Better Than Rice Krispy Treats - Peanut Butter Style

These treats were a wonderful mistake!!!

I was making Rice Krispy Treats and decided to use a little peanut butter.  'Cuz at my house, treats are just better with a little PB.

I reached into my pantry for the Rice Krispies and they were almost gone.  What to do, what to do.

Not to worry, I had a whole box of Corn Chex.

I used those instead and, let me tell you, these treats did not disappoint!

So here's the recipe . . . I know you're dying to make some right. now.

{Better Than Rice Krispy Treats}

1 stick butter

3/4 c peanut butter {I didn't say these were healthy . . .}

1 bag marshmallows

5 or 6 cups Corn Chex

1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted

I always make my Rice Krispy Treats on the stove.  But if you do yours in the microwave, that's cool, too.  We can still be friends :)

Melt your butter and peanut butter over medium heat.  Add your marshmallows and melt those all the way, too.  No lumps, please.

Remove from heat and add your Corn Chex.  I didn't measure mine, but if you go for 5 or 6 cups, that will maybe be enough, depending on how gooey you want them.  If you want a little more, just pour a little more!  Really, these are hard to mess up.

Then, in a greased jelly roll pan, pour your mixture and press into the pan.  Mine didn't fill the whole pan, which means yours probably won't either.  That's okay.  Promise.

{TIP}:  Get your hands wet, then press it into the pan.  It totally works!  I do this with Rice Krispy Treats, too.  The marshmallowy stuff won't stick to your hands and you can press to your little heart's content.

You will now have this deliciousness:

Now you can add the melted chocolate chips.  Just melt in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until all the chocolate chips are melted.  Drizzle with a spoon over the entire pan of gooey goodness, er, cereal mixture. 

Just like Rice Krispy Treats, let the mixture cool before cutting.

And yummy-yum-yum, you have yourself a super delicious treat!!!

But beware, I'm pretty sure you will eat four more than one, like me.

Just thought I'd let you drool over a few more pictures.

Now what are you waiting for?

Go make some for yourself!

Here's where I'm linking up:

Oh. My.

Have you seen these at the store?

These, my friends are bad, bad news because they are so freakin' good!

Seriously, I can't stop eating them.

I might need to make some cookies with them.

And when I do, I will share.  At least the recipe.  Unless you live by me, then I'll share the actual cookies w/ you.  Otherwise I'll eat them all myself!

Wanna know why they are so good? 

1)  Because you don't have to unwrap any wrappers!

2)  They have peanut butter.  'Nuff said.

3)  The peanut butter in these is WAY better than the PB in the regular Reese's.  It's creamier.  And oh so good.

4)  They are the perfect little size.

Oh man.  I'm in trouble.

I have zero will-power when it comes to peanut butter!

{Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes}

Oh.  My.  Yummy.

I needed to make some treats for some people.

I like to make treats that I would like to receive.

So I decided to make cupcakes.

But not just any cupcakes.

{Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes}!

Peanut Butter, oh how I love you!

And mixed with chocolate?  

How can you go wrong?

 Here's the recipe:

{Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes}

1 box chocolate cake mix

1 package Reese's Peanut Butter Chips

I started with my chocolate cake mix (I bought what was on sale) 

and these:

 Which, by the way, are delicious in and of themselves.

I made the cake mix according to directions, but I added about 1/3 c applesauce (I used the snack cups that my kids eat) to help keep the cupcakes nice and moist.

Then I added the chips:

 I spooned them into my cupcake wrappers in my muffin tins and baked according to the directions on the cake mix (the cake mix I used said to fill the cups 1/2 full but I filled mine about 3/4 full.  I like my cupcakes BIG!).

While the cupcakes were cooling, I made the peanut butter frosting.

This, my friends, is what makes these cupcakes oh. so. yummy.

Peanut Butter Frosting

2 Tbsp butter

2/3 c peanut butter (heaping)

5 c powdered sugar

6 to 7 Tbsp milk

I usually just make up my frosting recipes, so when I made this one, I made it up, too.  I started with 1/3 c peanut butter, added 1 Tbsp butter, added some powdered sugar and then a little milk.  It did NOT make enough frosting!  So I doubled this recipe for you so you can cover all of your cupcakes.  

I know, I know.  You're welcome :)

I creamed the butter and the peanut butter:

 {remember, you want your peanut butter heaping}

Next I added the powdered sugar.  Mix until well blended. 

It will be really thick at this point.  Add your milk a little at a time until you get your desired consistency.  You can use a little more or a little less than the recipe says.  Play around with it until you get your desired consistency.  I wanted mine pretty thick, at least a little thicker than I usually make frosting.  I actually had half and half on hand so I used that to make my frosting extra creamy.

Blend a little longer than you think is necessary.  I think this helps the frosting become extra smooth, but it's not scientifically proven to do so :)

Next, get a plastic sandwich bag and spoon the frosting in (I forgot to take pics, dang it!).  Fill it up and zip it closed.  Snip the corner with some scissors:

{Note:  snip the corner AFTER you fill the bag with frosting!  Since I forgot to take pics while I was actually doing it, I took a pic after for your viewing pleasure}

Starting on the outer top of the cupcake, squeeze your bag and swirl it around the cupcake until you have covered the whole cupcake.

 

I promise you, this is easier than just using a knife and spreading it on.  Plus it's so much prettier!  It makes the cupcakes feel fancy :)

How fun would it be to add a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips on top?

And that, my friends, is how you can make yourself a chocolatey, peanut-buttery treat.  Mmm, mmm good!

Peanut Buttery Brownies

If you know me well, you know that I heart peanut butter. 

I mean I really, really love it.

And, of course, I have a child allergic to it.  So I have to get my PB fix at night after she goes to bed.

'Cuz I really can't live without it!

So today I bring you an easy but delicious recipe - my Peanut Buttery Brownies!

 Don't they look good?!

Here's the recipe:

What you need:

- Brownie mix (any brand will do, just use your favorite)
- Baking chocolate or chocolate chips
- Peanut butter
- Butter
- Powdered sugar

I started off by making the brownies according to the package.  I happened to have a Kroger brownie mix on hand (I have to have a brownie mix on hand at all times because my husband loves brownies!  Sometimes I make them from scratch, but most of the time I use a mix).  

I wanted to add a little something extra and saw that I had a bar of Ghirardelli baking chocolate on hand.  Perfect!  

{Or you could use chocolate chips - one to two cups.  The more you use, the more chocolatey it will be!}

I chopped the baking chocolate into small squares {I used the whole bar} and added them to my brownie mix before I put the brownie mix into my 9x13 pan.  Bake the brownies according to package.

To make the peanut butter layer, mix:

1 cup peanut butter

2 Tbsp butter

2 cups powdered sugar

4 Tbsp milk

Cream the peanut butter and butter.  Add the powdered sugar and milk.  If the mixture seems too stiff, don't be afraid to add a little more milk, a tablespoon at a time.  I put in about 3 tablespoons milk and should have put just a little more, which is why for the recipe I put 4 tablespoons.  You don't want it runny, but you want it soft enough to spread on the brownies - just a little thicker than frosting would be.

After the brownies are cooked and cooled, add the peanut butter mixture.  Just spread it all over the brownies.

Cut 'em up and eat 'em!

But, make sure you have a tall glass of milk to go along with your brownies 'cuz these babies are rich!  And oh so delicious!



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