Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cheesecake

I can't really take credit for this recipe. At all. I didn't make a single part of it. It wasn't even my idea. I'm pretty sure my only contribution was taking pictures. And eating. But it's so good that whether I had a hand in it or not, I've got to share it.

So my friends and I like the show Supernatural on the CW. And by like I mean completely and utterly obsessed. Show quoting, marathon watching, convention going (DallasCon!) obsessed. When Kelli suggested that we have a Supernatural Marathon weekend, I was totally game. Especially when we decided that dessert was most definitely involved. My vote was for pie (if you watch the show, you understand), while Tommy voted for cheesecake. So, of course, we made both. Sorry Sam and Dean (and Cas. And pie.), you might be the stars of the show, but this cheesecake was the star of the weekend.

Since Kelli doesn't do much in the way of baking, Tommy and I packed up half our kitchens (mixers, waffle irons, ingredients, and all), and took our baking and cooking shows on the road. Pretty sure the neighbors thought I was moving out with the amount of stuff I was hauling to the car. But it was so worth it. We fired up the mixer and the DVR and set off on a Supernatural baking adventure, with Tommy leading the charge, Kelli as sous chef, and me just playing paparazzi.

Layer upon layer of deliciousness. We're talking 8 layers here. EIGHT! In all their peanut butter and chocolate glory. 

Mountains of peanut butter cups. And surprisingly we only sacrificed 3. For quality control purposes only, of course. 

Oh the unveiling anticipation! Pretty sure we opened the fridge to check on it about 85 times in the 4 hours it took to chill.

Brownies + hot fudge + peanut butter cheesecake + brownies + peanut butter cheesecake + whipped cream + peanut butter cups + hot fudge = HOLY MOTHER OF YUM. And don't even try to calculate how many calories are in this. It's probably about a week's worth of the recommended daily amount. So we just won't talk about that.

We ate our slices standing at the counter. If no one was watching, I might not have even bothered with slices. I probably would have just taken a fork and dove in. But I'm a bit more civilized in the presence of company. (Well, that is if you can overlook me standing on a chair like a crazy person taking pictures.. That's just what happens when you invite a food blogger to a party.)

So, whether you're reveling in your fandom with good friends, or celebrating the upcoming Valentine's Day (with company or alone--either way works), this cheesecake is not to be missed! It's easy to throw together, practically no-bake, and honestly, we're probably not still going on that whole New Year's resolution thing, so what are you waiting for? You NEED this cheesecake.

Chewy Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies

I think I have a peppermint problem. The last 3 cookies have all featured it as one of its main flavors! I just can’t get enough! But I promise, this is the last of the peppermints for the 12 Cookies of Christmas. Maybe.

I adore these cookies. The base is my all-time favorite chocolate cookie, which happens to be the perfect platform for anything you want to throw into it. Go ahead and clean out your pantry. Chocolate chips? Have at it. Festive M&Ms? Been there, done that, didn't want to share. Dried cherries? Potential for amazing. Leftover Peppermint Bark Bits from my batch of thumbprints? Well, if you insist!

These cookies are perfect for the holidays. They’re practically stress free. No melting chocolate. No need to chill the dough. Just whip up, mix in some extra bits (or don’t—they’re deliciously tasty on their own), roll in a ball and bake! They’re a super quick and easy cookie to fill your cookie trays.

We've made it two-thirds of the way through our 12 Cookies of Christmas! I can't believe it! Only 4 more to go!

Peppermint Mocha Thumbprints

What do you get when you combine food bloggers, cookies, and a good cause? The 3rd Annual Food Blogger Cookie Swap hosted by Lindsay of Love and Olive Oil and Julie of The Little Kitchen!

For the past few years, food bloggers all over the world have signed up to bake cookies to send Secret Santa style to other bloggers, and in return, receive packages of delicious cookies baked just for them. And they do it not only for the cookies, but to help raise money for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. This was my second time participating, and it definitely didn’t disappoint!

Chocolate and peppermint are the perfect pair in these fun, festive thumbprints. A chocolate cookie with an espresso kick, a creamy peppermint chocolate filling, topped with a sprinkle of peppermint bark-- I knew these would be the perfect cookies to send to my swap matches.

I packaged up my cookies and sent them on their way to Emily of Epicurious Em, Molly of My Name is Yeh, and Jennifer of Break or Bake!

And the cookies that showed up in my mailbox? FANTASTIC! There were three very different flavors that I devoured with reckless abandon. Not even a single bit of sharing happened with these. None. I ate every last crumb.

There were some delicious Peppermint Mocha Cookies from Erica at Erica's Sweet Tooth which I polished off in a matter of days.

Some amazing, spicy Mexican Chocolate Crackle Cookies from Kathy at Cooking on the Side (left) which I was in too much of a hurry to devour to take more a picture of the box.

