Incredible Banana Bread Recipe!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 to 3 overly ripe bananas, peeled
• 1/3 cup of melted butter
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup of Sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/2 cups of All-Purpose Flour

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), and butter a 4×8-inch loaf pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
3. Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.
4. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour at 350°F (175°C), or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then remove the banana bread from the pan and let cool completely before serving. Slice and serve. (A bread knife helps to make slices that aren’t crumbly.)

Enjoy!!

Breaded Chicken Tenders!

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Almond Flour
• Onion Salt
• Garlic Salt
• Egg
• Boneless All White Meat Chicken Breast Tender

Directions:

1. Pour the almond flour into a zip lock bag. Add garlic and onion powder to the flour.
2. Dip the chicken into a beaten egg, then lightly coat in the flour/seasoning mixture.
3. Broil on High for 10 minutes. Then flip and broil for another 5-8 minutes.
4. They’re ready when the coating starts to turn brown on both sides!

NO-BAKE Valentine Snacks For February!

As much as I love baking, I’m always in a rush just as much as the next guy! Here’s some of my favorite & easy Valentine themed snacks!

Get yourself a couple of these super CUTE bowls for easy healthy Valentine snacking! Ingredients? Blueberries and Strawberries! How simple is that! {^Shoutout to thesunnysideupblog.com for that idea!}

Ah yes my all time favorite, and one of the cutest snacks ever! Here’s your quick recipe: Heat up either white or dark chocolate in a saucepan over the stove. Once liquidized drizzle the chocolate over some salty pretzels. Then add different Valentine sprinkles!

Get a good ‘ol fashioned platter going with a cupcake tray! And it’s red themed! Perfect for a party or for snacking on a February Weekend! List of RED Ingredients from Left to Right: Apples, Cherries, Almonds, Radish, Raspberries, Red Bell Pepper, Cranberry Raisins, Watermelon, Pomegranates, Tomatoes, Grapes, & Strawberries.

The best for last! Valentine Trail Mix! Add all these lovely ingredients together to form the best Valentine Themed food yet! Ingredients: Red and Pink M’n’Ms, Pink Frosting Drizzled Pretzels, Popcorn, Chex, and don’t forget Sprinkles!

Grandma’s Lemon Squares

Who doesn’t love lemons! Especially with Spring just around the corner! One of my all time favorite desserts that you could never say no to:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sifted All-Purpose Flour
• 1 cup Confectioners’ Sugar
• 1 cup of Butter, melted
• 4 Eggs
• 2 cups White Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 5/8 cup Lemon Juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups flour and confectioners’ sugar. Blend in the melted butter. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan from Number 1.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden.
4. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light.
5. Combine the sugar, baking powder and 1/4 cup of flour in a separate bowl so there will be no flour lumps. Then stir the sugar mixture into the eggs.
6. Finally, stir in the lemon juice. Pour over the prepared crust and return to the oven.
7. Bake for an additional 30 minutes or until bars are set. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.

TIP: I add on Confectioners’ Sugar to the top of the squares after they come out of the oven for a hint of flavor!

10 ButterCream Frosting Recipes!!

Never know what frosting should be your topper of perfection? No need to fret these dandy recipes will make you want to bake something up quick just to have a reason to use all 10 frostings!

Mocha Frosting (MY FAVORITE!)

• 2 sticks of butter
• 4 cups of powdered sugar
• 4 ounces of dark chocolate pieces, melted and cooled
• 2 teaspoons of instant espresso, dissolved in 3 tablespoons of milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt

Orange Grand Marnier Frosting

• 2 sticks of butter
• 4 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of orange zest
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 1/2 teaspoons of Grand Marnier
• 1 1/2 – 4 1/2 teaspoons of milk

Peppermint Frosting

• 3 sticks of butter
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 3 – 4 drops of red food coloring (Optional)
• 2 cups of powdered sugar

