No Bake Energy Bites

No Bake Energy Bites

This is one of my favorite "treats" and it's pretty healthy! Packed with oats, flaxseed, and peanut butter, it is the perfect energy boost for a workout.  The addition of the chocolate chips makes it feel like a treat. 

Ingredients:
1 cup dry oatmeal (I use old fashioned oats)
2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed.  Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.  Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like.  Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to one week. 


By: Gimme Some Oven

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake

In addition to cinnamon/sugar, my sweet husbands favorite thing is Mint!  He loves Andes mints, mint ice cream, Mint oreos, etc.  This is our go to birthday cake for him now, such a special treat, and pretty easy too!

Ingredients:
Chocolate Cake batter (I use a Betty Crocker mix, can also make your own)
1/2 gallon mint chocolate chip ice cream, softened
10 chocolate wafers, coarsely crushed
chocolate ganache (optional)
Garnishes: sweetened whipped cream, Andes mints

Directions:
Prepare chocolate cake per recipe instructions for 9" rounds.
Let cool completely.  Place 1 cake layer in a 9 inch springform pan.  Top with one-third of ice cream.  Sprinkle with half of crushed wafers.  Repeat layers once.  Top with remaining cake layer and ice cream.  Freeze 8 to 12 hours.
Top with chocolate ganache, garnish with whipped cream and Andes mints if desired. 


By: Southern Living

Oven Fried Okra

Oven Fried Okra

My mom is from the South and when we go visit family, I would always get Fried Okra  I don't really like okra very much but I do love fried okra!  In my quest to eat a little more healthy, I was very pleased to find this oven fried okra recipe without the actual frying, loads of oil, butter, etc.  It is perfectly crispy and has a bit of kick with the seasonings!  Might become my new favorite side dish! 

Ingredients:
16 oz. bag frozen sliced okra, thawed
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 cup yellow corn meal
Canola oil spray
1 gallon zip lock bag

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425*F.  Turn the zip-lock bag inside out and spray with canola oil spray.  Pour the okra in the bag along with the Cajun seasoning and garlic salt.  Seal bag and shake vigorously.  Let rest for 10 minutes so the juices extract from the okra.  Add the cornmeal to the bag and shake up again.  Pour okra over a strainer or colander (over the sink) so the extra cornmeal will fall off.  Spread the okra over a foil covered baking sheet and spread out evenly.  Spray okra with canola oil spray.  Bake for 20 minutes, remove from oven, flip okra over, lightly spray with canola oil again and return to oven for 20 more minutes. 


Cajun Seasoning Mix:
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons dried basil
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon white pepper
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
5 tablespoons paprika
3 tablespoons salt


By: Cookin' Cowgirl

Sugar Cookie Bars

Sugar Cookie Bars

I LOVE sugar cookies!  I love the flavor, cutting them out, decorating them, etc.  But every now and then, I want the taste without all the work.  And these bars are perfect!  They are very easy and quite addicting! 

Ingredients for the cookies:
2 1/2 cups bread flour or all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tablespoon sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients for the frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup half and half
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt
several drops of food coloring (optional)

Directions:
Cookies:  Preheat oven to 375*F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.  In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Add eggs and combine well.  Add sour cream and vanilla and mix until completely blended.  Slowly add the flour mixture and stir until well combined.  Gently press the batter into the greased baking dish and spread out with hands (butter hands first to help with stickiness).  Bake 17-20 minutes or until edges become lightly golden.  Set aside to cool completely.

Frosting: In a medium bowl, cream together butter, powdered sugar, and half and half until light and fluffy.  Stir in vanilla and salt until well combined.  Add food coloring until desired color.  Frost your cooled cookie bars evenly.  Cut into bars and serve. 


By: High Heels and Grills

Oreo Truffle Brownies

Oreo Truffle Brownies

Oh my!  Chocolatey goodness overload!  These brownies are rich and decadent!  They have a great brownie base topped with oreo truffle filling and chocolate ganache.  We love oreo truffles, I make them during the holidays every year.  Combined with this simple brownie = perfection!  Such a sweet treat!

Ingredients:
1 cup butter softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package double stuffed oreos
8 oz. cream cheese
10 oz. dipping chocolate

Directions:
Cream butter and sugar together.  Add eggs and blend well.  Add vanilla, salt, cocoa and flour.  Don't overbeat.  Pour into greased 9x13 pan.  Bake at 350*F for 20-25 minutes.  Allow to cool completely.
While brownies are cooling, make oreo truffle layer.  Crush oreos finely in a food processor or by putting them in a ziplock bag and smashing them until finely ground with a rolling pin.  When oreos are finely crushed (reserve 1/4 cup), use mixer (or hands or spoon), combine cream cheese and crushed oreos.  When brownies have cooled completely, spread Oreo truffle layer on top. 
Melt dipping chocolate and pour and spread evenly over the oreo truffle layer.  Sprinkle with remaining crushed oreos.  Cover and put in fridge until set. 

By: Chef in Training

Homemade Cheddar Crackers

Homemade Cheddar Crackers

I like to limit the processed food for myself and my daughters so when I found a recipe for homemade cheddar crackers (like goldfish or cheez its), I had to try it out!  These are super easy and quite tasty!  We can polish off the recipe in a day! 

Ingredients:
8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons ice water

Directions:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the cheddar, butter, and salt until soft and combined.  Add the flour and mix on low speed (the dough will be dry and pebbly).  Slowly add the water and continue to mix as the dough forms a ball. 
Pat the dough into a disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. 
Preheat the oven to 375*F.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.  Divide the dough into two pieces and roll each into a very thin (1/8 inch or less) rectangle.  Using a knife, cut into 1-inch squares and transfer to baking sheets.  You can also use small cookie cutters.  Use the tip of a chopstick to punch a hole in the center of each square. 
Bake for 15-17 minutes or until puffed and browning at the edges.  Watch carefully, as the high fat content of the crackers makes it a fine line between golden delicious and burnt.  Immediately move the crackers to racks to cool. 

By: A Chow Life

Snickerdoodle Blondies

Snickerdoodle Blondies

Another awesome recipe for my cinnamon-sugar loving hubby!!  These are delicious and have become one of my go-to recipes for potlucks or when I need to make a dessert for friends coming over (I always have all the ingredients on hand!)

Ingredients:
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Topping:
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Optional:
1/2 cup cinnamon chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350*.  Lightly grease 9x13 pan.  Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt and set aside.  In large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.  Stir in the flour mixture until well blended, then mix in cinnamon chips if using.  Spread evenly in prepared pan.  Mixture will be thick and resemble cookie dough.  Combine white sugar and cinnamon in a little bowl and evenly sprinkle over the top of the batter.  Bake 25-30 minutes or until surface springs back when gently pressed.  Cool slightly and cut into bars while still warm. 

By: Chef in Training