Busy weekend. Lazy weekend. | Peanut butter KISSES cookies

Certainly there are fancier, more homemade baked goods that come out of our ovens. But let’s not kid ourselves. Even though we crave fresh-bakes cookies, on some weekends we are just too busy, and on some gray cozy Saturdays we are just too lazy, to spend more than half an hour baking and cleaning up the kitchen.

The good thing is that even as classic and simple as these are, I’ve never known a kid, or any human for that matter, to refuse a HERSHEY’S KISS surrounded by a soft peanut butter cookie. That’s why these used to be the perfect classroom or 4-H party treat. (B.P.A. – Before Peanut Allergies)

And I love that I can use my new bowl that I got from my mom last Christmas. It’s from the General Store of Minnetonka in Minnesota — an incredible shopping experience.

Another one-bowl peanut butter and chocolate recipe that makes a couple dozen pop-in-your-mouth goodies is Reese’s P.B. Poppers. Basically, your pantry shelf should always hold a package of peanut butter cookie mix and either HERSHEY’S KISSES or miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Peanut Butter KISSES Cookies

1 package peanut butter cookie mix and the ingredients to make them

1/4 to 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, optional

approximately 36 HERSHEY’S KISSES milk chocolate candies, unwrapped

Preheat oven to 350˚. Make the cookie dough according to package directions; stirring in 1/4 to 1/2 cup peanut butter to dough if desired.

Place dough by tablespoons on a cookie sheet. I make the cookies really small because my favorite part is the middle bite that has a chocolate KISS with a little bit of soft peanut butter cookie stuck on the bottom. If you make them really small, you’ll get approximately 36 little cookies from one batch.

Bake according to package directions. Do not overbake. Remove from oven. Immediately place an unwrapped HERSHEY’S KISS in the center of each cookie, pressing down gently. Cool 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

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Your IT guy knows how to make monster cookie bar strips

He’s been holding out on you. No, it’s not about monster (strip) bars, your IT guy knows how to bake! His secret is out – and from one big, bad batch, you can make a 10-pound pan of golden brown monster bars and at least two dozen Monster cookies easily mistaken for small pizzas jammed with M&M’s, oatmeal, peanut butter, and chocolate chips.

For the sake of privacy, we’ll call him Rich. Ok, maybe it wasn’t his idea to cut the bars into strips and triangles, but Rich was the one who brought these to work in 2007. And I’ve only used his monster cookie recipe since.

I recommend you use a sturdy, wooden spoon toward the end of the mixing process in this recipe. If you try to whip these up with nothing but your electric mixer, it’ll start smoking like a hot summer night’s fire pit.

I like to make a pan of bars and roll the rest of the dough into big cookie balls and put them in the freezer to bake another day. (Use a cookie scoop so you are making similar sizes.) Line the balls of dough on a large cookie sheet(s) and put them in the freezer. Don’t let the cookies touch each other. Once they are frozen, you can put the cookie balls in plastic containers or plastic freezer bags. When you want fresh-baked Monster Cookies, grab how many ever you want from the freezer and thaw. Then bake as usual at 350° for approximately 12-16 minutes, depending on how large they are.

Monster Cookies, Bars and Strips

2 sticks softened butter

2-1/2 cups creamy peanut butter

2 cups white sugar

2 cups brown sugar

4 teaspoons baking soda

6 eggs

1 Tablespoon light corn syrup

1 Tablespoon vanilla

9 cups quick-cooking oats

2-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

3-1/4 cups plain M&M’s

Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare pans. If you want to use all your cookie dough at once, you can make one 13×9 pan of bars (baking time takes about 20-25 minutes) and at least two dozen large cookies (baking time takes about 12-16 minutes). Or, you can make two 13×9 pans of bars. Or, if you only want cookies, you can make at least six dozen large cookies or even a few more dozen if you make them smaller.

1. In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, cream softened butter and peanut butter together.
2. Add white sugar and brown sugar, beating until well combined.
3. Add baking soda.
4. Add eggs and beat well.
5. Pour in the corn syrup and vanilla. Continue mixing until everything is incorporated well.
6. At this point, you should be able to add at least a few cups of the oats and still use your mixer. But once the dough gets too heavy, stop using the mixer and continue adding oats stirring the batter with a wooden spoon. Use your sexy arm muscles.
7. Stir in the M&M’s and chocolate chips.

