SNICKERS® Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WhenImHungry #CollectiveBias

I like to think of myself as a fairly mild tempered person. I roll with the punches, and at this point in my life, it takes an awful lot to make me angry. BUT there is one thing that brings on a major case of crankiness and irritability. Something that just makes me feel not like myself.

That happens when I get hungry. You know, the kind of hungry that you've been ignoring for hours because you are busy or rushed and there's simply been no time to eat. I try not to let that happen very often, so I like to have on hand my favorite candy bar in the whole world, SNICKERS®.

By keeping some in my purse or backpack, I can stop that awful, overwhelming feeling of being so hungry while enjoying this yummy treat. And I just found SNICKERS® Peanut Butter variety that is so good, it inspired me to put together a batch of Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars.

Since this is my favorite candy bar, I was excited when I heard about two other new varieties available too. Besides the Peanut Butter flavor, there's now Almond and SNICKERS® Extreme.

I love that when I get hungry, I have such a great choice of flavors to satisfy that hunger. The Peanut Butter bar actually comes in four pieces, so if I don't eat them all, I can save some for later. Of course I'll never give up the classic SNICKERS® Bar that I've loved since I was a kid, but it's nice to get a new spin on an old favorite.

One of my daughters makes excellent cheesecake and whenever it's around you can bet I want a big piece. But my attempts at making one just never work out for some reason. So even though I love cheesecake, I thought it would be a recipe I wouldn't try making anymore.

But them I discovered Cheesecake Bars!! Oh my, these are so creamy and delicious. Packed with the SNICKERS® Peanut Butter pieces, they taste just like the best combination of cheesecake and peanut butter ever.

And these are easy to make, so much easier than a regular cheesecake. You start by grinding up chocolate sandwich cookies, combine that with melted butter and pat into the bottom of a 8x8 inch baking pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes. This gives you a crust that won't fall apart, but stays nice and firm.
Blend together the cream cheese filling ingredients and then stir in the chopped candy bar pieces. Top with additional pieces. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes and let sit for 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours.

Recipe for Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

22 chocolate sandwich cookies (I used Oreo)
5 tablespoons butter, melted
16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 egg
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup Peanut Butter flavored SNICKERS® pieces, chopped and divided

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 8x8 baking pan with aluminum foil with foil hanging over the sides. Put aside.
For the crust: In a food processor or blender, pulse the cookies into fine crumbs. Stir the cookie crumbs and melted butter together in a medium sized bowl. Press evenly into the lined pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool as you prepare the filling.

For the filling: Beat cream cheese, egg, sugar, and vanilla extract together with a mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Fold in 1-1/2 cups of the chopped Snickers and spread the mixture over the cooled crust. Top with remaining 1/4 cup. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheesecake has set and the edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool for 30 minutes on the counter and then completely in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours. Lift the foil out of the pan and cut into squares.

See more great SNICKERS® recipes and fun stories on the SNICKERS® social hub.

Enter the SNICKERS® "Who are you when you're hungry?" contest by uploading a personal photo or video from your Computer, Facebook, Instagram or use the SNICKERS® Meme Generator to create something new! Voting begins at Noon on 5/11/15 and ends at 11:59:59AM ET on 7/15/15.

Are you like me and find yourself getting cranky or irritable when you are hungry? When you're not you because you're just so hungry? And what is your favorite kind of SNICKERS® Bar?
Leave me a comment, I'd love to know your answers!

My Recipe For Cowboy Cookies Made With M&M's® Crispy

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CrispyIsBack #CollectiveBias

It's no secret that M&M's® are one of my very favorite candies. I've loved them ever since I was a little girl, when they were only available in Original and Peanut. Time has brought lots more varieties and one of my absolute favorites has made a comeback!

That's right, M&M's® Crispy is back, and I'm so glad. I found them at Walmart, and immediately knew I wanted to put them in my recipe for Cowboy Cookies that I had promised to make for my grandchildren. I love being a Nana that bakes treats for my grandkids, and Cowboy Cookies are a real favorite in my family.

