Category Archives: School

Ingredients: 1/2 cup room temp. butter, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup firmly-packed brown sugar, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 3/4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking sofa, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 20 Hershey’s Kisses

I am now off from school until January 2nd and cannot wait to cook everyday! My brother, Ross, still has his economics and calculus exams before finishing his first term at Brown. He is a rather TIMOROUS baker and has always left that job to me. To give him a little study break, I whipped him up some peanut butter cookies with a little surprise that I will deliver to him tonight! He has been staying up late to study, so I’m hoping these sugary treats will help keep him from succumbing to a SOMNIFEROUS state. This recipe is like any other peanut butter cookie, but I add a Hershey’s Kiss to each one for some extra sweetness. Enjoy!

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Cream together the peanut butter and unsalted butter.

Gradually add in the sugar and mix using an electric mixer.

Next, add in the brown sugar and mix until fluffy.

Mix in the egg, milk and vanilla extract. Beat well.

At this point, you will need to restrain yourself from eating the raw batter!

Combine the batter with the flour, baking soda and salt.

Mix until the ingredients are well combined.

Roll the batter into about 1 1/2 inch balls. Sprinkle the remaining sugar over them and bake for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Once the cookies are done baking, immediately place one Hershey’s Kiss in the center of each. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.

These might just be my favorite cookies, and I’m even considering memorizing the recipe VERBATIM… and I do not do that very often! They are also so versatile, and if you prefer to do a chocolate, vanilla or molasses batter, the Hershey’s Kiss will still serve as a surprising treat. Also, please excuse my dark pictures; the weather has been very gloomy in Newport today!

Happy Studying,

Charis

• TIMOROUS = nervous, fearing
• SOMNIFEROUS = tending to induce sleep
• VERBATIM = word-for-word

I’ll miss those summer sunsets but I’m so ready for fall!

The transition from a LEISURELY summer into a hard-working school year can be ONEROUS, but I find it can be made easier with the help of some sweet treats. I am a big fan of cooking gourmet food, but every once in a while, I HONE my inner kid and whip up brownies or chocolate chip cookies or in this case, marshmallow cereal bars (Rice Krispies Treats), which instantly bring me back to my childhood. This recipe requires only three ingredients and takes about ten minutes to prepare. If you live in a dorm like me, you know that bringing these to class will be a huge hit. Enjoy!

Ingredients: 4 tbsp butter, 4 cups miniature marshmallows, 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Melt the butter in a large pot over low heat.

Add the marshmallows into the pot and stir until melted.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Remove the marshmallow and butter mixture from the heat and add in the cereal. Stir.

Place the mixture in a greased 9×13″ pan.

Smooth the marshmallow cereal bars into the prepared pan. Cool completely before serving.

Voila! Marshmallow cereal bars are one of my favorite childhood treats.

Happy School Year,

Charis

• LEISURE = time for enjoyment, relaxed time
• ONEROUS = an effort-requiring duty
• HONE = sharpen