peanut butter -

by hungry monster

Girl Scouts Copycats: Ritz Thin Mints and Tagalong “Cookies”

Apparently today, February 8th, is National Girl Scout Cookie Day. I guess that’s a thing.

I was a terrible girl scout. I was one of those kids who never liked to go outside and get dirty and just wanted to read my Babysitter’s Club books. I liked the patches you could earn in a quiet room.

I remember one time, we drove a long way to this obstacle course. This is in my horribly unreliable memory of childhood, so we probably drove down the street to a playground. Anyways, we had to climb a rope thing and I remember just looking up at it and sighing, wondering when we get to the cookie part of the whole deal.

I know that may come as a shock that I was such a nerdy kid since I’m so badass as an adult. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Sorry. I entertain myself with my sarcastic quips. OK, back to cookies. We all love cookies. Am I right? That was a rhetorical question. Of course I’m right.

So, I missed my chance to order boxes of Girl Scout cookies this year. I flat out turned them down. I was on my healthy kick. I still sort of am. But, you need a healthy balance of cookies and salads. You just do.

These “cookies” are so very simple to make. And you can make as little or as many as you want. They are probably healthier and cheaper that Girl Scout cookies. Maybe. I did no research to support that claim.

The secret ingredient is Ritz crackers.

Let’s go.

Copycat Thin Mints

by hungry monster

Peanut Butter Toast Crunch Cereal Cake for One

I know this looks weird. It”s not exactly what you would think of when I say super rich and decadent peanut butter cake. But that”s what it is, I swear.

Ever since my resolution, I have not been buying sweets. It”s a sad time, folks. Well, it was a sad time. Until I rediscovered my love for microwave cakes.

I have two secrets I”m gonna let you in on. This cake took me 1 minute to cook and like one more minute of prep time. Also, it ended up being less than 120 calories (Obviously it depends on the ingredients you use; Mine was 112 calories–score!).

Oh, also. You know how cereal is awesome? I”m sure you know. I may have bought three boxes of this goodness (I”m a weak human, folks, it”s true).

Here”s the method to my madness.

Peanut Butter Toast Crunch Cereal Cake for One

in Desserts / Recipe 1 comments

by Emily

Peanut Butter Sea Salt Truffles

As much as I love holiday cookies and confections, I’m just not much of a baker. I’m impatient and imprecise, two things that are not beneficial for a cook who wants to excel in the world of baked goods. Luckily for me, there are a whole lot of treats out there that look and taste fancy, but don’t even require pre-heating an oven.

Peanut butter balls were always a favorite of mine as a kid, and these no-bake truffles are a fancy version, thanks to the addition of one of my all-time favorite dessert ingredients, fleur de sel. It’s an amazing compliment to almost any sweet flavor, plus it adds a satisfying crunch. Combine this sophisticated ingredient with the no-brainer combo of chocolate and peanut butter, and you have a guaranteed winner for your next holiday party! Not to mention that the rainbow nonpareils I added are just so festive and cute. Yeah yeah, I’m one of those people who thinks rainbow sprinkles make everything infinitely better. I can’t help myself.

Peanut Butter Sea Salt Truffles

in Desserts / Holiday / Recipe 0 comments

by Twin Tastes

Horror Movies, Here We Come: Halloween Popcorn and Cocktail

With Halloween falling in the middle of the week this year, and a Frankenstorm a-brewing, it’s definitely time for a classic horror movie fest. You’ll need Kubrick’s The Shining, Spielberg’s Jaws, and any Hitchcock film—plus a big bowl of popcorn and some frightfully delicious cocktails to get into the spooky spirit.

Our take on an espresso martini is inspired by the delicious version we order at Lucca on Hanover Street in Boston. It’s a combination of vodka, espresso, slightly sweet Kahlua and a splash of velvety Baileys Irish Cream. While sipping the eerily dark libation, we nibble on decadent sweet and salty popcorn that incorporates two of our favorite guilty pleasures: peanut butter and marshmallow fluff. The combination of the nutty, sticky sweet crunch of the popcorn with the exhilarating zing of the drink is the ideal combination for any movie gathering, especially on a chilly weeknight.

