Fun with formula cans

First I washed out an empty formula can and took off the label. Next I measured the area between the edges. Then I cut out my scrapbook paper to that size. I used modge podge to adhere the paper to the can. Last I tied it with a ribbon and put a flower sticker on it. Kayla was taking cookies to a friend so we put some tissue paper in the can and filled it with cookies. I think it turned out pretty cute!

Easter Peeps Smores in a Jar

I want to do this for Easter for some neighbors and vt's.  I will have to post a picture when and if I get it done.  Until then you can look here.  www.creativeholidaygiftideas.blogspot.com/2008/03/easter-bunny-smores.html

Thanks for all the cute ideas!

So, I know I haven't actually contributed to this blog before but I thought you would be interested to know that I actually use it a lot. I have made over half of the recipes and it has been really nice to have some really good, easy things to make. 

Staci- I made those peanut butter cookies you posted and they were so yummy! I used chocolate chips in the recipe and they turned out really good. I took some of the extras to school and some friends and had to give the recipe to several people. I even took a picture because I thought of you.   :)  I really want to try some of the Thai recipes because they look fabulous but I haven't had the time yet. Maybe when school is over and I have a break before rotations. I will let you know how they go!

Peanut Butter Love

Yummy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Susan- I made lots of things you posted... the ranch chicken, the tortilla soup, the peanut butter love etc. They have all really turned out well. I also got a recipe from a link on your family blog (my kitchen cafe) for broccoli cheese soup that was really good that we ate in bread bowls. Here is a picture of the parfaits of peanut buttery happiness we made. Thanks!

Maybe I will contribute a recipe someday, but it might go something like this:

Erica's Own Tuna Surprise

Open can of tuna

Add mayo

Salt and pepper according to your tastes

Serve with crackers or on your favorite bread.

I am pretty lame, but keep the recipes coming. I heart them.    ;)

Easy Gift

I think this is a cute idea that you can give as a birthday present to someone in the ward or a vt gift. You take a cute notebook that you can find at walmart or target. Then you use your left over ribbon and tie it on the spiral part of the notebook. It turns out really cute and can be given with a cute pen or alone.

Cheap Cute Bags!

So I found these cute bags at Albertsons for $6.99. I have used them in the past for diaper bags. It's great because they are cheap and diaper bags get gross really fast. This year I bought one for me and one for Kayla. She uses hers as a piano bag. I added a flower to hers and I am in the process of putting her initials on it. So far I have got the M on there. Anyway I think it's a great deal and they are cute and can be used for lots of different things like dance, piano, scriptures, church, or diaper bag.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

Box of brownies

Peanut Butter Filling

1 8 oz package cream cheese softned

2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup peanut butter

2/3 cup milk

16 oz cool whip

4 peanut butter  cups

chocolate syrup

Make brownies as directed.  Let cool completely.  

Trifle:  Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.  Add in peanut butter and milk.  Combine.  Fold in Cool Whip until combined.  Take half of the brownies out and crumble in large glass bowl or in a 13x9 pan.  You can also divide up between tall parfait glasses.  Add a layer of Peanut butter mixture.  Put the last half of the peanut butter mixture on top.  Drizzle chocolate syrup on top.  Add the chopped peanut butter cups on top.  Refrigerate until serving time.  To see a picture of this you can go here.....www.happytobeathome.net/chocolate-peanut-butter-love/

Homemade Oreo Chocolates

1 full package of Oreo cookies (you can also use mint)

1 8oz package of cream cheese softened

milk chocolate bark

*Crush package of Oreos completely.  In a bowl mix the oreos and cream cheese together.  Form into quarter sized balls.  Melt chocolate bark.  Drop a ball into melted chocolate.  Using a spoon, cover ball with chocolate then roll ball onto parchment paper.  You can also melt white chocolate and drizzle over the top.   Refrigerate until ready to eat.  

I have never actually made these but my neighbor brings them to us for Christmas every year and it's our families favorite treat that we get.  We down them:)  It looks really simple.

Breakfast Energy Bars from Bosch cookbook

Breakfast Energy Bars from Bosch cookbook

1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter
2 T. honey
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 t. vanilla
1 egg
1 1/3 c. fresh ground wheat flour
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. bkg soda
1 t salt
1 1/2 c. rice crispies
1 1/2 c. rolled oats
1/4 c. sunflower seeds
1/4 c. pumpkin seeds
1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. coconut
1 c. frozen berries, craisins, or raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 11 X 15 pan. In mixer, cream sugar and butter. Add honey, peanut butter, vanilla, and egg. Blend together. In another bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, soda, salt, rolled oats, rice crispies, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Add to creamed ingredients. Remove bowl from mixer (unless you have a dough hook) and add the following by hand: chocolate chips, coconut, and berries/raisins. You don't want to overmix or it will be dry. Turn into pan and press flat. Bake 22 minutes.

This recipe is a great thing to have on hand. Cut into individual bars/servings and wrap in saran wrap or sandwich baggies. Add to kids' lunches, take in your purse for a mid-morning snack, or send to the office with your husband for his lunch or afternoon snack. You can add or remove whatever ingredients you like or don't like- nuts and dried dates would also be good in this. If you are a runner, this is a good post-run snack to replace all those carbs and give you protein you need.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies

These are by far the best peanut butter cookies I have ever tasted. The texture is perfect - tender and soft, with a nice sugary texture on the outside.

Adapted from the Magnolia Bakery Cookbook and taken from My Kitchen Cafe

1¼ cups all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter, softened (I used salted butter and cut the 1/4 teaspoon salt down to 1/8 teaspoon)

1 cup peanut butter at room temperature
¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon (for sprinkling) sugar

½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup peanut butter chips

½ cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, the baking soda, the baking powder, and the salt. Set aside.In a large bowl, beat the butter and the peanut butter together until fluffy. Add the sugars and beat until smooth. Add the egg and mix well. Add the milk and the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat thoroughly. Stir in the peanut butter chips. Place sprinkling sugar on a plate. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls into the sugar, then onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving several inches between for expansion. Using a fork, lightly indent with a crissscross pattern but do not overly flatten cookies (I used the back of a flat spatula to flatten). Bake for 10 to 12 minutes (I only baked mine for about 9 minutes). Do not overbake. Cookies may appear to be underdone, but they are not.

Cool the cookies on the sheets for 1 minute, then remove to a rack to cool completely.

Pumpkin Biscuits

Ingredients:

2 c. flour
3 T. sugar
2 tsp. bkg. Powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. bkg. Soda
½ tsp. salt
¼ c. butter, chilledand cut in small pieces
¾ c. fat-free buttermilk
½ c. pumpkin

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour and next 6 ingredients (through nutmeg); cut in chilled butter with pastry blender until mixture is a coarse meal. Combine buttermilk and pumpkin; add to flour mix, stirring until just moist. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead lightly 5 times. Roll to ½ inch thickness. Cut into 12 biscuits with 2 ½ inch cutter.



Place close together on sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450 degrees for 11 minutes or until golden. Serve with Orange-Honey butter.