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!

Blueberry Breakfast Crumble

We've been making this a lot lately for breakfast. It's such a great alternative to a plain old bowl of oatmeal. Even though I do love plain old oatmeal, we all need some variety!

Blueberry Breakfast Crumble (serves about 4)

2 c. blueberries (thawed, if frozen)
3/4 c. oat bran
1/4 c. oats
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/8 t. salt
1/2 c. almond butter
1/2 t. vanilla

In a mixing bowl combine oat bran, oats, sugar, cinnamon and salt.

 Cut in almond butter and vanilla until mixture resembles granola.

 Place blueberries in a square pan.

 Top blueberries with oat mixture.

 Bake at 400 F for 10-12 minutes.

 Serve hot with milk.

I absolutely LOVE this crumble. It would be such an awesome dessert served with ice cream. 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!

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!

Flourless Almond Cookies

After making Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies, I wanted to use that same idea with almond butter. These cookies turned out wonderfully! They're chewy and very almond-y!Flourless Almond Cookies

1 c. unsalted almond butter (I used freshly ground almond butter from Winco)

1 c. packed brown sugar

1 egg

scant 1 t. salt

1 t. almond extract

20 sliced almonds

Mix all ingredients together except sliced almonds.

Roll into 20 balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet and top each with a sliced almond.Bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet for about 10 minutes before removing.If you use salted almond butter, reduce salt to 1/4 t. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Bran Muffins

My little girl gets so excited when we make muffins for breakfast. We did a lot of experimenting with healthy ingredients and finally found this recipe. These muffins are so good you won't believe they have 8 grams of fiber each!!

I've adapted the original recipe (which came from the side of our cereal box). Oh, the places one finds great recipes! :)Peanut Butter Bran Muffins

1 c. Kellogg's All Bran Buds

1 1/3 c. milk

1 ripe banana, mashed

1/3 c. peanut butter*

1 egg

1 c. whole wheat flour

1 c. oats

1/2 c. ground flaxseed

1/2 c. sugar

2 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1/4 t. ground nutmeg

1 c. chocolate chips (I used mini chocolate chips)

*If using unsalted peanut butter, add 1/2 t. salt

In a bowl, combine cereal and milk. Let soak about 10 minutes.

In a mixing bowl combine banana, peanut butter, and egg.Stir in soaked cereal.In a separate mixing bowl, combine remaining dry ingredients (except chocolate chips).Combine the two mixtures, adding chocolate chips at the end.Divide among 12 lined cupcake tins.Bake at 375 F for 16-20 minutes.I love these muffins. Tasty and moist! They make the perfect breakfast or snack.Enjoy!

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

These are such simple cookies. Mine turned out really tender and fall-apart-in-your-mouth. Delicious! Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

1 c. natural peanut butter

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. white sugar

1 egg

1 t. baking soda

Stir all ingredients together.

Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet and press lightly with a fork.Bake at 350 F for 8-10 minutes.Enjoy!