Peanut Butter Protein Balls

I have been seeing different versions of these popping up on Pinterest.

I loved the idea of a healthy little protein/fiber packed snack just sitting in the fridge.

But most of them had things either that I did not have on hand or would HATE to eat {shredded coconut, which to me has the texture of finger nails}.

So I picked a few things from several different recipes and here is what I came up with:

- 1 1/4 cup natural creamy peanut butter

- 1 cup honey {if you can get your hands on local honey this is a HUGE benefit with allergies}

- 1 1/2 cups powdered milk

- 3 cups rolled oats

- 4 Tbsp flax seed meal 

- 1 cup raw sliced almonds

You pretty much just add everything to a bowl {minus the almonds} and mix {I used my stand mixer}.

Once all mixed using your hands mix in almonds.

Then roll into three to two bite size balls.

You should get around 30.

Place in freezer for 45 mins.

Then transfer to a airtight container or ziploc and keep in fridge.

Prefect little pre work our snack, midday boost, or even a little dessert.

My kids LOVE them.

Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookie

I know I have said this before but I weird thing with Rachel Ray.

She is NOT my fav.

But I LOVE her magazine.

And I am going to go out on a limb and say that 99.9% of her recipes are NOT coming from her

but her staff.

This weekend I made a batch of cookies from this months issue. With a slight adaption.

Weirdo factoid about ME.

I DISLIKE nuts in my baked goods.

I know "NUTSO" {insert punch line drum beat}

Last night I ate around the nuts in my sisters b-day carrot cake.

So this recipe called for chopped peanuts, I substituted them with CHOCOLATE CHIPS!

Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter {at room temp}

1 1/4 cups sugar

1 cup smooth peanut butter

2 eggs {at room temp}

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

6 cups miniature pretzels, chopped {seems like a lot but goes quickly}

-Preheat oven to 350. Arrange racks in upper and lower 3rd of oven.

-Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

-In bowl whisk together flour and baking soda.

-Using an electric mixer beat butter, sugar, and peanut butter on medium speed until fluffy, about 5 mins

-Add one egg at a time mixing well after each addition.

-With the mixer on low speed gradually add flour, until just combined.

-Stir in chocolate chips

-With the chopped pretzels in a bowl, take 1 1/2 in dough balls and coat in the pretzels. Add to cookie sheet {these do not spread to much so you can fit a good amount on each sheet}

-Bake, rotating the pans after 10 mins. Bake a total of 15 mins until golden brown but still soft to the touch.

-Let cool slightly then transfer to cool surface.

ENJOY!

Nutella & Peanut Butter Cupcakes

After making Julie's Salted Carmel Cupcakes last week I could not stop dreaming about other things to put in a squeeze bottle and pump into the middle of a cupcake! So here is what I dreamt up.

Nutella & Peanut Butter Cupcakes.

What you will need:

Box of French Vanilla Cake Mix {ingredients for the cake mix}

1 cup of Nutella

1 cup Peanut Butter

1/2 of a box of Nilla Waffers

icing {I would have made the recipe that Julie shared, but since I was out of powder sugar I just used the jarred icing in my pantry. *GASP* I know, jarred icing!}

squeeze bottle

{Ha see me!}

Ok first make your mix and bake.

While they are baking take your cup of Nutella and peanut butter put them in a microwave safe bowl. Nuc it for 1 min. Take it out and mix it up. And add to your squeeze bottle.

{I may or may not be wearing a Sleeping Beauty Silly Band, COOL MOM!}

Once the cupcakes are out of the oven pump those little golden beauties with the squeeze bottle mixture. Then off to the cooling rack. Once they are done cooling, ice them up {ice ice baby just popped into my head, GREAT!}. Then dunk them into smashed up Nilla Waffers.

I would HIGHLY suggest a tall glass of milk with these.

Julie I thank you for introducing me to the squeeze bottle. I almost feel like a floozie with how quickly I have let our relationship go to the next level! HA.

Enjoy....