Peanut Butter Balls

The other day my friend pulls these little treats out of her freezer and let us try them.  My toddler has been asking for them ever since. We have already made two batches. Peanut butter goes fast in our house.

Peanut Butter Balls

1 c peanut butter

1 c powdered milk

1/2 c honey

mix together and roll into balls.  Enjoy!

I think I am ready to experiment and add oats, chocolate chips, coconut or something else to add crunch.

This is very similar to edible play dough.  It should have about the same consistency.

Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Another peanut butter recipe.  It is delicious!

http://www.thecraftpatchblog.com/2013/06/chewy-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip.html

Peanut Butter Cheese Ball

Do you want some unhealthy goodness?  Do you like chocolate and peanut butter?  Then here is a dessert for you!

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Peanut Butter “Cheese Ball”

Ingredients
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (not all­natural)
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup peanut butter chips
Graham cracker sticks, teddy grahams, and/or apple slices for dipping

Instructions
1. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until
blended.
2. Spoon onto a large piece of plastic wrap; bring up all four corners and twist tightly forming into a
ball shape.
3. Freeze for 1 hour 30 minutes or until firm enough to keep its shape. Place peanut butter chips and
chocolate chips in flat dish. Remove plastic wrap from ball and roll ball into morsels to
completely cover, pressing morsels into the ball if necessary.
4. Place ball on serving dish; cover and freeze for 2 hours or until almost firm. (If frozen overnight, thaw at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.)
Serve with graham cracker sticks, teddy grahams, or apple slices for dipping or spreading.

For more pictures:

Recipie From http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/08/peanut-butter-cheese-ball.html

Pumpkin Bars

I love the fall for a few reasons.  The summer heat is fading, leaves are falling, and pumpkins are here.

Yes one of my favorite activities is raking leaves, and playing in them, the crunch, the smell, the bugs, yup great.

And I love eating pumpkin.  Last year I posted pumpkin muffins- a year long treat at our house.  This one, however, I only make in the fall. Like popcorn balls at Christmas or sugar cookies come Valentines Day, it's one of those special treats that has a special time of year.

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs

2 cups flour

1 2/3 cup sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup cooking oil

1 tsp. salt

1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin

1 tsp. baking soda

Beat eggs, pumpkin, sugar and oil in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. 

Mix dry ingredients together. 

Add to pumpkin mixture a little at a time and mix thoroughly. 

Spread in ungreased 15x10x1 inch jelly roll pan. 

Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Cool and frost. 

Cream Cheese Icing for Pumpkin Bars:

 4 oz. cream cheese

 1 tsp. vanilla 

1/2 cup butter 

2 cups powdered sugar 

Cream softened cream cheese and butter.

Add vanilla. 

Add powdered sugar a little at a time, beating well, until smooth.

Sorry no picture of these, we ate almost all of them before I thought about a picture. So good!

Halloween Food

Found these on one of my favorite blogs. (Okay, I only follow three.)  But they look delicious.  Going to try them out.

BONES




Super easy.  All it is is marshmallows stuck on the ends of pretzels and dipped in almond bark.

For more pictures and the actual directions click here: 
http://thecraftpatch.blogspot.com/2012/10/halloween-spooky-dinner-2012.html#.VC61U2ddWSE


Also on the same page  you will find deviled eggs with olive spiders.




And chocolate strawberry ghost- Although I'm not sure of the price or quality of strawberries this time of year.  If you want to try it out it could be a fun experiment.




HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

No Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bites

Originally the recipe I found called these "No-Bake Energy Bites" which is just a fancy way of making a cookie sound healthier than it really is.  These are really good and super easy.

No-Bake Bites
1 C oatmeal
2/3 C coconut shredded
1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C flax seed or wheat germ
1/2 C chocolate chips (optional)
1/3 C honey
1 tsp vanilla

Mix it all in a bowl and chill for 30 minutes.  Once chilled roll into balls.  Makes 15-20 one inch balls. Store in the refrigerator.

