Reese's Peanut Butter Bars

Reese's bars are one of our family-favorite treats to make at Christmas time. I remember making these with my sister when we were kids. Since I was headed to visit my family this weekend, I thought I would whip up a batch to take with me to surprise them.

One of the secrets to this recipe is using a good, old-fashioned peanut butter brand like Jif, Skippy, or Peter Pan. Natural peanut butters do not work well in this recipe.

The other secret is in the chocolate chips. I always use a high-quality semi-sweet chocolate, like Ghirardelli or Nestle Toll House. You could also use a milk chocolate if you prefer.

I think it's easiest to make the Reese's into bars but you could use the same recipe and shape them into balls or eggs before dipping into melted chocolate. When we were kids, we used to make them into bars so that's always going to be the classic for me. We used to just do two layers - the peanut butter filling with a layer of chocolate on top. The last few times I've made this recipe, I added the layer of chocolate to the bottom to make the bars easier to stack and store. 

When I make the bars, I line my pan with parchment paper and leave plenty hanging over the sides to use as handles so that I can take the whole slab of bars out of the pan and transfer them to a cutting board before I cut into squares. 

Yield: 24 barsAuthor: Jennifer SmithPin it

Reese's Peanut Butter Bars

This classic recipe for Reese's Peanut Butter Bars is a delicious treat made without graham cracker crumbs. The peanut butter filling can be shaped into peanut butter balls or peanut butter eggs before dipping into melted chocolate.

prep time: 1 hour and 15 MINScook time: total time: 1 hours and 15 mins

ingredients:

For peanut butter filling

• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 2 sticks margarine
• 1 lb (3 1/2 cups) powdered sugar

For chocolate topping

• 4 cups chocolate chips (divided)
• 4 Tbsp margarine (divided)

instructions

Layer 1

1. Melt in microwave 2 cups chocolate chip with 2 Tbsp margarine. Stir well then spread into 9X13 pan. Chill 15 minutes. 

Layer 2

1. Melt together in microwave peanut butter and 2 sticks margarine. Add powdered sugar and mix well. Spread on top of chocolate layer. Chill 15 minutes. 

Layer 3

1. Melt in microwave 2 cups chocolate chip with 2 Tbsp margarine. Stir well then spread on top of peanut butter layer. Chill until firm.

notes

Use high-quality peanut butter brand like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butters do not work well for this recipe. Peanut butter filling can be shaped into balls or eggs before dipping in melted chocolate. 

Chill 30 minutes then cut into squares.

http://www.gracelikerainblog.com/2018/03/reeses-peanut-butter-bars.html

Don't forget to save this recipe so that you can find it later!

Do you prefer your Reese's peanut butter bars with graham cracker crumbs or without?

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Fudgy Brownies

How was your Wednesday?

I was not planning to post about brownies tonight but some things you just have to share.

After Noah got home from school, he helped me whip up a pan of brownies for dessert. We'd done really well getting together all the wet ingredients and he helped me stir it all together. 

Then he was helping me read the recipe on my phone and I was getting the dry ingredients out of the cabinet for him. I'd put the flour in the bowl and was digging through the cabinet looking for the baking soda when a can of baking powder fell into the brownie bowl. The flour went all over Noah - on his shirt, on his face, in his ear!

I'm probably pretty lucky that he wasn't super mad at me since it was all my fault, but he thought it was hilarious! I recorded a little video of him for your viewing pleasure. 

Don't tell me you didn't smile while you were watching that excited little boy.

Despite all the flour we lost, we did end up getting the brownies baked up and they turned out great. They only take 30 minutes to bake so it's perfect for those busy weeknights. 

They are perfect with a tall glass of milk. We were a bit low on milk tonight though so we didn't do that. 

And I can vouch for this one  - they're also very good with a scoop of ice cream and some caramel sauce drizzled on top. Doesn't that look wonderful?

Yield: 12 pieces Author: Jennifer Smith 

Rich, Fudgy Brownies

These brownies are so rich and fudgy that they don't require any frosting. And they are easy to make in one bowl, no mixer required. How much easier can you get?

prep time: 10 MINScook time: 30 MINStotal time: 40 mins

ingredients:

• 6 T. cocoa powder + 1 T. oil
• 1 c. (2 sticks) margarine
• 2 c. sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1 t. salt
• 2 t. vanilla
• 1 c. chopped nuts

instructions

1. Mix cocoa and oil. Add margarine and melt in microwave.
2. Cool slightly. Add sugar and eggs, mix well.
3. Add flour, baking powder, and salt to the chocolate mixture.
4. Stir in nuts and vanilla.
5. Pour batter into a greased 13 X 9 inch pan.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

http://www.gracelikerainblog.com/2018/03/fudgy-brownies.html

Don't forget to pin this recipe so that you can find it later!

