Peanut Butter Torte

Theres been a blogging group that I've really been wanting to join for awhile now. Tuesdays with Dorie. You have to have a book to join this group, and I didn't have the book; Till now. I finally got the book so that I could finally join the group, and I didn't hesitate to join.

It was actually kind of funny. Before I saw what the next challenge was, I looked threw the book to see what all recipes there was. And one of them that really shout out to me was the Peanut Butter Torte. It was just beautiful, and sounded, as well as looked, unbelievable. I knew that I wanted to make it soon; And who knew that'd it'd be one of the first things that'd I'd bake!

This weeks challenge was the Peanut Butter Torte. I knew that I was going to love this because, I mean, come on. It's peanut butter! One of those things that make you happy and certainly bring bake being a kid.

I really liked the crust for this. An Oreo crust is my favorite kind of crust to have on an cake, cheesecake, or anything else that has a crust. I was kind of unsure as to if it'd pair will with the peanut butter. I didn't really think that'd be that good together. But they were! They were excellent together! And I defiantly have gotten my peanut butter dose!

Recipe


1 1/4 cup peanuts, finely chopped
1/4 tsp. instant espresso powder
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
24 Oreo cookies, finely crumbled
4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) butter, melted
Pinch of salt
2 1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/4 cup confectioner sugar, sifted
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tbsp. milk
4 ounces chocolate, finely chopped


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Toss 1/2 cup of the chopped peanuts, the sugar, espresso powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and chocolate chips together in a small bowl. Set aside.

2. Put the Oreo crumbs (you can crumbled in a food processor or a blender), melted butter and salt in a small bowl and stir to combine until moistened. Press the crumbs evenly over the bottom and the sides of a springform pan (they should go up about 2 inches up on the sides). Freeze the crust for 10 minutes.

3. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack and let cool completely before filling. With a stand mixer, whip 2 cups on the cream until it holds medium peaks. Beat in 1/4 cup of confectioner sugar. Scrape the cream into a bowl and refrigerate until needed.

4. Wipe out the bowl (no need to wash) and beat in the cream cheese with the remaining 1 cup of confectioner sugar on medium speed until cream cheese is satiny smooth. Beat in the peanut butter, 1/4 cup chopped peanuts and the milk.

5. Using a spatula, gently stir in about one quarter of the whipped cream, just to lighten the mousse. Stir in the crunchy peanut butter mixture, gingerly fold remaining whipped cream.

6. Scrape the mousse into the crust, mounding and smoothing the top. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight; cover with plastic wrap as soon as the mousse firms.

To Finish it Up

7. To finish the torte, put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Leave bowl over the water till it starts to melt. Remove from the saucepan.

8. Bring the remaining 1/2 cup cream to a full boil. Pour the cream over the chocolate and blend until glossy. Pour over torte, smoothing with a metal spatula. Scatter remaining 1/2 cup peanuts over torte and chill until the top is set. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Oreo Truffles

Thats right. Oreo Truffles. One of my favorite cookies turned into delicious a treat!

Whats great about these truffles is that they are super simple to make! Not hard at all. I came across this blog called Bakerella not to long and she has so many cute, easy idea of making sweet treats! I love all the ideas that she comes up with. They're all so adorable.

When I saw here Oreo Truffles that she made, I knew I need to make them. So I did just that. And Let me tell you... They're super easy, super quick, and super delicious.

Recipe

1 pkg. Oreo Cookies
1 8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
White Chocolate Bark


1. Finely crush 7 cookies in a food processor or a ziploc bag and crush to a fine consistency. Reserve for later.* See Notes.

2. Crush remaining cookies and stir in cream cheese. Use the back of a large spoon to help mash the two together.

3. Roll the mixture into 1" balls and place on a wax paper covered baking sheet.

4. Melt chocolate as directed for chocolate and then dip the balls into chocolate. Tap off extra and set on waxed baking sheet. You can sprinkle the top with the 7 crushed cookies, or just kept to eat.

5. Once dry, refrigerate and enjoy.

*Notes:
- You don't have to top the truffles with the reserved cookies. You can just not crush them and eat them.
- It helps to freeze the uncoated balls for a few minutes to keep the mixture from falling apart in the melted chocolate.
- To form balls, you can use 2 tsp. to form each ball to make it easier and so that they are all the same size.
- You can easily half this recipe if you don't want to make to many. This recipe makes about 42 truffles, half of this recipe will probably make 21 truffles.

Oreo Crunch Brownies

This is like my own personal heaven. Brownies plus oreos! I love my oreos, but I find that I prefer them when they're with something else. Like, with my ice cream, or, with milk. It's better that way; Better than just having a plan old oreo.

These brownies are pack full of oreos! Theres a nice crunch with every bite you take! Awesome, no? I always like a crunch in my food not matter what it may be. Ice Cream? There has to be a crunch. Chicken? Needs a crunch. Bread? Eh, well, maybe not everything, but you get the point, yea? The crunch bit to the cookies in these brownies has to be the best part!

I can't wait to give these to my friends tomorrow. Everyone now expects and wants me to have something to give when lunch comes around. And no, they don't want sandwiches. They're always looking for something sweet out of me. They know I love to bake so they're wanting something sweet, decadent and delicious! These brownies defiantly fall under that category!

Recipe

1 cup flour, plus 1/4 cup flour
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. vanilla
4 sticks of butter
6 eggs
1 pound semisweet chocolate chip
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3 tbsp. instant coffee granules
4 cups oreos, chopped


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 11 1/2" x 17 1/4" x 1" baking pan.

2. In a heatproof medium bowl, set over a saucepan of simmering water and heat butter, chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate until melted and smooth. Allow to cool slightly.

3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, coffee granules, vanilla and sugar. Blend chocolate mixture into egg mixture; cool to room temperature.

4. In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup flour, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture into chocolate mixture. In a small bowl, stir oreos and remaining 1/4 cup flour. Add oreo mixture to chocolate mixture. Pour batter into baking pan.

5. Bake for about 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into middle comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before cutting.