Baking With Little Sister: PB Cookie In A Cup

My sister Genesis loves to bake cookies with me. Almost every night before she goes to sleep she asks me, "Kianna, can we bake cookies tomorrow?" Months before, we used up all of our chocolate chips while making this recipe, so I was stuck. I was on a mission to find a new recipe that we could make to hold us off until we got a chance to get some more chocolate chips. I found this great recipe for Peanut Butter Cookie In A Cup and since we had all of the ingredients  on hand, it was perfect.

Here's the recipe and a Instagram video of my sister and I baking it while jammin' to KLOVE.

Peanut Butter Cookie In A Cup

1 Tablespoon of Butter

1 Tablespoon of Peanut Butter

1 Tablespoon of firmly packed Dark Brown Sugar

1 Tablespoon of Granulated White Sugar

2-3 drops of Pure Vanilla Extract {a splash}

Small pinch of Kosher Salt

1 egg yolk

3 level Tablespoons of All-Purpose Flour

Crushed Peanuts for topping (optional)

In a bowl, melt peanut butter and butter together in microwave for about 30 seconds. 

Add sugars, salt and vanilla and stir to combine. 

Add egg yolk and stir again. Add flour and give a final stir. Scoop mixture into a mug.

Sprinkle peanuts on top (if you're using peanuts) heat in microwave for around 45 seconds. Microwaves vary, so start checking for doneness at 35 seconds. Serve warm!

Recipe: Pizza Pockets

A few weeks ago I made up a recipe for lunch. I had opened the refrigerator and was so uninspired by what was there. I mean, it was all good stuff... but I was craving something a little different. When all hope seemed lost, I caught sight of a few items we had purchased planning to use them at some point. I was inspired (and hungry) so I made up this recipe for pizza pockets.

ingredients: 

-freshly grated mozzarella cheese

-garlic in olive oil (optional)

-tomato or meat sauce

-precut pepperonis

-butter biscuits

-dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano.

{Step 1} Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees. Pop open your can of biscuits and flatten them out on a plate or cutting board. You can use your hands or a rolling pin.

{Step 2} With a spoon, dollop on your tomato or meat sauce on half of the biscuit. Drizzle on a bit of garlic oil. It's okay if you get a few flecks of garlic in your pocket.

{Step 3} Sprinkle on your mozzarella cheese and your herbs. 

{Step 4} Place two pepperonis on top of the cheese.

{Step 4} Carefully flip over the other half of your biscuit (the half without ingredients) and with a fork, press down the edges of the biscuit.

{Step 5} Repeat the process with the remaining biscuits and place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until brown. 

So, in five easy steps you've got a delicious meal that could be eaten for lunch or could double as dinner and served with a salad. You could even do this recipe assembly-line style and cut down your prep time. My family loves this recipe and since the little sister is so find of pizza, she likes when I surprise her with a batch of my pizza pockets.

Recipes: Cream Cheese Cookies

I am always looking for simple recipes that I can make in a pinch. When I found and tried this cookie recipe, I knew I had to share it. 

In this recipe, cream cheese and butter team up to create deliciously flaky, tender cookies with just the slightest tang.

You'll need:

1stick (4 oz.) unsalted butter, at room temperature

4 oz. (1/2 package) cream cheese, at room temperature

6 tbsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 egg yolk

1/8 tsp. salt

1 cup plus 2 tbsp. flour 

1. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar on high speed for three minutes.

2. Add the vanilla, egg yolk and salt and mix at low speed until blended. Mix in flour at low speed until incorporated.

3. Let the dough chill for a bit in the fridge. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with wax paper.

4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and using a cookie cutter, cut out cookies and transfer to prepared baking sheet. 

optional: sprinkle the cookies with sanding sugar

5. Bake the cookies for 10-20 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool. 

6. Serve with a tall glass of cold milk and enjoy!

If you want to get that cute little circular shape I got, just use the cap of a three-liter soda bottle.

