Summer Recipe: Frozen Peanut Butter Bites

photo / foodnetwork

Summer is here! and let's enjoy this beautiful season with everyone in the family, and for that let me share a must-try recipe: Frozen Peanut Butter Bites. This recipe is perfect for kids, family, easy-to make and super quick! Enjoy~

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Inactive time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 55 minutes

Ingredients
1 (18-ounce) jar creamy peanut butter
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

Directions

1. Using an electric mixer or a whisk, beat the peanut butter and confectioners' sugar together until smooth and stiff. Beat in the vanilla extract. Shape the peanut butter mixture into 20 (1-inch) balls and place on a waxed paper-lined sheet tray. Place the tray in the freezer for 1 hour.

2. Add chopped chocolate to a small bowl set over gently simmering water. Stir to melt. Remove chocolate from heat. With 2 forks, carefully dip the chilled peanut butter balls 1/2 way into the chocolate, let excess drip off, and lay onto the waxed paper-lined sheet tray.

3. With a fork, swirl some decorative chocolate across the top of each bite. Place in the refrigerator for the chocolate to set and the peanut butter to solidify, about 30 minutes.

Cook's Note: If it's a hot and humid day outside dust your hands with confectioners' sugar before rolling the balls. This will make it less sticky.

[recipe credit belongs to: foodnetwork.com]

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Rugelach Pinwheels

photo credit / smitten kitchen

I love baking, do you know why? This recipe will leave you open-mouth, delicious Rugelach Pinwheels. This delicious recipe includes raisins, walnuts and apricots.  All mix in a roller coaster of flavor, try it you will love it! This is the perfect recipe for baking-beginners, kids, family time and dessert or snack. It makes about 50 cookies.

Dough
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 cups sifted bleached all-purpose flour

Filling
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup golden raisins, chopped
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup apricots preserves, heated and cooled slightly

Topping
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Place cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Add sugar and continue processing until fully incorporated. Add flour and pulse just until dough comes together. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

2. Meanwhile, make filling. In a medium bowl, mix together granulated and brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and walnuts; set aside.

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 piece of dough into a rectangle about 1/8-inch thick. Spread a thin layer of preserves over dough; sprinkle with filling mixture. Roll dough into a log beginning with one of the long sides; wrap in plastic wrap. Transfer dough log baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining piece of dough. Place dough logs in refrigerator; let chill at least 1 hour.

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the topping; set aside.

5. Slice chilled dough logs crosswise, about 1/4 inch thick. Toss each cookie in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place cookies 3 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 18 to 20 minutes. Lift parchment paper from baking sheets and transfer to a wire cooling rack; let cool.

[recipe credit belongs to: smitten kitchen.com]

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