Monster Cookie Dough Truffles

You realize there are a lot of cookie and candy recipes from the holidays that I haven't yet shared, right? I'm just so crazy that there are not enough days for me to share it all. So over the next few weeks, they'll trickle in here or there, but I think this one I saved--a Monster Cookie Dough Truffle--would be awesome for New Year's Eve. They are quick to make and you can eat them one handed with the rest of your party appetizers. And something about peanut butter and chocolate goes well with a celebratory beer to ring in the new year. We love these truffles and I had to hide them from Dave for fear no one else would get a chance to try them. The eggless cookie dough is sweet, soft and loaded with monster cookie goodness. Dipped and milk chocolate and topped with sprinkles, swap out the holiday colors for rainbow or anything that works for your party theme.

Peanut Butter Fudge

"Holy crack-filled fudge!" This is one of the responses I got to this recipe, which is by far an awesome compliment (because the fudge does not in fact have crack in it). I've been looking for a peanut butter fudge recipe for a while and I'm glad to have finally found one just about as easy as my Mom's Perfect Fudge recipe. Now I have both chocolate and peanut butter in my fudge arsenal, which is definitely a good arsenal to keep full. I might have kept some of this peanut butter fudge back just for me so I could enjoy it's smooth creamy texture and big peanut butter flavor.

Puppy Chow Krispies Treats

Can you believe it took me all week to bring the chocolate?  Kinda crazy right?  So I'm making it up to you by bringing the chocolate, pair with it's sole mate--peanut butter.  And then I mixed in marshmallows.  And tossed an obscene amount of powdered sugar on top.  The researchers at work also got to enjoy these and as expected, the winning combination of peanut butter and chocolate was the clear winner.  Plus the serious sugar rush from all that powdered sugar was probably a welcome way to power through the rest of the work day.  At least that's how I felt about the leftovers.

Almond Joy Krispies Treats

Happy 4th!  Need a quick treat for today's BBQ or fireworks later tonight?  Now, you know I'm not a huge coconut fan, but the flavor is growing on me.  I incorporated some lovely Almond Joy Pieces candy bits which added coconut and almond infused chocolate to the cereal laced with more shredded coconut and sliced almonds.  These treats are light and airy with a slight tropical feel and just enough sweetness to be a great summer dessert.  I took this batch to work to share with the researchers and they got rave reviews.  A pretty nice way to interrupt the work day, don't you think?

Avalanche Bars

What happens when everything in your pantry falls into what would have been plain rice krispies treats?  It's an avalanche and you just have to roll with it.  White chocolate, peanut butter, mini chocolate chips and mini marshmallows (which are not melted!) snuggle up with crispy cereal to make an awesome bar, perfect for end of school parties, cook-outs and any occasion when you want a quick and tasty no-bake treat.  Soft and packed with everything good, these bars are one of my new favorite treats.

No Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

I was having one of those days when I needed to bake something.  My stirring hand was getting itchy and I was feeling a little chocolate deprived.  But what to do?  Bars would be quicker than cookies, but with my oven still acting up, I really didn't want to play the "is it done yet but not burnt game" that I've been dealing with. Enter these no-bake treats full of flavor--peanut butter, chocolate chips, and oatmeal goodness.  Yes, these would do just fine.  I ended up leaving just a few at home for Dave and I to enjoy and then took the rest to work.  One of my coworkers immediately said (I barely think he swallowed his first bite), "Wow. Yeah. I could totally eat nothing but those for 40 days and 40 nights."  While I'm not sure that's the best sustenance, these bars really are that good.

Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispies Treats

As if the Cookies & Cream version wasn't enough, I had to whip up another batch for Angela's birthday.  Hey, hungry college kids gotta eat, right?  And word on the street is a sugar buzz helps the late night studying.

Now this recipe really got Dave excited because chocolate and peanut butter is his biggest weakness. The topping on these treats is heavenly, creating a peanut butter and chocolate candy layer resting over a sweet and crunchy peanut buttery cereal treat.

Cookies & Cream Rice Krispies Treats

My cousin, Angela, not only had a birthday last month, but she also started college this fall.  And though it's been (gulp) ten years since I've been in college, I fondly remember packages full of fun stuff and food and the anticipation of getting a package slip in my mail box, wondering who it was from and what it could be.  So I set about filling a box full of the essentials: microwave popcorn, gum, candy and of course, a homemade treat or two.  When I told Dave I was making Rice Krispies treats for Angela, he kind of shrugged and said that was cool.  When he learned they weren't just the plain old version he exclaimed, "Rice Krispies treats come in different flavors?  Why didn't anyone ever tell me this?"  Of course we had to taste test these before sending them to an eager college kid and they certainly delivered in the yummy department.  Chewy and crunchy, not too sweet, with bits of mini Oreos scattered throughout and a drizzle of chocolate swirled on top, these aren't your run of the mill Snap Krackle Pop treats.  It's a little bit of chocolate tucked into an already crowd-pleasing treat.

This recipe comes from Picky Palate and I was surprised by her slight alteration to the original Rice Krispies Treats quantities.  She cut down on the marshmallow slightly and upped the amount of cereal, in addition to the mix ins.  The result was still delicious.