Irresistable Maple Butter Cookies

Hello and Happy BLUE Friday! 🙂

This is my first What the Bake Friday of 2014. I’ve seriously lacked in the baking department all year. Could you ever forgive me? I mean, it’s been 17 days. Seesh!

I had a big urge to make peanut butter cookies last weekend, but I didn’t have any regular peanut butter. What I did have was Mighty Maple Peanut Butter from Peanut Butter & Co.

I thought, what the heck why can’t I just use Maple PB instead of regular?! So that is what I did.

Hello Maple Butter Cookies!

Just delicious! I need another right now.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Mighty Maple peanut butter

1 egg

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 & 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together the following ingredients in a large bowl: sugars, egg, butter and Maple peanut butter.

Once mixed well, add the flour, baking powder and cinnamon.

Spoon the dough onto a greased cookie sheet.

Bake for 5 minutes then press down on the dough with a fork and bake for another 5-6 minutes until golden brown.

Let cool on a cookie rack for 10-15 minutes or as long as you can last! 🙂

**If you want a more plump cookie, you can add 2 tsp of cornstarch!

 

Have you ever made Maple cookies?

Do you experiments with different kinds of PB for cookies or other baked goods?

**REMEMBER TO ROOT FOR THE SEAHAWKS ON SUNDAY!**

XO, Tara

You may also like:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Cookies 

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

 

Bye-Bye Two-thousand and Thirteen.

Well it is officially January 1^st, 2014. How did you ring in the New Year? Did you watch fireworks, follow the NYC count down, or go out and party? I hope you brought in the New Year with a smile on your face!

I wanted to do a quick recap of some of my favorite posts from two-thousand and thirteen!

Mid-way through 2013, I started a What the Bake Friday tradition. I found that baking was something that I enjoyed doing and I decided to share it with the world.

Here are some of my favorite What the Bake Friday posts:

Apple Crumble Bars

Blueberry Cinnamon Yogurt Bread

Easy Peasy Banana Muffins

Avocado Fritters

Vanilla Walnut Protein Ballz

Chewy White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sweet Potato Chips

You can find more recipes here.

2013 was a competitive year for me!

I ran: three Half Marathons, one 12k, three 10k’s, six 5k’s and one Triathlon. Overall, I am happy with my results. Here are a few picks.

Seattle Marathon 10k

Seattle Half Marathon (half)

Overlake Medical Center Labor Day Half Marathon

Susan G. Komen Race

Run with the Fishes 5k

Bring on 2014 and all the upcoming races. Hello training for my first Marathon. A specific one is yet to be determined. Any marathon recommendations for Washington runners?

While I am not running, I enjoy crossing training. (In 2014, I will incorporate more strength training into my weekly workout schedule.)

Sweaty 1-2-3

The Twelve’s

Quad, Glute, and Hammie Workout (ouch)

Plank vs. Pushup Workout

Plank, Push-up and Crunch Workout

I’ve had the opportunity to review some great products and classes!

ENERGYbits®

LÄRABAR ALT® bars

The Flywheel Experience

Quest bars– obsessed. 🙂

Two-thousand thirteen has come and gone. Two-thousand and fourteen is full of new possibilities. I am going to dream big this year. 

If your dreams don’t scare you, then they are not big enough. What do you think?

Tell me about your dreams for 2014!

How did you ring in the New Year?

What were your favorite things that happened in 2013?

I cannot wait to share all my future goals, activities, memories with you all.

XO, Tara

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Cookies n’ Cream Oreo Bark

Only two more left for 2013 and I have another tasty bark candy recipe for you!

Cookies n’ Cream Oreo Cookie Bark

Are you drooling yet??

I am.

Cookies n’ Cream Oreo Bark is by far the best bark candy that I have made to date. 

Straight up perfection. 

Tastes just like Cookies n’ Cream ice cream. A personal favorite in my household! 😉

Plus, you only need TWO ingredients. Bonus!

Ingredients:

10oz white chocolate chips

12 Oreos, plus 3 more for topping

Directions:

Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside.

Melt white chocolate chips in a bowl using the microwave making sure to stir every 30 seconds until completely melted.

Chop 12 Oreos into small pieces and add to the melted white chocolate and mix.

Pour the mixture onto the baking sheet.

Chop the remaining 3 Oreos and sprinkle on top.

Place the baking sheet in the fridge for 45 minutes to an hour.

Once hardened, split the bark using a fork or pizza cutter. The pizza cutter worked pretty well!

Serve with milk for a perfect evening snack! 🙂

Let me know what you think!

Favorite ice cream?

Are you a fan of Cookies n’ Cream Oreo Bark?

