Tag: <span>dessert for a crowd</span>

White Chocolate Fruit Tart

White Chocolate Fruit Tart

Serve up a little slice of sunshine with our White Chocolate Fruit Tart! As summer heats up it’s only natural to crave juicy fruits and refreshing desserts and this beautiful tart is both. This marvelous dessert is super versatile and perfect for brunch, picnics and […]

Cookies and Cream Rice Krispies Treats

Cookies and Cream Rice Krispies Treats

If you haven’t tried Cookies and Cream Rice Krispie Treats, then you’re doing it wrong! This extraordinary mashup combines two of my most loved goodies, Oreo cookies and Rice Krispies cereal. Have you ever asked yourself what happens when Oreo cookies and Rice Krispies collide? […]

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies were my absolute favorite as a kid. So when I grew up and started baking I knew that I needed a fabulous, no fail, peanut butter cookie recipe in my arsenal ASAP!! Well guys, this is that recipe!! These cookies are rich, chewy and soft, and chock full of peanut butter flavor. You’ll never need another recipe after you try this one. Promise! So go ahead and click print right now, laminate this baby, put it in a frame for safe keeping and ditch all those other peanut butter cookies. I’ve been making these delicious cookies year after year and they’re always a hit.

Here’s all you’ll need: butter, butter flavored shortening, white sugar, brown sugar, eggs, peanut butter, vanilla extract, flour, baking soda, and salt.

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies by Happylifeblogspot.com #peanutbuttercookies #cookies #christmascookies #peanutbutterrecipes #softcookies

Let’s get this party started! (BTW if you’re having a party and peanut butter cookie are involved I’m totally there!!). In a large bowl, cream together the butter, butter flavored shortening (aka Crisco), white sugar and brown sugar. Can’t find the butter flavored shortening? Regular Crisco will work just fine too. Been there, done that, tried both.

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies by Happylifeblogspot.com #peanutbuttercookies #cookies #christmascookies #peanutbutterrecipes #softcookies

Next add the eggs and blend until fully incorporated into the mixture. Then mix in the peanut butter and vanilla until well combined. I am a smooth PB type of gal but if you’re feeling especially “nutty” go ahead and toss in some crunchy. These cookies are so special that I even busted out my KitchenAid mixer! But don’t worry, a hand mixer will work just fine too. I just wanted to be fancy.

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies by Happylifeblogspot.com #peanutbuttercookies #cookies #christmascookies #peanutbutterrecipes #softcookies

Blend in the baking soda and salt next. And then mix in the flour (on a low speed) about a half a cup at a time. The cookie dough will be THICK!!! But that’s how we like it.

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies by Happylifeblogspot.com #peanutbuttercookies #cookies #christmascookies #peanutbutterrecipes #softcookies

In the spirit of keeping these peanut butter cookies perfect, I like to use my cookie scoop to keep them close in size. Scoop cookie dough by the spoonful (into your mouth) onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. I feel like I could write an entire blog post about my love for parchment paper (and maybe someday I will), but for now just know that it will elevate your cookie baking to the next level. Use it.

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies by Happylifeblogspot.com #peanutbuttercookies #cookies #christmascookies #peanutbutterrecipes #softcookies

Once your cookies are scooped, we’ll need to roll them into cute little balls. And….did you notice the spacing? You will most definitely want to give these peanut butter cookies a little room to breathe because they will spread during baking.

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies by Happylifeblogspot.com #peanutbuttercookies #cookies #christmascookies #peanutbutterrecipes #softcookies

Now it’s time to criss cross applesauce! Flatten the cookies with a fork in that traditional criss cross peanut butter cookie manner. I’m all about that classic look!

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies by Happylifeblogspot.com #peanutbuttercookies #cookies #christmascookies #peanutbutterrecipes #softcookies

Bake in a 375 degree preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until cookies are set, but not hard. Do not over bake!!! 8 minutes is plenty in my oven, but this is really where you need to hone your technique. Don’t worry! After a couple of tries you’ll have it down. After you remove them from the oven, leave the cookies on the cookie sheet for an additional 2 minutes, where they’ll continue to “bake” from the warmth of the pan. Then remove to wire racks to finish cooling.

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies by Happylifeblogspot.com #peanutbuttercookies #cookies #christmascookies #peanutbutterrecipes #softcookies

Seriously…..who could resist a cookie that looks THAT good?!? Not me!! Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies will absolutely be on my Christmas cookie trays this year for all of you that are lucky enough to get one! If you love classic cookie recipes, be sure to try our Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies too!

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies by Happylifeblogspot.com #peanutbuttercookies #cookies #christmascookies #peanutbutterrecipes #softcookies

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

November 29, 2018
: 4 dozen
: Easy

By:

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Directions
  • Step 1 In a large bowl, cream together the butter, butter flavored shortening, white sugar and brown sugar. Add the eggs and blend until fully incorporated. Mix in the peanut butter and vanilla until combined.
  • Step 2 Blend in the baking soda and salt. And then mix in the flour (on a low speed) about a half a cup at a time.
  • Step 3 Scoop cookie dough by the spoonful onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll each portion into a ball. Flatten with a fork in a criss cross pattern.
  • Step 4 Bake in a 375 degree preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until cookies are set, but not hard. Do not over bake!!!
  • Step 5 Remove from the oven and leave the cookies on the cookie sheet for an additional 2 minutes. Finish cooling on wire racks. Enjoy!!

We’d love to hear from you! Leave us your comments and love down below!

