Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chunk Blondies

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chunk Blondies

December 27, 2011 by · 1 Comment

On Christmas, my family and I went to a community dinner sp0nsored by the USO.  Lots of people brought side dishes and desserts to the dinner and one in particular stood out to me…

It was a blondie of sorts.  A cookie bar.  Inside it had chocolate and marshmallow… and it got me to thinking, why haven’t I made more blondies before?

Since I had these two beautiful  jars of homemade peanut butter that I had just whipped up… I knew this was a perfect opportunity to make some peanut butter blondies!

The grocery store had a huge sale on it’s holiday bags of chocolate… so I picked up a couple bags of Hershey’s Chocolate Chunks for only $1 each today… so I knew I had to include some chocolate with the peanut butter!

This recipe makes a ton of peanut butter chocolate chunk blondies…. so be prepared to share!

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chunk Blondies
Makes 12 large squares… more if you cut them smaller

1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 cups light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup homemade peanut butter (see my recipe!)

2 eggs
1tsp vanilla

1/4 cup milk

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

1 cup + 1/4 cup chocolate chunks

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 F degrees.  Great a 9×13 metal pan with shortening or butter.
  2. In a medium sauce pan, melt together the butter and brown sugar on medium heat… whisking often.
  3. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in the peanut butter.  Whisk until all the peanut butter has melted.  Set aside to cool as you prepare the flour.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  5. Whisk the eggs and vanilla into the butter/sugar mixture.
  6. Make a well in the middle of the flour and pur the butter/sugar mixture in.  Using a spatula, fold the butter/sugar into the flour about 6-7 strokes.
  7. Add the milk and fold 4-5 more strokes.   You just want to barely combine the ingredients, making sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl.
  8. Dump in the chocolate chips and fold until combined.
  9. Pour the thick batter into your prepared pan and spread to the edges.  Top with the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chunks.
  10. Bake 25-30 minutes or until the top and edges have turned a golden brown.  Allow to cool in the pan before cutting into squares.
  11. Drizzle with extra peanut butter, serve with a big glass of milk and enjoy!

Filed Under: bars, blondies, brown sugar, chocolate, featured, peanut butter, recipes
White Chocolate topped Gingerbread Blossoms

White Chocolate topped Gingerbread Blossoms

November 21, 2011 by · 3 Comments

Confession #1:  I love the Holiday season for one huge reason… It gives me an excuse to BAKE ALL THE TIME.

Confession #2:  I HOARD baking supplies.  This is a new thing for me.  Since moving to Germany, the luxuries of American grocery stores, having everything I need, at my disposal, all of the time is not a reality here.  When I see something at my local military commissary, I buy it… in bulk.

Confession #3:  I think “blossoms” may be becoming my favorite holiday cookie.  I have discovered two new ways of making them other than the traditional peanut butter with chocolate on top.  First, was my White Chocolate with Peppermint Kiss Blossoms and now these.  Gingerbread blossoms topped with white chocolate chips.

Confession #4: I’ve come to the realization that I’m not going to make it though the Holiday season without gaining 10lbs just from cookies.  It’s okay though, I’ll blame it on the pregnancy.

White Chocolate topped Gingerbread Blossoms
Makes 3 dozen+ cookies

3/4 cup (12 tbsp or 1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup full flavor molasses
1 tbsp bourbon whiskey (you can substitute vanilla if you don’t have bourbon)
2 tbsp milk

3 cups flour
1 tbsp ground ginger (fresh if possible)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg (fresh if possible)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup sugar
1 cup white chocolate chips

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking soda.  Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar for about 2 minutes.
  3. Add the egg to the sugar/butter and cream for another 2 minutes.  Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl.
  4. Slowly pour in molasses and bourbon then beat until combined.
  5. In three parts, add the flour mixture.  Scrape the sides of the bowl between each addition.  Mix just until combined.
  6. Add the milk and mix only until incorporated.
  7. Scrape the sides of the bowl and pat the dough into a ball.  Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour to firm.  If you have time, you can put the dough into the refrigerator 8 hours or overnight.
  8. When ready to bake your cookies, line cookie sheet with parchment paper and pre-heat your oven to 350 F degrees.
  9. Scoop 1-inch balls of dough using an ice cream scoop and form them into a ball using your hands.  Roll them in the sugar then place 2 inches apart on your lined cookie sheet.
  10. Bake 8-10 minutes or until the edges begin to brown.  Do not over bake!
  11. Immediately press your thumb into the top of each cookie.  Drop 6 white chocolate chips into the well you just created then remove cookies to a wire rack.
  12. After chocolate begins to melt, use a toothpick to swirl the chocolate together into a pretty swirl.
  13. Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Recipe adapted from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

Filed Under: blossoms, brown sugar, cinnamon, cookies, gingerbread, gingerbread, recipes, white chocolate
Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Kiss Cookies

Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Kiss Cookies

November 7, 2011 by · 2 Comments

This weekend was HUGE for me. 270 cupcakes all by myself, plus selling them. I was EXHAUSTED by the time Sunday rolled around. I thought I wouldn’t want to bake for a week.

