Sweet Treats: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

 
I got this recipe from a church friend. These are sooo good. I first thought they wouldn't be, but oh man, was I wrong. Soft, moist, flavorful but not overwhelming. I crave this weekly... they. are. amazing.

1 cup oil (I used applesauce, they will be extra moist. Or you can do 1/2 oil, 1/2 applesauce)
3 cups sugar
2 eggs beaten
1 TBS vanilla
5 cups unbleached flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp nutmeg (I was out, so added an extra 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice)
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 3/4 tsp salt
1 large* can of solid pumpkin (not the mix)
1 bag semi sweet chocolate chips.

Mix together the wet ingredients. Stir in sifted dry ingredients. Mix well. Glop on heaping spoonfuls on your cookie sheet. I do about 3-4 spoonfuls per cookie, so I get 9 cookies per cookie sheet. (They don't need to be this huge, but I like them to be this huge! Almost like cookie/cupcakes) Bake at 375*F for 12-13 minutes or until cookies are cooked through. (You can tell by looking to see if the tops still look mushy and uncooked).

*I have made this using the regular sized can of pumpkin. Still good, but not as good. Get the large 29 oz can.

* Linked to Sweet as Sugar cookies Recipe Linky
*Linked to Remodelholic Recipe Swap

Sweet Treats: Chocolate Chip Strawberry Walnut Banana Bread Recipe

I bought two  bunches of bananas last night, still a little green. But that doesn't stop the boys from cutting into every single one looking for a ripe fruit. Now, I could have trashed them, but decided to turn an aggrivating situation into a mouth watering one.

♥ Chocolate Chip Strawberry Walnut Banana Bread Recipe ♥

1 c sugar

1/2 c vegetable oil

2 large eggs

4 bananas

1 tsp vanilla

2 c flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda (oops, I used baking powder and it was fine)

1/8 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 long squirt lemon juice

1 c walnuts

1 c chopped strawberries

1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix sugar, oil, eggs, bananas, lemon juice and vanilla together in one bowl. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Mix them together. Stir in walnuts, strawberries and chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes in a greased bread pan (or muffin pan, just lower the time).

 I don't like to smother on butter, I like just a small little hint on a thick, warm slice of bread.

My little guy couldn't shove it down his throat fast enough before begging for another piece.

linked to Chic on a Shoestring's Flaunt it Friday.
Sugar and Dots What I Whipped Up Wednesday

Sweet Treats: Chocoley Chocolate And Candied Apples

 
I love chocolate, but don't know a thing about using it. So, when Chocoley sent this amazing kit in exchange for a review, I was totally delighted. It came with tons of goodies I can't wait to try, but here are some of my favorites for now. They also sent me tons of information on how to actually use it. I can tell you, I typically burn chocolate while melting, but this melted so smooth and was very easy to use, and it was a rich, gourmet flavor and texture, unlike other brands of melted chocolate I have used. My readers will receive a discount and a free candy making course, so keep reading for details.

They have so many chocolate products, but I love their dark chocolate (great for snacking when no one is looking). Also, their drizzle Cocoa Lava is amazing too, and they give lots of fun ideas on how to use it.

 My first ever chocolate confectioneries.... so easy and delicious.

First, I used their Caramel Cream Center (and kosher dairy) and Vanilla Cream Center (and kosher dairy) to make these candies. I just rolled them up, dipped them in melted Bada Bing Bada Boom Dark Chocolate Candy Melts (which are also celiac safe/egg free and peanut/tree nut free). After I dipped them, I laid them on wax paper to dry. Then, I melted their Drizzle and Design White Chocolate and drizzled it on. On some pieces, I dabbed a cute little sprinkle polka dot.

Then, I made these candy apples. I have never made candy apples before. It was relatively easy with their directions. I just melted the caramel (about 1/2 lb for 45 seconds) and dipped my cleaned/dried apples. After the caramel hardened, I dipped in melted chocolate and added sprinkles, walnuts and drizzled white chocolate. I so wanted to add mini marshmallows, but I was out. Wouldn't they make super cute Mother's Day gifts... or party favors?

Little Lovables readers get a 15% discount on your first order (excluding tempering machines, shipping, airbrush equipment and sale/clearance items.) Enter coupon code LITTLELOVABLES15 and it expires 5/20/2011.

Also, you can sign up for a free 7 day email chocolate candy molding course, information here.

Be sure to join the community, they have tons of videos, recipes and tutorials, like this chocolate bark and cookie dough balls.

chocoley.com 
facebook.com/bestchocolate
twitter.com/chocolatesupply

*Linked up to Sweet as Sugar Cookies Saturday Sweets Linky.
*Linked to Little Brick Ranch's Foodie Friday.
*Linked to Remodelaholic's Recipe Sundays.

Herbed Fish with Tomato and Olive Relish Recipe

 Oh me of my, this is the best dinner I've made in a long time! And easy, only took maybe 15 mins to prepare. Another HEB recipe, so I can't take all the credit.

