Category Archives: Desserts

July 3, 2012 · 3:38 pm

Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothies and Popsicles

I have been following Catherine Newman ever since I read her book Waiting for Birdy. (If you are a parent with little people at home you will LOVE this book. Trust me.) So even though we may not have super little people in our house anymore, I am still stalking following her because of her fantastic recipes. It’s been a while since I have made something from her blog, but this makes up for the wait. These are SOOOOO good! We made them into smoothies and popsicles and they were FANTASTIC both ways! I bet you could make them with blueberries, too.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sliced fresh or frozen strawberries
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (or plain or strawberry yogurt…we used plain Greek)
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup milk
3 ice cubes
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 T Agave syrup or another sweetener, to taste (we made some with and some without…some of us liked it better with the agave syrup and some of us liked it better without)

Instructions:
Put everything in a blender and mix until well blended.

What did the family think? Love, love and more love!

Where did this recipe come from? Ben and Birdy

photo courtesy of the resident 3rd grader

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Filed under After School Snacks, Beverages, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Easy, Everybody Ate It, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian

June 2, 2012 · 3:49 pm

No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Balls

These are SO good and perfect for a quick snack and just enough chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth. I made ours with just chocolate, but I think coconut would be a good addition too.

Instructions:
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup crisp rice cereal
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup dried cranberries, raisins, chocolate chips or coconut (mix and match these however you want, but all together there should only be 1/2 cup)

Instructions:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, peanut butter, and butter. Stir until melted and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.

Remove from heat; stir in cereal and oats. Let the mixture cool for about five minutes and stir in the chocolate chips/coconut/dried cranberries/raisins.

Drop mixture by the tablespoon into mini paper cupcake or candy liners. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. (I just skipped the cupcake holders/liners and put them directly on the baking sheet.)

What did the family think? Only two of us have had any so far, but these are SO yummy and perfectly bite-sized.

Where did this recipe come from? I got it from Two Peas and Their Pod and they got it from Martha Stewart.

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Filed under After School Snacks, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Six Ingredients or Less, Vegetarian

April 18, 2012 · 1:29 pm

Cakey Brownies

I am not a huge brownie/cake fan. I am more of a pie kind of girl, but sometimes my husband just needs his chocolate fix. He and the boys were thumbing through Food Network Magazine and were fairly fascinated with all of the brownie recipes they had in one of their issues. It became clear to me that they all wanted some brownies and since I needed to make something for an event we were going to later on in the day anyways….well, it was time to make the brownies.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups flour
3 T cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 sticks butter
2 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup water
6 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped (I just used chocolate chips.)
5 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
Powdered sugar

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Coat a 9 x 13-inch pan with cooking spray.

Whisk flour, cocoa powder salt and baking powder in a medium bowl.

Bring butter, brown sugar and water to simmer in a saucepan.

Off the heat, whisk in chocolate.

Let the butter/sugar/chocolate mixture cool for about ten minutes.

Whisk in eggs one at a time and then add vanilla.

Stir in the flour mixture.

Spread in the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean.

Let cool and then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

What did the family think? The family as well as the people at the event we went to all gave them a thumbs up.

Where did this recipe come from? Food Network Magazine

photo from Following God Every Day

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March 26, 2012 · 8:31 pm

Pineapple and Strawberry Smoothie

Both strawberries and pineapples were buy one get one free at the store this week, which is awesome, but now I have a lot of pineapple and strawberries and I have to figure out what to do with all of them before they go bad. This was part of our breakfast yesterday…it’s a great way to use produce and a great way to get a bunch of fruit into your kids (and you) all at once.

Ingredients:
6 oz. low-fat vanilla or plain yogurt
1 large banana
1/2 cup chopped pineapple
1/2 cup strawberries
2-3 tbsp. ground flax seed
1/4 cup milk

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until thick and smooth.

Add more milk if it’s too thick.

What did the family think? Only three of us were home when I made these, but we all liked it.

Did I change anything? This isn’t going to come out super cold. Blend some ice in too if you want it colder.

Where did this recipe come from? adapted from a recipe at Annie’s Eats

photo from Kelsey’s Apple a Day

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March 25, 2012 · 8:24 pm

Honey Yogurt Waffles

I use my waffle maker all the time. My husband gave it to me for Christmas about three years ago. I didn’t use it a lot right away, but I use it at least 2-3 times a month now. We love having breakfast for dinner and that usually includes homemade waffles. These honey yogurt waffles were on the menu this week and they were a hit.

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/4 cups skim milk
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup honey
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Maple syrup or honey-for serving

Instructions:
Melt the butter in the microwave and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together flours, oats, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.

In another bowl, whisk together the milk, yogurt, honey, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. Gently fold in the melted butter.

Preheat and lightly grease the waffle iron.

When the waffle iron is hot, pour batter into the wells of the waffle iron. (Fill according to the manufacturer’s instructions).

Close the lid and bake until the waffle is golden and set.

Carefully remove waffle from iron and serve warm with maple syrup or a drizzle of honey.

What did the family think? These were super tasty. We all loved them.

Where did this recipe come from? I got it from Two Peas and Their Pod and they got it from Williams-Sonoma.

