Crock Pot Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

I have made peanut butter hot chocolate before, but that was on the stove with with actual peanut putter and dark chocolate chips. This version is made in a crock pot and uses peanut butter chips and milk chocolate chips.

Depending on how creamy you want the hot chocolate to be and how many calories you want its to have, you can use milk or half and half. Of course half and half will produce the creamiest followed by whole milk which are my two preferred to use in hot chocolate. Sometimes I will do half whole milk and half half and half.

Crock Pot Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 6 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup peanut butter chips
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Pour the milk into a crock pot.
2. Add in  the vanilla extract, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, peanut butter chips and chocolate chips. Stir to combine.
3. Cover the crock pot and heat on high for 1-1 1/2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
4. If not serving right away switch crock pt to low or warm.
5. Pour into mugs and top with your favorite hot chocolate toppings.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 389
Total Fat		17.8g
Saturated Fat		11.8g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0g
Monounsaturated Fat		0.2g
Cholesterol		75mg
Sodium		170.8mg
Total Carbohydrates		47.8g
Dietary Fiber		1.2g
Sugars		43.6g
Protein		11.3g
Calcium		33.1%
Iron		2.6%
Potassium		452.2mg
Vitamin A		6%
Vitamin C		4%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Premeditated Leftovers.

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Dulce De Leche Hot Chocolate

Delicious dulce de leche is combined with cocoa powder in this creamy decadent hot chocolate. If you have not yet tried making your own hot chocolate you really should. It is easy and only takes a little bit more work than the packet kind, but tastes so much better.

 

Dulce De Leche Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

Hot Chocolate

• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 tablespoons dulce de leche

Whipped Cream Topping

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, bring the milk to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the heavy cream, cocoa powder and dulce de leche, whisking until well combined and smooth. Turn off the heat.
2. In a small bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar together until still peaks form.
3. Pour the hot chocolate into two mugs and top with the whipped cream.

Enjoy!!!

Notes:

To reduce the calories you can use 2% milk, low-fat or skim milk it just won't be quite as creamy the lesser precent of milk you use.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 671
Total Fat		43.8g
Saturated Fat		30g
Trans Fat		0.1g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat		0.8g
Cholesterol		174.8mg
Sodium		235.3mg
Total Carbohydrates		54.3g
Dietary Fiber		4g
Sugars		41.9g
Protein		20.6g
Calcium		11.5%
Iron		23.7%
Potassium		293mg
Vitamin A		2%
Vitamin C		1.6%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Happy Foods Tube.

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Make Again Monday: Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup Copycat

 

I am so glad to have some Olive Garden copycat recipes. The last time I ate there was probably 2-3 years ago and I remember the food and service being okay, but the price had gone up and I did not feel it was worth the price.

To see the recipe and original post click here.

Enjoy!!!

Here are some of my other Olive Garden copycat recipes.

Tuscan Garlic Chicken

Breadsticks

Pasta e Fagoli

Salad and Dressing

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Texas Cowboy Stew

 

I am not a fan of stew. I have never made stew and have probably eaten it only once or twice. I find it to be bland with no real flavor. Now that could be the stew I had and others are better, but I have never really had the desire to make stew, until now that is. When I saw it had sausage in it and beans with spices I decided it was worth a try. 

The original recipe said it serves 8 and I decided to halve the recipe so if we did not like it I would not have a lot of leftovers. After I got it put together and simmering on the stove, I thought there is no way this serves 4, there is a lot in my pot, this halved recipe would probably serve 8. The original 8 servings must be 8 incredible hungry people.

This stew came out more like a soup and did not have that thicker gravy like consistency. Next time I might add less broth to see if it will not be as soup like and more stew like. I might also add a few diced jalapeños to give it more of a spicy kick.

Texas Cowboy Stew

Ingredients:

• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 14 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
• 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
• 14.5 ounce can died tomatoes with green chilies
• 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 15 ounce can pinto beans
• 16 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a large pot, over medium heat, sauté the onion. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add in the ground turkey and cook until completely cooked and crumbled.
2. Add in sliced sausage, both cans of tomatoes, diced potatoes, beans and frozen veggies. Stir until well combined.
3. Stir in the cumin and chili powder. 
4. Pour in the beef broth and bring  the mixture to a boil. reduce the heat to a simmer and allow to simmer for 1 hour.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 315
Total Fat		8.7g
Saturated Fat		2.3g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.7g
Monounsaturated Fat		1.2g
Cholesterol		72.4mg
Sodium		1163.4mg
Total Carbohydrates		33.5g
Dietary Fiber		6.6g
Sugars		24.7g
Protein		3.7g
Calcium		6.8%
Iron		12.8%
Potassium		729mg
Vitamin A		33.6%
Vitamin C		42%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from 100kRecipes.