I remember when M&M's® Crispy first came out years ago, and how much I loved them. And now that they are back, I know that the individual snack size will be perfect to toss in my purse or lunch bag. At only 180 calories, they make a great tasting lower calorie snack for at home or on-the-go.

They are also available in larger size bags in the bagged candy aisle. That's the size I bought to make my cookies. I often make baked goods like cookies and brownies with M&M's® because they always seem to be everyone's favorites.

Cowboy Cookies are packed with oats, coconut, pecans, and usually, chocolate chips. Adding the M&M's® Crispy pieces instead gives then added crunch, and I love the bright colors.

I guess I don't need to tell you that my grandchildren loved these cookies and now want me to always make them with M&M's® Crispy. They are totally right, and I'm officially changing my recipe to include them.

These cookies really are delicious, and perfect for kids lunchboxes and afterschool snacks. I make them a little larger than the norm, and that way they stay softer. I also love oatmeal cookies, and the oatmeal flavor is really good in these.

Recipe for Cowboy Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups M&M's® Crispy candies
1 cup coconut
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture, beat well. Stir in the oats, M&M's®, coconut and pecans.
Drop by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350° for about 12-14 minutes or until browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Makes 2 dozen.

Whether M&M's® Crispy is an old favorite that you are happy to see back, or you haven't had a chance to try them yet, look for them at your local Walmart.

I found the larger bags here in the candy aisle, and be sure to look for the individual snack size bags in the checkout aisles at the front of the store.

See more great M&M's® Crispy recipe and party ideas on the M&M's® Crispy social hub.

Are you like me, and remember the great taste of M&M's® Crispy and are happy to see them back? 
And if you haven't tried them, go ahead because they might just become your new favorite variety!

Celebrate Friends and Family This Valentine's Day With Red Velvet Donuts

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RedVelvetLove #CollectiveBias

I know Valentine's Day is usually thought of as a time for romantic love, but I think everyone should have the chance to be included in the day. I remember when my five kids were growing up, it was always so exciting for them when they received their Valentines and treats at school.

Times haven't changed much, and I get to see that same giddiness and excitement as my grandkids share Valentine's Day with their friends at school and in the neighborhood. And since I'm a grandmother who likes to bake, it's the perfect day for me to bake treats for my family and friends to show I love them.

I've been a red velvet fan for many years, and so I thought that Red Velvet Donuts topped with
M&M's® Red Velvet chocolate candies would be a delicious treat to share. M&M's®  has been a part of every holiday for as long as I can remember, and I love how they now make so many great flavors for the seasons and holidays.

I have a lot of fun doing little things for my grandchildren. I have four, three boys and one girl, and they get a kick out of me making them treats and giving them little presents on Valentine's Day.

Besides buying them Valentines, I'll be putting together a bag of treats, including the M&M's® Red Velvet flavored candies. Have you tried these?? Oh my, they are so good, and really do taste like red velvet.

I used to think that the only way to make a good donut was to fry them in hot oil. That all changed when I bought a donut pan and can now make a batch whenever I want to. It's so easy!!

Our next-door neighbors are a wonderful older couple whose children live far away and rarely seem to visit. I'm blessed to have my children all around me, and I can't even imagine how lonely this couple must feel.

During the holidays I started sending over food and desserts, and they were so very thankful for the attention. So on Valentine's Day morning, I'm going to whip up a batch of these Red Velvet Donuts and take them over. I don't know who it will make happier, me or them.

If you've never made a red velvet batter before, it can be a little startling. It really is red to start out, and the amount of food coloring you put in can make a difference.

This is an easy batter to put together that includes buttermilk. This recipe makes about ten donuts, but you can easily double it if you are making donuts for a large amount of people.

After the donuts have baked and cooled, dip them in a powdered sugar glaze. I like to dip them twice since the glaze can be a little transparent. This can be a bit of a messy job, so make sure you have something underneath the cooling rack to catch the glaze drips.

These are such a great color, and I love that red velvet taste. Yum!!

