Banana Bread

There were no more excuses today. Vacations were over, all the laundry was done - it was time to clean the house. It needed it. It had been a while since I'd last cleaned. I had every intention of cleaning before we left for our cruise, but being sidelined in a walking boot threw me a curve I wasn't fully expecting. So cleaning had to wait and resting and staying off my foot took top priority. 

After going to the doctor for a follow up, I was cleared to not wear my boot and should only wear it if I'm having a lot of pain. So I knew cleaning the house would be the first thing I needed to do. Wishing I had a hazmat suit to wear (I seriously would wear one while I clean - if anyone has one send it my way), I donned my rubber gloves and off I went. 

When I got to the kitchen all I could smell was the bananas. I took one look at them and saw that they were turning brown and slightly smooshy. I knew BP and his dad weren't going to eat them, I knew this was my time to make Banana Bread. 

If you are a fan of the Quickbread mixes, trust me you need to stop. In about the same amount of time using a boxed mix, you can have a from scratch batter. And once you do this you will never make a box mix again. Plus the smell of it baking is just intoxicating.  I love fall scents in the house - and yes it's still summer and in the 90's here in Northern Virginia, but part of me can't wait for fall baking. 

BP came home and saw the loaves cooling and his eyes lit up. I knew he was excited. I cut him a piece and he was hooked. Later his dad had a piece and he said the bread was a winner.  Let's just say this makes two loaves and both are staying inside this house. :) 

Banana Bread

Makes two 9x5" loaves

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

3 eggs 

2 cups sugar

1 1/3 cups vegetable oil

2 tbsp vanilla extract 

4 medium ripe bananas, mashed up (if you want to mix things up, leave some chunks of banana while mashing to add a little something extra to the bread)

1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

1/2 cup milk

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray loaf pans with cooking spray and set aside. 

2.  In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking sida and salt. Set aside.

3.  In the bowl of an electric mixer or large bowl with handheld mixer, beat eggs, sugar and vegetable oil together until combined. Slowly add in flour mixture; mix until combined. Add vanilla, bananas, milk and nuts and mix until combined. 

4. Divide batter evenly between prepared loaf pans. Bake, rotating halfway through, 60-65 minutes. Check to see if they are fully baked by sticking a cake tester or toothpick halfway through the middle of the loaf.  Let cool for 20 minutes, remove from pans and let cool completely. 

Twix Truffle Brownies

I am a lover of caramel. Rolo's Milky Ways and Twix are among my favorite candy bars. And dessert wise I usually order anything that has caramel in it. What can I say, it's just too good to pass up. If you throw some chocolate in with that, I'm in. 

After a fantastic 8 day cruise with BP and his dad we had little time to rest. A weekend getaway with our friends for the holiday weekend was planned. And honestly, it couldn't if come at a better time. We had a very stressful week and needed the time with friends away. So of course, it was time to bake. 

Mallowmores were requested by them and I was going to make something else as well because there was going to be 8 of us. And these bars were going to be made. 

Let me just say that this picture doesn't do them any justice. Flat out amazing. Seriously. Amazingly decadent and a tad bit addicting. These were a huge hot with everyone. I know I have a hit on my hands when BP tries something and looks at me and says "These are no good. We shouldn't give them to anyone". And he smiles afterwards - I know he's hooked on it. And this is saying something about how great they are because BP isn't a fan of things with caramel in it. 

So if you are a Twix lover or a lover of anything with caramel in it, these are a must make.  Trust me you will be sure to wow anyone with these.

Twix Truffle Brownies

Makes one 13x9 pan 

INGREDIENTS

Brownies

Favorite homemade or boxed brand brownies - use ingredient called for 

Shortbread Truffle Layer

1 (10 oz.) box Lorna Doone's 

Shortbread Cookies

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

½ cup sugar

Caramel Layer

14 oz. bag of caramel cubes, unwrapped

2 Tablespoons milk

Chocolate Layer

2 cups semi-sweet milk chocolate chips

1 Tablespoon shortening

INSTRUCTIONS

Brownies

Make your favorite homemade or boxed brownies. Follow directions and let cool completely.

Shortbread Truffle Layer

Place cookies in a food processor until fine powder. Mash in cream cheese and sugar until mixture is well combined.

Gently press shortbread truffle evenly over cooled brownies.

Caramel Layer

Place caramel cubes and milk in a medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments until melted, stirring in between each increment until melted and smooth.

Evenly pour over shortbread truffle layer.

Place in fridge to let it cool.