Peanut Butter and Marshmallow Fluff Popcorn

in Drinks / Holiday / Recipe 3 comments

by Emily

Top 10 New Foods at the 2012 State Fairs

Well, in regards to ridiculous overloads of novelty foods, it’s all downhill from here—state fair season is over for the year. We’ll have to wait for months before a stream of deep-fried, chocolate-covered, bacon-wrapped indulgences can once again make their appearance in our diets. In the meantime, let’s take a look at some of the most shocking new creations that made their debut onto the state fair food scene in 2012. Steel your arteries…

10. BIG Beef Rib – California State Fair

You’d think that a normal beef rib would contain enough animal flesh, but you would be wrong, and the California State Fair is here to prove it. They’ve jammed a giant 24-oz. steak ONTO a 17-inch beef rib bone. Why?! Because they can. (Photo: Cavegrrl.com)

9. Deep Fried Cotton Candy – Texas State Fair

We saw deep fried Kool-Aid and deep fried salsa at last year’s state fairs, so we should have known that cotton candy couldn’t be that far off. Pretty crazy, because it seems like the spun sugar would melt in the deep fryer. Life is full of mysteries. Not enough sweets for you? Don’t worry, this treat is served by a frozen yogurt purveyor, so feel free to use these giant balls of fried sugar as a topping on your froyo. (Photo: Cassie’s Frozen Yogurt)

8. Outlaw Stacker – Eastern Idaho State Fair

We all know that french fries are a great base for all kinds of toppings, and the Eastern Idaho State Fair really took that idea and ran with it. The Outlaw Stacker is a huge pile of fries smothered in gravy, bacon, and a fried egg. The name rings true—health and nutrition are truly outlawed in this dish. And we’re okay with that. (Photo: Eastern Idaho State Fair)

in Bacon / Cheese / Eggs / Featured / Food Travel / Lists / Photos / Pig / Red Meat / Top 10 Lists / Trends 0 comments

by unsightly

Endless Ice Cream: A Soft Serve Elvis Would Love

The good news is you don’t need an ice cream maker. The other good news is this is a four-ingredient recipe. More good news: it’s fast, easy and super tasty. Well, it’s all good news! Get to making this dreamy dessert now.

You remember how I told you to preserve your browning bananas in the freezer? Well, it’s time to pull them out and put them to good use. Don’t have frozen bananas? It’s okay, just chop up some bananas and throw them in the freezer for a couple of hours. The rest is easy. Add a little cream. Toss in an Elvis-approved duo of flavors: chocolate and peanut butter (purists and Elvis enthusiasts can add a tablespoon of honey and some chopped crispy bacon). You’ll be gorging yourself in no time.

Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter Soft Serve

in Desserts / Endless Ice Cream / Featured / Recipe 0 comments

by snebbu

Cookies Gone Wild! Top 10 Ways to Eat an Oreo

If you haven’t noticed, next to beer, I favor sweets. I’d go so far as to say if it was an ideal world, I’d subscribe to Elf’s main food groups. Maybe not that far…but pretty close. Oreos are one of those foods that integrate sweet creaminess and crunchy chocolate to a different level. I’m sure there are Oreo purists out there who will only eat it one way—but for the adventurers among us, here are ten more ways to eat the number 1 sandwich cookie in America:

10. Oreo-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookie-on-cookie action! Some cookies you need to eat warm or wait until they get crispy. It seems like this one is enjoyable no matter when you chomp down on it. I’d still go for right out of the oven. Really—what’s better than the warm insides of a cookie?

Recipe: veryculinary.com

9. Individual Oreo Cheesecake

Some people feel overwhelmed by a large piece of cheesecake. At least this gives you the perception that you are controlling your portions. Until you have another…and another..and…

Recipe: deglazing.com

in Desserts / Featured / Lists / Top 10 Lists 1 comments