If you are making bars, spread half of the dough into a 13×9-inch pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until nice and golden brown. If you take the pan out before they turn golden brown, the middle will not be done.

For cookies, baking time depends on how large you make them. Place on cookie sheet. Using the back of a spoon, gently push down the dough a little but so that they spread out instead of baking in one mound. Bake at 350° for 12-16 minutes, or until golden brown. I like to sprinkle just a tiny bit of pink Himalayan salt or sea salt on mine when they come out of the oven.

That’s it! Now you’ve got enough monster cookies, bars, and strips to share with your favorite IT guys. And gals.

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They Ate All But Three | Chewy Cocoa P.B. Chip Cookies

It’s not clear to me how it happened, but somewhere between the pumpkin pie, washing the dishes, opening presents, and setting out all the goodies, all but three of my chewy cocoa peanut butter chip cookies disappeared.

And I faintly recall what sounded like a Food Network cookie review behind me as we washed dishes. There was talk of “they’re so soft,” “I like the crunchy edges,” and “there’s a perfect ratio of chocolate and peanut butter.”

Speaking of Christmas cookies, we can’t be the only family that’s overly ambitious with our Christmas baking. Between the bakers in my family, there are six ovens, six mixers, and countless pounds of sugar involved in the making of our annual goodies feast. Of course, we eat a traditional meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, too.

And this table is not an accurate account of how many sweets we really had because there are more in the refrigerator and a big stack sitting on my entryway bench that hadn’t made it to the table yet. Luckily, we all pack up containers of our favorites and enjoy them for a few weeks after Christmas.

Chewy Cocoa Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

2 cups sugar

1-1/4 cups butter, softened

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

10-ounce package (1-2/3 cups) peanut butter chips

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat sugar and softened butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Stir together and then gradually add to the butter mixture; beating until well combined. Stir in the peanut butter chips until they are distributed evenly into the cookie dough.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 9 to 10 minutes. Do not overbake. The cookies will not look like they are done but they will puff up a little when baking and then they’ll drop when they are cooling. They are soft with a little crunch around the edges. Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes and then move them to a cooling rack.

Forget about cooling completely. Start eating them after they’ve cooled 15 minutes or so. Store in an airtight container. Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies.

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{Desk-hopping Cosmic Caramel Oatmeal Bars}

The recipe for these gooey, candy-topped oatmeal bars has been playing musical desk drawers since 2007. It showed up five years ago when my day job office put together an employee cookbook.

A student employee, John, brought the recipe card to work to submit to the cookbook. He has since moved on within the company but the recipe has stayed in my work group ever since, moving from desk drawer to desk drawer, even between buildings.

I added peanut butter to the crust but you could skip it if you want. And be creative with the toppings. Butterfinger pieces might be an excellent choice in place of M&M’s. You could even add chopped nuts or crushed pretzel pieces to add a salty crunch.

The original recipe was called Pizza Bars, but that seemed a little too plain for these hyped-up, caramel bars loaded with chocolate and oatmeal. So, they have a new name now, along with a new home — my recipe box, and yours.

Cosmic Caramel Oatmeal Bars

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup creamy peanut  butter

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cup flour

2 cups quick-cooking oats

1 package caramels

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 cup mini M&M’s

1 cube vanilla almond bark

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a jelly roll pan. Unwrap caramels and place in a small saucepan. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine soda, salt, flour, and oats. Set aside. In a medium mixing bowl cream butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating until combined. Press mixture into greased pan.

Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. While it’s baking, melt sweetened condensed milk and caramels over low heat in a small saucepan. Stir constantly as it burns easily. Remove from heat once creamy.

Pour the caramel over the baked crust. Toss the chocolate chips onto the hot caramel and let sit for a couple of minutes, just until the chocolate is soft. Gently spread the chocolate over the bars. Top with mini M&M’s.

In a small bowl, melt almond bark and oil in microwave, stirring until smooth. Drizzle with a fork over the bars. Let cool for a couple of hours before cutting. Store in an airtight container. Do not store in the refrigerator as the caramel sauce becomes hard.

