Chunky Peanut Butter M&M Cookies & Cookie Bites

Chunky Peanut Butter M&M Cookies & Cookie Bites

May 17, 2012 by · 2 Comments

I don’t know what my obsession with M&Ms is lately, but I seem to be buying out the stock of them in the store and baking EVERYTHING with them.  Maybe it’s because I like how colorful they  make my cookies rather than using chocolate chips…. maybe it’s just cause I love chocolate… or maybe… well who cares, I just love them!

I’m pretty sure a lot of you have seen the chocolate chip cookies that have been floating around Pinterest and the internet that require 36 hours of chilling before baking.  I had often wondered myself what all this chilling really does for a cookie… I have never really tried it with a cookie other than my Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, but reading all these blogs talk about how amazing their cookies were after a prolonged chill… I got to wondering if this would work with other cookie dough recipes?

Peanut butter cookies are similar in ingredients to the chocolate chip cookie, brown sugar, butter, egg, flour, etc etc so I thought it might work.  Plus, everything I’d read about this long chill, the cookies turn out crisp on the edges and chewy in the centers… which is exactly what I wanted for these peanut butter cookies.

So, I’m patient… but I’m not THAT patient.  I didn’t chill these cookies for 36 hours, I made it about 19 hours.  But… I’m thinking that it’s a perfect amount of time because the cookies turned out perfect!! Chewy in the middle, a bit crisp on the edges, golden brown and so good!

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Chunky Peanut Butter M&M Cookies & Cookie Bites

Prep Time: 18 hours

Cook Time: 11 minutes

Total Time: 20 hours

Yield: About 32 3in cookies + 24 cookie bites

These peanut butter cookies are the perfect combination of crisp edges with chewy centers with a peanut & M&M in every bite!

Ingredients

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

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, slightly soft but still cold
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla

  • 1 cup unsalted peanuts, chopped into chunks
  • 1 12.6oz bag of M&M candies

  • 1/2 cup sugar for rolling cookies

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix in the chopped peanuts and set aside.
  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the peanut butter, butter and sugars for 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time and vanilla and cream for another 3 minutes. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl often to ensure everything is incorporated.
  4. Add the flour mixture in two parts, mixing until just combined.
  5. Fold in the M&Ms using a spatula (NOTE: You can use your mixer for this, but make sure you do it on low so the M&Ms don't break.)
  6. Cover dough and refrigerate overnight or at least 18 hours.
  7. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  8. Roll out 2 inch balls of dough and coat with sugar.
  9. Place balls on cookie sheet 2 inches apart and press down with a fork in a criss-cross pattern until slightly flattened.
  10. Bake for 10-12 minutes or the cookie is slightly golden brown. NOTE: DO NOT over bake these cookies!! You want the middles to seem gooey still! I baked mine exactly 11 minutes, but every oven varies.
  11. Allow to cool on pan for 3-4 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely. (Or if you're like me, you'll eat them straight from the oven!)
  12. Keep dough refrigerated between batches so it stays chilled.
    13. Cookie Bites:
  13. Spray lightly the insides of a mini muffin pan with cooking spray.
  14. Place 1in balls of cookie dough into each opening.
  15. Bake at 350 F degrees for 7-9 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden brown.
  16. Allow to cool at least 5 mins in pan. Use a toothpick to pop out each bite. NOTE: If you try to remove the cookie bites too early, they may fall apart. You want to give them enough time to set up before removing.
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Filed Under: brown sugar, candy, candy filled cookies, chocolate, cookies, featured, M&Ms, mini, peanut butter, peanut butter and chocolate, peanut butter cookies, recipes
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

April 23, 2012 by · 13 Comments

I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve actually baked a cupcake.  Weeks… probably more like months.  I’ve baked cookies, scones and crescent rolls, but no cupcakes!  Crazy, huh?  Cause this is supposed to be a cupcake blog, right?

Hmmm… So yeah.  I made cupcakes today.  And, I didn’t start back into baking cupcakes slowly.  No, I didn’t ease into things.  I went BIG!

Chocolate cupcake + Cookie Dough = HOLY GOODNESS!!!

Baked inside this cupcake is a chocolate chip cookie dough ball.  Yah, you read me right.  Cookie Dough.  The best thing that God ever created inside this cupcake.

And to make things even better…. the frosting.  Cookie Dough.   Both my hubby and my neighbor told me I needed to just make this frosting.  A big giant bowl of it so they could take a spoon and scoop it out and shove it in their mouth.  It’s that good.

Personally, I found the bottom of the cupcake to be the best.   But hey, everyone has their preferences.

