"Lumps of Coal"

This recipe is great for kids of Christmas morning. Instead of leaving cookies for Santa, Santa can leave a joke gift of "lumps of coal." I found this recipe one day while perusing Pinterest, it's from a blog all about recipes for different kinds of rice krispie treats, which I thought was cool! Here's the link to the blog, Mallow and Co. http://mallowandco.blogspot.com/2012/12/coal-rice-krispy-treats.html

Ingredients

3 tbsp butter
6 cups marshmallows
1 tsp vanilla
5 cups of cocoa Rice Krispies
1 cup crushed oreos
black food coloring

Directions

Pour Rice Krispies and Oreos into a large mixing bowl. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat until melted. Turn the heat all the way down and add marshmallows. Stir until all marshmallows are melted. Then, add in the vanilla and black food coloring. Once all is melted, remove from heat and pour over Rice Krispies. Keep stirring until everything is black. Spoon out chunks of mixture and place on cookie sheet. Place in refrigerator for at least 20 min. Serve cold.


photo and recipe courtesy of http://mallowandco.blogspot.com/

Fruit Pizza

This "dessert" is perfect for non-chocolate lovers. Me being the chocolate lover I am, don't have many recipes on here without chocolate, but this is a great option. My advice is to use the best in-season fruit you can find. Frozen fruit is fine, but everything is better fresh.

Ingredients

1 pouch sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup cream cheese frosting
3 1/2 cups of assorted fresh fruit- strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, rasberries, grapes

Directions

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Stir sugar cookie mix, melted butter, and egg. Press dough into a bottom of a pan. Bake 10 to 15 minutes. Cool completely, this will take 45 minutes. In a different mixing bowl, beat whipping cream until small peaks form. Next, gently stir in frosting. Spread over cooled sugar cookie. Arrange fruit. Store in refrigerated setting and serve cold.

"Skinny" Cupcakes

I found this recipe and tried it and have fallen in love. It "supposedly" only has 110 calories per cupcake serving which is good enough to convince me.

Ingredients

1 package of Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix (won't use the recipe)
1 12 oz. can of Sprite
1 8 oz. container Fat Free Cool Whip
1 package of fat free Vanilla Jello Instant Pudding (won't use the recipe)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. First, mix the cake mix and 12 oz. can of Sprite in large mixing bowl. You want to mix so the batter has no lumps. Pour 1/4 of batter into cupcake holders. Bake for 20 minutes. In a mixing bowl, whisk cool whip and Jello mix until smooth. When the cupcakes have completely cooled, frost. Enjoy, try not to eat too many in one sitting!

Gobble Gobble

These are one of my favorite holiday cookie ideas. My aunt makes them every year, and as tedious as they are, they are always the talk of the party. I know there are plenty of people in the kitchen on Thanksgiving so rally up an assembly line, and get to making! These turkey cookies are perfect to keep kids busy and out of the way when they are begging to help.

Ingredients

1 jar of chocolate frosting
1 small bag of red hots
1 bag candy corn
1 bag Reece's Peanut Butter Cups
1 package Keebler's Fudge Stripe Cookies

Directions

Take the fudge stripe cookies and spread them across a large cookie sheet. Next, smear a small amount of frosting on the bottom of each unwrapped Reece's Peanut Butter Cup and place in the middle of the cookie. Next, smear a tiny amount onto one side of a piece of candy corn and place on top of the peanut butter cup. Lastly, frost two red hots and place on the cracker, up against the peanut butter cup. You can always add eyes with frosting if you want to be precise.

Another idea, is to use Rolo Chocolate Cups instead of Reece's Peanut Butter cups if you prefer. Both work great. Everyone will get a kick out of these adorable desserts!

Not Your Usual Chocolate Covered Strawberries

I love the holidays, but mostly because of the food associated with them. Usually strawberries are a summer treat, but if your like me and you get to enjoy some warm weather over the holidays, these are a great option for dessert.

