Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

Okay, these are SUPER rich brownies and I LOVE them! I got them from the Betty Crocker website and they TOTALLY will satisfy your chocolate peanut butter craving. The BEST part about them is that they are super EASY but taste like they actually took some EFFORT to make. They would be GREAT take-alongs to a barbeque, picnic or ANY future get together you have planned.

Ingredients:

Brownie Layer

1 box brownie mix (I always use whatever is cheapest)

Water, oil and eggs called for on the brownie mix

Peanut Butter Filling

1/2 C butter, softened

1/2 C creamy peanut butter

2 C powdered sugar

2 t milk

Top Layer

1 C chocolate chips (semisweet or milk)

1/4 C butter

Directions:

- Make and bake brownie mix according to package. Let cool completely. (I lined the pan with foil, then greased the bottom of the foil for easier cutting and less of a mess)

- Mix peanut butter filling ingredients in a medium bowl. Spread evenly over brownies.

- Microwave the top layer ingredients for 30-60 seconds, stir until smooth. Allow to cool a little (few minutes or so) then spread over filling layer.

-Refrigerate 30 minutes or longer.

Treasure Island Cookies

So, if you are not a follower of my personal blog, then this recipe is going to be NEW to you.  I originally thought the name of this recipe was Treasure Island Cookies but it is actually called Mom's Treasure Cookies.  I got the recipe off of the ALLRECIPES website and I just LOVE this site, often returning to it when I am experiencing a cooking funk.  I think Treasure Island Cookies sound better so I am just going to stick with that name.  Anyways, these are SUPER YUMMY.  This is, by far, one of my FAVORITE cookie recipes and hopefully will become one of yours as well!

Ingredients:

1 2/3 C all-purpose flour

3/4 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1 1/2 (12 T) sticks butter, softened

3/4 C packed brown sugar

1/3 C white sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 t vanilla extract (I use 1 T, you need to ALWAYS add extra vanilla for TASTIER cookies!)

1 C milk chocolate chips (or whatever you have on hand- semi sweet, butterscotch, white chocolate, combination- whatever)

1 C flaked coconut (I add 1 1/2 C)

1 C chopped pecans (any other nuts or combination works great as well, probably not peanuts)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  

Combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl, set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown and white sugars together.  Add the egg and vanilla, mix well.

Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.

Mix in the chocolate chips, coconut and nuts.

Roll into 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes.  

Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

Camping Munch

(Also known as "MonkeeMunch" or "PuppyChow")

I was first introduced to this yummy delight back in High School. I worked as a lifeguard and on a break, my co-worker, Nicki, shared this snack with me! Luckily, she knew the recipe off hand and willingly gave it to me! I always make this when we travel or go camping (hence our family's new nickname ). There are many variations of this recipe out there, so if you dont already have one, this is a keeper! It is delightful on its own, but you can easily omit the cereal and powdered sugar and pour the chocolate/peanut butter mixture over ice-cream as a topping...or better yet, make the complete recipe and then place it on ice-cream! No matter what you call it, or how you make it...it is GOOD!!!

Munch:

2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet)

1 cup peanut Butter

1/2 cup butter

1 large box Toasted Rice Ceral (like Chex or Crispix)

3 cups powdered sugar

Heat chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter on HIGH in a glass bowl in microwave until melted. (Or heat on the stove top). Mix well. Combine cereal and chocolate mix in a large bowl. Stir until cereal is completely coated. Place powdered sugar in a large ziplock bag (at least the gallon size...preferably larger). Add cereal mix, and shake to coat. Spread on wax paper and let stand until set!