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What toppings would you add to make these your own creation?

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{I’ll have my cake but only eat the middle, chocolate peanut butter layer cake}

Having a love affair with baking means trying new recipes. But by no means does it mean you will like everything you bake. Has this ever happened to you?

You find a recipe that has you dashing to the store to pick up items you don’t keep on hand, (for me that’s whole milk and buttermilk), you spend a few hours in the kitchen gingerly assembling what you think will have you and your family fighting over the last slice, only to take the first bite and remember you don’t really like cake anyway. So what made you think THIS one would be so special?

It happens to the best of us. I chalk it up to “practice makes perfection” in the kitchen. My most recent incident happened with chocolate peanut butter layer cake. I don’t really like cake because I think it’s usually too dry, but this recipe had me at nutty peanut butter mousse layer. As it turns out, that was the only part I liked so I ate it out of the middle and tossed the extra calories in the trash.

If you like cake, peanut butter, and chocolate, there’s a good chance you will savor this extra sweet treat. Click here for Paula Deen’s Lipsmackin’ Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake. The recipe was published in Paula Deen Best Desserts 2009.

I really liked the nutty peanut butter mousse (using creamy peanut butter instead of crunchy), so I may use it as a filling for my heavenly chocolate cupcakes with snow frosting.

Since Jason was crunching on celery while I was digging out the middle of the cake, he spread some of the mousse on his celery. That’s what’s so fun about working in the kitchen, you can go from chocolate layer cake to a new version of ants-on-a-log. And it’s ok, and probably healthier, not to like everything we bake.

Nutty Peanut Butter Mousse

1/2 cup peanut butter morsels

1-1/4 cups heavy whipping cream, divided

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (the recipe calls for crunchy but I like creamy)

1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt peanut butter morsels and 1/4 cup whipping cream. Stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Stir in peanut butter and let cool.

In a small bowl, beat remaining 1 cup of whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. It works best if you use a glass or metal bowl that you’ve chilled in the freezer along with the beaters. Add the confectioner’s sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form.

Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled peanut butter mixture. Cover and chill. Use as filling for cupcakes or celery.

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What’s something you couldn’t wait to bake and it turned out you didn’t enjoy it as much as you thought you would?

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{Making Cheesecake a Tradition | Reese’s Salted Cheesecake}

It’s happened twice so I hope it becomes a family tradition.

When my two oldest nephews graduated from high school, I offered to bring cheesecake to their parties. Each time, my offer was accepted. On this year’s menu: Caramel Snickers, Raspberry White Chocolate Truffle, Andes Mint and Reese’s^® Salted cheesecake. This one is Garritt’s favorite.

{Reese’s^® Salted Cheesecake}

3/4 cup finely crushed vanilla wafers

3/4 cup finely crushed pretzels

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

5 packages (8-ounces each) cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for topping if desired

Heat oven to 350°. Combine crushed pretzels and vanilla wafers with melted butter. Reserve 1/4 cup for topping. Press the remaining crust mixture into a greased 9-inch springform pan or 3 greased mini cheesecake pans. Bake 8 minutes in a 9-inch springform or 4 minutes if using the mini cheesecake pans. Set aside to cool.

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add white and brown sugars, beating until light and fluffy. Add peanut butter and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Do not over beat. Stir in chopped peanut butter cups.

Pour cheesecake batter into pan. Bake in 9-inch pan for 50-55 minutes. If using mini cheesecake pans, bake 15-18 minutes or until the top starts to turn a light brown and the center still looks a little shiny.

Remove from oven and cool 2 hours. Refrigerate at least 12 hours before serving. Top with reserved crust crumbs and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Do you have a special recipe that is traditionally served at family graduation parties?

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{Almost an Empty Nester | Peanut Butter Brownies for Heidi}

Today is a big day — the day the second of three T-boys graduates from high school, which means my sister, Heidi, only has one more graduation before she’s an empty nester. Although my kids are just in middle school, I can only imagine the mixed emotions you feel when your child graduates and goes off to build their own life. The excitement of the day calls for one of Heidi’s favorite sweets. Cut yourself a big square because these brownies combine the flavors of rich chocolate and smooth peanut butter in a cross between cake-like and fudgey bars.