Ingredients

1 carton large strawberries
1 package bakers white chocolate
green sugar
red sugar

Directions

Wash and dry large strawberries. Do not cut off tops, it looks more appealing and is easier to dip. Heat white chocolate over low-medium heat. Wax paper is again needed to let the strawberries dry on. Dip the strawberries halfway in the white chocolate. Then dip the strawberries a quarter of the way in sugar. Place on the wax paper and let dry. Then, place the strawberries in the refrigerator and let cool for a couple hours. These are best served cold.

Feel free to get creative with the sugar. I normally use a color that reflects the holiday, orange for Halloween or red and green for Christmas. Blue is also really cute for Fourth of July because then the strawberry is red, white, and blue. Enjoy!

Chocolate Pretzels

Another recipe perfect for treats and easy to make, are the original chocolate covered pretzels. The perfect mix of sweet and salty all in one bite. This is a great snack to have for on the go. And takes as little as 20 minutes to make. Who doesn't love that?

Ingredients

1 bag pretzels of your choice
1 package of baker's chocolate

Directions

Heat up chocolate on the stove top on medium-low heat. Set out wax paper to place pretzels on for cooling. It is easiest to use a fork or tongs when dipping the pretzels into the chocolate I have found out. Place the pretzels on the wax paper after they have been completely emerged in the chocolate. Let dry and then place in freezer.

Similar to the chocolate covered marshmallows, you may add sprinkles or color dyed sugar for visual appeal.

Chocolate Covered Marshmallows

Forgot you needed to bring a dessert to a work party? Need a simple holiday treat for neighbors even kids can help make? Chocolate covered marshmallows with pretzels is your answer. It tastes like a mini s'more without the hassle of a camp fire. This recipe sounds as easy as it is to make.

Ingredients:

1 Bag Large Marshmallows
1 Bag Pretzel Sticks
1 Package baker's milk chocolate

Directions:

Take pretzel sticks, and place one stick into one marshmallow. Make sure the stick is at least halfway through the marshmallow for the most stability. Follow instructions to heat baking chocolate and dip the marshmallow completely into the chocolate. Place on wax paper. For added appeal, pour sprinkles over chocolate covered marshmallows while cooling.

You have a cute, easy treat that any chocolate lover will love. Time to devour!

Margarita Cake

I know it may be a tad out of season, but I have made this the past couple of years for Cinco de Mayo festivities and it is perfect. It's a light, fluffy, cake perfect for warm weather. Let's all pretend we are not in this cold winter weather and are instead in Mexico on the beach right now, and if you are, stop reading my blog and go enjoy the beach!

Ingredients for Cake

1 2/4 cup granulate sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3 large eggs
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup lemon flavored yogurt

Directions for Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sugar, butter, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl and beat until blended. Add the eggs one at a time and beat until blended well. Then mix the lemon zest and lemon juice. Then add flour and yogurt at small increments alternating, beating well. Pour the batter into a 9x13 in pan. Bake for 25 to 30 min.

Ingredients for Frosting

1/2 cup very fine granulated sugar
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp tequila
whipped cream
lime slices (optional, more for presentation)

Directions for Frosting

Combine sugar, lime juice, and and water in a saucepan and mix well. Cook until sugar dissolves on low heat. Then mix in tequila. Frost cake

Frost cake while warm. Then add a dollop of whip cream to each slice. Add a small lime slice on top for a cuter presentation. Enjoy!

picture and recipe courtesy of recipegirl.com 

Puppy Chow (With a Nutella Twist)

For all of those Nutella loving people out there, you will eat this recipe up, literally. It combines a couple of my favorite things, puppy chow and Nutella. For all of you new to Nutella, is a delicious chocolate hazelnut spread.

Ingredients

1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup Nutella
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
2/3 cup hazelnuts
3 cups powdered sugar
Box of Chex

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Roast hazelnuts for 8-10 minute. Remove the skin of the hazelnuts as much as you can, it's easiest to do with a towel. You can grind the hazelnuts in a food processor. Over medium-low heat, place the butter, chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips. Stir constantly until completely melted. Then, add Nutella and mix in hazelnuts. Stir completely. Pour box of cereal into a large bowl and pour mixture over. Carefully stir with your hands. Then, dump cereal and powdered sugar into ziploc baggie and shake until cereal is covered with powdered sugar. Place back into bowl and serve. If desired, place mixture into the refrigerator for a couple hours and serve cold.

