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Basic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Basic Peanut Butter Cookies recipe
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Are you looking for a tasty Basic Peanut Butter Cookies recipe?  These cookies are chewy, delicious and sure to be a new family favorite.

Basic Peanut Butter Cookies:

Ingredients:

½ cup sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup butter, softened to room temperature
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1 egg
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
Turbino sugar for sprinkling

Directions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until soft and smooth. Cream together with the sugars, then mix in the peanut butter and egg.
  2. Sift in the dry ingredients and mix to combine.
  3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 375-degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  4. Roll 1-inch balls and flatten with the back of a fork to make a criss cross pattern.
  5. Sprinkle with the turbino sugar.
  6. Bake for 9-11 minutes.
  7. Let the cookies cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet, before transferring to a wire rack.
  8. Store leftovers in an air tight container.

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Basic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Recipe type: Dessert
 
Ingredients
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup butter, softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • Turbino sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until soft and smooth. Cream together with the sugars, then mix in the peanut butter and egg.
  2. Sift in the dry ingredients and mix to combine.
  3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 375-degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  4. Roll 1-inch balls and flatten with the back of a fork to make a criss cross pattern.
  5. Sprinkle with the turbino sugar.
  6. Bake for 9-11 minutes.
  7. Let the cookies cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet, before transferring to a wire rack.
  8. Store leftovers in an air tight container.

 

Share your thoughts on my Basic Peanut Butter Cookies!

Homemade Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

You might also like White Chocolate Cupcakes

2 comments

Easy Coffee Buttercream Frosting Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on
in Cupcakes, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Coffee Buttercream Frosting Recipe

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This Coffee Buttercream Frosting Recipe is amazingly delicious and more than a little addicting. A perfect creamy filling and icing for layered cakes or to top your favorite cupcake recipe. Spread a thin layer on brownies or scoop some between a couple of chocolate chip cookies.

If you are a coffee lover like I am, this rich and tasty icing is a must have for your recipe arsenal. I love using it to top a dark chocolate cupcake or even carrot cake flavor. Homemade Buttercream Icing can take a box mix from so-so to over the top, the extra jolt of coffee flavor makes it doubly decadent. Substitute almond or hazelnut extract for vanilla for another layer of flavor. To pipe icing on using a decorator bag, thicken it by using more powdered sugar.

* Icing Tip- to load bag roll it halfway down over a glass and fill, roll bag back up and press icing down from top with even pressure, start on the outside and work your way inward.

Coffee Buttercream Icing Collage

Ingredients:

½ to 1 Tbsp. instant coffee granules, dissolved into 1 Tbsp. half and half
1 stick of butter, softened
1-1 lb. box of powdered sugar
¼ cup half and half
1 tsp. Vanilla extract

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl cream butter until smooth, beat in powdered sugar on low speed until well combined.
  2. Stir in instant coffee, vanilla, half and half and whip until thoroughly mixed and fluffy on a medium-high setting.
  3. If you prefer a thicker icing add more powdered sugar, for a looser consistency add additional half and half.

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Coffee Buttercream Frosting Recipe
 
Ingredients
  • ½ to 1 Tbsp. instant coffee granules, dissolved into 1 Tbsp. half and half
  • 1 stick of butter, softened
  • 1-1 lb. box of powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup half and half
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl cream butter until smooth, beat in powdered sugar on low speed until well combined.
  2. Stir in instant coffee, vanilla, half and half and whip until thoroughly mixed and fluffy on a medium-high setting.
  3. If you prefer a thicker icing add more powdered sugar, for a looser consistency add additional half and half.
Notes
*Allow butter to soften but do not melt in the microwave

You might also like my Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe

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White Chocolate Cupcakes

by Dana Zeliff on
in Cupcakes, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

White Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe

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Mmm, cupcakes!

I have a love of cupcakes and my hubby has a love for white chocolate. That makes these White Chocolate Cupcakes a perfect combination of yummy goodness in my house!

