Leader Enterprise - March 28, 2018 - Peanut Butter Goodness

Peanut Butter Cup Pudding Cookies

With exactly 100 recipes containing peanut butter at my blog, it wasn't easy to choose a few to share with you, but here you go.  Enjoy every tasty bite of these great recipes with this incredible protein. 

Keep in mind - Spring has sprung and we're on our way up!

PEANUT BUTTER CUP PUDDING COOKIES 

2 sticks (1 c.) butter, room temperature

1/3 c. white sugar

1/3 c. light brown sugar

2 eggs

1 TB. vanilla

2-1/4 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 (4-serving size) box instant chocolate pudding mix

1 (10 ozs) bag peanut butter chips

1 c. miniature Reese's peanut butter cups

Preheat oven to 350. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.  In large bowl, beat butter and sugars together until fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla, blending until smooth. Add flour, baking soda and salt to sugar mixture. Add dry pudding mix; blend until smooth. Fold in peanut butter chips and Reese's candies; mix just until combined. 

Place heaping tablespoonsful onto parchment paper; bake for 11 - 12 minutes. (They will still look wet, but will finish baking while standing on pan). Cool on pan for 6 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool to room temperature; store in sealed container or freeze...so they won't be so tempting under your nose.   

Monster Cookie Protein Balls

MONSTER COOKIE PROTEIN BALLS 

1 c. dry (old-fashioned) or quick oats

1/2 c. ground flax seed

1/2 c. (natural) peanut butter

1/3 c. agave or honey

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 - 1/2 c. mini m & m's 

1/4 - 1/2 c. carob (or choco) chips 

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl (or food processor for a smoother texture) and chill for 30 minutes. (I prefer to mix oats/flax seed in one bowl, then combine peanut butter, honey and vanilla in another, then mix the two together). Roll into balls.  Enjoy. 

HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER CUP SMOOTHIE 

1/3 c. old fashioned oats 

handful chopped peanuts

1 tsp. chia seeds, optional

1 tsp. flax seed meal

1 scoop (sugar free) vanilla protein powder

1/2 c. vanilla Greek yogurt

(or add 1 Tb. honey & 1/2 tsp. vanilla to plain Greek yogurt)

1/2 c. milk (or water)

1 banana, frozen

3 Tb. baking cocoa powder

1/3 c. natural peanut butter

1 Tb. carob chips for garnish, optional

8 - 10 ice cubes

Place all ingredients, except for carob chips, in blender. Add about half the ice; blend on high until completely combined and frothy, at least 30 seconds.  

This next recipe is a true favorite.  Who's going to resist cookies for breakfast?  With pb, applesauce, oatmeal, cornflakes, raisins and bacon, this is a fabulous cookie. Start your day with a tall glass of milk or cup of coffee and one or two of these filling cookies.  

BACON BREAKFAST COOKIES

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. peanut butter

3/4 c. sugar

1 egg

2 Tb. applesauce

1/2 c. all purpose flour

1/2 c. oatmeal

1/4 tsp. baking soda

10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

2 c. cornflakes, slightly crushed

1/2 c. raisins, optional

Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl, cream butter, peanut butter and sugar until light.  Beat in egg and applesauce. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture.  Blend thoroughly. Stir in oatmeal, bacon, cornflakes and raisins. Drop by rounded tablespoonsful 2" apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake about 12 minutes or until golden brown.  Store in the refrigerator.

Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious. - Bill Meyer