Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies & Pumpkin Choc Chip Banana Bread!!

Happy Weekend!

Wrapping up college has been a crazy, continuous whirlwind, to say the least, but I've been able to get some baking in!!

Up first, I made Chocolate Cookies with Peanut Butter Chips & Reese's Pieces! To this day, these are my brother & sister's favorite cookie! (Sorry Emily & Mark-- next time I see you I'll make more!)  

If you are a chocolate and peanut butter lover, like I am, these are the cookie for you! A soft, chocolaty cookie with bursts of peanut butter...Heaven. 

I brought most of these into work with me! A very-welcomed & appreciated Tuesday Treat!

 Before making these, I made my good ol' Whole Wheat Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Banana Bread!  In addition to these two big guys (8'' x 4''), the batch made 2 little loaves too (5'' x 3'') ! (NOTE I made a double batch of the recipe linked to this post! A single batch, as posted, would make a very-mounded 8'' x 4'', or the 8'' x 4'' + a little one!) Made with 100% Whole Wheat flour and no butter or oil, you can even feel good about eating a slice (or two..or three...)! ;)

Much more baking to come after finals are over and as graduation nears!

You can find the recipe for the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Banana Bread here!

Cookie recipe below!

Chocolate Cookies with Peanut Butter Chips & Reese's Pieces

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa (I used Hershey's this time)

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened 

(if you use salted butter, just leave out the added salt)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar 

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 11oz bag peanut butter chips

1-2 cups Reese's Pieces

(I usually use 2 cups, but I got a little carried away "taste testing" them before making the cookies...:))

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk together and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, use electric mixer to beat softened butter, granulated sugar,brown sugar, and vanilla until creamy.  Add in the 2 eggs and beat well (scrape down the sides of the bowl if you need to).

Then, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture.  Beat at a low speed, or just fold in by hand.  When almost all of the flour streaks are gone, mix in the peanut butter chips and Reese's Pieces with a wooden spoon. Keep mixing until everything is combined.

Scoop spoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet (~1-2 inches apart, depending on the size of the cookies).  I usually line my cookie sheets with parchment paper for easy clean up / to prevent sticking. Bake for 8-11 minutes, or until they look firm and not-shiny. Cool on baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.  

Enjoy warm or fully cooled! 

Warm & crumbled over some vanilla fro yo or ice cream is my eating-method-of-choice!

Have a great weekend!

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars! *healthified & delicious!*

What's a girl to do with 4 baking-ready (aka mushy) bananas?

As you may have noticed from previous posts, when I have extra bananas, I usually make banana bread (except for that one time I made banana cupcakes with honey cinnamon cream cheese frosting). I've done regular banana bread, chocolate chip banana bread, peanut butter chocolate chip banana bread, pumpkin chocolate chip banana bread.....

and they're all tasty! But I wanted to make not-a-bread.

So,

I made these! Whole Wheat Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Bars!! As the title makes rather obvious, these are made with 100% whole wheat flour and old-fashioned rolled oats. Also, I made them with no butter or oil! The only fat comes from the eggs and the chocolate! You could of course leave out the chocolate to make a healthier product; however, I believe everything is better when chocolate is involved.... ;)

They turned out soft, moist, and full of flavor! The chocolate-banana combination was delicious, and the oats gave them a hearty-healthy texture. mmmmmm mmmmmmmmm

Recipe!

Rachel’s Whole Wheat Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Bars

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
3-4 medium/large bananas, mashed
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
10 oz bag mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 15x10 inch jelly-roll pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray (i.e. PAM).

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and brown sugar. Stir in Oats. Add all of the wet ingredients (applesauce, eggs, mashed banana, and vanilla) and fold into the dry ingredients until well combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Spread into greased jelly-roll pan and bake for about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in the pan on a cooling rack. Delicious cut and served warm, or cooled!

Enjoy!!!

Good Ol' Chocolate Chip Cookies!

When I ask people what their favorite kind of cookie is, I'd say at least 8 times out of 10, the answer is chocolate chip. It's a classic. It has chocolate. and it is the perfect sweet treat!!

I like to mix things up a little bit and make things that aren't exactly what is to be expected. So, when I made these chocolate chip cookies, I made them with 100% Whole Wheat flour!! The results?? DELICIOUS! No one had any idea they were whole wheat. Packed full of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips, these babies are high in fiber and whole grains too!

Recipe? You bet!

