Chunky Monkey Cookies

Pin It I'm always looking for healthy desserts because I have a sweet tooth.  I found these cookies on Pinterest and was a little leery about them being too "healthy" to satisfy my sweets craving.  I made a small batch just to try them out and I was pleasantly surprised.  I did add some agave syrup for a little sweetness and some chocolate chips, which makes them not quite as healthy, but still better than a regular cookie.  These cookies are sweet, moist and chocolatey.  Definitely a winner!

Chunky Monkey Cookies
* makes 12 large cookies
Adapted from Six Sisters' Stuff
2 ripe bananas, mashed
2 Tbsp creamy peanut butter
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 Tbsp agave syrup (or sugar)
1 cup oats
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mash bananas in a bowl.  Add peanut butter, cocoa, vanilla and agave.  Stir to combine.
3. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.
4. Allow batter to rest for about 20 minutes to soften the oats.
5. Spoon heaping tablespoons of batter on a parchment lined baking sheet.
6. Bake 10-12 minutes or until the bottoms are golden when you lift them up.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

Pin It I'm trying to be healthier.  Now these bars are not overly healthy by any means, but they are a healthier version of my original Chocolate Oatmeal Bars.  I made a few substitutions, using whole wheat flower, adding flaxseed and using applesauce in place of some of the butter.  I also made these for an 8x8 pan because Albert is not on the healthy train and I didn't want to eat an entire 9 x13 pan by myself.  The only major difference that I noticed was that the crust mixture  was not as crumbly as the orignal so I had to crumble it myself to make the topping.  Taste wise these are identical to the orignals.  I will be making this version from now on because no one will ever know that I tried to sneak something healthy into them. 

Whole Wheat Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
1/4 cup butter
2 Tbsp applesauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup oats (I used instant)
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1/2 cup chocolate chips
7 oz. sweetened condensed milk (1/2 of 14oz can, or 3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp) (I used a glass measuring cup with ounce marks to measure mine.

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cream butter, applesauce and sugar.  Add oats, flax and flour and blend until well mixed.
3. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of a greased 8 x 8 pan.
4. Pour sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips in a microwave safe dish.  Microwave on high for 1 minute stirring after 30 seconds, until all chips are melted.
5. Pour chocolate mixture over crust.
6. crumble remaining crust mixture on top of chocolate.  Feel free to sprinkle some extra oatmeal or brown sugar on top if you have trouble covering all of the chocolate.
7. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  Allow to cool before cutting and serving.

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.