Recipe Hunting 101 - Peanut Butter Balls

I decided I would surprise my hubby this morning with one of his absolute favorite treats, Peanut Butter Balls.   His Mom would make these for him as a child and his love for them hasn't changed over the years.  I had never even heard of this treat before meeting him, but after trying them, I would have to say they are very good.  The recipe I used is from the Rice Krispies website. I figure, since I use Rice Krispies as one of the main ingredients, I might as well go directly to the experts!  These are really easy to make, although your hands will get kinda messy in the process of making these. I give you permission to go ahead and lick all the yumminess right on off, no one will tell!

Peanut Butter Balls - recipe from Rice Krispies website

Ingredients:
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 tbsp shortening

Directions:
1.  Mix the peanut butter, butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
2.  Add the Rice Krispies, mix until well blended.
3.  Roll the mixture into little 1 inch balls, place on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper and allow to set in the fridge for about a half hour.
4. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the chocolate chips and shortening on low heat, stirring constantly until melted. 
5.  Remove from heat and roll each ball in the chocolate until well covered and place back on the baking sheet.. Refrigerate until hardened and then place in a container, kept in the fridge. 

It seems as if it is a lazy kind of day at our household! 

Pudding snacks

“If you can't control your peanut butter, you can't expect to control your life.” - Bill Watterson author of Calvin & Hobbes comic strip

What happens when you mix peanut butter with pudding? Hmm, it sounds really really yummy doesn't it?  I discovered this recipe for peanut butter pudding while browsing Yum Sugar the other day.  The full recipe was to make two puddings, one peanut butter and one chocolate, then combining those to make the pudding version of a chocolate peanut butter cup.  This sounds completely amazing and I am totally going to make the full recipe at some point in time but for today I was intrigued (as well as a bit lazy) by simply making the peanut butter pudding, pure and simple.

Peanut Butter Pudding adapted from yum sugar Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pudding Cups recipe. 
Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar

5 teaspoons cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups whole milk

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter (made with only peanuts and salt)

Directions:

1.  Whisk first 3 ingredients in large saucepan.

2.  Gradually whisk in milk, and then the heavy cream. Whisk over medium heat until mixture comes to boil. Boil until thick, whisking constantly, about 30 seconds.

3.  Whisk in peanut butter; boil until thick again.  Keep whisking the mixture about 1 minute longer. Remove from heat.

4.  Pour into a large bowl and refrigerate for a few hours.

As one can well imagine this is pure bliss! I am by no means a peanut butter freak, but this treat could very well make me one! 

This is what the smell of peanut butter does to Levi.  It makes him act all cute and stuff!