Everything but the Dough Dip

Ever wondered what to do with the half bag of left over chocolate chips, holiday candy, or the not even a full serving of oatmeal sitting in your cupboards?  Well this recipe will help with that. I found the original recipe on skiptomylou.org under Monster Cookie Dough Dip. Great recipe, but I have changed it up a bit to incorporate all my "left overs". I call it my "Everything but the Dough" Dip, since to me we are leaving the dough (flour and such) out.

My oldest daughter, E, and I made this together the other day for our Community Group snack. She was so excited about it she made this as her "How To..." presentation for her first grade class. She thinks this is the best thing ever! And of course, ever so easy!

First things first, make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened. That is 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter and 8 oz of cream cheese. Add those with the 1 cup of peanut butter in a mixing bowl. Beat with a mixer until smooth. ** 1 stick of butter is a lot in this recipe, I would recommend using 1/2 a stick, otherwise you can taste the butter a little too much**

Next, add in 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 Tbsp Brown Sugar and 1 tsp. of Vanilla Extract. Continue to beat with the mixer until smooth. Once mixed well stir in your "left overs." In my case I had 1 cup of oats (I used whole but quick oats work too), 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, M&M's left over from Valentines Day (hence the pink and red) and coconut about 1/2 cup.

This makes a great bowl full of fun. You can mix up the base for this dip and add any ingredients you think would taste great together. Maybe some Reese Pieces and Crunched up Butterfinger Bars or Heath Bar? Or make it more of a Trail Mix Dip and add Raisins, Nuts and Coconut with the M&M's.  I think I may have to try that next! The great part is once you get the base the possibilities are endless!  Be creative!!  It also gives your kids the opportunity to put their favorite treats into one. I know my kids like that second best to actually eating it. You can serve this with Graham Cracker quarters, sticks or even pretzels.

Everything but the Dough Dip 

1 Stick of Butter **I use 1/2 stick**
8 oz of Cream Cheese
1 Cup Peanut Butter
1 cup Powdered Sugar
3 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Chocolate Chips (or a mixture of mini's and regular or whatever you have)
1 Cup M&M's (Or a Cup of any candy pieces you like)
1 Cup Oats (any kind)
At this point the rest is up to you and your imagination!
Suggestions: Crunched up Nuts, Coconut, Raisins, Craisins, Mint Chocolate Chips or Andes Mints crunched up, Heath Bar, the list goes on and on!