3 Last Minute Halloween Treats

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I have to tell you that my co-workers really get in to Halloween.  The other day I walked in and there were hanging bats, twinkling skulls light, cobwebs, and even a rat or two lurking around the aisles.

I love Halloween myself, especially the costumes and the make-up.  I was once a "cat" character from the play Cats.  I love doing the make-up on that one.  I also remember one year as a unicorn.  So many good times celebrating Halloween.  These days it has a totally different memory associated as it's also my and MGG's dating anniversary.  So our celebrations have taken a little different turn than the usual boo-fest!

This year my co-workers decided to have a potluck, with all Halloween treats.  Sugar heaven for sure!  So I went on to Pinterest and chose 3 treats that I could make quickly, but would be totally cute and wow my co-workers.

Treat #1:   Sweet and Salty Halloween Crackers
Found on Pinterest here.  This is an easy treat to make using store bought (bright) orange peanut butter crackers, black candy melts, and Halloween sprinkles.  Just melt the candy in a bowl according to the package directions.  Dip one corner in the candy mixture and place it on a sheet pan lined with wax paper.  Add sprinkles and allow to dry.  Simple!

Treat #2:  Frankenstein Monster Cookies
Found on Pinterest here.  This is a totally sweet treat.  Buy some chocolate wafer cookies, neon green candy melts, chocolate sprinkles, and candy eyes.  These are really fun and easy to prepare.  Just dip the wafers in the melted green candy and place on a sheet pan lined with wax paper.  Then sprinkle chocolate sprinkles on the top 1/4 to make the hair.  Add 1 or 2 eyes, then add another chocolate sprinkle for the mouth.  Allow to dry and then you have a cute treat to share!

Treat #3:  Savory Spiders
Found on Pinterest here.  I really like this one, and think it was the easiest to make.  Buy Ritz crackers, peanut butter, pretzel sticks, and candy eyes.  To make just take one Ritz cracker and add some peanut butter to the inside.  Break three pretzel sticks in half and add them horizontally to each side so they are sticking out like legs.  Add more peanut butter to the inside of another cracker and place on top of the one with the pretzels.  Push together so they adhere well.  With another dab of peanut butter add two candy eyes on the top cracker.  Repeat, repeat, repeat!


These will all be a big hit at the party.  They are almost too cute to eat!
Happy Halloween!

Easy Peanut Butter Balls

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It's Christmas goodie making day!

Every year I make a bundle of Christmas goodies for MGG's staff and mine as well, and today is the day.  It's a marathon of baking to say the least.

Today I'm bringing you a wonderful treat.  Tell me, honestly, who doesn't love peanut butter and chocolate?  I haven't met a single soul yet!

I've always been a great fan of Buckeyes cookies, and this little recipe for Easy Peanut Butter Balls, I got from my mom are pretty much the same only slightly bigger in size and completely covered in chocolate.  They are so scrumptious it was hard to keep us from eating them and getting them into the cookie containers!

They are easy to make and you can adjust the size to make a ton of them if you want.  I used this 2 tablespoon cookie scoop, but you could use this 1 tablespoon cookie scoop for more delicate ones.  It's also recommended that you freeze the peanut butter balls so they firm up.  They are much easier to handle when dipping in chocolate. 

Easy Peanut Butter Balls are always such a great hit.  Kids and adults alike love them!  I hope you add these to your list of Christmas treats this year.

Enjoy!

Easy Peanut Butter Balls

2 cups creamy peanut butter

2 cups confectioner's sugar
4 Tbls unsalted butter, softened
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
1 12-ounce package dark chocolate chips

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.  

Using an electric mixer, mix together peanut butter, confectioner's sugar, butter, vanilla extract and salt  on low until combined. Using a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop dough to create individual balls and place onto the parchment paper. Place them in freezer for 15 minutes so they harden a little bit.

Melt chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl in the microwave for 1 minute at 50 % power.  Stir, continue heating at 50% power in 30 second increments until melted, stirring after each interval.

Remove peanut butter balls from the freezer and dip into the melted chocolate using a spoon and then place back onto the parchment paper lined baking sheet to dry.

These may be stored in an airtight container for several day, or in the refrigerator, although they will harden slightly.

Nutella Swirled Peanut Butter Banana Bread

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Baking in the fall and winter is the best!

Especially on a weekend morning.

The kitchen is all cozy and warm from the oven, and then you get to eat something that's warm and toasty along with your morning coffee or tea.  Oh, it's just the best feeling, don't you think?  It reminds me of baking with my mom when I was growing up.  Dreaming of muffins and quick breads and pies, Oh My!

Today is all about quick breads though.  I just love them.  They are really a form of cake, in between a muffin and a cake I would say.  They are very easy to throw together.  I think the hardest part is waiting for them to bake, because they do require usually around 50-60 minutes in the oven.  Waiting, waiting, waiting....when will the magic happen?

But when that hot, steamy bread comes out of the oven and the aroma fills the air, oh boy....look out.  Heaven is visiting you! 

