Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

My good friend, Janiel, is a great baker. She made these on our annual Girls St. George trip and they were amazing!  I came home and made them for a family party and they were devoured.  I could eat the frosting by the bucket. 

Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

 Peanut Butter frosting:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 C creamy peanut butter
6 C powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
dash salt
5 T milk

Make your favorite chocolate cupcake recipe.  When they come out of the oven, push a peanut butter cup into the center of the cupcake and let the cupcakes cool.  Frost with peanut butter frosting and the top with a miniature peanut butter cup.  Yum! 

Peanut Butter Marbled Brownies

I made these for my Sunday dessert craving and they were amazing!  My brother said they were the best brownies he's ever had!  So delicious!

Peanut Butter Marbled Brownies
6 oz. cream cheese, softened 
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 Tb milk
1 cup butter, melted
2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Lightly grease 9×13 inch baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a medium bowl, beat together first 5 ingredients until smooth.  Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together melted butter, 2 cups sugar, and vanilla.  Mix in eggs, one at a time. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; mix into the batter. Stir in chocolate chips.  Spread batter into prepared pan. Drop the peanut butter filling on top by the large spoonful.  Using a butter knife, gently swirl peanut butter filling through the chocolate batter to create a marbled effect. (The batter is stiff so this is a little difficult. The key is not to over swirl it.)  Once you are done swirling, you may need to tap the pan on a towel covered counter to make the batter settle.  Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted one inch from the edge comes out clean.  Cool completely, then cut into small squares.

Recipe from: The Sister's Cafe

No-Bake Energy Bites

I came across these babies on Pinterest and I'm so glad I did.  They are healthy and delicious.  My kids are pretty picky when it comes to snacks and they gobbled these up.  I like them because I feel like I'm eating something naughty and I'm not!  Try them ASAP!

 No-Bake Energy Bites

(makes 18-20 bites)

1 cup oatmeal (I used old fashioned oats)

1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)

1/3 cup honey

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed (I found this by the flour and sugar)

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Mix everything above in a medium bowl until thoroughly incorporated.  Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.  Once chilled, roll into balls and enjoy!  Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Elementary School Peanut Butter Bars

Do you remember those peanut butter bars from elementary school lunch? The ones with the chocolate frosting? It's been a long time since I was in elementary, but I still totally remember how good those were! I found this recipe and they really taste just like I remember them. This makes a very large batch, so unless you plan on sharing, I would half it and cook it in a 9x13. I made the full batch and let's just say my pants were tighter at the end of the week!

Elementary School Peanut Butter Bars

1 1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/3 cup flour
3 cups oats (regular or quick)

Cream together the shortening, peanut butter, sugars and eggs until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and beat until incorporated. Spread into a greased cookie sheet (jelly roll size) until even on all sides. The batter is thick, it helps to use a fork to spread it and press it all out. Bake at 325 degrees for 14 minutes. It will seem underdone, but it will firm up as it sits.)

Chocolate frosting:

1 stick butter (softened)
1 tsp. vanilla
dash of salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3 1/2 cup powdered sugar (may need more)
1/3 cup milk

Beat the butter, cocoa and milk together until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and continue to beat until fluffy and smooth. Spread a thin layer over the cooled bars.

***Recipe from: Deals to meals

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

1 cup Karo syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
5-6 cups Rice Krispies cereal (or store brand works great!)
1 cup chocolate chips (I use about 1 1/2 cups)
(or use half bag of butterscotch chips and half bag of chocolate chips)

On stove top, heat the syrup and sugar until boiling. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until well blended. Add Rice Krispies and stir until evenly coated. Press into a greased 9x13 pan. Heat chocolate chips in microwave for one minute. Stir. Heat 30 seconds more if needed. Stir until chips are completely melted. Spread chocolate on top and let cool.

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

Finally a new recipe! This recipe is from Betty Crocker and it is soooo good! It has three layers, but they are all easy to put together. If you love peanut butter and chocolate, you will love these!

Brownie Base
1 brownie mix Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box

Filling
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk

Topping
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray or shortening. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds; stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. Store covered in refrigerator. (I take it out or the fridge about 15 minutes before serving. This allows the chocolate on top to soften a little).