Triple Threat Brownies

I LOVE having company over because it gives me a reason to make a dessert!  And I really LOVE having company over to EAT the dessert otherwise I will keep eating it until it is GONE!  We had some family stay with us for a long weekend, so I got to make a few desserts while they were here.  YAY!  This recipe combines several of my favorite things 1- Brownies, 2-Cheesecake, 3-and Peanut Butter.  YUM YUM and YUM!

Ingredients

• 3 Cups Rice Crispies
• 1 Cup Peanut Butter
• 12 oz bag of  Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 12 oz can of Cream Cheese Icing
• Brownie Mix (made according directions on box)

Make brownies according to box in a 13x9 inch baking dish.  Let them cool completely.  When cool, spread the cream cheese icing evenly over brownies. Place in freezer for about 20 minutes or long enough for the icing to become hard.  This will make it easier to spread the third layer on top.  

 In a sauce pan combine chocolate chips and peanut butter.  Over medium heat stir the peanut butter and chocolate chips as they melt.

 When the mixture is smooth and creamy and all chocolate chips are melted, remove from heat. Add in the rice crispies and gently stir to combine.

 Make sure you stir gently so you don't crush the rice crispies.

 At this point, my kids asked me if this is how you make Cocoa Crispies...they always make me laugh!

 Remove brownie pan from freezer and spread the rice crispy mixture evenly on top.  Refrigerate the triple layer brownies for about a half hour.  Cut with sharp knife and serve with a glass of milk!!!

Store covered in the refrigerator

S'mores on a Stick

My boys are constantly building forts and tents and nothing goes better with camping than S'mores.  Generally speaking S'mores are messy and require a campfire, but NOT today!  

 Ingredients:

• Marshmallow
• Milk Chocolate Chips
• Graham Crackers
• Lollipop Sticks

The kids can do this almost all by themselves because there is no actual cooking involved.  

Nathan pointed out the Hidden Mickey we created!

First place the graham crackers in a plastic bag and finely crush them.  My little guy enjoyed using his "ninja skills" to chop them up!  Next, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave- stirring occasionally.  Then simply insert the stick into the marshmallow, dip about halfway into the chocolate, and then dip again into graham cracker crumbs.  That's it!  You can eat them right away or let the chocolate harden a little bit first.  I don't advise sticking in the fridge because the marshmallow will harden.

I know that I said it wouldn't be messy, but somehow he got chocolate on his nose!  

Sweets for my Sweeties

My family LOVES chocolate and Valentine's Day gives us an excuse to splurge! After school we made some sweet treats to share with the ones we love.

Chocolate Kissed Pretzels

Ingredients:

Pretzels (I like to use the waffle ones because I think that they hold the kiss better)

M&M's

Hershey Kisses

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Layer pretzels on baking sheet. Top each pretzel with an unwrapped Hershey Kiss and bake for 3 minutes.

Remove from oven and top with M&M. Gently push down M&M. Let chocolate harden. Store in sealed container.

Next, we made peanut butter cookies topped with Dove Milk Chocolate Hearts. I love opening the candies and reading the sweet messages inside Here are some of my favorites

** Remember your first crush

**Share a sunset

**Get Swept away by love

**Express what's in your heart

**Share a secret

Next on our sweet treat list was cupcakes. I have two of the BEST mixers around.