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Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies
I’ve been holding onto a fierce craving for coconut as of late. I think it’s because the lovely white flakes remind me of snow… which we haven’t actually seen much of in Philly. It’s been 50-60 + degrees almost every day. With sunny skies.
Don’t get me wrong, I prefer flaked coconut snow over the real stuff any ol’ day– but there is something so magical about watching snow fall slowly against the glow of a streetlight. I am really looking forward to seeing some white stuff this year–which is a bold statement coming from a self proclaimed snow loather. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, and since by now in Ohio I’m positive my family and I would have been pummeled by at least some atrocious freezing rain with me cursing up a storm about how we need to move to Tahiti, I guess it’s true. I think I’m really ready to brace the cold this year, armed with cute scarves and warm toasty beverages. If it ever actually gets here, that is. If not, I’ll happily play along in 60 degree temps.
Whether it’s snowy and cold or sunny and warm wherever you may be in the world, these cookies will fit the bill. Chewy and full of texture like an oatmeal cookie, these are best served completely cooled rather than warm from the oven.
Apple Nachos!
I have no clue where I originally saw this idea years ago–but in today’s blogging world, apple nachos have become just about as ubiquitous as raw ballz…
But, there may still be a few folks remaining who aren’t tuned into all the apple nacho hoopla.
If you’ve never tried them, give ‘em a whirl! They are ridiculously easy and taste much more awesome than they sound. Plus, my kids LOVE them as a midday snack. And did I mention how silly easy these are to toss together? Almost as easy as raw ballz. ;)
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Tartlets
If you peruse the archives of Manifest Vegan, chances are you will find a ton of recipes calling for chocolate and peanut butter. That’s because both chocolate and peanut butter are easy winners in my book. The combo of the two makes for an undefeated champ; add pretzels and you have yourself a legendary dessert.
After I secured myself a nice bag of Glutino brand pretzels the other day (so excited as I hadn’t eaten pretzels in over a year!), I knew they would be the perfect crust for a pb & chocolate tart. If you’re gluten free and you haven’t tried these pretzels, look for them at your next grocery outing. They are so good!
If you too love a good choco-butter combo, make these tarts… your taste buds will forever thank you.
And, if you are feeling not so adventurous with the tarts, feel free to put the filling into small cups and garnish with crushed pretzels… still excellent!
Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sammies
I don’t think that this post needs a sentimental explanation as to why I actually wanted to create this recipe… because to me, it’s pretty self explanatory. Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches. Nuff said.
Although, I will say that I have been cranking out some ice cream lately (yes, it’s still snowing here in Ohio), and I fell head over heels with this PB version I came up with. Smooshing the ice cream between two chocolate wafer cookies seemed like a logical evolution.
You can easily just make one of the recipes listed below, rather than combine them both, and still have an easy nostalgic treat.
Whether you go for the peanut butter ice cream, the chocolate wafer cookies, or both (and I highly recommend both) you will most certainly have a happy tummy.
Addictively Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
When I think back to my holidays at home as a child, two things in particular hold tight in my memory: wrapping paper and fudge.
Buckeye Candy (with a Hint of Cardamom)
I was raised on the idea that: if you want a treat, you best learn how to make it yourself. And, if you want to learn how to make it correctly (or in other words: taste like my mom’s), you must follow the recipe exactly. The first part, I agree with- but the second part… bah. Not so.
Beginning when I was just fifteen I had started veganizing all of my mom’s, grandmother’s, aunts’ and cousins’ recipes out of an old box that my mom kept on the very top shelf of her highest kitchen cabinet (good thing I was one heck of a climber). Buckeye Candy*- popular here in the state of Ohio, where the magical buckeye trees flourish- is one of the first recipes I got my little vegan hands on.
I happen to think these vegan buckeye candies taste just as they should: incredibly unhealthy, rich and so so so delicious.
