Super Easy Peanut Butter Bread

This super simple and easy peanut butter bread is a fresh take on a depression-era staple. It’s perfect for breakfast, snack time or anytime!

Easy Peanut Butter Bread

Easy Peanut Butter Bread

Course Bread, Snack
Servings 8
Calories 475 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 cup applesauce
  • ½ cup milk, room temperature
  • ½ tsp baking soda

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350℉. Coat a standard loaf pan with cooking spray.
  • Whisk together flour, salt and baking powder.  
  • Add peanut butter to the flour mixture.  Use your hands to blend the components together to form a crumble texture.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg and sugar on high until pale.  
  • Turn the mixer to medium speed and add applesauce and milk to the egg mixture. Stir in baking soda.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined.  The batter may be lumpy.
  • Pour mixture into loaf pan and bake until the internal temperature reaches 200℉ or until a toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean, 60-70 minutes.)
  • Let the cake rest on a cooling rack for 5 minutes and then turn it out of the pan.
  • Allow to cool completely before slicing.
  • Hack: Do not use natural or organic peanut butter in the recipe. The emulsifiers contained in shelf-stable peanut butter are necessary for the success of this bread!
Keyword baking soda, breakfast, brunch, buffet, classic, easy, oven baked, peanut butter, quick bread, snack, traditional, vegetarian

Did you know? While many worry about the fat and calorie content of peanut butter, studies show that its nutritional profile can be a valuable part of a healthy eating plan!

Suggestion:  These old-fashioned peanut butter cookies are another classic recipe made from the classic staple!

Original Rice Krispies Treats™

Rice Krispies Treats™ is a classic recipe that we all remember fondly from our childhood. This no-bake recipe uses only 4 ingredients and your littles can help!

Original Rice Krispies Treats™

Original Rice Krispies Treats™

Course Dessert, Snack
Servings 12
Calories 265 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups Rice Krispies™ cereal
  • 1 package Mini M&Ms;™, optional (10 ounce or 1½ cups) 
  • 3 tsp butter
  • 1 bag marshmallows (10 oz or about 40)

Instructions
 

  • Use cooking spray to coat a 10”x13” pan.
  • Measure Rice Krispies™ and Mini M&Ms;™ into a large bowl and stir to combine.
  • Put the marshmallows and butter into a separate large bowl.  Place in the microwave and heat on full power for 2 minutes.*  Stir until marshmallow and butter are well combined.
  • Add the cereal mixture to the marshmallow and stir quickly to combine.  
  • Use a buttered spatula, waxed paper or buttered hands to gently press the mixture into the prepared pan.  
  • Allow to cool and cut into 2” squares for serving.
  • *This step can also be done on the stovetop.  Place marshmallows and butter in a large pan.  Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the marshmallows are melted and smooth.
  • Hack:  Store leftovers in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to 2 days.  Separate layers with waxed or parchment paper.  They can also be tightly wrapped and frozen for up to 6 weeks.
  • Hack:  Experiment by using flavored marshmallows, food coloring (added to melted marshmallows) and/or different stir-ins such as candies, nuts or sprinkles.  Go crazy and let me know how they turn out!
Keyword candy, childrens recipes, Cooking Cousins, cooking tutorial, cooking video, dessert, easy, easy prep, fast and easy, Khloe Rose, kid friendly, kids recipe, Kindergarten Cook, Lily Rose, M&M, Marshmallow, no bake, quick and easy, Rice Krispies, snack

Did you know?  Marshmallows were originally made from the sap of the mallow plant and enjoyed only by royalty.  Check out some more fun facts here!

To see more videos from The Cooking Cousins and their friends, check out our YouTube channel!  Don’t forget to like, subscribe and press that notification button so you won’t miss any new videos!

Suggestion:  Milk and cereal bars are another easy, no-bake goodie for your littles to make!

Easy Greek Yogurt Granola Cup

This Greek yogurt granola cup is made from homemade granola and Greek yogurt with a hint of honey, cinnamon and vanilla. It’s healthy, low sugar and delicious!

