Peanut Butter M&M Cookie Bars

These cookie bars are SOOOO good.  This recipe is my go-to cookie bar recipe that I use all of the time, but I switched things up this time and added Peanut Butter M&M's. 

I think this might have been the first time I have bought Peanut Butter M&M's and it definitely won't be the last. They made these cookie bars outstanding.  The cookie is soft and chewy and then when you bite into the M&M's with the crisp outer shell and creamy peanut butter filling, you will be in heaven.  These come together super fast and taste great for several days.

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Peanut Butter M&M Cookie Bars

From: Jenn@eatcakefordinner

(Printable Recipe)

3/4 c. unsalted butter, room temperature
2 c. packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 Tbl. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 (18.4oz.) bag Peanut Butter M&M's

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream together the butter and brown sugar.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.  Add the vanilla and mix until combined.  Add the flour, baking powder and salt and mix until just combined.  Stir in the Peanut Butter M&M's.  Press dough into a greased 9x13-inch cake pan.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Cool, cut into bars and serve.  

Easy Ground Beef Lo Mein {In under 30 minutes}

I can't even tell you how many times I have made this.  My whole family loves it.  It comes together super fast and it tastes great leftover.  This has really become a go-to recipe.  After the first bite, I knew it would become a regular menu item.

I adapted it from this recipe, but since we don't really eat much steak, I went with hamburger and I also doubled most of the sauce recipe.

Seriously, the flavor of this dish is outstanding and it even tastes great leftover.  Have dinner on the table in no time with this simple and delicious recipe.  

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Easy Ground Beef Lo Mein
Slightly adapted from: The Recipe Critic
(Printable Recipe)

8 oz. spaghetti noodles
3 c. fresh broccoli florets
1 Lb. lean ground beef
1 Tbl. dried onion flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
1- 1 1/2 c. shredded carrots (I buy the pre-shredded/matchstix)

For the sauce:
1/2 c. light brown sugar
1/2 c. reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 c. hoisin sauce
2 tsp. sesame oil
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

In a large pot of boiling water, boil the spaghetti noodles according to package directions.  About 5 minutes before the noodles are done, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water.  Drain when done.  Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  When meat is just about browned all the way through, add in the dried onion flakes, minced garlic and shredded carrots and cook until meat is cooked through and carrots are tender, stirring frequently. Add in the cooked spaghetti noodles and broccoli and then pour in the sauce.  Toss to coat everything in sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce is heated through.  Serve.

For the Sauce:
Whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger and red pepper flakes.   

White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies

Yesterday was the first day of Fall!! This is the absolute best time of the year.  While everyone is sharing delicious Fall recipes like anything with pumpkin, apples or homemade soup, I have one last fruity recipe to share with you.  

This is an easy shortcut recipe that can be made any time of the year. 

I have been craving fresh raspberries lately.  I love that tart, yet sweet flavor.  Have you every put fresh raspberries on homemade vanilla ice cream??? Seriously - best ever!  

These cookies start out with a cake mix and pudding mix, so they are pretty much guaranteed to be soft and chewy.  I added some raspberry extract to both the cookie and the icing to give them that extra boost of flavor.  I also used raspberry puree in the icing, but you can always use raspberry jam.  I just happened to have a giant bottle of raspberry puree that I bought to flavor my Diet Mountain Dew.  

These cookies are delicious.  

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White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
adapted from: Shanelle S.
(Printable Recipe)

1 (16.25 oz.) box white cake mix
1 (3.4 oz.) box instant white chocolate pudding mix
1/2 c. canola or vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp. raspberry extract, opt.
1 bag white chocolate chips (about 2 cups)

Raspberry Icing
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
3-4 Tbl. raspberry puree or raspberry jam
1-3 Tbl. milk, as needed
pinch of salt
1 tsp. raspberry extract, opt.

Combine cake mix and dry pudding mix in a medium bowl.  Add the oil, eggs and raspberry extract and mix until combined.  Stir in the white chocolate chips.  Chill in the refrigerator for at least and hour or up to 24 hours.  Roll into balls (I use a cookie scoop).  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.  Remove from pan and let cool, then top with icing.  Makes around 28 cookies.  

For the Raspberry Icing: Combine powdered sugar, raspberry puree, 1 Tablespoon of milk, salt and raspberry extract and stir until smooth.  If it's too thick, add a little more milk until it reaches an icing consistency.  Drizzle over cooled cookies.  

Peach Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

A few years back we planted a peach tree and this was the first year we got peaches from it and we got a LOT of peaches.  I have already made three batches of this low-sugar Peach Jam, I've made peach milkshakes and I still have a bunch of peaches left.  So, I threw some in this amazing cake.

The great thing is, this is a shortcut recipe.  I love using cake mixes and "doctoring" them up to create delicious cakes.  You always get consistent results when using a cake mix.  I used fresh peaches in this cake, but you can also used frozen peaches, if you prefer.  If you want to use frozen peaches, check out this post for directions.    

