"So Much To Celebrate" and the Most Amazing Peanut Butter Milkshake

How often do you pick up a cookbook or an entertaining book and are discouraged when you start reading the recipes and discover they are so complex or with hard-to-find ingredients? Well, that is NOT happening today!

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I was reading through Katie Jacob’s new book, “So Much To Celebrate: Entertaining the Ones You Love the Whole Year Through,” and found so much that I love about this book.

First, let me say that it is a stunning book. From the vibrant cover to the gorgeous photography . . . even the feel of the pages makes me want to thumb through more. But the two best things about the book: lovely presentations for inspiration and doable recipes! I can’t tell you how often I find a cookbook that looks beautiful but has recipes that are way too complex. Not so with this book. There are MANY recipes I intend to try.

This book has so much of the heart behind my own blog – celebrating the ordinary moments, having fun and creating memories. I love what Katie says in speaking about her mother and grandmother:

“…they taught me the art of celebrating: how to create meaningful, unfussy gatherings – not without effort, but carried out with relative ease – that create lasting memories with the ones you love.”

Yes! In the book, Katie shares party ideas, celebrations and recipes for each season. My favorite parties were the Backyard Movie Night, the 4th of July Pool Party and the Autumn Tailgate. And lest you think that there are only dessert recipes since I am sharing one of her decadent milkshakes, recipes cover all the different categories from meaty entrees to drinks. You’ll like the variety.

When I saw the Peanut Butter Milkshake, however, I knew this was the first recipe to try and I am so excited that I can (with permission) share it with you!

Amazing PEANUT BUTTER MILKSHAKE [printable version]

Ingredients:

3/4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 cups (1 pint) good vanilla (or chocolate) ice cream
Optional assorted toppings: whipped cream, peanut butter, pretzels, peanut butter cookies, peanut butter cups, warm chocolate-hazelnut spread

Makes 1 oversized milkshake.

Prep Work: How I created Katie’s look!

I smeared chocolate hazelnut spread (peanut butter was used in the book) along the outer rim of the chilled glass and pressed pretzels to it.

I unwrapped the peanut butter cups so I wouldn’t waste time when the milkshake was ready.

I also put the peanut butter cookies on skewers to achieve the height I wanted. This is only necessary if you really want to make the milkshake look spectacular. If you add enough whipped cream, the cookie will stand on its own for awhile.

Now to Make the Milkshake!

Chill the milkshake glass by placing it in the freezer.
In a blender combine the milk, vanilla, chocolate syrup, peanut butter, and ice cream, and blend until the milkshake is thick and smooth.
Pour into the chilled glass, then finish with a dollup of fresh whipped cream and assorted toppings.