S'Mores Granola Bars

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Granola bars are my favorite grab and go snack and you really can't get any easier than this recipe. I love the Quaker Chewy S'mores Granola Bars, so I tweaked the recipe to be as s'mores like as possible. I used Kraft mini marshmallows, they taste like the marshmallows in Lucky Charms, or the kind that come in those little packets of hot cocoa, so they were perfect for these bars. The finished product was quite similar to the Quaker bars, but a bit chewier and more chocolaty tasting. Definitely a keeper. 
No bake S'mores Granola BarsAdapted From laurenslatest.com1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats {not rolled oats!}
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, plus more for topping1/2 cup mini marshmallows, plus more for toppingMix together Rice Krispies, oats, 1/2 cup marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips (if you want them with less chocolate flavor, leave out the chips till the end). Set aside. In a small pot, melt butter, honey, and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it starts to bubble. Reduce heat and cook for another two minutes. Stir in the vanilla. Remove from heat and pour over oat/rice mixture. Mix well ensuring that all ingredients are moistened. Line a small jelly roll pan (12x8x1) with aluminum foil.  Pour mixture into lined pan. Pack it in really tightly or the bars won't set and will fall apart when cooled.  Sprinkle the top with more chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Let cool, then cut into bars. Have a sweet day! 

Chocolate Raspberry Whoopie Pies

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Chocolate Raspberry Whoopie Pies 

Thesechocolate raspberry whoopie pies are a delicious update to the oldclassic.  Now in case you’re not quitesure what whoopie pie is, they’re like a big sandwich cookie with a cakelikeconsistency and a creamy filling. Classic whoopie pies are usually done with chocolate cake that’s oftenfilled with a vanilla or marshmallow cream. This version adds raspberry flavoring not only to the chocolate cakebatter itself, but it also has a raspberry jam cream added to the cheesefrosting for those with more mature tastes. But then again the kids will probably love these too.  I’m thinking whoopie pies might just be thenext cupcake.  I’m already tossing aroundthe idea of a gingerbread whoopie pie. What do you think of the idea? And what kind of filling might be best?
Chocolate Raspberry Whoopie Pies Prep time: 20 min Bake time: 15 min
Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups gluten freeBisquick 
• ½  cup cocoa powder sifted
• 1/2 cup butter,softened
• 1 ¼cups brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup milk
• 7 oz Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp vanillaextract
• 2 tsp raspberryextract
• FOR THE FILLING:
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup low fat creamcheese, softened
• 1 heaping tbsp ofseedless raspberry jam
• 1 tsp raspberryextract
• ½ tsp vanilla
• 1 ¼ cup confectioner’ssugar
• red food coloring,optional

Video Tutorial: 




Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (or 175 °C) and line two bakingsheets with parchment paper.   
2. In a large bowl whisktogether the gluten free Bisquick and cocoa and set aside.
3. Using a stand mixer orhand mixer beat together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy thenscrape down the bowl, add the egg and beat until well combined. 
4. Scrape down the bowlagain then add the milk, Greek yogurt and both the vanilla and raspberryextracts and beat until everything looks well incorporated and smooth. 
5. Add the dryingredients mixture and beat for about 2 minutes or until you have a smooththick batter. 
6. Spoon mounds of thebatter onto the prepared pans.  I used alarge cookie scoop with a volume of just over 2 tablespoons and spaced thecakes about 2 inches apart on the sheet pan. Once the sheet pan is full you can use a wet finger to flatten thecookies slightly then bake them for 12-14 minutes.    
7. When they’re done letthem rest on the pan for a minute then use a metal spatula to transfer thecakes onto a baking rack to cool completely while you make the filling.
8. For the filling beattogether all of the filling ingredients except for the confectioner’s sugaruntil smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in the confectioner’s sugar until it’s wellincorporated.
9. To boost the color ofthe filling you can beat in one drop at a time of red food coloring until youhave reached a color that you’re happy with. 
10. Spoon a heapingtablespoon of the frosting into the center of the flat side of half the cakes,then top off the filled cakes with the remaining cakes and apply a slightgentle pressure until the filling just reaches the edge of the cakes.
11. Refrigerate the wholesheet pan of finished whoopie pies for an hour or so to firm up the frostingand serve.   For a special occasion thesecan be dressed up by piping on a few lines of white chocolate or more of thefrosting if you want.  

Notes: Notes:  If you’re notfollowing a gluten free diet, to replace the gluten free Bisquick, you can stirtogether: (1 ½ cups flour, 1 ½ tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt) 

I'm Blogging Again!

To contact us Click HERE

Wow!  What a break I have had!  When I posted several weeks ago about taking a break from my blog I kinda left something out.  Sure, I was honest that I wanted to make impromptu and messy dinners without the worry of them looking photogenic.  I was also ready to "chill out" and relax with my family.  What I failed to mention was... well, I'll let my photos do the talking...


Wait one second... Are we on an airplane!?

Yep, we are flying high in the sky to...
The Sunshine State!!! 
Why hello there warm hot weather, swimming pools, beaches, sundresses and pedicures (on very pale feet.  Who cares...we were in FLORIDA!).

Fun bike ride for 4!  We got the kids bowls of ice cream while my husband and I pedaled around.
Red Sox fans vacationing on the west coast of Florida... you bet we made a trip to Spring Training.Beautiful new stadium.  It's a replica of Fenway.
This is simply the best way to get around these Florida developments.