Peanut Butter Rice Crispies

I love these!  Maybe even more than popcorn.

Over medium heat bring to a small boil:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups peanut butter

Quickly pour over:

6 cups of rice krispies (we have used chex as well)

Mix.  Place in a greased 9 X 13 pan and allow to cool.

(Some recipes say to first mix it in a bowl and transfer to the pan after. I like to avoid dished and extra steps, so I mix it directly in the pan.)

Once cooled melt:
1-2 cups chocolate chips

Spread over rice krispies.

I melt my chocolate in the microwave. I cook it about 45 seconds, stir, 15 stir. And another 15 after that until melted.  I also like to put a little peanut butter in the chocolate chips. I think it helps melt them faster and gives it a good taste.

Cool, cut into small squares and enjoy.


I know, so not healthy!  But really, really, good!

Cheesy Popcorn

Super easy and not too bad for you!

Cheesy Popcorn
Pop 1/2 cup of popcorn
Pour on a little butter/ margarine so that the cheese will stick
Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese all over it!  Eat up!

This was so good I caught my daughter licking the bowl!

And then it became a hat. Run away!

Edible Play Dough!

Who says you shouldn't play with your food?

1 C peanut butter
1/3 to 1/2 Cup honey
2 to 3 cups powdered sugar (use more if you used less honey)

Mix the ingredients together and enjoy this fun and yummy snack.

Toasted S'mores

Indoor Toasted S'mores

Graham Crackers
Mini Marshmallows
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
A toaster oven.


Make s'mores to your liking.  Broil until the tops of marshmallows are a golden brown.  Fold together and enjoy your indoor s'mores.

Honey Popcorn

After a long weekend of eating way too many treats, I decided to cut back on my sugar... for a few days. I enjoy sugary treats, a lot, notice how desserts dominate this blog.  So, I gave myself two "cheat" foods: honey and homemade raspberry jam.  Unlike chocolate these are food I won't eat by the pound.

With a fresh batch of salsa I was doing pretty well not craving sugar until last night.  I really wanted caramel popcorn.  Thank you internet for the following idea, I never would have thought of it on my own.

Honey Popcorn
Lots of popcorn
equal amounts honey and butter melted and mixed (I did about 1 TBSP each, but would probably do less next time.)

Pour the honey mixture over the popped popcorn and mix well.  A little salt makes it taste similar to kettle corn.  Enjoy your sweet-and not too unhealthy- treat.

Sorry no picture, I ate it all before thinking about taking one, just imagine popcorn with a light honey glaze...Mmm, yummy!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

15 oz can pumpkin
1 box spice cake
1/2-1 pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix pumpkin and spice cake in a bowl.  Keep stirring until it is very well mixed.  You know, like until your arm feels like it might fall off.  Then add the chocolate chips (I don't do the whole package) and mix some more.

Place mixture in 12 muffin tins (they only raise a little so fill them mostly full) and bake at 350 until done.  About 20-25 mins.

YUM!

Marshmallow Popcorn

YUMMY!
Found this recipe:

1/2 cup unpopped popcorn
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 bag mini marshmallows


Why so many halves, just double it.

1. Pop popcorn
2. Heat other stuff on the stove over medium heat until marshmallows are melted
3. Pour delicious goodness over popcorn, stir with spoon.
4. Happy Eating!

*It will be sticky and hot, avoid touching with hands while mixing.  The longer it sits the less sticky it becomes.

Very good!

Unicorn Popcorn by Deirdra Eden

Her Eden: Unicorn Popcorn by Deirdra Eden:

My sister made up some yummy looking popcorn.  It is posted on her blog.  Used butter, sugar, corn syrup, marshmallows, sweetened condensed milk- I know, healthy right?  Looks good though!

Peach Cobbler Cream Cheese Dessert

A Peach Cheesecake/ Cobbler combo.  So Delicious!

