Toffee Nut Butterballs

A few weeks ago I bought 12 cookbooks! They were on sale, don't judge me! :) Anyway, I keep finding awesome recipes that I must try. These little cookies are a blend of toffee, pecans, and shortbread. Delightful!

Toffee Nut Butterballs

1 c. butter, softened (not unsalted)
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1 small box instant vanilla pudding (lemon or butterscotch would be great as well)
1 t. vanilla
2 c. flour
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. toffee bits
1/2 c. milk chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl combine butter, sugar, pudding, and vanilla.

 Add remaining ingredients and mix until it forms a dough.

 Drop rounded tablespoons on an ungreased cookie sheet.

 Bake 325 F for 12-15 minutes.

These are a fun and delicious little shortbread cookie. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Oat Cookies

I'm pretty obsessed with cookies. When I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I decided to make my own version. Packed with protein, fiber, and omega-3's, these little cookies are a great choice for snacking or even for breakfast!

Peanut Butter Oat Cookies (makes about 34)

3 overripe bananas, mashed
1 c. peanut butter
1/4 c. honey
2 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. oats
1 1/2 c. oat bran
1/2 c. ground flaxseed
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl, combine bananas, peanut butter, honey and vanilla.

Add dry ingredients and mix well.

 Scoop onto a greased cookie sheet (I used parchment paper and cooking spray) and gently press down.

 Bake at 350 F for 10-15 minutes, depending on how firm you them.

 These were a fun breakfast for us this morning. I'll probably end up eating all of them today... Enjoy!

Nutella Toffee Crunch Bars

Yesterday I was in the mood to make something yummy, so I started going through ingredients that I had in the pantry. Nutella+toffee bits+marshmallow cream+pretzels+chewy chocolate bar=DELICIOUS!!!! I can't even describe how amazing these are!Nutella Toffee Crunch Bars

6 T. butter, melted

1/3 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. sugar

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

1/2 c. Nutella

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. baking soda

3/4 c. oats

1/2 c. cocoa

1/4 c. flour

1/2 c. chocolate chips

topping: 1/2 c. Nutella, 1/2 c. marshmallow cream, 1/2 c. crushed pretzels, 1/4 c. toffee bits

Combine first six ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Combine the two to make a thick batter.Spread in a greased 9x9" pan.Bake at 350 F for about 25 minutes.Remove from oven and cool for about 10 minutes. Dollop with Nutella and marshmallow cream.Swirl to make it pretty. Heehee.Sprinkle with crushed pretzels and toffee bits.Cool completely in the fridge before cutting into bars.Love love love. I can't stop eating these. Enjoy!

Cookies & Cream Brownies

So yesterday I was looking through my recipe box and I found a recipe for brownies using a cake mix (I think I got it from a neighbor when I was in high school). Anyway, I decided to throw in some Oreos and white chocolate topping and the result was AMAZING!Ingredients are pretty simple:Cookies & Cream Brownies

1 dark chocolate cake mix

1 small box instant pudding, chocolate or vanilla

1 cube (1/2 c.) butter, melted

2 eggs

1/4 c. water

12-13 Oreo cookies, broken

1 c. chocolate chips (white chocolate would be amazing, too!)

2 cubes (4 oz.) white chocolate bark, melted

Combine cake mix, pudding, butter, eggs and water to form a dough. Stir in Oreos and chocolate chips.

Press dough into a greased 9x13" pan.

Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes. Cool slightly and drizzle with white chocolate bark.When cooled completely, cut into bars.I just love biting into them and finding an Oreo!I can't wait to try these with mint or peanut butter Oreos. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Cup Rice Crispy Treats

I may or may not have (but definitely did) do something terrible. I made these peanut butter cup rice crispy treats and I keep eating them...bad Mikelle! But, they were for a very good purpose. My hubby has been in med school and today was match day: the day we find out where he goes for residency. Turns out he got his first choice!!!!! We are ecstatic. Deliciousness is what happens when we celebrate at our house! :)Peanut Butter Cup Rice Crispy Treats

6 T. butter

7 c. mini marshmallows

1 c. peanut butter

6 c. puffed rice cereal

1 (12 oz.) bag chocolate chips

2 c. chopped peanut butter cups

In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until almost completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter.

Stir in puffed rice cereal.Press into a greased 9x13" pan.Melt chocolate chips and drizzle on the top.Top with chopped peanut butter cups.Cool completely and then cut into bars.These are not remotely healthy, but they are most definitely delicious! Enjoy!

Amazing Bean Brownies

Happy Valentine's Day! Here is a fun treat for your valentine. 'But, beans in brownies?' you may ask. Yes, indeed, and they're actually VERY good. This recipe is adapted from 101 Cookbooks. The texture reminds me of flourless chocolate cake. After I make a batch, I like to cut them up and store them in the freezer. I don't feel quite as guilty eating these brownies because they have some extra fiber...right? What the heck. I'll use any excuse to eat brownies!Amazing Bean Brownies

4 oz. unsweetened chocolate

1 c. (2 sticks) butter

1 (14 oz.) can black or kidney beans, drained

1/2 c. walnuts

1 t. vanilla

1/4 t. salt

4 eggs

1 c. agave (or sugar or honey)

Melt chocolate and butter together. Set aside.

In a food processor, puree beans and walnuts until mixture is somewhat smooth.Add chocolate mixture, vanilla, salt, eggs, and agave. Puree about 2 minutes more until it makes a smooth batter.Pour into a greased 9x13" pan.Bake at 325 F for 30-40 minutes.Cool completely and then refrigerate for a few hours until firm. Cut into squares.I am super excited about this recipe. It's fun and different and a little healthy. I used dark kidney beans but I plan on experimenting with other varieties. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Bran Muffins

My little girl gets so excited when we make muffins for breakfast. We did a lot of experimenting with healthy ingredients and finally found this recipe. These muffins are so good you won't believe they have 8 grams of fiber each!!

I've adapted the original recipe (which came from the side of our cereal box). Oh, the places one finds great recipes! :)Peanut Butter Bran Muffins

1 c. Kellogg's All Bran Buds

1 1/3 c. milk

1 ripe banana, mashed

1/3 c. peanut butter*

1 egg

1 c. whole wheat flour

1 c. oats

1/2 c. ground flaxseed

1/2 c. sugar

2 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1/4 t. ground nutmeg

1 c. chocolate chips (I used mini chocolate chips)

*If using unsalted peanut butter, add 1/2 t. salt

In a bowl, combine cereal and milk. Let soak about 10 minutes.

In a mixing bowl combine banana, peanut butter, and egg.Stir in soaked cereal.In a separate mixing bowl, combine remaining dry ingredients (except chocolate chips).Combine the two mixtures, adding chocolate chips at the end.Divide among 12 lined cupcake tins.Bake at 375 F for 16-20 minutes.I love these muffins. Tasty and moist! They make the perfect breakfast or snack.Enjoy!