Miniature Peanut Butter Cheesecakes

Look at that Reese's poking through! Yum!

Although Father's Day just passed, I'd like to share with you all some of the treats I made for the occasion!

The boys I babysit decided they wanted to do something special for their dad. Aside from making cards and pencil holders, we decided to bake their father a special treat! The boys mentioned their dad loves cheesecake and he loves peanut butter. My first thought: find a recipe to combine the two!

We found this recipe for Miniature Peanut Butter Cheesecakes and knew it would be the perfect combo (although we knew we wanted to double it). All three of us put in effort to make these delicious bite-sized cheesecakes. It couldn't have been easier, and it's a fun recipe for kids! 

These were magnificent. For me, though, cheesecake and a Reese's could never yield a negative result, but I think you will all agree that these are delicious as well as a fun and different take on dessert! The Reese's in the middle is a nice "surprise" and I love how cute and adorable these mini treats are.

Naturally, I forgot to bring my camera to take pictures of these delicious goodies. Sorry if the iPhone photos just don't do this dessert justice.

Miniature Peanut Butter Cheesecakes

Recipe form Taste of Home

     Crust:

• 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 5 teaspoons butter, melted

     Cheesecake Filling:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons beaten egg
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 miniature peanut butter cups

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter. Press onto the bottom of six paper-lined muffin cups; set aside.
2. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and flour until smooth. Add egg and vanilla; beat on low speed until just combined. 
3. Place a peanut butter cup in the center of each muffin cup. Then, fill the muffin cups with the cream cheese mixture.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-18 minutes or until center is set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Yields 6 servings.

Peanut Butter S'more Bites

The forecast this holiday weekend is calling for beautiful SUMMER weather and I couldn't be happier. With highs close to 90 degrees, you will likely find me laying out whenever I have a free moment. I am looking forward to spending time with a great friend from school, Madi, as she comes down for Speed Street! Bring on the free country concerts and redneck sightings!

To get fully into the summer mode, I thought it was only appropriate to bake some treats that remind me of my favorite season. Thinking it might be weird if I lit a fire to roast marshmallows and sit in my backyard devouring s'mores by myself, I decided to make these peanut butter s'more bites. I have never met a peanut butter dessert I don't like, and when combined with chocolate, it's always a home run. These peanut butter s'more bites are cute and delicious, and a perfect summer treat.

Peanut Butter S'more Bites (makes 36 s'more bites)
Recipe from Created by Diane

• 1 Package Peanut Butter Cookie Mix (plus the items required to make cookie mix - if using Betty Crocker Mix you'll need 1 TBSP. water, 3 TBSP. oil, and 1 egg)
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup cream
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
• 72 mini marshmallows
• 2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 36 mini muffin liners

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Begin by making the ganache filling: bring one cup cream to a boil then pour it over one cup of chocolate chips. Let the chocolate chips melt for a minute then stir until creamy. Let cool.
3. Mix peanut butter cookie mix with water, oil, egg, and flour.
4. Roll about two teaspoons of dough into 36 balls and place them into paper lined mini cupcake pans.
5. Create a well in the center of each dough ball.
6. Place a teaspoon or so of the cooled chocolate ganache into each well and top with a few mini chocolate chips, two mini marshmallows, and graham cracker crumbs.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, let cool before eating!