Peaches 'N Cream Cheesecake Pie

¾ C flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

3 ¼ oz vanilla pudding (not instant)

3 Tbsp butter softened

1 egg

½ C milk

15-20 oz peaches drained (save juice)

1 pgk cream cheese

½ C sugar

3 Tbsp peach juice

1 Tbsp sugar

½ Tbsp cinnamon

Combine flour, baking powder, salk, pudding, butter, eggs, and milk in large bowl. Beat 2 mins at medium speed. Pour into greased 9 inch deep dish or 10 inch pie pan. Placed drained fruit over batter. IN small bowl combine cream cheese, ½ c sugar, and 3 Tbsp juice. Beat 2 minutes. Spoon miture to within 1 inch of edge. Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top. Bake 350 for 30-35 mintutes. Filling will appear soft. Store in refrigerator.

Old Fasion Doughnuts (Sour Cream)

This recipe came from The Messy Baker

• 2 1/4 cups cake / soft-wheat flour, plus more for rolling and cutting
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon iodized salt
• 3/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons shortening / vegetable lard, trans-fat-free preferred
• 2 large egg yolks (I used the whole egg)
• 2/3 cups sour cream
• canola oil for frying

Mix it all together well (should be kind of sticky) and refrigerate for 30 mins.  Roll out the dough on a floured surface cut doughnuts and fry in oil at about 325 degrees F. Makes about a dozen or so.

After cooled, glaze doughnuts, wait for it to harden and enjoy.  I made these at night and thought they tasted best the next morning.  They didn't make it to lunch. 

Just fried

Powdered Doughnut Holes

Glazed, yum!

Doughnuts (Wheat)

Best Doughnuts Ever (or so they say)

1 qt milk, scaled and slightly cooled

10 Tbsp Sugar

8 Tbsp Oil

1 Tbsp Salt

½ tsp nutmeg

7 Tbsp yeast

4 C flour

4 C wheat flour

Mix milk, sugar, oil, salt, and nutmeg. Add yeast. Add flours and knead until well blended. Place on flour board and knead again. Roll out to ½ inch thick. Cut and allow to rise for 5 mins.

Deep fry in oil at 375. Drain on paper towel. Add topping of your choice.

Maple Frosting

2 C powder sugar

4 Tbsp Hot milk

¼ C margarine softened

1 tsp maple flavoring

Combine thoroughly.

Frosting can be left as glaze without adding maple flavoring or maple can be exchanged for 1 tbsp of cocoa to make chocolate frosting or 1 tsp of vanilla to make vanilla icing.

Sugar Glaze

Powdered Sugar Glaze

1 Tb Melted butter
1 Tb Corn Syrup
2 Tb Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
1-2 C powder sugar

Mix together.  Slowly add more milk until you get the desired consistency.  A little liquid goes a long way.  Add very little at a time.

To make it chocolate glaze add 1-2 Tbsp of Cocoa. (This is my favorite)
To make it a maple glaze add 1 tsp maple flavoring

Great on doughnuts!

Kid Friendly Chocolate Peanut Butter Treat

My sister's favorite simple treat


A spoonful of peanut butter
A small handful of chocolate chips

Melt in microwave for about 30 seconds- Stir.

Enjoy the creamy treat with a spoon or at a little vanilla ans stir until it becomes more fudge like.

You can put in in the refrigerator to make it edible without utensils.

Enjoys the chocolate peanut butter goodness.

Soft Caramel Popcorn

 Soft Caramel Popcorn

Pop about a cup of popcorn and separate out the kernels. You will end up with about 10 cups of popped popcorn.

Mixture
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 C corn syrup
1/2 c Margarine
1/2 can sweetened condensed milk
Dash of Salt

In a saucepan, heat over medium/high heat until the soft ball stage. 235-245 degrees.  If you don't have a candy thermometer, fill a bowl with ice water, drop some caramel in the water. It should be soft and pliable, not runny though.  This takes about 5 minutes or so.

Add rest of sweetened condensed milk. Stir.
Add 1/2 tsp Vanilla.

Pour over popcorn and mix well.