Moore Cookin'

Are these not adorable? Rice Krispie Treats have to be one of the easiest desserts on the planet to make…and super fast to throw together too. Why not jazz them up a little to make these cute rice krispie treat “nests” for all those Peeps this Easter season?

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 package regular marshmallows (about 10 oz.)
• 6 cups rice krispies cereal
• peeps

Directions:

1. Melt butter over low heat in a large pot.
2. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
3. Mix in rice krispies cereal. Stir until well incorporated.
4. Press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray.
5. Let cool.
6. Mold rice krispie treats into round “nests”, making an indention in the center of each “nest” to allow room for the peep chick to sit.

How cute are these for Spring? So cute. I am notoriously horribly at making anything cutesy or crafty, but I promise you these are almost idiot-proof. They are so quick, easy, and would be a great recipe to make with kids. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• prepared cupcakes
• your favorite frosting
• 2 cups shredded coconut (sweetened)
• 4-6 drops green food coloring
• chocolate eggs, jelly beans, or desired candies

Directions:

1. Take your favorite cake recipe or box mix (no judgement here) and bake up a dozen or so to decorate.
2. In a large ziploc bag, add two cups of shredded coconut (we used sweetened) and 4-6 drops of food coloring.
3. Seal the bag closed and shake until the food coloring has spread and given the coconut a green tint.
4. Top freshly iced cupcakes with the coconut “grass” and chocolate eggs, jelly beans, or whatever else reminds you of Spring.

I’m so excited to be participating in this new Dessert Challenge hosted by Lady Behind the Curtain. Each month we will be challenged to incorporate two ingredients into a dessert to share on our blogs. February’s ingredients are cherries and chocolate–a classic combination. I must have brainstormed a dozen different recipes for this challenge, but when I discovered that my local produce market was fresh out of cherries I was forced to go to Plan B–using dried cherries.

These cookies were quick, easy to throw together, and delicious. I love the flavor combo created by the sweetness of the chocolate and slight tartness of the cherries. So good!  Added Bonus: They are already the perfect color combo for Valentine’s Day!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons hot water
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups white chocolate chips
• 1-1.5 cups dried cherries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar together until smooth.
3. Mix in the eggs one at a time.
4. Add in the vanilla and continue mixing.
5. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt.
6. Stir in flour, white chocolate chips, and dried cherries.
7. Drop by spoonfuls onto prepared pans.
8. Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden.
9. Enjoy!