We’ve had a bit of a heat wave, and I haven’t felt like doing much cooking, but I decided to surprise my family with this no-bake treat! This lunch lady peanut butter bar recipe I found on My Baking Addiction was super simple to make, put big smiles on everyone’s face, and didn’t heat my house while making them.

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars

Bars:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup salted butter, cubed
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs, about 15 graham cracker sheets, crushed into fine crumbs
• 1¾ cups powdered sugar

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Layer:

• 10 oz dark chocolate melting wafers
• 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 1 tsp coconut oil

Optional Toppings:

• Crushed peanuts, optional
• Flaky sea salt, optional

How to Make Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars:

Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easier removal.

Make the bars by melting the creamy peanut butter and salted butter until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the vanilla until well combined.

Prepare the graham crackers by using a food processor to crush them into fine crumbs.

Add the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar, and stir until well combined.

Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Refrigerate while you prepare the chocolate & peanut butter topping.

Make the chocolate & peanut butter topping by combining the melting wafers, peanut butter, and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and fully melted.

Pour the chocolate & peanut butter mixture over the graham cracker base and spread evenly. Sprinkle the top with crushed peanuts and flaky sea salt, if desired.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until set.

Once set, slice into bars and serve chilled.

Store in an airtight container, layers separated by parchment paper. Enjoy.

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Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 minutes minutes

Refrigerating Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time 2 hours hours 22 minutes minutes

Servings 16 - 20 (depending on size)

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• 9 x 9-inch Glass Baking Dish
• Food Processor
• Sharp Knife

Ingredients

Bars:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup salted butter cubed
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs about 15 graham cracker sheets, crushed into fine crumbs
• 1¾ cups powdered sugar

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Layer:

• 10 oz dark chocolate melting wafers
• 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 1 tsp coconut oil

Optional Toppings:

• Crushed peanuts optional
• Flaky sea salt optional

Instructions

• Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easier removal.
• Make the bars by melting the creamy peanut butter and salted butter until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the vanilla until well combined.
• Prepare the graham crackers by using a food processor to crush them into fine crumbs.
• Add the graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar, and stir until well combined.
• Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Refrigerate while you prepare the chocolate & peanut butter topping.
• Make the chocolate & peanut butter topping by combining the melting wafers, peanut butter, and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and fully melted.
• Pour the chocolate & peanut butter mixture over the graham cracker base and spread evenly. Sprinkle the top with crushed peanuts and flaky sea salt, if desired. 
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until set.
• Once set, slice into bars and serve chilled.
• Store in an airtight container, layers separated by parchment paper. Enjoy.

I’ve always wanted to make a key lime pie, so when I stumbled upon a whole bunch of key limes on sale at my grocery store, I scooped them up. I decided to make a recipe for mini key lime pies from Sally’s Baking Addiction that looked fun. The key limes take time to juice, but it’s worth the effort. The mini key lime pies were delicious, with a sweet, buttery crust and a perfect tart-and-sweet filling.

Mini Key Lime Pies

Crust:

• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full sheet graham crackers)
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Filling:

• 4 oz full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 (14-oz) can of full-fat sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup key lime juice (about 20 key limes)

Serving:

• Whipped cream
• Lime zest

How to Make Mini Key Lime Pies:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 muffin trays, 1 with 12 cupcake liners and 4 in a second tray (since this recipe makes only around 16). Set pans aside.

Prepare the crust by placing 12 whole graham cracker sheets in a food processor or blender to grind them into fine crumbs.

Combine the fine crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a small bowl until well combined. The mixture will be thick, coarse, and sandy.

Press a heaping tablespoon of graham cracker mixture down into each liner, making sure the crust is tight and very compact.

Pre-bake the crusts for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven.

Prepare the filling by beating the cream cheese on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.

On medium-high speed, beat in the egg yolks, scraping down the sides as needed. On high speed, beat in the sweetened condensed milk and lime juice until combined.

Pour the filling evenly into each crust.

Place in the oven and bake for 15–16 minutes, or until the centers of the pies only slightly jiggle.

