Peanut Butter Frosting

Do you like those peanut butter cups that are shaped like Easter eggs? They are so addicting so I have not had one. I can't say the same for my husband. I think sometimes when you avoid something than you want it even more. Yes, I have been baking with a lot of peanut butter but I still haven't had any of those PB eggs. It doesn't help since my family have been requesting more peanut butter recipes lately. My youngest son even requested chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting for his birthday party. My oldest daughter tried to talk him into the cookie dough frosting since it is her favorite but he wanted peanut butter. I decided to make them both happy and adapted the recipe. Oh, it came out really good. Now, if I had only cut up some of those PB eggs for a topping then they would have been decadent.

Peanut Butter Frosting  
16 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened  
1/2 cup brown sugar  
2 1/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2/3 cup all purpose flour  
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup peanut butter  
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
2. Slowly add the powdered sugar until smooth.
3. Add the flour and salt. Mix well.
4. Mix in the peanut butter until incorporated. 
5. Add a little milk and vanilla extract until well blended and the desired consistency.   

Recipe adapted from here. 

One year ago..................I made Sloppy Joes. 

Did you already know...
-The first person to patent peanut butter was Marcellus Gilmore Edson from Quebec in 1884.
-In 1904, C.H. Sumner introduced peanut butter to the U.S. in St. Louis.
-In the U.S. Krema is the oldest peanut butter company. 

Peanut Butter Cups Oreo Brownie Cupcakes

My oldest daughter told me that she had been car hunting with her uncle. Laughing, my son asked kidding, "Oh, where did you go into the jungle to find a car? Were you able to catch any?" My daughter said, "No, they were too fast." Well, I'm going to show you a fast recipe. You can always use your favorite brownie recipe in place of a box. I have been encouraging my children to bake more. I think small steps are easier to start learning and then build on what they know.

PB Cups Oreo Brownie Cupcakes
1 (18.3 oz) box of Fudge Brownies
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs 
12 Oreo cookies, crushed
12 miniature peanut butter cups, chopped roughly

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, mix the brownie mix, water, vegetable oil, and the eggs until well incorporated.
4. Fill the cupcake liners half full.
5. Evenly sprinkle the crushed Oreo cookies over the batter.
6. Top the crushed Oreo cookies with some of the chopped peanut butter cups.
7. Cover the peanut butter cups with the remaining batter.
8. Bake the brownie cupcakes for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cupcakes comes out almost clean.

Recipe adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything.

One year ago...............................I made Dark Chocolate Cookies.

I will catch a car eventually.

Did you already know.................
-According to The New York Times, European car sales have dropped this year compared to last year.
-In the U.S., car sales have increased.
-Car sales have also increased in China, Brazil, Russia, and India.

Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies with PB cups

Sometimes I need a quick recipe for a last minute party, school function, holiday, celebration, or insanity. Only during last minutes desperation, I will make these cookies. Why? Because they are so good. I have several family members that love me when I bring these cookies to a party. Now, you can make your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe for these cookies. I even have several chocolate chip cookie recipes that you can try. I am only showing you the quick way so you can save time. I normally make my desserts by scratch but if I'm going to save time it will be with this dessert.

Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies with PB cups
1 (32 oz.) Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
12 miniature peanut butter cups, chopped roughly
12 oreo cookies (even the colorful stuffing works fine)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
3. In a thick freezer bag, crush the oreo cookies with the filling. 
4. Take about 1 1/2 inch scoop of the cookie dough and flatten.
5. Place in the bag and press the crushed cookie into the dough.
6. Roll the oreo dough into the chopped peanut butter cups.
7. Form the dough into a ball.
8. Roll the dough back into the crushed cookies to coat.
9. Place the dough onto the baking sheet with 2 inches between each cookie dough ball.
10. Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes and set aside.
11. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.

Recipe adapted from Picky Palate. 
*Throw out any remaining crushed oreos and PB pieces since they were rolled in raw cookie dough.

One year ago.........................I made Rice Pilaf.

Did you already know...........
-There are 36 Reece's miniature peanut butter cups in a bag.
-A 32 oz. package of toll house cookie dough will make 36 cookies.
-There are 30 oreos in a 18 oz. package of Oreo Cookies.

Creamed Spinach

Did you see any leprechauns today? Any leprechauns making trouble? A friend told me about how a leprechauns painted a dog's tail green. I'm glad nothing like that happened here. My children had plans to build a trap to catch one but forgot. I'm glad since I didn't want any mischief. so we made sure to wear green today except my brave husband. I think he secretly enjoys being pinches since the kids have gotten him several times. He could go change but no. In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, I made bangers and mash with creamed spinach. I love baby spinach. I add it to all the salads I make. Also, I use it in place of lettuce on our sandwiches. The kids eat it and never complain. They really liked this side dish and there were no leftovers.

Creamed Spinach
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp butter 
1 1/2 lb. fresh spinach leaves (I used baby spinach leaves.)
2 clove of garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
3 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil with the butter. 
2. Add the spinach, garlic, and shallot. 
3. Cook and stir often for about 5 minutes.
4. Add the cream cheese and mix well until the cream cheese has coated the spinach.
5. Stir in the heavy cream and allow the cook for about 5 minutes.
6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve warm.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago.....................I made Brownies.

Did you already know.......
-The color blue was first associated with Saint Patrick.
-The Saint Patrick blue can still be found on ancient Irish flags.
-During 1798 Irish Rebellion, the Irish began to wear green to make a political statement.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Mint Cheesecake Pie

Do you like math or do you shun it? Today is mathematics day at my children's school. Their school asked the kids to wear a shirt with numbers on it. My son had lots of shirts with numbers on it but I could only find a shirt with tiny numbers on it for my younger daughter. I tried talking her into wearing one of her brother's shirt (since he wore her pants) but she wouldn't agree. My oldest daughter said it needs to be pi day and not math day. My oldest daughter said in high school the kids would bring in pies for pi day. My youngest daughter said she would rather have pie than wear one of her brother's shirts. My oldest daughter will be having pie. How about you?

Green for St. Patrick's Day!

Mint Cheesecake Pie
Crust:
1 1/2 cups oreos
6 oz. butter, melted
Filling:
2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
2/3 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp mint extract
1/4 tsp green food coloring (if desired)
8 Andes mints, chopped roughly
8 oreo cookies, crushed

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, combine the crushed oreos with the melted butter.
3. Press the oreo mixture into the bottom of an 9 inch pie pan.
4. Place the pie plate in the refrigerator to chill while preparing the filling.
5. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until well incorporated.
6. Add the two eggs and mix well.
7. Add the sour cream and combine. Scrap down the sides to make sure the filling is incorporated.
8. Add the mint extract and the green food coloring and mix until the filling is green throughout.
9. Slowly, add the mint chocolates and the crushed oreos to the filling.
10. Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan. Place the pie pan onto an aluminum lined baking sheet just in case it over flows.
11. Bake the pie for 45 minutes or until the filling is almost set in the middle.
12. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving or chill for a couple of hours. 

Recipe adapted from Domino Sugar.

One year ago................................I made Irish Mint Chocolate Ice Cream.

Did you already know..................
-Pi is used to calculate the ratio of a cirle's circumference to its diamater. 
-Pi is the irrational number 3.14159265359.....
-Albert Einstein's birthday is March 14th (pi day 3.14)