White Chocolate Cupcakes:

Ingredients:

1 cup Classic White Chocolate Chips
6 ounces White Chocolate Baking Bar
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
3/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cupcake Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line muffin tin with 12 paper liners. Set aside.
  2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together 3/4 cup butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla. Add half the milk mixture, mixing on low speed. Mix in remaining milk mixture, and the dry ingredients, alternating until all incorporated.
  3. Pour into cupcake liners. Bake for 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Recommended frosting: Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe.  I used a Wilton 1M tip for these cupcakes.

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White Chocolate Cupcakes
Recipe type: Dessert
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup Classic White Chocolate Chips
  • 6 ounces White Chocolate Baking Bar
  • 1¾ cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup butter, room temperature
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • ¾ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line muffin tin with 12 paper liners. Set aside.
  2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together ¾ cup butter and 1½ cups sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla. Add half the milk mixture, mixing on low speed. Mix in remaining milk mixture, and the dry ingredients, alternating until all incorporated.
  3. Pour into cupcake liners. Bake for 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

 

Share your thoughts on these white chocolate cupcakes!

You may also like these Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting or White Chocolate & Cranberry Blondies

3 comments

Easy Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dollar General. All opinions are 100% mine.

Easy Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese Recipe

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Maybe because its snowing, or maybe because of the sub-zero temperatures we’re having this week, but I am CRAVING comfort food. Warm, cozy and carbohydrate-y, yes please! When I was asked to write a post about my favorite crockpot recipe from Dollar General, I knew what I wanted to make: Mac n Cheese.

Pay no mind to the fact that I’d never actually made Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese or shopped at the Dollar General for food items. I was excited to try both – and the results were great!

I hit up my local Dollar General for ingredients. Did you know that they not only have great prices on pantry items and shelf stable products, but have refrigerated/frozen items too?! I was able to pick up cheese, milk, a roll of sausage and a box of pasta for the recipe I wanted to try.

I also grabbed a few “snow day” items like eggs, pop tarts, peanuts and D batteries. Their Clover Valley brand is well priced and all the Clover Valley items I purchased tasted great comparable to the national brands, really.

Easy Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese Recipe Collage

Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese Recipe

Total Time: 2-3 hr, 10 min.
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2-3 hr
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 stick (4 Tbsp) butter, sliced
3 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese (from a block, not pre-shredded)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 lb. mild sausage, browned (optional)

Directions

  1. Boil the macaroni in a saucepan for 7 minutes. Noodles should be al dente. Drain.
  2. Add butter, sour cream, salt, milk, mustard and pepper to crock pot.
  3. Add pasta, sausage and cheese, stir well.
  4. Set the slow cooker on low setting and cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  5. Meal is done when cheese is melted and edges are starting to get crispy.

Enjoy!

**I did end up using pre-shredded cheese because that is what I had, but I highly suggest grating your own from a block – it melts better. Ours ended up a bit grainy. But still delicious 🙂

Be sure to check out the Dollar General easy meals and their great selection of food items.  Don’t forget to “like” Dollar General on Facebook and on Twitter to keep up with their latest deals and coupons!

Do you have a favorite Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese recipe?

Visit Sponsor's Site

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Easy Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on
in Cupcakes, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe
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This Chocolate Buttercream icing recipe is simple and delicious – it should definitely be added to your recipe box for anytime you need a filling or frosting for your favorite cake or cupcakes. It’s a simple sweet and creamy mixture that makes even box cake mixes special.

I use this to fill a layered Devil’s food cake as well as frost the entire thing. If you are going to be piping it on with a decorating bag simply add a bit more powdered sugar to make it thicker and it will hold its shape better. This is the type of icing that forms a light “crust” when it sits.

Icing can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator for up to two weeks, just whip for a minute to loosen. For tasty flavor variations use almond extract in place of vanilla.  You can also use hazelnut or raspberry to create new and delicious flavors.

Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe

Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe:

Ingredients
  • 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
  • 1-1b. Box of confectioners sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup half and half
  • 1 ½ tsp. Vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Make sure you butter is softened but not melted, melted butter will ruin the consistency of this icing.
  2. Cream butter until smooth and slightly whipped.
  3. Add powdered sugar a cup at a time, on low until thoroughly incorporated.
  4. Mix in cocoa powder, half vanilla, and half and half.
  5. Continue to beat mixture until fluffy and smooth on a medium-high setting.
  6. Add more powdered sugar for a thicker consistency or more half and half to loosen the icing.
5.0 from 1 reviews
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Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
 
Ingredients
  • 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
  • 1-1b. Box of confectioners sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup half and half
  • 1 ½ tsp. Vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Make sure you butter is softened but not melted, melted butter will ruin the consistency of this icing.
  2. Cream butter until smooth and slightly whipped.
  3. Add powdered sugar a cup at a time, on low until thoroughly incorporated.
  4. Mix in cocoa powder, half vanilla, and half and half.
  5. Continue to beat mixture until fluffy and smooth on a medium-high setting.
  6. Add more powdered sugar for a thicker consistency or more half and half to loosen the icing.

Share your thoughts on this Chocolate Buttercream Icing Recipe.

You might also like my Snow Owl Cookie Decorating Tutorial

3 comments

10 Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

by Dana Zeliff on
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

healthy slow cooker chicken recipes
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I’m always looking for Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes.  Using a slow cooker is a great way to save time and money in the kitchen.

I also love to cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker and use it during the week in multiple meals.   Don’t forget to utilize your freezer to further your savings.


Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Chicken-1024x739

Want more recipes?  Try my Mexican Chicken in Crockpot Recipe!

Which are your favorite Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes?

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Homemade Pretzel Bites Recipe with Beer Cheese Dip

by Dana Zeliff on
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Pretzel Bites Recipe

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Homemade pretzels feels like a natural choice for a game day snack, making them into bite size treats just makes it better. Add a warm bowl of Beer Cheese Dip beside it and you have pushed it right over the top of deliciousness. This easy pretzel bites recipe will give you perfectly chewy and tasty pretzels with a few simple steps.

Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese Dip

Pretzel Bites Recipe 

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Homemade Pretzel Bites Recipe with Beer Cheese Dip
 
Ingredients
  • 3 cups white all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups whole wheat all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet dry active yeast
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cups warm water
  • 6 Tbsp. salted butter
  • ½ cup baking soda
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tbsp. of water
  • 4 quarts of boiling water
Instructions
  1. In a stand mixer bowl combine warm water, yeast, and sugar- stir and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
  2. Pour in melted butter, stir.
  3. Turn speed up to medium and mix until dough pulls away from sides of bowl and becomes smooth.
  4. While mixing at a low setting add flour, mix well to combine.
  5. If needed and dough seems too sticky add a bit more flour.
  6. Turn out onto a floured counter and knead a few times.
  7. Oil a large bowl well with canola or vegetable oil.
  8. Place dough in bowl, flip dough to coat, and cover- set aside and allow it to rise until doubled- approximately an hour.
  9. Preheat oven to 425°
  10. Separate dough into 6 smaller balls and roll each into a rope about 24” long
  11. After your large pan of water begins to boil, add baking soda.
  12. Drop in pretzel bites a dozen at a time and boil for 2 minutes.
  13. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider strainer to drain excess water.
  14. Slice off pieces about 1½” long.
  15. Place pretzels on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
  16. Brush generously with egg wash.
  17. Sprinkle with large grain kosher salt.
  18. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown.
  19. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.

Beer Cheese Dip Recipe

For Beer Cheese Dip:

1 block cream cheese
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¾ cup beer
1 tsp. Mustard
1 ½ tsp. Parsley

In a medium sauce pan over medium heat warm beer, stir in cream cheese and stir until melted, add Parsley and dry mustard.

Looking for a great new Super Bowl recipe? Try this Homemade Pretzel Bites Recipe with Beer Cheese Dip – you won’t be sorry!

You might also like my Mini Chili Dog Recipe

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