Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

   So good,and so many possibilities!Add peanuts,peanut butter cups,peamut butter chips,m&m's..the list is endless!

Ingredients:
1 c. peanut butter
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 stick unsalted butter,softened
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. chocolate chips
1-1/2 c. flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
6 oz. semi sweet chocolate
   In a double boiler,melt the semi sweet chocolate.
   In the bowl of your mixer,blend together the peanut butter,butter and brown sugar.Add the egg,then the vanilla.Beat well.
   Blend the melted chocolate into the butter mixture.Slowly add the baking soda,flour ,and chocolate chips.This would be the time to add any other additionas as well,using about 1/2 c. of whatever you choose from the list above.Do not overmix.

   Roll the dough into balls,about 2 tbsp. each.Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350 for about 18-20 minutes.Pour a glass of milk,and have yourself a party!

Guacamole Salad Cups

   I made these today,and just had to share.This is a Barefoot Contessa recipe,that is so easy,healthy and delicious!If you like avocado,you must try this!

Ingredients:
1 pint of grape tomatoes(I used cherry)
1 pepper(any color)
1 15oz. can of black beans,drained & rinsed
1/2 c. red onion,diced
2 tbsp. jalapeno pepper(I didn't use,still great!)
1/2 tsp. lime zest
1/4 c. fresh squeezed lime juice(2 limes)
1/4 c. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. frshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic,minced
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
2-3 ripe Haas avocados,cubed
    In a bowl,place the tomatoes,peppers,black beans,onion and lime zest.In another bowl,whisk together the lime juice,olive oil,garlic,cayenne pepper,salt & pepper.Pour over the bean mixture and mix well.Right before serving,gently mix in the avocados.Serve at room temperature.I served mine in the avocado shells!

*** To cube an avocado,remove the pit with the sharp edge of your knife.Then score the avocado,and scoop out the flesh with a spoon,as shown.

Tasting Parties

  With the spring holiday season approaching,here is a great idea for entertaining.Pier One Imports now has an entire line devoted to Tasting Parties! This is a great way for everyone to get a little taste of everything you make.A perfect idea for small gatherings.Here are some of their featured items;

Some of the items are sold individually,and others in sets.Definitely a fun idea for a party!Find them at http://www.pier1.com/

Carrot Cupcakes

   Here is sweet,traditional springtime treat!I am not a huge raisin fan,so no raisins in this one.Feel free to add a few if you like them! This is a great way to get carrots into your children!!!!

Cupcake Ingredients:
3 c. grated carrots
1 c. toasted,chopped walnuts
2 c. sugar
1 c. canola oil(or vegetable)
4 eggs
1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
2-1/4 c. self-rising flour(like Swan's Down)
   In the bowl of your mixer,blend together the sugar & oil.Add the eggs and blend well.Add the baking soda,cinnamon and flour.Mix just until combined.Gently mix in the carrots and walnuts.
  Line 2 cupcake tins with liners.Fill the liners 3/4 of the way and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes.Remove from the oven and let cool.Once cooled,frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
2- 8oz. pkgs. of cream cheese(softened)
1/2 c. unsalted butter,softened
1- 16oz. box of confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

   Blend together the butter & cream cheese.Add the sugar and vanilla.Beat well until creamy & fluffy.Try to spread it on the cupcakes and not eat it all with just a spoon!!

Books We Are Reading in our House This Month..

So many fun spring books out right now!Take your child to the book store or the library and enjoy some together time!Happy Reading!

Lemon Sugar Cookies

   This is a sugar cookie with a twist of lemon.It has a slight citrus flavor and rolls out beautifully for cutout cookies.It is from The Foster's Market Cookbook,which is filled with great recipes.I have made sheep,since we are getting ready for Easter,and have decorated them with a simple powdered sugar icing.If desired,you may sprinkle your cookies with colored sugar before baking.
Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter,softened
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. milk
grated zest & juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2-1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

   In the bowl of your mixer,cream together the butter & sugar.Add the egg.Add the milk,lemon juice,lemon zest,and vanilla.Mix well.
   In a separate bowl,mix together the flour,baking powder and salt. Add to the butter mixture,and blend just until combined.Remove from the bowl,form into a round disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 5 days.
   When ready to bake,remove from the refrigerator and roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface.Dough should be about 1/4 inch thick.Cut out with desired shape of cookie cutters.Bake on baking sheets lined with parchment at 350 degrees for about 12-15 minutes.Remove and let cool.Decorate as desired.

Powdered Sugar Icing:
2 c. confectioner's sugar
1-2 tbsp. milk(add slowly,you may add more if needed)
  Mix together and spread carefully onto your cookies.Decorate with sprinkles,chocolate chips,and candies if desired.Have fun!!

Sour Cream Pound Cake

   Simple,yet delicious,a pound cake is always a crowd pleaser.Serve this plain,with ice-cream,or with fresh berries and whipped cream.Tastes great lightly grilled or toasted too!Moist & delicious,this is old-fashioned baking at its best!

Ingredients:
1/2 c. butter(1 stick),softened
1/2 c. sour cream,room temperature
3 eggs,room temperature
1 c. sugar
1-1/2c. flour
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. baking soda

    In the bowl of your mixer,blend the butter and sugar for approximately 5 minutes,until light and fluffy.Add the vanilla,then the eggs. In another bowl,mix together the flour ,baking soda,and baking powder.Slowly add half of the flour mixture,all of the sour cream,then the rest of the flour mixture.Mix only until combined.
   Grease and lightly flour a loaf pan.Pour the batter into the pan and bake at 325 degrees for about one hour(possibly more) until a cake tester comes out clean when inserted into the middle of the cake.Remove from the oven and let cool.If desired,dust with powdered sugar.