Homemade Brown Sugar Granola Bars

These were so delicious. The perfect amount of crunch and sweetness and the ideal morning, day, evening, anytime snack! Robert and I both, thoroughly enjoyed these. We also loved them because if we did not want a bar, we could crumble them up and put it on top of some yogurt with fruit or in cereal with milk. Try these ASAP, you will not be disappointed.

Ingredients

7 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup oil (vegetable or even better, coconut oil)

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup sliced almonds

3/4 cup honey

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

Adjust oven rack to the middle of the oven, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line (about) an 18 x 13 rimmed backing pan with foil (the pan does not have to be this exact measurement, just close). 

Combine oats, oil and salt in a large bowl and mix until oats are coated. Transfer this mixture to a (different) baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Bake, stirring every 10 minutes, until pale gold, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and lower temp to 300 degrees F. 

Combine honey and brown sugar in a saucepan and cook over medium hear until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes...stir constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and cinnamon. 

Combine the oats, nuts, and honey mixture in a large bowl. Stir until oats are coated with honey mixture. 

Spray the baking sheet (with foil) with non-stick spray then place granola mixture on the baking sheet and spread in an even layer. You might want to taste test here...soo good:) Firmly press the mixture into the pan, making a flat, tight and even layer. Bake until golden about 30-40 minutes.

Cool in the baking sheet for 10 minutes and then cut into the bars! Do not wait longer than this because bars will harden and be difficult to cut. I used a sharp knife to slice the bars. Now allow bars to completely cool before you dig in.

The bars can be stored in a covered container and last about 2 weeks. Enjoy! 

Adapted from Delectably Mine.

I promise you each step is worth it...these bars hit the spot!

Delicious Blueberry Muffins

I have been baking quite a bit lately and am continuing to learn it is something I really enjoy. It is my happy place if you will! I have quite a few delicious recipes to share with you and today I am going to start with the classic blueberry muffin. I made these on Easter and Robert and I thoroughly enjoyed them for our Easter brunch. 

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/3 cup vegetable or coconut oil

1 egg

1/3 cup of milk

1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

Topping

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tablespoons flour

3 tablespoons softened butter

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line muffin tin with muffin cups. Mix all dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl combine wet ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix well. Gently fold blueberries into mix and spoon into muffin cups. Makes about 10-12 regular sized muffins. Mix topping ingredients together until crumbly and sprinkle over top of batter. Bake about 25 minutes (my oven gets very hot so for the last 5 minutes I placed foil on top to keep tops from getting too golden). 

Serve with a glass of milk, maybe a little butter and enjoy!!

This recipes was adapted from Diana at Eating Richly.

Linking up with Kate, Mary, Susan and Kristen.

Christmas Candy + A Polish Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

I am dropping in to share a delicious Christmas candy recipe. Then I will be taking the next few days off from my computer to soak in this wonderful time of year!

I have so many sweet Christmas memories from growing up. One of which involves Christmas candy. My granny makes the most delicious candy each year...think lots of chocolate and lots of yumminess. I have plenty of memories of eating this great stuff, but also of baking and making in the kitchen during Christmas with my mama...following in my Granny's footsteps. This is a tradition that I love (I mean who wouldn't?!) and one I will happily continue.

Being away from home, I will not be able to enjoy my Granny or my mama's candy this year. So I got to work in the kitchen and made one of my favorites (thanks to my aunt Julie's recipe!)...Peanut Butter Balls.

And now it officially feels like Christmas!
 

*This recipe makes a ton. I was only making enough for Roberto and I and some friends, so I halved this (and it was still a lot!). But if you are wanting to make enough to pass out or take to an event make the whole recipe!*

Ingredients

1 lb. powder sugar

18 oz peanut butter

1/4 lb. butter

3 lbs. Chocolate Almond Bark

Directions

Mix peanut butter, powder sugar and butter together. Roll peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls. If the balls do not feel firm enough place on baking sheet in fridge for 20 minutes to firm up, which makes dipping in chocolate easier. Either with a toothpick or spoon dip the balls into chocolate and place on wax paper or foil to dry. You can either dry at room temperature, which takes a bit longer, or in the fridge {I prefer fridge}. Once dry- ENJOY!

And now moving on! A little life update- Christmas style!

Last night we went to the team's Christmas dinner and had the best time. I at some point wanted to get the traditional Polish Christmas experience- and last night I got it! Here in Poland, they officially celebrate Christmas on the 24th. They do so by waiting for the appearance of the first star. Once it appears, well wishes are said and a meatless meal is served. {I know there are plenty more little details/traditions but this is the main gist I got from a friend last night!}

For last night's dinner, we received a traditional Polish Christmas meal of beet soup with dumplings, lots of fish "appetizers" {which are actually enjoyed after dinner} and a delicious fish entree.

We are so grateful for experiences like this. We definitely have to put ourselves out there and get out of our comfort zones at times- but it is such a lovely experince! And we are so appreciative to learn about and be welcomed into a new culture.

Merry Christmas, friends! I hope your days are filled with overflowing love, abounding joy and too many laughs. I am so grateful our Savior came into this world as a little baby, giving us the greatest gift we have ever known and showing us a love like no other. There is so much to be thankful for and so much to celebrate!