What is your favorite evening snack?

XO, Tara

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What the Bake Friday- Peppermint Bark

After a quite ‘interesting’ week beginning with a car accident, we have made it to Friday. Another Friday the 13th. I don’t remember having so many Friday the 13th’s in one year. Maybe I just notice them more now.

AHH, we have only TWO more Friday’s left of 2013. That means only TWO more What the Bake Friday’s left.

This week, I have a great Holiday treat to share. If you follow me on Instagram, then you saw a picture of the Peppermint Bark that I made.

If you love chocolate, white chocolate and candy canes, then you are in luck!

This was my first time making this type of candy treat. There are so many different recipes, I cannot wait to make them all. Oreo bark is next on my list. 🙂

But for now, Peppermint Bark it is!

Ingredients:

2 cups milk chocolate (8oz bag)

2 cups white chocolate (8oz bag)

40 mini candy canes

Directions:

Cover a baking sheet with either foil or wax paper and set aside.

Melt the milk chocolate in a bowl, stirring periodically until fully melted.

Pour the melted chocolate into the lined baking sheet and place in the fridge.

Melt the white chocolate in a bowl, stirring periodically until fully melted.

Take the candy canes, place them in a plastic bag and smash. I found this method actually to be effective. I smashed the bag until the candy canes were broken.

Pour 2/3 of the broken candy canes into the melt white chocolate and stir.

Remove the baking sheet from the fridge and pour the white chocolate and candy cane mixture.

Use the last 1/3 of the broken candy cane pieces and spread over the top.

Place the baking sheet in the fridge for 45 minutes or until hardened.

Break apart the bark and enjoy!

I love this recipe, because it is simple and festive for the holidays! Plus, you can wrap them up in a bag and give them as a little gift! This is what I plan to do! 🙂

Simply amazing!

Do you like peppermint bark?

Do you have any similar recipes? I cannot wait to make the oreo bark. YUMM!

 

Post-Thanksgiving: What the Bake Friday!

I hope everyone had a spectacular Thanksgiving! We are all full and happy in my house!

On Wednesday, I decided to try out a new recipe since I had the day off and all. Perfect for What the Bake Friday!

 

Apple Crumble Bars

Ingredients:

1.5 cup flour

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

½ + 1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 ¼ tsp cinnamon

¼ cup +  Tbsp cold butter

2 Tbsp milk

2 cups peeled, chopped apples

2 tsp cornstarch

3 tbsp pure maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together the first seven ingredients. Chop the cold butter into small pieces for easier mixing!

Pour 2/3 of the dough into a 4×7 pan and press down firmly.

In a separate bowl, mix together the apples, cornstarch, maple syrup and vanilla extract.

Layer the apple mixture on top of the dough.

Add the rest of the dough mixture on top.

Bake for 45 minutes, and then let cool for 20 minutes before cutting into bars.

Recipe adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie! Check out her marvelous blog for many other recipes!

My family definitely approved! I am sure yours will too! 🙂

Are you out shopping already? Or are you BACK from shopping? 

What was your favorite dish from Thanksgiving?

What is your favorite pie?

XO, Tara

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What the Bake Friday!

Only 5 more Friday’s left of 2013. Can you believe it? I cannot wrap my head around this. 2013 flew by. 

That means only 5 more What the Bake Fridays! I’ll try to make them holiday themed. Maple, peppermint and pumpkin flavors will be taking over!

Chocolate Maple Banana Bread

Ingredients:

2 ripe bananas (mashed)

1.5 c. whole wheat flour

1 egg

½ c. applesauce

¼ c. brown sugar

½ c. chocolate chips

1 teaspoon maple extract

½ c. unsweetened almond milk

½ teaspoon baking power

½ teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Beat together bananas, egg, applesauce, maple extract, almond milk and brown sugar in a large bowl and set aside.

In a separate bowl; mix together flour, baking soda and baking powder.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well.

Lastly, add the chocolate chips to the mixture.

Pour the mixture into 3 mini bread pans.

Sprinkle some chocolate chips on top and bake for 25 minutes.

Let cool for 5 minutes or so then cut and serve!

The maple sets this recipe apart from all other banana bread recipes that I’ve made in the past.

Here are some of my favorites from my Recipe Page:

No-Sugar Banana Bread

“Healthified” Banana Walnut Bread

Chocolate Banana Protein Bread

Whole Wheat Chocolate Banana Bread

Zucchini Bread

Do you add “holiday” flavors to your recipes? 

Have you started cooking for Thanksgiving yet? Or shopping for the upcoming holidays?

XO, Tara

 

What the Bake Friday

What are these you ask? Avocado Fritters! Oh man, I am glad I discovered this recipe.