Rachel's Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

3 cups Whole Wheat Flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

3 T milk

2 tsp vanilla

1 12-oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 11-oz bag milk chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugars with electric mixer until well combined and fluffy. Add in the 2 eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat until mixed. Then, add in the flour mixture and the chocolate chips (I put them in at the same time). Mix with the mixer just until combined, or fold in by hand.

Scoop onto baking sheet (I always line with parchment paper. and I used a small-sized cookie scoop). Bake 7-9 minutes or until just starting to brown around the edges.

Let cool on baking sheet for about 2 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

SO GOOD warm out of the oven!! Also delish with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fro yo!

Enjoy!!

RECIPES INCLUDED: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread & Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

I love making banana breads. They are versatile, can be made healthier at no expense to the flavor or texture, freeze well, and are moist & delicious!

Since I make banana breads so often, I decided to start experimenting more with varieties. On the left below is a Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, and on the right is a Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Banana Bread!

Both are whole wheat, contain no butter or oil, and are reduced sugar (note: reduced sugar = less sugar than the original recipe. However, they are by no means low in sugar!)

I made two mini loaves and one big loaf of each kind. Some of them I gave to people as gifts, like this one:

I cut the big ones each in half. I brought one half of each to work, and kept the other half of each for me and my roommates! Below, the left loaf is the peanut butter chocolate chip banana bread, and the right is the pumpkin chocolate chip banana bread.

The gooey middle is my favorite part...

I am so pleased with how they came out! Moist, tasty, flavorful, chocolatey!

And now, for the recipes! I have never put up recipes before; however, I've gotten many requests to do so. After some thinking, I decided I'm going to start posting them! Just promise you'll still come to my bakery when I open it!! ;)

Here they are!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 T baking powder (I know, it seems like a lot. You're reading right though-- Tablespoon)

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup applesauce

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup ripe banana, mashed (about 2)

2 eggs (slightly beaten)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup milk

6-10oz chocolate chips (I use mini ones!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.

In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate large bowl, combine the applesauce, sugars, peanut butter, and banana. Stir until combined. Beat in eggs. Pour in milk and vanilla. Then, add the flour mixture. Mix just until combined. Gently stir in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until cooked through (the center should spring back when pressed lightly with your finger). Cool in loaf pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 15oz can pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup mashed banana (about 2)

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs (slightly beaten)

6-10oz chocolate chips (I use minis!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.

In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

In a separate large bowl, combine the pumpkin, sugars, banana, and vanilla. Add eggs and stir until well combined. Then, add the flour mixture. Mix just until combined. Gently stir in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until cooked through (the center should spring back when pressed lightly with your finger). Cool in loaf pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely.

Enjoy!!

Blondies from the Blonde :)

HAPPPYYY FRIDAYYY!!!!

This was a long week and I am SO glad it's Friday. Today's treat--
~*Chocolate Chip Blondies!!*~

The best way I can think to describe them is this: they taste like a super-soft chocolate chip cookie...almost like cookie dough, but cooked...

...mmmmmmm....melts in your mouth....

Delicious as is, or try with a scoop of ice cream for an extra-special treat!

Have a great weekend!

End of the Week Treat! V-day themed!

Happy Friday!

This week's End of the week treat = cookies!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip M&M Peanut Butter Cookies, to be exact!!

With Valentine's Day M&Ms of course, because, well, you can never have too much love...right?

The base is made up of about half flour and half oats, and I decided to use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose. Why? Why not?! Certainly can't call them healthy cookies, but might as well add nutritional benefits where I can!

High in protein and fiber, soft, chewy, and chocolaty! I'll take it! :)

End of the Week Treat!

Happy Friday!!

I'm totally on a chocolate peanut butter kick!

SO, I made chocolate peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Bringing them to work, to a reunion potluck, to a sorority retreat...lots of places to bring along baked goods for peeps!

Have a great weekend!

Banana chocolate chip muffins anyone?!

Happy Friday!

In keeping with my goal of baking at least one treat per week, I chose to make a good ol' fav of mine- banana chocolate chip muffins. BUT, with a slightly healthy twist: 100% whole whole and IF they didn't have chocolate chips, they'd be fat-free. So think of it as a nutritious banana muffin, with a kick of chocolate and a sprinkling of turbinado sugar on top.

Mini-sized, cute, you can just pop 'em in your mouth! The perfect balance, right?

No one can ever tell that they are whole wheat and have a fat-free batter!

:)

Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

Winter Break Baking!

First post of 2012! How exciting! While I was home for winter break, I baked a few different things!

