Oatmeal Toffee Bars

The first time I saw these bars was on Megan’s Cookin’ and they were loaded with chocolate chips.  A week or so later they popped up on my radar again when April lightened them up.  After seeing them a second time I couldn’t resist making some, especially knowing that my oatmeal cookie lovin’ son, Jalen would be thrilled.  Cookies aren’t happen here so this is a win-win recipe. 

This is a super easy recipe that doesn’t require any advanced planning as there’s no butter to soften.   Besides my obvious change of leaving out the chocolate chips and subbing in toffee pieces I used all purpose flour instead of whole wheat.  These baked up perfectly in 17 minutes which was actually faster than it took me to clean up.

While very good on their own these bars were fantastic heated up with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. So good in fact, I might have eaten one just like that for breakfast.  Hey, it’s like oatmeal made with milk only not. :)

Oatmeal Toffee Bars (printable recipe)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons skim milk (I used 2%)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (I used coarse sea salt)*
• 3 cups of old-fashioned oats (I ran out and used a packet of instant)
• 1 3/4 cups whole-wheat flour (I used all purpose)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (I added one bag of Heath’s toffee pieces.)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut (I omitted)

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes or until the sugars have dissolved.

In a separate bowl, combine old-fashioned oats, flour, baking soda, coconut, and chocolate chips. Stir until just combined. Add to liquid mixture and stir until combined.  The batter will be cookie dough thick.  Transfer it into a lightly greased 13×9 inch baking pan.  Once transferred I found it easiest to spread the batter into the corners with my dampened fingers.

Bake 15-20 minutes until golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool until firm. Cut into squares and store tightly covered.

*Note:  If you’re a fan of salty sweet (Michelle!) I’d up the salt to maybe 3/4 tsp.  On my last square I sprinkled some coarse sea salt on top and it was delish!

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Don’t forget to enter my giveaway…..click here.

We Interrupt Your Normally Scheduled Post to Bring you….

a review and giveaway!  Your nutella marshmallow mousse post will be back next week in it’s normally scheduled spot.  :)  In it’s place we have margarine.  Not any ol’ margarine but I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! margarine.

Last month I received an email from Lauren asking if I’d be interested in trying a couple of recipes that called for the margarine, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!.  This was an easy yes.  While I always have butter on hand, there’s also, always a small tub of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! along side it.  In the package I received from Lauren, was a folder with three recipes, a $25 gift card to use toward the purchase of the recipe ingredients, and a lovely serving platter. 

I made two out of three of the recipes. After my recipe reviews you’ll see how you can win the same package allowing you to sample a “Reach Right” recipe.

The first recipe I made was Amaretto Cheesecakes in Pastry Shells.  This recipe was very easy.  The toughest part was not eating the filling while you waited for the shells to cool.  My three kiddos really loved these and with only six puff pastry shells and five of us there was some frantic negotiating  for that last one.  So to keep things fair I ate it.  :)  Kidding! 

The second recipe I made was Honey-Nut Glazed Brie.  This was my favorite.  Love, love, love those nuts!    I actually took this to party that my neighbor was having so my children didn’t get to try it.  I’m pretty certain they would have loved it too.  The brie was gone well before the party was over so I took that as a sign it was good.  The host and hostess thanks me several times for bring it and mentioned how much they enjoyed it.

Both of these recipes will be making a return appearance in my kitchen.   ( I’ve got big plans for those nuts!)Not only were they “Reach Right ” choices but they were both very easy and quick to put together.  Does this mean I’m done with butter?  Uh, no but it is nice to know that I can use my I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!  for more than buttering my bread.  :)

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! asks you to  “Reach Right” for nutritious tasty food. If you click here you can see  see the fat comparison between I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!, Smart Choice, and butter.  While you’re reaching right they also want you to Turn the Tub Around!  You can click here for more info on the Big Fat Truth about spreads and if you’re really feeling the margarine click here to follow I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! on twitter! : )

Now for the giveaway info….answer this question.  Which has more trans fat, butter or I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!? I will randomly select and announce the winner on Wed. March 17th. 

Please note: This giveaway is being run by me and I am not receiving any monetary compensation for it!  Thanks and good luck!

Marshmallow-mania

with Monica and Michelle.  This month’s installment of our kitchen challenge was chosen by Monica.   She chose Alton Brown’s marshmallow recipe.  If you haven’t tried your hand at making homemade marshmallows and have a bag of store bought ones in your pantry then you need to give this recipe a try.  

Unlike Monica and Michelle this wasn’t my first foray into marshmallow making.  Having already conquered marshmallows I thought of all these great flavors I could make but then thoughts of other recipes seeped into my head and I went the plain route.  I can’t say if these were better than my last batch of marshmallows but my nephew, Babygirl, her friend from across the street, and myself thought they were great, way better than the kind you eat out of a bag! 

With my homemade marshmallows I made several other recipes.  First up and the most obvious was toaster oven s’mores.  These were requested by Babygirl’s friend. 