Remove from oven and allow the pies to cool at room temperature in the pan set on a wire cooling rack.

Once cool, place the muffin trays in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

To serve, once chilled, top the key lime pies with whipped cream and lime zest if desired. Enjoy.

Store leftover pies in the refrigerator (covered) for up to 1 week.

Print

Mini Key Lime Pies

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Cooling/Refrigerating Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings 16 mini pies

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• 2 Muffin Tray plus 16 Cupcake Liners
• Food Processor
• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
• Wire Cooling Rack

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs about 12 full sheet graham crackers
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Filling:

• 4 oz full-fat brick cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 (14-oz) can of full-fat sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup key lime juice about 20 key limes

Serving:

• Whipped cream
• Lime zest

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 muffin trays, 1 with 12 cupcake liners and 4 in a second tray (since this recipe makes only around 16). Set trays aside.
• Prepare the crust by placing 12 whole graham cracker sheets in a food processor or blender to grind them into fine crumbs.
• Combine the fine crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a small bowl until well combined. The mixture will be thick, coarse, and sandy.
• Press a heaping tablespoon of graham cracker mixture down into each liner, making sure the crust is tight and very compact.
• Pre-bake the crusts for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven.
• Prepare the filling by beating the cream cheese on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
• On medium-high speed in a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), beat in the egg yolks, scraping down the sides as needed. On high speed, beat in the sweetened condensed milk and lime juice until combined.
• Pour the filling evenly into each crust.
• Place in the oven and bake for 15–16 minutes or until the centers of the pies only slightly jiggle.
• Remove from oven and allow the pies to cool at room temperature in the tray set on a wire cooling rack.
• Once cool, place the muffin trays in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
• To serve, once chilled, top the key lime pies with whipped cream and lime zest if desired. Enjoy.
• Store leftover pies in the refrigerator (covered) for up to 1 week.

This fun & easy dessert bar recipe takes classic Rice Krispie treats to a whole new level! I made these brown butter Golden Grahams s’mores bars after my sister sent me an Instagram video of them being made. Browning the butter and lightly torching the marshmallows really make this easy s’more bars recipe extra special. These tasty s’mores bars were a big hit with my whole family, and I’ll definitely be making them again.

Brown Butter Golden Grahams S’mores Bars

Ingredients:

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 12 oz of mini marshmallows, divided
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 cups of Golden Grahams cereal
• 1-2 Hershey’s milk chocolate bars, separated into pieces, to taste
• Flaky sea salt, to taste, optional

How to Make Brown Butter Golden Grahams S’mores Bars:

You need to move quickly when making this recipe, so prepare all ingredients before starting the cooking process.

Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with a strip of parchment paper with sides overhanging. Coat with cooking spray.

Brown the butter in a large, wide pot over medium heat. Stir the butter often once it has melted. It will start to foam at the top, turn brown, and start smelling nutty. This process takes about 3-5 minutes, and the turn happens quickly, so watch carefully.

Remove 1½ cups of mini marshmallows from the bag and set aside until later.

Add the remaining marshmallows to the brown butter. Lightly toast the marshmallows with a cooking torch before, stirring constantly until melted and smooth, about 3-4 minutes.  

Once melted, add the vanilla extract and stir to mix well.

Immediately add the Golden Grahams and 1 cup of the remaining marshmallows, and stir until well combined and evenly coated.

Immediately spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish, pressing it into an even layer, using parchment paper to protect your hands, if desired.

Press the separated chocolate pieces, and the remaining ½ cup of marshmallows on top.

Place in the fridge to cook for 20 minutes.

Lightly toast the marshmallows on top of the bars with the cooking torch. Top with a sprinkling of flaky sea salt, if desired.

Lift parchment paper sides and transfer to a cutting board.

To cut, spray a portion of a paper towel with cooking spray, and grease a sharp knife before cutting treats into squares.

Serve and enjoy.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 week.