Chocolate Layer

Combine chocolate chips and shortening together in a medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between each increment until melted and smooth.

Evenly spread over the top of cooled caramel layer.

Let set up in fridge before cutting into. 

Cake Batter Cookies

After a long absence from baking something new (let's face it, a couple of weeks is a long time for me), it's time for a new goodie.  And why not go with something that's been on my list for a while. 

I had left over cake mix from when I made Cake Batter Ice Cream, so these cookies were perfect to make. And we were going to our friends house - perfect chance for our friends to be test tasters. I mean who wouldn't like cake batter in a cookie!? 

These were a huge hit with everyone. We went with a full batch and came home with maybe 10 cookies left. A true sign of a cookie hit. Thanks for being taste testers last night guys - another great night. 

Tips:

If you want more of a cake flavor, make sure to use a yellow cake mix, otherwise a white cake mix works perfectly. 

And a huge tip for adding in the sprinkles - add at the very end and don't over mix. You want the dough to look the same, like this.....

 .....if you over mix it will turn grey...and that's not pretty. 

Cake Batter Cookies 

Makes 3 1/2 dozen cookies 

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cup  yellow or white boxed cake mix (yellow will give you a stronger cake like flavor)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of salt

3/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 egg, at room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups chocolate chips 

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup sprinkles or 2 packages of Wilton's Color Colorbursts Batter Bits 

Directions:

In a large bowl, sift together flour, cake mix, and baking soda. Set aside.

Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and both sugars together on medium speed until smooth. Add the egg and mix on high until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla and beat on high until combined. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low-medium speed until just combined. Add the chocolate chips and sprinkles. Mix on low until the add-ins are evenly disbursed. DONT OVER MIX. If you find the dough changing to a grey color you've over mixed. 

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate dough for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days. 

When ready to bake the cookies, preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Using a 1 1/2" cookie scoop, scoop out dough onto prepared sheets. Keep a cup of warm water nearby to dip the scoop in when needed. 

Bake the cookies for 8-12 minutes until edges are slightly browned. The centers will still appear very soft, but the cookies will set as they cool.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container for a week.

Jack Daniel's Marinated Pork

Things here have been busy to say the least. And on top of things, I've been making a lot of dinners lately and not so many desserts. Dinners ranged from homemade French Dip Sandwiches (which were amazing - definitely making them again and will post a blog post about them), Chicken Pot Pie, French Onion Soup and a personal favorite that is flat out amazing, Jack Daniel's Pork. 

Oh yes - this meal is amazing. My parents have made this for years and one night I made it for BP and his dad. It went head to head with a pre-flavored pork loin and needless to say mine won. So when BP brought home another pork loin, I knew this was going to be made. 

Sadly our grill died last year and we are still grill-less. Hopefully we will get one soon. I know BP is missing grilling in the summer big time. Look at how happy he was using my parents grill last summer.

This meal is best on the grill, but just as amazing made in the oven. And this marinade works great for seafood, chicken and beef as well so you can mix it up if you don't want pork. It's so easy and tasty you will want this all year round. And how do I know it's that good? When BP turns and looks at me after dinner and lets me know that we can have this anytime I want to make it. I think he's liking me making dinner. 

Jack Daniels Marinated Pork

1/4 cup Jack Daniels Whiskey

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

1/4 cup minced green onions (with tops)

1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

1/2 tsp. salt (or to taste)

1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. garlic powder (not salt)

1/4 tsp. black pepper

Blend all ingredients in small bowl. Place meat in a large Ziplock bag and pour marinade over meat. Mix up marinade all over meat and seal up the bag and place in fridge.  Use as a marinade for shrimp, scallops, beef, chicken or pork.

Marinate seafood for 1 hour. Marinate beef, chicken or pork in refrigerator for 2-12 hours.

After marinating, reserve marinade. Stir in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch into cold marinade. In a saucepan, bring marinade to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. 

Use as a sauce for basting while cooking seafood or meat while it is being grilled or broiled.

Mini Cake Batter Ice Cream Pies

Last week was a busy one to say the least. Within the span of three days, both of my sisters got engaged. BP and I are thrilled for them. And I can't wait to call them family. I mean they really already are, but now it will be official. My sisters couldn't be with better men, and I couldn't be happier for them. 

And on top of it, it was a holiday weekend! And what did we plan? Game night with some friends. We finally got to play Cards Against Humanity with some of our expansion packs....and did we ever laugh. One round left all of us laughing so hard we couldn't breathe, our stomachs were hurting and our faces were red. It will be tough to ever beat that round. 

