Peanut Butter Squares

Bars

• 1 cup Salted butter
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 cup Light brown sugar
• 2 ½ cups Creamy peanut butter
• 2 Large eggs
• 2 tsp Vanilla extract
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Old-fashioned oats
• 1 tsp Baking soda
• 1 tsp Salt

Frosting (could use chocolate cake frosting instead)

• ½ cup Salted butter
• 3 cups Powdered sugar
• 4 tbsp Cocoa powder
• ¼ cup Milk
• 2 tsp Vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a half-sheet baking sheet (13"x18") with baking spray
2. Beat the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and 1 cup of the peanut butter in a mixer until creamy and light. Add eggs and vanilla extract, then beat again, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl.
3. Add the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until combined. Spread the peanut butter oatmeal cookie dough into the prepared pan with a spatula. Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden brown around the edges and barely set in the middle. Do not overbake.
4. While the peanut butter oatmeal cookie base is still hot, melt the remaining 1 ½ cups of peanut butter in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute, then drizzle over the top of the bars, spreading it into an even layer with a spatula or knife. Let cool completely until the peanut butter has firmed up. This can be sped up by sticking the bars in the fridge.
5. Make the chocolate frosting by beating the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth. Spread in an even layer over the cooled bars, then cut into squares.

https://houseofnasheats.com/lunch-lady-peanut-butter-bars/

Homemade Syrups

Chocolate Syrup

2 cups sugar
1 Tbsp Flour
1/2 cup Stevens Hot Chocolate Powder
Pinch of salt
1 can of evaporated milk
1 stick of butter
1 tsp vanilla

Mix the sugar, flour, cocoa and salt in a sauce pan then add the milk and butter.  Stir well. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to keep from scorching.  When boiling, remove from heat and add vanilla.  Cool and store in a covered container in the refrigerator.  Stir before serving.  (Don't forget to add the flour!)

Berry Syrup

1 cup sugar

2 Tbsp cornstarch

1 cup water

1 bag frozen berries (between 12-16 oz)

1 Tbsp butter

In a sauce pan, combine sugar and cornstarch, add water.  Boil over medium heat for 3 minutes, stirring constantly, Stir in berries and reduce heat.  Simmer 8-10 minutes or until the berries are tender.  Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted.

Coconut Syrup

1 stick butter

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp coconut extract

1/2 tsp baking soda

Cook everything but the extract and soda over medium heat just until dissolved.  Add the last two ingredients stiffing constantly.  Best to serve immediately.  Serve with pancakes, waffles, etc...  Note: Be sure to use BIG pan because the soda and buttermilk really expand!

Sugar Cookies

Another good recipe from my sister's blog

http://strikeagainststarvation.blogspot.com/2012/09/sugar-cookies.html 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter (softened)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cub brown sugar
1 tsp salt
chocolate chip
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 3/4 cup flower
1 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 375ᵒ.  Combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and eggs.  Add flower, backing soda, and salt.  Stir in chocolate chips drop on cookie sheet.  Bake 9-11 min.

Microwave Carmel Popcorn

1 bag of microwave popcorn or 2 quarts plain popcorn (1/2 cup kernels)

1/3 cup butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup corn syrup

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp baking soda

Peanuts (optional)

Prepare popcorn as directed. Remove unopposed kernels. In a 2 quart bowl, microwave butter until melted (11/2 min). Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup. Microwave on high for 4-5 minutes. Stir in vanilla and baking soda until well blended. Stir in popcorn, mixing well. Add nuts. 

Microwave on high for 4-5 minutes stirring every 2 minutes. Transfer to tray lined with wax paper. Cool and break popcorn apart. Store in airtight container.