White Chocolate Butterscotch Cookies

White Chocolate... Just saying it makes me want some of these cookies. The combination of score bits and white chocolate make for a killer cookie if you ask me.

I had gotten a big chunk of white chocolate for Easter a while ago an it has just been resting on my desk for the past week or two, so i decided to do something with it. It was probably a good idea because these cookies tasted pretty good and they didn't last very long. 

Yields: 5 dozen
Prep time: 10 minutes 
Bake time: 8 minutes

Ingredients 

• ⅔ cup melted butter
• 2 cups lightly packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• White chocolate, chopped (about 80 grams)
• Score bits (about 80 grams)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F and line two sheets with parchment paper.

2. Beat melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, hot water and vanilla until very smooth (2-3 minutes).

3. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add all the dry ingredients to the butter, sugar, eggs, water and vanilla. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate and score bits and roll 1 inch balls of dough with 12 cookies per sheet.

4. Bake for 8-9 minutes. 

Fancy Ice Cream Toppers

Whenever I would see these things on top of desserts I thought they were so elegant but somewhat intimidating. Well I recently attempted these fancy chocolate toppers and they were surprisingly easy. 

Oh boy! I haven't had ice cream in a while, I kind of forgot about it believe it or not. Since I have been making all of these desserts lately I haven't really been eating it that much. Tonight I enjoyed a scoop of mint chip (my favourite) while studying for exams (not my favourite.) I am actually pretty proud of how these came out. You can make just about anything, hearts, squiggles, zigzags or anything your heart desires.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 tsp of canola or vegetable oil 
• A scoop of your favourite ice cream

Directions

1. Combine the chocolate chips and oil in a microwave safe bowl

microwave for 3 sets of 20 second intervals. Stirring in between intervals.

3. Set up a sheet of wax paper on a plate and use a spoon or spatula to drizzle patterns on the paper. You may not get it at first but practice makes perfect.

4. Store in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before serving on top ice cream. When they are ready serve, scoop ice cream in a bowl and gently peel off the chocolate and place it on top the ice cream. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Blondies

Blondies are an interesting treat, they are almost like brownies but blonde. You would think that at first the chocolate element is what makes these bars taste good, but when you try these it will change you opinion completly. Blondies are like very, very chewy cookies that are made into bars and cut into squares. They are probably just as good as any brownie recipe, if anything better. 

I have been making these for the longest time. I was first introduced to the idea of blondies from watching the Nancy Drew movie. This was one of my favourite movies growing up. In one part of the movie Nancy talked about lemon bars and blondies that her friend Hannah had made for her. (How cool that I share a name with this character!) I first experimented with blondies was when I was hanging out with my cousin Olivia. We always have so much fun together in the kitchen, and being a fellow fan of Nancy Drew we made blondies. From then on I love making blondies, as it always reminds me of one of my favourite movies.

Yields: 24 bars
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes 


Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

Directions 
1. Preheat oven to 300F and spray a 9 x 13-inch pan with cooking spray.

2. In bowl of electric stand mixer, combine butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir on medium for 1 minute. In a separate bowl combine all the dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low for 15 seconds. Add in chocolate chip and continue stirring until the ingredients are well combine.

3. Press dough into pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool in pan before removing. Cut into 24 squares.

Adapted from KitchenAid Best-Loved Recipes by Lou Weber

Chocolate Fruit Dip

Greek yogurt sort of seems to be the new hip thing. It is low fat, high in nutrients and also a good source of protein. The only downfall to plain greek yogurt is that I don't personally find the taste to be very appealing. So this is a way to get in the perks of Greek yogurt as well as satisfying your sweet tooth. Pair with some nice chopped fruit and you are good to go!

 On a warm summer's day, I love to snack on this. A healthy twist on fondue. I can just inhale this dip. Sometimes I like to also include apples and bananas. If you wanted to make it even more healthy, you could use fat-free yogurt. I used 2% just because it is important that you still have a healthy amount of the right kinds of fat.

 I don't know if it is because of stress with end of term assignments or just the time of year, but I have been craving chocolate like never before. So now I know what to do to put my chocolate cravings in their place.

Yields: 1 small bowl of dip

Total time: 2 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup 2% plain greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup Nutella

Directions

1. In a medium sized bowl, combine yogurt and Nutella. Stir well until combined completely. 

2. Transfer into serving bowl with a spatula and enjoy with fresh fruit like strawberries or bananas or apple. 

Cinnamon Rolls

Oh...My... Goodness... Cinnamon buns are possibly one of the best treats EVER! I have never met someone who has ever turned down one of these. It is usually the deal breaker to anyone's new diet plans but let me tell you, this is so worth it! 

