Chocolate Peanut Butter Swig Style Cookies

 Sometimes I just really really wish we lived in Utah with our family and friends.  We don't...probably never will again.  I am going to be ok with that someday (we've been away for 7 years)!  We have missed out on a lot of growth in the area I grew up the last 7 years.  When we go back to visit, we always hit up our favorite spots and rarely try new things.  

This Swig sensation that is sweeping across Utah is one thing we've missed out on, and so I decided to try a few copycat recipes so I don't feel like I'm missing out :)  I tried the original Swig copycat recipe a few months ago ( see here for that recipe). This version turned out delicious, just like that one, and it being my hubby's favorite combo of chocolate and peanut butter, this one definitely is #1 is his book :)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swig Style Cookies


For Chocolate Cookie Dough:
½ cup butter, room temperature
½ cup shortening, (butter flavor is best)
1½ cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
½ teaspoon almond flavoring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
3½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

For shaping cookies:
¼ cup granulated sugar
cooking spray
*glass with flat bottom, see notes below

For Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting:
½ cup butter, room temperature
½ cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup full fat sour cream
3-4 cups powdered sugar (or more to desired consistency)


Preheat oven to 350 or 325 on convection setting.

Cream butter, shortening and sugar together.  Add sour cream and almond flavoring. Mix. Add the cocoa and mix again until smooth. The mixture should be creamy, with no specks of white. Turn the mixer off.  Add the flour, baking powder and salt all at once. Mix just until all of the flour disappears, on the lowest setting. This should take about 20-30 seconds.

Using a 1¾ inch to 2 inch scoop, place the dough onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.
Lightly spray the bottom of a glass with cooking spray. First press the glass against a cookie, then dip the bottom of glass in sugar to flatten cookie a bit. Continue dipping the bottom of the glass into the sugar after flattening each cookie.

After all of the cookies are flattened a bit, go back and lightly sprinkle sugar on top of each cookie.  Bake for about 9-10 minutes at 325 convection, or about 10-12 minutes at 350.  The cookies should be barely firm on top. Do not over cook!  Let cool completely on cookie sheet. Frost when cool.

Yield about 18 large cookies or 30-32 small to medium cookies.

For Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting:

Cream butter until it lightens in color.  Add peanut butter, vanilla extract, salt and sour cream. Whip until very smooth 2-3 minutes.  Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, then mix on high until very smooth. Continue adding powdered sugar to the desired thickness. If you add too much powdered sugar add a little more sour cream to balance it out.

Recipe Source: Fresh and Happy

Copycat Swig Sugar Cookies

I haven't lived in Utah for almost 7 years.  That's weird.  I have missed out on so much growth taking off down there.  My hometown has just boomed since I moved away...all sorts of new yummy restaurants, things to do, much better shopping, etc.  Makes me want to go back all the time.  One of the places that has been popping up are drink stops, where you can apparently get some "dirty Diet Cokes" (Diet Coke with some coconut syrup) or whatever you desire.  These places have delicious cookies as well (or so I've heard).  I was tired of hearing about how fantastic these copycat cookies are from a drink-stop called Swig, so I made up my own batch.  Oh man are they good (I managed to limit myself to one and sent the rest with the hubs to work)!  Since trying this recipe I have since pinned 3 or 4 more variations to this cookie that I am so excited to try :)  

Copycat Swig Sugar Cookies


1 C Butter (room temperature)
3/4 C Vegetable Oil
1 1/4 C Sugar
3/4 C Powdered Sugar
2 T Water
2 Eggs
1/2 t Baking Soda
1/2 t Cream of Tarter
1 t Salt
5 1/2 C Flour

Cream together Butter, Vegetable Oil, Sugars, Water, and Eggs.  Combine dry ingredients and slowly add to butter mixture.  Mix until everything is combined.  Your dough should be a little crumbly and not sticky at all.  Roll a golf ball sized ball of dough and place it on your cookie sheet.

Put 1/4 c of sugar and a pinch of salt in a dish (this is in addition to the sugar and salt listed above.)  Stick the bottom of a glass in it.  This is going to be your cookie press.  Firmly press it into the center of your dough ball.  You want your dough to spill out over the sides of the glass.  If there is a lip its even better.  Bake at 350 for 8 minutes.  They should just barely be browning on the bottom.    Move cookies to a cooling rack.  Once they are cool put them in the fridge.  

