World Nutella Day and Peanut Butter & Nutella Cupcakes

Yep.  It's that day.  The day when all the world should be celebrating.  And, eating.  And, gaining five pounds.  Mmmmm.  It's World Nutella Day and we can thank these ladies:

Sara of  Ms. Adventures In Italy

  and

Michelle of  Bleeding Espresso

 

This day makes me smile almost as much as Thanksgiving and Christmas!  February 5th.  Stop and celebrate.  Bake something!  Bake these Peanut Butter & Nutella Cupcakes.  You will gain five pounds because you will love them so much that you will immediately bake two more batches and eat them, too!

 

I have to give credit where credit it due.  I found the recipe for PB & J Cupcakes by Sarah Matheny of Peas and Thank You and slapped a sticky note on the page.  My kids love cupcakes.  They also love muffins and this recipe is, I think, a combination of the two.  Sarah uses 100% fruit preserves along with the peanut butter.  It occurred to me, though, that Nutella would turn these cupcakes into something like a Reese's Cup and I couldn't resist.  So, thank you to Sarah for a great cookbook and a wonderful cupcake recipe turned sweet treat with Nutella!

As for the recipe, it's simple. 

Peanut Butter & Nutella Cupcakes

Cupcake Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanillla extract

2/3 cup organic sugar

2/3 cup milk

1/4 cup peanut butter

 Nutella (approximately 1/3 cup) 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin with cupcake papers or spray with cooking spray.  Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.  In a smaller bowl, mix vanilla, sugar, milk and peanut butter.  Add wet mixture to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.  At this point, you can already smell the deliciousness!

Place a large spooonful of batter in the bottom of each muffin well.  Add approximately 1/2 to 1 tsp. of Nutella on top of the batter and then add an additional tsp. of cupcake batter on top of the peanut butter.  Be careful that you save enough batter to cover most of the Nutella!

Bake cupcakes for 20-25 minutes, until tops are golden brown.  Make sure that you let them cool a bit.  The Nutella is NOT batter.  It remains "unset" so it will definitely burn the roof of your mouth if you decide that you can't wait and want to eat them freshly steaming out of the oven.  Okay.  You are properly warned!  Oh.  And, make sure you have milk in the house before you begin.  These need a big tall glass of milk!

 Happy Eating from Charleston Treasures!  Hope you enjoy World Nutella Day as much as this kid!

 

The Bull Street Gourmet & Market

A corner store?  Yes.  But, more.  The Bull Street Gourmet & Market is a quaint little shop in the Harleston Village area of Charleston.  History has it that this part of town has been loaded with corner groceries and family owned shops since the 1850's.  

We were heading to town with a visit in mind to this place and saw The Bull Street sign across the street.  Lunch!  We had yet to check this place out but today was the day.  This is not just a restaurant and not only a market.  It's both.  Think this place...

Anyway, I love the fact that I can pick up quality ingredients and eat a great lunch in the same spot.

 

But, I really think that one of the best parts about this place is that I could so easily put together a picnic lunch and head to the park.  Cheeses, fruit, crackers, some wine, a great sandwich or two and we would be good to go.  And, with Charleston's great weather, picnic options are always appreciated!  Take a look at their menu...

Sandwiches, salads, a breakfast menu that I can't wait to try, soups, coffee....and, they actually post the farms that supply their ingredients.  That definitely made me smile since we are trying to really be careful about eating local.  And, their wine selection is extensive and reasonably priced.  Another reason to smile.  Wine is always good!

We enjoyed our lunches~  The mister tackled a roast beef sandwich topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato and horseradish mayo served on ciabatta bread.  Fresh.  Delicious.  Filling.  He was smiling.

And, I thoroughly enjoyed a Mozz sandwich.  Yep.  Thick slabs of creamy mozarella, walnut pesto, tomato, marinated tomatoes, and a balsamic reduction.  It was so yummy that I can close my eyes and still taste it.  Definitely will be returning for one of those to take to Marion Square for a picnic!

We sat and ate and read The Post and Courier and enjoyed the quiet calm.  It was early when we arrived but by the time we left, the lunch crowd was arriving.  No question as to what they were after.  Delicious sandwiches in a great atmosphere. 

They deliver.  They cater.  They serve great sandwiches.  Check them out!