Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

I've heard these referred to as Buckeyes as well.  Whatever you call them, they are delish!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 3/4 c confectioners sugar
• 1/2 c melted shortening
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4-1 c chunky peanut butter
• 1 bag semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 T shortening

Combine in large bowl and mix well the graham cracker, sugar, melted shortening and peanut butter.  Form into balls and place on parchment lined baking sheet.  Put in fridge 3-4 hrs or freezer 1 hr.  In small saucepan melt and stir until combined the chocolate chips and 2T of shortening.  Dip balls in chocolate sauce and place back on parchment cookie sheet in fridge/freezer until chilled and chocolate is hardened.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

From Nestle Toll House.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup nuts (optional)

Combine flour, baking soda, salt in small bowl.  Beat butter, sugars and vanilla in large bowl; add eggs, slowly and beating well after each egg; gradually beat in flour mixture.  Stir in chips/nuts.  Bake 9-11 min in 350 oven. 

Chocolate Banana Bread

Who doesn't love banana bread?  My kids like it better with...chocolate, of course.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/4 cup mashed bananas (about 3)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350.  Spray loaf pan with cooking spray.  Beat sugar, eggs, & oil in large bowl.  Add banana and vanilla and mix at low speed.  In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.  Beat into banana mixture just until combined.  stir in chocolate chips. Spoon batter into pan.  60-70 mix.  Cool and enjoy!

No Bake Cookies

Everyone has their own spin on these cookies.  Really, they are no bake...just stovetop and cooling time.  Yum!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 3 cups quick cooking oats
• waxed paper

Come in sauce pan over med. heat, sugar, cocoa, milk & margerine.  Bring to boil.  Stir occasionally.  Boil for 1-2 min and then remove from heat.  Stir in vanilla, salt, peanut butter & oats.  Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto waxed paper.  Let cool for at least 1 hr. 

Berry Dump Cake

Super easy; great for desert or breakfast.  

Ingredients:

• 2 bags frozen berries
• 1 yellow cake mix in the box
• 1/2 cup melted butter

In a 13X9 pan, spread the 2 bags frozen berries.  Top with the yellow cake mix (DRY!).  Add the butter on top.  Oven for 50 min at 350.