When eaten without frosting there is no mistaking this is a peach cake.  You can totally taste the peach flavor.  Once you top it with the cream cheese frosting, the peach flavor is there, but doesn't stand out quite as much.  This is a super moist cake with a great texture and a recipe I will have to make each year with my fresh peaches. 

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Peach Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
(Printable Recipe)

1 (15.25 oz.) box yellow cake mix
2 (3 oz.) pkgs. peach jell-o
4 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. canola or vegetable oil
2 c. fresh peaches, peeled and diced (around 4-5 peaches)

Cream Cheese Frosting
From: Jenn@eatcakefordinner
1/2 c. (8 Tbl.) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, room temperature
pinch of salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1-2 Tbl. milk, only if needed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13-inch cake pan; set aside.  In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, powdered jell-o, eggs, vanilla and the oil.  Whisk together until combined.  Fold the diced peaches into the cake batter.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan.  Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs).  Cool completely and then top with cream cheese frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:  In a medium mixing bowl, beat together butter and cream cheese until creamy.  Add the salt and vanilla and mix again.  Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until frosting is smooth and creamy.  If it's too thick, add a little milk until it reaches desired spreading consistency.  

Jenn's Notes:  This cake gets very dark when baking, but it doesn't taste burnt.  I also added 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla Bean Paste to my frosting, but that is totally optional.  

Base cake recipe adapted from: The Food Charlatan

Chocolate Confetti Chip Cookies

I found the funnest thing when shopping at Walmart the other day.  Confetti Chips!  They are so cute. . . speckled white chips that almost taste like cake batter.  Of course, I bought two bags and immediately made some cookies.  

I used my current favorite chocolate cookie recipe.  These cookies are soft and chewy with the perfect touch of chocolate.  

I love this recipe, not only does it always produce delicious cookies, but I always have the ingredients on hand.  Plus, this recipe makes a bunch of cookies, so there is always plenty to share. However, if you don't want that many cookies hanging out in your kitchen, then you can easily cut this recipe in half.  

Next time you are at the store, pick up a bag of this fun confetti baking chips and make yourself a batch of cookies.  

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Chocolate Confetti Chip Cookies
From: Jenn@eatcakefordinner
(Printable Recipe)

1 c. unsalted butter, room temperature
1 c. sugar
1 c. light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 (11 oz.) bag confetti baking chips (about 2 cups)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar for two minutes.  Scrape down the bowl and add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and mix until light and fluffy.  Mix in the vanilla.  In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt and gradually mix into wet mixture.  Mix until just combined.  Stir in confetti chips.  Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray.  

Form dough into roughly 1 1/2- 2 inch balls (I like to use a 1 3/4 Tablespoon cookie scoop).   Place dough balls on cookie sheet, leaving 2-inches between each.  Bake for 8-9 minutes or until tops of cookies start to crack (mine are perfect at 9 minutes).  Remove from oven and transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack and cool completely.  Repeat with remaining cookie dough.  Makes around 40 cookies.  

Base cookie recipe adapted from: Jamie Cooks It Up

One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta with Artichokes and Spinach

School starts this week, which means quick and easy dinner recipes are much needed.  This recipe is not only quick to make, but it's also made all in one pot.  How easy is that?  You start by cooking the pasta in a mixture of water and milk, then you add the remaining ingredients and cook for a few minutes until the sauce turns thick and creamy.  

I added spinach and artichokes to mine, but I can think of so many other vegetables that would be great in this . . . like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, corn, asparagus and so many more.  Just make sure if you use different vegetables you either cook them first or use thawed frozen veggies.  

This recipe makes a large pot of pasta and serves a lot of people.  It also tastes great leftover.  Be sure to add this easy cheesy pasta to your dinner rotation.  

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One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
adapted from: Betty Crocker
(Printable Recipe)

4 c. water
2 (12 oz.) cans evaporated milk
1 tsp. salt
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 Lb. uncooked pasta (I use Cellentani)
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 c. diced rotisserie chicken
1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 1/2 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
juice of 1 lemon
2 Tbl. unsalted butter
4 c. baby spinach (I like to roughly chop mine)
1/2 tsp. pepper
3/4 tsp. McCormick Roasted Garlic & Herb Seasoning (or similar seasoning)

In a large Dutch oven, heat water, 1 can of evaporated milk, salt, garlic and pasta over medium heat.  Simmer for 12-14 minutes, stirring frequently, until pasta is tender.  In a medium bowl, stir together remaining 1 can of evaporated milk with the cornstarch; stir in the chicken and artichoke hearts.  Add to mixture in the Dutch oven; return to a simmer, and continue to cook until sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in half of the cheese and the lemon juice.  Then, stir in the remaining cheese (reserving a little for topping).  Last, stir in the butter, spinach, pepper and seasoning and stir until spinach has wilted and butter is melted.  Serve with reserved cheese.  Serves 7-8.