Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

As some of you know I have a man in my life that can't eat peanuts or really any nuts at all, without serious consequence. I tend to steer clear of them when he is home but this past weekend he was down in Moab, Utah so I decided to go peanut crazy!

My roommate parent's were in town and we were having them over for dinner. I was given the task of making dessert, not a terrible thing to do. I was flipping through my favorite cookbook from the cooking blog Smitten Kitchen and found these peanut butter with chocolate center cookie sandwiches. Yes these cookies may seem like over-kill and yes I knew they would be extremely rich but that didn't stop me.

This recipe was fairly simple, it called for some peanut butter ganache in the middle. Super simple recipe and super quick!  The recipe made about 40 cookies, which was a bit much for 10 people (plus I decided to make Hazelnut cookies as well) so I split the dough in half and froze the other half for the next time I splurge on peanut butter.

The dough was super easy to throw together.All the ingredients went in the kitchen aid, let it mix and then I used my hands to really mold it together. The dough was quite crumbly dough so you have roll it into a log and freeze it. Then after it is frozen you can cut 1/4 inch slices, lay on a cookie tray, and bake.The ganache cooked over a double boiler, and then whisked until all the ingredients were combined and melted into an amazing looking sauce. I could have pulled out my pastry bags to fill the cookie centers but I harnessed my patience and just used a knife. In the end it didn't matter how they looked; the two plates full of cookies were gone by the time everyone left.

Baby Booties!

I have decided to become even more domesticated and attempt sewing. Last time I sat in front of a sewing machine was to make a stuffed dog in 7th grade for my home economics class; do they even offer home economics anymore? The 14 year hiatus didn't scare me so I went all in last night.

This sewing idea all came about when different friends were breaking the news they were pregnant. I am not the best at shopping, I become overwhelmed and panicky after 20 mins. I attempted going to Carters and Baby Gap for presents but there were so many options. And not to mention the gender neutral shopping and not knowing what to get. This had me thinking that maybe I could make my own presents just the way I wanted them. Who doesn't like a arts and craft time, I'm sure my friends receiving this wished I stuck to Baby Gap.

I called up a friend who is out of town for the winter that has a sewing machine, I figured she won't be needing it in Colombia. She was beyond accommodating 5,000 miles away and let me borrow her machine, manual and all. The next step was finding a pattern I liked. It took some time but Etsy came through and I found a pattern I could download off the site that I loved.

Last night was the big night to attempt the unknown. It started off a little rough. Just getting the machine to work proved difficult but after that it was smooth sailing. The first pair I attempted was a cute little pink and black polka dot pattern. You can tell it was my first pair as it was far from perfect. But by my third pair I was feeling pretty good and they weren't looking too shabby. I even used a fleece lining to make sure those cute little feet are comfy while wearing my awesome shoes! Next time I sit down with the sewing machine I am going to use the cutest fish fabric.

For my next project I am going to attempt aprons. I think my own custom aprons are just what I need to complement my baking. Check back for more!