Butter-Free "Puppy" Chow

I'm not a vegan (nor is this recipe despite the fact that it is sans butter). I'm not trying to opt for a healthy choice either (coconut oil is not much healthier or less caloric than butter). I just didn't have any butter on hand. I also find this recipe kind of novel because all the other recipes I see for puppy chow have butter in them. And for you vegan readers out there you can just make your's with vegan chocolate or carob (and make sure to check that your sugar is vegan too). 

•       12 oz. of dark chocolate chips
•       ½ cup creamy peanut butter
•       ½ cup coconut oil (or use ½ cup butter)
•       Kosher Salt
•       12-14 oz. box of plain shredded wheat pillow-esque cereal (at the generic grocery store you are going to find Chex, but I was at the health food store so I bought Barbara’s)
•      About 2 cups powdered sugar
  

Do ahead: If it is hot out and your coconut oil is liquid, pop it in the fridge and chill until solid. You want to measure it when it is solid. Line two rimmed baking sheets with wax paper and set aside.

1.  Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave on high for a minute. Stir. Microwave again for 30 seconds to a minute until fully melted. Stir the mixture until it is fully combined.
2. I like to add a pinch of kosher salt but I would first check to see how the mixture tastes. Some peanut butters are saltier than others (or not salted at all) so check and see how the mixture tastes. If you would like, add the pinch of salt, or feel free to go without it.
3. Set up an assembly line with the bowl of chocolate mixture, a large bowl full of the cereal and lastly another bowl with a colander over it. Pour some of the powdered sugar into a gallon size zip top bag as well.
   
4. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir until the cereal is fully coated.
   
5. Scoop half of the chocolatey cereal to the zip top bag. Now shake until the cereal is fully coated.
6. Pour the puppy chow into the colander and shake off the excess sugar into the bowl underneath.
   
7. Place the salvaged powdered sugar back into the zip top bag, and add more if necessary. Repeat steps five and six again with the remaining half of the cereal.
8. Pour the puppy chow onto the prepared baking sheets and let it dry. 
   
   Now curl up with a cup of this and watch a movie!

Lavender Frosting

This is my favorite frosting. I have always had a love for the

scent and flavor of lavender whether its in a sachet, soda, scone, anything! You gotta try it! And don't worry it does not taste like soap.

Excuse the sewing machine in the background :)

I have not measured out how much frosting this recipe makes but there will be enough to frost a dozen cupcakes.

You will need...

• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon lavender buds
• 2 ½ cups powder sugar
• 1 ½ cups (two and a half sticks) softened unsalted butter

Now that you have gathered everything...

1. Microwave for about a minute and a half until hot (or scald the milk on the stove). Sprinkle in the lavender and steep for 7-10 minutes until the milk is very fragrant.
2. Meanwhile, cream the butter and the powder sugar on low gradually raising the speed to medium until smooth. If the butter is not really soft it will initially break up into pellets; don’t worry it will warm to reach the right consistency.
3. Stain the milk and discard the lavender.
4. Pour in the scented milk and beat until blended. Lastly I added 3 drops of red and 3 drops of blue food coloring to give it a lavender hue.

I used the frosting on Oprah's honey cupcakes .