Brownie Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

We were invited to dinner with friends at their home and I wasn't about to go without cookies, because, well, cookies. Even though I made another bar dessert, I knew cookies would be expected. And since chocolate and peanut butter is always a win, of course I went with those. But not just any combo, a fudgy, brownie-like cookie dotted with peanut butter chips. And would it really get any easier than starting with a boxed brownie mix? Sometimes when you get invited somewhere at the last minute, you have to cut corners. And no one will fault you for that when the result is this delicious. Let's just say I'm glad these were easy to make because I certainly didn't eat enough of them while at dinner and most of the leftovers went to our friends.

Oatmeal Muffin Mix

Here's another homemade mix perfect for gifting. And I love this one. This mix is the one my mom first introduced me to and thought it can be used for bars, cookies and pancakes, I grew up using it exclusively for oatmeal muffins. I remember being 11 or 12 years old and waking up on a Sunday morning to pull out this mix and make oatmeal muffins for the family. To this day I still have a special place in my heart for oatmeal muffins. So when I wanted to package up some gifts created with homemade mixes and recipe cards, I knew I wanted to include this one. It makes about enough mix for 3 batches of muffins--and they're really good muffins, particularly warm and smeared with butter of jam--so be prepared to make more of this mix pretty quickly.

Cinnamon Pancake Mix

This recipe was a two-for. First, Dave is pretty handy in the kitchen and I knew he could make some pancakes when I'm busy with the baby, but I figured it be easier on both of us if I prepared some mix and he just needed to add the wet stuff. And then I thought how these would also make a great gift, along with some of my other homemade mixes. This mix is simple to make in a big batch, and super easy to turn into a gift, scooping portions into pretty bags or containers and adding a simple recipe card with the instructions for turning them into a great breakfast. And it makes a ton, so you can either stock your pantry or make a bunch of gifts (maybe you've got a bunch of teachers, coworkers or friends you want to share a little gift with) for plenty of pancakes to go around.

Salted Chocolate Truffle Cookies

Rich, fudgy and slightly salty. A delicious combination that is also decadent which makes it an amazing holiday cookie. Seriously, these take no extra time or skill than any other cookie on your holiday list (they're still basic drop cookies), but the flavor and texture will make them seem so much more amazing. This brownie-like cookie gets it's flavor from three types of chocolate and an extra special finish of sea salt intensifies all that chocolate goodness. I gave most of these away and Dave and I bartered for the remaining few. I was being generous in this pregnancy. In any case, I'm hoping to get a chance to make these again soon.

Fluffernutter Cupcakes

Dave's birthday is this weekend, but since our little guy is on his way any day now, I threw him a party a couple of weeks ago just to be sure we'd get a chance to celebrate. And to make sure I got an opportunity to make his birthday cupcakes. I think choosing his cupcakes from my insanely huge board on Pinterest is one of his favorite things about his birthday. He didn't have to scroll far to find these fluffernutter cupcakes--a peanut butter cupcake with a surprise inside, topped with a marshmallow buttercream (yup, marshmallow and butter!). What's the surprise? A full sized Reese's cup nestled into the bottom of each cupcake. These taste amazing and if you've ever sat with a jar of peanut butter, a jar of fluff and a spoon, these are your cupcakes. I'm told that when Dave was a toddler, he couldn't wait for someone to make him a fluffernutter sandwich, so he just sat on the floor with the jars and a spoon and helped himself. Although apparently he was kind enough to share with the dog as well. But going back to these cupcakes--they are tender on the inside, perfectly flavored with peanut butter and the frosting is spot on. A lot of fun and full of flavor, I'm guessing Dave will be asking for these again.