Peanut Butter Granola Bars

When I saw Michelle's post, I had to laugh because I have a peanut butter granola bar that I've been meaning to post, but was waiting to make them again so I could remember to take a picture. I got this a while back and make a batch a couple times a month. They keep very well in the fridge (tightly covered/wrapped) and the girls love them as a mid-morning snack.

*1 egg white

*1/2 c. chunky peanut butter

*1/3 c. brown sugar

*1/4 c. honey

*1 TBSP light corn syrup (optional)

*1/3-1/2 c. unsalted butter, melted

*2 c. old fashioned oats

*1 TBSP. ground flax

*1/4 c. slivered almonds, toasted

*1/3 c. mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray a 7 x 10 3/4" baking pan with vegetable spray. Line with a 6 x 18" parchment paper and lightly spray paper.

In a medium bowl, use a fork to whisk egg white until white and frothy. Stir in peanut butter, brown sugar, honey and corn syrup if using. Add butter, oats, flax and almonds. Combine well and stir in chocolate chips.

Use a spatula to evenly press the mixture into prepared pan. Bake 15-18 minutes until the edge begins to brown. Remove from oven and let cool at least 1 hour. Remove parchment (and granola bars) and cut into squares.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Another easy recipe from Kraft.
*1 pkg. devil's food cake mix
*4 oz. cream cheese, softened
*1/2 c. peanut butter
*1 egg

Preheat oven to 375. Place all ingredients in a large bowl. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 2 min. Beat on medium speed an additional 2 min.
Shape into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Flatten each ball, in criss-cross pattern, with tines of fork dipped in sugar.
Bake 7-8 minutes or until edges of cookies are set. Cool 2 minutes on tray and remove to cool completely on racks.
Makes 40-50 cookies.
These were very soft and stayed that way for a couple days. I divided my dough into three parts, did one regular, mixed Reese's Pieces into one of the parts and chopped up Reese's Peanut Butter Cups into the last. My favorite was the PB cups. I'd suggest not using sugar on the fork if you do add-ins, it looked messy so I skipped it.

Brownie Goody Bars

I don't know if anyone is looking for a tasty and easy dessert for this weekend's festivities, but if you are, you could try these. The recipe comes straight from Betty Crocker herself, but I made a slight change and would make them my way next time as well.

*1 box Hershey's Brownie Supreme brownie mix (pretty sure you could use any 9x13" brownies)
*water, oil, eggs as called for on brownie package
*1 tub vanilla frosting (the 1 lb. size)
*3/4 c. peanuts (I omitted these)
*1 c. peanut butter (I used 1/2 creamy and 1/2 chunky to make up for the above step)
*2 c. chocolate chips
*3 c. Rice Krispies

Bake brownies according to package directions (I went for cakelike). I followed their instructions to cover bottom of pan with foil and cooking spray and it made it much easier to cut and serve. Wait for brownies to cool (about an hour) and smother the top with vanilla frosting and sprinkle with peanuts if you're going with the original recipe. Put in fridge to chill while you move on to the final layer. In a medium saucepan combine peanut butter and chocolate and heat over medium until melted, stirring constantly. Pour over Rice Krispies and stir to combine. Spread over frosted brownies and return to fridge to cool another hour. Store at room temperature (I kept mine in the fridge because I liked them cold).

(Image from BettyCrocker.com, used without express written permission since my hubby had my camera when I made these)

Peanut-Butter-Kissies Cookies

I don't know the real name for these cookies, but this is what the 3-yr-old calls them. What's in a name, anyway! They were on our sweets menu because spring cleaning left me wondering how to get rid of a pound or so of some Wilbur chocolate buds. Turns out this was much better than just tossing them.

Cream together
*1/2 c. butter, soft
*3/4 c. brown sugar
*1/4 c. white sugar (plus another 1/4 c. or so to coat the cookies)
*1/2 c. peanut butter (creamy)

Stir in:
*1 egg
*1 tsp. vanilla

Combine and add:
*1/4 tsp. salt
*1 tsp. baking soda
*1 1/4 c. flour
*1/2 c. wheat flour (if not using, just use 1 3/4 c. AP flour)

Mix until well-incorporated. Scoop dough by teaspoonful. Roll into balls and roll the balls in the sugar to coat.
Place on lined cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 8 minutes (don't let them get too brown or too done). Remove from oven and press one chocolate kiss in the center of each cookie (press down enough so that it sinks into the cookie). Let cool on racks. Enjoy!

Best Peanut Butter Squares.

The past couple weeks have been on the crazy side for us, so I'm making it up to you and a few of my neighbors with one of my favorite treats. I got this recipe from a former co-worker who gave me the recipe with the following note: "If you want to save some calories...don't lick the spoons." He meant it, but these are too good not to try, and the recipe makes enough to share.

Cream together:
*1 c. sugar
*1 c. butter
*1 c. brown sugar

Then add:
*3 eggs, well-beaten
*1 tsp. vanilla
*1/2 tsp. salt
*1 tsp. soda
*1 c. crunchy peanut butter
*1 c. flour
*3 c. oatmeal

Spread into a jellyroll pan (the one with 1/2 inch sides) lightly sprayed with cooking spray. (If you have an offset spatula, use it to save loads of time here, if not, add it to your birthday list).
Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes (mine always take 20-22 min.) (For some reason today mine bubbled over the edges, I'll figure out why after I clean out the oven).
Beat 1 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter until creamier and spread over COOLED cookie.

Frost:
*1 stick butter, soft
*1/3 c. milk (I always warm mine just a titch, or use evaporated milk if you have it)
*4 TBSP. cocoa
*1 tsp. vanilla
*4 c. powdered sugar

Cut into small squares so you can eat more without feeling guilty.

Peanut Butter Corn Flake Things

Yes, that's what they're called. Growing up this was a family favorite and we always just referred to them as Peanut Butter Corn Flake Things. We all loved the day when someone would whip up a batch of these because they're delicious, easy, and addicting!


Directions:

Combine the following ingredients together in a saucepan over medium-high heat:

1 c. white corn syrup
1 c. brown sugar

Boil for one minute. Then add:

1 c. creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Stir and let boil for one more minute, but be sure to not let it burn. Pour mixture over 8 cups cornflakes and stir until corn flakes are well coated. Drop by huge spoon fulls (I use a 1/8 c. cookie scoop and get exactly 60) onto waxed paper or tin foil. Cool and enjoy.