Record-Breaking Lows Call for Cookies!

What does one do when it´s nearly 0 degrees outside … Why, bake cookies of course! And not just any cookies… Flour-less, sugarless, peanut butter, white chocolate chip cookies!

20140107-175529.jpg

I got the recipe from a wonderful blog, A Cup of Jo, she got it from Monique at Ambitious Kitchen.

I’ve pasted the recipe as Monique described it below. I used almond extract instead of vanilla and white chocolate chunks because that is what I had. Besides that, I followed all of her directions.

THEY ARE DELICIOUS!!
Who needs sugar when you have white chocolate chips and honey!

Delicious and I am sure they will be gone by Thursday if not before!

ENJOY!

_____

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
By Monique Volz of Ambitious Kitchen

There’s something incredibly special about a classic, crunchy peanut butter cookie. It reminds me of cold winter evenings spent baking with my family. Over the years, though, I’ve really grown to love chewy and soft cookies—you know, the ones with crispy edges and a warm, gooey middle. They’re the best of both worlds.

Because my blog focuses on unique, better-for-you treats, I wanted to challenge myself to create a chewy peanut butter cookie without flour, butter or gluten—and, of course, I wanted it to taste extraordinary, too! It took me five different tries to stumble on one that I’m proud of, but I did it.

These cookies are made with all-natural peanut butter, honey, eggs and vanilla, and the result is truly beautiful: puffy, soft cookies with a crispy bottom that are unbelievably easy to make. In fact, you can have one in your belly in less than 30 minutes.

To make these cookies your own, I suggest chopping up one of your favorite chocolate bars and folding it into the dough—the chocolate is really what makes these cookie shine! I’ve tried a few special bars, but my absolute favorite is dark chocolate with toffee and sea salt. White chocolate would be great, too. Just remember: a unique chocolate bar makes for a unique cookie!

Also, if you like a hearty cookie with a bit of chew, just fold in ¾ cup of oats to the dough. A little sprinkle of sea salt also makes these shine. Any way you do it, you won’t be disappointed. Happy baking!

Recipe: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Makes approx. 20 cookies

You’ll need:
1 1/2 cups all-natural creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs at room temperature
½ tsp. baking soda
3.5 oz. of your favorite chocolate bar, coarsely chopped

What to do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, honey, vanilla, eggs and baking soda until smooth and well combined. Gently fold in chopped chocolate.

Roll cookies into 2-inch dough balls and place onto cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Then BARELY flatten the top of each cookie with your hand. The dough will be sticky, so if you find this method difficult, simply use a cookie scoop to drop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. The cookies may not be as round in shape and perhaps a bit thicker, but that’s okay—they will still be delicious!

Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes and remove when edges barely begin to turn a golden brown. The cookies may look a little underdone, but they will continue to cook once you remove them from the oven. Cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes; then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining cookie dough.

I love Spoilers

As a playwright, I’m not afraid of a good spoiler.  I love them.  Makes no difference to me.

If you don’t already know, I love Downton Abbey.  So I was so excited to catch it on Sunday and have watched it again since then.

Maybe it’s my slightly impatient nature (probably), but I accidentally found a DowntonAbbeyWikia site when I trying to remember the storyline behind Lady Cora’s new Lady Maid.  Well, I was hooked and read a few descriptions that go through what happens to some of the characters this season and WOW!

Another article I read, said that this series felt as if the show was getting back to the excitement of series 1… which was pretty exciting.  I have to agree.  Nonetheless, It was so sad not to have Matthew around… or Mr. Matthew to me….

After reading what happens to some of the characters this season, I can’t wait to watch it.

It has to be said that however upsetting it is that Mary lost her husband after he saw their newborn son, Julian Fellows has handled it pretty brilliantly.  There is life after death as Mary realizes half-way through the opening episode ( with the help of her brother in-law, Tom Branson, her grandmother and the beloved Carson), and so must we, the audience…because so much more awaits us over the next few months.

Click the 1st two links if you love spoilers too!

