Sunday, January 23, 2011

maple cinnamon oatmeal pancakes

Our weekday mornings are crazy! We scramble to get ready and out the door, all while trying to keep Sofia calm and relaxed. HA! Usually for breakfast we shove some cereal in our mouths, or maybe a piece of toast. Always coffee. Needless to say we really enjoy the weekends, when our mornings are much more relaxed.

At least once during the weekend I make us a nice breakfast. Sometimes it's eggs and potatoes and toast, other times it's french toast. Lately, I've really been on a pancake kick. I've been trying to mix it up, so this week I made maple cinnamon oatmeal pancakes topped with bananas, strawberries, toasted almond slices, and warm maple syrup! So good! And it was so nice to actually relax and enjoy our breakfast instead of being in a hurry.


Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes

1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup very hot water
2 tbs maple syrup

2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt

2 cups buttermilk
1 egg

1. Combine oats, hot water, and maple syrup in a small bowl. Stir, and set aside.

2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg until combined. Then, add in oat mixture, stir until combined.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mix until incorporated.

5. Heat a skillet on low-medium heat. Add a small pat of butter, when melted add in pancake batter, 1/3 cup batter per pancake. Cook until golden brown, flip and cook on the other side. Repeat until you've used all the batter. *

Serve with butter, sliced bananas, sliced strawberries, toasted almond slices, and maple syrup. Enjoy!

* To keep pancakes warm, turn oven to 250 degrees. Place a cookie sheet in the oven, and place cooked pancakes in the warm oven until all pancakes have been made.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

peanut butter chocolate chip cookies

These cookies border on perfection. Why?

1. They include one of the all-time best flavor combos- chocolate and peanut butter.

2. They only use one bowl.

3. They can be prepared and in the oven during the very brief time my 5 month old naps!

4. They are awesome!

When you're in need of something sweet in a hurry, try these! Enjoy!



Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients except chocolate chips until smooth. Mix in chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cookies are puffed and lightly browned. Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool for 15 minutes.