Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

It may have been 30 years ago, but I remember the day like yesterday.  Swishing down the slopes at Heavenly Ski Resort in Tahoe we had only one more run.  The sun was sinking low on the horizon and my energy quickly falling with it.  

Thinking "One more run, how hard can it be?" the answer was obvious when my fellow skiiers pointed to the black diamond sign instead of the pretty blue square.

With legs like rubber and a full day of snow already under my belt my heart simply sank (power skiier I am not...).  Heading up the lift I pulled out the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups I'd been saving all day and polished them off before hitting the top.

Regrouping I sighed and made for the slope.  And that's when the chocolate peanut butter goodness carried me to the bottom of the mountain with perfect form and energy to spare.  One of the best runs I've had even to this day, I can still almost feel the wind on my face as I flew down the run.

Peanut Butter Cups remain a forever favorite, but as I've matured (grown old??) the ingredients in the Reese's version have lost their appeal.  With milk, soy lecithin, and things called "PGPR" and "TBHQ" on the list I've turned to making my own.

So easy and with just a few ingredients, once you try these super peanut buttery treats the ones in the package simply won't do.

Good quality chocolate here is a must, as is a good quality peanut butter.  I've actually taken to making my own nut butters, and when I find organic peanuts they somehow find their way into the chocolate and onto my plate.

Perhaps one of my favorite treats ever... enjoy the chocolate peanut love!

Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

Homework takes a lot of energy, especially when it includes teenage boys, long hours and cameras.  Preparing for an upcoming Broadcasting Competition, Liv and her group spent the afternoon at our house practicing with a short story on ISIS, and I'm amazed at how these kids can throw 90 seconds together on a surprise subject and end up with a professionally done story suitable for tv.

While I love listening to them, it's hard not to interject my opinions on everything from the subject matter to camera angles.  I've been requested to "hold my ideas", however cookies are always welcome.  And today Classic Peanut Butter Cookies fit the bill.

Adapted from a Martha Stewart Living recipe, I reduced the butter and added oat flour for a cookie that I can serve and watch them demolish while feeling good they are getting a decent snack with a bit of nutrition.

Proclaimed "One of the best cookies I've ever had!",  I loved that the boys suggested they film all their projects here, and I've promised cookies every time.

Peanut Buter Banana Cluster Kind Cookies

Food Blogging is indeed a strange and exciting world... It's one where key connections and amazing friendships grow through online relationships.  It's a world where sometimes boxes of treats arrive at my doorstep having my whole family curiously peering inside anticipating what treasure will emerge.  Much of the time they casually comment, "Oh... cool..." as I extract a jar of mustard or fill a bowl with fresh fava beans and peaches or crack the spine of a freshly printed cookbook.

Our last box, however, elicited a much different response.  Cutting the tape and removing the packaging, hands flew as bags of Kind Clusters along with a few Kind bars were called "this one's totally mine!!" as each family member claimed their favorite.

You're familiar with the Kind line of whole grain products, aren't you??  A favorite in my family for years, Kind products use ingredients you are familiar with... real food (you'll recognize ingredients as something you would have in your home pantry) that packs perfectly for our on-the-go lifestyle.  Liv always carries either a bar or bag of clusters in her dance bag, and my son tosses their dairy-free bars into his backpack on his way to school or work.

Tweeting a simple comment of:
 

"Have you tried @KINDSnacks Vanilla Blueberry Clusters???!! Bought a bag for a recipe and Liv and I ate the whole thing before we got home!!" 

led to our Kind connection, and one we couldn't be more thankful for.  And... one that elicited similar results as my Twitter comment (I think the Vanilla Blueberry is still my personal favorite).

For the first time in my blog history, I actually had to go and repurchase the samples that we received in the mail to write a post.  Leaving the samples in the box with a comment of "Don't eat these... I need to take pictures and make a recipe", I will admit I didn't actually hear any comments of agreement, and sure enough, when I returned to the box I found empty  bags and wrappers - and Liv wanting to know why I had never bought her the "Dark Chocolate Chewy with a Crunch" Healthy Grain Bars in the past, and would I go buy more because she really liked them??