Do you prefer brownies with icing on the top? Or do you think the icing is unnecessary? No icing for me!

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Dark Chocolate Mousse

Dark Chocolate Mousse Recipe

Easy Make Ahead Chocolate Mousse Dessert Recipe

Last night, I whipped up some dark chocolate mousse for our lunch today. This mousse is lightly sweet and very chocolatey. It's thick and creamy and quite delicious.

It's not a one-bowl recipe but it doesn't take long to whip up this mousse recipe. One thing to keep in mind is that the mousse needs to chill at least a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

I thought the dessert cups that I got at Pier 1 were perfect for the dark chocolate mousse. I think they would be great for ice cream or pudding cups or maybe even fresh fruit. And they were on clearance! Can't beat a deal.

Here's the recipe I used for the mousse. This recipe is enough for at least 8 servings. It's so rich that the servings can be pretty small and still be satisfying. Emily likes to mix more whipped cream into hers, but I think it was almost too much for her stomach to handle

Yield: 30 mini dessert cups or 8-10 larger servingsAuthor: Jennifer SmithPin it

Dark Chocolate Mousse

Such a contrast - a light, airy texture with rich, dark chocolate flavor. It's a perfect make-ahead dessert for any special occasion, just make it the day before and let it chill in the fridge until it's time.

ingredients:

• 9 ounces high-quality bittersweet chocolate, like Ghiradelli 60% cacao baking chips
• 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) unsalted butter, diced
• 4 teaspoons boiling water
• 2 cups cold heavy cream
• 6  large eggs, separated
• 2 tablespoons sugar

instructions

1. Melt chocolate and butter carefully in the microwave, or use a double boiler. Add boiling water and set aside to cool slightly. 
2. Whip cold heavy cream until soft peaks form. Place in refrigerator. 
3. Whip egg whites and sugar in a separate bowl until soft peaks form.
4. When the melted chocolate has cooled to approximately 100 degrees F, stir in the egg yolks.
5. Fold half of the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Fold half of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture.
6. Fold in the other half of the whipped cream and the other half of the egg whites.
7. Spoon or pipe into serving dishes.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

notes

Serve with freshly whipped cream and a raspberry on top.

http://www.gracelikerainblog.com/2018/02/dark-chocolate-mousse.html

Be sure to save this recipe so that you can try it. And if you try it, please come back and let me know how you enjoyed it. I'd be happy to answer any questions about it.

Do you prefer dark chocolate or milk chocolate?  Have you ever made mousse?

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Snow Day #1 and a Chocolate Pie

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Meringue Pie Recipe

Chocolate Pie Recipe in Microwave

We got some freezing rain and sleet yesterday and again this afternoon so the kids were out of school today. We found out yesterday evening that they were going to be out so we knew that we were going to get to sleep late in the morning.

Mike went ahead and went to work but the rest of us slept in. I had to log in to work at 8 am but I stayed in bed as long as possible. Noah is a morning person and I'm pretty sure he was awake for quite a while but he stayed in his bed until I came out of my room at about 8 am.

We had breakfast and then Emily and Noah played on the computer while I handled some work calls. I told them that there would be absolutely no fighting, fussing, or arguing while I was in my office but they could come to the door if there was an emergency.  They were good and I didn't hear them arguing at all.

Mike's office closed at 11 am so he came home and they hung out until lunch. I hadn't planned for everyone to be home so it was peanut butter and honey sandwiches for the win!

Early afternoon, the precipitation kicked up again and the hard surfaces were covered with sleet and snow and ice. I wasn't willing to go outside but I took a picture out the window.

For supper, I made smoked bacon-wrapped chicken breasts, mashed potatoes and green beans. Then we had a chocolate pie for dessert. We're all spoiled! We get good food like this all the time. I make this smoked chicken quite often and freeze the individual breasts. Whenever I want a healthy meal, I just pull one out and defrost it and put it with some veggies. 

The chocolate pie was just a snow day surprise. I'd had some pre-made pie crusts in the freezer for a while that I'd been meaning to use. I figured what better day than this?

I meant to get really fancy and take a picture of a slice of pie for you, but we ate it when it was still warm and the slices didn't come out pretty at all. The other issue that I have to think about is that we always eat on paper plates and that doesn't make a very pretty picture. Where can I get a selection of inexpensive but pretty plates/saucers/dishes? Or should I just do simple white plates for my blog pictures?