And the most surprising-- White Chocolate Chip Zucchini Oat Cookies from Ali at Inspiralized (right). Yeah, you read that right. Zucchini. There were vegetables in my cookies. And I practically licked the tray.Who would've thought? Thanks so much ladies! I loved, loved, loved them all! 

We're up to #7. Stay tuned for the last 5 cookies and be sure to check out any you missed along the way!

Brown Butter Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies

They’re playing nonstop Christmas music on one of the radio stations in town already. Two days ago I woke up to snow covered ground for the first time this season. Yesterday they put the big Christmas tree up in the square outside of work. Looking out my window today, all the trees that were filled with beautiful yellow leaves just a few short weeks ago are now bare. All signs are pointing to Winter and the holidays barreling towards us at a rapid pace.

Even though I knew it’s been quickly approaching, I don’t feel ready.

But like it or not, it’s here. And that means it’s time to throw myself whole heartedly into holiday planning mode. Which means it’s time once again for the 12 Cookies of Christmas! 12 delicious cookies to share this holiday season. Because everyone knows cookies make the perfect gift.

This year we’re starting with a standard—Chocolate Chip Cookies. But these aren’t your run of the mill Chocolate Chips. There’s nothing boring or standard about these at all. They’re are my all-time favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies, all dolled up in a party dress and pearls for the holidays. Brown butter gives it a rich, nutty flavor while sea salt sprinkles give it the ultimate sweet/salty bite. They’re so good, they’ll charm the pants right off your holiday party guests. Or maybe that’s just the spiked eggnog. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

Check back for the rest of the 12 Cookies of Christmas!

Salted Dulce de Leche Brownies

Sometimes I have a hard time controlling myself around baked goods. I know I don’t need that second cookie (or third, or sometimes fourth), but my god do I want it. It sings its sugary siren song, and I find myself devouring a handful of cookies for breakfast. There are days when I fuel myself with little more than sugar and caffeine, risking diabetic shock for just one more bite.

These brownies fall right within that line. I lose all semblance of self-control around these brownies. I’ve made them twice. And eaten the entire pan—by myself. Twice. I’ve finished one piece and headed immediately back for another. It’s no exaggeration when I say I can’t get enough of them.

I’d wake up in the morning and grab one for breakfast. I’d get home from work and immediately grab one for a snack. They were the first thing I stuffed in my face after a soggy, waterlogged camping trip. I mourned them after polishing off the last piece. They’re that good.

They’re intensely fudgy and thick, studded with pockets of dulce de leche within and swirls across the top. A sprinkle of sea salt ups the flavor game, making these babies completely irresistible.

And the best news--they’re not that much more involved than a box mix. No chopping and melting chocolate. Because they’re made with nothing but cocoa powder, the only thing we’re melting here is butter. Easy peasy. Which makes these brownies 1000 times more dangerous. Minimal effort with most of the ingredients already in my cupboard? It’s going to be tough to break my brownie addiction.

Chewy Mocha Cookies

It seems like most people I know need coffee to survive. Or at least function properly. A cup in the morning to wake up and get going. Maybe some more refueling later to make it through the day. While I’m not exactly a morning person, I’ve never actually been one of these people that depends on caffeine to wake me up. Sure I’d indulge in a Starbucks latte every now and then at work (because I’m a sucker for White Chocolate Raspberry Mochas. They’re just so pink!), but that was all it was—an indulgence. Until recently…

I’ve had more coffee in the past month or so than I probably have in my whole life. I couldn’t tell you why. But I think I’ve turned myself into a coffee drinker. I’ve traded in my Biscoff covered toast for a steaming mug first thing in the morning. And I have to say, with enough flavor and milk in it, it’s not half bad. I just have to keep myself from getting completely hooked.

These cookies aren’t helping at all. Laced with a healthy dose of espresso powder, they’re even more irresistible than that morning mug. They’re soft and chewy and totally chocolatey. And with the help of some cream cheese, they’ll stay tender for days. (Not that they’ll stick around that long.) And like the Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies, these bad boys are egg free, so not only is it totally safe to eat the raw dough (which I did. Quite a bit.), but they’re perfect to share with those who have egg allergies.

I brought these cookies into work to share about a week ago and my coworkers are still talking about them. That’s how you know you’ve got a winner on your hands.

Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake

This is the cake dreams are made of. Literally. I woke up the other day thinking about this cake. And I continued to think about it all day until I finally broke down, gathered up my whisk and mixing bowl, and turned on the oven.

Sometimes you just need a recipe like this. Something easy and satisfying without all the fuss. The kind of recipe that doesn’t even involve a mixer. Don’t get me wrong. I love my KitchenAid like it’s my child, but my tiny kitchen is severely lacking in counter space. Which means each time I use my mixer, I have to drag it from its home on the far end of the counter to the opposite end where there’s more than 8 inches of room to work. And you know those things aren’t exactly light. So anytime I don’t have to give my arms a workout is fine by me. And when that non-workout ends in cake? Well, it’s my lucky day.

