Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Bark

I love Christmas. I love just being with my family and enjoying their presence...all while stuffing our faces with tons of cookies. Now, I know that's not what the holiday is really about, but it is an aspect of it that I enjoy.

Every year, people drop by with holiday treats and it seems that every year we get some sort of bark, typically of the peppermint variety. Now, when I came across this Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Bark I knew I needed it (is it apparent I have a hard time distinguishing wants and needs...?)

Lordy, is this bark decadent. You've got your saltine layer on the bottom (see these crackers are good even when you aren't sick!), and then you top those with a layer of toffee. On top of the toffee goes your peanut butter and chocolate. Then, because none of that is enough, you top with crushed Christmas M&M's. This stuff is dangerous...in the best way possible.

While these treat is over the top and absolutely incredible, it actually doesn't require much effort to make. The hardest part will be making your toffee. Just remember, when you are waiting for the butter and brown sugar to boil, don't stir it! While you will want to, RESIST. Once it turns a dark amber color, take it off the heat so it doesn't burn, then coat your saltines. Yumz.

While you should restrain from stirring that toffee, don't restrain from making this bark. Trust me when I say your lack of willpower will be rewarded generously. This bark does not disappoint, and it's a crowd pleaser! Enjoy!

Line up your saltines...

Don't you dare stir this toffee :)

Dollops of peanut butter - yummy.

Chocolate. Everywhere.

Getinmybelly.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Bark

Recipe from Grin and Bake It

• 1 sleeve salted saltines
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 2 1/2 cups semi-sweet (or milk) chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup peanut butter 
• 1/2 bag of chopped M&M's

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper (the pan needs to have a lip to prevent the bark from leaking all over your oven!)
2. Place the saltines in the jelly roll pan, salted side up. Leave just a bit of space between the crackers so the toffee will cover the entire cracker when done.
3. Bring sugar and butter to a boil in a saucepan. Boil for 3 minutes (time the boiling after the whole thing starts boiling, not just the edges). And, resist the urge to stir it (resist, I tell you!). Pour the boiling mixture over the crackers and place in the oven for 5 minutes.
4. Once out of the oven, put dollops of peanut butter on top of the toffee and crackers and return to the oven for 1 minute.
5. Once out of the oven, spread the melted peanut butter mixture over the toffee and crackers with a spatula. Then, top the crackers, toffee and peanut butter with your chocolate chips and put back in the oven for 1 minute.
6. Once out of the oven, use a spatula to spread the chocolate chips (which have melted) over the rest of your candy. Top with your crushed M&M pieces. 
7. Once done, place in the freezer for at least 1 hour to allow the bark to set. When they have set, crack them into individual pieces.

Peanut Butter M&M Marshmallow Cookies

Is there anything better than Peanut Butter M&M's? Maybe, but I would argue against it. They are just too darn good. I mean, you cannot beat that peanut butter chocolate flavor. Yum.

When I first saw this recipe, I was a bit skeptical about the addition of marshmallows, but a peanut butter cookie loaded with peanut butter M&M's...I just couldn't pass it up. Thank God I didn't.

Not only are these cookies super easy to make, they are super colorful and fun cookie to indulge in. They are different, I mean have you ever had a peanut butter cookie with peanut butter M&M's and marshmallows? Didn't think so. But let me tell you, different does not mean bad.

These cookies have been enjoyed by every member of my family. My mom loved them, even though she hates marshmallows, my dad has been enjoying them as he recovers from surgery, my sister munched a couple during the Bachelorette (SEAN OR JEF OR ARIE, Y'ALL?!), and my wonderful friend Nick said they melted in his mouth. Proof enough that these need to be in your cookie jar.

These are a sweet that will satisfy every type of sweet craving. You should go bake these. Like now.


Peanut Butter M&M Marshmallow Cookies
Recipe adapted from Sweet Treats & More

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar 
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup Peanut Butter M&M's
• 3/4 cup mini marshmallows

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter until smooth. Beat in peanut butter, then sugars.
4. Add egg, vanilla, and milk and beat until smooth. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
5. Lastly, gently stir in Peanut Butter M&M's and mini marshmallows.
6. Place rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before moving to a cooling rack. (Don't worry if you have oozing marshmallows! They may be messy but they taste delicious!)

That dough. Too good. 

Weight Watchers Cheesecake Squares

(Sorry for these not so great pictures, they don't do justice to the flavor!)

I had no idea this recipe was from Weight Watchers (five points, in case you are wondering) when I originally found it BUT who doesn't love a a more guilt free dessert?!?!

I made these M&M Cheesecake Squares for my good friend, Alexandra, who just returned from her semester abroad in Ecuador. We met for lunch and it was great to hear about all of her adventures. She lived with a host family in Quito, did a lot of hiking, and took a sculpting class! She is so adventurous! She hope to be an advocate for women's health in the Latina community and is extremely driven. Overall,  I am so amazed by people who study abroad. They have the most incredible experiences and are brave enough to experience it all in a foreign country. I had many friends study abroad this past semester and am looking forward to reuniting with them to hear all their stories!

When I asked Alexandra what I should bake for her, she mentioned her love for M&M's and we both knew this bars would be delish. The crumble topping is incredible and the walnuts add a little extra flavor. These did not fail to deliver. Like I said, you can't go wrong with cheesecake.

Weight Watchers Cheesecake Squares
Recipe from Weight Watchers Recipes

• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup M&M (or Smarties) candy - I used M&M's!
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup margarine
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat the margarine and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the walnuts and flour; mix well.
4. Reserve 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture you've just made; press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch square pan.
5. Bake the crumb mixture at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.
6. Combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla; using an electric mixer, mix at medium speed until well blended.
7. Add the egg; mix well.
8. Layer 1/2 cup of the M&M's (or Smarties) candies over the crust; top with the cream cheese mixture.
9. Combine the remaining candy and reserved crumb mixture; mix well.
10. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the cream cheese mixture. 
11. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
12. Let cool completely before serving.