And of course because we were having people over, I made dessert. And at the suggestion of BP, dessert was individual sized. 

These were a huge hit.  Everyone had a couple and took some on their way out as well. I mean who wouldn't want an individual mini pie/sundae?! These don't disappoint. So next time you're having people over, make these. 

Mini Cake Batter Ice Cream Pies

Makes about 24

1 quart of your favorite ice cream, softened but not melted

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough - store bought, homemade - doesn't matter

Whipped cream

Chocolate sauce

1. Preheat oven to correct temperature. Spray cupcake tins with cooking spray; set aside. Make cookie dough according to directions. Place 1tbsp and a half of cookie dough in each hole and press dough evenly along bottom and up the sides. (Wet your fingers so dough doesn't stick). Bake until golden brown 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely. 

2.  Let ice cream soften so it's easy to handle. Take cookie pies out of the tins and onto a cookie sheet or large tray lined with waxed paper or parchment paper. Fill pastry bag with ice cream and pipe ice cream into each cookie, filling up until just over the top. Freeze at least 3 hours to set.

3.  When ready to serve, take out of freezer and pipe a dollop of whipped cream on top of each mini pie and then drizzle chocolate sauce on top of each mini pie. (Let sit out for 5 minutes before you eat one).

White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies

It's no secret that I'm not a fan of nuts in cookies or candy bars. Well anything dessert wise really. I love them on their own, but for some reason when they are in a dessert I can't stand it. Strange, I know. My sisters never failed to let me know that I was a weirdo for it. 

BP and I were talking about his dads upcoming retirement and how I said I wanted to make him anything he wanted to celebrate it. (The lobsters I had shipped down from the Cape a couple weeks ago was also a nice surprise for them). We were throwing around ideas and these came up and immediately we both knew that I had to make them. 

A couple of days pass and I get around to making them. So there we are, BP's dad and I watching the World Cup (USA vs. Germany) and I tell him about the cookies. What happens next was priceless. This is truly where BP gets this from. BP's dads eyes light up and he says 'I like those a lot'. He finishes eating lunch and looks at me again 'So those cookies are ready to eat?". I say yes and off he goes to get some. He comes back, eating one and a few more on his plate, telling me how great they are. 

He's a huge fan of macadamia nuts - and I have to admit, these cookies are the only acception to my no nuts in cookies rule. So rich and delicious. 

BP makes it home and got to try a few as well - huge hit with him too. Absolutely on my list to make again. 

White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies

Makes about 30 cookies 

ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup coarsely chopped salted macadamia nuts

directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 325°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silpats. Set aside.

2.  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

3.  In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.

4.  Add flour mixture, mixing until completely combined. Stir in white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts until evenly distributed (you can do this by hand or with the stand mixer).

5.  Using your 1 1/2" cookie scoop, evenly scoop dough onto prepared sheets. 

6.  Bake for 12 minutes, or until the edges are very slightly browned. The cookies will not look cooked in the center, but they will finish cooking while cooling on cookie sheet.  Remove from oven and let cookies rest on baking sheet for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

Milky Way Chocolate Chip Cookies

As you all know, my love for caramel runs deep. The Milky Way candy bar has always been one of my favorites. When Halloween rolled around I knew I was going to hit the jackpot with them. So many people would hand them out. I loved it, my sisters not so much. We would trade candy at the end of the night or the next day - I would give them all of my Snickers (still to this day I don't like Snickers or any candy with peanuts in it. Those two things should be separate in my mind.), and I would get all of their Milky Ways. Heaven. So needless to say when I saw these bad boys, I snatched that recipe up and made a few tweaks. 

Some of our friends were having a BBQ and of course I was going to bake things for it.  The hosts had requested some Slutty Brownies (in one of the best baking requests I've ever gotten) and I wanted to make something else just incase - always better to be over prepared than under prepared. 

Oh man - these guys are awesome. I have to admit, I ate way more cookie dough than I should of while making these....but so tasty. Next time I might use more Milky Ways in them  since I felt like it wasn't enough, but the 12 mini ones I used did them justice. 

Milky Way Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes about 4 dozen 

2 sticks butter, softened

¾ Cup sugar

¾ Cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 ¾ Cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

12 mini milky ways, coarsely chopped

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or Silpats.  In a large bowl cream the butter and sugars with a mixer. Beat in eggs and vanilla until well combined. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Once combined, add the chopped milky ways and chocolate chips. Mix until combined. 

2. Scoop cookies onto a lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool for 2 minutes on baking sheet then transfer to a cooling rack.