Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Last night I was in the mood for chocolate. Chocolate Cake, lathered in a rich peanut butter frosting.

So I made some Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes. They are rich and yummy. I used the peanut butter frosting recipe from Annie's Eats(http://annies-eats.com)who got it on the Food Network (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chocolate-cupcakes-and-peanut-butter-icing-recipe/index.html) I omitted the Heavy cream and just used milk until I got the correct consistency. I added some shaved chocolate to the top. The pictures are ones I made before, only with reeses on top. Both are filled with the frosting inside. YUMMY!

I want to eat one right now.

Cookie Extravaganza!!!

A couple of weeks ago one of my co-workers asked me to make some cookies for his son who is at the Naval Academy. So I took on the challenge. My friend suggested a couple of types, I decided to make all of them.

I sent his son two dozen football shaped sugar cookies topped with Royal Icing (I finally got the flooding to work). 2 Dozen each Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin. Then I added a batch of mini brownies. Phew...it was a big task, but I did enjoy myself.

I say my first "baking job" was a big hit!! I got word that some of the guys at the Academy thouroughly enjoyed the cookies!! I am so glad.

Next job: cake and cookies for my Sis in Laws shower!!! Then! I get to decorate cupcakes for my friends wedding in March! My dream of becoming a baker is starting to happen!!! Now, if I could just do it full time!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Biscotti

My co-worker loves biscotti. I made some at Christmas that were chocolate peppermint and she enjoyed them. Today is her last day, so I decided as a goodbye I would make her chocolate peanut butter biscotti! What a hit!!

I used this recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/peanut-butter-and-chocolate-biscotti-recipe/index.html. I used normal peanut butter as opposed to "natural" as the recipe calls for. I would also use less peanuts. I melted some chocolate chips and drizzled them on the top, as well as some peanut butter.

They turned out really well. This is a pretty easy recipe, you just have to make sure they get crispy enough...but not too done!

What a yummy morning treat!


Ingredients

* 10 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons)
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
* 3 large eggs
* 1 1/4 cups sugar
* 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter, room temperature
* 1 1/4 cups dry roasted peanuts
* 1 1/4 cups chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chunks (about 6 ounces)

Directions

Position racks evenly in the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Melt the butter over medium heat, swirling the pan occasionally. Continue to cook until the butter browns and gets a nutty aroma, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl.

Beat the eggs in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and pale yellow, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the sugar while beating. Then slowly add the butter and vanilla until evenly mixed, about 30 seconds more. Add the peanut butter and mix until combined.

While mixing slowly, add the dry ingredients to the wet, in 2 additions, mixing just until absorbed. Fold in the peanuts and chocolate pieces.

Divide the dough evenly into thirds, and put each portion in the center of a baking sheet. Shape the dough with slightly wet hands into logs about 2-inches wide and 15 inches long. Bake until set and brown around the edges, about 25 to 30 minutes. (For even baking take care to rotate the pans-- top to bottom and front to back--about half way though.) Cool logs on the baking sheets for about 10 minutes.

Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Carefully transfer the logs to a cutting board. Cut logs crosswise, with a long serrated knife at about a 45 degree angle, into 1/2-inch thick cookies. Place cookies cut side down on the baking sheets. Bake until crisp, about 8 minutes. Flip the cookies over and bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes more. Cool biscotti on the baking sheets. Serve.

Store cookies in a tightly sealed container for up to 3 days.

Chocolate for Breakfast?

I am not much of a cereal fan. I only like 3 or so, and I rarely eat it. Last night when grocery shopping I wandered down the cereal aisle. Much to my surprise, I stopped. I saw the Special K Chocolatey Delight. Hmm....I had been wondering about this cereal. So I bought it. And tried it. And loved it. I am hooked. One bowl wasn't enough...besides the stomach ache from the milk. If you like chocolate, you may like this. A simple crunchy cereal with just the right amount of chocolate in each bite.

Yummy.

Gluten Free Food

My mom recently found out that she has Celiac's disease. Basically, she is allergic to all gluten products, wheat, barley etc. When we first found out it was rough. No more chocolate cake, beer, crackers, bread, chinese food, to name a few. Thankfully there are more and more people aware of this "disease" and so you can find lots of Gluten Free food. We have found it at Fred Meyer, Trader Joes, even Safeway. My mom has found one or two breads that aren't too bad. A cake mix, pancake mix, and some cookies. Ryan and I are trying to learn as much as we can in order to support my mom.

So, her 50th birthday was last weekend. We had reservations at a restuarnt that my parents love that is Chinese food. We made sure they had a Gluten Free menu, my mom was so excited. And to make sure my mom got to enjoy her own birthday, I made some Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes. My mom enjoyed them!

Here is the recipe: http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/blogs/gluten-free/gluten-free-chocolate-cupcakes