Cooking is a great way to relieve stress, eliminate boredom, and eat some good food as an end result. During quarantine, I have been able to build my recipe book. The three recipes I have chosen to share today are my favorite deserts that I have been thriving on in order to stay somewhat sane through these times at home. I do have to make a disclaimer that these recipes are in no way healthy. They are merely just pleasure treats that boost my energy and keep me going. 

Who doesn’t like coffee in the morning? I was never one who relied on coffee to keep me moving, but being stuck at home has gotten me hooked on coffee. This coffee has taken social media by storm. I discovered it through Pinterest, and has become a staple item in my routine, and I can’t see myself without it. For this coffee recipe, the ingredients are simple, and are common home items that you will mostly have. Whipped coffee is made with sugar, water, and the most important ingredient, instant coffee. Now, I did not have instant coffee when I discovered this recipe. I tried desperately to make this without the instant coffee, and unfortunately, it is not possible. The instant coffee dissolves in the water and sugar mixture, and is able to take in air after whisking rapidly. Enough of the science, though. Take one tablespoon of sugar, instant coffee, and hot water and put in a glass or metal bowl. The easiest and fastest way to mix this is to use an electric hand mixer, but going old school and using a whisk works fine too. Mix the mixture until there are medium peaks. If you are wanting more whipped coffee, you can add however much of each ingredient, as long as the measurements are equal parts. And, there you have it! The famous whipped coffee. Be careful though, you might get hooked!

Peanut butter is a comfort food that can go with almost anything. I am a sucker for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and I was searching for the perfect homemade version. I came across this recipe through Pinterest, where the cupcake liners caught my eye. I have made some copy-cat recipes in the past, but they have turned out very messy. I thought the liners were genius and decided to give them a try. This has been by far my favorite go-to snack. They are a healthy alternative to the high sugar peanut butter cups that you know and love. I have been using unsweetened cocoa to make the chocolate, but real chocolate or chocolate chips would also work if you have a real sweet tooth. Melting the cocoa, coconut oil, salt, and honey creates the perfect chocolate sauce that is the base and coating of the cups. The cupcake liners help to hold all of the liquid mixtures in place while they freeze and settle. Pour the chocolate into the liners, and pop them in the freezer while you make the peanut butter sauce. To make the filling, mix peanut butter, or another nut butter, and honey together to create a creamy sauce. I have found that melting the peanut butter a little makes the next step easier. Then, pull out the frozen chocolate and pour about 1 teaspoon or so into the liners. I try to fill them until I can’t see the layer of chocolate. Pop the two-layer cups back in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Add the last layer of chocolate on top of the peanut butter and wait until solid. I usually take them out of the freezer once completely frozen, and stick them in the fridge so they don’t get freezer burned. These peanut butter cups are super easy, healthy, and a delicious pleasure that you won’t be able to resist!

https://www.goldenbarrel.com/recipe/homemade-peanut-butter-cups/

Recipe from goldenbarrel.com

You can never go wrong with chocolate chip cookies. There’s nothing that a freshly baked cookie can’t fix, right? There are so many recipes out there, and they are all good. The search for the best cookie recipe has come to a halt because I feel like I found the best cookie. Magnolia Farms, owned by Joanna Gaines, has created the best chocolate chip cookies, in my opinion, and I am here to share it. There’s nothing special about the ingredients, but for some reason, these cookies come out perfect every time. Once the oven is preheated, you are ready to get your cookie on! Mix your dry ingredients together, and then set aside. Then, mix the butter and sugar in a stand mixer, or use a hand mixer. Add your eggs and vanilla until creamy and smooth. Slowly and carefully mix in the dry mix until combined. Then, you know what’s next. Add the delicious chocolate chips. I like to hand mix them in rather than using the stand mixer. I also stray from the recipe and add a little more chocolate than the recipe calls for because why not! The easy part is dropping the dough onto the pan and popping them in the oven. Ten minutes seems to be the magic number if you like that ooey, gooey inside of the cookie. If you like your cookies a little crunchier, feel free to cook them for 11 minutes. And voila, the best cookies are hot out of the oven and ready to eat. You can literally not go wrong with a late night cookie splurge. 

https://www.thekitchn.com/joanna-gaines-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe-257520

I hope you enjoy my favorite quarantine desserts! I could be biased when I say that they are the best recipes, but I’ll let you be the judge of that! If you have the ingredients at home, and have the time, I would suggest making these recipes. Who knows, maybe they will become your household staple desserts, too!