NUTELLA SWIRLED PEANUT BUTTER BANANA BREAD

Quick breads come in so many varieties.  Banana bread is a standard and is very popular.  Some of my favorite quick breads are Apple Cider Quick Bread,  Strawberry Banana Bread, and Cranberry Orange Quick Bread.  Today we are talking chocolate and peanut butter banana bread.  And not just any chocolate, but Nutella...swirled in the quick bread.  Oh boy!  Just thinking about the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, warm from the oven is making my mouth water!

You, your family, and your kids are sure to love this breakfast treat.  It's not only for breakfast though.  It makes a good after school snack, and it's great with afternoon tea.  Dessert, "Yes Please..."  This is good any 'ole time in my house.  Here's a secret...we've been known to snack on this in bed, crumbs and all.

So make sure to try this right away.  It's the perfect weather for a warm, fresh from the oven, quick bread. 

Enjoy!






Nutella Swirled Peanut Butter Banana Bread


3 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 c canola oil
1 egg
1/3 c sugar
1/4 c packed brown sugar
1 1/2 c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c Reese's Peanut Chips
3 Tbls Nutella

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9x5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set it aside.

In a medium bowl, add together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, whisking to blend. In a large bowl, add mashed bananas, oil, egg and sugars.  Stir until combined well.

Add the flour mixture into the banana mixture stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in peanut butter chips.

Spread batter into pan. Drop 3 tablespoons of Nutella on top of bread in a row. Swirl with a knife.

Bake for about 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool in loaf pan for 10 minutes, then loosen the edges remove from loaf pan, placing on a cooling rack.  Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes and then slice with a serrated knife.

Banana Oat Breakfast Cookie

They say breakfast is the most important meal of they day.

After the body has been at rest it's a good idea to feed it in the morning so you energy to last you to the next meal.  It's simple really.  A good energy laden breakfast will satisfy you and give you the pep you need to feed your brain and muscles until lunch time.

During the week I'm not that great of a breakfast eater.  Toast on the run kind of girl.  So when I came across these wonderful breakfast cookies (yes, I said cookies!) that promised me a healthy start to my day I jumped at the chance to make them.  I mean, who doesn't want to eat a cookie for breakfast?

These are low in fat, contain whole grains, and lots of energy producing ingredients that are perfect for breakfast.  Much better than that muffin you pick up at Starbuck's with your morning coffee...

These are also a great snack.  One you should feel proud to feed your kids, and they're gonna love them too!  And since this makes a big batch you can freeze them.  Just pull them out of the freezer to thaw whenever you crave one.
 

They turned out wonderful.  Moist and chewy with some sweetness.  Do you like trail mix, or energy bars?  Well this is just like that, in a cookie.  And I tell you, they will fill you up.  What a perfect way to avoid those mid-morning cravings and avoid all the extra calories.  Perfect in every way.  

Enjoy!

Banana Oat Breakfast Cookie

Adapted from BHG

Yields: 12 breakfast cookies

1 large banana, mashed (1/2 cup)

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup dried cranberries 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly coat two cookie sheets with cooking spray; set aside. In a large bowl, stir together banana, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla.   Add oats, flour, milk powder, cinnamon, and baking soda. Stir until combined. Stir in dried cranberries.

Using a 1/4-cup measure scoop, drop mounds of dough 3 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. With a thin metal or small plastic spatula dipped in water, flatten and spread each mound of dough to a 2 3/4-inch round, about 1/2-inch thick. Once baked, each cookie will be about 3-1/2 to 4 inches in diameter.

Bake, one sheet at a time, for 13 -14 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months; thaw before serving.

Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich aka "The Elvis"

I'm running out the door...

Today's "MY" day.  The day I do things that I want.  Pampering day, shopping day, anything that tickles my fancy.  So I'm off to attend a couple of classes.  First up is a class on making Easter Baskets.  Easter is a favorite holiday of mine, so making an Easter basket is right up my alley.  Brings back so many great childhood memories.  

And, it that is not enough, I'm attending another class too!  A cooking class discovering the many dishes using fresh spring vegetables.  How cool is that!  I can't wait to share these recipes with you.

Needless to say I'm running around the house trying to get ready.  One thing about me....I'm hungry in the morning.  My stomach is actually yelling "feed me" from the moment I wake up.  Always has been...always will.  So a quick on the go breakfast is a must today.

Do you find yourself ever needing a good breakfast, one that travels well?  One you can take with you and eat along the way?  I think there are always times like that. This sandwich is perfect for on the go rush breakfasts.  The combination is classic peanut butter, bananas, and toast.  Also known as "The Elvis" (I'm a huge Elvis fan!) This is wholesome and good for you, if you use the right ingredients.

To make this lighter we use a light wheat bread (lower calories and carbs), light peanut butter (lower fat and sodium), and a banana (healthy as is!).  Simple to make, full or protein, and easy to eat on the run.  Plus the kids will love it!

Hope you enjoy my "quick" breakfast sandwich.  "Thank you, thank you very much!"

Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich aka "The Elvis"

serves 1

2 slices of light wheat bread
4 T light peanut butter
1 medium banana, sliced

Toast the wheat bread until golden brown.  Spread peanut butter on both slices of bread.  Top one bread slice with banana slices covering the peanut butter.  Top with the other slice of bread, peanut butter side down.   Slice sandwich in half and enjoy.