Sprinkling the tops of the donuts with the crushed red velvet M&M's®  makes these donuts taste fabulous. Being such a red velvet fan, I've tasted a lot of it, and let me tell you, this combo is terrific!

I think I'll be heading back to Walmart to pick up a few more bags just so I can make these donuts all through the year, and not just for Valentine's Day.

I crushed up the M&M's®  with my rolling pin, but you could do it in the food processor if you like.

Recipe for Valentine's Day Red Velvet Donuts

Ingredients: 

1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup granulated sugar + 2 tablespoons
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup buttermilk + 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon red food coloring (or more if needed)
1 cup of crushed red velvet flavored M&M's®

For glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
5-6 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, sugar, salt and baking powder, then mix with a spoon. Add in buttermilk and egg, mixing to combine. Stir in butter. In a small bowl, mix baking soda and vinegar together, then add in vanilla. Add the mixture to the doughnut batter, then stir in red food coloring. Using a pastry bag or spoon  fill each doughnut mold 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 7-8 minutes, thne let cool for 5 minutes before removing. Transfer to wire rack. Dip each donut into glaze, and sprinkle with crushed candy.
To make the glaze, in a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients until smooth, add another tablespoon of milk as needed.

You can find M&M's® Red Velvet flavor at your local Walmart. These are a special Valentine's Day variety, so be sure to pick some up soon so that you don't miss out.

Valentine's Day isn't just for couples, but it's a chance to show friends and family that every kind of love should be celebrated.

Do you have fun and favorite ways that you celebrate Valentine's Day? Maybe a special recipe or a sweet tradition? Leave me a comment and share it with me. I would love to know.

Football Fun with Chocolate MARS Candy Bar Ice Cream Brownie Cake

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

Football and good food seem to go hand in hand. I usually buy savory dips or spicy wings for football games and make the dessert myself. I enjoy making sweet treats to share with my loved ones. For this football gathering I made MARS Chocolate Candy Bar Football Ice Cream Brownie Cake.

The part of football we love the most is being fans. We like rooting for our team, wearing the team colors and being a part of the excitement with fellow fans. Another aspect of  football fun can be team rivalry and we have that in our family. My husband and I are all about the red and gold while our cousins are true black and sliver fans! It makes it a little more fun to have these opposing local teams be our different favorites. We do all agree on a love of chocolate candy bars!! #Chocolate4TheWin #CollectiveBias

Recipe for MARS Candy Bar Football Ice Cream Brownie Cake

1 bag of 105 count variety bag of MARS Candy bars
1 box of brownie mix
1.5 quart of vanilla ice cream

First make brownies according to the instructions on the boxed mix you purchased. After brownies bake allow them to cool before making ice cream cake. In a rectangle or square pan layer the ice cream, brownies and MARS Chocolate candy bars, freezing the ice cream between the layers for 10 minutes to set. Top layer should end with vanilla ice cream. For the fun size candy bars I smashed them first to make them easier to bite in the cake. I included Milky Way, 3 Musketeer and SNICKERS®  bars in my cake, you can select the ones you enjoy from the 105-count variety bag.

After letting the whole cake freeze use a knife to cut out the shape of a football, removing the outside ice cream brownie cake from the sides first making it easier to take the football shape out of the pan. Place the football shaped cake on a plate. Use the full size SNICKERS® to cut into shape of the football threads and add to top of the cake, freeze for one more 15 minute interval.

My husband, son and I loved the MARS Candy Bar Football Ice Cream Brownie Cake. I will be making this again next time we host a football party for our family. You can find the MARS 105-count variety bag and 48 count SNICKERS® at your local Sam's Club. We found our candy aisle near a sampling machine that dispensed candies and it happen to be a sampling day including candy. My son and I were having some serious candy fun!

My recipe can be interchangeable with the flavors of the main ingredients. Using blonde brownies and chocolate ice cream or many other combinations would be delicious with the MARS Candy.

I made a few MARS candy bar necklaces to wear while watching the game for easy snacking.