Grab an avocado, one egg and 1/2 cup planko breading. It’s that simple! 🙂

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Peal and cut the avocado into slices.

Take each avocado slice and dip into the beaten egg and place in the planko.

Add planko to both sides of the avocado slice.

Place the breaded avocado slices on a greased pan and bake for 10-12 minutes.

The breading should be slightly darkened.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes or so. Arg, the waiting part. Don’t you hate that? Especially when trying a new recipe and you are eager to see if the results are worth the waiting……gasp! I hear ya!

After waiting maybe 5 minutes…probably more like 4.24, but whose counting. I didn’t burn my mouth so I am in the clear.  I loved every single avocado fritter. Next time, I may add a tiny put of chili powder. I think it will give it an extra kick!

How do you eat avocados?

Best avocado recipe?

Check out my recipe page! Cookies, breads, shakes and more. I am loving the Sugar-free Pumpkin Bread right now.

XO, Tara

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What the Bake Friday

…is BACK! Lately, I just haven’t had a spare moment to bake or create something that I haven’t tried.

But I have a super easy recipe for Sweet Potato Chips. Don’t they just look delicious? I love me some sweet potato chips or fries.

Adapted from Barr and Table.

What do you need?

1 glorious sweet potato.

This could be the easiest recipe I’ve posted yet. Trust me, cutting bananas and freezing them takes longer. Plus it is messier and duh you have to wait for them to freeze. Unless you have dry ice, then you’re golden in just a few seconds. 😉

Directions:

You have two options: 1. Cut up the sweet potato into thin slices or cut a sweet potato into thirds and soak in water for roughly 5 minutes. I chose to cut a sweet potato into thirds. Then dry the sweet potato and cut into thin slices if not done so already. Place the slices onto a paper towel and place into the microwave for 3 minutes on high. Yes microwave….this is the quick version, yet still effective and yummy. Flip the slices then cook for another 3 minutes.

Only a few of my slices were crispy so I flipped again and cooked for another minute and did the same again for the other side. Obviously go longer if you want them crispy crispy.

Let cool for a minute or so, then dig in. Eat them plain like I did or dip them into a sauce of choice. I’m plain jane, so naked was best for me! 🙂

Tonight I have the Halloween party with the folks! I get to wear my Lady Gaga outfit. Hopefully, I don’t freeze my tail off.

Do you like Sweet Potato Chips or fries?

How do you cook or bake them?

Do you have any Halloween Parties tonight or this weekend?

XO, Tara

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The smell of Pumpkin!

Happy Friday! It was a chilly one this morning. 39 degrees already? No thank you!

In honor of Fall, I have a pumpkin recipe to share! Pumpkins, pumpkin recipes, and fall decor have been popping up everywhere!

Recipe adapted from  Cookie and Kate.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup melted coconut oil

½ cup honey

2 egg whites

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 tsp. vanilla extract

½ tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. nutmeg

½ tsp. pumpkin spice

1 ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour**

1 tsp. baking soda

¼ hot water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix together the coconut oil, honey and egg whites.

Add pumpkin puree, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin spice. Pour in flour until completely mixed.

Disperse the batter into 3 small bread tins. Make sure they are greased!

Bake for 30-32 minutes. Make sure the bread is done by inserting a tooth pick in the top. It should come out clean.

Let cool for 5-10 in the tin, then move onto a wire rack.

Pumpkin bread is just straight up delicious and a perfect snack for Fall.

Do you like pumpkin bread?

What is your favorite thing to bake for Fall?

XO, Tara

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September’s Goods!

Good morning!

In honor of throwback Thursday, let’s look back at what September 2013 had to offer.

Recipes:

What the Bake Friday- Week 1

What the Bake Friday- Week 2

What the Bake Friday- Week 3

What the Bake Friday- Week 4

Running:

Un Finisseur– A recap of the Labor Day Half Marathon!

We all need tips

Rock’n the Stache’

What you should go trail running

Football:

Seahawks vs. Jaguars

Seahawks vs. 49ers

Seahawks vs. Texans

Reviews:

Give me my ENERGYbits®!

September was a busy month and I have a feeling October will be even busier. Even more races. This month I have the Race for the Fishes 5k, The Fall City Half Marathon and The Rivalry Clash 10k. Also, did I mention that the half marathon and 10k are on the same weekend?! Yep. I’ll be very very tired Monday the 14th. Plus, I may do a pumpkin push or Halloween run.

Another plus to Thursdays? I work both jobs! It will be a long day, but it is worth it!

How was your September?

Any fun events planned for October?

XO, Tara

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