Summer Series: A Refeshing Start To Summer

Summer is my favorite season. All of the flowers are in full bloom. Birds seem to be chirping at the top of their lungs. I can hear them from my window and their song is pleasantly melodic. With all of the pretty scents and sounds of summer come hot weather. The temperatures soar high into the 90's, leaving us all feeling sticky. Summer also beckons Mr.Softy. For those of you who don't live in the city, Mr.Softy is the ice cream truck that drives around with a catchy tune playing. On those humid days, the last thing I want to eat is a heavy, hot meal or a so sweet cone. I crave fresh salads, light lunches and homemade fruit juice. There is no need to eat those unhealthy things when wonderful fruits and veggies are at their peak.

Here are a few ways to spruce up your summer menu.

Have a favorite tropical fruit? Maybe two or three? Blend them all together with water and a little bit of sugar. Pass the mixture through a strainer (if you picky about pulp) and enjoy! To make things even better, pour the juice into ice pop molds, freeze and serve as ice pops. Skip sweet ice cream and have your favorite fruit flavored pop. So refreshing!

Berry Bonanza: Swap that bag of chips and a Capri-sun pouch for a bag of berries. Choose your favorites, put them in a baggie and munch in those throughout your day. If you want to add a punch if sweetness, add a dollop of cool whip and dip your berries in. YUM!

Drink water. Trust me, I know that water is not the most tasty beverage out on the market, but it is the most healthy. Drink a few cups of water throughout the day to feel refreshed. It also does wonders for your skin and leaves you feeling refreshed!

Make cold pasta salad and antipasto. There's no need to zap anything in the microwave this summer. Make a cold pasta salad (pasta, green peppers, diced chicken) and lightly dress in alfredo sauce.Or, make an antipasto with chunks of ham, turkey and your other favorite deli meats. Add olives if you like and dress in Italian dressing.

Make a salad. Throw together chopped lettuce and spinach, diced tomatoes and pepper (red, green and yellow) along with your other favorite veggies. Lightly toss in a tasty dressing or make your own. Here's a recipe:

1 c. olive oil

1/4 c. cider vinegar

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. grated Parmesan cheese

In a medium bowl or a container with a lid, whisk (shake) all ingredients. Keep refrigerated.

Do you have a few of your favorite summer meals or ideas you'd like to share? Feel free to email me or comment below. I'd love to hear how you cope with summer heat and refreshing meals:)

Recipes: No-Bake Energy Bites

I love quick, easy recipes. If your like me (you don't have time to bake all day or prepare snacks) then you'll love this recipe. Even if you do have time to devote to baking (or snack making) then you too will love this recipe... trust me.

Today's recipe is No-Bake Energy Bites. Here's the ingredients: (thanks Maggie):

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)

1/3 cup honey

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Mix everything in a medium bowl until every delicious component is thoroughly incorporated. Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, roll into balls and enjoy! Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Wasn't that super easy! When you try this recipe, because I know you will, let me know how they came out and how much you like them.

mom says these look like little soldiers preparing to march into her tummy:)

Enjoy!

Recipes: Apple Oatmeal Cinnamon Cookies.

Do you sometimes crave a sweet treat? Do you always have an hour to bake a cake or pie? Yes and no are my answers. After some recipe research and a bit of testing on my behalf, I've come up with a delicious soft cookie recipe.

• 2/3 cup of softened butter   
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1 tbsp. vanilla
• 1 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cup of flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 1/2 cups of uncooked quick oats
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1-2 medium sized apples

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

2. Peel and slice your apples 

3. Mix all of your dry (sifted) ingredients. {flour, sugar, baking soda, oats and cinnamon.}

4. Add the rest of your ingredients {milk, vanilla, and butter} to your dry ingredients.

5. Add the apples to mixture.

6. Butter your cookie sheet

7. Spoon the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet leaving about and inch between each dallop

8. Place your cookie sheet into your oven and let the cookies bake for 10 minutes.

9. After 10 minutes let the cookies cool and serve with a tall glass of cold milk.

Voila! You have a fast, simple, and delicious snack.