Meet guest poster Dana from The Homesteading Housewife: YOU might know Dana from her appearance on Wife Swap but she also happens to be a great cook!

I run our small family farm almost by myself because the Man-of-My-Dreams is working out of state.  There is always something going on.  I have 5 kids.  I have 5 hungry kids!  So I am always thrilled when I can make something quick and easy that my kids actually all love!

These Cereal Bars fit the bill!  They are quick and easy, and super tasty.  What kid doesn’t love toasted oat ring cereal?  Toss in some chocolate and peanut butter and you can’t go wrong!

Super-Easy Cereal Bars

INGREDIENTS:

• *1/2 cup peanut butter
• *1/2 cup sugar
• *1/2 cup honey
• *3 cups Cheerios cereal
• *1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
• *1/2 cup salted peanuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.) In a small sauce pan, bring the honey & sugar to a boil over med heat. As soon as the sugar is dissolved remove from heat.

2.) Stir in the peanut butter until well blended.

3.) In a separate bowl, combine Cheerios, peanuts & chocolate chips.

4.) Pour the peanut butter & honey mixture over the cereal mixture… Stir until well coated.

5.) Spread into a buttered 9×9 pan

6.) Let cool, cut into squares and enjoy!

Yes, I realize these Banana Popsicles are more of a summer treat but sometimes you just crave something that is cold!  These are super easy to make and just plain good.  It’s one of the few ways my oldest will eat a banana.  Hey, it’s better than eating no banana right?

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 or 4 bananas, peeled and halved.
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 (6-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate  chips
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:

Insert wood sticks into each banana.  This is optional and I chose not to do it but you may find it easier.  Brush bananas with orange juice.  Place on wax paper-lined cookie sheet, and freeze until firm.

Melt chocolate chips and butter in microwave or stove; stir to blend.  Cool slightly, then spoon over frozen bananas.  Immediately roll in chopped nuts.  Keep in freezer until serving time.

Guest post by Rachel

Sounds too good to be true? It isn’t, but it IS delicious!

My ex-boyfriend had two favorite desserts: cheese cake and anything with peanut butter and chocolate combined. When I found this recipe (while we were dating, of course!) I couldn’t wait to make it for him. I surprised him with it on day, and I was right, he loved it – and I was quite proud of my culinary skills. Since then we’ve parted ways, but while he’s no longer in my life….these brownies are! A more cynical woman than I might joke that I kept the better part. And they are even better than ever, because I’ve added a new twist…pie!

I “cheat” a little bit on these brownies, because I use a box mix. You can use whatever brownie recipe you like – If you’re in a more authentic mood, here’s the recipe for the chocolate brownie part:

• 8 oz unsalted butter
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 cups Dutch process cocoa (or European Style)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour
• 1 cup chocolate chips

You can read the original post here: Then I follow the following recipe for the peanut butter cheesecake part:

Peanut Butter Mixture

• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 c. peanut butter
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 egg

You get the marbled effect by pouring 2/3 of the batter into the pan, spooning chunks of the PB mixture on top of it, covering it with the remaining batter, and then swirling it around with a knife. Cool for better cutting and chill before serving. I love these brownies straight out of the freezer. They don’t tend to freeze through, just cold enough to taste fudgy!

I baked them recently for a book club meeting that I am hosting, and added a new twist. I baked it into a pie shell….yummy!!!

You can read more recipes, books, and other musings at my blog: The Rachel Chronicles
Happy baking and tasty eating!
Rachel

Photo Credit & Original recipe from: Cookie Madness