I love having a few pantry-staple recipes on hand for an impromptu dessert. Nothing is as easy and delicious than these peanut butter cookies that require only three ingredients. The next time you want to bake something yummy, just go to your pantry and whip up the easiest cookies ever with ingredients you already have to create a dessert that tastes like perfection.

Ingredients

1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto cookie sheet.

3. Using the back of a fork, make a crisscross pattern on dough. Bake for 13 minutes.

Hailing from the Mediterranean, peppermint leaves have a regal history, as they once decorated the brows of ancient Greek and Roman personalities. Over the years, the minty sensations of peppermint made its way into the drinking cups of people looking for a refreshing beverage. Today, the natural, caffeine-free taste of peppermint tea is a popular way for drinkers to relax or ease into their nighttime slumber.

Peppermint Tea Blends

The distinct flavor of peppermint tea creates an array of blends that satisfy tea drinkers seeking a light, aromatic beverage. Sometimes, peppermint tea brews strong and goes well with honeybush chocolate or vanilla in order to tone down the flavor. Other peppermint tea combinations include Chocolate Peppermint (from Stash Teas), Ginger-Peppermint (Alvita Teas), Mint Medley (spearmint and peppermint blend from Bigelow), Organic Chai Peppermint (Uncle Lee’s Teas), and Lemon Peppermint (Bonkers Super Skinny Tea).

How to Make Fresh Peppermint Tea

Consumed hot or cold, peppermint tea is made by steeping the dried leaves of the plant in boiling water. If you have a garden, you’re in luck. Select a few worthy peppermint leaves from your plants and lay out on a tray in one large heap – placed in direct sunlight. Rip the leaves several times and spread the leaves out to dry in the sun for 24 hours or longer. The leaves are ready when they are dry and crunchy. Boil water and pour over about two tablespoons of dried peppermint leaves. Cover and let steep for 10 to 20 minutes. Add about five fresh bruised leaves the liquid, and then strain into your cup.

The Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea

In addition to providing a tasty experience, peppermint tea also delivers a host of health benefits to drinkers. Peppermint differs from other mints because it contains a volatile oil with healing properties. The tea offers the strength and advantages of menthol (a therapeutic component), as well as 40 other compounds. People often drink the tea after dinner because it aids in digestion and can curb acid reflux. Other benefits of peppermint tea include:

• Treat cases of irritable bowel syndrome
• Ease pangs of nausea and vomiting
• Control flatulence
• Dissolve gallstones
• Help control mild cases of asthma
• Fights stress and fatigue
• Lessen the blow of herpes outbreaks
• Battle bad breath
• Control muscle aches and chronic pain
• Break up congestion and relieve coughing associated with allergies and the common cold

When warm weather brings the juiciness of ripe berries bursting with flavor, it’s time to put those tasty treats to good use. Fruit pies are not only wildly popular during the holidays, but also throughout the summertime when berry picking can take place in your own backyard. To enjoy a few ideas for pies made with berries, consider the following suggestions:

1. Three Berry Pie

Why settle for one kind of berry when you can have three? With a host of variations, Three Berry Pie usually consists of blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries (or blackberries). One recipe for a 9-inch double crust pie calls for 1 cup of strawberries, 2 cups of raspberries and 1 ½ cups of blueberries. Other ingredients may include cornstarch and sugar.

2. Apple-Berry Pie

Use blackberries and apples to bake a pie that takes the typical apple pie recipe to new heights. Flavored with cinnamon, this berry pie tastes exceptional with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

3. Berry Custard Pie

Combine raspberries and blackberries in a light custard sauce and you’ll enjoy an irresistible dessert that is surprisingly low in fat. Using fat free sour cream helps to cut down on the calories. Cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest, and vanilla extract help add flavor to the pie. When choosing the right recipe, one serving of Berry Custard Pie can be as low as 165 calories.

4. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Blend the sweetness of freshly sliced strawberries with the tartiness of rhubarb to create a delicious summer pie. Some recipes use quick-cooking tapioca to achieve their consistency, while others create creamy custard filling. For added crunch and texture, opt for a crumb topping by combining 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon salt. Cut in ½ cup butter or margarine until the mixture becomes crumbly. Spoon the topping mix over the filling and bake according to your recipe.

5. Huckleberry Cream Cheese Pie

Looking to try out a new berry? Huckleberries are small round berries that resemble blueberries. Growing wild in August throughout the Northwest (United States), some grocery stores carry the frozen berry. You can use fresh or frozen huckleberries to create a topping for your favorite cream cheese pie recipe. After cooling your pie, spread the huckleberry mixture over the cream cheese layer and refrigerate until you’ll ready to dig in.

Brownies are my favorite go-to last minute dessert. They’re easy, everyone likes them, and they are delicious. It’s hard to improve on the original warm, chewy goodness of a classic chocolate brownie, but this rocky road version can definitely compete. Marshmallows and chocolate chips are added to create a sinful treat. Serve them warm with vanilla ice cream and these rocky road brownies will become your go-to dessert favorite.

Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks butter. softened
1 1/2 c sugar
4 eggs
1 c flour
1/4 c cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 c chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Combine butter and sugar, then beat in the eggs.

3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt and slowly add to the butter mixture.

4. Fold in marshmallows and chocolate chips.

5. Spread in a 13×9 baking dish and bake for 35 – 40 minutes, or until the center is set.

6. Let cool before cutting into bars.

With the abundance of summer berries at their peak all season long, baking decadent desserts can be done any time of the year. This cobbler is both rich and super easy. You may substitute raspberries for blackberries in this recipe or combine both for a medley of summer berries. Serve with vanilla ice cream for the perfect summer treat. Enjoy!

Ingredients

3/4 cup of sugar

2 1/2 cups of blackberries

juice of 1/2 a lemon

1 cup of flour

1/2 tsp of salt

2 tsp of baking powder

1 cup of milk

1/2 cup of butter, softened

dash of cinnamon

Directions

1. Combine blackberries, sugar and lemon juice in a bowl and let sit for at least 20 minutes until a syrup forms.

2. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and milk.

3. Add softened butter until well combined.

4. Spread the berries in an 8×8 baking dish and cover with the flour mixture.

5. Bake at 375°F for 50 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Whether you’re looking to feed your stomach or fuel your brain, there are many foods and ingredients that come with benefits. From loads of antioxidants to natural energy boosters, plenty of items allow you to indulge in Mother Nature’s deliciousness. Below you will find a collection of desserts and beverages that let you to tap into the healing and healthy power of food.

Nuts: Overall, nuts are loaded with essential fatty acids like Omega-3s, and depending on the kinds you eat, there are other advantages to gain. Nuts also make delicious toppings for any of your favorite dessert recipes.

Cashews are high in magnesium, which provide an increase of oxygen-rich blood to your brain. Your brain function becomes enhanced when you eat foods that contain choline, and pecans can provide you with this essential nutrient. Almonds not only provide brainpower, but also help to stabilize your mood. You can think more clearly and stay focused when eating walnuts packed with Omega-3s.

Suggested Desserts: Cashew Coconut Pudding, Almond Bars, Walnut Balls, Maple Pecan Pie

Raw Carrots: We’ve all heard that carrots are beneficial to the eyes, but the raw vegetable also delivers a steady level of blood sugar that caters to the brain. A couple of ways to incorporate raw carrots into your sweet treats is to shave the vegetable as a fresh topping for Carrot Cake, Carrot Bars, and Carrot Muffins.

Berries: Fueling your brain with energy, berries are high in complex carbohydrates and possess their own health factors depending on the variety. Blackberries are packed with stress-preventing anthocyanins that work towards calming your brain during tension-filled situations. The antioxidants found in strawberries can boost your cognitive functioning. Cranberries have a high concentration of antioxidants that contributes to preventing brain cell damage associated with free radicals. The antioxidants in blueberries have been proven to lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Suggested Desserts: Blackberry Pie, Strawberry Tarts, Cranberry Squares, Blueberry Muffins, Raspberry Trifle, Berry Cobbler, Berries and Cream, Berry Crumb Cake

Yogurt: You can improve your neurotransmitters with yogurt, as well as gain calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin and iodine. Get your fill of this low-calorie ingredient by making Berry Parfaits, Yogurt Cake, Yogurt Pops, and Frozen Greek Yogurt.

Oatmeal: Apple Crisp topped with oatmeal or a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies delivers a boost in energy, as well as promotes better memory. The low-calorie raisins in the cookies also serve as a high-energy ingredient packed with antioxidants.

Bananas: Banana cream pie sounds even better when you learn that bananas possess a decent source of antioxidants and potassium. Other dessert ideas include Banana Bread and Banana Pudding.

Dark Chocolate: The possibilities are endless when you think of all the desserts that include dark chocolate. Not only can you actually stop cravings with a small bar, but also receive a burst of healthy antioxidants. Consider dipping pretzels and frozen bananas and into melted dark chocolate for a tasty sweet treat.

Watermelon: Watermelon is a low-calorie treat that increases energy levels and provides the body with nutrients. Perfect for warm weather days, consider transforming your watermelon slices into a Watermelon Cooler – often made with fresh lime juice.

Hot Cocoa: An intense surge of antioxidants comes when you drink a steaming cup of hot chocolate made with pure cocoa powder.

Peppermint Tea: Enhance your productivity with peppermint tea, which increases your focus and performance.

Green Tea: To relax your mind and jumpstart mental alertness, consume green tea with honey or drink an ice-cold glass with a sprig of mint.

Coffee: The caffeine found in a cup of coffee is known to encourage improved short-term memory when consumed in moderation.