Banana Bread Cookies

My mom used to make these cookies for me when I was a kid. When I would have sleepovers she would make a big batch and all us girls would snack on them all night. They are a healthy cookie so I don't feel bad letting my kids have 2-3 :) They really taste like little banana bread bites, so good!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup sugar

2/3 cup applesauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup egg beaters or 3 egg whites

1 cup mashed bananas (about 3)

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups flour

 2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
cinnamon and sugar mix

1. Mix sugar, applesauce, oil, eggs, banana, and vanilla. Add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix until all combined. The dough will be super soft. Kinda like banana bread. Put the whole bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes. Or be like me and stick it in the freezer for 15 minutes so you can eat them sooner :)
2. After they have been chilled preheat your oven to 400 and use a cookie scoop and scoop out 12 per cookie sheet. Sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar and bake for 8 minutes. As soon as they are done remove them and place on cooling racks. Then EAT! They are nice and fluffy. So good! Now you could add chocolate chips, walnuts, or a sweet glaze.

Nice and fluffy

                         Really cute babies like snacking on them, yum!

Halloween Goodies

Ok, you have just a few days to make a couple more Halloween treats soooo.... here are a few to snack on! I hope you enjoy!

Witch Broom cookies

Ingredients:
Peanut butter Cookies: (you could use your favorite recipe in place of this one if you wanted)
1/2 cup butter, soft (for low fat use a 1/4 cup applesauce)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cup flour

honey wheat pretzels
chocolate melties
sprinkles

1. Mix up your cookie ingredients by creaming your butter (or applesauce) with sugars, peanut butter, and egg. Stir in the vanilla. Go ahead and add your dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
2. Next you are going place 6-8 pretzels on ungreased cookie sheet. Using a small cookie scoop make a ball of dough. Press each ball onto the end of each pretzel. Press the dough with a fork to resemble "bristles" of broom. Bake at 350 for about 8-9 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on cookie sheet before carefully removing them onto a wire rack.
3. Heat up your chocolate in the microwave until smooth. Using a spoon, drizzle chocolate over the cookies and pretzel. You can also put white chocolate chips, peanut chips, or butterscotch chips in a zip lock bag and melt them, snip the tip of the bag, and drizzle over for a little more decoration. Sprinkle with sprinkles and enjoy!

Halloween Lunch


Sandwich of any kind : pb & J, turkey and cheese, tuna, whatever you and kids like
Halloween cookie cutters
carrots
pears
mozzarella cheese
gummy worms

1. Make your sandwich and using a pumpkin cookie cutter cut out your sandwich.
2. Next cut your veggies, fruit, and cheese and place them on a plate to look like candy corn.
3. For a sweet treat add some gummy worms and you have a fun lunch!

Pumpkin Gingerbread
I was going through my mom's recipes and I came across this one. I totally forgot about it and it is so good with tons of flavor! Perfect if you have some leftover pumpkin that needs to be used up! Moist,dense, and delicious with butter!



Ingredients:

2 cups flour (you can do one white and one whole wheat pastry flour)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ginger
1 cup pumpkin
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 egg whites
1/2 cup fat free vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup fat free milk
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
dash of salt

1. Preheat our oven to 350. Spray your loaf pan. Combine all the dry ingredients in one bowl. Mix all the wet ingredients in another bowl. Pour wet into dry and mix until just combined.
2. Pour into pan and bake for 35-45 minutes. I start checking my bread at about 30 minutes. When you are baking low fat breads it is really important to NOT over bake. It will lead to a dry bread. So start checking your bread early and take out as soon as your toothpick comes out clean.
3. Let cool before you wrap in plastic wrap for freshness. Yum!! This is really yummy, especially warm out of the oven!

Cranberry Orange Biscotti

My brother Bryce, slimmed down this recipe and it is so yummy! We love dipping these cookies in hot cocoa. Perfect for the holidays! I always thought that biscotti sounded hard and time consuming, but it is easy and super good, definitely worth it and a great snack!!


