Reese's Cheescakes

As school is wrapping up for most of the country this week, we also celebrated a milestone of our granddaughter who finished up Kindergarten.  It's a big deal stepping into 1st grade and I remember our twins at this time of their life like it was yesterday.

I put together a celebration package for her.  I think I had more fun shopping and assembling it, than she did opening it.  It's just so much fun sending out surprise gifts to those special people in our lives.

She loves making treats with me.  I wish I could have sent her these (so we didn't eat all of them).  I'll need to remember these for our next visit...they are so easy and a perfect little treat for those lifetime celebrations.

Reese's Bottom Cheesecakes
Adapted from First Yum

1 Box of JELLO instant NO-Bake Cheesecake Mix (Feel free to make your own no-bake Cheesecake)

12 regular size Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (one per each Cheesecake)

Approx. 1 Cup of Graham Cracker Crumbs (either store bought, or you can crush your own..or use the enclosed bag of crumbs from the boxed No-Bake Cheesecake Mix)…for sprinkling on top.

12 Paper Cupcake Liners

1 regular size 12 cup muffin pan
Mix up the no-bake Cheesecake according to the box directions..or make your own fave recipe…

Unwrap the Reese’s and REMEMBER TO REMOVE THE BOTTOM PAPER!

Drop one Peanut Butter Cup down into each paper liner and pour the Cheesecake Mix onto it…

Into the fridge to chill for at least one hour!

Sprinkle them with the Graham Cracker Crumbs and/or Chocolate Chips!

Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter Bars

Halloween season is upon us and that means one thing...Reese's Peanut Butter Cups galore!!! 



I cannot get enough of those little bites of heaven.  I freeze them for that added crisp, chilled goodness.  I also have to freeze them so they are out of sight and out of mind (that's the plan anyway).

I saw Trisha Yearwood make these bars a few weeks ago.  Since I am not the biggest fan of butterscotch, I changed them to add chocolate chips instead.  WOW!!!  A Reese's Peanut Butter BAR!!  Let's just say these did not last long in our house.

Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter Bars
Adapted from Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature, plus more for greasing
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup plus 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
6 ounces butterscotch chips (about 1 cup) (I added chocolate chips instead)
1 cup confectioners' sugar
4 tablespoons milk

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick baking spray.

Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and 1/2 cup of the peanut butter. Add the egg and vanilla. Sift the flour with the baking soda and the salt. Mix the oatmeal into the flour and stir the flour into the creamed mixture. Spread the batter in the baking pan. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the batter and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until browned around the edges.

Whisk together the confectioners' sugar, milk and the remaining 1/4 cup of the peanut butter until smooth, then spread the glaze evenly over the warm bars. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.