June 2013 Recipes

The year is officially half over and next week is the Fourth of July. It feels like last week that I was in Aruba before Christmas and writing my year end recap and reflections for 2012 and now 2013 is halfway done.

It’s been an incredibly busy month and year, but there’s a light coming at the end of the tunnel. I think.

1. My cookbook, Peanut Butter Comfort, came out this month

Needless to say, writing a cookbook is heckuva lot of work. Harder than anything I’ve ever done from the recipe development to the photography to learning about the publishing industry, but it’s all worth it when I’m holding my book in my hands.

Thank you to everyone who’s bought the book, made something from it, mentioned it on their blogs, in Tweets, Instagram feeds, told me about it on my Facebook page, or simply just made something and savored your peanut butter recipe one bite at a time. Thank you for your support!

If you’ve made something from the book and snapped a pic, feel free to post it on my Facebook Wall. I’d love to see it!

I wouldn’t have a blog or a book without you guys. Thank you for reading and your support!

2. I’ve been doing recipe development for Pillsbury and a recipe of mine is up on their site, Strawberry Jam Sweet Rolls with Vanilla Cream Cheese Glaze

They’re the shortcut version using pre-made dough of these Strawberry Sweet Rolls with Vanilla Cream Cheese Glaze

I checked a few recipes off my bucket list this month. Namely, tackling making ice cream. I loved that ice cream, and I’m not even an ice cream person. The fact that it’s no-cook, no eggs, and no-ice cream maker necessary, so that it’s accessible to anyone who wants to make ice cream was important.

It was a month of Knockoffs. I’d been wanting to recreate Little Debbie’s Cosmic Brownies for years, and I finally did it. Not only do I think they’re better than the real thing, it’s my new favorite brownie base and I’ll be using it for future brownie recipes.

I also recreated a Skinny version of Starbuck’s Caramel Frappuccinos. At only 50 calories and just pennies per serving, it’s a big win-win.

It was also a month of Mini Food – Mini Donut Muffins, Mini Pound Cakes, Mini Treats Giveaway.

I worked cream cheese into Chocolate Chip Cookies, Mini Pound Cakes, and frosting for Carrot Cake Cupcakes. And after years of trying to nail Carrot Cake Cupcakes, I can finally check those off my bucket list, too.

I (only) used peanut butter in 3 recipes this month. I try to use it in just 1 recipe per week as to not overload anyone who doesn’t love it quite as much as I do. The No-Bake White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Clusters, Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies, and No-Bake Chewy Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cereal Bars were all wonderful; with the Chewy Cereal Bars being some of the best bars I’ve made all year. I loved them.

The Blueberry Muffin Pancakes Cake was a happy accident of sorts. I loved that cake and in just a few days since the recipe has been up, many people have written to say they’re tried it and loved it, too. It’s always nice when that happens. Thanks to everyone who’s made it, or anything, from my site and comes back to tell me. Feedback is so appreciated.

July is going to be a super busy month for me but with any luck, August should be much more mellow. Here’s to hoping everyone is enjoying their summer.

January 2013 Recipes

February 2013 Recipes

March 2013 Recipes

April 2013 Recipes

May 2013 Recipes

Thanks for the 25 Buttery and Cheesy Recipes and Kerrygold Giveaway entries

What did you do or make in this month that was memorable?

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