Coconut Cream Frosting

• 2 sticks of butter
• 3 /12 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 pinch of kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons coconut cream coffee creamer
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 – 2 teaspoons coconut extract

Salted Caramel Frosting

• 2 sticks of butter
• 4 – 5 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 cup of caramel ice cream topping
• 1 1/3 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• Fleur de Sel sprinkled on top (for garnish)

Matcha Green Tea Frosting

• 1 1/2 sticks of butter
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons of milk
• 1 tablespoon of matcha powder

Strawberry Frosting

• 2 sticks of butter
• 3 1/2 – 4 cups of powdered sugar
• 3 – 4 tablespoons of strawberry syrup
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons of strawberry milk
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• Fresh strawberries cut in half & placed on top (for garnish)

Sticky Peanut Butter Frosting

• 1 stick of butter
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 – 6 tablespoons of milk

Pistachio Frosting

• 2 sticks of butter
• 4 – 5 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 cup of milk
• 6 tablespoons of instant pistachio pudding mix

Red Velvet Frosting

• 1 1/2 sticks of butter
• 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons of red food coloring

 

Delicious Every-Season Cinnamon Rolls!

Year-Round cinnamon rolls for every season, occasion, and meal! (Because who doesn’t love homemade from scratch Cinnamon Rolls!)

Dough Ingredients:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons of butter, softened
• 3/4 cup of milk
• 1 egg

Filling Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of white sugar
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup of butter
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions!

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Brush a 9 in. square baking pan with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
2. Whisk flour, 2 tablespoons white sugar, baking powder, and salt all together in a large bowl. Once done, add in 3 tablespoons softened butter into flour mixture using your hands.
3. Beat milk and egg together in another bowl; pour into flour-butter mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until a soft dough forms.
4. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and roll dough into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Brush surface of dough with 2 tablespoons melted butter.
5. Whisk 1/2 cup white sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Sprinkle 1/2 of this mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish from Step 1.
6. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar over butter-brushed dough. Roll dough around filling to form a log; cut log into 18 rolls and place rolls in the prepared baking dish.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes until the rolls are set.
8. Beat confectioners’ sugar, cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened butter, and vanilla extract together in a bowl until the frosting is smooth. Top hot cinnamon rolls with a yummy cream cheese frosting!

SIDE NOTE!

If making this recipe for just two people, use my How To Cut A Recipe In Half! Blog to split it up smoothly! Bake for 15 minutes instead of 20.

My Top Ten Favorite Disney Movies

We all grew up on them. They make all of our hearts happy. So here I am sipping my tea watching one play in the background as I type out the best of the best Disney Movies:

(NO ORDER!)

• Lilo & Stitch
• Lion King
• Cinderella
• Little Mermaid
• Snow White
• Beauty and the Beast
• Hercules
• Sleeping Beauty
• Mulan

Five Things You Need to Add to Your 2018 New Year’s Resolution

Everyone secretly thinks in their head “New Year, New Me.” Well that’s fantastic, I’m so happy for you. But what are you actually changing? Here’s FIVE great things to add to your list. They’ll truly make you, a new you:

A Workout Routine

• Whether you like it or not, it’s a proven, scientific fact, that if your body isn’t healthy… you die. Sorry to break it to you! Well, lets try working out.
• I know an amazing girl who’ll train you into a war fighting BEAST! Okay that’s a bit exaggerative. However, she’s got some damn good workout plans and knows what she’s doing. Check her out >> Katelyn Long.
• Whether or not you like the idea of someone training you, maybe start with the gym? Try a new gym membership at your local fitness facility.

A Diet?… Or at least a Meal Plan

• May I possibly recommend my personal FAVORITE: BeachBodyOnDemand.
• Challenge yourself to starting a simple Four week plan of meal prepping. You can do it! It’s barely a month.
• Changing your body starts in the Kitchen, not the gym.