Lovin' life!
Our own private beach.
When in humid Florida, do not attempt to straighten your hair.  Embrace the curls!
Those are my kids swimming in the "big" pool.
We even had a Date Night!
Scariest walk in my life!!!  I swear we were walking through crocodile alley!  This was between a parking lot and a (really nice!) hotel where we had a cocktail.  I was so freaked out!!!  We not only had to walk through swampy woods, but also over an area of water.  I think my husband still has my fingernail marks in his arm!
Our last day at the beach.  Pelican feeding time - they are huge!

beware ~ a sand witch! (get it?)

 Good-bye beach!
This is quite a nice way to eat lunch... a little different than this.
Our final family dinner.
...and the sun sets on a beautiful vacation.
Checking out our airplane.
Just about to board, but there is time for... Silly faces... along with a gigantic lollipop (and still wearing his pajama top.  Pick your battles, right?).  My son had this lollipop the entire day which saved the day, if you know what I mean ;)
Ahhh... Fabulous vacation.  I'm curly-haired, tanned (sort of), and I've got my Starbucks iced soy latte.
Next post...vacation food!

Happy Mother's Day and Sunday Links (May 13, 2012)

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Happy Mother's Day!  Every Mother's Day I look back at the pictures of my children on the days they were born.  The days that forever changed my life and gave me the honorable title, "Mom."

my daughter ~ 2006 
my son ~ 2008


This year will be different than last year.  I get a weekend off from the kitchen!  Of course I love being in the kitchen, but I definitely don't mind a time-out.  We'll be having a family brunch at my parent's Country Club - Ooh, la, la!

Sunday Links

MSNBC Week in Pictures

4 Sneaky Health Food Ingredients to Watch Out For

3 Health Habits that Are Good Enough

18 Most Sickening Food Ingredients (EIGHTEEN!?!  Wowza!)

Photography Tips and Tricks for Photographing Children

Good Enough to Eat - Nutritious Food Swaps

Udon Noodles with Soybeans and Carrots

Maurice Sendak, Children's Author, Dies at 83


Do you have a favorite Maurice Sendak book?  I have two favorites: Chicken Soup with Rice - kind of ironic, I know...being vegetarian and all... (video above) and Alligators All Around.  My children love In The Night Kitchen.

S'Mores Granola Bars

To contact us Click HERE

Granola bars are my favorite grab and go snack and you really can't get any easier than this recipe. I love the Quaker Chewy S'mores Granola Bars, so I tweaked the recipe to be as s'mores like as possible. I used Kraft mini marshmallows, they taste like the marshmallows in Lucky Charms, or the kind that come in those little packets of hot cocoa, so they were perfect for these bars. The finished product was quite similar to the Quaker bars, but a bit chewier and more chocolaty tasting. Definitely a keeper. 
No bake S'mores Granola BarsAdapted From laurenslatest.com1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats {not rolled oats!}
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, plus more for topping1/2 cup mini marshmallows, plus more for toppingMix together Rice Krispies, oats, 1/2 cup marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips (if you want them with less chocolate flavor, leave out the chips till the end). Set aside. In a small pot, melt butter, honey, and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it starts to bubble. Reduce heat and cook for another two minutes. Stir in the vanilla. Remove from heat and pour over oat/rice mixture. Mix well ensuring that all ingredients are moistened. Line a small jelly roll pan (12x8x1) with aluminum foil.  Pour mixture into lined pan. Pack it in really tightly or the bars won't set and will fall apart when cooled.  Sprinkle the top with more chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Let cool, then cut into bars. Have a sweet day! 

I'm Blogging Again!

To contact us Click HERE

Wow!  What a break I have had!  When I posted several weeks ago about taking a break from my blog I kinda left something out.  Sure, I was honest that I wanted to make impromptu and messy dinners without the worry of them looking photogenic.  I was also ready to "chill out" and relax with my family.  What I failed to mention was... well, I'll let my photos do the talking...


Wait one second... Are we on an airplane!?

Yep, we are flying high in the sky to...
The Sunshine State!!! 
Why hello there warm hot weather, swimming pools, beaches, sundresses and pedicures (on very pale feet.  Who cares...we were in FLORIDA!).

Fun bike ride for 4!  We got the kids bowls of ice cream while my husband and I pedaled around.
Red Sox fans vacationing on the west coast of Florida... you bet we made a trip to Spring Training.Beautiful new stadium.  It's a replica of Fenway.
This is simply the best way to get around these Florida developments.

Lovin' life!
Our own private beach.
When in humid Florida, do not attempt to straighten your hair.  Embrace the curls!
Those are my kids swimming in the "big" pool.
We even had a Date Night!
Scariest walk in my life!!!  I swear we were walking through crocodile alley!  This was between a parking lot and a (really nice!) hotel where we had a cocktail.  I was so freaked out!!!  We not only had to walk through swampy woods, but also over an area of water.  I think my husband still has my fingernail marks in his arm!
Our last day at the beach.  Pelican feeding time - they are huge!

beware ~ a sand witch! (get it?)

 Good-bye beach!
This is quite a nice way to eat lunch... a little different than this.
Our final family dinner.
...and the sun sets on a beautiful vacation.
Checking out our airplane.
Just about to board, but there is time for... Silly faces... along with a gigantic lollipop (and still wearing his pajama top.  Pick your battles, right?).  My son had this lollipop the entire day which saved the day, if you know what I mean ;)
Ahhh... Fabulous vacation.  I'm curly-haired, tanned (sort of), and I've got my Starbucks iced soy latte.
Next post...vacation food!