Print

Brown Butter Golden Grahams S’mores Bars

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Refrigerating Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• 8x8-inch Baking Pan
• Large, Wide Pot
• Cooking Torch
• Sharp Knife

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 12 oz of mini marshmallows divided
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 cups of Golden Grahams cereal
• 1-2 Hershey's milk chocolate bars separated into pieces, to taste
• Flaky sea salt to taste, optional

Instructions

• You need to move quickly when making this recipe, so prepare all ingredients before starting the cooking process.
• Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with a strip of parchment paper with sides overhanging. Coat with cooking spray.
• Brown the butter in a large, wide pot over medium heat. Stir the butter often once it has melted. It will start to foam at the top, turn brown, and start smelling nutty. This process takes about 3-5 minutes, and the turn happens quickly, so watch carefully.
• Remove 1½ cups of mini marshmallows from the bag and set aside until later.
• Add the remaining marshmallows to the brown butter. Lightly toast the marshmallows with a cooking torch, then stir constantly until melted and smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
• Once melted, add the vanilla extract and stir to mix well.
• Immediately add the Golden Grahams and 1 cup of the remaining marshmallows, and stir until well combined and evenly coated.
• Immediately spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish, pressing it into an even layer, using parchment paper to protect your hands, if desired.
• Press the separated chocolate pieces, and the remaining ½ cup of marshmallows on top.
• Place in the fridge to cook for 20 minutes.
• Lightly toast the marshmallows on top of the bars with the cooking torch. Top with a sprinkling of flaky sea salt, if desired. 
• Lift parchment paper sides and transfer to a cutting board.
• To cut, spray a portion of a paper towel with cooking spray, and grease a sharp knife before cutting treats into squares.
• Serve and enjoy.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 week.

I couldn’t wait to make this recipe by Erin French for Gruyère and herb baked eggs as soon as I saw it. These bistro eggs (aka shirred eggs/oeufs cocotte) are baked in a mixture of cream, gruyere, and butter until perfectly set, with jammy yolks, then topped with flaky salt and fresh thyme leaves. I served them with buttered toast for dipping, and my daughter and I devoured them. This delicious and easy French bistro egg recipe pairs well with roasted bacon and crispy hash browns.

Bistro Eggs

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 2 tbsp Gruyère cheese, finely grated
• 1 tsp very cold unsalted butter, finely grated
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 sprig fresh thyme, leaves stripped
• Portuguese flor de sal or Maldon salt, to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

How to Make Bistro Eggs

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees on the convection setting, if you have it. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange two small 6-inch ceramic baking dishes on top and set aside. Coat the bottom and sides of each baking dish with ½ teaspoon of olive oil (or butter).

In a small bowl, stir together the cream, Gruyère, and finely grated butter.

Gently crack two eggs into each baking dish, taking care not to break the yolks. Using a small rubber spatula, poke through the thicker portion of the egg white a few times to break it up and allow for more even cooking.

Dollop the cream mixture evenly over the egg whites, avoiding the yolks.

Place in the oven to bake until the egg whites are just set and the yolks are still runny, 10 to 12 minutes. Side Note: If you are not using your convection setting, this dish will take longer, about 18 to 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven, sprinkle with thyme leaves, Portuguese flor de sal (or Maldon salt), and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.

Serve immediately, with buttered toast for dipping, if desired.

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Bistro Eggs

Course Breakfast

Cuisine French

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• 2 6-inch small baking dish

Ingredients

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 2 tbsp Gruyère cheese finely grated
• 1 tsp very cold unsalted butter finely grated
• 4 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 sprig fresh thyme leaves stripped
• Portuguese flor de sal or Maldon salt to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees on the convection setting, if you have it. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange two small 6-inch ceramic baking dishes on top and set aside. Coat the bottom and sides of each baking dish with ½ teaspoon of olive oil (or butter).
• In a small bowl, stir together the cream, Gruyère, and finely grated butter.
• Gently crack two eggs into each baking dish, taking care not to break the yolks. Using a small rubber spatula, poke through the thicker portion of the egg white a few times to break it up and allow for more even cooking.
• Dollop the cream mixture evenly over the egg whites, avoiding the yolks.
• Place in the oven to bake until the egg whites are just set and the yolks are still runny, 10 to 12 minutes. Side Note: If you are not using your convection setting, this dish will take longer, about 18 to 20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, sprinkle with thyme leaves, Portuguese flor de sal (or Maldon salt), and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately, with buttered toast for dipping, if desired.

