Peanut Butter Mousse Brownie Pie

My father-in-law is a huge fan of peanut butter and chocolate so for our Father's Day celebration I wanted to make something that I knew he would LOVE!


Peanut Butter Mousse Brownie Pie
Recipe by Paula Deen


Ingredients:
1 refrigerated pie crust
1 box chewy fudge brownie mix
1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 cups thawed whipped topping


Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Following the directions on the pie crust package place the un-baked crust into a 9" pie pan.
In a large bowl, prepare brownie mix according to package directions.
Pour mix into the un-baked pie crust and bake for 30-35 mins. Let cool for 20 mins before refrigerating for at least an hour. 
In a medium bowl, beat peanut butter and cream cheese on a medium speed until creamy. Gradually, add in confectioners' sugar until well  combined. Stir in whipped topping. Spoon mixture over brownie and refrigerated for at least 4 hours up to 3 days. 


Baker's notes:

• The edge of my pie crust was almost burnt so I would suggest checking it and covering the edge with aluminum foil to avoid this from happening. 
• Honestly, I felt that the pie crust didn't add much to the recipe and next time I'm going to just ice brownies or brownie bites with this delicious peanut butter frosting. 
• I used low-fat cream cheese and whipped topping 
• Topping suggestions: chocolate curls, mini reeses or large reeses cut in half or ground peanuts. 

Little Lady Party

Here's another super cute party idea!! Rylie celebrated her first birthday a couple weeks ago and her mom went all out with the theme! 

The invites were little ladybugs! The invites were made with a red and black oval cut using a Cricut. The head and spots were made with circle punches. Finally, the wings were affixed with brads so when they opened they revealed the party information. 

To welcome guests a birthday banner was made using a Cricut and hung in the entryway. 

Ladybug Rylie was dressed in a adorable outfit purchased from Etsy. She was beyond precious in her onesie and tutu! 

The ladybug theme was also carried through the food. A trifel dish held watermelon balls mixed with blackberry spots. All the drinking glasses were spotted. And the ladybug crackers were made with cream cheese, tomato & olive's. 

The smash cake by baking the batter in a Pyrex bowl and icing the cake like a ladybug.  Oreo cookies were used for the spots. There were plenty of  spotted cupcakes for all the guests to enjoy. 

I almost lost my mind when I saw this beautiful highchair cover and matching bib that my friend made!!! I love all the details but this was by far my favorite!! She really never ceases to amaze me!

Favors boxes were filled with gummy bugs and Hershey Kisses. The labels said "Bugs and Kisses, from Rylie". The kids were also given spotted favor bags finished with tulle bows. 

Another wonderful party and a very happy birthday girl!!!


Enjoy!

French Toast Casserole

This is a way to get all the flavor of French toast without standing at the stove!

Recipe from allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

• 5 cups bread cubes (I used a loaf of french bread from the bakery at grocery store)
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup white sugar, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly butter an 8x8 inch baking pan. 
• Line bottom of pan with bread cubes. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, salt and vanilla. pour egg mixture over bread. Dot with margarine; let stand for 10 minutes
• Combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle over the top. Bake in preheated oven about 45 to 50 minutes, until top is golden.

Teacup Bird Feeder

This year for Mother's Day, I "craft-lifted" (to steal craft ideas) for a teacup bird feeder gift idea from my friend Andrea's blog. She has some great ideas and recipes!


My Mother-in-law has a beautiful backyard and is always feeding the birdies, so when I saw this teacup bird feeder I immediately thought of her.

Tools Needed:

• Teacup & saucer (I didn't find any cute cups at goodwill so I went to a antique shop)
• Teaspoon
• Sandpaper
• Goop (found at most hardware stores)
• 1/2 pipe to hammer into the ground as a stand
• 3/4 inch to 1/2 inch fitting (the 3/4 inch side glues to cup, 1/2 inch side screws into pipe)

Step 1 - Sand cup & saucer, apply Goop to bottom of cup and adhere to saucer. Apply Goop to spoon and adhere to saucer Let the adhesive cure for 24 hours.

Step 2 - After Goop has cured, sand the bottom of the saucer and the top of the fitting. Apply Goop to fitting and adhere to saucer. Let adhesive cure for 24 hours.


Now your ready to gift your teacup!! I filled mine with bird seed that I wrapped in tulle. I also attached a tag that I tried to copy from a teabag. 


All that is left to do, is to hammer the rod into the ground and screw on the teacup!


Enjoy!

Monster Cookies

Warning - this is a Paula Deen recipe so get your butter out!


This cookie has it all! It has peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chips, raisins and M&M's. Their moist, chewy and crunchy all at the same time. 


The recipe makes a little over 3 dozen. I found that if I scooped them larger than 2 tbls they tended to break. 

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup raisins, optional 
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips 
• 1/2 cup multi-colored chocolate candies 
• 1 stick butter, softened 
• 1-12-ounce jar creamy peanut butter 
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1 cup granulated sugar 
• 1-1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 
• 3 eggs 
• 2 teaspoons baking soda 
• 4-1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.

In a very large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugars. Mix well. Add the salt, vanilla, peanut butter, and butter. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate candies, chocolate chips, raisins, if using, baking soda, and oatmeal. Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. Do not over bake. Let stand for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks.

Enjoy Y'all!

Meatloaf Muffins

You will love this mini version of a classic comfort food. These muffins are fast to re-heat and make perfect leftovers. We often reheat them with marinara sauce and make meatball subs.
 
Muffin Ingredients:
3 slices of bread torn into pieces
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
2 lbs ground beef
1/2 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup tomato, seeded & diced
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
2 Tbls Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbls garlic, minced
1 Tbls kosher salt
2 tsps black pepper
 
Sauce Ingredients:
1/2 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 Tbls lemon juice
1 tsp mustard powder
 
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with tin foil, leaving some hanging over. 

Combine all topping ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Combine bread, milk and eggs in a large bowl; mash into a paste consistency. Add remaining ingredients and mix just until blended. Using a 1/2 cup measure portions into a 12-cup muffin tin. Top with 1 Tbls of sauce. Place muffin tin on top of the lined baking sheet. 

Roast until cooked through, 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy! 

Easter

Easter is right around the corner and I have been beyond busy. I haven't had time to do any new Easter crafts so I went to the archive. 

To add a little Easter flair without taking up table space I tied a egg wreath to the chandler with wire. 

I topped a coconut cake with green tinted coconut and added some bunny Peeps to look like bunnies in grass. 

For Easter vase filler I  used styrofoam eggs and a plastic chocolate bunny. 

From my family to yours - Happy Easter!!