Greek Yogurt Granola Cup

Greek Yogurt Granola Cup

Course Breakfast, lunch, Snack
Servings 1
Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp honey
  • tsp vanilla
  • Dash of cinnamon
  • ¼ cup fruit nut granola

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, mix yogurt, honey, vanilla and cinnamon. Stir in granola just before serving.
  • Hack: Stir in some chopped fruit or berries for an exciting twist!
Keyword breakfast, fast and easy, granola, greek yogurt, healthy, low calorie, lunch, make ahead, oatmeal, oats, parfait, quick and easy, snack, vegetarian

Did you know?   Oats are a great way to start your day.  They’re packed with nutrition that combats heart disease and diabetes while helping control your weight and digestive health.  Check out the facts here!

Suggestion: This strawberry banana yogurt smoothie is another super quick and easy way to serve up a healthy breakfast!

Fresh Strawberry Snack Cake

Strawberry snack cake is a rich and delicious dessert with a soft, moist crumb that’s bursting with fresh strawberry flavor.

Strawberry Snack Cake

Strawberry Snack Cake

Course afternoon tea, Dessert
Servings 12
Calories 223 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • cups all-purpose flour
  • tsp baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 8 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature (1 stick or ½ cup)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 cups sliced strawberries
  • Powdered sugar or whipped cream for serving (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. 
  • Whisk flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl.
  • Place butter, sugar and zest into the bowl of an electric mixer.  Beat on medium-high speed until pale, about 4 minutes. 
  • Add eggs one at a time to the mixing bowl. Continue beating and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. 
  • In another bowl, mix buttermilk and vanilla. 
  • Add a third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Continue beating until nearly combined, then add half of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat, ending with the last third of the flour mixture; beat until just combined. Stir in lemon juice.
  • Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.  Arrange strawberries on top, pressing down lightly. 
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean (or an internal temp of 210ºF), 50 to 55 minutes. 
  • Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  • Top with powdered sugar or whipped cream before serving, if desired.
  • Hack:  Don’t have buttermilk?  Mix 1½ teaspoons white vinegar or lemon juice into ½ cup milk.  Let it stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes until it’s thickened and curdled.  Another option is to thin sour cream with a bit of milk or water until it reaches the consistency of heavy cream.
  • Hack:  Feel free to use your favorite berry in this recipe!
  • Hack:  Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in serving-sized portions for up to 3 months.
  • Hack: To easily zest a whole lemon, use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin and finely chop it. Lay unused zest in a single layer and freeze. Store, tightly wrapped, in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Hack: Puree any leftover lemons in the blender or food processor for use in recipes such as cakes, cookies or bread. Freeze the puree for up to 3 months.
  • Hack:  Leftover lemon juice can be frozen for up to 12 months.  Pour the juice into an ice cube tray and place it in the freezer until solid.  Transfer the cubes to freezer bags or freezer-safe containers for storage.
Keyword afternoon tea, cake, easy, fresh fruit, snack, strawberries

 

Did you know? Just 8 strawberries will provide 140 percent of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C for kids.  Check out some more fun facts here!

Suggestion:  Orange quick bread is another delicious treat made from fresh fruit!

Homemade Easy Dulce de Leche

This easy dulce de leche is a thick, creamy caramel-like spread made from cooked sweetened condensed milk.  Its uses are only limited to your imagination!

Easy Dulce de Leche

Easy Dulce de Leche

Course afternoon tea, Condiment, Dessert, Snack
Servings 6
Calories 212 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • Water to cover

Instructions
 

  • Remove the label from the can of sweetened condensed milk.
  • Place the can on its side in a saucepan and add enough water to cover the can plus 1”.  Cover the pan with a lid and bring the water to a boil.
  • Turn the heat to low.  Simmer can for 3 hours, rolling it around every 30-40 minutes.  Add water, if necessary, to keep the can completely covered.
  • Use tongs to carefully remove the can from the water.  Allow it to completely cool before opening.
  • Use dulce de leche on ice cream, for cake/pastry filling, spread on cookies, stirred it into your coffee or any other place where caramel would taste good!
  • Hack:  Transfer dulce de leche into a tightly covered container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
  • Hack:  I suggest using a solid can (not a pull tab) for this recipe to avoid a rupture.
  • Hack:  Don’t have time to watch a pan?  Put the can in a slow cooker and cover it with water plus 1”.  Set it to low for 8 hours.
  • Hack:  Dulce de leche can also be made in the oven.  Simply open and empty the can into a pie pan or similar size pan.  Cover tightly with tin foil.  Place the pie into a larger pan (so that the pie pan sits comfortably).  Fill the larger pan with ¾" of water.  Bake in a 425℉ oven for 60-90 minutes,
Keyword afternoon tea, cake filling, caramel, coffee sweetener, dessert, Dulce de Leche, homemade, snack, spread, sweet, sweetened condensed milk

What’s the difference between caramel, butterscotch and dulce de leche?  Check it out here!

