Category: Cookies

Banana Surplus

Sadie3 Comments

Here’s what my banana situation looked like last week:

Bananas

I knew I had to do something about it, because I couldn’t eat all those ripe bananas before they just turned to mush.

So I debated my options.

First, I thought I could make the banana peanut butter chocolate chip cookies I made in the fall because they’re delicious, and maybe bring them to work. But I’m actually on the verge of baking a few batches of cookies for a co-worker’s birthday next week, so more cookies just seemed excessive (did you notice that leaf that turned over in that sentence that I just wrote).  Then, I thought to myself, I could make banana bread and mail it to my grandparents (otherwise I would eat the whole loaf myself in one day). But I just sent them Valentines chocolate, so I don’t want them to get used to a care package every week. That’s a hard pace to keep up.

But then I remembered a post I saw either on Pinterest or a link from another blog about two ingredient cookies, just bananas and oats. It caught my eye, and I was curious to try it out. I love bananas, I love oats, what could go wrong? (By the way, even though I said I wasn’t going to make more cookies, these hardly count as full blown cookies.)

not the most photogenic

So anyway, I ran to the store to pick up some oats, and a couple mix-ins: walnuts, mini chocolate chips, and almond butter. I figured I needed to punch up the recipe a little because just bananas and oats could be a little bland.

The recipe is the easiest thing ever, and the results were solid but nothing revolutionary I must say. The cookies remind me of banana bread batter. Not bad, but not crave-worthy. None the less, a good, healthy snack to have on hand, and a nice use for those ripe bananas!

Here’s my adaptation of the recipe (I doubled it and added stuff):

Two Ingredient Cookies (sort of)

Adapted from: Foodlets, yields about 2 dozen small cookies (give or take, depending on how much batter you eat)

Ingredients

  • 4 ripe bananas
  • 2 scant cups of oats
  • 1/4 cup almond butter
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Mash up the bananas with a fork. Add the almond butter and combine. Add oats and other mix-ins and stir until combined.

3. Make one and a half inch balls of dough and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Press the balls down with a fork like you would with peanut butter cookies. They will not expand in the oven.

ready for the oven4. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes. Allow to cool completely. And enjoy!

out of the oven!

Pecan Sandras

CarrieLeave a comment

As any great baker will know, it is always exciting to try a new recipe.  Though they might not turn out correctly the first time or taste the way you thought it would, experimentation is the key to finding those great “go-to” recipes.   Over the holiday, I tried a few new cookie recipes, two of which were from The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook by Cheryl and Griffith Day.  I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the treats that I made and that the recipes were easy to follow.  I will go as far to suggest that you pick this book up ASAP.  Don’t forget that our favorite QVC host, David Venable, endorses this book on ITKWD as well.  I made some minor adjustments to the size of the cookie but other than that, the recipes were fantastic.  Pecan Sandras are to die for and lucky for you I’m sharing the recipe (FYI Sadie enjoyed these as well).

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Ingredients

2 sticks butter unsalted, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg, 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, 2 1/4 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.  Line two cookies sheets with parchment or use a Silpat.

In a stand mixer, beat the butter, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt on medium speed.  If you are using salted butter, simply omit the salt or just add a smaller amount.  You can taste the batter after you add the flour to see if you need to make any adjustment.  Turn the speed to low and add the flour slowly.  Add the pecans and mix until just incorporated.  Do not overmix as the batter will get tough.

Finish mixing by hand to make sure all the bits of flour and butter are combined.  Use a small scoop to form the cookies.  I prefer about a one inch ball.  Place it on the prepared cookie sheet and then flatten the cookie slightly with the palm of your hand.

Bake the cookie for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.  The cookies should be lightly golden when done.  Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes.

Once the cookies are cool enough to handle, smother them in confectioners’ sugar.  They are simply delectable and ready for tasting!  Who knows?…they might be perfect for your sweetie on Valentine’s Day!

Christmas Is All about Giving

Carrie1 Comment

IMG_0152Take a look back to the early 90’s.  These were the days when it was exciting to get a toaster oven for Christmas.  We now find ourselves in the 21st century when it is exciting to get the latest version of the iPad.  Thanks to the recession and life, most of us cannot afford to give our friends such lavish gifts.  Instead of searching around TJ Maxx to buy something luxurious for your friend at a bargain basement price that you can afford, give them something that will make a lasting impression.  Nothing says you care like something homemade.  I decided this year that I would make an assortment of cookies and other treats to share with my close friends.  You can make cupcake platterss, cookie trays, gift baskets.  Don’t forget that you can even have small dinner parties for your friends to enjoy your homemade delights.  I can guarantee that they all will appreciate the time you have put into your creations.  My grandmother always told me that the greatest gift you can give is your time.  Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.  Make sure you step back and take time to enjoy it yourself!

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These are lemon cream cheese frosted vanilla cupcakes topped with a ginger molasses cookie.IMG_0214
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This is a picture of my dining room all decked out with Christmas. ‘Tis the season.