My grocery store had a nice sale on fresh raspberries, so I made these lemon cheesecake bars with raspberries from A Farmgirl’s Dabbles. The recipe is easy to prepare, but you have to be patient and let them set in the fridge. These lemon raspberry cheesecake bars were perfectly tart & sweet, and put big smiles on my family’s faces.

Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Raspberries

Crust:

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

• 16 oz full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ¼ cup full-fat sour cream, room temperature
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Lemon zest from 2 large lemons
• 1 cup fresh raspberries, more for serving if desired

Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Raspberries:

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Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Raspberries

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 54 minutes minutes

Refrigerating Time: 3 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 9 minutes minutes

Servings 9 - 16 depending on cut size

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• 8 x 8-inch Baking Dish
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
• Wire Cooling Rack

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ cup unsalted butter melted

Filling:

• 16 oz full-fat cream cheese room temperature
• ½ cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• ¼ cup full-fat sour cream room temperature
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Lemon zest from 2 large lemons
• 1 cup fresh raspberries more for serving if desired

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, with overlapping ends. Coat with cooking spray.
• Prepare the crust by combining the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt. Drizzle in the melted butter and stir until well-combined. Press evenly into the prepared pan.
• Par-cook the crust by baking for 10 to 12 minutes, or until fragrant and golden. Set on a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
• Prepare the filling with a hand mixer (or stand mixer) by creaming the cream cheese and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 - 2 minutes.
• Add the eggs, sour cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and beat on medium speed until combined.
• Spread the mixture evenly over the cooled crust, then tap the pan gently on the counter a couple of times to settle the filling.
• Scatter the top with raspberries, then gently press them into the cheesecake filling–enough to completely cover each raspberry with cheesecake filling.
• Place in the oven to bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the cheesecake barely wobbles in the center, and the edges are lightly golden.
• Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire cooling rack.
• Refrigerate to allow them to set for at least 3-24 hours.
• To serve, slice into individual bars, and carefully remove the cheesecake from the pan by pulling up on the overhanging parchment ends.
• Place the cheesecake on a cutting board and slice it into bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

  Side Note: Use a warm (not hot), sharp, non-serrated knife, wiping the knife clean between each slice.

 I threw this easy pasta al pesto together for a healthy vegetarian meal, and it was so delicious that we were all disappointed I didn’t double the recipe. I made the pesto while the pasta cooked, then tossed it all together until it was nice and coated with the sauce. I threw in some baby cherry tomatoes because they are so sweet & delicious, I thought they would add a nice pop of sweet/tart to the dish. This easy pesto pasta recipe paired nicely with an Italian salad and some crusty bread loaded with roasted garlic.

Spaghetti al Pesto

• 8 oz spaghetti noodles, cooked according to the package instructions, reserving ½ cup of cooking water
• ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
• ¼ cup + 1 tbsp parmesan, finely grated
• Juice & zest of ½ large lemon
• 2 small cloves of garlic, finely grated
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
• ¼ cup good olive oil

Serving:

• Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• Baby basil leaves, optional

How to Make Spaghetti al Pesto:

Cook the spaghetti noodles to al dente in a large pot of well-salted, boiling water, according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving ½ cup of cooking water.

Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts by pouring them into a dry small skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until golden brown and toasted. Set aside to cool completely before making the basil pesto.

Make the basil pesto by combining the pine nuts, cheese, lemon juice, zest, garlic, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper in a food processor; pulse until well chopped.

Add the basil leaves and pulse a few times to chop.

With the food processor running, drizzle in the olive oil and pulse until combined.  Taste and add sea salt or freshly cracked black pepper if needed.

Finish the dish by pouring the pesto into a large serving bowl. Add the drained spaghetti and baby cherry tomatoes, and toss until well combined.  Side Note: Don’t toss the pasta and pesto together in the cooking pot, as it will “cook” the pesto, making it less green & vibrant. 

Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan and some baby basil leaves. Enjoy.

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Spaghetti al Pesto

Course Main

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 3 - 4

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Large pot
• Food Processor

Ingredients

• 8 oz spaghetti noodles cooked according to the package instructions, reserving ½ cup of cooking water
• ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
• ¼ cup + 1 tbsp parmesan finely grated
• Juice & zest of ½ large lemon
• 2 small cloves of garlic finely grated
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves packed
• ¼ cup good olive oil

Serving:

• Parmesan cheese finely grated
• Baby basil leaves optional

Instructions

• Cook the spaghetti noodles to al dente in a large pot of well-salted, boiling water, according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving ½ cup of cooking water.
• Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts by pouring them into a dry small skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until golden brown and toasted. Set aside to cool completely before making the basil pesto.
• Make the basil pesto by combining the pine nuts, cheese, lemon juice, zest, garlic, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper in a food processor; pulse until well chopped.
• Add the basil leaves and pulse a few times to chop.
• With the food processor running, drizzle in the olive oil and pulse until combined.  Taste and add sea salt or freshly cracked black pepper if needed.
• Finish the dish by pouring the pesto into a large serving bowl. Add the drained spaghetti and baby cherry tomatoes, and toss until well combined.  Side Note: Don't toss the pasta and pesto together in the cooking pot, as it will "cook" the pesto, making it less green & vibrant.
• Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan and some baby basil leaves. Enjoy.

This tasty pasta primavera with Boursin cheese dish was a clean-out-the-fridge recipe. I roasted the veggies until tender, then tossed them together with some warmed Boursin cheese and al dente rigatoni. Served with lots of parmesan cheese, this primavera pasta was a big hit with all of us and paired nicely with a simple Romaine salad and some crusty bread.

Pasta Primavera with Boursin

Ingredients:

• 8 oz rigatoni, cooked to al dente according to the package instructions
• 1 small eggplant, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• ½ small yellow onion, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 5 large button mushrooms, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 2 mini orange bell peppers, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
• ½ zucchini, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• ½ yellow squash, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 5-7 asparagus spears, woody ends removed, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• A handful of cherry tomatoes
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 (5.2 oz packet) Boursin Garlic & Herb Cheese

Serving:

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, to taste

How to Make Pasta Primavera with Boursin

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.

Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted boiling water until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.

Roast the veggies by tossing the eggplant, onion, button mushrooms, and bell peppers with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and season with sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to taste.

Pour onto the baking sheet, spreading in an even layer, and place in the oven to roast for 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and add the zucchini, yellow squash, and asparagus. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and season with a little bit more sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to taste, and toss to mix everything up, spreading out into an even layer.

Return to the oven to roast for 5 minutes.

Remove from the oven and add the cherry tomatoes and minced garlic. Toss to mix everything up, spreading in an even layer.

Place the Boursin cheese in the center of the baking sheet and return to the oven for 3-5 minutes.

Finish the dish by removing the baking sheet from the oven and tossing the veggies, warmed Boursin cheese, and the pasta until evenly coated, adding reserved cooking water as needed. Taste and re-season with salt and pepper if needed.

Serve immediately, topped with fresh parsley and lots of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy.

Print

Pasta Primavera with Boursin

Course Main

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• Large pot

Ingredients

• 8 oz rigatoni cooked to al dente according to the package instructions
• 1 small eggplant chopped into bite-sized pieces
• ½ small yellow onion chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 5 large button mushrooms chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 2 mini orange bell peppers chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp olive oil divided
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• Crushed red pepper flakes to taste
• ½ zucchini chopped into bite-sized pieces
• ½ yellow squash chopped into bite-sized pieces
• A handful of cherry tomatoes
• 3 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 5.2 oz packet Boursin Garlic & Herb Cheese

Serving:

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
• Parmesan cheese freshly grated, to taste

