Brownie Peanut Butter Cups

Whoever created this recipe should be sainted. Yup, these little chunks of heaven are THAT good.

What You Need:
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tbsp. water
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 large egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup peanut butter chips plus about 1/3 cup more for garnishing
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips plus about 1/3 cup more for garnishing
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

What You Do:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray or grease 12 muffin cups.

2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine sugar, butter, and water. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until butter is melted. Stir in 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips until melted. Stir in egg and vanilla extract. Add flour and baking soda, stirring until blended. Allow to cool to room temperature. Then, stir in 1/2 cup each peanut butter chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Spoon batter by heaping tablespoonfuls into muffin cups.

3. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out slightly wet. Place pan on wire rack. Centers of brownies will fall upon cooling. If not, tap centers with the back of a spoon to make a hole.

4. Place peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds, then stir. While brownies are still hot, spoon about a tablespoon of peanut butter into the center of each brownie. Top with semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Cool completely in pan. (Or, if you can't wait, eat 'em while they're hot and gooey. YUM!)

Amazing Apple Crisp Sandwich

I call this an "apple crisp sandwich" because the yummy apple center is sandwiched between the crumbly oat mixture. Great ratio of apples-to-topping!

What You Need:
6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, & sliced
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 cup water
2 cups quick-cooking oats
2 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup butter, melted

What You Do:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place the sliced apples in a large bowl and sprinkle with the flour, white sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour the water over the apples and stir it around a bit.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, 2 cups flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and melted butter. Spread half the oat mixture in the bottom of the baking dish. Place sliced apples on top of the oat mixture. Crumble the remaining mixture on top of the apples.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.

Caramel Pecan Pie

What You Need:
1 - 9” unbaked pie crust
36 individually-wrapped caramels, unwrapped
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
1-1/2 cups pecan halves

What You Do:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a saucepan over low heat, combine caramels, butter, and milk. Cook, stirring frequently until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Gradually mix in the melted caramel mixture. Stir in the pecans. Pour filling into the unbaked pie crust.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. Allow to cool until filling is firm.