For Christmas Eve dinner, my family always does the traditional Italian Seven Fishes Feast for dinner. My Dad heads that up, while my brothers, sister, and I help in different ways. I always do the desserts.

And this is what I made! The main dessert is Chocolate Red Wine Cake with Whipped Mascarpone Frosting (plus more to dollop on top) garnished with strawberries. I also made Christmas cookies (some with my sister and my mom too)! There are walnut snowballs, spritz, almond crescents dipped in chocolate, gingerbread cookies, and peanut butter kiss cookies! And to add some healthfulness to the mix, I served a fruit tray with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, kumquats, clementines, figs, apricots, and dates. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Red Wine Cake with Whipped Mascarpone & Strawberries

Cookie Tray!

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies, Snowballs, and Gingerbreads!

Banana Breads + some muffins!! Made it for my family to have for breakfast! I make this all the time; it is consistently delicious & loved by all!

These are 100% whole wheat, and the one without chocolate chips is fat free. The base to the chocolate chip bread is fat free, just has the addition of chocolate chips! The flavor is fantastic and the texture is super-moist! No one can tell they're actually healthy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving!

What a perrrfect time for togetherness & baking! My annual Thanksgiving signature: Apple Pie.

Tried making a new recipe this time and it was DELISH! The key was turning the brown sugar mixture into a sauce, essentially a caramel sauce, and mixing it in with the apples. Then, after arranging the lattice top-crust, I poured more of the sauce over the top. Yummm. Perfectly sweet and amazing topped with vanilla ice cream (or frozen yogurt). No leftovers, which was sad, but at least that means it was enjoyed by my loving family! :)

On Friday I made these peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, in the spirit of giving of course, for my two brothers to bring back to college with them! I brought some back to DC with me for my roommates too!

Next post: December!! Christmas cookies here I come!

Cupcakes & Cookies

Cupcakes & Cookies--> what could be better?!

Who doesn't like red velvet cupcakes?! Moist & delicious, finished with creamy cream cheese frosting. YUM!




And now the cookies! These are oatmeal cookies with chocolate covered toffee pieces and chocolate chips! A touch of cinnamon adds a unique taste to these! They are definitely one of my favorites!

Baking Update: yumyumyum

It's been a little while since I posted, but don't worry- I haven't stopped baking! My photos here aren't fantastic, but the treats were scrumptious! I brought 'em into work at Taste of DC!

Here's a little recap...

Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Classic.

Chocolate cookies with mint chips, dark chocolate chips, and peppermint pattie chunks. SO good. These were truly addicting.

And finally, fudgy peanut butter swirl brownies. I love anything and everything that combines chocolate & peanut butter, and these are no exception! I've made them before- always chocolaty, fudgy, peanut buttery goodness. YUM

Taste of DC: Day 1!

Today was day 1 at Taste of DC! So of course, baked goods were in order. These are peanut butter-oatmeal-chocolate chip-m&m cookies. Definitely one of my favorites, and I think they went over very well :)

Brownies, muffins, and mac & cheese!

Ok so this is a catch-up post for the things I've been making for everyone to enjoy during finals week!

These are my DELICIOUS homemade, fudgy, chocolate chunk brownies! There are also brownie-cookie bars too!




These are tasty, very healthy muffins. They are oatmeal and whole wheat, fat-free muffins. Some of them have apple butter in the middle. A delicious and nutritious part of a healthy breakfast :)!


And finally, this is homemade mac & cheese with breadcrumbs on top. So so tasty-- you'll never want the box kind again!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! Here we have peanut butter oatmeal cookies with m&ms and chocolate chips (actually called monster cookies), and chocolate coconut oatmeal easter cookie nests with peanut m&ms in the middle! yummmmy!

formal breakfast...

I made these breads for post-formal breakfast. But I tried to healthify them a little bit, so all of them are fat free and whole wheat (but then I added chocolate chips to the banana bread and one of the pumpkin breads, so those aren't technically fat free anymore, but still better for ya!) So we have pumpkin bread, chocolate chip pumpkin bread, and chocolate chip banana bread. However, I didn't think to take pictures until after I pulled them out for people, so the pictures are a testament that they were tasty :) haha nom.

Chocolate chip banana bread

Chocolate chip pumpkin bread

Regular pumpkin bread (naturally people preferred the chocolate chip haha)

Chocolate Chip Cookies and Peanut Butter Loaded Cookies

Cookies! Made these for phi psi to (hopefully) pump them up for arrowstrike! The pictures say way more than words can, so I'll let these treats speak for themselves :)