Sour Cream Frosting

1/2 cup room temperature butter
3/4 C Sour Cream
Approx 1 2lb Package of Powdered Sugar (I never use the whole thing but love having extra on hand just incase I add to much milk!)
1 t salt
1/4 C Milk
Red Food Coloring

Start by creaming together butter and sour cream and salt.  Slowly add powdered sugar.  When it gets so thick its not frosting like add a splash of milk.  Alternate this process until your frosting is the desired consistency.  Add 1 drop of red food coloring and whip on high for 1 minute.

Keep cookies in a sealed container until they are ready to serve.  The magic of a Swig Sugar Cookie is that the cookies are cold and the frosting is room temperature.  Frost right before serving (if you make them in advance and need to refrigerate the frosting make sure you give it time to warm up before serving)


Recipe Source:  Vintage Revivals

Oriental Chicken Salad

I've mentioned it before, but I live in a small-town.  The small-town is predominately compromised of those from the Hispanic culture.  Therefore pretty much all of the restaurants around here are Hispanic restaurants.  There is one little gem among the tacos and burritos called Bon Vinos Bistro.  I have had phenomenal breakfast, sandwiches, desserts, and this salad (or at least my interpretation of it :)  I loved this salad when I first tasted it and knew I needed to recreate it.  

The description from their menu says..."Grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, coleslaw mix, toasted almonds, Linguini noodle, sweet & sour dressing, topped with green onions."  Simple enough, right?!  I found a ginger sesame dressing that was delicious on this salad.  I actually got it at Walmart in the produce section, it is the Marketside brand.  I had some yummy homemade fettucine noodles from my hubby's grandma, and they were perfect for this!

Oriental Chicken Salad

Coleslaw Mix
Romaine lettuce, chopped
Sliced almonds
Chicken Breasts
Fettucine or Linguine noodles, cooked al dente
Sliced green onions
Sesame Ginger Dressing

I marinated the chicken in some of the dressing for 3-4 hours then grilled it and sliced it.  Mix the coleslaw mix with the romaine lettuce and pile on each plate.  Mix the cooled noodles with more dressing and chill.  Pile noodles on lettuce, place chicken on top and sprinkle with almonds and green onions. Drizzle with more dressing if desired.

Recipe Source:  My Own Recreation

Copycat California Pizza Kitchen Thai Chicken Pizza

I love copycat recipes!  There is something so fun about being able to re-create some of your favorite recipes from a restaurant and save a lot of money while doing it!  Some of our greatest memories here in Ohio is with friends having Cafe Rio nights.  When we found an amazing recipe for Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana, my hubby was so excited (it's the only soup I've ever seen him excited about.)  It is just plain fun :)


I honestly can't say that I have ever had this pizza from the California Pizza Kitchen...I am usually partial to their yummy salads.  Maybe next time I'll have to try this to compare because it was dang good!  It may be a bit spicy for the kiddos, so you may have to have another option for them...but you need to try this!

 Copycat California Pizza Kitchen Thai Chicken Pizza




1 ball pizza dough (see recipe below)
Olive oil, for brushing
¼ cup sweet Asian chili sauce, plus extra for drizzling
1 shallot, thinly sliced
½ large zucchini, thinly sliced
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 cup shredded cooked chicken
2/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3-4 tbsp. chopped peanuts
2 tbsp. minced fresh cilantro
2 tbsp. minced fresh basil (optional)


To make the pizza, increase the oven temperature to 500˚ F and preheat a pizza stone.  Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-14 inch round.  Lightly brush the perimeter of the dough with olive oil.  Spread the chili sauce over the crust in an even layer.  Layer with the shallot, zucchini, red pepper flakes, shredded chicken, and cheese.


Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the crust is lightly browned, about 10-12 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.  Sprinkle evenly with the peanuts, cilantro, and basil before slicing and serving.