Monster Cookies

Monster Cookies are a kids favorite. I'm not sure if it's because of the name or all of the candy inside of them, but they are a great cookie to make for occasions. With the holiday season around the corner, there are plenty of parties. Here's what you will need:

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cooking oats
3/4 cup m&ms
1/4 chocolate chips
1/4 peanut butter chips

You may add nuts if desired.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Start by mixing butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Then add peanut butter. Stir. Add egg. Stir. The vanilla extract is next. Stir again. The flour and baking soda can be added at the same time and all mixed. It doesn't need to be stirred well at this point. Then add the oats, m&ms, chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips. Stir well. I found it easiest to roll the dough into about 2 in balls and place on cookie sheet. I then flattened out the balls to make them even. Bake for about 9-10 minutes and enjoy!

Thanksgiving Traditions

Hey everyone! Me and my classmate Amanda have a podcast about Thanksgiving Traditions. We just talk about our favorite traditions and dishes. Enjoy!

Melt In Your Mouth Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I warned you at the beginning of my blog that I absolutely love peanut butter. I will use any recipe that has peanut butter. Chocolate with peanut butter though, it can't get much better than that. These cookies will melt right in your mouth.

Ingredients:
1 c creamy peanut butter (I use natural peanut butter)
1 c light brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c dark chocolate chips

You can use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, but I prefer the dark chocolate chips for this recipe.

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine peanut butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in a mixer and beat on a medium-high setting for about 7 minutes. Then you can add in the baking soda and mix. Roll the cookie dough into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 8 min. You want the cookies to look more done around the edges, and gooey in the middle. This is how they are supposed to be baked. Let cool then enjoy!

Tasty (and healthy) Milkshakes

Everyone loves a milkshake! This milkshake is super easy and quick to make, plus it's healthy. Can't get much better than that.

Ingredients:
1 large frozen banana
1 tbsp natural peanut butter
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup cooked and chilled oatmeal
1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Directions:
Place all ingredients into blender and blend until it has the thick, milkshake consistency. Serve immediately. Enjoy this quick and easy dessert! It can also be made for breakfast for those extra busy mornings.

Oreo Balls

Most of my desserts take little time and are perfect for people on the go, or do not have much time to spend in the kitchen baking. This recipe however, takes a little more time but is definitely worth it! It's perfect for a party or a gift for someone. Oreo balls are a fun way to spruce up a normal favorite cookie.

Ingredients:
1 package of Oreos
8 oz. Cream Cheese
12 oz. Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Directions:
First, the most tedious task of this recipe, smashing up the Oreos into cookie crumbs. I take a gallon size plastic bag and put about 10 cookies in at a time and start smashing. I have done it with a roller, big spoon, and my hands. They all work about the same so it's personal preference. This will take the longest, but once all the cookies are smashed, place it into a bowl with the cream cheese and mash together. You want the mixture to be mixed well. Next, melt the chocolate. While the chocolate is melting, start rolling the Oreo crumbs and cream cheese mixture into about 2in balls. Keep a close eye on the chocolate. It is best to use wax paper for the next step. Dip the balls into the chocolate covering the entire thing (your hands will be messy). Place on the wax paper and let dry. After all the balls are covered in chocolate place in the refrigerator for a couple hours. Serve cold and enjoy!

Not Your Ordinary Rice Krispie Treats

We all know and love rice krispie treats named after the famous cereal. I would like to mix it up a little and use other favorite cereals. You can use any one of your favorite fruity cereals such as Trix, Captain Crunch, or even Fruit Loops. For mine, I chose Fruit Loops. You can also mix a couple kinds of cereals together.