Record-Breaking Lows Call for Cookies!

What does one do when it´s nearly 0 degrees outside … Why, bake cookies of course! And not just any cookies… Flour-less, sugarless, peanut butter, white chocolate chip cookies!

20140107-175529.jpg

I got the recipe from a wonderful blog, A Cup of Jo, she got it from Monique at Ambitious Kitchen.

I’ve pasted the recipe as Monique described it below. I used almond extract instead of vanilla and white chocolate chunks because that is what I had. Besides that, I followed all of her directions.

THEY ARE DELICIOUS!!
Who needs sugar when you have white chocolate chips and honey!

Delicious and I am sure they will be gone by Thursday if not before!

ENJOY!

_____

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
By Monique Volz of Ambitious Kitchen

There’s something incredibly special about a classic, crunchy peanut butter cookie. It reminds me of cold winter evenings spent baking with my family. Over the years, though, I’ve really grown to love chewy and soft cookies—you know, the ones with crispy edges and a warm, gooey middle. They’re the best of both worlds.

Because my blog focuses on unique, better-for-you treats, I wanted to challenge myself to create a chewy peanut butter cookie without flour, butter or gluten—and, of course, I wanted it to taste extraordinary, too! It took me five different tries to stumble on one that I’m proud of, but I did it.

These cookies are made with all-natural peanut butter, honey, eggs and vanilla, and the result is truly beautiful: puffy, soft cookies with a crispy bottom that are unbelievably easy to make. In fact, you can have one in your belly in less than 30 minutes.

To make these cookies your own, I suggest chopping up one of your favorite chocolate bars and folding it into the dough—the chocolate is really what makes these cookie shine! I’ve tried a few special bars, but my absolute favorite is dark chocolate with toffee and sea salt. White chocolate would be great, too. Just remember: a unique chocolate bar makes for a unique cookie!

Also, if you like a hearty cookie with a bit of chew, just fold in ¾ cup of oats to the dough. A little sprinkle of sea salt also makes these shine. Any way you do it, you won’t be disappointed. Happy baking!

Recipe: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Makes approx. 20 cookies

You’ll need:
1 1/2 cups all-natural creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs at room temperature
½ tsp. baking soda
3.5 oz. of your favorite chocolate bar, coarsely chopped

What to do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, honey, vanilla, eggs and baking soda until smooth and well combined. Gently fold in chopped chocolate.

Roll cookies into 2-inch dough balls and place onto cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Then BARELY flatten the top of each cookie with your hand. The dough will be sticky, so if you find this method difficult, simply use a cookie scoop to drop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. The cookies may not be as round in shape and perhaps a bit thicker, but that’s okay—they will still be delicious!

Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes and remove when edges barely begin to turn a golden brown. The cookies may look a little underdone, but they will continue to cook once you remove them from the oven. Cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes; then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining cookie dough.

I love Spoilers

As a playwright, I’m not afraid of a good spoiler.  I love them.  Makes no difference to me.

If you don’t already know, I love Downton Abbey.  So I was so excited to catch it on Sunday and have watched it again since then.

Maybe it’s my slightly impatient nature (probably), but I accidentally found a DowntonAbbeyWikia site when I trying to remember the storyline behind Lady Cora’s new Lady Maid.  Well, I was hooked and read a few descriptions that go through what happens to some of the characters this season and WOW!

Another article I read, said that this series felt as if the show was getting back to the excitement of series 1… which was pretty exciting.  I have to agree.  Nonetheless, It was so sad not to have Matthew around… or Mr. Matthew to me….

After reading what happens to some of the characters this season, I can’t wait to watch it.

It has to be said that however upsetting it is that Mary lost her husband after he saw their newborn son, Julian Fellows has handled it pretty brilliantly.  There is life after death as Mary realizes half-way through the opening episode ( with the help of her brother in-law, Tom Branson, her grandmother and the beloved Carson), and so must we, the audience…because so much more awaits us over the next few months.

Click the 1st two links if you love spoilers too!