Bean Dip!

Delicious Bean Dip!!

My friends and I are obsessed with Bean Dip, so I decided to take matters into my own time. I'm a big fan of black beans and I hope you are too! This recipe is one of the simplest that I have ever made--and most delicious. Let me know what you think. It may look a little unappetizing as you are mixing it. Don't give up though! Feel free to add chopped peppers, onions, sour cream, whatever!

Ingredients

• 1 can of black beans
• 1 can of refried beans
• chopped green onion (as much as you want)
• shredded cheese (as much as you want)
• 1 sliced jalapeno pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. In a bowl, mix together all beans and green onion
3. Pour mixture into a round of square glass dish. Top with shredded cheese and pepper
4. Cook for about 25 minutes or until cheese and beans are completely heated
5. Enjoy with chips or bread!

Peanut Butter Banana Granola bars!

Peanut Butter Banana Granola Bars! (With Chocolate ;] )

These are so yummy! I highly recommend them, especially if you want a healthy treat in the afternoon or a quick breakfast in the morning. My family is trying to eat healthier, and needless to say I wasn't helping with all the baked goods. So I decided to help them out and make a healthy alternative. Try it for your family!

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (or crunchy)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a square pan with parchment paper. 
2. mix together dry ingredients (oats, sugar, powder, salt, and cinnamon)
3. Add in milk, vanilla, and egg.
4. Make sure batter is well mixed. Mix in bananas, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and walnuts.
5. Spread into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes.
6. Cool and serve!

Gooey Lemon Cookies

Gooey Lemon Cookies!

I was in a mood to bake, but wanted a quick recipes. These cookies are perfect for a quick, easy recipe, as well as cheap to make! I would recommend these to put in the children's lunch for school (or your own lunch!). It's a great treat, they were gone in my house within a couple hours.

Ingredients

• 1 regular sized box of lemon cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
• powdered sugar to decorate

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use parchment paper on a cookie sheet to prepare the pan.
2. Mix together all ingredients EXCEPT the powdered sugar.
3. pour desired amount of powdered sugar on a small plate or shallow bowl.
4. Roll small balls of dough, use flour to prevent stickiness if possible. Roll balls in powdered sugar to decorate.
5. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes.
6. Cool on a wire rack and serve/store!

Blueberry Crescents!

Blueberry Crescents! 

I made these on Christmas Morning and they were delicious! My dad couldn't keep his hands off of them. They were gone within the hour. You have to try them. You can even mix up the berries and use blackberries, strawberries, pineapple, whatever! ENJOY!

Ingredients

• 1 package of crescent rolls
• 1/2 package of cream cheese (full fat, reduced fat, whichever!) at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• desired amount of berries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Unroll crescents onto prepared plan
3. In a separate bowl, mix together cream cheese and sugar
4. Spread cream mixture onto crescents evenly
5. Place desired amount of berries on top of creamed mixture
6. Fold over the crescents
7. Bake rolls for amount 10-15 minutes
8. Enjoy!

Banana Bread!

   Banana Bread!!

This recipe is perfect. The bread didn't come out dry, like some breads, or too moist, like others. It didn't crumble when I sliced it. It is absolutely delicious and you're going to want to try it. Banana bread is the perfect quick breakfast, the dough is great for making muffins, and everyone loves it! As long as it is not made with artificial banana flavoring, it should taste great. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 3-4 ripe bananas
• 1/3 c melted butter
• 1 c sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1tsp baking soda
• a pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 c white flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Smash the ripe bananas in a large bowl and combine with the melted butter.
3. Mix in the sugar, egg and vanilla.
4. Mix together the baking soda and salt in a separate small bowl and add in.
5. Slowly mix in the flour.
6. Pour into desired, buttered/greased pan.
7. Bake for 50-60 minutes. 
8. Be sure to cool on a rack before serving!

Cake!

Did some baking this weekend!

I had a special project this weekend. I had my mom help me because she used to decorate cakes. I did the baking, she did the decorating. I really need her to teach me the ropes....

Snickerdoodles!