Recipe Source:  Annie's Eats


Pizza Dough

1 c warm water, divided
1 tsp sugar
1/4 oz package active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp.)
3 Tbsp oil (olive oil or vegetable)
2 ½-3 c flour
1 tsp salt

Put warm water in bowl. Stir in sugar and yeast and let proof for 1o minutes. Stir in rest of ingredients. Mix until a ball, knead 10 minutes. Put additional oil in bowl and let rise in oil bowl for 1 ½ hours.

Pudding Pops

Jello pudding pops were always one of my favorite treats as a youngster (those and orange creamsicles :)  I was thrilled when I found this simple recipe to enjoy an old favorite and share it with my kids.  They loved them, and the mess all over my 18 month old's shirt was worth the smile on his face when we were done! 
  
Pudding Pops


1 pkg instant pudding 
1 1/2c milk 
2c cool whip


Dissolve pudding in milk, whip in cool whip. Spoon into 3 oz dixie cups and insert popsicle stick. Freeze.

Asphalt Pie

Think GREEN! 

Valentines Day has only just passed, but it is time to switch gears to the next holiday!  I have been so excited going over potential breakfast/dinner/treat recipes for St. Patty's Day. There are about a zillion ideas in my head, and I've had a hard time narrowing the list down to only a few choices. 


I'd like to share with you a yummy copycat dessert from Wingers.  I remember many nights in high school heading over to the restaurant to share a slice of this yummy stuff with a friend.  It would be perfect to grace your table on St. Patty's Day, and is super simple to put together :)

Asphalt Pie

2 1/4 cups crushed Oreo cookies

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 gallon mint chocolate chip ice cream, softened

hot fudge

caramel sauce

Ready Whip whipped cream

Combine 2 cups of Oreos and the melted butter. Press down onto a 9 inch pie pan. Then add about 1/4 cup of hot fudge. Scoop ice cream onto the crust until pie is completely covered. Put in freezer for about 3-4 hours. Before serving top with reserved Oreos, caramel sauce and whip cream!

Recipe Source: Our Family Treat

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

I have now made 3 of the 4 copycat soup recipes from the Olive Garden. Our favorite hands down has to be the Zuppa Toscana, but the Pasta e Fagioli was mighty tasty as well :)

I was worried that my hubby wasn't going to be a fan of this one, but was pleasantly surprised to see how much he did like it.  Serve it up with some yummy bread and enjoy!

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

1 cup chicken breasts, cooked and diced 
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 quart half and half
1  can chicken broth
1 cup celery, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup carrots, finely shredded
1 onion, finely diced
1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin oil
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon parsley
Freshly grated parmesan cheese  (when serving)
1 pound potato gnocchi 

Sauté the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic in the butter and olive oil, over medium heat when the onion becomes translucent.  Add the flour to make a roux. Let the butter and flour mixture cook for a minute before adding the half and half. Then add chicken. Once the mixture becomes thick add the chicken broth. Once the mixture thickens again, add the gnocchi, spinach, and seasonings, simmer until the gnocchi is cooked (maybe five to ten minutes). Top with parm and enjoy!

Recipe Source:  Our Family Treat

Pizza Factory Breadsticks

Hello deliciousness!  I can't remember the last time I went to the Pizza Factory.  I'm pretty sure I was just a grade schooler.  I do remember how I loved it, though!  I have heard rave reviews on the breadsticks from numerous people, and now I finally have a little taste of the Pizza Factory in my own kitchen!


Pizza Factory Breadsticks
From:  Our Best Bites


1 1/2 c. warm (105-115 degrees) water
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. yeast
1/2 tsp. salt
3-4 1/2 c. flour

In a large bowl or mixer, combine water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes or until yeast is bubbly.

Add salt and stir. Add 1 1/2 c. flour and mix well. Gradually add more flour (usually between 3-4 cups, depending on your elevation and your humidity) until dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl and it barely sticks to your finger.

 Spray a glass or metal bowl with cooking spray and place dough in the bowl. Cover and allow to rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Remove from bowl and place on a lightly-floured surface. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Roll into a rectangle and cut into 12 strips with a pizza cutter.

Roll out each piece of dough into a snake and then drape over your forefinger and twist the dough. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining 11 pieces of dough. Try to space them evenly, but it's okay if they're close; pulling apart hot bread is one of life's greatest pleasures!

