Jessica's Joyful Kitchen

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Servings: 12–15 squares Category: Dessert Notes After Making Add Ingredients ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled 1⅓ cups (265g) packed light or dark brown sugar ½ cup (125g) creamy peanut butter 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1⅓ cups (165g) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled) ¾ teaspoon baking powder ¾ teaspoon salt ⅔ cup (about 130g) chocolate chips or Reese’s Pieces, optional Instructions Prepare the Pan Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Make the Batter In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in peanut butter until fully combined. Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold gently with a spatula until a thick batter forms. Fold in chocola...

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Chill Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Servings: 12 bars Category: Dessert Notes After Making Add Ingredients 10 ounces mini marshmallows 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) salted butter ½ cup creamy peanut butter 5½ cups Rice Chex cereal 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips ¼ cup heavy cream ¼ cup powdered sugar (for dusting) Instructions Prepare the Pan Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on all sides. Make the Peanut Butter Marshmallow Layer In a small saucepan over low heat, combine marshmallows, butter, and peanut butter. Stir until fully melted and smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and gently fold in Rice Chex cereal until evenly coated. Press mixture firmly into the prepared pan. Make the Chocolate Ganache Place chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Heat heavy cream until hot but not boiling (30–45 seconds in the microwave). Pour over chocolate chips an...

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 7 minutes (stovetop) or 5–5–5 (Instant Pot) Total Time: 25 minutes Servings: 12 deviled egg halves (6 eggs) Category:  Side Dish Notes After Making Add Ingredients 6 large eggs 1 teaspoon vinegar or 2 teaspoons sweet relish 4 tablespoons mayonnaise 1½ teaspoons yellow or Dijon mustard ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste Ground black pepper, to taste Paprika, for garnish Instructions Cook the Eggs (Stovetop Method) Place eggs in a pot and add 2 teaspoons salt and 2 teaspoons vinegar. Cover with water by 1–2 inches. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, cook for 7 minutes. Transfer eggs to an ice bath and cool completely (about 10 minutes). Instant Pot Method (5-5-5) Add water to Instant Pot and place a trivet inside. Arrange eggs on top. Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes. Natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure. Transfer eggs to an ice bath and cool for 5 minute...

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Servings: 8 Category: Appetizer Notes After Making Stay at home chef version   Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small yellow onion, minced 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons chili powder ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 (15-ounce) can refried beans ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 cup sour cream, or 8 ounces cream cheese mixed with ¼ cup salsa 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles 2 tablespoons lime juice, optional 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend Avocado or guacamole, for serving Salsa, for serving 1 bag tortilla chips, for dipping Instructions Prepare the Filling Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and green pepper and sauté for 7–10 minutes, until softened. Stir in the cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper and cook for 1 minute to toast t...

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Chill Time: 2 hours Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Servings: 8 Category: Dessert Notes After Making Add Ingredients Crust 1¼ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 16 graham cracker squares) 2 tablespoons sugar ⅓ cup butter, melted Lemon Cheesecake Filling 16 ounces cream cheese, softened ⅝ cup sugar ½ tablespoon lemon zest (about ½ lemon) ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons) 2½ tablespoons sour cream or plain yogurt ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1–2 large eggs, room temperature 1 teaspoon cornstarch Lemon-Sour Cream Topping 1 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon zest Instructions Prepare the Crust Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until well mixed. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a pie plate. Microwave for 1–1½ minutes to set the crust. Allow the crust to cool slightly before adding t...

Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Chill Time: 2 hours Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes Servings: 10 Category: Dessert Notes After Making Add Ingredients Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 26 graham cracker squares) ⅓ cup cocoa powder ¼ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup butter, melted Peanut Butter Cheesecake Filling 24 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 cup sugar ¼ cup sour cream or plain yogurt 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural style) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ⅛ teaspoon salt 3 eggs 1 teaspoon cornstarch Peanut Butter Topping 1 cup sour cream ¼ cup creamy peanut butter 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Instructions Prepare the Crust Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and melted butter until well mixed. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a pie plate. Bake for 10 minutes. Let ...

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Yield: One 9-inch pie crust Category: Baking Basics Notes After Making Add Ingredients 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 26 graham cracker squares) ⅓ cup cocoa powder ¼ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup butter, melted Instructions Prepare the Crust Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and melted butter until evenly moistened. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow the crust to cool slightly before adding your desired filling. Jessica’s Notes Best Used For Peanut Butter Cheesecake Chocolate Cream Pie French Silk Pie Mocha Cheesecake Peanut Butter Pie Prep Ahead The crust can be baked up to 2 days in advance. Cool completely before wrapping and storing. Storage Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refriger...

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 15–20 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including cooling and frosting set time) Servings: 16 bars (8×8 pan) or 24 bars (9×13 pan) Category: Dessert / Bars Notes After Making Add Ingredients 8×8 Pan Version Dry Ingredients 1¼ cups all-purpose flour (150 g) ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats (60 g) 1 teaspoon baking soda (5 g) ½ teaspoon salt (3 g) Wet Ingredients ½ cup butter, softened (113 g) ½ cup creamy peanut butter (125 g) 1 cup packed brown sugar (200 g) 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 g) Optional ⅔ cup mini chocolate chips (115 g) Frosting ¼ cup butter, room temperature (57 g) ¼ cup creamy peanut butter (62 g) 1 cup powdered sugar (100–120 g) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 g) 1–2 tablespoons milk, if needed 9×13 Pan Version Dry Ingredients 2½ cups all-purpose flour (312 g) 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats (120 g) 2 teaspoons baking soda (10 g) 1 teaspoon salt (6 g) Wet Ingredients 1 cup ...

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Servings: 8 Category: Main Dish Notes After Making Add Ingredients 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed (or 3 cups cooked shredded chicken) 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons butter ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 small yellow onion, diced 2 cups long-grain white rice 1 tablespoon minced garlic 4 cups chicken broth 1 (8-ounce) jar salsa 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided Bacon crumbles, optional Instructions Cook the Chicken Heat the olive oil and butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and season with salt and black pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on the outside. Add the diced onion and continue cooking until softened and translucent. Transfer the chicken and o...