Spoil Yourself

• Whether it’s treating yourself to a new magazine membership, a spa day every couple weeks, or even just a couple of nights on Netflix, your body needs time to relax.
• My favorite thing to do is make a cup of coffee and sit under the cool sheets watching whatever my current favorite show is on Netflix.
• Give yourself time to cool off from the week. Treat yourself to relaxation every once in awhile. This should be at the TOP of your New Year’s Resolution!

A BRAND NEW… Pair of Shoes?

• A new pair of shoes will LITERALLY have you walking into 2018 with confidence.
• I can’t remember the last time I bought a good pair of shoes and didn’t think “Wow, I seriously can’t wait to wear these.” Not only will they boost your confidence, but it’s been proven, that when you look good, you’ll feel good.
• Go for something as simple as a cute pair of sandals you’ll be excited to wear in the summer, or a super nice pair of running shoes (like I just got!), that you’ll be stoked to wear on the track! Or maybe it’s those leather boots you’ve always wanted… go get em. Spoil yourself. You’ll be glad you did.

Lastly, Try Something New

• Get outside of your comfort zone. The thing I did? I started a blog! And I dang right already love doing it.
• I highly suggest doing something BIG and making it GREAT. You can’t go wrong with trying.

My Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies

Finally I have decided to share to the world the most scrumptious chocolate chip cookies! Dig into this blog for a treat:

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1 cup of butter (softened)
• 1 egg
• 2 1/4 cups of flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup of nuts (totally optional)
• 3/4 package semi-sweet chocolate chips (About 2 cups worth)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix together sugars, butter, and egg.
3. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Once all mixed together, add in chocolate chips (and nuts if desired).
5. Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until softly golden.

Will make about 1 to 2 dozen cookies. Depends on how big you would like them to be.

Enjoy!

My Holiday Trip Home

It’s December 23rd, cold in Florida, however not so chilly in the Southwest. I had an eight hour travel day heading home for the holidays. TOTALLY worth it though if you ask me. I surprised my two youngest sisters for they were thinking I wasn’t going to be home for Christmas.

I’d have to say, being in the military you miss a lot of things back home, but I had never thought I’d miss my mom’s cooking so much before… and she’s no Chef Ramsey either. But it’s not my boyfriend or the cooking that I had missed the most (Jack is gonna read this and be like alright where’s this headed…) IT WAS MY DOGGIE! I missed my ‘lil boy so dang much. I can guarantee, you ask anyone in the military, no matter what branch, their dog will be what they miss the most.

So here’s a little shout out to all my brothers and sisters who miss their pets. I’m with you there.

Moving on; so after I arrived Saturday, the very next day was Christmas Eve. Our family does the typical Christmas Eve church service thing and soon after, I had decided I wanted to bake something! Like come on, it had been six months since I had baked, I was very excited for this event. But like all good things… well, they never turn out perfect. Turns out because of my long flight the day before I just CRASHED on the couch! For hours! Nobody woke me up! Rude… I slept through the baking of the Christmas cookies… it was detrimental to my holiday spirit if you ask me. It’s a holiday tradition!

Christmas day was a blast. Typical spoiled kids thinking Santa spends his whole year making gifts for them. Poor Santa. That man works harder than all of us Americans combined! (Eh that’s not saying much.)

I’ve got to say, finding things to do in Arizona during the holidays was extremely difficult. It’s beautiful out there but like, what is a family of six supposed to do with beauty? “Ah yes, let us all collectively stand outside and look at a cactus until Ashley’s leave is over.” My mom was extremely creative throughout my trip. We did a thing called Zoo Lights down in Phoenix. I highly recommend it if you’re ever in the area and are bored of looking at a cactus.

I had taken a total of 12 leave days, which is a lot for someone so new to the military. My friends all took a general 5 days of leave. Suckers. I had a blast being home! I ate the worst food and slept a whole ton. I was very spoiled. (Yes, sleeping is a virtue and blessing around here). I couldn’t be more satisfied with the trip and loved every minute of it. Even when my dog peed on me.