Cover pan and allow dough to rise for another 30 minutes. When there's about 15 minutes to go, preheat your oven to 425. When done rising, bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Rub some butter on top of the breadsticks (just put a ziploc bag on your hand, grab some softened butter, and have at it) and sprinkle with garlic salt (the kind with parsley) and the powdery Parmesan cheese. Or you could sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat (think soft pretzel!)

Turkey Cranberry Wrap

On a recent trip to Baltimore to see some fabulous family, my aunt, cousin, and I stopped at a little place called the Fresh Cafe.  One of their specials was this yummy wrap.  This is my attempt to re-create it.  It turned out just as yummy as I remember.  I will be having this frequently...it is so easy!  I am trying to have some grilled chicken on hand for lunches...whenever we grill anything outdoors, I have the hubsters throw on some chicken that has been marinating in italian dressing.  It is nice to have it to chop up and have it on salads or wraps at lunchtime :)  Another great summer meal.


Turkey (or Chicken) Cranberry Wraps
From:  my recreation of the one at Fresh Cafe


*No real measurements...just put as much as you want on that will fit in the wrap!*


tortillas (the one I originally had was on spinach...didn't have those today)
chopped up turkey or chicken, cooked (I like mine grilled)
romaine lettuce, chopped
mandarin oranges
craisins
walnuts
swiss cheese, shaved or shredded
raspberry vinaigrette dressing (Kraft makes a good one)


Assemble and enjoy!

Chicken Spicy Hawaiian Teriyaki Rice Bowl with Rumbi Rice

I've probably only ate at Rumbi Island Grill about 3 times, and I have always gotten a salad (which are fabulous in their own right!).  Now, I live in Ohio and can't get Rumbi unless I go fly 1,800 miles, which doesn't happen all that often :(  I have always heard how delicious the rice bowls are, and came across this recipe and was thrilled to try it.  The sauce is delicious, a perfectly spiced for my taste, yummy rice, and all the veggies...how could you go wrong?  Now I will actually have to go to Rumbi and see if theirs can compete with this recipe!


Chicken Spicy Hawaiian Teriyaki Rice Bowl with Rumbi Rice
From:  Family Favorite Recipes


1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
4 carrots, peeled and grated (I cut up some baby carrots, it's what I had on hand)
3 celery stalks, washed and sliced
1 zucchini, chopped into small cubes
1 1/2 c. chopped broccoli florets
2 c. chicken, grilled and cut into small cubes  (I boiled mine this time, I'm sure it's even better grilled!)

*Rumbi Rice (see recipe below)
**Spicy Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce (see recipe below)

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrots, celery, zucchini, and broccoli (pretty much equal parts of said vegetables.. you can add more or less veggies depending on your taste). Saute ONLY until vegetables are crisp tender. About 1-2 minutes tops. Serve over Rumbi rice and top with chicken. Serve with Spicy Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce on the side (about 3 Tbsp. per bowl.. you can add more or less depending on your taste).

*Hawaiian Coconut Rice with Red Beans (aka Rumbi Rice)
2 c. long grain white rice
2 1/2 c. water
1 (14oz) can coconut milk (about 1 1/2 c.)
1/2 Tbsp. sugar
1 can red beans, drained and rinsed

Combine all ingredients in a rice cooker. Gently stir it all together so the beans are all mixed. Place the lid on and start the rice cooker. Fluff rice with a fork before serving.

If you don't have a rice cooker... Combine water, coconut milk, and sugar in a saucepan. Stir in rice and beans. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 18 to 20 minutes, until rice is tender. 

**Spicy Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce:
3/4 c. Mr. Yoshida's teriyaki sauce (found in the grocery store by the BBQ sauces)
1 tsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. chili garlic sauce (in the Asian section of the grocery store.. we used Sriracha-- if you want to make it spicier.. add more of this to the sauce)
1 tsp. fresh ginger
pinch of salt
pinch of brown sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. cold water

Combine Yoshida's, soysauce, garlic sauce, ginger, salt, and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Combine cornstarch and water and SLOWLY add to sauce for thickening. You want it to be slightly thicker than the Yoshida's sauce. Allow to simmer for about a minute. Cool to room temperature and serve with your rice bowls. (If you find that the sauce is too thick when it cools, just add a little more Yoshida's to it)

Tasty Turkey Sandwich

What do I crave when I'm pregnant?  What do they say you cannot eat while pregnant? Turkey!  After my first baby, I had my husband run to Einstein Bagels to get my favorite sandwich, the Tasty Turkey.  I sure do love it!

