Healthy Banana (chocolate chip) Cookies

Block schedule...90 minute periods...4 periods per day.  Just my luck, both study halls land on the same day! Back to back!  Oh yeah, three hours of What should I do now?

What did I do?  Well after finishing an English project, typing a scholarship essay, finishing a scholarship application, and doing a blog post, I decided to make some PB2 Oatmeal Bites.  All that work made me hungry!

So I strolled down to the foods room.  The teacher is super nice and lets me come in and experiment. She must not know how dangerous that is...shhhh, don't tell her! 

After the snack I was all ready to roll up my sleeves and do some baking!  The Menu: Healthy Banana (chocolate chip) Cookies and an Egg Wrap

A couple days ago I found this recipe on Pinterest for Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies.  There's a catch.  They have no sugar, just bananas.  The lady promised "you will NOT miss the sugar in these cookies at all!"  I just had to try it for myself... 

The first batch was good.  I did alter the original recipe a little bit. They were more cake-y than cookie-y.  A good thing for breakfast! And giving up sweets I had to leave out the chocolate chips.  That probably would have made them more like a cookie.  Overall though, not bad. Next time I may add a little cinnamon, honey, or a second banana. But seriously, try them for yourself!  They were much better than I was expecting!

Start by creaming your butter.  

Add in the banana and vanilla.  You're supposed to mash the banana, but I'm to lazy to do that.  I just sliced it and threw it in.  Turned out fine!

When that's all combined stir in the flour and baking powder...

...until a dough forms.  Then if your adding chocolate chips or raisins or something stir them in now by hand.  

Roll into balls and place on your cookie sheet.  Sample some if you must, it's pretty good!  Shhh...I won't tell :)

Bake 10 minutes or until done.  Cool on a cooling rack.

So one batch makes about 14 cookies, depending on how much dough you eat. I gave away 5, ate 1 out of oven, 1 before gymnastics....let's just say I woke up with 2 left.  Whoops!  Hey, they're healthy right?

Healthy Banana (Chocolate Chip) Cookies

6071078

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 large banana, mashed
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips, cinnamon chips, raisins, etc. (optional)

Instructions

Cream butter or margarine.

Stir in banana and vanilla.

Add flour and baking powder. Stir until combined.

Roll into balls and and place on cookie sheet.

Preheat oven to 350º F.

Bake 10 minutes.

Cool on wire rack.

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Pumpkin Squares

Every time we make these pumpkin squares I have to take a plate to my neighbors.  They absolutely love them!  I made them for my bake sale and they were a hit.  Some people even asked to buy a whole tray!

Looks like someone sampled these already...

Yes, my neighbor was one of those people.  I saved him two (large!) pumpkin squares too!  Obviously that wasn't enough...

...don't mind if I do!

His obsession with pumpkin squares started about a year ago.  While we were on vacation, he offered to watch our horses and cats and get the mail.  How sweet :) To thank him for coming over, my mom and I made his family a tray of pumpkin squares. 

Pictures took a little too long

Now let me tell you...one batch makes quite a few pumpkin squares.  They're great to make for large groups, parties, or bake sales.  I think they returned the tray in two days...completely gone!  They're that addictive.  BEWARE!

Pumpkin Squares

by Simple and Sweet Creations

6071077

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 cup oil
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 15 ounces canned pumpkin
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Frosting

• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 ounces cream cheese
• 3/4 stick butter
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Combine first eight ingredients in the bowl of a standing mixer. Pour into a greased floured jelly roll pan.

Bake at 350* F for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.

Beat remaining five ingredients in a standing mixer. Add more powdered sugar if frosting seems too runny.

Frost cooled cake and cut into squares.

VARIATION

Omit frosting and sprinkle cooled cake with powdered sugar.

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