Chocolate Chip Banana Cake Bars

Pin It Another awesome use for over ripe bananas!  These bars are a cross between banana bread and chocolate chip cookies.  It definitely has a more cake-like consistency than banana bread or muffins.  It makes a great breakfast or fast snack with a glass of milk.  I made a pan of these for work and they were gobbled up quite quickly.

Chocolate Chip Banana Cake
Original Recipe from Onesie Twosie
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 medium sized bananas, mashed
1 large egg
1 1/2 - 2 cups chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a jelly roll pan (or 9x13 pan for thicker bars).
2. Beat butter and both sugars until creamy.  Add bananas, vanilla and egg.  Mis until smooth.
3. Slowly add flour, baking powder and salt.
4. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Spread mixture into pan. Optional: Sprinkle top with brown sugar
6. bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

Pin It I think my quest for soft chocolate chip cookies has finally ended.  I know I've said that before, but these cookies remain soft even after several days.  The secret ingredient is a box of instant pudding mix.  Why didn't I think of this sooner?  These cookies are moist, chewy and delicious.  I will definitely be making these again soon and probably experimenting with some new pudding flavors too.

 

Chewy Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies
Original recipe from See Jane Cook

2 1/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups chocolate chips

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cream butter and sugars, add pudding mix until blended.

3. Stir in the eggs and vanilla.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking soda with a whisk then add it to the butter mixture.

5. Stir in the chocolate chips.

6.  Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Pin It Yes, that decadent piece of cake contains vegetables and yes, it is just as delicious as it looks. The zucchini dissolves into the cake when it bakes and makes it nice and moist.   I got a giant zucchini from my grandma and needed to do something with it before it went bad.  I made this cake a while ago and got rave reviews so I found the recipe and made it again.  It was just as good the second time around.  I like the added bonus of getting some veggies for dessert.  I was even able to trick Albert into eating some.   You could definitely get kids to eat this without them knowing there was a vegetable hiding in it.  Enjoy!

Recipe shared at Strut Your Stuff Saturday and Weekend Potluck.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Original recipe from King Arthur Flour

1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1/2 cup sour cream, buttermilk, or yogurt

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour **or omit and use 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup cocoa powder

2 teaspoons instant coffee granules **optional

3 cups shredded zucchini (about one 10" zucchini)  * I used the shredder blade on my food processor

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Icing
1 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, oil, sugar, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until smooth.

3. Beat in the eggs.

4.Stir in the sour cream, buttermilk, or yogurt alternately with the flour.

5..Add the cocoa and espresso powder, mixing until smooth.

6. Fold in the zucchini and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Spoon the batter into greased 9x13 pan.

7. Bake the cake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top springs back when touched.

8. To ice the cake: Slide the cake out of the oven, sprinkle it evenly with the 1 cup chocolate chips, and return it to the oven for 5 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

9. Remove the cake from the oven, and use a cake spatula or rubber spatula to spread the chocolate chips into a smooth glaze. Cool on a rack.

Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

Pin It Albert has a sweet tooth, but he is super picky about his treats.  I usually just buy refrigerated cookie dough at the store and bake them about once a week so Albert has something to snack on.  Well he decided that store bought cookies have too many chocolate chips in them and that they get stale quicker than homemade cookies.  (He's crazy, I know).  Well my track record with chocolate chip cookies is not great.  They usually turn out hard as a rock and they don't spread out.  I always just use the recipe on the back of the chocolate chip bag.  I have had this problem my entire life despite constantly trying to improve them.  Well, I'm happy to say that I finally found a recipe that turned out perfect!  These are moist, chewy and the perfect thickness for a good cookie.

Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
*Recipe from Lovin' From the Oven
2 cups all-purpose flour
 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 3/4 cup butter, melted
 1 cup packed brown sugar
 1/2 cup white sugar
 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
 1 egg
 1 egg yolk
 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1. Cream melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar in a mixer.  Add vanilla and eggs and mix well.
2. Sift the dry ingredients and slowly add them to the mixer.  Mix until just combined.
3. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.
4. Dough will be very sticky.  Cover and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
6. Using a medium cookie scoop, place cookies on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
7. Bake 15-17 minutes or until golden brown.

Chubby Hubby Truffles

Pin It I saw this recipe a few months ago, but never had a reason to make them until this weekend.  My brother and sister in law were in town and I brought these over for dessert.  They were inhaled and they were such a hit that they were requested for my sister's wedding shower in a few months.  These are a mixture of sweet, salty, crunchy and creamy...All the best parts of a dessert rolled into one delicious ball.

