Chocolate Marshmallow Bars

  What kid doesn't like Rice Krispies, peanut butter, & chocolate? Can't think of any? Me neither. That makes these Chocolate Marshmallow Bars the perfect treat for an after school snack.

Chocolate Marshmallow Bars
makes 3 dozen


Base:
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1-1/3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. baking cocoa
4 cups mini marshmallows

Topping:
1-1/3 cups chocolate chips
3 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Preheat oven to 350*.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter & sugar. Add eggs & vanilla; beat until fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, salt & cocoa; add to creamed mixture. Spread in a greased 15 inch x 10 inch x 1 inch cookie sheet. Bake at 350* for 15-18 minutes.

Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over cake; return to oven for 2-3 minutes.

It will look like this after baking the marshmallows.

Using a knife sprayed with non-stick spray or dipped in water, spread the melted marshmallows evenly over cake. Cool.

For topping, combine chocolate chips, butter, & peanut butter in a small saucepan. (Or melt in the microwave for about a minute or until melted.) Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted & well blended. Remove from heat; Stir in cereal. Spread over bars. Chill.

Try to control yourself after you try them. :)

Enjoy your day!

Linkin' Up:
Chef In Training
Tater Tots & Jello

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Pie

  Have you met anyone who DOESN'T like chocolate & peanut butter? I don't believe that person exists. It's one of my all time favourite combinations.

  I'm sure this fabulous dessert will have you swooning with delight. I made this for my husband's last birthday & I think I may have heard angelic music. ;)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Pie

Pie: 

1 1/4 chocolate baking crumbs

1/4 cup butter, melted

1-8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2/3 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup whipping cream

3 oz. dark or semi sweet chocolate, chopped

Drizzle:

1 oz. dark or semi sweet chocolate, melted

Combine baking crumbs & butter. Press into bottom of 9" pie plate or spring form pan. Chill in freezer.

Beat cream cheese & peanut butter on medium speed of electric mixer for about 2 minutes or until light & fluffy. Add powdered sugar & vanilla; mix until well blended. Stir in chocolate chunks. Set aside.

Beat whipping cream with electric mixer until peaks form. Fold cream cheese mixture into whipped cream. Spoon into prepared crust. 

Drizzle melted chocolate in parallel lines over filling. Pull a blunt knife vertically through chocolate to create decorative effect. 

Chill 2-3 hours before serving.

   This weekend, I'm planning to clean up my garden. We got some frost this past week so a lot of my annuals have bit the dust. I've been faithfully covering my fall mums to protect them from the frost though. I'm not ready to see them go yet. What are you up to this weekend? Projects, crafts, cooking, what? Drop me a line & let me know. Whatever you have planned, have a wonderful weekend. 

Enjoy your day!

Linkin' Up to: One Artsy Mama & Tatertots & Jello

Update

This dessert was featured on:

Apple Recipes

  Our apple trees are bursting with fruit. To the point where we can't keep up with them. It seems to be this way most years, actually. There is so much fruit we can't use it all.

  Here are some of my favourite recipes to enjoy all the appley goodness.

APPLE CRUNCH
serves 6

5 medium apples, cored & chopped 
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 egg
1/3 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375 F. Mix apples & brown sugar in a oven-safe casserole dish. Set aside. Mix dry ingredients. Add egg & combine. Spread over apples. Pour butter over top. Bake for 45 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving. Yummy by itself, with ice cream or caramel sauce!

APPLE STREUSEL MUFFINS
makes 12

Topping:
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/8 tsp. cinnamon

In small bowl, rub together topping ingredients until crumbly. Set aside.

Muffins:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup oil
3/4 cup finely chopped or shredded apple

Mix dry ingredients. Set aside. Mix wet ingredients. Combine both until just moistened. Do not over mix. Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full. Sprinkle with topping. Bake in 400 F oven for 15-20 minutes.

APPLESAUCE IN THE SLOW COOKER
makes 4 cups

16 small apples or 8 medium apples, peeled, cored, & sliced
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sugar (or more if you like it very sweet)

Combine apples, water, & sugar in slow cooker. Cover & cook on low for 4 1/2 - 5 hours or on high for 2 1/2 hours. 

Fruit Pizza

Summer desserts are among my favourite recipes... actually, any dessert recipe is likely among my favourites. :) Most summer desserts involve either fruit or something frozen. This one involves fruit - and lots of it! I hope you'll give it a try. It will likely become one of your favourites too. And be ready to hand out the recipe because you're sure to be asked!

Fruit Pizza
Crust:
1 1/4 cups   All-purpose flour
1/3 cup       Brown sugar
3 tbsp.        Icing sugar
2/3 cup       Butter, softened


Topping:
12 oz.         Cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup      Granulated (white) sugar
1 tsp.          Vanilla


Variety of fruit - you can use pretty much whatever you want. Think berries, kiwi, peaches (canned ones work very well), bananas, etc. 
Tip: For best results, don't use frozen or previously frozen fruit. Fresh or canned work the best. 


Glaze:
1/2 cup       Apricot jam 
2 tbsp.        Water


Crust: Preheat oven to 350* F. Mix all crust ingredients together in a bowl until it forms a ball. Press on bottom of a pizza pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.

Topping: Beat cheese, sugar, & vanilla together until smooth. Spread over cooled crust. Arrange fruit in pattern of your choice over top.

Glaze: Mix the 2 glaze ingredients. Rub through a sieve. Carefully pour/brush over the arranged fruit.