Asiago Cheese Bagel (I used whole wheat this time)

cucumbers, sliced

sandwich sprouts (I left them off this time, they weren't on sale)

garden veggie cream cheese

sliced tomato

deli sliced turkey

That's it...simple goodness!

Copycat Macaroni Grill Bread

There is nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread...especially when it includes fresh herbs you just picked from your garden!  I cannot tell you how amazing this bread smelled coming out of the oven, so you better try it for yourself!  To make it even better, it tastes as good as it smells! 

Copycat Macaroni Grill Bread

1 1/2 t active dry yeast
1 C warm water
3 T olive oil
1/4 t sugar
2 1/2 C flour
1 1/2 t salt
1/4 t McCormick Italian Seasoning Grinder
1/4 t cracked black pepper
3/4 T fresh rosemary, snipped
1 egg
butter and salt

1. In the bottom of your mixer combine water, yeast and sugar. Mix it around a bit with a spoon and let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add the salt, oil and 1 C flour. Mix for 30 seconds to incorporate.
3. Add the rest of the flour about 1/2 C at a time, while the mixer continues to mix.
4. When all of the flour is incorporated mix on high for about 7 minutes.
5. While your mixer is doing it's fine work, get your herbs and seasonings ready to go. You don't want to eat any of the thick stem that rosemary comes on, only the little needles. Pull the needles off backwards off the stem...they come off easily.
6. When your dough is done mixing add the rosemary, pepper and Italian seasoning. Mix just until incorporated.
7. Cover your mixing bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rise for about 40 minutes, or until doubled in size.
8. Divide the dough into 2 parts. Shape into balls and place on a sprayed cookie sheet, or a cooking stone with a bit of olive oil on it.
9. Spray a sharp knife with cooking spray and cut 2 slits in the top of the bread.
10. In a small bowl whisk an egg until frothy. Brush the egg all over the top of the loaf and into the cracks.
11. Place the loaves into a warm oven. (I set mine to 175) Let them rise until doubled in size, about 15 minutes.
12. Turn your oven up to 375 degrees and bake for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
13. When the loaves come out of the oven, place them on a cooling rack. Brush butter over the tops and sprinkle a little bit of salt over the top of the butter. Be careful to not get too much. I used my salt grinder.

Recipe Source: Jamie Cooks It Up! 

Rumbi Island Mango Chicken

I have never had this at Rumbi...I've probably only eaten there twice and got a salad each time.  This really is tasty, though!  I could not find coconut milk at the store to make the cocount jasmine rice, so I added 2 tsp. coconut extract, and it tasted great!  If you want a recipe for coconut rice, click here.  Gotta love a good crockpot meal!

4-5 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)

1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups mango salsa (I got mine at Sam's Club)
Cumin to taste
Lemon Pepper to taste


Put chicken breasts in crock pot. Add spices and salsa. Cover and cook chicken until tender (mine took about 3 1/2 hours on high).  Shred chicken on a plate and return to crock pot. Add corn and beans. More salsa can be added to taste.


Serve over coconut jasmine rice for that Rumbi Island Grill taste. Garnish with cilantro or parsely, if desired.


*You could use regular salsa for a Mexican taste and serve over regular rice or tortilla chips.
*Update...we ate this as a burrito on a tortilla the second time around, and it was great as well!

Restaraunt Style Salsa

This screams summer!  Oh how I love a good salsa!  This one I found on Amber's Delectable Delights.  It makes a ton, so if you don't want a ton, definitely cut the recipe in half!

1 can (28 Ounce) whole tomatoes with juice (I drained some of the juice)
2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel
¼ cups chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 whole jalapeno, quartered and sliced thin (less if you're not a heat fan)
¼ teaspoons sugar
¼ teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoons ground cumin
½ cups cilantro (or more to taste!)
Juice of 1 lime


Combine whole tomatoes, Rotel, onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you’d like—I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.


Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour. Serve with tortilla chips or cheese nachos.