Banana Strawberry Oatmeal Bread

This banana strawberry oatmeal bread is for those who enjoy a “less sweet” quick bread option.  It tastes great with peanut butter or jam!

Banana Strawberry Oatmeal Bread

Banana Strawberry Oatmeal Bread

Course Dessert, Snack
Servings 12
Calories 224 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1⅓ cup  whole wheat flour
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup quick oats
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 4 eggs
  • cup maple syrup
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups cubed strawberries

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350℉.  Coat two 9”x5” bread pans with cooking spray.
  • Mix together flours, oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl.  Set aside.
  • Put bananas, eggs, maple syrup, butter and extracts into a blender and process until smooth. 
  • Pour banana mixture into the flour mixture and blend with a spoon just until all the ingredients are incorporated.
  • Add strawberries to the bread mixture and gently fold until they are incorporated into the batter.
  • Divide batter equally into the bread pans.  Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center clean or the internal temperature is 205℉. 
  • Allow to rest in the pans for 5 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack.  Allow to cool completely before slicing.
  • Hack:  Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze tightly wrapped loaves or slices for up to 3 months.
  • Hack:  Try experimenting by using different kinds of fruit and/or berries in this recipe.  Let me know it turns out in the comments section!
  • Hack:  Take advantage of the wide variety of fruits and berries that can be found in the frozen foods section of the grocery store.  If the pieces are too large for your purpose, simply let a few thaw so you can mash them or puree the desired amount in a blender.
Keyword afternoon tea, baked, banana, berries, bread, cake, dessert, easy, fruit, leftover, loaf, oatmeal, over-ripe, ripe, snack, strawberry, vegetarian

Did you know?  A family of four wastes about $1,600 per year on produce that “goes over” before it gets eaten.  While my favorite way to use (almost) too ripe fruit is to bake something delicious, this article offers other solutions to avoid waste!

I have lots of recipes for using up fruit and berries, including fruit leatherbanana pudding, and pork chops with apples and onions, to just name a few!

Air Fryer Ravioli

Air fryer ravioli is a delicious treat that’s sure to please. Switch things up by using different flavors of ravioli and a variety of dipping sauces!

Air Fryer Ravioli

Air Fryer Ravioli

5 from 1 vote
Course Appetizer, Snack
Servings 4
Calories 375 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp water
  • ¼ cup Italian-style bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 package refrigerated ravioli, any flavor (9 oz)
  • Oil cooking spray
  • 1 cup marinara

Instructions
 

  • Whisk egg and water until well incorporated.  In a separate bowl, blend the bread crumbs and cheese.
  • Dip each ravioli in the egg mixture, followed by the bread crumb mixture.  Lay in a single layer on a plate and lightly coat both sides of each ravioli with cooking spray.
  • Lay ravioli in a single layer in the air fryer, making sure the edges don’t overlap.  
  • Air fry at 350℉ for 6 minutes.  Flip them over and continue to air fry for 3-4 minutes or until they are puffed up and light brown.
  • Serve with marinara sauce.
  • Hack:  Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.  If desired, freeze leftover ravioli (either before or after air frying) and marinara in serving-sized portions for up to 3 months.  Gently rewarm in the air fryer.
Keyword air fryer, appetizer, buffet, fried ravioli, party food, ravioli, snack

Did you know?  Ravioli has been around since the 1400s and is a vastly different dish depending on what country you’re in.  Click here for some fun facts about this delicious food!

Suggestion:  Serve the ravioli with this super easy homemade marinara sauce!

Hearty Healthy Black Bean Dip

This healthy black bean dip is a hearty, vegetarian dish that’s both flavorful and tasty. Serve it with chips or tortillas as an appetizer, snack or light meal!

