Tasty Tuesday: Gluten Free Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 6:00 AM

These are a bit of a spinoff of the Toddler Cookies, though I didn't have that intent when I was making them.  Basically, I was craving chocolate cookies but I didn't want the unhealthy aspects.  So what's a girl to do?  I modified this recipe from it's original version, found here.  I had full intentions of incorporating zucchini, but didn't end up doing so.  That's not to say, however, it couldn't be done, I just haven't tried it out (I'm sure it's fine).

1 1/2 cup oat or almond flour (I used oat, I'm going to use almond next time)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup applesauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (or almond extract.  Or both.  I loveeee almond extract)
1 cup GF oats
1 cup mini marshmallows (or regular, both are swell)

Also, feel free to add a cup of whatever else you like- nuts, dried fruits, etc.


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and cocoa  powder.  Set aside.

Using a mixer, mix brown sugar, applesauce, egg, and vanilla extract. Add previously mixed dry ingredients.  Then mix in oats and marshmallows.

Spoon onto a baking sheet (I use an ice cream scoop), spacing cookies 2 inches apart.  Bake for 11-14 minutes or until they just barely pass a toothpick test.  Let cool and enjoy!

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Tasty Tuesday: Nutella Ice Cream

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 6:07 PM

Happy Tuesday!

I love me some Nutella!  Obviously it's fantastic straight out of the jar, but there are so many ways to make it extra fancy.  Nutella ice cream is the easiest recipe ever (yes, even easier than Toddler Cookies.)  All you need are 2-3 bananas and half of a jar of Nutella.  Blend together, and freeze.  Devour.  Your'e welcome. 

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Oatmeal made interesting

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 9:50 AM

Boring is the word that came to mind when I used to think about oatmeal. Spoonfuls of sugar couldn't help the bowls I would make for breakfast in the winter. Until I added cocoa powder.

Yep. Cocoa powder. For baking.

Looking for a few ways to jazz up your breakfast? Grab some cocoa powder, cinnamon/sugar, blueberries, jam, or peanut butter.

I mix one part cocoa powder to two parts cinnamon/sugar mix. (We make our cinnamon/sugar mix and keep it in a shaker). So whether you use a teaspoon or a tablespoon, just make sure you add more sugar than cocoa powder. Otherwise your oatmeal will taste like bitter chocolate. And that's just sad.

With your uncooked oatmeal in a bowl, sprinkle in cocoa powder and cinnamon/sugar. Mix it around to evenly coat your oats. Then add blueberries. Or strawberries/apples/bananas. Whatever you have frozen in your freezer or on hand in your fruit bowl. Add water, mix and microwave. Voila! The best tasting oatmeal you'll have.

When I ran out of frozen blueberries recently, I improvised with a spoonful of raspberry jam. Oh boy. Delicious! And you don't need to add sugar to that since the jam is already sweet.

S uses a spoonful or two of peanut butter when he makes oatmeal. He adds cinnamon but no sugar. When he uses cocoa powder, he won't add fruit because he doesn't like chocolate-y fruit. What??

So really, the customization is up to you. Never again will oatmeal be boring.

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Tasty Tuesday: Black Bean Brownies

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 10:00 AM

Okay, okay, I know.  Brownies made out of black beans sound weird and disgusting.  But bear with me, these are fantastic.  I'm always on a mission to make something that I love, that is horribly unhealthy, and make it into something healthier, that I can (at least somewhat) guiltlessly indulge in.  This recipe is one of those things.  It turns a chocolate craving into something with at least some form of real sustenance.  Plus, they're egg and gluten free.  They look, taste, smell, and feel like real brownies, so really, what is there to lose?  Give 'em a try!

Ingredients:
2 15oz cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/3 cup applesauce
1 1/2 cup oatmeal flour (just grind up 2 cups oatmeal in a blender)
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 12oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 9x13in baking pan.

Puree black beans in a blender.  Add water and 1/3 cup applesauce, as needed, until smoothy-like consistency.

Combine black bean mixture, sugar, and remaining applesauce in a large mixing bowl.  Mix until well combined.

Add oatmeal flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Mix until smooth.

Stur in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into prepared pan.  You can lick the batter with no guilt since there's no eggs :)

Bake for 25-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.


-Jenn

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Tasty Tuesday: Peach Spritzers

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 12:00 PM

Peach Spritzers

-an easy weeknight drink-

                                                                                   

Smirnoff or Malibu-
Which one is your favorite?

I know its only Tuesday but there's never a better time for a fun, easy and quick adult beverage than on the second day of the work week, amiright? Not in the mood tonight? Grab everything you need next time you're in Target, if you are anything like me you'll be there within a week.

I saw these sparkling sodas on my most recent trip to Target and knew that they would make a perfect fruity drink base. They're pretty sweet on their own so they make great mixers and they have 1/2 cup of fruit per serving as little added bonus. I'm not a fan of super fizzy soda and these have a champagne-like carbonation to them, which is delightful.

Okay so here is what you will need:

• Target brand Simply Balanced Sparkling Peach Mango
• Nips- I chose Malibu and Pineapple Smirnoff
• Frozen peaches 
• A splash of Strawberry Lemonade (optional in the Smirnoff drink)

Find some cute glasses, a wine glass worked really well for me. This is a great drink to make for yourself because all of the ingredients are either single serving or something you can use for another recipe. Mix one can of soda and one nip then add peaches, easy-peasy! Give them a little stir and enjoy. If you have some other frozen fruit in your freezer I think strawberries or raspberries would make a great addition. 

I was really hoping for some fresh peaches but didn't find any so frozen was the next best thing. I used them as ice cubes and as they melt the drink gets even tastier. AND when you are done with the drink you have a little dessert- best drink ever? Yeah, probably. 

The verdict?

The taste test included myself, Brendan, my brother, Carlos and his roommate. A 3-to-1 vote determined the drink with Malibu as the clear favorite. I'm not normally a Malibu fan and neither are the boys but this drink is so delicious that it has won me over. I see myself enjoying one of these at the beach this summer, if only the weather would cooperate.

Which one will you be making this weekend? Let us know if you try it! 

Cheers,

❤ Demi

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Mama Bear Monday: Toddler Cookies

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 10:00 AM

I am obsessed with these cookies.  Not only are they quick and ridiculously easy, they're tasty!  Cleanup is a breeze, and it's simple enough for a toddler to "help".  They make great snacks and are especially awesome on the go.  There are endless possibilities for add-ons (nuts, fruit, chocolate chips, etc.) and they're pretty allergy-friendly with their short list of ingredients.  Best of all, they're actually healthy.

Toddler Cookies
1 cup rolled oats (I use Red Mills Gluten Free)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 ripe, mashed bananas*
1/4 cup walnuts, pecans, sliced almonds.. whatever!
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips or dried fruit (I used cranberries)

Combine oats, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Drop heaping tablespoon onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Press down to flatten. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until done! 

*Bananas can be replaced with 1 cup no sugar added applesauce.  I've made both and while I prefer the taste of the banana version, both are worth trying.  It's also delicious to use 1 banana and 1/4 cup applesauce. Go ahead, pick and choose! You cannot mess this recipe up.



-Jenn 

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