 I have serious problems when it comes to cinnamon buns. I think it has something to do with the fact that there is a Cinnabon store in the subway station that I have to walk by twice day. It is pure torture. Thinking about them just makes my mouth water. so I shall cut this post short or else I might find myself at Cinnabon instead of working on my endless piles of homework. This recipe allows you to create your own cinnabon store in the comfort of your home. They taste great (especially warm) and are so worth the time it takes to roll the dough and make them perfect.

Yields: 16 rolls 

Prep time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients 

For the Filling:
4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon

For the Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for rolling
2 tablespoons white sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt 
3 tablespoons butter at room temperature
3/4 cup 2% milk 
1 large egg beaten

For the Frosting:

2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2/3 cup confectioners sugar
3 tablespoons 2% milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Spray a muffin tin with non-stick spray.

2. In a small bowl, combine all the filling ingredients with a fork or your fingers until crumbly and well mixed. Set aside.

3. Prepare the dough. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Transfer the dry ingredients into the bowl of electric stand mixer and using the pastry attachment, work the butter into the flour mixture. Add the milk and the eggs and then stir until combined.

4. Roll the dough out on a floured surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle (about 1/4-inch thick) sprinkle the filling evenly over the rolled out dough. Make sure that you leave a 1/2 inch border all the way around. 

5. Once you have finished sprinkling the filling on the dough roll it up and then cut with a sharp knife into 12-16 pieces. Place each roll in a muffin tin and bake for 20 minutes.

6. While the rolls are in the oven you can start on the frosting. In a medium bowl, mix together all the frosting ingredients with an electric hand mixer on low.

7. Remove rolls from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before removing from the muffin pan. To ice the buns you can either smear it on top with a spatula or you can put the icing in a plastic bag and cut a small hole at the bottom corner to use as a piping bag. 

Adapted from http://looplane.com/articles/posts/the-best-homemade-cinnamon-rolls-without-yeast-2473

 

Apple Crumble

Apple crumble is a dish usually served in the fall to celebrate the harvest. Every great dessert expert needs a good apple crumble recipe. Apple crumble is also sometimes known as apple crisp. It can be eaten year round, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's hard to turn down a warm piece of apple crumble topped with your favorite vanilla ice cream. This one happens to be simply delicious!

I have taken a break from blogging for the past week, I have been so busy working on my cookbook, and other homework that I haven't been able to blog about all the lovely things I have made! So what a great way to get back into the groove of things by sharing with you this lovely apple crumble recipe. This is the first  time I have made this one but I honestly couldn't get enough of it!

Yields: 1 dish (serves about 6)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

For the Crumble:
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar

For the Filling:
1 1/2 pounds (about 6) macintosh apples, peeled, cored and sliced thinly
1/8 cup sugar
1/4 cup apple or orange juice 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Butter an oven safe casserole dish. It should be about 8 x 11 inches and at least 3 inches deep. The size is not that important as you can make an extra dish with any left over filling and crumble. 

2.  Sift flour and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add the softened butter into the flour and cinnamon mixture, and stir well. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingers until the flour has completely absorbed the butter and I looks like bread crumbs. Then stir in brown sugar.

3. Wash and peel your apples using a potato peeler. Slice the apples into small wedges, or cube them up. Either way is fine. Put the chopped apples in a separate bowl and sprinkle sugar over them, mix well. Spoon the apples into your dish and pour the juice over them. Cover with crumble and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown. 

4. Let cool for 10 minutes and them serve with ice cream or on its own. Enjoy!

Study Time Smartie Cookies

These will bring out the smarty pants in you! Chewy cookies really hit the spot when you are studying. As a student myself, I would like to dedicate this recipe to all the students who stay up late studying. These cookies might as well be called energy bars cause they definitely have the power to get you through those draining study sessions.   

   

This recipe made about five dozen cookies and to be honest... between me and my mom, they were finished in about one and a half days. That is just how good they were. These are the cookies that one dreams about floating alongside sugar plums on Christmas Eve! So congratulations on finding this recipe, I will warn you though... they won't last long!

Yields: 5 dozen
Prep time: 10 minutes 
Bake time: 8 minutes

Ingredients 

• ⅔ cup melted butter
• 2 cups lightly packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 package of smarties (about 200 grams)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F and line two sheets with parchment paper.

2. Beat melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, hot water and vanilla until very smooth (2-3 minutes).

3. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add all the dry ingredients to the butter, sugar, eggs, water and vanilla. Mix well. Stir in the smarties and roll 1 inch balls of dough with 12 cookies per sheet.