Chubby Hubby Truffles
Original recipe from Six Sisters' Stuff
1 cup crushed pretzels
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 Tbsp butter, softened
2 Tbsp brown sugar
3 Tbsp powdered sugar
1 cup chocolate chips
1 Tbsp vegetable oil

Toppings:
1/4 cup crushed pretzels
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 tsp vegetable oil

1. Mix peanut butter, butter and brown sugar in a bowl until well combined.
2. Stir in pretzel pieces.  Then mix in powdered sugar.
3. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop rounded balls onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet.  Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
4. Remove balls from fridge.  Melt chocolate chips and vegetable oil in the microwave for 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds.
5. Dip  balls into chocolate and return them to the wax paper cookie sheet.
6. Melt peanut butter and vegetable oil in microwave for about 30 seconds or until able to be drizzled.
7. Top truffles with pretzel pieces and peanut butter.
8. Return truffles to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until chocolate is set.
9. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Oreo Brownies

Pin It I'm working at a summer camp for gifted children during the month of July.  I'm super busy and exhausted at the end of each day which explains my lack of posting recently.  (I will try to get better).  Anyway, we always have snacks in the kitchen area of camp for all of the teachers and assistants.  I made these to share and they were inhaled by lunchtime.  Everyone kept asking for the recipe and it's so easy it's almost embarrassing.  I will definitely be making these again.

Check out Weekend Potluck for some amazing recipes! Also head over to Strut Your Stuff Link Party for some great recipes and craft ideas.

Oreo Brownies
1 box brownie mix - plus ingredients to make brownies (oil, eggs, water)
20 Oreo cookies, divided
1/2 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Make brownies according to box directions.  Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Pour half of the brownie batter on the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 pan.
4. Press 16 Oreos into the batter.  Pour remaining batter on top of Oreos making sure to cover the cookies completely.
5. Crush the remaining 4 Oreos and sprinkle on top.
6. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pin It So these cookies are grain free, oil free, egg free and white sugar free.   I was leery of trying them and thinking they might not satisfy my sweet tooth.  I was pleasantly surprised.  You would never guess that these are healthy by looking at them.  I also had several friends and family members try them without telling them they were healthy and tricked all of them.

Check out Six Sisters' Link Party.  There are so many good ideas there!

Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Original recipe from Texanerin
1 can chickpeas, drained (also called garbanzo beans)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place all ingredients, except chocolate chips, in a food processor.  Pulse until well blended and smooth.  Stop several times to scrape down the sides so you don't have chunks of chickpeas in your cookies.
3. Stir in chocolate chips.  Dough will be sticky.
4. Scoop tablespoons of dough on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
5. Bake 12-15 minutes or until they are no longer glossy looking and slightly brown.

**Be careful when removing from cookie sheet, they can be fragile

No Bake Granola Bars

Pin It Since it is officially summer it is too hot to turn on my oven very often.  Because of that I was looking for some no bake recipes.  These granola bars are chewy, filling and quite delicious.  They are great for breakfast, a snack or even dessert. 

No Bake Granola Bars
1 cup rolled oats, I used instant
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans ***optional
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla

1. Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.  This just helps the bars come out of the pan easily.  You could skip this step, but you might have trouble getting the bars out in nice pieces.
2. In a mixing bowl combine the peanut butter, vanilla and honey.  Stir in oats, coconut, flax, pecans and chocolate chips.  **If the mixture seems too dry add a little more honey to bring it together.
3. Press mixture into the pan.  Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour to let it firm up.

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

Pin It I've been on an instant oatmeal streak lately.  It fills me up and I like a warm breakfast on chilly mornings.  Then I stumbled upon a recipe for peanut butter banana bars on Pinterest.  I decided to try it out, but tweaked it a bit to make it healthier and tastier.  You really don't taste the peanut butter or banana.  I would describe these as a chewy chocolate chip granola bar with a hint of cinnamon.  You won't even notice the flax seed, but it adds some extra protien.  Don't let the long ingredient list scare you.  This recipe is super simple.  I don't think you can mess it up.

These bars don't last long at my house.  I snack on them throughout the day.  They are moist, tasty, healthy and very filling.  One serving keeps me full until lunch time.  Enjoy!

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup egg substitute (or 1 large egg)
2/3 cup skim milk
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flax seed meal
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup chocolate chips**
1/3 cup chopped pecans**

**optional - or add your favorite mix -in - raisins, cranberries, walnuts...the list goes on and on

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl mix bananas, egg, milk, vanilla, sugar and peanut butter.
3. Add oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Mix until well combined.
4. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans.
5. Pour batter into a greased 8x8 pan.  Sprinkle brown sugar on top.
6. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