Print
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

Rating: 51

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

Ingredients

    Cookie Dough Filling:
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1/8 tsp baking soda
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 Tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
    • Chocolate Cupcakes:
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp espresso powder (optional)
  • 3/4 cup hot water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
    • Cookie Dough Frosting:
  • 12 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Decorate:
  • additional mini chocolate chips
  • 12 mini chocolate chip cookies (I used Chips Ahoy)

Instructions

    Cookie Dough Filling:
  1. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the butter, sugars, milk and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Whisk in the dry ingredients and the chocolate chips until smooth.
  4. Refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes or until firm.
  5. Scoop out dough into 12 balls. Freeze for at least 30 minutes.
    6. Chocolate Cupcakes:
  6. Preheat the oven to 375 F degrees. Line a cupcake pan with 12 liners.
  7. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda and salt.
  8. Add the water, oil, egg and vanilla and whisk until smooth. Use a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are combined.
  9. Fill each cupcake liner 1/2-2/3 full. NOTE: You may have extra batter... no worries, make extra cupcakes!
  10. Gently press a cookie dough ball into the center of each cupcake, only submerging the ball 1/2 way.
  11. Bake the cupcakes for 19-21 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cupcake portion of the cupcake (not tested through the center where the dough is), comes out fairly dry. Chunks/pieces of cake are okay, just not moist batter.
  12. Cool the cupcakes completely before frosting.
    13. Cookie Dough Frosting:
  13. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars until smooth and creamy.
  14. Add the flour, milk and vanilla and beat on high until well combined.
    15. To Assemble:
  15. Pipe swirls of frosting onto each cupcake.
  16. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top and garnish with a mini chocolate chip cookie.

Notes

Source: cupcakes & frosting slightly adapted from RecipeGirl

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Filed Under: brown sugar, cake batter, chocolate, cookie cupcakes, cookie cupcakes, cooking icing, cupcake recipes, featured, filled cupcakes, frosting and icing, recipes
Cinnamon Crescent Rolls & a New Baby

Cinnamon Crescent Rolls & a New Baby

March 10, 2012 by · 8 Comments

I’m baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!  Well… back to baking, that is.  I’m about at 20% right now, but I wanted to get back in the kitchen and bake something our first weekend home with my new baby boy.

Oh, you didn’t know I had a baby?  YES… this week, Monday!

Matthew William was born (via c- section) on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 8:31am in Weiden in der Oberfalz, Germany weighing 5lbs 12oz and 19.5in long.  He has all 10 fingers and 10 toes, blue eyes, brown hair and looks just like his daddy! He’s pretty  much perfect and I’m so in love with him.

Matty came home on Thursday and this morning I decided that I wanted to bake something simple.  I can only stand for a few minutes at a time since I’m healing so slowly.  (In Germany, they don’t give you any pain medication or send you home with anything after a c-section, so I hurt… a lot.) I decided to use a can of pre-made crescent rolls and saucy them up with ooey gooey filling of cinnamon, sugar and butter.  It only took me about 10 minutes to put together and a few more in the oven before these breakfast pastries were ready!  A perfect way to get back in to the kitchen!

Print
Cinnamon Crescent Rolls

Prep Time: 7 minutes

Cook Time: 11 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Serving Size: 8 rolls

Quick, simple and delicious breakfast rolls filled with butter, sugar and spice! YUM!

Ingredients

    Rolls:
  • 1 can of refrigerator crescent rolls (I used Original Pillsbury)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, soft
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, NOT packed
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
    • Glaze:
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 Tbsp heavy cream (you can use milk if you don't have cream)
  • pinch cinnamon

Instructions

    Rolls:
  1. Preheat oven to the temperature listed on the refrigerator crescent rolls packaging. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a small prep bowl, add butter, sugars, cinnamon and nutmeg. Using the back of a spatula, press the sugars and spices into the butter until combined.
  3. Roll out the crescent rolls and separate each triangle, laying them out on your counter or work surface. Scoop a Tbsp of the butter/sugar mixture onto each piece of dough and spread evenly across the entire surface.
  4. Roll the dough as you normally would and place on prepared cookie sheet.
  5. Bake 1-3 minutes longer than what the crescent roll baking instructions require. NOTE: Filling will ooze out of the rolls onto the sheet. Don't worry! You can scoop this out with each roll and it's delicious!
  6. Remove immediately to a wire rack to cool.
  7. Drizzle with glaze before serving.
    8. Glaze:
  8. In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and 1 Tbsp of cream with a fork.
  9. Add upto one more Tbsp of cream until you come to a consistency which can be drizzled over the rolls.
  10. Add a pinch of cinnamon and mix in.
  11. Drizzle glaze over slightly cooled rolls.
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Filed Under: baby, bread and pretzels, breakfast, brown sugar, cinnamon, family, glaze, life, recipes, rolls & biscuits
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