Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Perfect School Break Snacks!

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

1 3/4 cup white flour

1 TB baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup margarine

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper liners.

Whisk together flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large bowl cream together peanut butter and margarine. Add sugar and beat until fluffy.

Add eggs , one at a a time. Beat in vanilla. Slowly beat in flour mixture a little at a time, until all is incorporated.

Fill muffin tins 2/3 full.. Bake for 18 minutes.

I frost these with a little strawberry jam but chocolate frosting would be yummy too.

Black Bean Brownies

Can I have the recipe for THOSE brownies?

A few people have asked me for this already this year so I thought I would post it. It's a rich and delicious fudge brownie recipe with a secret ingredient. I have been making these for years.

Black Bean Brownies

1 (15 oz) can black beans

4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate

1 tbsp. butter

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

3 tbsp flour

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp vanilla

Rinse and drain beans. Process beans and 1 egg in the food processor. Melt chocolate and butter in the microwave( about 1.5 minutes in mine). In a large bowl combine the bean puree, sugar, flour, vanilla, cinnamon, and remaining eggs. Add chocolate and beat with mixer until smooth.

Pour into 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until toothpick in the center comes out clean.

French Vanilla Coffee Mix

I am finishing up my gift baskets this week.There are a few things everybody asks for every year that have become favorites and fortunately for me they are economical and easy to make!

Here's one of my favorites to hopefully save you a last minute trip to the store.A dozen biscotti and this mix makes a fabulous gift for a teacher or neighbor.

French Vanilla Coffee Mix

2/3 cup instant coffee powder

2 cups nonfat instant dry milk powder

1 cup powdered coffee creamer

2/3 cup white sugar

1 package french vanilla instant pudding mix

Put everything in the food processor and process about 5 seconds to blend completely.

If you don't have a food processor, a potato masher works well to break up lumps and help mix together.

Spoon into your jar of choice.  I put this in a crystal jelly jar. Place directions on a label for the jar or make up small gift cards to attach with ribbon.

Directions: Use 2 or 3 tablespoons of mix in a coffee mug. Add hot water and enjoy!