Well, the schools have already announced that there is no school again tomorrow so we'll have to figure out something fun to do.

Yield: 1 deep dish pieAuthor: Jennifer SmithPin it

Microwave Chocolate Pie

Whip up this thick and delicious chocolate pie filling in less than 10 minutes in your microwave

ingredients:

For pie filling

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 5 Tbsp cocoa
• 3 Tbsp flour
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 stick margarine
• 1 tsp vanilla

For meringue

• 4 egg whites
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup sugar

instructions

1. Stir together sugar, cocoa, and flour together in a microwave-safe bowl.  Add in egg yolks and milk then stir until combined. 
2. Cook in microwave on full power 2 minutes. Stir. Cook 3 more minutes. Stir. Continue cooking in 2-minute intervals until thick and pudding-like consistency. Stir in margarine and vanilla then pour into baked pie shell. 
3. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a glass bowl until foamy, add in sugar 1 Tbsp at a time. Beat until stiff peaks form. Spread on top of pie filling. Bake in 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes until browned.

http://www.gracelikerainblog.com/2018/02/snow-day-1-and-chocolate-pie.html

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Happy Valentine's Day

New York-Style Cheesecake Recipe

The Best Cheesecake with Graham Cracker Crust

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Did you have a wonderful day? I definitely did. There is just something about the day of love that makes everything exciting. 

I remember when I was a kid and we'd be super excited to get those little paper Valentines from all our friends in our class at school. Things are different now. The kids give each other candies or snacks with pinterest-worthy Valentine greetings attached to them. 

And can we talk for a second about the Valentine boxes that kids need every year? When did they start this? Every time I get on Facebook, I see these fancy handmade monster boxes or princess boxes or heart-shaped macrame boxes. This morning, Noah and I were sitting in the car drop off line and a mom was carrying her daughter's 3-foot tall glitter unicorn box into the school for her. This is insanity! Noah had a gift bag with hearts on it and his name in glitter letters and he was super happy with it. AND he could carry it to school all by himself. #winning

Anyway, I digress ... my Valentine's Day was good. My family got me some beautiful double delight roses. They are white with red tips and they look so fancy!

All the blooms are fresh and beautiful. They are on my kitchen counter right now, but I might have to move them into my office tomorrow so that I can enjoy them all day. I don't see why not!

I made a delicious dinner with cheesecake for dessert. Nanny came over and joined us and we had a good time talking and visiting. 

The cheesecake was really good tonight. I've used this cheesecake recipe a few times and it always turns out great. 

Yield: 1 9-inch cheesecakeAuthor: Jennifer SmithPin it

New-York Style Cheesecake

Cooking this cheesecake in a water bath will result in a beautiful, thick and creamy cheesecake with no cracks. Serve with cherry pie filling, chocolate sauce, or caramel sauce.

prep time: 30 MINScook time: 1 hour and 25 MINStotal time: 1 hours and 55 mins

ingredients:

For graham cracker crust

• 12 full sheets graham crackers
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, melted

For cheesecake filling

• Four 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 2/3 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup heavy cream

instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Crush graham crackers (or use food processor), add sugar and melted butter. Mix together and press into 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until crust is lightly browned. 
2. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and cornstarch together on medium speed, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl several times. 
3. Add vanilla and eggs, mix well.  Add cream and mix until completely blended. Do not overmix! 
4. Increase oven temperature to 350°F. Wrap the bottom and sides of springform pan in foil. Pour batter into prepared crust. 
5. Place the foil-wrapped pan in a large shallow pan. Pour in hot water until it is about 1 inch up the side of the springform pan. Bake until light golden brown and the center barely jiggles, about 1 hour and 25 minutes. If the center still jiggles, bake an additional 5-10 minutes. 
6. Remove the cheesecake from the water bath, transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 2 hours. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.

http://www.gracelikerainblog.com/2018/02/happy-valentines-day.html

What did you do special for Valentine's Day?

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40 is the new 30

So, while I was away from the blog, I celebrated one of those milestone birthdays. Let me tell you, baby, age is just a number and it doesn't mean a thing at 40. 

We had some friends and family over for supper and I made this delicious tuxedo cake from Sally's Baking Addiction.  

Emily helped me decorate it. The inside is white chocolate ganache and the cake and frosting were both dark chocolate. 

It was really delicious - so much so that Mike requested it for his birthday too. We decorated his a little differently. He didn't want sprinkles and I don't blame him - the ones on my cake were really hard!

