Tag Archives: Easter

Magic Cake Bars for Easter

April 5, 2012 Keep It Sweet 18 Comments

For the record, Matt wanted me to take a picture of my hand over the cake and pretend it was the hand of our little niece or nephew helping in the kitchen. 1) We don’t have any nieces or nephews 2) No one wants to see my hands after twelve hour days in the kitchen and 3) Seriously? My hands aren’t THAT small.

This is one of those desserts that you can make last minute for Easter with minimal time in the kitchen, just enough time to get some help from your little ones (if you have any). And even though it is super simple, this is one of the most addicting things I’ve made in a while. Moist cake with a crispy crunchy topping. What’s not to love?

Head over to Fox to get the recipe!

Disclaimer: I love box mixes and pre-made cookie dough, especially when I am as busy as I have been over the last couple of months. However, all of the baked goods that I sell on my website or provide for any type of catering service are made completely from scratch.

Blog, Recipes

Ooey Gooey Peep Stuffed Cookies

March 30, 2012 Keep It Sweet 25 Comments

These days, it is very rare that I make a dessert recipe a second time. Other than what I am selling, I like to constantly try new things and am always on a mission to share something new and creative with you.

But sometimes, your friends and family cling onto that cookie you made and ask you about it every time you see them for an ENTIRE YEAR. Never mind that the recipe takes all of 20 minutes to put together. Never mind that there is pre-made cookie dough involved. Never mind that I’ve baked you cakes that take HOURS until they are in their final form. Seriously, why are the easiest desserts sometimes the biggest hits? This is a frustrating but wonderful thing all at the same time.

So when Peep season started again I finally caved and made these cookies for a second time. I have to admit, there is something irresistible about a giant cookie oozing with a gooey melted peep right out of the oven. Stick some salty pretzel in there and you really do have a winner.

Want to make these cookies for your Easter celebration or just because you can’t stock up on Peeps fast enough while they are everywhere you turn? Go get the recipe here!

Make something from the blog? Be sure to share it on Instagram with the tag #KeepItSweetDesserts.

Blog, Recipes

Ooey Gooey Filled Chocolate Chip Cookies with a Crunch

April 5, 2011 Keep It Sweet 69 Comments

You know I have a weakness for holiday candy.

These weren’t even on sale but I had to buy them. My sister pointed out how pretty the color was and I agreed. Plus, when was the last time I had a Peep? Trust me, it’s been too long. Never mind the fact that I don’t celebrate Easter. Details. Candy is candy and when it comes in pretty colors it doesn’t matter what religion you are.

So after picking up a few packages of Peeps, I realized I didn’t actually want to eat them. I wanted to take advantage of the innocent marshmallow candies and use them in something so gooey and delicious you would forget that you were deprived of baskets full of chocolates, jelly beans and stuffed animals every spring as a child.

But I digress. After buying these lovely little Peeps, I decided I wanted to put them inside of a cookie. Jenny has already showed us that there are no limits when it comes to stuffing cookies, so why not? And what would go well with warm chocolate chip cookies filled with gooey melty marshmallows? A crunchy salty pretzel of course. That is how I came up with these Ooey Gooey Filled Chocolate Chip Cookies with a Crunch.

I was so excited about this cookie idea that I didn’t even bother to make my own cookie dough. There is a time and a place for Nestle pre-made cookie dough and this is one of those times. Using the pre-made dough makes these so easy that within 25 minutes you will find yourself licking melted chocolate and sticky melted Peeps off of your fingers. When was the last time you ate a chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven? If you can’t remember, do it now. And stuff it with a Peep and a pretzel.

To make these cookies, start with a layer of cookie dough (about an ice cream scoop’s worth)

Top that dough with a mini salted pretzel and push it into the dough

Top the pretzel with a Peep

Take a heaping scoop of cookie dough and top the Peep

Use your hands to mold the dough around the Peep and pretzel, making sure the filling is completely covered with dough; It will look like a large egg-shaped cookie

Place cookies at about 3 inches apart (further than as seen here!) on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 13-15 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned around the edges

Allow to cool for a couple minutes and dig in

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Ooey Gooey Filled Chocolate Chip Cookies with a Crunch

Ingredients (Makes 1 dozen X-large cookies)

2 packages chocolate chip cookie dough (16.5 ounces each)
1 package Peeps (should have 12 peeps)
1 dozen mini salted pretzels

Instructions

Start with a layer of cookie dough (about an ice cream scoop’s worth)
Top that dough with a mini salted pretzel and push it into the dough
Top the pretzel with a Peep
Take a heaping scoop of cookie dough and top the Peep
Use your hands to mold the dough around the peep and pretzel, making sure the filling is completely covered with dough; It will look like a large egg-shaped cookie
Place cookies at about 3 inches apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 13-15 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned around the edges
Allow to cool for a couple minutes and dig in

Notes:

Make sure the dough is very cold; it will be easier to handle this way

These would be amazing topped with ice cream when they are straight out of the oven

Don’t be afraid to make a mess; it is SO worth it

I ate 2 cookies when they were still melting and barely ready to come off of the pan. They may be the size of my head, but hey, 2 cookies is still 2 cookies;-)[/print_this]