Peanut Butter Brownies

Peanut butter + chocolate = yum.

I have made peanut butter and chocolate treats before but these bars are a little different since they are truly peanut butter, instead of chocolate with peanut butter. 

I added in chocolate chips, but you can make this recipe and completely omit all of the chip to just make peanut butter brownies (which would be great lightly iced).

Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup peanut butter

2/3 cup margarine, softened

11/3 cups white sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

2/3 cup peanut chips

2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 F and grease a 9 x 13 inch pan.

In a bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and peanut butter. Add in the eggs and vanilla. Afterwards, gradually mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Once all these ingredients have been well mixed, mix in the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Make sure to press down the batter evenly into the pan.

Pour this batter into your greased pan and sprinkle the 2/3 cup peanut chips and 2/3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the top.

Place in the oven for 30-35 minutes and let cool before slicing into bars.

Right before entering the oven.

I made the batter for these during one of my free periods, but didn't have enough time to bake them so I left a sticky note for my mom for when she came home to pop them in the oven. When I came home from school, I went inside thinking I would be able to try them out, but it turned out that my mom hadn't even come home yet. 

Though I had to then wait some more time to preheat the oven and bake the brownies, it was worth it. These were peanut chocolate goodness in every bite. (The edges were my favorite.)

Easy Chocolate & Peanut Chip Squares

I like to have an easy, quick recipe on hand for it I ever need to whip something up in a moment's notice. One of my easiest recipes is my chocolate and peanut chip squares, which are perfect to make when a friend calls you over, upset about something, and all they need is someone to take to and something comforting to eat.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter 

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup peanut butter chips  

Directions: Heat oven to 350°F and grease an 8x8 inch pan.

Melt the stick of butter and then mix it in a bowl with the graham cracker crumbs. Press this mixtureevenly to the bottom of the pan. Afterwards, sprinkle the semi sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips evently over the graham cracker mixture and then use a spatula (or your hands) to press down the chips into the graham cracker mixture. Once done, open up the can of sweetened condensed milk and pour it evenly over all of the chips.

Place the bars into the oven for 25-30 minutes. Let them cool before slicing.

You can use your hands too to press it down firmly.

Best Blondies

I've been out all day, but I told my friend Callie that I would bake something for tonight so I decided I would make my easy blondie recipe that never fails

Blondies are a classic favorite that are unfortunately often better in theory than how they actually turn out after they come out of the oven. Many recipes don't get the consistency right, so I was pleased to find that Hershey's recipe made really great tasting blondies with just the right texture.
I made a couple adjustments to the recipe to make it even better, and I have found that everyone has been pleased with the results.
Recipe:
Ingredients:

2 cups packed light brown sugar

1 cup melted butter

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2/3 cup peanut butter chips

2/3 cup toffee bits

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a 9 x 13 pan.

Stir together the brown sugar and butter in a large bowl and beat in the eggs and vanilla until smooth. Afterwards, ad the flour and salt until blended. Finally, stir in the chocolate and peanut butter chips and toffee bits.

This batter is chunky with all the different types of chips.

Spread this batter into the prepared pan.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes and cool completely before cutting into squares.