy.  Add lemon juice and mix thoroughly.

Pour batter into each paper liner; filling about 2/3 full.  Bake about 20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center.

Remove from oven and allow the cheesecakes to cool completely in the cupcake tin.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Peach Glace’ Topping

2 ripe peaches

1/2 c. water

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 tsp. butter

2 tsp. lemon juice

2 heaping tbsp. corn starch

Peel and dice one peach; set the other aside for later use.

In a small bowl, add sugar and cornstarch; mix thoroughly.

In a medium saucepan, add water, 1 tsp. of lemon juice, and diced peaches. 

Bring  to boil; continue boiling for 1 minute.  Temporarily remove from heat.

Remove half the boiled liquid from the saucepan and add to the bowl of sugar and cornstarch.  Stir quickly, and until all cornstarch and sugar are dissolved.

Return the saucepan to the burner on medium heat and pour the sugar mixture into the saucepan.  Stir constantly until mixture thickens. 

Remove from heat, add butter and 1 tsp. of lemon juice. 

Peel and dice 2nd peach and add it to the glace’; stir thoroughly.  Cool slightly before serving, or refrigerate until ready to use.

Homemade Whipped Cream

1 c. heavy cream

2-4 tbsp. powdered sugar

1-2 tsp. vanilla

Chill small bowl and beaters for 15 minutes in freezer. 

Add cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to bowl.  Beat until stiff peaks are formed.  Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

And lastly, don’t forget to spread the love on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook!

ENJOY!!!

 

My Sunday Morning

I’m sitting here thinking about all the things I should be doing.

1.) Start my spring cleaning

2.) Finish a blog post I’ve already started

3.) Make breakfast brunch

4.) Finish an awesome DIY project I’ve been working on that I plan on sharing

5.) Make a second cup of coffee

6.) Bake something

7.) Build my light box

8.) Edit some of my photo’s

9.) CELEBRATE MY BLOG TURNING TWO YEARS OLD TODAY!

And yet, here I sit. Finishing the last drop of my first cup of coffee and scouring Pinterest.  Don’t believe me?  Just look at my Pinterest Board.

Happy Sunday morning!  It’s time for me to get busy…