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Easy, Everybody Ate It, Lent, Vegetarian

February 27, 2012 · 11:27 am

One-Minute Brownie Sundaes

Okay, so these actually take maybe more like two minutes, but that’s because you have to let them cool off for a bit before you add the ice cream. These are (reportedly) super yummy and can be made at a moment’s notice.

Ingredients:
1 T cocoa powder
1 T flour
1 T brown sugar
1 T water
1 T vegetable oil
1 scoop of your favorite ice cream

Instructions:
Put everything but the ice cream in a microwaveable mug, stir and microwave for one minute.

Let if cool off just a bit and add the ice cream. Stir up for a cold and warm and creamy treat.

What did the family think? I didn’t have one, but I made them for the hubs and the kids and they LOVED them.

Where did this recipe come from? adapted from a recipe from Food Network

image from On the Table

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Filed under After School Snacks, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Easy, Six Ingredients or Less, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian

February 23, 2012 · 9:57 am

Melted Ice Cream Cake

I made this cake for Mardi Gras and to say that my boys inhaled it would be an understatement. Seriously. They inhaled it and they aren’t even huge cake fans, especially when there’s not any icing involved. What I loved about this cake is all the possibilities. It’s just three things: cake mix, ice cream and eggs, but you could make it with strawberry ice cream and vanilla cake mix or cinnamon ice cream and chocolate cake mix and the list goes on and on and on.

Ingredients:
1 box cake mix (18.25 oz) in any flavor
1 pint ice cream, soft, but not totally melted
3 eggs

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease cake pan liberally with cooking spray and flour.

Mix the cake mix, eggs and ice cream together and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed.

Follow box for baking times. Time will vary based on type of pan you use. I used a bundt cake pan.

Let cool and remove from pan.

Allow to cool on wire rack.

If you want to use a glaze on it (which I highly recommend)…

Ingredients:
1/4 cup milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:
In medium saucepan combine ingredients with a whisk over low heat.

Stir until glaze is smooth.

Pour over cake. Most of the glaze will run off. I always put the cake on a cooling rack and put a cookie sheet underneath since I made a bundt cake and had to take it out of the pan anyways.

What did the family think? They inhaled it.

Where did this recipe come from? Cookies and Cups

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February 6, 2012 · 4:55 pm

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

This was our special Superbowl treat that we munched on last night after we’d had dinner. There’s nothing like a little Madonna and Cee Lo while you’re snacking on some chocolatey oatmeal yumminess.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups rolled oats
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:
Cream butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla with electric mixer on high.

Stir in flour, salt, and baking soda, all at the same time. Stir in oats. Last, add chocolate chips and stir them in.

Press cookie dough into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Dough should be somewhat flattened, but it’s okay for some cracks to remain.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until lightly golden and cookies are set in the middle.

Cool for 20 minutes; cut into 24 squares. Delicious warm or cold!

What did the family think? These are so crazy good, especially with a nice big ice cold glass of milk.

Did I change anything? I reduced the amount of sugar a little. The changes are reflected about. Also, the original recipe called for walnuts which I left out.

Where did this recipe come from? Allrecipes

photo from Tammy’s Recipes

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January 13, 2012 · 12:40 pm

Super Easy Carrot Bread

This recipe was actually supposed to be a carrot cake, but cake implies there will be icing involved and in an effort to reduce the amount of sugar my children eat I decided to make it into carrot bread instead.

Ingredients:
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. oil
1/2 cup applesauce
2 jars (jr. baby food) carrots
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions:
Mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

Mix sugar and oil together. To this sugar and oil mixture add applesauce, carrots, eggs and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.

Add the dry ingredients and mix well. Bake in an ungreased standard-sized loaf pan for about 45 minutes (or until done) in a 350 degree oven.

What did the family think? Everyone who has had some so far loves it.

Did I change anything? I reduced the amount of sugar and oil. I also had run out of cinnamon so I used apple pie spice instead. It worked just fine. All of the changes I made are reflected in the recipe above except for the apple pie spice part.

Where did this recipe come from? Cooks.com

photo from Food People Want

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Filed under After School Snacks, Bread, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Easy, Everybody Ate It, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian

January 6, 2012 · 5:35 pm

Oatmeal Applesauce Cookies

I needed to pack some snacks for the boys to have at school and realized that the only thing I had in the house that would qualify as a healthy snack was popcorn. What’s wrong with popcorn? Nothing, but they have been eating a lot of it lately and I think they were getting pretty tired of it, so I decided to make them some cookies that also happen to be on the healthy side.

Ingredients:
3/4 c. butter
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. honey
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. applesauce
1 c. flour
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. cloves
3 c. oatmeal

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake 10-12 minutes. Mix butter, sugars, vanilla, egg and applesauce. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Drop teaspoon on greased cookie sheet.

Bake 10-12 minutes until firm.

Did I change anything? The recipe originally had white sugar which I changed to honey. I think I also accidentally put in twice as much baking soda. The cookies turned out fine though, so either way I am sure you’ll be okay.

What did the family think? Well, they’re healthy and there isn’t any chocolate in them, so our youngest didn’t like them, but I knew that would happen before I even made them. I figured it was worth a try though.

Where did this recipe come from? Cooks.com

photo from The Yummy Life

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