After yet another trip to the store I returned with clusters in hand and finally the recipe I had been planning came to be.  Frequently using granola in my baking, I love the texture it brings to softer cookies, and the granola-like Kind Banana Nut Clusters made a perfect replacement to the rolled oats in one of our favorite snacks, Peanut Butter Banana Breakfast Bites.

Packed with protein, banana and whole grains, these cookies are a treat perfect for any time of day.  They curb mid-afternoon hunger pangs, lend a little energy on the way to dance class or the gym, and make a nice midnight snack without guilt.  Adding Kind's Banana Nut Clusters to this batch, I found the texture to be irresistible.  A nice soft cookie, now with a bit of a bite, we've made three batches over the last few weeks and no one seems to be tiring of them yet.

A big thanks to Kind for our Kind Care Package!  With school just around the corner we're stocking up on the kid's favorites and making a care package of our own as we send our son off to college.  Nearly every day is a Kind day for us, and we hope it is for you too.

Hershey's Classic Peanut Blossoms

Peanut buttery with a delightful sugar crunch and kissed with a touch of chocolate, most everyone loves these classic cookies.  For many of us, the Peanut Blossom transports us back to our childhood, while faces of kids today shine with recognition as they eagerly reach for seconds.

I'm guessing Mrs. Freda Smith, of Gibonsburg, Ohio had no idea the impact her recipe would have on generations to follow when she entered the 9th Annual Pillsbury Bake-off in 1957.  While she didn't win the Grand Prize, the popularity of her cookies have far outreached the Accordion Treats brought by the 1957 Grand Prize Winner, Gerda Roderer.

With adaptations made and published by numerous companies, it was the Hershey Company that acted on a hunch and printed Mrs. Smith's Peanut Blossom recipe on the back of packages of their Hershey Kisses.  Slightly less sweet and with a bigger peanut butter punch, the Hershey version remains my personal favorite.

Freda may not have been Bake-Off winner, but she will forever be thanked and appreciated by the millions who have enjoyed her sugary peanut butter/chocolate combo for over 55 years.  A true classic, no cookie repertoire is complete without this recipe.  Thanks Freda.

Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chunks... Gluten, Dairy Free and Irresistible!

How do you feel about Wednesday?? A thought provoking question that recently appeared as a college application essay for the University of Chicago.  With our life currently revolving around college essays and everything college application related, my son brought this one to me with a look of utter disbelief and asked, "What would you write?"

Hmmm... Wednesday.  Sort of an innocuous day that really doesn't bring much emotion.  The weekend is still too far away to get excited about, yet we are already half way through our week of insane schedules, so I feel like we are getting there.

Wednesday, for us, brings a late start to school and an extra hour of sleep that somehow makes this day a little brighter than some of the others.  Especially as my alarm goes off after the sun rises, not as it merely thinks about peeking its rays over the horizon.  Waking to the sun, and usually a few minutes before the alarm goes off, my Wednesday sets off to a good start.

With the usual errands filling the day, Wednesday seems to pass rather uneventfully with each one mostly like the next or the last, but will admit to enjoying a few hours to myself with the pups as the kids are at school and my husband at work.  Noontime, though, brings thoughts of the kids returning soon and a knowledge that they will be hungry.  As such, my thoughts turn to food, and today, to cookies. Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chunks to be exact.

Gluten and dairy free, these irresistible little bites bring Wednesday to a new level.  Bursting with peanut buttery flavor, the crumb sort of melts in your mouth and has you immediately reaching for another.  The semi-sweet chocolate chunks add an additional layer of depth, and again, have you immediately reaching for another.

So, as for Wednesday... while I'm not thinking my somewhat indifferent thoughts on the day will get me into college, this Wednesday has shaped up to be a pretty good one.  How do you feel about Wednesday??

Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chunks
Gluten and dairy free (not that anyone would know it!) these cookies whip together in a flash and disappear just as quickly.  Just what anyone would need to perk up their Wednesday!
adapted from a recipe found in Real Simple
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1 cup peanut butter (we use Jiff**)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1 handful chocolate chips (we used Trader Joe's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks)

Preheat oven to 350ºF, and line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.

In a medium bowl combine all the ingredients and using a wooden spoon, stir well to combine.

Drop rounded teaspoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets (place about 2 inches apart and do not flatten).  Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until the cookies are puffed, golden and a little cracked on top.  Remove from the oven and allow to firm up on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes.  I dare you not to eat one!!  ;)

Remove from baking sheet and place on a wire rack to cool.  Enjoy!

**Liv Life Note:  We've made these both with natural peanut butter (I used Trader Joe's brand) and with Jiff cream and with Jiff crunchy peanut butters.  While all were a delight to eat, those made with Jiff had a more "cookie-like" texture. 

Double Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter, oatmeal, and peanut butter cups... 3 ingredients leading to positively perfect peanut buttery heaven.  Add in those other cookie ingredients (flour, sugar, etc) and we have a cookie that tempted me to hide the batch and not share with a soul.  Caught in the act, Liv and her brother twisted my arm eagerly grabbing what they claimed to be their "fair share".  Needless to say, this batch didn't make it to morning.

Have you tried these Trader Joe's Mini Peanut Butter Cups??  Let me just say we had to return to the store more than once as they somehow seemed to evaporate before we actually got the cookies made.  Little bites of peanut buttery awesomeness, they added an outrageously incredible bite to the soft, puffy cookies.

I must also note that the cookie dough test (we do test all of our cookie dough, but we suggest you do so at your own risk due to the raw egg content...) was unquestionably amazing.  I may or may not have maneuvered my spoon gathering a few extra mini pb cups during the test, but I can without a doubt proclaim perfection.

Peanut Butter Lover's unite!!  This cookie is for you!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Clusters

Shhh... don't tell Liv and her friends, but I made them chocolate clusters from their favorite Peanut Butter Granola for last weekend's dance competition.  Protein packed with peanut butter and filled with rolled oats, these crunchy clusters were the perfect snack to fuel them during those quick changes before they had to run back on stage.

Well, let me rephrase.  They would have been the perfect snack... if I hadn't eaten them all in the days before the event.

I had good intentions, really I did.  I prepped on Friday making the Peanut Butter Granola.  Low in fat and nutritionally boosted with egg whites and ground flax meal, the girls never really know that it's good for them and always ask for more.

Going for something special, I coated the granola with melted dark chocolate and the spread it out to set.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?)  Liv was at dance rehearsals, and I thought I should try one of the clusters.  You know, just to make sure it tasted OK.  So I did.  And then I did again, and then I did almost every time I walked by.

Saturday came, and luckily I still had plenty of the clusters to pack for our dance event on Sunday.  But, as the day wore on, I may have eaten more than my fair share.

Come Sunday morning  as I packed our food for the day, I realized I really didn't have enough of the clusters left to share, so I left the few remaining pieces home.  On Monday I finished them off realizing I hadn't shared them with anyone.

Hence, I have no recommendations from any of the dance girls or my fellow dance moms.  No one in my family had a try, and there's none left for for anyone to taste.  I'm thinking I might make more for them.  I only hope they actually get some this time...

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Candy Cookies

 

I'm not much of a betting person, but how awesome is it to win a bet and receive a big plate of my favorite crunchy peanut butter cookies??  I'll admit to feeling slightly guilty receiving them as the terms of the bet left me certain that the bet would turn my way, and taking them from a sweet 13-year old girl had me thinking I'd better return the favor.

Vanners flies on the stage!

You may remember Vanners from our Sleepover Tips video.  Part of Liv's dance team, I've grown to love her along with many of the other girls almost like my own.  She beamed as she presented me the plate of my favorite PB cookies that she had researched and made herself, and our conversation turned to other favorite ingredients.  Her mention of M&M cookies led us to this modified oatmeal, peanut butter M&M version that received glowing reviews from our carpool today.

