Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

I love Cookies.. I have a serious addiction :) But peanut butter cookies are by far my favorite! Awhile ago I made Raspberry Sandwich cookies with lemon cream, and I got to thinking peanut butter sandwich cookies. Home made Nutter butter cookies.. Yum. Be sure to "Sample" them while you bake, they are best when they are warm :) I did a lot of "Sampling" LOL, I just couldn't resist. These cookies quickly became a family favorite..


Now without further ado the Recipe

Ingredients:
1 (2 Sticks)cup Butter at room temperature
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup powdered sugar (Or until you reach your desired consistency)

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter and sugars until light and fluffy and it lightens in color. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition . Add the Vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl; add slowly to the creamed mixtures and mix well. using a one inch cookie scoop, drop the cookie dough 2 inches apart and flatten to 3/8 inch thickness with fork. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until they are golden brown. Remove and cool on wire racks.

For the filling, in a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla to a spreadable consistency. Spread on half of the cookies and top each with another cookie.

Yeilds: 44 Sandwich Cookies..

* If you cut the recipe in half, use one egg and a yolk.

Sweet Pea Risotto

While searching the Internet for a Risotto recipe I finally stumbled across one that looked good. Here is the recipe, Black Cherry and Black Pepper Lamb Chops with Sweet Pea Risotto I changed a few things because i found it quite salty. I also used the green onions and this wine was fantastic

1 quart sodium reduced chicken broth
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion (Or one bundle of green onions)
1 cupArborio rice
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup peas, defrosted
1/2 cup grates Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves, plus a few sprigs for garnish
handful of flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Place the chicken broth in a small pot and warm it up over medium low heat
In a large pan heat the extra virgin olive oil and the butter together . When the pan is hot and add the chopped onion or green onions and cook them for 2 to 3 minutes then add the arborio rice and cook it a minute more. Add the wine and cook it all away, 1 minute Add a few ladles of the warm chicken broth to the rice and let it cook off, stir it occasionally. The Risotto will take about 22 minutes to cook. add a ladle of broth from time to time until the risotto is starchy, creamy and cooked to al dente. Add the defrosted peas about 2 minutes before serving
Add in the cheese, chopped mint and parsley just before serving.

This was a fantastic recipe the entire family loved it! I also found it really easy to make !

Enjoy!

Bon Appetit

So Many Truffles

I love truffles. Plain and Simple!


They are the most addicting chocolate thing out there!! I spent the entire day making truffles, not that I'm complaining! I decided to try a lot of different coatings. Cinnamon, Chili Pepper, Coconut, Peppermint, Cocoa, and Chocolate. AHH!
Now without further Ado the Truffle Recipes

White Chocolate Truffle :)

1 cup of White Chocolate Chips
5 Tablespoons of Heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Optional)

Chop the Chocolate Chips into smaller pieces so they melt easier and place them in a bowl. Put the heavy whipping cream into a small pot or sauce pan to simmer/ slightly boil. Pour the Cream slowly into the bowl with the chocolate. Using a whisk mix from the middle of the bowl to the outside slowly. Once all of the chocolate is melted add the vanilla (Optional) and mix well.
Refrigerate for an hour or until firm enough to form into balls. I used the Smallest Pampered chef cookie scooper to form my balls but a small melon scooper will work. place them back in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes. If they look to big just simply cut them in half (I did this today). Roll them into balls and then roll them in any coating you want. They will melt in your hands a little bit.

Dark Chocolate Truffles

1 cup of Dark Chocolate chips
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1/2 Tablespoon Vanilla
Cocoa Powder/Coconut/Crushed Peppermint pieces

1. Chop the chocolate finely and add it to a bowl2. Heat the cream in a small sauce pan until it starts to boil
3. Add the cream to the bowl with the chocolate
4. Mix it from the inside of the bowl to the outside slowly until all the chocolate is melted and it forms a thick paste5. Add the vanilla and whisk to incorporate
6. Cover it with Saran Wrap and let it chill in the fridge for an hour to an hour and a half. Or until it is firm enough to form balls
7. Use a melon or small cookie dough scooper to scoop the chocolate into balls. If the balls are to bi simply cut them in half when cooled
8. Place in the Fridge for 15-20 minutes or until they are firm enough to handle
9. Roll them into balls and roll them in the cocoa powder, cocoa powder and cinnamon mixture, peppermint pieces, or the chili powder and cocoa mixture.


Then let them harden up in the fridge, get them out about 20 minutes before serving.

They keep for about a week in a covered container in the fridge.

Enjoy

Bon Appetit

Chunky Monkey Pancakes

I was reading Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive in's, and Dives" and I saw a recipe for Chunky Monkey Pancakes! I love Chunky Monkey Ice cream so when I saw this pancake recipe I was ecstatic! I did made some minor alterations.

your favorite pancake mix
2 Banana's mashed
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 Cup Chocolate Chips

follow the instructions on the box of pancake mix
Mash up the banana's and add them to the pancake batter. Add in the chocolate chips and mix it thoroughly. Even though I have non stick pans I found that they stuck so use a little bit of Crisco or Pam.



You can top them with some diced banana's or some chocolate chips. I used Butter and maple syrup.

I regret not taking a picture now! I promise I will get one up within a couple of days :)

Bon Appetit

Welcome

Hi there!
I'm Kate, just your normal high school student with a passion for baking. I think that I have always had a love for baked goods. I love finding new recipes and making my own (well at least I try). I didn't really start baking until about a year ago, then I just wanted to make everything!

I hope you will follow my adventure :)

In the words of Julia Child's "Bon Appétit",

Kate