Jasmine

HELLO readers. Where have I been. NO where. Probably in my kitchen baking cookies and bars. The weather this year is SO Different than last year. It rains all the time. There has been no lawn watering. Everything is lush and green.  Little bits of air conditioning because it is cool out. The drought from last year has been flooded away. I am getting more organized with my Sweets business. My website is Fabulous. If you have a moment, check out SweetsbyShayla.com. My friend Stephanie did such an amazing job. But the Blog has so taken a back seat. This was my outlet, to tell my stories and share new recipes. The only new thing for me, is that I like Fondant. I would not eat it, but it looks great on a cake. A creative way to make so many designs. Decorating can come in so many different forms. It is mind blowing.

This is a Deluxe Tray. Four different types of Cookies, A delicious mouth watering Brownie feature earlier this year, and Gourmet Rice Krispie Treats featured last year. Scroll through the blog. The Sugar cookies will be soon. They are wonderful. 

This is Jasmine. I have had this plant for three or four years. During the winter it comes in the house, and it weeps all over the floor. Leaves such a sticky mess. The leaves seem to always get a fungus on them. It is the first plant that goes out in May. Then it cleans it self up and starts to make these delicate blooms. I always wish it would bloom more than once a year. Jasmine smells wonderful. It smells like perfume. Because of the cool summer, we have had the windows open. I sometimes catch a lovely whiff blowing in. That is such a good thing.

A box of 24 cupcakes for a customer for their Fourth of July Party. They looked so patriotic. I really wanted to sit and eat cupcakes last night at 11:30. Really, I just wanted to go to bed who am I kidding on a Tuesday night. The Flags added such a nice touch to the cupcakes. Sprinkles are just FUN.

Tomorrow, we celebrate our nation's independence. I have a new cookie recipe to try out. It contains Cashew Butter. I am excited to try something new. Thank you for taking the time to read. Be safe on this Holiday and enjoy great food and fabulous friends and family. 

Chocolate, Caramel Peanut Butter Krispie Treats

This is another one of those weird days when I am trying to write a happy, perky blog and I am sad. Last Friday, my neighbor died instantly. He was 49 years old and had a massive heart attack. It was a roller coaster of a weekend and just a sad week. Today, is Rob's funeral. We really cannot believe he is gone. Rob was a large guy with a HUGE heart. His personality was even larger than his heart. Rob dearly loved his wife, children, grandchildren and family. Furthermore, he also cared for so many of us.

Rob was a people person. He worked a room and was always the center of attention.  If you asked, he would give the shirt off his back. The shirt was probably sweaty, maybe a spill on the front, but he would give it to you. Even if he could stopped for just a minute, he always said HI. This is what I am going to miss more than anything.

Rob also wanted to be my sample person. He was the benefactor of many of my test products. I wish I could find my Cherry Bar recipe. That was always his all time favorite, but he was more than willing to test the many runner ups.....as he called them.

This was also one of his favorite runner ups. 

Rob's wife, Karen is one of my best neighbors.  It is so heartbreaking to see her so sad. The other day, I brought food to their house. I cut up a bunch of different fruit for a healthy alternative and made three different bars. I did not take pictures while I was assembling, no time for that. Barely pictures of end results. Someday, I will really get my Shit together..... RIGHT.....

These Rice Krispie treats are over the top. They really did not require to much more work, and were amazing. Actually, this is something that I could have eaten the whole pan. Rob would have enjoyed me pigging out. So, a easy recipe that anyone can make!!!

Chocolate, Caramel, Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
adapted from Keyingredients.com

Ingredients
3 tablespoons Butter
10 ounce bag of Marshmallows
7 cups Cocoa Krispies
14 bag unwrapped caramels or caramel chips
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 cups peanut butter, divided
1 12 ounce bag semisweet or dark chocolate chips

Directions

Spray or butter a 9x13 pan. Set aside

Place the butter and marshmallows  in a medium size saucepan and cook over medium heat. Stir frequently until completely melted and smooth. Turn off heat and at 2 cup intervals, stir in all the cocoa krispies until completely coated. Pour into buttered pan. Coat hands with butter or spray and press in mixture. Place in refrigerator to chill.

In another saucepan, add caramels and water over low heat. Stirring frequently until smooth. Add 1 cup of peanut butter to the caramel mixture and stir until completely blended. Pour onto the chilled krispie mixture and spread to the edges. Place the pan back in the refrigerator.

Over low heat, melt chocolate chips in a saucepan. Stir frequently, so that the chocolate does not scorch. When melted, add the remaining 1/2 cup of peanut butter to the mixture until blended. Pour chocolate mixture over the caramel layer, spreading to the edges in an even layer. Place dessert in the refrigerator to chill. Once chilled, cut into squares. Eat.

Mixing the Cocoa Krispies with the caramels, peanut butter and chocolate is like a perfect combination of flavors. Pure Heaven. And NOT just a Rice Krispie treat. Totally kicking it up a notch.

Rob, I will miss you. You were truly an amazing person. Thank you for being my friend and neighbor.