While Liv loved everything about the cookie with the exception of "You try to make everything healthy by adding oatmeal", Molly and I loved the oatmeal simply for its taste and texture and never gave the "healthy oatmeal" part a second thought.  Morgan gave the cookies an 8+ out of 10 claiming that even though she doesn't usually like oatmeal cookies, she wouldn't have known it was there if Liv hadn't said anything.  Leaving me with hugs, thank yous and the request to bring them anytime, these beauties are definitely on our to keep list and will no doubt make the rounds often.  I can't wait to hear at pick-up tonight what Vanners thinks about the recipe as we've sent a heaping plate her way.

Filled with that "healthy oatmeal", these thick, chewy cookies boast handfuls of chunked chocolate along with butterscotch chips which perfectly complement the peanut butter M&M eggs that are currently in our stores as we anticipate Easter.  All combining nicely with the creamy peanut butter, these cookies will most certainly fit the bill if you are ever needing to fulfill a bet.

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Bites

For most of my life I've looked to food to heal me when I wasn't feeling well.  Orange juice for a cold, chicken soup for achy flu-like symptoms, bananas for additional energy, etc.  Pumping rainbows of ingredients into the kids since birth, I've attempted to build strong muscles with lean protein, strengthen growing bones with calcium and ward of disease with organic greens and veggies.  Many of my dance mom friends (Liv dances on a local competitive team) are like minded and together we've done our best to protect our families.  Much as I'd like to think of our food actions as some sort of safety net, making all the right decisions sometimes doesn't matter.

Two years ago my dance mom friend Shelby began feeling a few pains in her side.  A specimen of the perfect eater, Shelby only fed her family organic foods and made sure that rainbow of fruits and vegetables existed to fuel their busy bodies.  However that pain didn't go away.

After extensive testing Shelby was diagnosed with cancer.  She underwent chemo and numerous surgeries, and last May she was pronounced in remission.  She celebrated onstage at our annual studio recital, as any dance mom might, and her smile shone brighter than the lights upon her as she struck a final pose in the tap number dedicated to her remission.

Shelby... the ultimate dance mom and dancer!

However, the lights dimmed only a few months later with the return of the cancer around Halloween.  Struggling through additional surgeries the doctors did their best to remove the toxic cells, but no treatment was enough to beat them.  Thanksgiving brought visits of family along with Hospice.

Today Shelby struggles to live one more day.  And tomorrow she will do the same, until the cancer cells finally win (edited to note that Shelby lost her battle on March 13, 2013).  Her body may be growing weaker, but the light in her eyes and the humor in her spirit are still shining brightly.  Her family has surrounded her with love and last week they put together a Celebration of Life in her honor bringing family and friends together in the pure joy of her being.

Shelby leaves an impact on each and every person lucky enough to be a part of her life, and while I'm not a close family friend, she will forever remain a symbol of strength and an example of someone who truly "Livs Life" to every extent of their being.  I am honored to be part of her dance mom world and will never forget her beaming smile as she watches her girls dance or when she took the stage herself.

Wishing these Breakfast Cookies packed with protein, banana and fiber from oatmeal would make a difference for Shelby, I've made them for my dance carpool girls in her honor.  As we enter this dance season full speed ahead, the girls need fuel for their bodies in training, but something fun and tasty as well.  These peanut butter "cookies" fit the bill.

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache

Some holidays are meant to be celebrated with flair, and today is indeed one of those days.  National Peanut Butter Day ranks right up there with Christmas and Thanksgiving in my book, and remains a "holiday" that I sometimes entertain celebrating daily.

If you are a familiar reader of Liv Life, you may remember a peanut butter recipe or two... those Peanut Butter Waffle Sandwiches are still being requested by my carpool girls, along with the PB Granola which also remains favorite. Peanut Butter Krispie Treats?  Well they've earned the third spot on our list of all time viewed posts.  Apparently I'm not the only one with Peanut Butter love.

As such, we most certainly couldn't let National Peanut Butter Day go by without a peanut butter treat, and with chocolate also pretty darn high on our happy scale, why not go all out and put the two together??