The toasted marshmallows didn’t get hot enough to really melt the chocolate or I might have let them cool down too much while I was taking photos.  :)

Next up, toasted marshmallow milkshakes.  These are even better than you’d think.  The best part was the bits of charred marshmallows, YUM!  For those of you who are thinking rats, I don’t have homemade marshmallows. You don’t have to wait you can use the store bought jumbo ones.  :)

Everyone loved these and requested I make a second batch but the rest of my marshmallows were designated for other recipes!  You know what?  Add some chocolate syrup, maybe to the sides of the glass and generously sprinkle in some crushed graham crackers and you’ll have a s’mores shake!  If you make it let me know! 

During our email exchanges Monica, Michelle, and I all agreed turning our marshmallows into cinnamon ones would have been a great adaption to the recipe.  While it was too late to flavor the inside of my marshmallows I thought what if I added cinnamon to the outside? I added some to the cornstarch and powdered sugar and then tossed several of my freshly cut marshmallows.  Pretty good!  Not as good I’m sure as adding the cinnamon to the cooked sugar but definitely nice.  (Hey, Michelle?  Monica?  You guys coming over for some milkshake and cinnamon marshmallows?)

There was one more thing I made with my marshmallows, nutella marshmallow mousse.  Unfortunately you’re gonna have to come back for it. This post is already running  kinda long and you still need to go visit Michelle and Monica’s to check out their marshmallows! 

• Click here for a printable marshmallow recipe.
• Click here for the printable toasted marshmallow milkshake recipe.

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To the 10 Lucky Leaf winners I emailed your addresses to Krista.  I asked that she please let me know when the packages are in route to you.  If she does I’ll let you know.   To those of you that didn’t win I have another giveaway coming up.  I meant to have the post up this weekend but marshmallows kinda got in the way.  :)

And the 10 Lucky Winners are….

Before I list the winners out I would like to thank Krista and Lucky Leaf for offering my readers the chance to win a sample of their pie filling and a heart shaped cake pan. 

Nine of the lucky winners were chosen by my three children.  They each picked 3 numbers and I picked the tenth number.   To claim your prize please email me (joes1pain<at>hotmail<.>com) your mailing address.  You have until Friday noon to respond. 

For those of you that didn’t win have no fear, I  have another giveaway coming up this weekend along with two yummy recipes!

# 5

Julie Q. said...

I can't wait to try the Cherry Chocotinis - what a perfect valentine's dessert!

#13

oneordinaryday said...

The cake is so festive! My kids would love a heart shaped cake. : )
I saw the recipe for blueberry salad and it jolted a memory of my great aunt making something she called blueberry salad when we were kids. Now I've gotta go track that down and compare recipes.
(Love the pic of Joe and baby girl. Couldn't be any sweeter.)

#18

steph said...

Your cake is so pretty and perfect for Valentines! I need to get started on my Valentine's sweets!

#23

Andrew's Mom said...

What a beautiful picture - the father and daughter - not that the cake isn't nice too. I'd try apple butter bread.

#25

teresa said...

aw, what a precious picture! your cake turned out so pretty! i would love to try that cherry crisp, mmmmm.

#32

Katy ~ said...

That is the most adorable picture. Your husband and baby girl are just alight with love and anticipation of a evening made of wonderful memories. You make my throat tighten with emotion and joy for them and for your beautiful family.
Let's see. I spent some time cruising the Lucky Leaf site (I didn't even know they had one til your post) and saw any number of tempting recipes, blueberry moon pasties, coconut cherry squares, and strawberry frosting.
I think I'm going with the strawberry frosting first. That has really intrigued me and considering I'm on a bit of a cupcake kick, I think that frosting sounds totally irresistible.

#36

Amber said...

Cherry Pineapple Surprise - sounds easy and delicious!
Thanks!

#48

Diana's Cocina said...

Awwww, a father-daughter dance, how awesome! Your cake looks perfect. Seconds Please Peach Cake
sound yummy to me :).

#50

Eliana said...

Your cake looks just lovely. And what a gorgeous daughter you have. She is going to be a heartbreaker!

#54

Lori said...

Hmmm blueberry upside down cake. Yum!
I love that picture of your daughter and husband- so sweet.

The truth or lies? You decide!

Danae from The Busty Baker pasted along this fun award.  As with most awards it comes with a few rules.

The Rules:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award. Thanks, Danae!
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.  Check!
3. Link to the person who nominated you. Check!
4. Tell us up to six outrageous lies about yourself and at least one outrageous truth. See below!
5. Allow your readers to guess which one or more is true. Go for it!
6. Nominate seven "Creative Writers" who might have fun coming up with outrageous lies. ALL of you are challenged, er invited to grab the award for yourself and get to lying!  :)
7. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate.
8. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them.

A lie or the truth?