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Apple Hand Pies

Apple Hand Pies

I really, really, REALLY wanted to go apple picking this year! But it seemed like every weekend we were either traveling, or sick, or it was raining. BOO! Oh Fall I had such high expectations for you this year!! So I set my sights on […]

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes

Frosted Zucchini Cupcakes

Zucchini bread is great and all but aren’t Zucchini Cupcakes even cuter?!? I mean it just doesn’t get any better than these adorable hand held little bundles of joy. In fact, I’m already planning on growing zucchini in my garden next year just for this recipe! […]

Frosted Fudge Brownies

Frosted Fudge Brownies

If you’re in need of the ultimate brownie recipe, then look no further! You’ve come to the right place. This rich, fudgy, frosted brownie recipe is the only one you’ll ever need. Really!! They turn out perfect every time….well except for the first time that I made them. Yep! Kitchen fails happen to the best of us. My hubby and I had just started dating and we were in that “playing house” phase. I wanted to impress him and make these delicious brownies for him and his friends and everyone would love me and we would live happily ever after….yada, yada, yada! Well the brownies turned out great and the frosting was soooo good too. The problem was I didn’t have time to let them cool long enough before frosting them! But being the go getter that I am, I went for it anyways and hoped for the best. Well…..it wasn’t my best! It was far from it. The frosting melted and turned into a hot mess. I tried cutting them. I tried freezing them. I tried everything I could think of to save them in the limited amount of time that I had to work with, but they were beyond saving (in my mind anyways!!). My hubby swore they were delicious and tried to convince me to bring them anyways (he’s so sweet), but I was so upset at that point that I burst into tears. Uh-huh!! Just like that Brad Paisley song Little Moments. Looking back now it all seems so silly but at the time it was a kitchen fail of epic proportions in my mind. We ended up leaving the brownies at home and the following week I attempted them again. I couldn’t let a little melted frosted defeat me! Well they were a HUGE hit and have been ever since!! I’ve probably made them 100 times. I ALWAYS get asked to share this one and it’s constantly requested for potlucks and parties. We basically bring them EVERYWHERE!! So to all of you newbie bakers out there….Keep trying! You got this! And sometimes fails make for better stories than successes anyways because we DID live happily ever after!!

Here’s all you’ll need: butter, baking coca, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, vanilla extract, confectioners sugar, and milk. (and enough patience to allow them to cool!)

Melt the butter in a small sauce pan over low heat. You can also do this in the microwave but I have a tendency to explode butter all over the microwave from time to time. Anyone else?!? I’m starting to feel like this blog post holds all of my deepest, darkest secrets!!!

Remove from the heat and stir in the 3/4 cups of baking cocoa. Cool and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with a hand mixer until well blended. I’m still getting used to this new hand mixer. I gotta confess, I kinda miss my old Cuisinart one! Still mourning it a little.

Blend in the salt and the baking powder. Then mix in the flour. I know what you’re thinking….I thought we were making BROWN-ies?!? But we’re about to get to that part!

Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla and the cooled chocolate mixture. I’m going to let you in on a little secret. The chocolate mixture doesn’t have to be 100% cooled. Obviously you don’t want it to be blazing hot at this point, but if it’s still a little warm, don’t worry about it. It won’t mess anything up. Mix until the chocolate and batter are completely incorporated. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl and the sides!

The batter will be thick and fudgy! Spread into a greased 13 X 9 inch baking dish. I like to plop it all in the middle and then work it out towards the sides. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 26-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. I tend to lean towards the longer side. Usually I’ll check them at about 28 minutes but end up baking for the full 30. Remove from the oven and COOL COMPLETELY!!!! I’m laughing hysterically as I type that.

Meanwhile, let’s make this delicious frosting!! In a large bowl, cream the butter, confectioners sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and milk. Now the recipe says to add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of milk. It depends on how thick you want the frosting. Rule of thumb: start with the smaller amount and work your way up. So I add 1/4 cup and mix, and then go from there. If I think it needs more then I add extra milk, about a tablespoon at a time, until I’m happy with it. Now also I sometimes cheat a little and use melted butter. It turns out fine that way too, and doesn’t give me so much cocoa blow back when I turn on the mixture. Since the melted butter is already a liquid, you’ll want to go with the smaller amount of milk.

Once the brownies are COOLED COMPLETELY!!!!!…….we can go ahead and frost them! Stressing the completely cooled part! Learn from my mistakes people!! So happy that I can laugh about it now. Spread the frosting evenly over the brownies. Yum. Yum. Yummy!!! Why do people even eat brownies without frosting??? I think it should be a rule that they HAVE to have it!!

Cut into bars before serving! Are you team frosted or unfrosted? What are your most memorable (and maybe most delicious) kitchen blunders?

Frosted Fudge Brownies

January 29, 2018
: 24
: Easy

By:

Ingredients
  • 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons butter, cubed
  • 3/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • FROSTING:
  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2-2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup milk
Directions
  • Step 1 Melt the butter in a small sauce pan over low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the 3/4 cups of baking cocoa. Cool and set aside.
  • Step 2 In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with a hand mixer until well blended. Blend in the salt, baking powder, and flour.
  • Step 3 Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla and the cooled chocolate mixture. Mix until the chocolate and batter are completely incorporated.
  • Step 4 Spread into a greased 13 X 9 inch baking dish. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 26-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting!
  • Step 5 To make the frosting: In a large bowl, cream the butter, confectioners sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and milk. Now the recipe says to add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of milk.
  • Step 6 Spread frosting over cooled brownies. Cut into bars before serving and enjoy!!

We’d love to hear from you! Leave us your comments and love down below!

Red, White, and Berry Fruit Pizza

Red, White, and Berry Fruit Pizza

We make my famous Red, White, and Berry Fruit Pizza every Fourth of July. And sometimes on Memorial Day. And Labor Day. And whenever berries go on sale. And even on just because days. It’s so good that I promise you will never get sick of […]