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.
• Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted boiling water until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
• Roast the veggies by tossing the eggplant, onion, button mushrooms, and bell peppers with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and season with sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
• Pour onto the baking sheet, spreading in an even layer, and place in the oven to roast for 10 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and add the zucchini, yellow squash, and asparagus. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and season with a little bit more sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to taste, and toss to mix everything up, spreading out into an even layer.
• Return to the oven to roast for 5 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and add the cherry tomatoes and minced garlic. Toss to mix everything up, spreading in an even layer.
• Place the Boursin cheese in the center of the baking sheet and return to the oven for 3-5 minutes.
• Finish the dish by removing the baking sheet from the oven and tossing the veggies, warmed Boursin cheese, and the pasta until evenly coated, adding reserved cooking water as needed. Taste and re-season with salt and pepper if needed.
• Serve immediately, topped with fresh parsley and lots of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy.

We had some strawberries and blueberries that had been in the fridge for a while, so I decided to make this simple strawberry-blueberry snack cake recipe I found on Nourish and Fete with them. The cake was incredibly easy to prepare, smelled great while baking, and was moist, flavorful, and delicious. We enjoyed it plain, but it would also be tasty with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Simple Strawberry-Blueberry Snack Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup + 1 tbsp of white sugar, divided
• 2 tsp fresh lemon zest
• 1 cup of buttermilk (you can also use ½ cup milk & ½ cup yogurt)
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups + 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• ¾ cup fresh blueberries

How to Make a Simple Strawberry-Blueberry Snack Cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square cake pan with parchment paper with overhanging sides, or coat well with cooking spray, and set aside.

Combine 1 cup of white sugar and lemon zest in a large bowl. Rub the mixture lightly between your fingertips for 1 minute, to infuse the sugar with the lemon zest oil and scent.

Whisk the eggs into the sugar mixture until it is smooth and buttery yellow.

Whisk in the buttermilk, oil, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.  Side Note: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can pour 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or fresh lemon juice into a 1-cup measuring cup, then fill it with milk until it reaches 1 cup. Set aside for a few minutes, then use in place of buttermilk. 

Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Gradually add the flour mixture to the buttermilk mixture until combined; it will be a little lumpy, but it will even out.

Add most of the berries, reserving a few to sprinkle on top of the cake. Gently fold two or three more times, then scrape the batter out into the prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer.

Scatter the reserved strawberries and blueberries on top.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of white sugar evenly over the top of the cake.

Place in the oven to bake for 45-55 minutes, pr until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the cake cool for 15 minutes in the baking pan.

If you lined the pan with parchment, you can use the parchment edges to lift the cake out, set it on a wire cooling rack to cool completely, then slice and serve. Otherwise, leave the cake in the pan and serve from there.

Enjoy.

Print

Simple Strawberry-Blueberry Snack Cake

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings 12

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• 9 Inch Square Baking Pan
• Wire Cooling Rack

Ingredients

• 1 cup + 1 tbsp of white sugar divided
• 2 tsp fresh lemon zest
• 1 cup of buttermilk you can also use ½ cup milk & ½ cup yogurt
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups + 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup fresh strawberries washed, hulled, and sliced
• ¾ cup fresh blueberries washed

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square cake pan with parchment paper with overhanging sides, or coat well with cooking spray, and set aside.
• Combine 1 cup of white sugar and lemon zest in a large bowl. Rub the mixture lightly between your fingertips for 1 minute, to infuse the sugar with the lemon zest oil and scent.
• Whisk the eggs into the sugar mixture until it is smooth and buttery yellow.
• Whisk in the buttermilk, oil, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth. 

  Side Note: If you don't have buttermilk, you can pour 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or fresh lemon juice into a 1-cup measuring cup, then fill it with milk until it reaches 1 cup. Set aside for a few minutes, then use in place of buttermilk.
• Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
• Gradually add the flour mixture to the buttermilk mixture until combined; it will be a little lumpy, but it will even out.
• Add most of the berries, reserving a few to sprinkle on top of the cake. Gently fold two or three more times, then scrape the batter out into the prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer.
• Scatter the reserved strawberries and blueberries on top.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of white sugar evenly over the top of the cake.
• Place in the oven to bake for 45-55 minutes, pr until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool for 15 minutes in the baking pan.
• If you lined the pan with parchment, you can use the parchment edges to lift the cake out, set it on a wire cooling rack to cool completely, then slice and serve. Otherwise, leave the cake in the pan and serve from there.
• Enjoy.