Have a beautiful Christmas!! And enjoy some Peanut Butter Balls!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love a simple chocolate chip cookie, and throw some oatmeal in there?? Yes, please.

This recipe was passed down to me from a friend and it is plain delicious. Perfect to wrap up to take to a neighbor or friend and perfect for your after dinner dessert.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 3/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. soda

2 cup oatmeal

1 1/2 packages (12 oz. bags) of chocolate chips (whatever type/size you would like)

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

Directions

Mix butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla together. In a separate bowl mix flour, salt and soda, then add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Fold in oatmeal and chocolate chips. Refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight. Bake at 365 degrees for 10 minutes.

I made these with my little siblings back in the states and then stuffed them in these Target dollar section bags closed with a sticker. Add in a mix of adult and kindergarten gold sharpie writing...and you've got the perfect little Thank You gift!

Enjoy!

Bran Muffins

Bran Muffins, oh how delicious you are. Yes, I said bran, yes like the nasty cereal. But these muffins are no where near nasty {or healthy for that matter}. They are just totally TASTY.

Ingredients: 

2 cups All Bran

1 cup 100% Bran

1 cup boiling water

2 eggs

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/4 cup sugar

2 cup buttermilk

2 1/2 cup flour

2 1/2 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Mix bran and boiling water in a mixer together. 

After mixed, add eggs, shortening, sugar and buttermilk to the bran mixture. Mix well.

In separate dish combine flour, soda and salt. Then add to mixture. Mix well.

Grease muffin pan. 

Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. 

*huge perk: this mix can be stored in container in fridge for 7, yes seven, weeks! So handy for busy mornings. Grab the mix out of the fridge, bake a few muffins and enjoy!

Before inhaling, top with butter {a must}. Now enjoy!

Linking up for What you Wish Wednesday and Whatever Goes Wednesday. 

Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

This is what I made with my homemade pumpkin puree and these were good! I took them to a friend's house a couple weeks ago and they were a hit! But be careful since they are mini...it's very easy to lose track of how many you eat (whoops). I used this recipe as a guide!

Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients: 

1 2/3 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice (I did not have this so I did 2 tbsp. of brown sugar)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

1. Whisk together flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice (or brown sugar), baking soda, baking powder, and salt. 

2. In separate bowl combine eggs, pumpkin and butter (either use mixer with paddle or attachment or mix by hand). 

3. Slowly add in dry ingredients and mix until well combined. 

4. Fold in chocolate chips. 

5. Bake for 15-20 min. 

6. Let cool for about 5 min. in pan, then move to wire wrack. 

-Makes about 48 mini muffins- 

(my pan was very mini so it made 72 muffins and were in the oven for 12 min)

Enjoy!

Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Pumpkin

As I have said before one of my favorite fall desserts is pumpkin chocolate chip muffins...mmmmm! But I had a problem... they do not have pumpkin puree at the grocery stores here. I thought all hope was lost. But then! I came across this recipe from the Pioneer Woman. You can make your own pumpkin puree! Who knew?

 

Pumpkin Puree

 

Ingredients:

2 small pumpkins

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

1. Cut pumpkin tops off. Then cut pumpkins in half.

2. Remove seeds from each pumpkin and as much of the stringy stuff as you can.

3. Cut each half into thirds and place pieces on a baking sheet.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 45 min.

5. Once pieces are cooked, remove the skin. It should peel off easily.

6. Place pieces a couple at a time either in food processor or blender and puree!

Pumpkin Puree looks kinda nasty, I know. But used as a key ingredient in desserts...delicious!

Pioneer woman suggest freezing what you do not use. So I did! With the pumpkins I had, it made about 2 cups of puree. So I used 1 cup for pumpkin chocolate chip muffins (I'll share that recipe next) and froze the other cup for later in a Ziploc bag!

Cinnamon Sugar Banana Bread

We are home relaxing after a fun day downtown and I thought I would share this delicious recipe real quick! Perfect for a Sunday night dessert AND Monday morning breakfast:)

 I am a huge fan of banana bread...and cinnamon! So I spruced the normal banana bread up with a little kick and it was great! Next time I'll probably even add a little more cinnamon to the mix! I adapted this recipe from Eat Yourself Skinny. A great blog...I  have made a couple recipes from there now! Very yummy. Not as healthy as that recipe but I tried!

Cinnamon Sugar Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) light butter

 1 cup of sugar 

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. low fat milk

1 cup mashed bananas (about 2 bananas)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

Topping:

1/4 cup sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Mix together softened butter and sugar (if you have a mixer use it, I do not have one here in Germany and mixing by hand worked fine).

3. Now add in eggs and mix well.

4. Next mix in vanilla, milk and bananas.

5. Mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together in a seperate bowl.

6. Add flour mixture, a little bit at a time, to batter. Mix slowly and until completley combined.

7. Spray loaf pan with cooking spray (or rub with butter) and then flour the pan lightly.

8. Bake about 45 min-1 hour. Until inserted toothpick comes out clean from the center of the loaf.

9. Let bread sit for a couple of minutes, then spread top with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture. As much as your heart desires!

Slice yourself and your patiently awaiting taste testers each a piece (or two). Spread with butter, sprinkle with a little more cinnamon sugar and serve with a nice glass of cold milk!

Enjoy!