Baking Frenzy

Last week, I was in one of those moods where I just needed to bake, and bake, and bake.  Most of my friends are out of town this weekend, though, so I knew there would be few people with which to share the delicious treats - so whatever I made would have to be relatively healthy, as it would be sitting in the house with me and my resident cookie monster.


So here's what I made, and let me tell you, YUM.


Cranberry-Oat Bites
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 large egg
1 1/3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups dried cranberries (unsweetened)
1 cup diced pecans or walnuts


 Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine oats, flour, dried fruit, nuts in a bowl.  Set aside.
3. Cream butter in separate bowl.
4. Add sugar, spices, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vanilla to butter.
5. Beat in the egg.
6. Add in dry mixture and stir well.
7. Place the dough in small mounds (just under a tablespoon) onto parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.  Turn the tray, and bake for an additional 5 minutes.




Chewy Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 cup white whole wheat flour
2 2/3 cups dark chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Beat together the butter, oil, sugars, vanilla, espresso powder, and salt.

3. Add in the vinegar, egg, baking soda, and baking powder.

4. Stir in the flour, then the chocolate chips

5. Place tablespoonfuls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Bake for 15 minutes.

And last but not least...

Lite Banana Bread

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt3 medium bananas

1/2 cup all-natural applesauce
2 large egg, or eggbeaters
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup diced walnuts

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a loaf pan.

2. Beat butter.  Add in sugar and mix well.  

3. Mix in vanilla, baking soda, salt, and bananas.  Leave some chunks of banana.

4. Add in the honey and eggs.

5. Stir in the flour and walnuts.

6. Spoon the batter into the loaf pan, and smooth out.  Let the batter sit in the pan for five minutes at room temperature.

7. Bake for 60-65 minutes, placing a piece of aluminum foil over the top for the last 15 minutes.

I think I'm going to go eat some more leftovers...Enjoy!