To the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Lovers of the World.....

I am always on the hunt for recipes that can accommodate my sweet tooth but not leave me full of guilt and processed garbage.  Today, I scrambled through my pantry and came up with my version of some chocolate, peanut butter squares.  They were super easy.  You can substitute different ingredients and they took care of my sweet cravings, which are tough to beat. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares

For the crust:

4 cups Trader Joes Whole Grain "Cheerios"

(I am sure you could substitute whole wheat pretzels, crackers or even nuts of your choice)

3 Tbs butter

 

For the middle:

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

2 tbs coconut oil

 

For the chocolate topping:

2 cups chocolate chips of your choice

1/2 cup milk of your choice (I used organic chocolate soy milk)

Unsweetened coconut (optional)

 

Line a 9 x 13 baking dish with parchment paper (If you would prefer thicker squares, you can use a smaller, square baking dish).  Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare the crust by processing the dry cereal in a food processor or high speed blender until crumbs.  Melt butter.  Mix crumbs and butter together in a bowl.  Press into baking dish and bake in oven for 7-10 minutes just to set the crust. 

 

While the crust is setting, melt the peanut butter, honey and coconut oil in a small pot on the stove top.  Once crust is ready, pour and spread the peanut butter mixture over the entire crust.  Next, melt the chocolate chips and milk in a pot on the stove top and pour and spread over the entire crust and peanut butter mixture.  Throw some unsweetened coconut flakes on top of the chocolate mixture (optional) and place the entire pan in the freezer for approximately 1 hour or until set.  Once set, cut into squares and enjoy!  Store in the fridge and restrain yourself from eating the batch in one day.

 

 

Random Updates

A few random updates:  I am just returning from a beautiful weekend in the wonderful city of Boston- I love that place.  The weather was definitely not Memorial Day weekend like, but that's ok.  My husband ran a 1/2 marathon and killed his PR by 12 minutes- awesome.  We also celebrated my birthday with some fantastic pizza in the North End- also awesome! 

I did a lot of walking this weekend, sort of hoping it would jump start me into labor- it does not appear to have worked as of yet! 38 weeks! Contractions start....then stop. One of these days they will stick! I'm ready...or as ready as one can be.  I am looking forward to meeting this little person.

At home, the garden is started but it's been a bumpy start to the season.  Huge swings in temperatures around here have brought plants out only for them to be rushed back in...or forgotten to be rushed back in (oops).  Spinach, green onions (from re-sprouting my onions from the grocery store!), tomatoes, green beans and potatoes have been started.  I do not have a green thumb, but I'm hopeful for this season!

Our CSA starts in just a few weeks....I am looking forward to it!  The meat we have been buying from a local farm has been working out well....I even made homemade potstickers with the ground pork and they came out both delicious and guy approved. One of these days I will get around to posting the recipe I used.

So, that's it for now! Hopefully, I will have a new bundle to update you on in the coming weeks and some success stories from the garden.  Until then, have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.  Thank you to all those who have served!