Brownies a'la Reese's, Peanuts and Krispies!

I got this recipe idea from Taste of Home and tweaked it to suit my gluten free diet. The original recipe used a brownie from the box and Betty Crocker, Pamela's and others have those readily available. I still prefer my brownies from scratch.

Can I just say...oh my!!! This is one that is definitely best served COLD!

Brownie base:
2 cubes of butter (1 cup)
1/3 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1-1/4 cup Pamela's Gluten Free Flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
14 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, cut up
1/2 to 3/4 cup salted peanuts
Cream the butter, cocoa and sugar (I usually soften the butter just a bit in the microwave). Add eggs one at a time, beating slightly after each addition. Add flour. Mix until just moistened. If you over mix the GF flour it doesn't work as well. Pour into a 9x13 (or a little larger if you prefer a thinner brownie) and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes. Open the oven door and sprinkle the cut up Reese's and peanuts on top of the brownies and continue baking for 5 or 6 more minutes. Cool completely.

Topping
While this is cooling, melt together:
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 T butter

Add: 1-1/2 cups of crisp rice cereal (I used EnviroKidz Organic Koala Crisp Cereal, but you could use the new GF Rice Crispies too) to the chocolate/peanut butter cream. Pour over cooled brownies. Sprinkle coarse sea salt over the top. Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. I found they were better if it was even longer. Cut them up and give them away before you eat too many!!!

BETTER-THAN-SEX CHEX-MIX

I got this recipe off Pinterest.  It says the recipe is by TBSPSusan. It was SO GOOD I just had to share it! There are a lot of steps to it, but it's totally worth it.

8 cups Chocolate Chex cereal 
(I used the entire box, which by the way, was really hard to find! I may try it with Corn or Rice Chex next time, but it won't be nearly as decadent.)
Place in large bowl.

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
6 T butter
3 T light corn syrup
1/4 tsp baking soda
In a 2-cup microwaveable bowl, or measuring cup, combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Microwave uncovered on high for 1 minute. Stir until melted and smooth. Microwave 1 more minute. Stir in baking soda until dissolved. Pour over chocolate chex. Stir until evenly coated. Microwave on high for 3 minutes in 1 minute intervals, stirring in between. Spread on large cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Cool approximately 10 minutes. Break into bite sized pieces.

1 cup Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (MINI size)
1 cup miniature marshmallows
Evenly sprinkle the mini PB cups and marshmallows over the cooled chex mixture. (I'm thinking you could even substitute any kind of GF candy or chopped candy bars or toffee bits in place of the PB Cups.)

1/2 cup caramel bits 
1 T heavy cream (I used Almond Milk)
(You can find the caramel bits in the baking aisle by the chocolate chips, sometimes, or use regular caramels chopped into small pieces.) Combine caramel bits and cream in small microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high about 1 minute or until chips can be stirred smooth. Drizzle caramel over chex mixture.

1/2 to 3/4 cup of MILK chocolate chips (you could also use dark if you want to be more healthy!)
1/2 to 3/4 cup of WHITE chocolate chips
1 tsp coarse sea salt
Separately melt the chips and drizzle over the chex mixture. While chocolate is still wet, sprinkle salt all over.  Refrigerate until set and then break apart in large chunks. Store in tightly covered container.

I actually took the crumbs, or leftovers, and ate them with a sliced banana and some chocolate almond milk. It was AWESOME!!!  Next time I make it I'll take a picture. It was eaten too fast this time!

Easy Gluten Free Products!

If you haven't already discovered it, I want you to check out Amazon.com for their gluten free products. Their "grocery store" has plenty of options and at cheaper prices! You do have to buy in bulk (usually 3 to 6 packages) but it turns out to be much less than the grocery stores. In fact, if you subscribe it's even cheaper! By subscribing you're simply signing up for autoshipping and you can name how often. It's GREAT!!!