1. I’m ambidextrous.
2. I have triplets.
3. I love chocolate!
4. I take tons of random photos.
5. I sat on Yankee’s Chris Chambliss’ lap when I was three.
6. I’m a terrible liar.
7. I played baseball on a all boys team until I was 13.

Hint….there are two truths and five lies. 

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Last call to enter the Lucky Leaf giveaway!  My children will be picking 10 lucky names tomorrow so you have until midnight tonight to enter. Please leave your contact info.  Good luck! :)

 

Bananas + Biscuits = Yum!

For those of you who have read my blog a few times know this post has several elements that are fairly standard to my blog.  Bananas.  We’re fond of bananas and you can find quite a few recipes here where bananas are key.  Another two are caramel and cinnamon which for me pretty much go hand in hand with bananas. Wait, who am I kidding?  There isn’t much those two don’t go with. (Am I right, Grace? Monica?) But the last two are quick and easy.  I love pretzels and cinnamon rolls but I really, really love quick and easy especially when it’s full of flavor! These upside down banana pecan biscuits, that I found on Monica’s blog  deliver on quick, easy, AND flavor. 

Wait! It gets better.  There’s no wrong way to make these and customize them to your tastes.  You don’t like bananas?  Want  walnuts instead?  Play with it…make the recipe yours!  My two suggestions for maximizing the flavors are to lightly toast your nuts especially if you’re adding them straight from the freezer (They’re not in the oven long enough to get nice a toasty.) and to use the canned (Make your own if you’re so inclined but did you catch the key words, quick and easy?) biscuits that are your favorite.  Don’t go with ones you hate but they’re on sale and you think you won’t mind them in this recipe.  You will.  (I made that mistake with this pie and bought the cheapy crust. Learn from my mistakes.  :))

I think I’ve made these once a week since I first saw them on Monica’s.  Needless to say my crew loves them.  The Twins top theirs with vanilla ice cream but Babygirl likes her plain with no nuts.  (Click here for a printable recipe!)

**********************************************************Leave a comment here for your chance to be one of ten Lucky Leaf giveaway winners.  Please don’t forget to leave your contact info!

Lucky Leaf & 10 Lucky Winners

At the end of January Krista from Lucky Leaf contacted me about trying their one of their Lucky Leaf premium pie fillings.  While I’m not crazy about pies my children are so I figured why not. Along with the two cans of  Lucky Leaf premium cherry pie fillings I received Wilton’s heart shaped pan, a set of heart shaped measuring spoons, and recipe card for a sweetheart cherry cake.

My honest opinion?  I still don’t like mushy fruit but thought the cherry pie filling had a pleasantly sweet flavor and  it didn’t have that awful artificial cherry taste.  I made a slight change to the recipe in that I added all the pie filling at once.  I did this so my mixer would chop up the cherries as I didn’t want chunks of them  in my cake. Both the kids and I really liked the cake.   (I loved the frosting and wish I could have split the cake into two layers as I had plenty of frosting to fill it.) The only issue I had with it was that the outside was done well before the middle.  I think there may be too much batter for the pan.  Next time I’ll divide the batter between two pans instead of the one.  Thanks Krista for the chance to try Lucky Leaf!  I’ll be keeping my eye open for more the next time I go to the grocery store. I’m thinking  strawberry pie filling with a lemon cake!

I’m sure you’re wondering about the 10 lucky winners.  Well, Krista and Lucky Leaf have very generously offered to give 10 lucky commenters a chance to sample their products and receive a Wilton heart shaped pan along with the sweetheart cherry cake recipe card! All you need to do it swing by Lucky Leaf and tell me what recipe you’d like to try. (I’m hoping you’ll find some good ones I might have missed!)  Besides my giveaway click here for info on Lucky Leaf’s Blue Ribbon Recipe Contest.  You’ll have a chance at $1000 and $50 worth of Lucky Leaf premium pie filling products!  Good luck!

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Here’s a photo of Babygirl and Joe just before they left tonight to attend Winter Springs’ Annual Father Daughter Dance!

Soft Pretzels

Last year Monica and I baked together quite a few times.  Our adventures in baking were cupcakes out of Martha Stewart’s Cupcake cookbook.  This year we stepped it and dragged along Michelle from One Ordinary Day. Over the next year we hope to conquer our fears and expand our baking horizons. 

Michelle chose soft pretzels as our first challenge.  Knowing I was baking with these two awesome bakers and bloggers gave me the push I needed to give these a try!  (FYI, I first drooled over pretzels after seeing Ann’s at Household 6 Diva!) Michelle chose Alton Brown’s recipe which she saw made here on Macheesmo.

Unfortunately my photos don’t really do the pretzels justice but the good news is you can check out Michelle’s and Monica’s pretzels which are sure to be stellar. 

I opted to make all my pretzels cinnamon sugar ones. You’re shocked right?  :)

I hope that we’ve motivated you to try your hand at making pretzels.  The recipe is straight forward and the dough isn’t too difficult to work with, just remember to have everything in place.

 ***Click here for the printable recipe I used!***