Ingrediants:
6 cups Fruit Loops (your choice of cereal)- If you chose to do multiple, just split up the cups.
4 cups miniature marshmallows
3 tbsp. butter

Directions:
Put the marshmallows and butter into a medium sized bowl and place in the microwave. Heat until the marshmallows and butter are about to melt, this takes me about 3 minutes. Stir the marshmallows and butter until a smooth consistency. Next, add the cereal and marshmallows together in a larger bowl. Place mixture in a 13x9 pan and spread evenly using fingers to press down. Either serve warm or place in the refrigerator to cool down for a couple hours. Serve and enjoy!

 

Reece's Peanut Butter Cups

This recipe always reminds me of the holidays. My mom would make these for every family party and I love them! This is my mom's recipes, they are super easy and delicious for those non-bakers out there.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
40 mini Reece's Peanut Butter cups, unwrapped

Directions:
First, the oven needs to be preheated to 375. Sift flour, salt, and baking soda together in a small bowl. In a larger bowl, cream butter, sugar, peanut butter, and brown sugar. You want the mixture to be fluffy. Then, beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Next, you want to slowly add the flour mixture (small bowl) and mix well. There should be enough dough to roll about 40 balls. Place them in a mini-cupcake pan and bake for 8 min. Immediately put one Reece's cup in each ball. The cookies will need to cool before they can be taken out of the pan. Finally, it's time to enjoy!

picture: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2012/12/11/peanut-butter-cup-cookies/

Peanut Butter Lovers

No bake cookies are the easiest, most tasty dessert someone can make! There are so many recipes out there that you can make your own adjustments to for your specific taste. This recipe of peanut butter no bake cookies is my favorite because it is full of peanut butter taste.

Ingrediants:
2 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter (add up to 3/4 cup to make it extra peanut butter)
3 cup quick oatmeal
1 1/2 cup of reeces pieces

*Feel free to add any other small candy, m&m's or crushed up candy bars for added taste*

Bring sugar, milk, and butter to a boil for one minute in a large pot over medium high heat. Remove from the heat and add vanilla, salt, and peanut butter. Stir until it has a creamy consistency. Then add oats until completely mixed. Finally add candy and mix completely.
Using a spoon, make 2 in drops of the peanut butter mixture onto waxed paper. The cookies need about 15-20 minutes to set. You can enjoy them warm or place in an airtight container in the fridge and eat them cold!

This is a great, easy dessert for every peanut butter lover!

Late Night Snack

I love popcorn! Whats not to love, it's tasty and easy to make. I recently discovered the perfect dessert recipe involving one of my favorite snacks. It is just as easy and quick as making regular popcorn.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of butter
10 large marshmallows (you mad add more/less for personal preference)
bowl of regular popcorn

Microwave brown sugar and butter first for two minutes, then add the marshmallows. Place back into the microwave until the marshmallows are melted. This will take about a minute and a half to two minutes. Pour over popcorn and mix. Then enjoy an extra twist to a favorite, easy snack!

picture: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/30/2c/f7/302cf76de0da57602de53a000aae2222.jpg 

Peanut Butter Cookies

This is my favorite recipe for peanut butter cookies I have found, and I make peanut butter cookies a lot! I love this recipe because the ingredients are simple and it has never taken me more than 20 minutes to make them (including prep time!).

Ingrediants:
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 egg

Begin with preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Take the peanut butter and sugar and mix them together first. Then add the egg and baking soda. I like to roll the dough and place the it about two inches apart from each other. I always add extra sugar on top before I put it into the oven. The cookies only need to be in the oven for 10-12 minutes, then they are ready to eat!

Enjoy the easiest, most delicious peanut butter cookie recipe!

Welcome!

Hello!

My name is Liz Powell and currently live in the wonderful town of Lawrence, KS. I am a student at Washburn University and like so many other students have a very busy schedule. I love to bake and eat sweets so I decided I'm going to blog all about testing out wonderful new recipes! All of the recipes I make will be from scratch and easy for bakers of all levels! All my recipes will take less than 30 minutes to prepare for all of those on the go.

I look forward to sharing with you!

Liz

P.S. I have added a map of where the closest Dillon's grocery store is to Washburn University in Topeka, KS. Hope you find this useful.