Trail Mix Rice Krispies Treats

Today's recipe is definitely one my dad would greatly appreciate and enjoy! I'll have to make it for him when I visit in July. I'm just sorry that I didn't box a few up and send them his way. Growing up, my dad always enjoyed a sweet treat with his morning coffee. He would literally wait to drink his coffee until he could scrounge up something tasty to go along with it. My mom would stock the pantry with the little 99 cent wafer cookies or the ones that were fudge drizzled with the hole on the center that perfectly fit on my tiny fingers. So I just know, that this treat would go nicely with his morning up of joe. 

If you hadn't guessed, I inherited my love for all things sweet from him. My appreciation for pies, cakes, cookies, and most of all donuts can be attributed to the vast array of treats my father introduced me to. But to be honest he totally deserved every single one. My dad is literally the most hardworking man that you will ever know. He gives a 110% every single day. He gets up before the sun, comes home late and never complains. He was always active in his job as an arborist, climbing trees, mowing lawns, and planting trees. He inspired me to be in a job that kept me active and healthy. I'll admit, partly to support my sugar habit. And this recipe will satisfy any sweet tooth. It is super versatile, using whatever you have in your pantry. Simply take the traditional rice krispies recipe and scale down the amount of cereal and then up the add ins. 

Trail Mix Rice Krispie Treats

5 cups Rice Krispies cereal

1- 10.5 oz bag of mini marshmallows

3 Tbsp. butter

1 cup pretzel sticks, broken in half

1/3 cup Peanut Butter M&M's (or your favorite!) 

1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted

In a large microwave safe bowl, combine marshmallows and butter. Microwave for 1 minute, stir then microwave an additional 30 seconds-1 minute or until butter is completely melted and combined with marshmallows (use a silicon spatula so the marshmallow doesn't stick!). Once melted, add cereal, pretzels, and M&M's stirring until combined. Press mixture into a 9x13 pan (I use wax paper to press evenly down). Freeze for 15 minutes. Place chocolate chips in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, stir, then microwave for additional 30 seconds. Once the treats are ready, cut into squares. Then dip the top of the squares into the melted chocolate. Keep refrigerated for best results! 

I only put chocolate on half of the treats and left the other half "plain". They were equally delicious! I packed them up for a quick hike around my favorite trail to enjoy with friends. You could use any candy in place of the M&M's (chopped Snickers, Kit Kat, or Reese's would work). I like the added pretzels because it gives the treat a sweet & salty taste. These were addicting and didn't last long. I had to bring them into work or else I would have been guilty of eating the entire pan. 

Currently, I am meal prepping for the week and there is a blackberry pie that I'm dying to share with you! First, I must have a slice to taste test. I wouldn't dare share a recipe that wasn't first verified with a taste. Be on the look out! 

I hope you all are enjoying your Father's Day and celebrating those you love most today. Dad, if you read this have a very Happy Day! I miss you and love you to pieces! 

Easter Leftovers

It's springtime ya'll! And these past two weekends were the perfect spring weekends.  Last weekend was enjoyed in Richmond hanging with friends at new breweries, and celebrating Easter with the Goldsmith family. This past weekend, the Laible clan was in town so we decided to spend the day wandering Mt. Vernon. It was my first time visiting the estate and I was more than impressed. The beautiful views of the Potomac were breathe taking and the rich history was an educational treat.

The kitchens in historic homes always fascinate me. The fact that the cooks could feed an entire estate worth of family members and workers with just a big fireplace, some basic utensils, no refrigeration, and a smokehouse astounds me. I mean really a few dull knives, a few pieces of pottery, and an open fire was all they needed. It made me reassess all the kitchen gadgets that clutter my drawers and cabinets. Do I really need them all?? Probably not!

For Lent, I decided to give up chocolate. That was not an easy feat for me, but I made it through the forty days! This year, I made my annual Chocolate Babka a la SmittenKitchen and I think it may be getting better with each passing year. My awesome Aunt Beth placed a delicious chocolate bunny at each table setting for Easter breakfast and I was saving mine for something special. I had picked up some hard to find peanut butter chips at Trader Joe's the week before and decided what would be more delicious then peanut butter chip and chocolate chunk cookies! So bye bye bunny it was.

Peanut Butter Chip and Chocolate Chunk Cookies (makes about 24 cookies)
(adapted from the Trader Joe's recipe)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (unbleached)
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup no stir almond butter
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 Tbsp. unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8 oz. peanut butter chips
1 small dark chocolate bunny, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, almond butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Use a hand mixer (or standing mixer) cream butters and sugars together until fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and milk and combine. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and mix until just combined (do not over mix). Fold in peanut butter chips and chopped chocolate.  Form dough into balls (about 2 Tbsp. worth of dough). Bake for 8-10 minutes (for me it was about 9:30). They should just be set and slightly golden brown around the edges.

These cookies come out slightly chewy with a nice little crunch on the bottom. The combo of peanut butter and chocolate, I mean really do I need to say more! These would be perfect to bring along to a cookout or even just to keep in the cookie jar at home. Just beware they will go fast!

I'm so happy I have been able to be with family and friends these last two weekends and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. It reminds me that the people closest to me are the most important thing in the world. There is a comfort to spending time with the people who know you best. During this time of year I can't help but feel hopeful for what's to come in the next few months. Looking at all of the new flowers and blossoming trees reminds me that there is always a time to change and improve!