Healthy Black Bean Dip

Healthy Black Bean Dip

Course Appetizer, Snack
Servings 6
Calories 245 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • cup dried black beans
  • 4 cups water, divided
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 red onion, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (3 tsp)
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • ¾ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ cup boiling water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¾ cup cheddar cheese (3 oz)

Instructions
 

  • Cover beans with 2 cups of water and allow to soak for 6 - 12 hours. Drain and rinse.
  • Put 2 cups of water and beans to a saucepan. Turn heat to medium. Cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until tender, checking occasionally to ensure there is enough water to keep beans from scorching. Drain excess water, if necessary.
  • (NOTE: The above step can be done ahead. Store beans tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.)
  • Heat the oven to 475℉ degrees.
  • Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium-low heat. Add onions and saute for 5 -10 minutes until translucent but not browned. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about one minute.
  • Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, red pepper flakes and cumin. Saute for 30 seconds.
  • Add the beans, boiling water and generous pinches of salt and pepper, and stir to combine.
  • Transfer to an oven-safe dish and sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top.
  • Bake until the cheese has melted, 5 to 10 minutes. If the top is not as browned as you’d like, run the dip under the broiler for 1 or 2 minutes.
  • Serve immediately with corn chips, crusty bread, pita or rice.
  • Hack: One cup of frozen onions can be substituted for fresh onion in this recipe.
  • Hack: One 15 oz can of black beans can be substituted for the dried beans.
  • Hack: Store leftover dip in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Hack: Freeze leftover portions sealed in serving-sized portions for up to 6 months. Allow to thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating.
Keyword appetizer, black bean, cheesy dip, dip, easy, football snacks, healthy, hearty, legume, snack, vegetarian

Did you know? Black beans are a member of the legume family.  Legumes come in many options, are inexpensive and they’re packed with nutrition!!

Suggestion:  Serve this dip with some authentic Indian flatbread naan!

 

Crispy Fried Green Tomatoes

Crispy fried green tomatoes is one of my favs, made more special due to the short window of green tomatoes! I love it when my gardening friends share!

Crispy Fried Green Tomatoes

Crispy Fried Green Tomatoes

Course Side Dish, Snack
Servings 1 slice
Calories 74 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large green tomatoes
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup flour, divided
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • ¾ cup butter (1½ stick)

Instructions
 

  • Cut tomatoes into ½“ slices and set aside.
  • In a small, shallow bowl, mix ¼ cup flour, salt, sugar and pepper.
  • In another small shallow bowl, whisk egg and milk.
  • In a third bowl, mix the remaining flour and cornstarch.
  • Dredge each tomato slice in flour mixture, dip in egg mixture and coat with cornmeal mixture. Lay slices in a single layer on a flat surface and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes.
  • Melt ½ cup butter in a heavy skillet over medium until it begins to foam and sizzle around the edges.
  • Carefully place tomato slices in the pan and fry for 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Do this in batches so as not to crowd the slices in the pan. Add more butter as necessary.
  • When cooked, remove slices from the pan to paper towels or rack to drain. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before eating.
Keyword breaded, easy, green tomato, home grown, pan fried, side dish, snack, unripened tomato, vegetable, vegetarian

Did you know?  While green tomatoes have fewer health benefits than their fully ripened counterparts, they still have a great nutritional profile!

Suggestion:  Serve with ranch dressing, if desired.

Crispy Homemade Sweet Potato Fries

There’s nothing like crispy homemade sweet potato fries dipped in honey mustard sauce.  What’s your favorite way to eat them?

Crispy Homemade Sweet Potato Fries

Crispy Homemade Sweet Potato Fries

Course side, Side Dish, Snack
Servings 3
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large sweet potato (about 1 pound)
  • Vegetable oil
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Peel the sweet potato, if desired. Cut into ½” strips.
  • Heat 1” oil in a heavy skillet on medium until a drop of water sizzles when dropped into it (5-10 minutes).
  • Carefully put sweet potato strips in hot oil and fry until golden brown (7-10 minutes), cooking in batches so as not to crowd potatoes. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels or a rack. Salt to taste while still hot.
Keyword easy, fries, potatoes, side dish, simple, snacks, sweet potato, vegan, vegetarian

Did you know?  Sweet potatoes have a surprising number of health benefits including maintaining blood pressure and insulin levels!

Suggestion: Serve with honey mustard dip!

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