4. Bake for 8-9 minutes. Happy studying! 

Inspired by: http://hiddenponies.com/2011/02/cookie-monsters/

Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

Smoothies are so yummy and this will definitely hit the spot when you are hungry after a long day or when you have finished a workout. It is my go to snack between meals or on a hot summer day.

I have been making these smoothies for ever, when ever I go out for a run I always whip up one of these when I come back. They make you feel like you just have eaten a big slice of banana bread. And not only is this a heathy treat, but it is super simple as well!

Yields: 2 servings

Prep time: 1 minute

Total time: 2 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• 1  cup milk
• 6 ice cubes
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter

Directions

1. Put all of the ingredients in the blender.

2. Shut the lid on top and blend for 1 minute. 

3. Serve into 2 glasses and enjoy!

The Perfect Banana Bread

To find a good banana bread recipe is like finding a diamond in a hay stack. It takes a lot of experimenting to find the perfect one. This is by far the best banana bread I have ever made.

For me banana bread is a summer thing. I would eat it a lot when my family would go to our cottage in the summer and in the morning we would have this for breakfast. But I think that banana bread should be a year round thing. Especially after I tried this recipe! 

Yields: 1 loaf

Prep time: 8 minutes

Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
4 bananas crushed
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F and spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and then line with parchment paper.  

2. Cream together butter and sugar with your electric mixer. Use a blender to mash the banana if it isn't fully ripe yet. Add eggs, vanilla and banana. Mix until combined.

3. In separate bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt. Turn mixer to low and gradually mix in dry ingredients. Try not to over mix or it will make the loaf tough.

4. Pour into lined loaf pan and bake for 70 minutes or until a knife or skewer comes out dry. Cool completely and serve.  

Originally from food.com 

Peanut Butter Cookies

If you are looking for a fast cookie that never fails to impress then you have found it. Peanut butter cookies can sometimes be too hard but these ones are just right! 

 This weekend I didn't have as much homework as I usually do, so I planned to meet up with two friends to go to the art gallery! I woke up late and only had an hour to get ready, but I still really wanted to bake something to take along for the drive. Since I only had an hour before they came to pick me up, I decided to try these cookies out. They were super fast and both of my friends ended up asking me for the recipe because they both liked them so much. I am not sure which was better, the cookies or the art show. 

Yields: 4 dozen

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. Put the peanut butter and butter in the bowl of your electric mixer. Beat until smooth on medium for about 1 Minute. Stop and scrape bowl. Add the sugars, egg and vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to medium-low and mix for 1 minute. Stop and scrap bowl.

3. Turn the mixer on to stir and add the rest of the dry ingredients into the mixture. Turn back to medium-low and mix for 30 seconds.

4. Roll the cookie dough into 1-inch balls. Place 12 balls on a sheet at a time. Press down the cookies with your thumb or a fork. (I used a fork.)

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown. Remove the cookies from the sheet immediately and let them cool.

This recipe is originally from the KitchenAid Best-Loved Recipes cookbook.

When Life Gives You Lemons... Make Lemon Bars

Not only are lemon bars easy but everybody remembers having them at some point in their childhood. It was in the 1970's that everybody really got bitten by the lemon bar bug. They were everywhere (so my mother tells me). The memorable combination of heart warming short bread and sweet lemon curd on top is something you can't easily forget.

Ever since I was young, lemon bars were the basic essential to any tea party I went to! Whether it be with my great aunts or my stuffed animals, lemon bars have been a big part of it. These sweet treats hold a special place in everyones heart! This is why I love making them. 

Yields: 16 squares
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

For the Crust
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 heaping cup confectioners sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Pinch of salt, optional

For the Filling
2 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice (about 2 medium size lemons)
2 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon lemon zest
Confectioners sugar, for dusting

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray and set aside.

2. Start with the crust. In a large bowl, combine all the crust ingredients and add the butter. Mix until the mixture looks crumbly. You can use a spoon or fork or even your hands for this.

3. Transfer the crust mixture into the pan and press down with your fingers to make an even crust. Make 12 pokes in the crust with a fork to prevent air bubbles. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes.

4. While the crust is in the oven you can start the filling. In      a large bowl, combine the sugar, lemon juice, eggs, milk and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Add the flour then mix until the the lumps are evenly combined. Last whisk in the lemon zest.

5. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes. You know it is done when it is no longer runny and firm to the touch. Remove from oven.

6. Let the bars cool at room temperature for 10 minutes and then cover pan and refrigerate for 1 hour.

7. When the bars are cool, you can dust some confectioners sugar on the top.

8. Carefully lift the foil out of the pan and cut into 16 squares. Enjoy :)