In Stride: Dessert

Showing posts with label Dessert. Show all posts

4.18.2012

Peanut Butter Cookies

Oh my goodness, these were just what I needed yesterday! It was such a gloomy day outside and these were just the thing to brighten my day :) They are easy to throw together and fast to bake. Here's how it's done.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups peanut butter (creamy, I used Jif)

1 cup white sugar

1/2 or 1 cup brown sugar (I just used half)

2 eggs

2 tsp. baking soda

1 pinch salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

*Preheat oven to 350 and grease cookie sheets.

*In a bowl, stir PB and sugar together until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the baking soda, salt, and vanilla. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place them 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Press a criss-cross into the top using the back of a fork.

*Bake for 8-10 minutes. Don't over bake!!!

Enjoy

God Bless,

Allie

2.19.2012

Peanut Butter Fudge

Today's recipe is healthy in NO way, but it's one of my favorite treats! I found it on Pinterest a while ago and have made it a few times. It's so simple to make and only takes 5 minutes. The only hard part is waiting the 1hr. it has to chill in the fridge!

Peanut Butter Fudge

Ingredients:

2 sticks unsalted butter

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

16oz. confectioners' sugar

Directions:

Line a 7x11 baking dish with parchment paper.

Combine butter and peanut butter in a saucepan and melt. Stir well and add vanilla. Remove from heat and stir in confectioners' sugar until evenly combined. (It becomes difficult to stir and loose it's sheen).

Transfer to the prepared pan and spread evenly. Place an additional piece of parchment paper directly onto the surface of the fudge. Press down and place in the fridge until set. About an hour.

melt the butter over low heat

Confectioners Sugar 2 Lb. bag. I simply fold it in half and cut it down the middle. Instant 1 Lb measurement!

perfect amount

the best Peanut Butter on earth!

press fudge down in pan

top with parchment paper and press down

enjoy!

4.06.2011

Hamburgers and Dessert to DIE for!!!

Today's weather is AMAZING!

It has been the perfect spring day & the perfect grilling out day!

Today on the menu - Hamburgers with Colby Jack cheese!

Cheesy Hamburgers

Ingredients:

* 1 pound of lean ground beef (adjust amount for your family)
* 2 sliced tomatoes
* sliced Colby Jack cheese
* hamburger buns

Ingredients for marinade:

* 1 tablespoon A1
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon onion powder

Thaw ground beef. When thawed, add ingredients for marinade and allow to sit in the fridge for 30 min. to several hours (depending on how much time you have before you want to eat). We only let ours sit about 30 minutes today and they turned out fantastic and full of flavor. Meanwhile, slice the cheese and tomatoes - set aside. Fire up the grill and cook away. We like ours a little pink inside and when they are almost to the desired doneness, add one slice of cheese to each burger and allow to melt on the grill. This doesn't take long so don't go far. Layer up your burger with whatever goodness you like and enjoy! We had ours along side chips and dip today =) Doesn't get much better than that!!! Enjoy!

Delicious Banana Cake with Chocolate Icing

Today I made a cake completely from scratch!!! I have to say this was a first for me. I've always been a little afraid of baking. I have no idea why, I just have. I received my monthly Penzeys Spices catalog and saw the recipe for the Banana Cake I prepared today. It didn't seem too difficult and the pictures were basically saying "eat me!" I had to try this recipe. I went to Penzeys yesterday and bought the cocoa powder and pure vanilla extract that it called for in the recipe. Before I discovered Penzeys I had no clue the amount of flavor I was missing in my food. Their spices are amazing and truly make a huge difference in your food.

Now for the recipe!

Gram's Banana Cake

Ingredients for the cake:

1⁄2 Cups sugar

2 1⁄2 Cups mashed very ripe bananas (about 6 fresh, 8 if using previously frozen)

1 Cup butter (2 sticks)

4 eggs

1 Cup sour cream

2 tsp. baking soda

3 Cups all-purpose flour

1 TB. PURE VANILLA EXTRACT (purchased from Penzeys)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans and
set aside. Mash the bananas and place in a measuring cup. If using
previously frozen bananas, just cut the tip off and squeeze the thawed
bananas into a measuring cup, pouring off any watery liquid. Cream the
butter and sugar together until well mixed. Add the eggs and beat well.
Mix in the sour cream. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and
baking soda. Add to the creamed mixture and beat well. Add the
mashed bananas and PURE VANILLA EXTRACT and mix well. Divide
evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool a few minutes
and remove from pans. Cool completely before frosting.

Ingredients for Frosting:

5 Cups Powder Sugar

1/3 cup Natural Cocoa Powder (purchased from Penzeys)

1/3 cup butter / softened

2-4 Tablespoons Black brewed coffee

Directions:

Sift the Powder sugar and Cocoa together in a large bowl. Add softened butter and mix on very low speed until they are incorporated. Add the coffee starting with 2 TB., and mix until it reaches your desired spreading consistency. I kinda messed up on my icing because I didn't think it had enough coffee in it. Instead of adding the coffee slowly, like the directions clearly state, I poured prob. close to a cup (on accident). Whoops! So, be careful not to add too much coffee. I fixed it pretty easily by sifting more powdered sugar and cocoa and adding it to thicken the icing back up. It taste wonderful, luckily! I was glad I didn't have to start over!