Ingredients:

2 cups flour (you could do half whole wheat pastry to add a bit more whole grains)
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 tablespoons tub butter (I like brummel and brown)
3 egg whites, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup craisens
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 teaspoon grated orange peel

1. Preheat your oven to 350. Cover a cookie sheet in foil and spray with non-stick spray.
2. Mix your flour, sugar, and baking powder together. Cut in the tub butter. Add the beaten egg whites and both extracts. Mix all together. Keep mixing until all the ingredients are combined. (Halfway through a used my hands to really mix it all together.
3. Next toss in the craises, almonds, and orange peel. Mix well. Shape into 2 logs and place on cookie sheet. Like this.....


4. Cook at 350 for 25 minutes. Next, put logs on a cutting board and cool for 5 minutes. Slice into cookies. Like this....... oh, and sprinkle with a bit of sugar


5.Bake for another 18 minutes and done!! Dunk and enjoy!

* These would be great dipped in white chocolate and sprinkles with holiday sprinkles for friends and family! Yum!!

Low-Fat Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

These are my no-fail cookies! I make them practically every week! I am not kidding, there is no way you will be able to tell these are low in fat because they are soft, chewy, and delicious!! I know that they will be a favorite in your house too!!




Ingredients:

1/2 cup applesauce
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
3 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter (don't used reduced fat, they don't turn out, I have tried it:)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cup flour
2 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat your oven to 375.
2. Mix your applesauce, sugar, brown sugar, egg whites and vanilla together in a bowl. When all mixed and smooth add the peanut butter.
3. In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until all combined. Next, add in your chocolate chips.
4. Drop by a cookie scoop on to an ungreased baking sheet and cook for 10 minutes. DONE!!
* They really will be done after 10 minutes. They will cook a bit more while cooking so don't over cook them. Since there is no butter, over cooking them will dry them out! Don't worry, they will be perfect!

Craisin White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

I received this recipe years ago when I was first married from my sister-in law, Shana. I altered it a bit to make them low fat and they turned out great!! So good! I tested them on my friend, hubby, and brother and got thumbs up from them all! They have a slightly crunchy out side with a soft chewy inside. YUMMY!



Ingredients:

1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
3 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups oatmeal (I used quick cooking oats)
1 cup white chocolate chips
3/4 cup craisins

1. Heat oven to 350
2. Combine applesauce, sugars, egg whites, and vanilla. Add in flour, baking soda, salt and oat. Stir in white chips and craisins.
3. Using a scooper or spoon drop onto cookie sheet and gently press them down so they are sightly flat. This way they cook even. Sprinkle sugar on tops of cookies (makes a sweet crunchy top). Bake for 10-11 minutes.

*You want to be careful not to over cook them. When the centers aren't doughy in the middle pull them out. Because there isn't butter in these cookies, sometimes you have to play with the cooking time. You don't want doughy cookies, but also you don't want hard cookies. So after 10-11 minutes pull them out, they should be perfect!

Homemade Oreos

These are so tasty and quick from a mix so you can whip them up in no time! Soft cookies with a creamy middle, they will be a hit in your home!!



Ingredients:

1 package devils food cake mix
5 egg whites beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil (or 1/4 applesauce and 2 tbsp oil)

Filling:

1/2 lb (2 cups aprox) powdered sugar
4 oz. low fat cream cheese
3 tablespoon tub butter/soft butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1. Mix cake mix, egg whites, and oil together. Use a tablespoon to form dough into balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8 min at 350. They will be done cooking even if they seem like they could use a few more minutes. Trust me :) Take off cookie sheet and let them cool completely.

2. Mix powdered cream cheese and butter together and add in sugar and vanilla. Add more sugar to get the consistency you like for filling. Spread on cookies and make a sandwich.
3. Keep in an air tight container to stay fresh and soft. Enjoy!

