Birthday Boys

Today is my husband's birthday and Saturday is our little guys birthday. Talk about a birthday week. I love birthdays and love to make a big fuss, unfortunately this year the fuss is going to have to wait. We'll be celebrating my husband's birthday tomorrow night. Complete with Tacos, the real kind & peanut butter pie.

This recipe was a favorite made by his grandmother growing up. It's easy to throw together and is a crowd pleaser.

Grandma Jean's Peanut Butter Pie
For a 9 inch pie
1 baked pie crust (you decide what you want to do. I tend to make my own, but store bought crusts work well too.)
1 large box vanilla pie filling
2 c. cold milk
1 container cool whip
1 c. chunky peanut butter
1 c. powdered sugar

Prepare your pie crust, make sure you prick the bottom of your crust with a fork and bake according to recipe you are using.

Once this is baked and cooled it's time for the filling. In a small bowl cut powdered sugar into crunchy peanut butter using a pastry blender. You may have to add a little more sugar, you'll want a crumbly consistency. Save 1/4 c. of this peanut butter sugar mixture and set aside. Pour the remaining in the bottom of your pie crust.

In a new bowl mix 1 large box pudding with 2 c. cold milk, then add 1/2 container of cool whip and mix well. Pour on top of peanut butter crumbs.

Allow to sit for several hours. Just before serving top with remaining cool whip and sprinkle the peanut butter crumb mixture you set aside. Enjoy!

For more great recipes check out the Recipe Swap on Friday.

Erica

No Bake Desserts

This summer it seems I've been asked to bring a dessert to several different functions. Since I haven't wanted to use my oven much I've been trying to find no bake summer dessert recipes. I've stumbled on some keepers this year.

We've enjoyed the following this summer Reeces Peanut Butter Squares, Homemade Twix Bars, Homemade Thin Mints and French Silk Pie. I highly recommend all of these.

Today I thought I'd share how easy it is to make French Silk Pie, it's finished in about 20 minutes and will wow your guests every time. If you do take this to a picnic I'd suggest you keep some ice packs around the pie to keep it cool.

French Silk Pie

1-8 inch graham cracker pie crust

1/2 c. unsalted butter softened

3/4 c. sugar

2 oz. unsweetened chocolate squares

1 t. vanilla

2 eggs

Cool Whip

Hershey or other Chocolate Bar-room temperature

1. Prepare graham cracker crust. Combine 1 1/2 c. crushed graham crackers, 1/3 c. melted butter & 4 T. Sugar mix together then press in pie plate. Pop in freezer while you prepare your french silk pie.

2. Melt Chocolate in microwave on half power, stirring every 30 seconds. Set aside to cool

3. In your mixing bowl combine cream butter then gradually add sugar.

4. Combine Chocolate & vanilla to your butter and sugar mixture. Combine until mixed.

5. Add 1 egg and beat for 5 minutes.

6. Stop frequently to scrap the edges of your bowl. After 5 minutes add your second egg and continue beating an additional 5 minutes, stopping frequently to scrap the edges of your bowl.


7. Mix until all granules have dissolved.

8. Pour & smooth into pie crust and allow to chill for at least 1 hour.

9. Shave your chocolate bar, add cool whip to pie and top with chocolate shavings.

Enjoy! Check out other great recipes at the Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap this week.
Erica