Pin It I love muffins.  I love all breakfast food.  I especially like muffins because they are the perfect size for a snack and you can make so many varieties.  This was my first attempt at using whole wheat flour and it was a success.  I wouldn't say that they taste "wheaty" so you can trick children or picky husbands into eating something healthy.  I also used unsweetened applesauce to lower the fat content.   The oatmeal also isn't too overpowering.  And chocolate makes everything better.  These are great fresh out of the oven and for several days after.  Pop them in the microwave to get that fresh baked feeling you crave if you like.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Muffins
Adapted from Teeniecakes
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup rolled oats
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 c buttermilk
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
brown sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy and smooth.  Mix in eggs one at a time.  Add applesauce, vanilla and buttermilk.
3. In a large bowl sift together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and oatmeal.
4. Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in 3 batches, mixing before adding more.
5. When the mixture is just combined (don't overmix or it will get tough) stir in chocolate chips.
6. Generously spray 12 muffin cups.  Divide mixture between muffin cups and sprinkle tops with brown sugar.  Bake 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Tips
**If you don't have buttermilk on hand add 1 tsp vinegar to 2/3 c of milk and let sit for 5 minutes before adding to the mixture.
**Use your favorite combination of nuts, chocolate of fruit as long as the total quantity equals 2 cups.  Try adding walnuts, pecans, raisins or dried cranberries.
**I used dark non-stick pans that cook quicker than some pans.  Adjust cooking time according to your oven and pans.
**You could use cupcake liners if you want

Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

Pin It This is one of those desserts that my mom made for us all the time as kids.  I probably haven't thought about them in 10 years.  I was cleaning my basement and came across a photocopied cookbook.  As soon as I saw the cover, I knew this was the cookbook that contained the recipe for chocolate oatmeal bars.  There are other awesome recipes, but this is the one that stuck in my mind.  Luckily I had all of the ingredients so I could quickly whip up a batch of these.  Hopefully your family will enjoy them as much as mine :)

Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
3/4 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Cream butter, sugar and salt.  Blend in flour and oats until particles are fine.
3. Press 2/3 of the mixture in the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 pan.
4. In a microwave safe bowl (I used a glass measuring cup) pour sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips.  Microwave on high 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth.
5. Pour over the crust and spread evenly to the edges.
6. Sprinkle remaining crumbs over chocolate and lightly press down.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

Thin Mints

Pin It Thin Mints remind me of selling cookies as  Girl Scout.  These taste quite similar and can be enjoyed year round.  I love making these at Christmas time because they are no bake so they can be made while I'm waiting for other cookies to get out of the oven.  Another pretty addition to holiday cookie trays.  I usually end up making at least a double batch of these also.

Thin Mints
1 bag mint chocolate chips (I used Nestle Toll House)
25 Ritz Crackers
crushed candy canes for garnish

1. Pour chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl.
2. Microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth.
3. Dip crackers in the chocolate and lay on wax paper.
4. Sprinkle candy canes on top to give it a estive touch.
5. Allow to cool completely before trying to remove from wax paper.

Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

Pin It Just to show you how easy the previous recipe is to adapt to your liking.  Here is the chocolate version.  Other successful varieties include: spice cake with white chocolate chips, butter pecan cake with pecans, carrot cake with raisins and nuts.  As you can see the possibilities are endless.  Whatever flavor cake mix  you have on hand will do.

Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 stick butter, softened
1 egg
1 cup white chocolate chips
powdered sugar

1. preheat oven to 350
2. Cream butter, cream cheese and egg until smooth.
3. Mix in cake mix until well combined.
4.Stir in chocolate chips
5. Put 1/2 cup of powdered sugar in a small bowl.  Drop tablespoon sized globs of dough in powdered sugar and coat thoroughly.
6. Place dough on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
7. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden on the bottom and can easily be remove from parchment paper.

Gooey Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pin It While I have been MIA, I have not been idle.  I was also anxiously awaiting my early Christmas present from my hubby: a brand new high def camera so I can take decent pictures of my culinary creations.  Lots of posts in the days to follow. 
These are my go-to cookie recipe for the holidays (or really any time of the year).  I learned to make these while working at a catering company when I was 16.  They have been a staple in my kitchen ever since.  I love them because I generally have all of the ingredients handy.  The recipe is also quite versatile and can be changed to a new flavor instantly.



Gooey Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 box yellow cake mix

1 pkg cream cheese, softened (can be reduced fat, but not fat free)

1/2 stick butter, softened

1 egg

1 cup mini chocolate chips

powdered sugar

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Cream butter, cream cheese and egg until smooth.

3. Mix in cake mix until well combined.

4. Stir in chocolate chips.

5. Pour about 1/2 cup of powdered sugar in a bowl.  Drop tablespoon sized globs (not perfect balls or sugar won't stick) into the powdered sugar and coat well.

6. Place dough on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

7. Bake for 10-12 minutes or unil golden brown on bottom and when the cookies can be picked up off of the parchment paper without sticking.