Snickerdoodles--A classic.

Snickerdoodles will always be a classic recipe. I'm not a big fan of crunchy, rock-hard cookies. That's why I love these Snickerdoodles. They are light and chewy, just like every cookie should be. One cookie is the perfect amount of sugary sweetness to get you through the afternoon. If it's been a rough day, then go ahead and take another. They are a great comfort food, so I'm sharing this recipe to keep your spirits high!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened at room temperature
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, or substitute another 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cream together the butter, shortening and sugar. Then beat in the eggs and vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Mix into the butter mixture.
4. On a small plate or in a small bowl mix the remaining sugar and cinnamon. Use your hands to shape balls of dough and roll in the cinnamon sugar. Use extra flour as needed.
5. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for about 8-10 minutes. Grab some milk and enjoy!

Chocolate Cobbler?!

Chocolate Cobbler!

Okay, every person I have mentioned "Chocolate Cobbler" to has been ridiculously confused. "Does that even exist?" The answer is yes, it does! And It's absolutely to die for. This was gone within 24 hours of making it. Once you have one piece you have to go back for a second. It is the perfect afternoon delight. I would suggest eating it with tea, coffee, or milk. But, there is coffee in the recipe! It is an overload of gooey goodness that you can't miss out on!

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 7 tbsp cocoa powder, divided
• 1 1/4 sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cup hot coffee

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, 3 tbsp cocoa, and 3/4 cup sugar.
3. Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix until it is smooth.
4. Pour into a buttered 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan.
5. In another bowl, mix the remaining sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa. Sprinkle this evenly over the batter.
6. Pour the coffee onto the top of everything and DO NOT MIX.
7. Bake for about 40 minutes. Enjoy with some ice cream, cool whip, or whipped cream!

Seasoned, Buttered Pasta and Garlic Bread!

Seasoned, Buttered Pasta and Garlic Bread!

Everyone loves a home-cooked meal, especially when the whole family gets together! I usually do the cooking when I am home with the family, and this past weekend I made something I had never tried before. Usually when I make pasta I make the generic spaghetti with meat sauce, but I decided to try something different. It is so simple, and you can make the garlic bread while the pasta is cooking. You're family will love it!

Ingredients

• 1 box cooked rotini
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp parsley flakes
• Meatballs--homemade or frozen (optional)

Ingredients for Garlic Bread

• 1 loaf french bread
• Butter
• A few tsp of Olive oil
• Dash of Sea Salt
• Dash of Pepper
• Garlic Powder
• 1/4 cup of mozerella cheese

Directions

1. Thoroughly cook the rotini in a large pot.
2. After it is drained put it back in the pot and mix in the butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Combine the garlic powder, oregano, and parsley in a separate small bowl before stirring it in as well.
4. Cook any meatballs that you would like to add to your pasta. Also feel free to add chicken, tuna, onions, or whatever you feel like!

Directions for Bread

1. Slice the loaf into the desired size and spread each piece with butter. (This will melt in the oven)
2. With a spoon, put a few drops of olive oil on each slice, being careful not to drown the bread!
3. Sprinkle each piece with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
4. Evenly distribute the cheese onto each slice of bread.
5. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10-12 minutes, depending on the size of the bread. It should be toasted when you remove from the oven.

The Most Delicious Frosting You'll Ever Have

Chocolate Frosting

I don't know what your favorite type of frosting is, but I can almost guarantee you will love this recipe. It is very quick and easy. The best part, besides the taste, is that it uses white sugar instead of powdered sugar! I almost never have powdered sugar in my house, unless I plan on making puppy chow sometime soon, but with this recipe you won't have to worry about making a trip to the store! In my photos, I put the frosting on before it was completely cooled, so it become a drizzly sauce, which is what I was going for anyways ;) But if you would like a more solid and thick texture, let it cool a bit longer. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, stir all ingredients together and bring to a boil. 
2. Remove from heat and beat until the mixture thickens.
3. After it has cooled, spread it on a cake, make a cookie sandwich  use it as dip for pretzels, or whatever your heart desires!