Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats

Peanut butter and jelly are not just for a sandwich anymore. Now they are in delicious and easy overnight oats. Depending on how much you like peanut butter or want to taste it you can use 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Directions:

1. In a sealable container add the oats and pour the milk over top. Add in the frozen strawberries and then the peanut butter.
2. Seal the container and place in the refrigerator overnight.
3. In the morning stir everything together.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings 1
Amount Per Serving
Calories 600
Total Fat		34.5g
Saturated Fat		5.5g
Polyunsaturated Fat		1g
Monounsaturated Fat		1g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		2.5g
Sodium		347.5g
Potassium		290g
Total Carbohydrates		56.5g
Dietary Fiber		9.5g
Sugars		18.5g
Protein		23.5g
Vitamin A 5% Vitamin C 47%
Calcium 18.5% Iron 20%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Quaker Oats.

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Raspberry White Chocolate Dessert Pizza

Dessert pizza's are a unique twist on dessert. They have a pizza crust but are topped with sweet toppings. Like cream cheese, raspberries and white chocolate. I have really been enjoying making dessert pizzas and look forward to making some more.

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Dessert Pizza

Ingredients:

Raspberry Swirl

• 3/4 cup frozen raspberries
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoon water

Dough

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup warm water


• 4 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped



Cream Cheese Sauce

• 12 ounces cream cheese
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Streusel

• 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan combine the raspberries, sugar and water.
2. Heat over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly and mashing the raspberries.
3. Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the raspberry mixture through the strainer.
4. Discard the seeds and allow the raspberry sauce to cool to room temperature.
5. Preheat oven to 500º F.
6. In a large bowl combine the flour, yeast and salt. Add in the water and stir until mostly combined. Using your hands continue to mix until completely combined and dough has formed a sticky ball.
7. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes or until elastic. Add additional 1 tablespoons of flour if the dough is too sticky.
8. Roll the dough out into a 12 inch circle and transfer to a lightly grease pizza pan.
9. Sprinkle the chopped white chocolate over top of the dough leave an edge.
10. In a microwave safe bowl heat the cream cheese in 10 second intervals until it is almost melted. Stir until completely melted.
11. Add in the sugar and vanilla, stirring well. Pour the mixture over the white chocolate on the dough and spread into an even layer, leaving a edge.
12. Add spoonfuls of the raspberry sauce on top of the cream cheese layer, adding as much sauce as you would like. Use a knife to swirl the raspberry sauce and cream cheese sauce together.
13. In a small bowl, combine the flour and both sugars.
14. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Sprinkle this mixture over top of the pizza.
15. Bake for 7-9 minutes.
16. Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Enjoy!!!
*Adapted from Sugar Spun Run.

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No Bake M&M Granola Bites

I had a student give me the cutest jar of "chill pills" filled with M&M's. I decided to use some of them to make this snack. Although these called for mini M&M's I did not want to buy them when I already had a jar of M&M's. I will admit that the mini M&M's would have worked better, but in the end what really matters is the taste and these tasted delicious.

No Bake M&M Granola Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/3 cup mini M and M's

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl combine all of the ingredients, until very well mixed.
2. Scoop out about 1 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into a ball and place into a airtight container. Continue until all of the mixture has been rolled into balls. You may need to occasionally wash your hands to prevent the mixture from sticking to much.
3. Seal the container and place in the refrigerator until the balls have firmed up.
4. Store the granola bites in the refrigerator.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 276
Total Fat		13.9g
Saturated Fat		3g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.4g
Monounsaturated Fat		0.4g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		1.1g
Sodium		100g
Potassium		47.9g
Total Carbohydrates		34.6g
Dietary Fiber		3.2g
Sugars		19.7g
Protein		7.2g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 0.9% Iron 7.3%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Like Mother Like Daughter.

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Jalapeño Popper Tortilla

A tortilla is spread with cream cheese, sprinkled with bacon, cheese and diced jalapeños, then rolled up. Such an easy lunch that is super delicious. 

Jalapeño Popper Tortilla

Ingredients:

• 4 flour tortillas
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 4 slices turkey bacon, cooked
• 4 ounces diced jalapeños, drained
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Spread about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese on each tortilla, then crumble 1 strip of bacon on top of the cream cheese.
2. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon diced jalapeños on next followed by 1/4 cup shredded cheese.
3. Roll the tortillas up and cut in half.

