Star Wars Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cupcakes!

These cupcakes were made for a Star Wars fan...  She loves cheesecake, peanut butter, oreo's & Star Wars...  After looking around on the web, I wasn't finding anything I was happy with... So, I decided to just experiment.  The result?  DELICIOUS!  You also don't have to make them Star Wars... that just happens to be what I did:)

I purchased the chocolate molds on eBay a few weeks ago and the ended up being the perfect cupcake topper!

Here's my recipe:

Crust:

Crush 18 peanut butter oreos & mix in 1 1/2 tablespoons of melted butter.

Filling:

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Topping:

Melted Chocolate (enough to coat)

Chocolate Jimmies (enough to coat)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Prepare crust and spoon crust into the bottom of the cupcake paper.  Use enough to cover bottom (approx 1 tablespoon).  Place that in the refrigerator until you are ready to fill them.  

Beat together the cream cheese & sugar until smooth, mix in peanut butter, egg, egg white, & vanilla.  Fold in chocolate chips.  

Next, fill the remainder of the cupcake holder with the cheesecake mix.  Fill until 1/4 inch from the top (they won't rise).

Bake for approx 25 min.  While they are baking you can if you choose to make choc toppers, get those prepared.  I just used melted chocolate that I got from a chocolate shop, however you can simply use something like Bakers chocolate.  

After cupcakes are complete, allow them to cool.  I put mine in the freezer to speed up the process.  Once they are cooled, top with melted chocolate and coat with jimmies.  Allow to cool & harden.  Add chocolate toppers or whatever you choose.

Enjoy!!

'Blue Moon Caramel Apple Spiced Ale' Whole Wheat Bread

'Blue Moon Caramel Apple Spiced Ale' Whole Wheat Bread

This is YUMMY and really easy to make!  It is moist inside and the outside has the perfect crunch to it (just how I like my homemade bread).  The beer does not overpower the bread.  It gives it a nice sweet flavor with hints of the "spiced" part.  Not to mention it smells so good while it's baking.  I highly recommend cutting a piece right after it comes out of the oven, add a bit of butter to the hot bread and ENJOY! 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 (12 oz bottle)  'Blue Moon Caramel Apple Spiced Ale'

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt and brown sugar. Pour in beer, stir until a stiff batter is formed. It may be necessary to mix dough with your hands. Scrape dough into prepared loaf pan.  You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook (this is what I did).  Add additional beer or wheat flour as needed until batter is stiff.             
3. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean.

Originally found & modified recipe from:  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/whole-wheat-beer-bread

Scandinavian Almond Bars

This is a recipe I found in a Taste Of Home magazine.  These were a HUGE hit at work & home.  They are perfect with a cup of coffee or for dessert. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon 2% milk
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds, chopped

ICING:

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
• Beat in egg and extract. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture and mix well.
• Divide dough into fourths; form into 12-in. x 3-in. rectangles. Place 5 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Brush with milk; sprinkle with almonds.
• Bake at 325° for 18-20 minutes or until firm to the touch and edges are lightly browned. Cool on pans for 5 minutes, then cut diagonally into 1-in. slices. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
• In a small bowl, combine the confectioner's sugar, extract and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over bars. 

Recipe can also be found at: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Scandinavian-Almond-Bars

Beer Cheese Dip - Appetizer

I have made this dip on several occasions and have found it to be a huge hit every time.  There are a lot of versions of this recipe out there.  Here is mine.  Super easy and no baking required.


Ingredients:
2 - 8oz packages cream cheese softened
1 - bottle or can of beer
1 - 12 oz package shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 - package of ranch dip seasoning



Directions:
Mix cream cheese slowly adding the beer until you have a smooth consistency and to the thickness of your liking.  (Mixture will harden a bit when refrigerated).  I recommend using a hand mixer or even a stand mixer.  Add ranch dip seasoning, mix until well blended.  Fold in the cheddar cheese.  Cover & refrigerate until ready to use.  Serve with pretzels or dipping item of your choice.

Veggie Pizza - Appetizer

I made this for a birthday party and it was a huge it.  Perfect for an appetizer and super easy to make! 

Ingredients:
2 cans (8oz each) of crescent rolls
1 pkg (8oz) of cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp dried dill weed
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp onion salt
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Veggies of your choice - I used broccoli, cucumber, red onion, tomato, red pepper

Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees

• Unroll crescent rolls and place down on ungreased pan/cookie sheet (I used a large cookie sheet) - be sure to pinch the seams together to make one large crust
• Bake 10-15 minutes until golden brown (watch this closely as I've found it cooks faster or slower depending on the oven)
• In a bowl or mixer - mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, dill, onion & garlic powder.  Add more of the dill, onion & garlic powder as needed to obtain the desired taste.
• Once crust is baked and cooled, spread cream cheese mix over the crust & top with veggies & cheese. 

Cut into squares & refrigerate & enjoy

Note: To make low fat, use fat free or low fat cream cheese & sour cream.  Also, you can use reduced fat crescent rolls.

Welcome To My Blog

The purpose of this blog is to do one thing.  That one thing, is to house recipes that I want to make again.  Ones that got two thumbs up by my family & friends.  I am an amateur cook that has recently taken a strong interest in trying new things in the kitchen.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I have.