The Arslains: Cooking with Amy

Ok so I know I am a complete dork but I thought since I was making new yummy creations for Easter weekend that I should share them. The bad thing about making these recipes is that you will have to work out for a week after eating them. For my nieces Maddy & Millie's Easter baskets I decided to make them Martha Stewart's :

Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies
An important thing to do before getting started is unwrapping all of the cups and putting them in the fridge to chill. This will help them keep their shape when you put them in the half baked cookie and back into the oven.

Here is the finished product! They were too good. Literally. A peanut butter cookie with a reese's peanut butter cup inside? You can't really go wrong there. I hope the girls liked them!

Here is the link to the recipe:
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=6efe934be4b0f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=surprise%20cookie&rsc=header_6

Glazed Lemon Pound Cake
My next project was for Angela & Scott and our Easter dinner at Anne's. This recipe makes enough for two pound cakes which is nice because it takes a little bit of work. First you have to zest 2-3 lemons.

This is the delicious part of the cake - the buttermilk mixed with zest and fresh lemon juice

My finished product! This is actually my second one. Please do not judge the icing job - it was done after a few glasses of wine. oops! :)

Here is the link to the recipe:
http://www.marthastewart.com/glazed-lemon-pound-cake?autonomy_kw=lemon&rsc=header_3

Scalloped Potatoes with Leeks
Sunday morning I got up early to make my contribution for Easter dinner at Anne's. For this I made scalloped potatoes. They require about 45min of prep time but after that are very easy to put together and not fussy on timing. I was able to reheat these with no problem. We loved them!

Prep time Sauteing the Leeks with unsalted butter
Chris took this after it was cooked 30 mins. You then uncover it and cook for another 45 at 425 degrees. We reheated it at Anne's which only made it crispier and more delicious. We had none left! After it was reheated: