A Whole Lotta Bakin...

So tonight has been busy.

I decided to have leftovers for dinner tonight because (like I've said a ton of times) cleaning out the refigerator is a 'top priority' in my life right now! :) But mostly because I knew that Linsey and I were going to be doing a TON of baking and I didn't want to dirty up anymore dishes than needed.

We dined by candle light this evening. It's a new tradition we're starting for 2010...What new traditions are you guys going to start for next year??

Like I said, dinner was just leftovers tonight. I promise that my food is going to get much more exciting over the next few days, but for now...RERUN!! (except I added a piece of Texas toast..)

We decided that something sweet was definitely in order. So I broke out a little something I had been hiding away for a special occasion. Don't worry - I didn't eat it all. We split it four ways and it was GREAT.

Linsey was excited - of course if you put chocolate covered rocks in front of her she's be excited!

Regan enjoyed her portion too. :D

Jason took Regan straight to the bathtub and Linsey and I headed for the kitchen. We had a baking schedule all planned out and then we realized something disturbing...NO FLOUR!!

So we made a very quick run to the grocery store to get whole wheat flour, honey, eggs, and a brownie mix. Once we got home we got to baking. First we made...

Cinnamon Streusel Banana Bread Muffins

1 1/2 c whole wheat flour

1 t baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 ripe bananas, mashed

3/4 c white sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/3 c unsweetened applesauce

1 c walnuts

3/4 t vanilla

1/3 c packed brown sugar

2 T whole wheat flour

1/8 t ground cinnamon

1 T butter

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups or line with muffin papers.

2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 c whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg, vanilla and applesauce. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture just until moistened and then add walnuts. Spoon batter evenly into muffin cups.

3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 T whole wheat flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 T butter until it is a streusel consistency then sprinkle topping over muffins.

4. Bake in preheatede oven for 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool and then ENJOY!!

We doubled this recipe for part of our New Years Eve goodies and they smell fabulous...

Next we made...

"Healthy" Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 c unsweetened applesauce

1/2 stick of butter (softened)

3/4 c raw honey

2 t pure vanilla extract

1 egg

1 egg white

1 1/2 c whole wheat flour

1 c whole grain rolled oats

1/4 t ground nutmeg

1/4 t ground cinnamon

1 t baking soda

1 t fine sea salt

12 oz package Ghirardelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips

1/2 c chopped walnuts

1/2 c dried cranberries

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. In large bowl, mix together applesauce, butter, honey, vanilla, egg and egg white. In seperate bowl, mix together whole wheat flour, rolled oats, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking soda and sea salt.

3. Slowly add dry mixture to wet mixture and stir. Once mixed, stir in chocolate chips, walnuts and dried cranberries.

4. Using a cereal spoon, drop cookie mixture onto parchment lined cookie sheets and bake for 10 - 14 minutes. Let cool on wire rack and enjoy!

After we put the girls to bed, Jason and I split one opf the cookies.

We had to make sure they tasted good - no? :)

Now we're hanging out in bed watching The Notebook aka one of the best movies EVER!! I can't decide which is my favorite of these two The Notebook or Pride & Prejudice (with Kiera Knightley).

Tough call...