Cheezy Mix

I am determined to find the ultimate snack that involves Cheez-its, chocolate and peanut butter. And for now, I've found it. I am also sortof determined to find a good name for it. And for now, Cheezy Mix will have to do. This is partly inspired by a very delicious snack, Muddy Buddy Mix, which I always add extra peanut butter and chocolate to when I make it for road trips.

Cheezy Mix

Ingredients

• 5 cups Cheez-its
• 1-2 handfuls peanuts (optional)
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 cup powdered sugar

1. Place the cheez-its (and peanuts) in a large bowl
2. Place the white chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a large microwavable bowl. Heat for 15 seconds on high. Stir. Heat for another 15 seconds. Stir. As soon as the mix begins to melt, stir it all together until it melts on its own- This may take one more 15-second round in the microwave.
3. Pour mixture over cereal. Stir until evenly coated. Pour the mixture into a large Ziplock bag.
4. Add the powdered sugar to the bag. Seal the bag and mix it all up. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Happy New Year Ya'll

When a cookie created by The Ms. Paula Dean arrived in my inbox as one of Food Network's 12 Days of Cookies holiday emails, I knew I had to try it- Chocolate Butter Gooey Cookies. Only three main ingredients are in it: moist chocolate cake mix, cream cheese, and can you guess the last one?

butter.

So I figured one last indulgent sweet recipe was in order for the last hoorah of 2010- New Years Eve, plus it didn't matter that I had no free time, because this recipe is semi-homemade :)

Paula's Chocolate Butter Gooey Cookies

Ingredients

• 1- 18 oz moist chocolate cake mix
• 1- 8 oz block cream cheese
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp instant coffee (optional)
• powdered sugar for rolling

Have ingredients at room temperature. Preheat oven to 350F.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer or a KitchenAid with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Mix in the egg and vanilla. Mix in the instant coffee and cake mix. Let the cookie dough chill in the fridge for a couple of hours (otherwise it's too sticky to roll). Roll the chilled dough into balls and roll in a bowl of powdered sugar. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 11-12 minutes. Cookies will stay soft and gooey! Let cool completely- The flavor of the cookie greatly improves after they have been out of the oven for a few hours.

Courtesy Foodnetwork.com

No personal picture, we were too busy celebrating in beautiful snowy Tahoe!

From my kitchen to yours!