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.

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.

Elvis Birthday Cake

This week I had the opportunity to do a small birthday cake for a close friend’s niece. The theme of the party was Elvis Presley (hence the design on the cake). While doing this cake I decided to do some experimenting with different types of frostings. I’ve made them all mixed, boiled, and I have such a hard time finding that perfect frosting that “crusts” over nicely, but doesn’t taste like you’re eating shortening out of the can! I came to this recipe by combining about 3 recipes. The combination of the butter and cream cheese create a perfect crust but the taste is still there. I hope you all find this frosting as yummy as the party goers did. Happy Baking! 

Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 8oz bar cream cheese softened
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 lbs shifted powder sugar
- ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

To make the frosting:

Cream butter, and cream cheese together. Cream until smooth. Mix in vanilla, and salt. Lastly add powdered sugar slowly to the creamed mixture. Mix until everything is all incorporated. YUM!

Frosting recipe yields approximately 4 cups of frosting. 

To make the cake: 

1.  Select a good quality cake mix (a nice quick cake).  I’m partial to Duncan Hines when I’m in a pinch because it is dense, and moist.  Very easy to decorate on. 

2. Mix the cake mix per the box instructions, and divide into 2 8″ round cake pans. 

3.  Bake cakes at 350 degrees for 28-30 minutes. 

4.  Allow cakes to cool slightly, take the cakes out of the pans, and cool on a cooling rack. 

5.  Add your favorite filling to your cake, and frosting completely.  Allow the cake to “crust” over slightly.  To speed up the process, put the cake in your refridgerator for about an hour.  

6.  You can use any design you’d like on your cake, but to make the Elvis design, you can do the following.  Find your favorite Elvis photo online, and print a 6″x4″ copy.  Cut the outline of the picture.  Carefully place your template onto your cake, trace the outline with a toothpick, and take the template off.  Using colored icing or icing gel, fill in the design completely.

When you’re looking to put your ice cream maker to good use, consider experimenting with the rainbow of flavors possible with homemade gelato – the Italian version of ice cream. After sampling a host of tantalizing gelato flavors at the local Italian bakery, it got me thinking – what do I have to do to make this dessert at home? From mango to pistachio to coffee-flavored gelato, you can recreate the intense flavors of gelato for your next summertime sweet treat.

What’s So Special About Gelato?

Gelato is to Italy what ice cream is to North America, but with three distinct differences. For starters, gelato contains significantly less butterfat than ice cream. Since there is a lower butterfat content, gelato doesn’t freeze as solid as ice cream. Because of this – gelato melts in your mouth faster, delivering an instantaneous blast of flavor.

Manufacturers often add air to their product to double their quantity. However, the quality of the ice cream suffers. With gelato, no air is added, which creates a much higher density than ice cream that produces a richer and creamier sweet treat in taste. Gelato is actually served at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream with about a 10- to 15-degree difference. In its less frozen, the taste of gelato is further amplified as it melts in your mouth.

When you buy gelato at a shop or grocery store, look for selections that use real fruit, nuts, chocolates, milk and cream, instead of flavored syrups.

Homemade Gelato Recipe

You can also make your own gelato at home with:

• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, mix 2 cups of milk and 1 cup of cream. Warm the mixture until foam starts to form around the edges. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

2. Beat 4 egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl until they become frothy.

3. Gradually pour the warm milk into the egg yolks. Whisk constantly, and then return the mixture to the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture gels slightly and coats the back of the spoon. Remove the mixture immediately if you see lumps of egg begin to appear.

4. Into a bowl, pour the mixture through a sieve or fine strainer. Cover, and chill for several hours or leave in the refrigerator overnight.

5. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker, and freeze according to the maker’s instructions. Transfer the gelato mix to a sealed container. Freeze until it becomes firm. If the gelato is too firm, place in the refrigerator until it reaches the desired consistency.