Category: Food

Treat Time!

Sadie2 Comments

Rice Krispie treats.  Need I say more?

This has become my go-to option when I need a quick and tasty treat to share with a group.  Rice Krispie treats are always a crowd pleaser.  It’s a little disheartening because they’re so easy to make and yet so delicious.  To amp them up a little I try to mix in some interesting ingredients.  Just so it looks like I put some effort into the situation.  This time I went with coconut, almonds, and white chocolate chips.  A winning combination.

Coconut Almond White Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats

Yields approximately 18 muffin cup portions

Ingredients

  • 1/2 stick of butter (4 Tbs)
  • slash of vanilla extract
  • 1 16 oz bag of mini marshmallows (slightly bigger then the standard 10 oz bag)
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies (or generic equivalent)
  • 1 packed cup of coconut flakes
  • 1 cup slivered almonds
  • 10- 12 oz white chocolate chips
  • rainbow sprinkles (optional, but highly recommended)

Method

  1. Melt butter in pot over medium heat.  When butter is melted, add 3/4 of the marshmallows.  Add vanilla extract (be careful because it has alcohol in it so there is potential for flames).
  2. Combine 3 cups of Rice Krispies, coconut, almonds, and the rest of the marshmallows in large bowl.
  3. When the marshmallows are completely melted, turn off the heat and add the other 3 cups of Rice Krispies to the pot.  Mix to combine the pour mixture into the bowl with the other add ins.
  4. When ingredients are well combined, add white chocolate chips and sprinkles.  Mix to combine.  (if you add the sprinkles and chocolate too early it will melt more than you want)
  5. Transfer mixture into muffin cups or desired pan.  Allow to cool or chill in fridge.  Enjoy!

Back in Business

Sadie1 Comment

So I’m back in Virginia in my own cozy apartment.  I really missed my apartment when I was in Connecticut.  I was living with just the bare necessities in Connecticut so I was so happy to see all of my stuff when I got home to VA.

After dumping the contents of my car into the middle of my living room, it took me just over a week to dig myself out of my own mess and clean up my apartment.  In addition to unpacking from the summer I also cleaned out my closet so I could actually fit my clothes back into it.  It felt so good to get rid of five large shopping bags filled to brims with old clothes that I don’t wear anymore.  I hope I do this on a more regular basis in the future.

As I settle back in, I am slowly restocking the ingredients in my kitchen, and I jumped back into baking with a cookie recipe I found while perusing blogs.  It’s definitely a great one for peanut butter lovers.  It’s a twist on a traditional peanut butter cookie with the addition of chocolate chips and peanuts!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yields 2-3 dozen depending of size from Confections of a Foodie Bride

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter room temp
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups + 2 Tbsp flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 16 oz semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup unsalted peanuts chopped

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.
  3. Cream together butter and peanut butter.  Add sugars and beat until fluffy.
  4. Add in eggs one at a time and vanilla extract.
  5. Slowly add in flour mixture.  Mix until just combined, and then fold in chocolate and nuts.  The dough will be kind of crumbly.
  6. Form large balls of cookie dough and allow to chill for 20 minutes.  (I smushed them down before I put them in the oven so they would end up flatter)
  7. Bake at 375 for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.  Allow to cool and enjoy!

The Black and White Cookie

CarrieLeave a comment

Do you remember the Seinfeld episode that centered around a Black and White Cookie?  At the bakery, you can get a cookie just like the one seen in the show.  This simple cookie is a delicious treat for anyone at any age.  A cake-like cookie smothered in chocolate and vanilla icing can satisfy anyone’s craving.  I can’t give away our secret recipe but here’s a good one I found on Epicurious.com

Ingredients for Cookies

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup well-shaken buttermilk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/3 cup (5 1/3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg

Ingredients for Icings

  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

To Make cookies:
Preheat oven to 350°F.

Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Stir together buttermilk and vanilla in a cup.

Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes, then add egg, beating until combined well. Mix in flour mixture and buttermilk mixture alternately in batches at low speed (scraping down side of bowl occasionally), beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix until smooth.

Spoon 1/4 cups of batter about 2 inches apart onto a buttered large baking sheet. Bake in middle of oven until tops are puffed and pale golden, and cookies spring back when touched, 15 to 17 minutes. Transfer with a metal spatula to a rack and chill (to cool quickly), about 5 minutes.

Make icings while cookies chill:
Stir together confectioners sugar, corn syrup, lemon juice, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl until smooth. Transfer half of icing to another bowl and stir in cocoa, adding more water, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, to thin to same consistency as white icing.

Ice cookies:
Turn cookies flat sides up, then spread white icing over half of each and chocolate over other half.