"Ono" cookies

This cookie recipe comes from a friend who is from Hawaii. I don't know what is different about this one than others, maybe the proportions, but it is so good! I am taking you back to your basic delicious chocolate chip cookie, but I altered it a bit. Everyone needs a "go to " cookie recipe, this is it! Most chocolate chip cookies are made with butter or shortening and with in a day or two they aren't as soft and moist. Well, my secret is to cut the butter in half and use applesauce. These cookies will stay moist all week and no one will know the difference! These will be your new favorite and you don't have to feel guilty either!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup soft butter

1/4 cup applesauce

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup nuts

1. Cream your butter, applesauce, and sugars together. Add in your egg and vanilla.

2. Add in the flour, soda, and salt. Next, mix in the chocolate chips and nuts. Bake at 375 for about 9 minutes. You don't want to over bake them. So when they look like they are just beginning to turn light brown around the edges, pull them out! Enjoy them warm, out of the cookie jar, or make yummy ice cream sandwiches!

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

This is a yummy and very very fast cookie to whip up! It has just a few ingredients and a great summer treat because to keep the chocolate cool you keep them in the fridge. A nice cool cookie that is naturally low in fat, what more could you ask for!

Ingredients:

1 package (5 1/3 cups) flaked coconut

2/3 cup sugar

6 tablespoons flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 egg whites, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips, divided

1. Preheat oven to 325. Toss coconut, sugar, flour, and salt together. Add egg whites and extract. Mix well. Drop by tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart onto a greased and floured cookie sheet.

2. Bake 18-20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Immediately remove form baking sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

3. Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips in a microwave bowl and dip bottoms of cookies into chocolate. Place on a wax lined cookie sheet. Put 1/4 cup chocolate chips in a zip lock bag and microwave until melted and smooth. Cut the tip of the bag off and squeeze and drizzle over cookies. Put in fridge until chocolate is set. Keep in fridge in a tupperware to stay fresh!

Two new recipes!

I didn't want to wait to post two different recipes so I am just putting them both on here! The are both new and divine! The first is a yummy dessert that I made. They are blondies, like brownies but without the cocoa. Next is a creamy soup you will love! Enjoy!

Three Great Taste Blondies

These are so moist and rich. Rex was sad when I gave most of them to our friends, but don't worry I saved him a few! These are great to cut into bars and really good with a big glass of milk!

Ingredients

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup butter or margarine, melted

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup (of each) peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease really well or line with sprayed foil a 15 1/2 X 10 1/2 X 1 inch jelly roll pan. (I don't have a jelly roll pan so I put mine in a tart dish but a 9X13 pan would work just fine).

2. Stir together brown sugar and butter in large bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add flour, salt, beating just until blended; stir in all the chips! Spread into prepared pan.

3 Bake 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely in pan. Cut into bars. Drizzle with melted chocolate. (put a handful of chocolate chips into a zip lock bad and microwave for 30 seconds at a time until smooth. Cut tip of bag off and drizzle.)

* Since I was delivering these bars and it was my first time making them I didn't experiment with them by trying to make them low fat but I will now! I will let you know how they turn out!

Inside Out Reese's Cookies

I love any reason to bake, cook, or get into the kitchen! I made these cookies for one of the girls that I visit teach. I love taking a classic like a peanut butter cookie and adding a twist! These cookies have a chocolate treat in the middle! So yummy!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, soft

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/4 cup flour

2 Hershey candy bars, cut into 1 inch squares ( you could also use chocolate chips)

1. In a large mixing bowl beat butter and peanut butter until well combined. Add sugars, baking soda, and baking powder. Scrap down sides. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. Add as much flour as you can with mixer and finish stirring by hand if necessary.
2. Using a cookie scooper, fill scoop half way with dough and place a piece of chocolate in the middle. Then place more dough on top. Scoop out onto tray. Fill tray and bake for 8-9 minutes in a 375 degree oven.
3.While cookies are cooling, take remaining chocolate and place in a zip lock bag. Microwave for about 30 seconds or until chocolate is melted. Snip the tip of the bag off and drizzle over cookies. Let them cool before transferring them to jar or container! Enjoy!

*I have made these cookies low fat before by replacing the butter with 1/4 cup applesauce. They really do turn out great!! Give it a try!