chocolate peanut butter cake

Every Thanksgiving my sisters and I (Ryan can’t be trusted, he likes pumpkin) try to determine the winning pie of the year among the 30 varieties there usually are. Last year this chocolate peanut butter mousse pie made by my 14 year old cousin won. I just made it last week for a friend’s birthday and thought it might be time to dish out the recipe.

Layer one:
1 c. chocolate graham cracker crumbs (I just used normal graham crackers)
1/3 c. honey-roasted peanuts, chopped
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

In medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, peanuts and butter; press mixture in bottom and up sides of 9″ pie pan or spring form pan. Set aside.

Layer two (I like to go heavy on this one):
1/2 c. whipping cream
1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Pour cream into microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir in condensed milk and chocolate chips until smooth. Spoon into crust. Chill 1 hour.

Layer three:
1 c. whipping cream
1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk
6 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. creamy peanut butter
1 c. Peanut Butter Crunch cereal (optional)

In large bowl, beat cream to stiff peaks; set aside.

In separate bowl, beat condensed milk, cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Fold in whipped cream and cereal. Spoon over chocolate filling.

Freeze 3-5 hours or until firm. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with mini peanut butter cups.

I apologize if I just ruined your diet

fun things to send in the mail the fall edition

I really can’t think of one person who would say, “Boy, I really hate when I get fun mail!” And if you are that person, you’re probably reading this blog to mock it.
To celebrate fall, why don’t you send a friend one (or all five) of these items:
the latest issue of Kinfolk
some soft pretzels (or a baked item of the pumpkin variety)
a colorful throw
a box of cool socks
a crate of gourds or mini pumpkins
Now if I could only do something about the dreary post office

THE LOOK FOR LESS

By fashion contributor Ashley of The Daily Bucket. Read more about my talented group of contributors right here.

photo | sweater | coat | jeans | boots | camera

Remember last spring when I spotted printed pants on the summer radar? Well over the weekend I went shopping and they are here to stay! In fact, they’ve multiplied, like little rabbits. So today’s look for less is inspired by floral pants. I LOVE this image. The neutral black from head to toe and longer coat makes floral pants suddenly seem timeless and not so scary. And this look for less can be even cheaper if you’ve been stocking up on your classic pieces (boots, coat). The color block sweater works as a two for one as well, saving another penny! Have you made the printed pant jump yet? I don’t know how much longer I am going to be able to hold off….