Enter Fine Cooking's recipe for Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches by one of my favorite bakers, Abby Dodge.  I don't think I've found a recipe from Abby that I don't love, and the well worn page in my October 2007 Fine Cooking magazine evidences that this one is no different.

Being a dairy as well as gluten free recipe, this one meets the requirements of my lactose intolerant son and has him smiling and eating without worry.  For those not needing gluten/dairy free conditions, you'll never know the difference.  Actually, when we started making these my family had no dairy issues, so the recipe was simply made out of pure peanut butter love.

Pure peanut buttery taste shines in this flourless cookie, and the bite becomes ever so addicting as the chocolate center sets up, bringing an irresistible creamy crunch that surprises that palate.  Described in the reviews on the Fine Cooking site as "The ultimate last meal cookie", I don't think there is anything further I can add.

With that, let's celebrate...

   Happy National Peanut Butter Day 2013!

PBJ Banana Waffle Sandwiches

Even the most organized of us sometimes run out of an ingredient, but to run out of syrup on the day one makes waffles is unforgivable.  Or so I've been told.

With a batch of steaming Banana Waffles (our Blueberry Waffle recipe with bananas replacing the blueberries) ready to be eaten, Liv shook her head in despair as less than 1/2 of a teaspoon of syrup slowly dripped from our empty bottle.  Minutes before heading out the door to school, I had no alternative suggestion other than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, something she is not particularly fond of.

A look of deep thought flashed over her face, and I was commanded to grab the peanut butter.  As I reached for bread as well, she smiled, but shook her head no.

Grabbing the top waffle, the triangles were quickly separated, one side slathered with creamy peanut butter and the other with her favorite strawberry jam (Personally, I love how the peanut butter and jelly sinks into the little waffle squares...).  Smooshing the triangle sandwiches together, I tapped my watch and told her, "Make it to go.".

Settled in the car she took her first bite.  Here eyes momentarily closed followed quickly with a broad smile as she went back for more.  Finishing the first waffle sandwich she had only one comment,

"Brilliant!"

Peanut Butter Waffles

As I rose before the kids, I hoped their first early morning of the school year was eased ever so slightly with aromas of freshly baked waffles wafting throughout the house.  Up at the break of dawn, I had the flour mixed, eggs lightly beaten, and the waffle iron hot before the full sunrise.  A touch of peanut butter in the batter proved somewhat controversial in prior discussions, however that same touch also proved to be an extraordinarily welcomed addition on this early first day of school morning.

Now left with empty plates and syrup drips on the table, I find myself alone in the house for the first time in months.  I've been looking forward to this day, but now that it's here, I find myself somewhat lonely, and even a little emotional.

Then... and now.

It seems only yesterday that I sent my little 5 year old boy off to kindergarten and watched in amazement as a few of the veteran moms simply popped their kids out of the the car, driving off with errands on their minds as I stood rooted to the playground grass watching my son keep his eye on me while he played.

As the bell rang the teacher mentioned it was time for parents to go.  A look of fear passed over my son's face as he decided whether to run to me or follow the other kids to the line.  He did go to the line but the tears welling up in his eyes brought tears to my own, tears which flowed again 4 hours later as he sprinted from the classroom and leaped into my open, waiting arms.  Burying his head into my shoulder he cried how he had missed me, and I responded in like fashion.

A similar scenario followed for a few years, but today things are different.  My six-foot tall junior in high school still has to let me drive him to school due to the lack of his car ownership, however he pops out of the car as soon as traffic slows, and today there is no looking back at mommy... no tears in his lake blue eyes.  But there were tears in mine.

I know my time is coming close.  I know that two years from now I will also be dropping him off at school, but that day he won't be coming home when the school day is done.  Hopefully he'll home for Christmas break, but I know the man who comes home will be different from the man I drop off.  And while I'm so very proud of that person he is becoming, I also know I will forever miss that little boy who ran into my arms and missed me.

But for today, there were waffles.  My waffles, and he liked them.  He even said thanks, and I got an ever so quick pat on the shoulder before we headed to the car.  He chatted on the ride, and I savored each and every second of our time alone in the car together.

