Chocolate Zucchini Bread (or muffins)

Seriously, this is a totally acceptable options for breakfast.  It's full of zucchini.

2 C. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
6 T. cocoa powder
1/2 C. oil
1 C. sugar
1/4 C. brown sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 C. grated zucchini
3/4 C. chocolate chips (minis disburse much better than regular size)

Topping:
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. white sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Combine oil, sugars, and eggs until slightly fluffy.  Add vanilla, zucchini, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and cocoa until mixed.  Stir in flour and chocolate chips.  Bake at 350 degrees in two 8-inch or 9-inch loaf pans for 50-60 minutes.  Sprinkle on the topping mid-way through baking.  Instead, I made muffins.  20-25 minutes at 350 degrees and I got about 30 muffins.  I ate 4.  That's totally healthy, right?

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

They look very pretty sitting here on the big plate.  I'd have a picture but "someone" broke my camera.

2 mashed bananas
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup oil
2 tsp. baking powder
1/3 cup sugar
1 3/4 cups flour (I used whole wheat because it's just yummier and better for you.)
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix bananas, milk, and egg together.  Add baking powder, sugar, flour, and chocolate chips, stirring just until combined.  Batter will be pretty thick.  Place into prepared muffin cups.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Carrot Bread

1 1/2 cups shredded carrots (3 medium)
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
3/4 cup white flour
3/4 cup wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease a loaf pan, 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2 or 9x5x3 inches. Mix carrots, sugar, oil and eggs in large bowl with spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients and pour into pan. Bake 50 to 60 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen sides of loaf from pan and remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.

Fudgy Truffle Eggs

I got this recipe from the Betty Crocker website.  If you decide to go for it, prepare for a MESS!  But worth it.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/fudgy-truffle-eggs/155470ba-7bb3-4f9e-af84-2171543f4d03?sr=2&st=7#/?term=fudgy+truffle&pi=1&mr=20

My chocolate mixture just would not set up.  I ended up freezing it and it was still frustrating trying to shape them.  But oh so delicious.  And pretty.

Fruit Cookie Pizza

My star is crooked and I didn't have enough raspberries, but it's still cute and was delicious!  You can use any kind of fruit or design you want!

1 roll (16.5 oz) sugar cookie dough

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 cups fresh raspberries
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray. Press cookie dough onto pan to form crust.  Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until deep golden brown.  Cool completely.  Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together.  Spread over baked crust.  Arrange fruit into a star shape in center.  Arrange fruit around the star.  Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.  Store in refrigerator.  Serve it shortly after set.  Otherwise the crust will start getting soggy.

Apple Mouths

This would have turned out better with redder apples and thinner slices....

1 apple, cored and sliced
Cream cheese
Miniature marshmallows

Spread a layer of cream cheese on one side of each apple slice.  (Dry apples with a napkin first or it will be very hard to spread.)  Top half the apple slices with a line of marshmallows to form teeth.  Top marshmallows with the rest of the apple slices, cream cheese side down.

Easy healthier alternatives to popsicles & ice cream

This is great because you can use nonfat or low fat varieties in the flavors of your choice!

Pudding cups or individual yogurt cups
Popsicle sticks from the craft aisle

Punch sticks through lids of cups and put in the freezer until frozen.  To eat, remove the lid around the stick and pull pop out of cup.  If it doesn't want to come out, briefly run it under hot water and try again.

Monster Cookies

3 eggs
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 cup margaine
3/4 cup peanut butter
2 cups flour
3 cups oatmeal
3/4 to whole package mini M&Ms

Mix together and bake 12 minutes at 350 degrees.  I got about 40 big cookies.  They did get a little flat.
 

Cream Cheese Brownies

Okay, so this one's not so good for you.  But you can use reduced fat or nonfat cream cheese without really noticing a difference.  I remember my mom and a couple of her friends making this all the time when I was a kid when we'd all get together.

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix (any variety or brand)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 egg
1/2 C. sugar
1/2 C. chocolate chips
Additional chocolate chips and chopped nuts if desired

Grease 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch cookie sheet.  Prepare cake mix as directed on box.  Pour batter into pan.  Mix remaining ingredients together and drop by spoonfuls onto top of batter.  Cut through batter with a knife, crossing all over the pan.  Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips and nuts if desired.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Grandma Lorraine’s Easy Apple Crisp

5 cups sliced apples (tart!)
½ cup oatmeal
½ cup flour
½ cup brown sugar
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. salt
¼ cup butter

Put apples in a 9x12 (or close) baking dish. Put remaining ingredients in a bowl and cut in butter to make the topping. Sprinkle topping over apples and bake at 350o about 40-45 minutes or until apples are done.

Chocolate Chip Pie

2 eggs
½ cup flour
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
¾ cup butter
1 cup chocolate chips
9-inch pie shell

Beat eggs on high for 3 minutes. Beat in flour and sugars until well blended. Beat in butter. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into pie shell. Bake at 325o for 55 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between the edge and the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Cool completely.

Tricks & Ideas
-While the pie is baking the chocolate chips will fall to the bottom and create a layer of chocolate. That’s what it’s supposed to do so don’t think you did it wrong!

Cornflake Candy

1 package butterscotch chips
2 big spoonfuls of peanut butter
1 normal size box of corn flakes

Melt chips and peanut butter together. Pour over the corn flakes in a big bowl. Stir until coated. Drop by spoonfuls on waxed paper. Let dry in the refrigerator if necessary.

Rhubarb Cake

1 ½ cups brown sugar
½ cup butter
1 cup sour milk or buttermilk
1 egg
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
2 cups rhubarb, cut up
1 tsp. baking soda

Beat all ingredients together except rhubarb. Add rhubarb and mix well. Pour and spread into 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Tricks & Ideas

- My mom always sprinkles the top with cinnamon and red and green sugars before baking.  It's very pretty.
- You can make buttermilk by filling your measuring container almost to where it needs to be with milk and filling the rest of the way with vinegar. If you don’t have vinegar regular milk will always work fine.
- People will think you’re awesome if you cut up some rhubarb, freeze it, and make this in the middle of the winter!

Fishy Families – Chocolate covered pretzels with a twist

1 package (12 oz.) chocolate chips
2 ½ C. pretzel goldfish crackers
1 container (4 oz.) multicolored nonpareils

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and set aside. Place the chocolate in a microwavable bowl and melt. (Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave at 15 second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate melts.) Stir in the crackers to coat. Scoop up the cracker mixture with a tablespoon and drop onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with nonpareils. Repeat with remaining mixture and nonpareils. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until the mixture is firm. Store in the refrigerator.