Glazed Pecans

Pin It So I know this might seem like more of a winter/holiday item, but it's not.  I love having glazed pecans in my salads.  They are also a delicious snack.  My mom has always made these and I always shied away from making my own for fear that it would be a mess to clean up and that they had to be complicated to taste so good.  With only 3 ingredients and 5 minutes total cook time you should be able to make these year round, not just at Christmas.  You don't just have to use pecans either, any nut can be glazed the same way. 
Come back in the next few days to see how I used these up!

Glazed Pecans
1 cup chopped pecans
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp water

1. Place all ingredients in a skillet on medium high heat.
2. Stir continuously until sugar melts and coats nuts.  Cook for about 3 minutes after the sugar melts.
3. Spread nuts onto a piece of wax paper to cool.
**Clean up is a breeze if you wash your pan while it is still warm.  I didn't want to wait to find out what would happen if I let the sugar harden.

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Pin It I consider myself a pretty good cook and I'm not afraid to experiment with recipes.  But when it comes to chocolate chip cookies I just can't do it.  My are always rock hard.  I've tried many recipes and always get the same result.  I was really nervous when my picky husband requested white chocolate macadamia nut cookies because I figures they would be rock hard as well.  Well my streak of rock cookies has ended!!!  These turned out crispy on the edges and chewy in the middle.  They remind me of the fundraiser cookies that kids are always selling for sports teams, just way cheaper :)  Enjoy!

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Source:The Girl Who Ate Everything
Makes 2-3 dozen cookies
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
1 cup white chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Mix dry ingredients and set aside (flour, baking powder, salt).
3. In a mixing bowl mix butter and sugar until well combined.  Add eggs one at a time mixing after each egg.  Add vanilla and mix.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix well.
5. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips.
6. Drop heaping tablespoons of dough on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.  Allow to cool for 3-4 minutes on cookie sheet before moving to a cooling rack.

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pin It I have a bad habit of buying a big bunch of bananas and then not eating them before they get brown and mushy.  Because of this I have to use them for baking.  Not a big problem, but I get tired of the same old banana bread and banana muffins so that is how this recipe was born.  I was inspired by a similar recipe that I found on Pinterest.  This cake is moist and dense and would make a great breakfast or brunch item.

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

4 Tbsp butter, softened

2 Tbsp oil

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 egg white

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 ripe bananas, mashed

1/4 cup milk (I used vanilla almond milk, but any variety will do)

1. Preheat oven to 375.  Spray an 8x8 inch pan with cooking spray.

2. Beat butter, oil and sugar until creamed. 

3. Beat in eggs and egg white one at a time.  Stir in vanilla.

4. In a separate bowl, mash bananas with milk and set aside.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with the banana mixture until all is combined.

6. Pour into pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

7. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup chopped toasted nuts, optional (I used pecans, feel free to use your favorite)

Cream the cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar until well blended and smooth.

To toast the nuts, place on an ungreased baking sheet.  Put in a 375 degree oven for 5-8 minutes or until the nuts become fragrant.  DO NOT OVERBAKE.