Enjoy!!!

Notes:
If you want to serve these as an appetizer, after rolling them, up cut into 1/2 inch slices and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 367
Total Fat		23.5g
Saturated Fat		11.6g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.4g
Monounsaturated Fat		2.5g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		66.9g
Sodium		636.7g
Potassium		110.3g
Total Carbohydrates		26g
Dietary Fiber		0.8g
Sugars		2.1g
Protein		14g
Vitamin A 19.9% Vitamin C 60%
Calcium 29.2% Iron 9%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Boys Ahoy.

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Maraschino Cherry Frosting

I went through a time period where I used a lot of maraschino cherries. With all that cherry juice left in the jar it got me to thinking if there was anything I could do with the juice instead of dumping it down the drain. As it turns out the very next day on Pinterest there was a recipe for a frosting using maraschino juice. 

This delicious frosting can be used in many different ways. It works great for frosting and/or filling a cake. It would be great for frosting cupcakes or cookies. It would also taste great on graham crackers. So next time you have a jar of maraschino cherries, do not through the juice away, use it to make this easy an delicious frosting.

Maraschino Cherry Frosting

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 pounds powdered sugar
• 6 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice, from jar of maraschino cherries
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer beat the butter until completely smooth and fluffy.
2. Gradually beat in 2 cups of powdered sugar.
3. Beat in the maraschino juice and almond extract until completely combined.
4. Gradually beat in the remaining powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time.
5. Add more maraschino cherry juice if frosting is too thick for your liking.

Enjoy!!!

Yields: about 5 cups of frosting

*Adapted from Mom on Timeout.

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Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups

For awhile I kept on seeing posts about grilled cheese roll-ups and all I could think was, that seems more work than regular grilled cheese, why would I want to do that. Then one day it hit me, that a grilled cheese roll-up would work so much better for dipping in a bowl of tomato soup than regular grilled cheese. So I decided to try it. 

Turns out, it was not that much more work, just a little and most importantly it works great for dipping in a bowl of tomato soup. Plus it tastes just like a grilled cheese.

Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of sandwich bread
• 8 slices of cheese
• 2-4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions:

1. Cut the crusts off of the bread slices and use a rolling pin to flatten the bread square to about 1/4 inch thick.
2. Place 1 slice of cheese on top of each bread square and roll up tightly, Be sure to roll it as tight as possible and squeeze together otherwise when you place them in the pan they will unroll.
3. In a large skillet, over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter.
4. Once the butter has melted add in some of the rolls.
5. Cook until all of the sides are browned and the cheese has melted, about 3-4 minutes.
6. Add more butter as needed and continue to work in batches until all the of rolls are done.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 415
Total Fat		25.2g
Saturated Fat		13.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat		2.1g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		72.5g
Sodium		560g
Potassium		0g
Total Carbohydrates		34g
Dietary Fiber		6g
Sugars		4g
Protein		16g
Vitamin A 14% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 50% Iron 30%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

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Herb Fried Chicken with Black Pepper Gravy

I made this dish because my husband puts black pepper on everything! Plus he is a big fan of sausage gravy or white gravy. So I thought the combination of black pepper and white gravy would be a hit with him. It turns out this sauce compliments the herbed seasoning on this chicken very well. 

Herb Fried Chicken with Black Pepper Gravy

Ingredients:

Chicken

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• canola oil
Pepper Gravy

• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 4 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 3/4 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 teaspoons dried thyme

Directions:

Chicken

1. Place a cooling rack on a baking sheet.
2. Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally, making 4 chicken breasts.
3. In a shallow bowl combine the flour, parsley, thyme and black pepper.
4. Place the buttermilk in another shallow bowl.
5. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture then into the buttermilk and then in the flour mixture again. Place the coated chicken breast on the prepared cooling rack. Continue until all of the chicken breasts have been coated.
6. Refrigerate the chicken for at least 5 minutes.
7. In a large skillet pour in about 1/4 inch of oil and heat the oil over medium high heat.
8. Once the oil is hot add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook until golden brown on the other side about 3-4 minutes.
9. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm.
10. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of oil.

