The Best Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

One night after dinner, my daughter said she was craving peanut butter cookies.  Her favorite are the soft ones from Cookie Corner.  I wasn’t able to find a copycat recipe, but I did find one by The Novice Chef called The Best Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies.  The original recipe can be found here.

First in a medium bowl, mix 1 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt.  This recipe calls for unsalted butter, but I only use salted butter so I skip the added salt.  In another bowl, using a mixer, cream 1/2 cup peanut butter (we used crunchy) with 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar (firmly packed), and 1/4 cup sugar.  Once the mixture is light and fluffy, mix in 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.  Add in the flour mix about a third at a time and mix until you get a dough.  

We used a large cookie scooper to scoop out the dough.  We added different toppings like marshmallows, chopped peanuts, and chocolate chips.  Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.  Leave on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.

The cookies turned out AMAZING and really lived up to its name.  After taste testing, I liked the chocolate chip version the best while the kids loved, loved the marshmallow ones.  Super fun and super quick to whip up.    

Getting creative with our toppings.

Leftover dough equals one delicious gigantic cookie!

Read More

Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats

Ever since I discovered the microwave directions for rice krispies treats, the marshmallow dessert has been my go-to when I have a craving or when I am short on time.  I've also played with the recipe, subbing rice krispies cereal with fruity pebbles or cocoa krispies.  This time, I had a craving for peanut butter (truth: I always have a craving for peanut butter) and decided to look up a recipe.

Lucky for peanut butter lovers everywhere, Kellogg's Rice Krispies has a recipe on their website.  Basically, you mix in 1/2 cup of peanut butter to the melted marshmallows and butter before mixing in the cereal.  I only had about 3 cups of rice krispies on hand, but I added the entire 1/2 cup of peanut butter in error.  But it turned out fabulous.  The peanut butter elevated those rice krispies treats and now my family and I will never be the same.       

Read More

Let Them Eat Cupcakes

I recently popped into Let Them Eat Cupcakes (LTEC) on South Beretania Street after lunching with the Mommy Lunch Bunch at Bethel Union.  I was looking for something sweet to offset the braised beef pappardelle pasta that I inhaled at lunch.

When LTEC first opened their doors in 2011, they had a sprinkles bar, which I thought was a brilliant idea, since everyone loves sprinkles.  Well, they don't have the sprinkles bar anymore, but they still sell some of the tastiest cupcakes on the island.

They have 6-7 daily flavors, 27 in all, and they rotate on a schedule. If there's something in particular you want to try, check their cupcake schedule before you head down there.  Chocolate, vanilla and red velvet are on the menu every day.

Lucky for me, today happened to be Thursday, and their peanut butter cup was on the menu. 

I love that they use plastic boxes that are made especially for cupcakes (or muffins).  This keeps your cupcake safe when you're transporting it.

All cupcakes are made from scratch and are topped with their signature flavored buttercream frosting that is seriously broke-da-mouth.  It's rich, creamy, and made with real vanilla. I normally scrape off half the frosting on cupcakes, but not on this one.  

Are you gluten-free?  Not to worry, they have a few gluten-free options for you.  

Have you heard of their GRADONA? It's a combination of a malasada and croissant that is supposed to be heavenly.  If you want one, you'll need to head down to LTEC on a Friday, and make sure to go early (starting at 11 am), as they only make a certain amount.

Finding parking in downtown can be nightmarish at times, but LTEC lets you in on the best places to park, and if all else fails, call them and maybe they'll do curbside service just for you.

Special orders and catering packages are available!

Let Them Eat Cupcakes

35 South Beretania Street

(808) 531-2253

Tuesday - Friday 10 am - 6 pm

Saturdays: 10 am - 3 pm

Read More

Pic's Peanut Butter Review - #PictheDifference

Disclosure:  Complimentary sample was received for review purposes.

My family goes through a lot of peanut butter.  Whether in sandwiches, in smoothies, desserts, or snacks, we could eat peanut butter daily!

Because of my family's love for peanut butter, I was eager to try Pic's Peanut Butter,

Having just launched in the US, Pic's Peanut Butter is a favorite in New Zealand, and I can see (and taste!) why.

Pic's Peanut Butter really tastes great.  It was like I was eating freshly-made peanut butter!

Pic's Peanut Butter contains just two ingredients - hi-oleic, Australian certified GMO-free peanuts and salt (salt-free variety available).  The other brand of crunchy peanut butter in our pantry contained roasted peanuts, sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oil, and salt.

Due to the hi-oleic peanuts used in Pic's Peanut Butter, there is a much fresher taste.  The peanut butter is nice and crunchy, with bits of peanuts in every bite (compared to how other peanut butters seem to have bits of peanuts sparingly), and I love the slight saltiness.

We've used Pic's Peanut Butter on toast:

apple slices...

and bananas.

Cover the bananas with chocolate and sprinkle with shredded coconut for a yummy treat!

I can certainly taste a difference between Pic's Peanut Butter and the brand that we usually buy.

Try it out for yourself and see if you can taste the difference as well!

To find a retailer near you, click here.  Pic's Peanut Butter can also be found locally at Down to Earth stores.

Read More