Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

This recipe has become one of my favorite go to recipes for that sinful dessert. Ridiculously easy, this recipe is rich and delicious with chocolate and peanut butter running throughout. Best of all, no oven is needed, so your kitchen can stay cool and so can you, especially with temperatures on the rise. This is the perfect dessert to make for a potluck or a party. Everyone will be asking for more!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars Nigella Lawson

1/2 cup dark brown sugar {packed}
2 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter {divided}
1 3/4 cups creamy peanut butter
10 ounces milk chocolate chips
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate {chopped}

Cut a piece of parchment paper big enough to line a standard sized brownie pan, with a bit of overhang. Grease the brownie pan & lay in the parchment paper.
Combine the brown sugar, confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup butter & peanut butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Blend until smooth. Dump the mixture out into the pan & press it down, making it an even as possible.
Melt the chocolates & 2 tablespoons of butter in a double boiler, or in a heat-proof bowl set over simmering water. Stir occasionally to combine. Spread the melted chocolate over the peanut butter base & smooth out the surface.
Put the pan in the refrigerator, until the chocolate is set. Remove the bars from the pan by lifting on the overhang of parchment paper & slice into squares using a sharp knife. It may help to warm the knife under hot water to get through the hard chocolate layer more easily. The bars are very rich, so 1" squares would be a good size.

Suggestion: Try using different flavors of peanut butter to mix it up! There are so many different kinds out there, from white chocolate to cinnamon raisin, to more!

Butterscotch Potato Chip Cookies

Sounds weird, I know! Trust me though, everyone that tried these cookies loved them. Buttery, soft, and loaded with the tastes of salty and sweet, these cookies are a must try. The overly sweet butterscotch is toned down by the salty potato chips for a perfect cookie that everyone will love!

Butterscotch Potato Chip Cookies from with sprinkles on top

1 c. butter flavored shortening
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 c. crushed potato chips
1 c. butterscotch morsels

1. Cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually beat into the mixture. Stir in the chips and butterscotch morsels.
2. Place tablespoon-sized balls on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 375F.

Suggestion: Try different kinds of chocolate chips. They come in so many different flavors. Dark chocolate and cinnamon chips are just a couple of my favorites!

Applesauce

Most kids grow up eating Mott's or other brands of applesauce, but I was a lucky one. At a young age, my mom exposed me to the real deal, homemade applesauce. I remember watching her peel, core, and delicately slice apple after apple. Then she would throw them in a pot with cinnamon and POOF, almost like magic, deliciously chunky, perfectly cinnamon applesauce would appear.

This was my first time making it on my own, and it tastes just like moms. It's apple season, so go to the store, pick the prettiest apples, and whip up a batch of this. Trust me, it's one-of-a-kind, and such a special treat.

Applesauce

6 large McIntosh Apples

1/4 to 1/3 c. sugar

1T. lemon juice

1/4 t. salt

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 to 3/4 c. water

Peel, core, and coarsely chop the apples. Toss with sugar, lemon juice, salt, cinnamon, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Stir frequently and simmer for 8 to 10 min. until apples are tender. Mash lightly with back of large fork. Add water to reach desired texture and sugar to adjust flavor. Allow to cool and then enjoy!

Suggestion: Go easy on the sugar! The beauty of making your own applesauce is that you're in control and can make it as healthy as you want it to be. :)

Potato Chips (in your microwave)

Yep, you read that right. You can make delicious, crispy, savory potato chips in your microwave. You know, that small appliance in your kitchen that requires only the most minimal effort. While I'm not such a fan of using the microwave on a regular basis, it sure got the job done right this time. If you don't have the time or patience to stand behind a fryer, try this today. Best of all, you're using a fresh potato and just a little bit of oil, so this is a healthy one too! Easy and delicious, you don't want to miss out.

Potato Chips (in the microwave) adapted from allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 potato, sliced paper thin (peel optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions

1. Pour the vegetable oil into a plastic bag. Add the potato slices, and shake to coat.
2. Coat a large dinner plate lightly with oil or cooking spray. Arrange potato slices in a single layer on the dish.
3. Cook in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned (if not browned, they will not become crisp). Times will vary depending on the power of your microwave and the thickness of the potatoes. Remove chips from plate, and toss with salt (or other seasonings). Let cool. Repeat process with the remaining potato slices. You may need to re-spray the dish between batches.

Suggestion: A mandolin is your best bet to get get the thinnest slices of potato, but if you don't have one, take your time, use a very sharp knife, and try to slice the potato as thinly as possible. You many need to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of the slices.

Puppy Chow/Muddy Buddies aka Heavennnn

This is one snack with many names. Some may argue about what it's truly called, but one thing everyone can agree on is that it is deliciously sinful. Simple, inexpensive, and decadent, this one is a hit. Just a warning, do be careful when you make this: it is addicting. My roommate begged me to take it out of the house for a week before I finally gave in. Regardless, this recipe is not only tasty, but fun to make too. A great project for kids and adults alike, get in the kitchen and give this one a try. I promise you won't be disappointed, maybe just a little bit too indulged. But then again, to each his own. :)

Puppy Chow/Muddy Buddies by Alice on Savory Sweet Life

Ingredients:
9 cups Chex cereal ( whatever you prefer)
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 1-gallon ziplock bags

Directions:
Place cereal in a large bowl and set aside. In a medium microwavable bowl, add chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Microwave on High for 1 minute and stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer and stir mixture until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour sauce over cereal and stir until evenly coated. Spoon half of the mixture in each 1-gallon resealable ziplock bag. Add 3/4 cup powdered sugar to each bag, and seal. Shake the bag until everything is coated. Spread on waxed/parchment paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Suggestion: Make this dish user friendly. Are you a fan of crunchy peanut butter? Add that instead of creamy. Try dark chocolate or white chocolate for a twist too. Have fun. Regardless, it'll definitely be tasty.

POPCORN obsessed!

About a year ago I discovered just how tasty and nutritious making popcorn on the stovetop can be. After all, you get to control the amount your making. From the kernels, to the amount of oil, it's all up to you. Unfortunately, I have a tendency to cook the popcorn too long, and end up setting off the fire alarm. OOPS! I also tend to burn the bottom of the pot, leaving marks that never come off, something my mom will probably never let me live down. So needless to say, I was sooo excited and curious when I read about this way to make popcorn. Who would have thought that all of those microwave popcorn brands were on to something?! Well, with a brown paper bag, popcorn kernels, a touch of oil, and a pinch of salt, you too can be the next Orville Redenbacher, healthy edition! So start popping away and become just as obsessed as I am! Seriously I've made this 4 times already this week....

Ingredients:

1/4 cup of popcorn kernels

1/2 teaspoon of oil ( I use canola, but others could be interesting)

A pinch of salt

1 brown lunch bag

Pour the kernels, oil, and salt into the brown lunch bag. Fold the bag two times and give it a good shake to mix everything up. Microwave for 1 minute 45 seconds and stay close. Microwaves vary, so keep an ear out and pull out your popcorn when the popping slows. You'll also be able to see how full the bag is (it should be about 1/2 to 3/4 full when fully popped. Open the bag and enjoy! And best of all, no clean up, so feel free to keep munching!

Suggestion: Popcorn is such a fun food. Try adding different flavorings, from classic butter, to cinnamon sugar, to parmesan peppercorn, popcorn is your blank slate, so go crazy!