Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies

You've probably figured out by now that I'm a huge fan of chocolate and peanut butter. I found this recipe when I was "browsing" around the Internet and thought I would give it a try. It's starts with a brownie mix (or you can make your own) and then adds a delightful combination of chocolate, peanut butter, Rice Krispies, peanut butter cups. You get the idea.

I did find the middle layer wanted to pull apart a bit from the other layers. I think the solution to this would be to chop the peanuts up more finely and/or add a few more peanut butter cups. I also forgot to add the peanut butter to the last layer so I think that would help as well.

These are delicious squares!!!!

Peanut Butter Cup Crack Brownies
1 Brownie mix for a 9x9 pan
1/2 cup chopped, salted peanuts
12 peanut butter cups, chopped
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tbsp butter
1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter
1 3/4 cups Rice Krispie cereal
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt

1. Bake brownies according to package directions in a 9 x 9 pan lined with foil.
2. During last 5 minutes of baking, remove from oven and sprinkle chopped nuts and peanut butter cups on top. Return to oven for 5 min.
3. As soon as you pull them out of the oven, spread the melty mixture to smooth it out.
4. Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter on stovetop or in microwave. Stir in vanilla and cereal.
5. Pour over brownies and smooth.
6. Chill until chocolate is set and cut into squares.

GOING into the oven after the initial baking time.

Don't you wish you had one right now?

Christmas in July

Nice to have a little more free time. I was able to create a card for another challenge. This week's Challenge 187 at Kraftin' Kimmie is Christmas in July. SO here is my first Christmas card of the year. Of course, featuring an adorable Lulu rubber stamp by Cheryl Alger.
Hope you like it and can see her "sparkles"....

TWO hundred posts!

In honour of my 200th post on this little blog, I decided that it was time to post a photo of myself. I just realized not that long ago, that I have never done that. I think its funny when you have a mental picture in your mind of how old someone is or what they might look like. It's not the best photo but the pickin's were slim. HAPPY 200th! post to me and I hope to have lots more in the coming months; (posts not self portraits!)

Peanut Butter Frosting

I have made these delicious cupcakes before (they have a surprise inside;a full peanut butter cup on the bottom of a doctored white cupcake), But I have never made peanut butter frosting. And now I have! and now I will forever more. It's SCRUMPTIOUS!! Not too over the top, just a light buttercream with a hint of the PB.

And I put a mini cup on top so people would know what the flavour is ahead of time.

Peanut Butter Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3 cups of icing sugar (you can vary the amount to get the consistency that you like)
1 tsp. vanilla
1-2 Tablespoons milk or cream

Cream butter and peanut butter. Slowly add icing sugar, then milk, alternating until its the right consistency. Don't forget to add the vanilla in there.

Yum! I'd better get these out of the house quick!
Check the blog to find the cupcake recipe if you want to try those also.

Graduation Card

Just getting back in the swing of things after a great road trip to Lexington, Nashville and Memphis.
Before I left I was able to make (and give away) this cute grad card featuring a Sassy Cheryl image. She has a cap on so I decided to put it in this week's Challenge # 174 "Hat's On"

Looks like my Copic shading with the C's could use a bit of work but I think she's pretty adorable. Almost as cute as the gorgeous girl who received the card. Here's my beautiful "god"daughter after earning her Master's in Environmental Studies from Queen's University. I made this card especially for her to celebrate her achievement. Congratulations and well done, Riley!

13 in 13 June Update

So another month has come and gone. That was fast. So let's see how I did....

In the Random Acts of Kindness department, I did well. I picked up 4 boxes of freshly picked strawberries and gave away 3. I also gave the roofer next door a piece of pie and a couple cold drinks to enjoy on his break while he was busy working away at his job. Note from the sidebar, that I am finally on another book. I usually read a bit more in the summer so I hope to keep up on this goal.

I used the Cricut and wrapped up Obedience with Lindor. I sent more cards and am just working in the threads to COMPLETE my afghan.

I attended a blood donor appt and passed "inspection", then was unable to complete the task as I had had a recent immunization. I will re-book.

I'm falling a little behind on my weekly card challenges but hope to find some time to work ahead this summer between travel plans.

SO at the halfway point, I think I'm in good shape to complete the race.
Enjoy your long weekend and HAPPY CANADA DAY!!! What a great country we live in.

Strawberry Crisp with Almond Cookie Topping

Yippee!!! Another delicious fruit is in season in this neck of the woods. Nothing compares to a fresh, locally grown strawberry. Apparently we are in for a good season so you'll have plenty of time to make this delicious and simple recipe.
I love the taste of cooked strawberries, this recipe isn't too sweet and doesn't overpower the fruit flavour.
Going into the oven....

I only put almonds on one half as one of my guests is not partial to nuts.

Here's the recipe with a couple of my suggestions:

Strawberry Crisp with Almond Cookie Topping
1 1/2 quarts of strawberries, hulled and cut in half
Stir together, then mix with fruit
1/4 cup white sugar
2 Tbsp. corn starch

Beat together:
1 egg
1/2 tsp almond flavouring (original recipe calls for vanilla so you can substitute)
1/3 cup butter, room temperture

Using a fork, stir together:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Mix into butter mixture. Drop by heaping spoonfuls over berries. Spread slightly.
Scatter 1/2 cup almonds over top.
Bake uncovered at 375F for about 35 minutes.

And a SPECIAL welcome to my young follower, PAISLEY, who is going to spend the summer trying recipes from my blog. I hope you put this one on your list.