I had a very ripe banana waiting to be used up, so when I stumbled on this easy banana cookies recipe from Baked by an Introvert, I made them right away. I liked the idea of using some cornstarch in the recipe, which helped give the cookies a soft & fluffy center and slightly crisp edges. My daughter and her friend tried this simple banana cookie recipe straight from the oven and loved the banana flavor and cookie texture. Simple to make and ready in 30 minutes or less.

Banana Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1⅔ flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ¼ cup very ripe banana, very mashed (the riper the banana, the stronger the banana flavor will be)
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

How to Make Banana Cookies:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, baking powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl until well-mixed.

Using a hand mixer in a large bowl or in a stand mixer bowl, beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.

Beat in the mashed banana, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Using a silicone spatula, gradually stir in the flour mixture until just combined.

Use a cookie scoop and drop cookies onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.

Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned.

Cool in the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire cooling rack.

Store in an airtight container. Enjoy.

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Banana Cookies

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 18

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
• Wire Cooling Rack

Ingredients

• 1⅔ flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup light brown sugar packed
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• ¼ cup very ripe banana very mashed (the riper the banana, the stronger the banana flavor will be)
• 1 large egg room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl until well-mixed.
• Using a hand mixer in large bowl or in a stand mixer bowl, beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the mashed banana, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
• Using a silicone spatula, gradually stir in the flour mixture until just combined.
• Scoop dough using a cookie scoop, drop cookies onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
• Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned.
• Cool in the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire cooling rack.
• Store in an airtight container. Enjoy.

My local grocery store had some big, juicy blackberries on sale, but sadly, they are a bit too tart, so I made this easy recipe for blackberry muffins with crumble topping I found on Platings + Pairings. The muffins were tender and filled with berries and I loved the flavorful spiced crumble topping. Sadly, this recipe only made 9 muffins, but they were absolutely delicious, especially with an ice-cold glass of milk.

Blackberry Muffins with Crumble Topping

Crumble Topping:

• ⅓ cup flour
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• ¼ cup butter (melted)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cardamom

Muffins:

• 1½ cups flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp almond extract (optional)
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup fresh blackberries

How to Make Blackberry Muffins with Crumble Topping

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a muffin pan with cooking spray or line with muffin liners.

Make the crumble topping by mixing sugars, flour, butter, cinnamon, and cardamom with a fork until coarse crumbs form.

Make the muffins by combining the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.

In a small bowl, combine the oil, egg, and milk until well-mixed. Add vanilla and almond extract, and whisk to combine.

Slowly add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, then stir until just combined.

Fold in blackberries.

Divide batter evenly into muffin cups.

Evenly sprinkle crumble topping over each muffin.

Bake the muffins at 425 degrees for 5 minutes, then, without opening the oven door, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Side Note: This helps create a dome on top of the muffin. 

Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.

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Blackberry Muffins with Crumble Topping

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 23 minutes minutes

Total Time 38 minutes minutes

Servings 9 Muffins

Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

• Muffin pan
• Wire Cooling Rack

Ingredients

Crumble Topping:

• ⅓ cup flour
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• ¼ cup butter melted
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cardamom

Muffins:

• 1½ cups flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp almond extract optional
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup fresh blackberries

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a muffin pan with cooking spray or line with muffin liners.
• Make the crumble topping by mixing sugars, flour, butter, cinnamon, and cardamom with a fork until coarse crumbs form.
• Make the muffins by combining the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
• In a small bowl, combine the oil, egg, and milk until well-mixed. Add vanilla and almond extract, and whisk to combine.
• Slowly add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, then stir until just combined.
• Fold in blackberries.
• Divide batter evenly into muffin cups.
• Evenly sprinkle crumble topping over each muffin.
• Bake the muffins at 425 degrees for 5 minutes, then, without opening the oven door, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Side Note: This helps create a dome on top of the muffin.
• Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.