Carrot Bread

I have a 5 lb. bag of carrots sitting on my kitchen counter, so I've been putting them to good use. This recipe is basically the same as Zucchini Bread, but I used carrots instead. Delicious! 

Carrot Bread
3 eggs
1 c. oil
1 T. vanilla
2 c. finely grated carrots
2 c. sugar
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
3 c. flour

Mix wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients and mix until blended. Divide batter into two greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 325 F for 40-60 minutes.

This was a big hit at my house. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Oat Cookies

I'm pretty obsessed with cookies. When I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I decided to make my own version. Packed with protein, fiber, and omega-3's, these little cookies are a great choice for snacking or even for breakfast!

Peanut Butter Oat Cookies (makes about 34)

3 overripe bananas, mashed
1 c. peanut butter
1/4 c. honey
2 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. oats
1 1/2 c. oat bran
1/2 c. ground flaxseed
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl, combine bananas, peanut butter, honey and vanilla.

Add dry ingredients and mix well.

 Scoop onto a greased cookie sheet (I used parchment paper and cooking spray) and gently press down.

 Bake at 350 F for 10-15 minutes, depending on how firm you them.

 These were a fun breakfast for us this morning. I'll probably end up eating all of them today... Enjoy!

Nutella Toffee Crunch Bars

Yesterday I was in the mood to make something yummy, so I started going through ingredients that I had in the pantry. Nutella+toffee bits+marshmallow cream+pretzels+chewy chocolate bar=DELICIOUS!!!! I can't even describe how amazing these are!Nutella Toffee Crunch Bars

6 T. butter, melted

1/3 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. sugar

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

1/2 c. Nutella

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. baking soda

3/4 c. oats

1/2 c. cocoa

1/4 c. flour

1/2 c. chocolate chips

topping: 1/2 c. Nutella, 1/2 c. marshmallow cream, 1/2 c. crushed pretzels, 1/4 c. toffee bits

Combine first six ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Combine the two to make a thick batter.Spread in a greased 9x9" pan.Bake at 350 F for about 25 minutes.Remove from oven and cool for about 10 minutes. Dollop with Nutella and marshmallow cream.Swirl to make it pretty. Heehee.Sprinkle with crushed pretzels and toffee bits.Cool completely in the fridge before cutting into bars.Love love love. I can't stop eating these. Enjoy!

Cookies & Cream Brownies

So yesterday I was looking through my recipe box and I found a recipe for brownies using a cake mix (I think I got it from a neighbor when I was in high school). Anyway, I decided to throw in some Oreos and white chocolate topping and the result was AMAZING!Ingredients are pretty simple:Cookies & Cream Brownies

1 dark chocolate cake mix

1 small box instant pudding, chocolate or vanilla

1 cube (1/2 c.) butter, melted

2 eggs

1/4 c. water

12-13 Oreo cookies, broken

1 c. chocolate chips (white chocolate would be amazing, too!)

2 cubes (4 oz.) white chocolate bark, melted

Combine cake mix, pudding, butter, eggs and water to form a dough. Stir in Oreos and chocolate chips.

Press dough into a greased 9x13" pan.

Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes. Cool slightly and drizzle with white chocolate bark.When cooled completely, cut into bars.I just love biting into them and finding an Oreo!I can't wait to try these with mint or peanut butter Oreos. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Cup Rice Crispy Treats

I may or may not have (but definitely did) do something terrible. I made these peanut butter cup rice crispy treats and I keep eating them...bad Mikelle! But, they were for a very good purpose. My hubby has been in med school and today was match day: the day we find out where he goes for residency. Turns out he got his first choice!!!!! We are ecstatic. Deliciousness is what happens when we celebrate at our house! :)Peanut Butter Cup Rice Crispy Treats

6 T. butter

7 c. mini marshmallows

1 c. peanut butter

6 c. puffed rice cereal

1 (12 oz.) bag chocolate chips

2 c. chopped peanut butter cups

In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until almost completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter.

Stir in puffed rice cereal.Press into a greased 9x13" pan.Melt chocolate chips and drizzle on the top.Top with chopped peanut butter cups.Cool completely and then cut into bars.These are not remotely healthy, but they are most definitely delicious! Enjoy!

Soft Vegan Ginger Cookies

Hmmmm, cookies with no eggs, no wheat, no butter or oil, and no dairy... it can't be done! That was my first thought when I found this original recipe from Happy Herbivore. But as it turns out, you absolutely CAN! And let me just say that these little cookies are mighty delicious. With only 65 calories and 2 grams of fiber a piece, I think I'll go ahead and eat five or six of them thank you very much!Soft Vegan Ginger Cookies

2 c. oats (processed into flour using a blender)

2/3 c. ground flaxseed

2 T. cornstarch

2 t. baking soda

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. ground ginger

1/2 t. ground cloves

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. refried beans (make sure the only ingredients are water, beans, and salt)

1/2 c. molasses
1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce

1/4 c. packed brown sugar

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. If batter seems too runny, add some more flaxseed.

Use a cookie scoop to drop onto a greased cookie sheet.Bake at 350 F for 8-10 minutes. Cookies might seem underbaked, but that's good! They tend to dry out as they cool.Well, maybe I'm weird, but I actually really like these cookies. It's always fun to try new things and if you're vegan or have a vegan friend, these would be the perfect little treat to share. Enjoy!

Healthy Pizza Dip

I recently saw this recipe on Pinterest and I just had to try it. It's super easy!!!! After a few little adaptations, we ended up this delicious and healthy dip that is great with crackers or veggies.Healthy Pizza Dip

1 (14 oz.) can garbanzo beans

1/2 c. marinara sauce (any brand will do)

1/2 c. water

2 T. oil

3 t. garlic powder

1 & 1/2 t. onion powder

1 t. dried basil

salt to taste

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender.

So easy, so good, and so healthy. Score. Enjoy!

Brazilian Cheese Bread

Okay, so lately I've been trying to find the perfect recipe for brazilian cheese bread (pao de queijo) and it's been quite the adventure. I think I've probably tried at least 15 different recipes. Finally I found one that I love! Plus my husband approves (and he would know since he lived in Brazil for 2 years.) I found the original recipe on Globe Trotter Diaries, but I adapted it to my own taste.So cheesy...so good!

This cheese was the perfect addition to this recipe. You really can use any combination of cheese but this crumbly cheese combined with parmesan was really great!

Brazilian Cheese Bread

2 1/4 c. tapioca flour

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. water

1/4 c. oil

2 eggs

1/2 c. crumbled cotija cheese

1/2 c. grated parmesan

Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine water and oil and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and pour into the flour mixture. Stir to mix. (It will be super stiff and lumpy.)Stir in eggs then stir in cheeses. (Mixture will still be a bit lumpy.)Roll into about 20 balls and place on a greased cookie sheet.Bake at 400 F for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 325 F and bake for 10-15 more minutes.I hope you like these little cheesy breads as much as we do. Enjoy!