* I added the cardamom for extra yumminess, ’cause that’s how I roll.
Peanut Butter Banana Pancakes
Ever since I can remember, I have had a slight aversion to pancakes. Oddly enough, I think they smell delicious, and look beautiful, and are fun to make… but I just can’t get into actually eating them. Every once and a while, though, the boys in my house will request pancakes. And so, every once in a while, I give them another shot. When I do opt to eat a few pancakes, I will absolutely never… ever… put syrup on top of them. Not even a drizzle. No way.
Am I a complete freak?
No matter how often I try, for over 28 years I have always thought the same thing about pancakes: “meh”. They are always just “meh”.
Add syrup and I think they are downright gross.
But, this recipe is a bit different for me… I actually think these are pretty good. Better than “meh”. Maybe I like them because they are loaded with one of my favorite flavor combos of all time- peanut butter and banana (only rivaled by my love for peanut butter and jelly).
After convincing myself that these pancakes would be yet another recipe to add to the “just okay” pile… I ate a huge couple of bites and gave the rest to my son (he got his own too). That’s progress! Normally, I wouldn’t have even tried a bite. I have a pancake complex… I admit it. My son excitedly proclaimed that they were the best pancakes he has ever eaten. Which, for the record, is saying a lot.
So there you have it- a pancake recipe that is kid friendly (aren’t they all?) and “me” friendly. Um, yeah- for all of you out there who will be making pancakes for me. Maybe my mom is paying attention to this? Well… I know my husband is. Hi, dear.
And completely off topic: this will be my only post this week as I am getting outta Ohio and heading to Philadelphia! I am so excited to take a vacation I can hardly stand it. :D
So, it will be a little barren around here over the next week. But, I promise I will have something wonderful and fun to share with you people upon my return! Until then… pancakes are always fun. Even without syrup.
Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Coconut Candy
Yes, the title is a mouthful, but seriously, so is this candy. Lots of flavors going on in these babies: coconut, chocolate, peanut butter, and even a hint of vanilla.
Shredded coconut is one of those foods that most people either cannot get enough of, or cannot stand. I fall in between the two: I love it, but only in moderation.
Today, though, there is some major coconut love going around. As I was importing my photos for this post, I noticed that Susan from Rawmazing had created almost the exact same thing! Except she left out the refined sugar, added strawberries, and she didn’t cook anything. Okay, so not exactly the same. And Tasha, from The Voracious Vegan made this insanely delicious looking dessert using coconut milk.
Anyways, these candies are ridiculously easy to make if you have a candy thermometer. They are a tad trickier if you don’t, but still easy. If you are a coconut fan… give these a whirl. Try them without the chocolate too. I really enjoy them both ways.
P B & J Parfait
One of my favorite flavor combinations ever is peanut butter and jelly. Since gluten is off limits for me, it is difficult to satiate my craving with a simple sandwich. So, I have resorted to eating pb&j straight from a giant spoon every now and again.
Okay, I do it a lot.
The inspiration for this parfait is obvious. Getting my peanut butter and jelly fix this way assures no odd looks from my husband, and it’s a bit less barbaric. Perhaps even fancy.
Vegan Doggy Biscuits
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’ve got love on my mind. Puppy love.
As much as I bake, I often neglect to bake treats especially for my furry friend (even though he always gets some of my human treats). But our dog friends deserve their very own batch of cookies just as much as anyone else. I created these for my pal, Giotto, who has a particular love for peanut butter and carrots. He was pacing in front of the oven the entire time they were baking… and I have to admit, they smelled pretty darn good to all of us humans in the house too.
Whoever ends up eating them, I think tails will most certainly be wagging.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle Cookies
These are super rich and chocolatey, exist somewhere in between a cookie and a truffle, and are loaded with peanut butter. Yes, they taste as awesome as they sound. If you are feeling a little lazy (or are just out of chocolate chips) the cookies are fantastic if you skip the dipping step.