Garritt’s party was last weekend so I baked baby cheesecakes, including his favorite Reese’s^® Peanut Butter. Today, we celebrate with him as he walks the stage and accepts his diploma. And today we celebrate with my sister who is a mom that many of us aspire to be like. (And now that I took the time to write this post this morning, I’ll be late for my lunch with her — good thing these brownies have forgiving powers!)

{Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Brownies}

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

5 (1-ounce squares) unsweetened chocolate

2 1/3 cups white sugar, divided

6 eggs, divided

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1-3/4 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350˚. Spray 13×9 pan or line with parchment paper or non-stick foil.

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter and chocolate together, stirring until smooth. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of sugar, 5 eggs, and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until fluffy. Slowly beat in the chocolate mixture until combined.

In a small bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add it to the chocolate mixture, beating until well combined. Spread into the prepared pan and set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the peanut butter, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1 egg. Beat on medium speed until creamy. Drop the peanut butter mixture onto the chocolate mixture and spread until smooth or gently marble with a knife.

Bake for 38-40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out with minimal crumbs. Cool completely before serving.

Any of you empty nesters have advice for my Heritage-Softail-riding-hardworking-sports-going sister?

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{If You Can’t Buy ‘em, Make ‘em | Maple Nut Bars}

There’s no reason to get sappy. If you can’t buy the real Pearson’s Maple Bun Bars where you live, make them yourself! Click here for a locator to find where you can purchase the candy bars, because I highly recommend you eat the real Maple Bun Bars when you can, and make this recipe for times when you can’t.

If you aren’t familiar with the Bun Bar, maybe the Salted Nut Roll rings a bell? Or how about those little Mint Patties wrapped in silver and green foil, cleverly placed in a big jar near the cash register at your local café? They are all made at Pearson’s in Minnesota.

I like the story of Pearson’s Candy Company, which three Pearson brothers began in Minneapolis in 1909 as a candy distribution company. They did some candy manufacturing and a few years later two more brothers joined the company. At the end of World War II, they got out of the candy distribution business and focused on candy making.  In 2011, Brynwood Partners VI, L.P. purchased the company. Note to the new owners: you’ve got a good thing going here –  don’t change a thing except for making your candy available in more locations. xoxoxo Staci

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Pearson’s Candy Company in any way. Of course we all know this recipe is not really the Maple Nut Bun Bar recipe – it’s my version of the candy bar, just to get me through times I can’t buy them in my area. Unlike my opinion that my homemade Snickers^®are better than the real thing, you just can’t duplicate the distinct maple flavor and the slight snap of the chocolate layer in a real Pearson’s Maple Nut Bun Bar.

Maple Nut Bars

Generously butter a 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan.

In a large saucepan over low heat, melt together the chocolate and butterscotch chips.

Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, mixing well until smooth.

Spread a generous half of the mixture in the buttered pan. (As you can see in my first photo, the bottom chocolate layer is actually too thin – the bars are easier to get out of the pan if the bottom layer is a little thicker.) Chill in the refrigerator.

Stir peanuts into the remaining chocolate mixture. Set aside. In a large saucepan over low heat, melt butter.

Slowly add the evaporated milk.

Stir in the pudding mix. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture is slightly thickened. Do not boil. Remove from heat.

Stir in powdered sugar and maple extract. (It’s easier to use a wooden spoon at this point.) Cool slightly.

Carefully spread the maple mixture over the chilled chocolate layer in the pan. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Drop the reserved chocolate and peanut mixture by spoonfuls over the chilled maple layer; spread to cover.

Chill the bars until firm.

Store tightly covered in the refrigerator.

{Maple Nut Bars}

12 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips

12 oz. package butterscotch chips (I’m pretty sure real Maple Bun Bars don’t have butterscotch chips in them.)

2 cups creamy peanut butter (And they probably don’t use peanut butter either.)

2 cups dry roasted peanuts

1 cup butter

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1 small package cook and serve vanilla pudding mix (not instant)

2 lbs. powdered sugar (approximately 7-1/2 cups)

2 teaspoons maple extract

Generously butter a 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan. In a large saucepan over low heat, melt together the chocolate and butterscotch chips. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, mixing well until smooth. Spread a generous half of the mixture in the buttered pan. (As you can see in my first photo, the bottom chocolate layer is actually too thin – the bars are easier to get out of the pan if the bottom layer is a little thicker.) Chill in the refrigerator.