I got some new decor for my office for my birthday. I put them on top of my desk in my office. Not a great photo, but I just love my new vases and I'm very happy with the way they look on my desk. 

Here's to 40 more years!

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Happy 7th Birthday Noah!

Sunday was Noah's 7th birthday. We celebrated with family and friends on Saturday night with cake and ice cream.

For the last several weeks, Noah has been telling us the wanted a specific Willy Wonka cake that he found on YouTube. It was a really fancy and complicated cake, but Mike kept saying that if anyone could make this cake it was me and Emily.

I think it turned out pretty good. The cake was a nine-layer white chocolate mud cake with vanilla buttercream between the layers. It was covered with chocolate ganache then decorated with colored fondant. 

Front of cake

 

Back of cake with the chocolate waterfall

Inside of the cake with nine rainbow colored layers. And all that delicious buttercream. I mean, it was really delicious, homemade, decadent buttercream. 

We also made some fizzy lifting drink. At first, Noah wouldn't drink it because he didn't want to be lifted. But he finally tried it and he loved it!

Isn't he sooooo handsome??

And of course we had to have plenty of candy at a Willy Wonka party.  It was a fun party and Noah was so excited to have his family and friends with him to celebrate.

Noah got a lot of fun presents. He loves art and he got a lot of art supplies. He also got some Lego sets that he and Emily have already been working on building. I wish I had some pictures of him with his presents. Mason got him a pirate belt and sword that he loves wearing every day. He also got his very first piggy bank with Noah's Ark painted on the side.

Sunday was Noah's birthday and he was also baptized at church on Sunday morning. What a special event to happen on his 7th birthday. We are so happy for him and proud of him!

Happy Birthday Noah!!!!!!!!!!!!

Links:
YouTube Tutorial for Willy Wonka Illusion cake
Instructions for Willy Wonka Illusion cake
White Chocolate Mud cake recipe
Buttercream Frosting recipe

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4th of July Recap

I don't know why it's so hard, but sometimes I fall behind on blogging and it's hard to catch up. It's been a week and I haven't even mentioned Independence Day.

Can I talk about a holiday without talking about food? How about just some pictures of the sugar cookies we made? We had so much fun baking and decorating together.

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Vacation Bible School

Our church had Vacation Bible School last week. Emily was too old to go as a student, but she went a a helper. She assisted in the preschool music area. I think she really enjoyed it. 

Noah was in one of the second grade classes and he really had a good time. He liked the music and all the crafts that they made. During the praise and worship time in the auditorium, they throw out t-shirts - I can't remember what they call it. Toss out? Or something? Anyway, Noah really wanted to catch a shirt, but he never did. 

On Thursday at VBS, Noah accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and asked Jesus into his heart! We are so excited for him and so proud of him. I know that he understands the decision that he's making and he's excited about too. I'm so happy that all of my family will be with me in heaven some day. 

Thursday night was Family Night. I loved seeing Noah singing and doing the motions to all the songs that they sung. They threw some more shirts, but we couldn't catch one. After the worship service, went to the atrium where they had snow cones, cotton candy, hot dogs, inflatables, and games. It was a lot of fun!

Since I had to work and couldn't go up to the church to help at bible school, I decided to make treats for the workers. 

The first day, Emily and I made some brightly colored cake pops. Emily and I put colored sanding sugar on most of them. A few of them, we just put sprinkles. They were Devil's Food on the inside. So good. The workers really loved them. 

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Memorial Day Patriotic Cake Pops

Emily and I made some patriotic cake pops to take down to Magnolia for the Memorial Day weekend. I've posted about my elephant cake pops, the blue sprinkle cake pops, the red apple cake pops, and even the ones I made for the piano recital. So I knew my family was going to want to try some. 

The cake was red velvet with cream cheese frosting. I thought that was perfect for a patriotic cake pop. 

For the drizzle, we just melted a little bit of the candy coating and put it into plastic storage bags the snipped off the tip. With the white candy coating, we snipped a hole that was a little too big and it didn't squeeze out smoothly.  We did better with the red and the blue. It didn't reheat well in the plastic bags though so you're going to have to work fast and probably use one color at a time. 

We used red sanding sugar on a few of the red cake pops. I thought that made an interesting look. We also used red, white, and blue nonpareils on a few cake balls for variety. 

I don't know if you noticed, but I laced red and blue ribbon around the cake pop stand this time. I thought that was cute, but I don't know how noticeable it is. 

We're going to be making more of these next week for a bake sale at Mike's work. 

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