Pepper Gravy

1. In the same skillet as the chicken was cooked in and has 1 tablespoon of oil left add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
2. Whisk in the flour and the black pepper. Continue to whisk for 1 minute or until the flour is completely incorporated and starts to turn light brown.
3. Slowly whisk in the milk.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Stir in the thyme and serve over the chicken.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 249
Total Fat		2.6g
Saturated Fat		0.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat		0.1g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		83.1g
Sodium		159g
Potassium		231.7g
Total Carbohydrates		26.4g
Dietary Fiber		1g
Sugars		6.8g
Protein		32.1g
Vitamin A 4.3% Vitamin C 3%
Calcium 18.4% Iron 9.9%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from A Slice of Southern.

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No Bake Cranberry White Chocolate Bites

This snack had me intrigued and doubtful at the same time. I have made many snack balls over the years and they all have one thing in common, some sticky ingredient to hold everything together. This recipe only had the dried cranberries pureed with water to hold everything together and I did not think it would work.

Turns out it does work, only if you do not add too much water. You need just enough water to make a paste out of the cranberries. So as you puree the cranberries check the consistence before you add more water.

No Bake Cranberry White Chocolate Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/3 cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. In a glass measuring cup add the water and the dried cranberries. Heat in the microwave for 50 seconds.
2. Drain the cranberries, reserving the water.
3. Place the cranberries and 1 tablespoon of reserved water in a blender. Blend until a smooth paste forms.
4. Remove the cranberries and place in a large bowl.
5. Add in all of the remaining ingredients and stir together.
6. Add 1-3 teaspoons of water if needed to form the mixture into balls.
7. Using a 1 tablespoon measuring scoop form the mixture into balls and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
8. Store in the refrigerator.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories 87
Total Fat		2.4g
Saturated Fat		1.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat		0.2g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		0g
Sodium		5.1g
Potassium		24g
Total Carbohydrates		16.9g
Dietary Fiber		1.3g
Sugars		10.7g
Protein		0.8g
Vitamin A 6.2% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 4.7% Iron 2.8%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Oh Sweet Basil.

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Mocha Swirl Bread with Espresso Glaze

A sweet breakfast bread with both vanilla and mocha flavors marbled together. The bread would be delicious just like that but it's made even better by topping it with a delicious espresso glaze. 

This bread was so good that I did not want to share it with my family, but I did. My husband said he only wanted a bite, since sweets for breakfast are not his thing. But after that one bite he said "Okay fine if you want to give me a full piece I will eat it.". 

Mocha Swirl Bread with Espresso Glaze

Ingredients:

Bread

• 1 1/2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
• 1 tablespoon boiling water
• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 2/3 cups + 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons cocoa powder

Espresso Glaze

• 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
• 2 teaspoons boiling water
• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
• 2/3 cup + 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted

Directions:

Bread

1. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Grease and flour a loaf pan approximately 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches.
2. In a small bowl dissolve the instant espresso powder in the boiling water. Set aside and allow to cool.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, with the paddle attachment attached, add in the yogurt, butter, sugar, eggs, flour baking powder, baking soda and vanilla extract.
4. Mix on medium speed until all of the ingredients are well combined, about 1-2 minutes.
5. Transfer half of the batter to a separate bowl and add in the dissolved espresso powder and cocoa powder. Mix until well combined.
6. Alternating scoops of mocha batter and vanilla batter add them to the prepared pan creating a checkerboard like pattern. Create three layers of this pattern.
7. Using a swirling motion, run a knife through the batter to create a marble pattern.
8. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
9. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove the bread and allow to cool completely on a cooking rack.

Espresso Glaze

1. In a medium bowl whisk together the espresso and boiling water, until the powdered is dissolved.
2. Whisk in the yogurt until well combined.
3. Add in the sifted sugar and whisk until smooth.
4. Spread the glaze onto the cooled bread. If the glaze is too thick add a few drops of water and mix.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories 263
Total Fat		9.2g
Saturated Fat		5.3g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat		2.5g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		67.2g
Sodium		76.7g
Potassium		143g
Total Carbohydrates		40.3g
Dietary Fiber		0.8g
Sugars		22.9g
Protein		5.1g
Vitamin A 6.2% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 4.7% Iron 2.8%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Jam Hands.