WRONG!

Monday rolls around and I’m back in the kitchen baking. This time, one of my favorite combos: Peanut Butter and Chocolate.

I made these soft and chewy peanut buttery chocolate kiss cookies cause ya know, they’re my favorite and I made them HUGE because well, you know… everything is better when it’s HUGE!

Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Kiss Cookies
Makes 2-3 dozen JUMBO cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup peanut butter, extra crunchy
2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp vanilla extract
5 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 10oz bags HERSHEY’S mini chocolate Kisses

  1. Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.  Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cream together the butter and peanut butter.
  3. Add the sugars and beat on high until combined.
  4. Add the eggs, one at a time and mix on high for 2-3 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
  5. Beat in the corn syrup, water and vanilla extract.
  6. Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.
  7. Add the flour mixture in two parts to the cookie dough, mixing only until just combined.
  8. Fold in the mini kisses.
  9. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop 8 mounds of cookie dough onto your pan.
  10. Bake for 9-10 minutes.  DO NOT OVER BAKE!  You want them to begin to turn golden on top but still be soft in the middle.
  11. Remove to a wire rack immediately to cool.
Filed Under: brown sugar, chocolate, cookies, featured, peanut butter, peanut butter and chocolate, recipes
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Frosting

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Frosting

October 19, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

I’m so excited!  Not only was our Commissary finally stocked with pumpkin puree but to share my new favorite pumpkin recipe! I just baked it this afternoon and its so delicious thank you Ina Garten for making this pumkinlicious creation that I found off of Pinterest.

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Frosting

Makes 12 servings

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup canned pumpkin purée (8 ounces), not pie filling

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Maple Frosting (recipe follows)

1/2 cup coarsely chopped Heath bars, for serving (2 1.4-ounce bars)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush or spray the top of 10 muffin tins with vegetable oil and line them with 10 paper liners.

2. Into a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. In a larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin purée, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Add the flour mixture and stir until combined.

3. Divide the batter among the prepared tins (I use a level 2 1/4-inch ice cream scoop) and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely.

4. Spread the cupcakes with the Maple Frosting and sprinkle with the chopped toffee bits.

Maple Frosting

6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 teaspoon Boyajian Natural Maple Flavor (I used Mc Cormick)

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (I just used a wooden spoon and mixed it well), cream the cream cheese and butter on low speed until smooth. Stir in the maple flavoring and vanilla extract. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the confectioners’ sugar and mix until smooth.

ENJOY!

Filed Under: brown sugar, cinnamon, cream cheese, cupcake recipes, holiday, maple extract, maple frosting, posts by danielle, pumpkin, pumpkin cupcakes, recipes, seasonal and holiday cupcakes
Banana Whoopie Pies (with PB & Bacon!)

Banana Whoopie Pies (with PB & Bacon!)

April 30, 2011 by · 3 Comments

So, clearly I’m still on a huge banana and PB kick.  I had a few bananas left over from cupcakes the other day and I’ve been saving this banana whoopie pie recipe for a while now… so here we are with more bananas, more peanut butter frosting and well, bacon. Of course.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: banana, brown sugar, cream cheese, peanut butter, posts by jenn, recipes
A Collection of Homemade Baking Ingredients

A Collection of Homemade Baking Ingredients

November 29, 2010 by · 1 Comment

With the Holiday Season in full swing,  I’m sure you’ve got your baking lists ready and plenty of holiday cupcakes to bake!  What better way to make your cupcakes then with a few homemade ingredients! [Read more...]

Filed Under: brown sugar, chocolate, tips & tricks, vanilla
Appledoodle Cupcakes

Appledoodle Cupcakes

October 26, 2010 by · Leave a Comment

I had a very special request by Carrie of Bella Cupcake Couture.  ”Tree Hugger Apple” cupcakes for her birthday! [Read more...]

Filed Under: brown sugar, buttercream, caramel, cinnamon, featured, filled cupcakes, fruit, recipes
Brown Sugar Chocolate Scones

Brown Sugar Chocolate Scones

March 19, 2010 by · 1 Comment

Evil Shenanigans is one of my favorite blogs to follow, so when she posted the recipe for Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Scones from SCRATCH I knew I had to make them! [Read more...]

Filed Under: brown sugar, chocolate, featured, recipes, scones

Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Cupcakes

October 14, 2009 by · 3 Comments

Yes… It’s been a over a month since I last blogged and even longer since I’ve made cupcakes. But, with one month down of this deployment, I was feeling like I could get back into the swing of things again. My friend Heather and I decided to get our kids together to make cupcakes… and with her favorite food in the world being cookie dough, I came up with this recipe!

Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Cupcakes topped with Chocolate Buttercream and Chocolate Chips

Click on image above for recipe
Filed Under: brown sugar, buttercream, chocolate, cookies, recipes