Stir peanuts into the remaining chocolate mixture. Set aside.

In a large saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Slowly add the evaporated milk. Stir in the pudding mix. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture is slightly thickened. Do not boil. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and maple extract. (It’s easier to use a wooden spoon at this point.) Cool slightly. Carefully spread the maple mixture over the chilled chocolate layer in the pan. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Drop the reserved chocolate and peanut mixture by spoonfuls over the chilled maple layer; spread to cover. Chill the bars until firm. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator. Makes approximately 48 bars.

What store-bought candy do you make in your kitchen?

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Reese’s® P.Bitty Bars

Sometimes, there’s not a long story to tell. I made bars and I called them Reese’s P.Bitty Bars because they are so good there should be a rap song about them. I brought them to a hockey party and now I wish I had kept some at home.  

The bottom and top crumble layers are made with creamy peanut butter, oatmeal, and butter. There is a gooey chocolate layer in the middle, with mini Reese’s candies tucked neatly inside.  

Get ready, bake! Preheat oven to 350°. Beat 3/4 cup softened butter, peanut butter and brown sugar until well blended.

 

Beat in eggs and vanilla.

 

Stir together flour, oats, salt, and baking soda.

 

Gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.   

Batter will resemble cookie dough. Set 2 cups of the batter aside.

Press remaining dough into a greased 13×9 inch baking pan.

Prepare the chocolate layer: Melt 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan over low heat.

Stir in cocoa and white sugar.

Add 1 can of sweetened condensed milk; stirring constantly over low heat until smooth and thick. Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla.

Spread chocolate mixture evenly over oatmeal dough in the pan.

Sprinkle the mini Reese’s candies over the chocolate.

Crumble the reserved two cups of dough over the candies.

Bake 25 minutes or until the top is lightly brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. These take a few hours to completely cool, so make them a day ahead of when you plan to devour share them.

3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

3/4 cup peanut butter

2 cups packed brown sugar, light or dark

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick butter)

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/3 cup white sugar

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/2 cups (10 ounce package) Reese’s Mini Pieces

Preheat oven to 350°. Beat 3/4 cup softened butter, peanut butter and brown sugar until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir together flour, oats, salt, and baking soda; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture. Batter will resemble cookie dough. Set 2 cups of the batter aside. Press remaining dough evenly into a greased 13×9 inch baking pan.

Prepare the chocolate layer: Melt 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in cocoa and white sugar. Add 1 can sweetened condensed milk; stirring constantly over low heat until smooth and thick. Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla.

Spread chocolate mixture evenly over oatmeal dough in the pan. Sprinkle the Reese’s candies over the chocolate. Crumble the reserved two cups of dough over the candies.

Bake 25 minutes or until top is lightly brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

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{Peanut butter pie with a story of loss and love}

It’s a story that will leave you wiping tears from your eyes. But it carries an important message. So please take a moment to read “for mikey”  from In Jennie’s Kitchen, http://www.injennieskitchen.com/2011/08/for-mikey.html. I’ll wait for you to come back.

I don’t know Jennie, but the reminder of painful loss that cuts so deep you don’t know how you’re going to pick yourself up again, is real. We somehow forget that we are God’s children – here on his time, living his plan. Our eternal life is not lived here. Death crushes our spirit and tests our faith because we love so freely, so intensely and then death sneaks in and rips everything we know away, leaving our lives crumbling all around it. Our hearts are wrapped so tightly with love that when we lose someone, we are never the same.

Jennie posted her story in early August. I couldn’t make the peanut butter pie that Friday so I made mini pies the next day and delivered them to three of my teenage nephews who live near me. (The pie is extraordinarily delicious – I can see why it was Mikey’s favorite.) I didn’t post this story at the time, but I was reminded again recently that today may end differently than I think. And it could mean living with one less person in my life that I love. It could mean I am not here tomorrow. Today is the perfect day to “make that peanut butter pie for Mikey“.

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