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Pasta e Fagioli Soup

 

I really feel like the only good thing about winter is the delicious warm soups and delicious hot chocolates. Other than that, there is nothing about winter that I like. This soup is one of those delicious comforting soups that just warms me up on a cold day. 

As this soup sits out off the heat it will thicken up and it will thicken up even more in the refrigerator. To thin it out and make it a soup again, add a bit more broth before reheating. Or you could be like my oldest and eat it thick like a pasta dish.

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 ounces turkey bacon, diced
• 5 cloves garlic minced
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3-15.5 ounce cans cannellini beans, drained, not rinsed
• 6-8 cups vegetable broth
• black pepper, to taste
• 1 can plum tomatoes, you will only need 3 from the can
• 2 cups ditalini pasta
• shredded parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add in the bacon and cook until crispy and remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
2. Add in the onions and sauté for 5 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add in the red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Pour in 6 cups of broth and season with black pepper. Crush each of the 3 tomatoes in your hand over the pot and add to the pot. Add in the drained beans. Turn the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil and boil for 5 minutes.
4. Lower the heat to medium and either smash some of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon or for a creamier consistency use an immersion blender to blend some of the soup. Do not blend too much you want some of the beans whole.
5. Add in the pasta and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally. If the pasta absorbs too much of the broth add in some more as needed.
6. Sprinkle each serving with some parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!!!

Notes:

The original calls for pancetta, you could use that or your favorite bacon.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 416
Total Fat		7.3g
Saturated Fat		3.2g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.0g
Monounsaturated Fat		0.0g
Cholesterol		20mg
Sodium		1561.6mg
Total Carbohydrates		70.2g
Dietary Fiber		13g
Sugars		4.5g
Protein		23.5g
Calcium		12.6%
Iron		21.2%
Potassium		162.1mg
Vitamin A		12.3%
Vitamin C		12.3%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Sip and Feast.

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Make Again Monday: Homemade Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

 

I wish I had more time to make breads to along with dinner. These rolls are so good and have the perfect amount of sweetness to them.

To see the recipe and original post click here.

Enjoy!!!

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Apple Cider Doughnuts

 I can't tell you the lat time I went to a cider mill. However when I did go, it wasn't for the cider, but the doughnuts. These doughnuts remind me of those delicious cider mill doughnuts. However these doughnuts are baked not fired making them a bit healthier. So if you can't make it to a cider mill to enjoy off of their doughnuts, just make them at home.

Apple Cider Doughnuts

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup apple butter
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/3 cup apple cider
• 1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400º F. Spray 2 doughnut pans (6 cavities each) with cooking spray.
2. In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Using half of the mixture, sprinkle into each cavity and shake out any excess.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together both flours, baking powder,  baking soda and remaining 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Set aside.
4. In another large bowl, whisk together the egg, brown sugar, apple butter, maple syrup, apple cider, yogurt, canola oil and vanilla.
5. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Divided the batter evenly between the doughnut pans, about 2 heaping tablespoons per cavity. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove the doughnuts from the pan and place onto a cooling rack.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 424
Total Fat		8.7g
Saturated Fat		0.9g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		2g
Monounsaturated Fat		4.5g
Cholesterol		36.1mg
Sodium		461.5mg
Total Carbohydrates		84g
Dietary Fiber		2.9g
Sugars		49.8g
Protein		7.1g
Calcium		12.2%
Iron		6.9%
Potassium		172.6mg
Vitamin A		1.2%
Vitamin C		0.4%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Henry Ford LiveWell.

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Peanut Butter Dark Hot Chocolate

 

I really enjoying making homemade hot chocolate. It is so easy and there are so many different flavors and flavor combination that you can try. Peanut butter and chocolate is such a classic combination. I have made a Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate before, but this time I decided to make it using dark chocolate, so creamy and delicious.

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 32 ounces whole milk
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dark cocoa powder

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, add in the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Heat over medium heat, while stirring constantly until melted and smooth. 
2. As soon as the chocolate and peanut are smooth, very slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Continue to whisk until everything is well incorporated.
3. Whisk in the cocoa powder until completely combined.
4. Allow the mixture to continue to heat, whisking often, until heated through.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 342
Total Fat		20.8g
Saturated Fat		10.8g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0g
Monounsaturated Fat		0g
Cholesterol		35mg
Sodium		149.4mg
Total Carbohydrates		27g
Dietary Fiber		2.8g
Sugars		19.4g
Protein		12.7g
Calcium		0%
Iron		7.9%
Potassium		0mg
Vitamin A		0%
Vitamin C		0%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Certified Pastry Aficionado.

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