Especially when that non-workout ends in cake this good. Seriously. I want to sit in a corner somewhere with a fork and devour every last bite of this cake. Actually, forget the fork. I’ll just eat it with my hands. It’s so incredibly soft and tender and chocolatey, it doesn't even need any extras—it’s perfect as it is. But if you’re inclined to take the chocolate to the next level, whip up the chocolate glaze from the original recipe over at Two Peas and Their Pod to drizzle over the top. Or just sprinkle with powdered sugar like I did and dig in.

I need this cake in my life. Every single day. You complete me, cake. 

Chocolate M&M Cookies

You know why I like Valentine's Day? Because everything's pink. The decorations, the cards, the candy. My inner 4 year old (that I very poorly hide most days) positively squees at the idea of Valentine's Day. Cover everything in hearts and glitter--heck, make it look like a unicorn exploded, and I'm one happy girl.

But my very favorite thing about Valentine's Day isn't the pink or the love or the sappy Hallmark cards (which are actually my least favorite part). No. My favorite thing is that Valentine's is a holiday where chocolate is not just encouraged, it's expected. Chocolate. And lots of it. Which is definitely something I can get behind.

Truth: I ate almost half the bag of M&Ms before making these cookies.

Truth: Almost a quarter of the bag was gone within 20 minutes of buying them at Target.

Truth: I almost didn't share these cookies.

This is my very favorite chocolate cookie recipe. I've been making it for years from my Martha Stewart's Cookies cookbook. They're a bit crunchy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and oh-so-perfectly chocolatey. And each and every time I make them, I have a hard time not eating the entire batch myself. (Are we noticing a lack of self-control theme here?) These cookies had my coworkers asking what sort of black magic I use because they can't possibly be that easy and still be that good. But they are. Easy. And good. And perfect for the class party. Or your Valentine. Or just for yourself. Share. Don't share. It's completely up to you.

Looking for more Valentine's ideas? No fear! I've got you covered. 

Peanut Butter Cup-Cakes Revisited

January 21, 2009: a cold winter day 4 short years ago that will live on in our hearts and our minds forever. Wait, you're telling me you don't remember that fateful day? It was a day that changed the course of history! A day school children will be learning about for centuries to come! That was the day I hit "Publish" on my very first blog post--Peanut Butter Cup-Cakes. Okay, okay. So posting my first recipe didn't really rewrite history. It's not exactly life changing or earth shattering. Heck, I have to look it up every year because I can't even remember when my Blogiversary is. But looking back on that first post, we've come a long way in those 4 years.

Back in 2009, I knew nothing about this blogging thing. Honestly, I'm not even sure I really knew what a blog was. But suddenly there I was jumping head first into this world. 4 years later, I still can't tell you much about some parts of blogging like SEO and hosting (which is why at this very moment I'm currently reading Food Blogging For Dummies), but I can't even begin to imagine what I'd be doing if I weren't right here right now, doing this whole deal.

Every now and then when I'm bored I go back and read through some of my old posts. Talk about cringe worthy! Wow. Just wow. Some of those.. *sigh* Not only were the posts a ramblefest but the pictures! Oh the pictures. It's like looking through your middle school yearbook. You just want to forget it ever happened. So, in honor of this little blog's 4th birthday, I thought it would be fun to take a little trip down memory lane and show you the good, the bad, but mostly the ugly of the last few years!

There was an unfortunate slant phase. I don't know why.. but it lasted for well over a year--much like my permed hair phase.

I'm ready for my closeup.

Are we at the pool? Why do I feel like swimming?

What is this? That's it. I'm firing my food stylist.

Well that's appetizing..

Oh. Oh wow.. That's just.. sad.

Talk about a wall of shame. But instead of hanging my head (which I should definitely be doing), I'm taking what I've learned about baking and photography and making over my very first recipe! May I present the all new Peanut Butter Cup-Cakes!

The original recipe was marbled peanut butter and chocolate cake--neither of which had much flavor. The underwhelming cake was topped with an overwhelming peanut butter cream cheese frosting. Blegh. It was definitely time for a flavor upgrade.

Using my tried and true chocolate cake recipe, I topped it with a swirl of peanut butter and chocolate frosting. The peanut butter was a bit softer than the chocolate, so it didn't swirl quite as well as I'd envisioned, but one bite, and you'll forgive all its aesthetic imperfections. No tangy cream cheese flavor here--it's nothing but peanut buttery goodness.

After looking at all the terrible pictures that litter my little slice of internet life, I think I might have to revamp quite a few of my recipes and reclaim a bit of my dignity. And here's to hoping that I don't cringe at these pictures 4 years from now.