I served it with fresh mango, my easy aspargus, and cresent rolls with honey butter drizzled on.

Asparagus

Discard woody ends. Cut in 3rds. Cook in pot on med-high heat, 1/2 inch of water, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and 2 tb butter. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover with lid, and simmer approx  5mins. My kids (and I) love to eat the Asparagus dipped in Girard's Light Ceaser Dressing.

Crescent Rolls with Honey Butter

I used Pillsbury refrigerated rolls. For butter, mix 3 tb room temp butter with appox 2 tb honey. I melted my butter too much, so it had to be drizzled. Don't melt your butter and you can spread it on, delish!

Olive Tapenade

This is a jarred spread from HEB. And it's delishious, even for those who don't like olives! It can be cooked or even just eaten out of the jar on a cracker or bread. If you can't find it, make your own with the list of ingrediants:
black olives, red bell pepper, zuchinni, capers, diced tomatoes, canola oil, dijon mustardd, sugar, garlic, salt, lemon juice, spices.

Herbed Fish with Tomato and Olive Relish

3/4 c. H-E-B Specialty Series Olive Tapenade

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

1 - 1 1/2 lb. fresh salmon or whitefish fillets

1 Tbsp.  Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tbsp. McCormick Italian Seasoning Grinder

1 or 2 lemons

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 450°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Cut tomatoes in half; place tomatoes, olive tapenade and garlic over bottom of baking dish. Stir gently and place in oven 5 minutes.

2. In the meantime, drizzle fillets with olive oil; season both sides with Italian seasoning grinder.

3. Remove pan from oven; push olive mixture to edges of dish. Place fish in center and spoon olive mixture over fish. Squeeze half of one lemon over top and return dish to oven.

4. Bake 10 minutes or until fish just begins to flake when tested with a fork. Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges.

*wall-e and justice league plates for the little guys*

~linked to Remodeliholic's Recipe linky party.

Sweet Treats; Baked Oatmeal Recipe

This recipe is so easy, fast and delicious! I've made this baked oatmeal before with peanut butter, but my family didn't like it too much, I think I added way too much salt (so my fault). But this was perfect... even for the pickiest eaters. I just topped mine with drizzled honey and chopped fresh strawberries. Serve it with bacon for a yummy breakfast.

Ingredients:
 3 c quick cooking oatmeal
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 c milk
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon


Topping Ideas:
fruit~ strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, raisins)
drizzled honey
chopped fresh mint (optional garnish)
yogurt, maple syrup and raisins
warm milk with sliced banannas
whipped cream and chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into a greased 9x9x2 baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30-40 mins or until set and edges are lightly browned. (My oven runs hot, so it only took about 26 minutes).

OH! Linked up to Sweet as Sugar Cookies' Sweets for Saturday linky. TONS of amazing sweets there today.

Sweet Treats: Valentine's Cupcakes

Today, I made cupcakes. Once again, I used the rainbow chip mix, and dyed my frosting with the gel food coloring. Gel coloring seems to be much brighter than the liquid ones.

The little scribbles are so cute and easy. Just melt chocolate, stir it ( food color it if you wish) and pour into a ziplock bag. Lay out a long strip of wax paper and snip a tiny hole in the corner of the bag. Pipe the chocolate into shapes on the wax paper and allow to dry. Before piping, you can draw shapes on paper and place the sheet under the wax paper so you can trace those shapes. After about 20 mins or so, carefully remove and place on frosted cupcakes, (this is why I made tons of extras, for all the ones that I broke while removing). A much, much better tutorial (with pics) of this technique is here on i am baker.

Our family delivered some cupcakes to neighbors, friends and children I teach in Sunday school. But it got dark early and people weren't home, and we were getting hungry...

 ...so we grabbed pizza, went home, and gobbled cupcakes, along with these ginormously, beautiful strawberries the hubs brought home.

Aren't you loving our 5year old's, double black eye? He acquired it yesterday from jumping from our coffee table to the sofa and banged his pour little nose on the sofa arm. The same day, our 3 year old got a bead stuck up his nose. Oh the painful joys of childhood!

Our 3 year old having a melt down b/c the wrapper wasn't peeled perfectly from his cupcake.

Oh, and my husband brought flowers too. These lovely purple ones, because he didn't want to be "too cliche'" and get roses.

I hope your Valentine's Day was as sweet as ours!

Not so Boring Whites

light locations

 I just wanted to let the world know, that a room with a mixture of whites, blacks, grays and beige can still be warm, inviting and full of personality. Add a tiny pale splash of any color you wish (like the light blush pillows and throw above) for a touch of warmth and charm.  Need more color? With a white palate, it's easy to add colorful pieces anytime you wish, I like to rotate things out according to my mood and seasons.

ice puppet

get it girl style

 Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe by Katie Quinn Davies via Design Sponge

 

gingerella

marie claire maison

desire to inspire