Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

This week's COW was supposed to be Nousha's pick, which was "Peanut Butter-Frosted Double Chocolate Cookies". Well, sorry Nousha . . . I threw them out. Not good at all! So, I took the liberty of choosing something similar in their place. My pick was "Peanut Butter Cup Brownies". And although this recipe was selected from the book, I did tweak it considerably because frankly, I have not been impressed with any of the recipes we have made from this book during our Great Brownie Adventure.

So dissapointed in fact, that I am ending our adventure here and now. Beginning next week we will be going back to Baker's Choice (mine!) for our weekly goodies. I apologize to those of you who didn't get to pick a recipe from this book - but believe me, everyone will thank you! I hope you enjoy this last stop on the trip.

Cookie Dough Shots (safe to eat!)

Cookie Dough Shots

This was my entry for our 1st Annual "Cookie Baking Contest" at work this week. Don't worry, the recipe is "safe". It contains NO eggs, and is made specifically to be eaten raw. It will not bake into cookies even if you tried. You can add globs to homemade vanilla ice cream though! I had little condiment cups (Solo) and I used a small ice cream scoop to fill them. And, no, I didn't win, but they were delicious!

You can try it yourself - this is the recipe I used:

This makes about 30 scoops (a tablespoon or so)

1 cup butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda 

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 (3 1/2 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups chocolate chips ( I used about 1 cup of mini chocolate chips)

1.  In large bowl cream butter and sugar until light in color.

2.  Add pudding and combine well.

3.  Stir in vanilla and milk.

4.  Add baking soda, and flour 1/2 cup at a time until combined.

5.  Stir in chocolate chips.

6.  Store in fridge or freeze small scoops in the freezer.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Pizzelles

Chocolate Pizzelles

A pizzelle is a simple sugar cookie, originating in Italy and now popular throughout the West. A pizzelle is made using sugar, flour, butter and eggs, and most often flavored with traditional ingredients such as anise, lemon or vanilla. Once the dough has been mixed, the cookies are baked using a special pizzelle iron . A pizzelle iron is similar to a waffle iron, with both traditional and modern electric versions available. I recently bought a new pizzelle iron, but until then I was using one that had belonged to my Grandmother. As a kid, every 5 years or so we made the trek (driving!) to Ohio, and she would always have these for me. Not sure why - we certainly aren't Italian!

But, usually, I only make pizzelles at Christmas time. And usually, I only make the traditional flavor, which is anise. But I was trying to think of something unusual to bake for an upcoming "Cookie Baking" contest at work, so I gave these a go. Unfortunately out of a recipe that made 5 dozen, I was only able to get about 2 dozen that didn't stick to my iron. So, I gave up on that idea! The ones it made were tasty, though.

Cookies 'n Cream Brownies

Cookie 'n Cream Brownies

And the Great Brownie Adventure continues! This weeks selection was made by Laila, one of my 2 honorary C*O*W Club members (look for Nousha's choice next week!). A moist and chewy brownie has crumbled Oreo cookies blended throughout, an nice thick layer of cream cheese frosting, and then topped with more Oreo Cookie crumbs! I think this one's a winner!

Remember, we're voting for the favorite! So far on our adventure, we have had, in order of appearance:

Gianduia Brownies
Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies
Milk Chocolate Coconut Cookie Bars
Cookies 'n Cream Brownies

Mark your ballots!