I know my husband and I have done a good job, we've prepared him for life without us and he will succeed.  He is confident, bright and eager to grow.  He will go out into the world and I will become more of an afterthought... as it should be.  But he will miss my waffles.

Peanut Butter Granola

"Peanut Butter Granola... what do you think??"  That was the message I sent to one of Liv's dance friends a week or two ago, and almost immediately I received a response in all caps, "I THINK YES!".

Ellie, one of the girls in our dance carpool last year, discovered she does indeed love granola, and became one of my main taste testers as we set about creating our own granola recipes.  Trying to bring the girls healthy snacks between school and dance rehearsals, I didn't think granola would fly, but the sweetened, crunchy goodness became a favored treat.  While our opinions varied on the correct amount of sweetness, we all came to look forward to a little bag of granola in the car.

Ellie and Liv are frequently matched up as dance partners, and have danced as everything from hillbillies, baseball players to the characters from West Side Story.  Right - Ellie hip hops her way to Nationals.

Usually filled with a base of rolled oats, we've added everything from dried mangoes and macadamia nuts, raisins and pepitas, slivered almonds and apricots, and beyond.  Usually the mixture benefited from the sweet addition (the fruits) and some sort of salty addition (the nuts and seeds) to bring depth.  But this Peanut Butter Granola... well, this one can stand alone.

Simply filled with oats, flax, peanut butter, brown sugar, vanilla and an egg white, the mixture still meets my approval for a healthy snack, but the with no added fruits for sweetness, the amount of sugar for the girl's taste for sweetness goes a bit above my happy point.  None-the-less, with the delicate peanut buttery goodness, I too found the granola to be nearly irresistible.

As Ellie's birthday happened to coincide with our granola prep, she became the happy recipient of a freshly prepared jar of Peanut Butter Granola.  How many teenagers do you know whose eyes light up at the sight of sweetened oats??

Happy Birthday Ellie!

Cereal Treat Round Up - Living Life

Perusing many of my favorite foodie blogs over the last few days, I've been thrilled to see the red, white and blue proudly displayed in everything from salads to frozen pops to cakes.  I, however, am with Liv in hot, hot, hot Las Vegas for the dance season finale, Nationals.

Liv & Vanners prepare for a group number

Sitting in the audience, I often find myself moved to tears as I watch Liv and her teammates perform their hearts out.  The confidence these young dancers show is phenomenal, and when combined with the skill that comes with those hours of practice, I simply sit in awe at the sheer talent.

As we made our way from San Diego to Vegas, Vanners, whom you may remember from our Sleepover Special, and Liv began reminiscing about the Fruity Cereal Treats - Vegas Style, that they prepared and styled at last year's Nationals.  Fruity Cereal Treats quickly turned into thoughts of Cinnamon Krispie Treats which just happened to be packed in the cooler for our long weekend.  Digging through the mounds of costumes, shoes, accessories, etc, that us dance moms have become all to familiar with, the girls found the Cinnamon Treat package, and I'm afraid there is not much left to share.

Liv!

What we do have to share though, are some of our favorite Krispie Treats which have accumulated on Liv Life over the years.  Not a fan as a youngster, it was my son who prompted another Krispie Treat attempt years after his first taste with the addition of Peanut Butter.  And he liked them.  So did I.

Inspiring somewhat of a Krispie Treat obsession, we've used Nutella, Reese's Pieces, Cinnamon, and multiple layers of peanut butter fudge and ganche to provide mouthwatering treats that are anything but average.

Peanut Butter Krispie Treats with Mini Peanut Butter Cups

Cocoa Marshmallow Krispie Treats

Cinnamon Marshmallow Krispie Treats with Cinnamon Glaze

Triple Peanut Butter Krispie Treats with Peanut Butter Fudge and Peanut Butter Ganache

Holiday Krispie Treats
Use different color candies for different holidays

Nutella Krispie Treats

Fruity Cereal Treats

Vanners!

Vanners takes the stage!