Apple Oatmeal Pancakes

I love a good pancake recipe. This one is quick, simple, and healthy. Perfect for a Sunday morning.  The ingredients are all good for you and you probably already have most of them in your pantry.

The pancakes are fluffy and airy. We drizzled them with a little bit of light maple syrup and they were delicious! The applesauce gives is just the right amount of sweetness without adding too much sugar.

Apple Oatmeal Pancakes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup oats (quick or old-fashioned)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar (more or less depending on the sweetness of your applesauce)
1/2 cup applesauce
2 egg whites
1 tbsp vegetable oil 

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix together the flours, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

Add all remaining ingredients and mix well. Let the batter set at least 5 minutes to soften the oats.

Heat a frying pan or griddle to medium-high heat. Coat generously with cooking spray.

Dollop the batter onto the hot surface in 1/4 cup amounts per pancake.

When the edges of the pancakes appear dry and bubbles are forming on the surface, flip the pancakes and cook the other side until golden brown.

Fudgy Brownies with Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting

Who doesn't love a soft and chewy brownie?  Who doesn't love Nutella? Who doesn't love cream cheese? This is probably the best combination of ingredients for the yummiest brownie. 

It is the perfect little snack to fulfill any chocolate craving. The only problem is, I can't eat just one!

If you are an ooey, gooey, chocolate brownie lover and have never tried a Nutella brownie before you need to try this one. These are so simple to make, and simply delicious! 

Fudgy Nutella Brownies with Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

1 boxed brownie mix (I used Chocolate Fudge)
2 eggs
2 tablespoons oil
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup Nutella
Frosting:

1/2 cup Nutella

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup Cool Whip

Directions:

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 in pan lightly with nonstick cooking spray, then line with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the brownie mix, eggs, oil, water, and Nutella. Stir with a wooden spoon until just mixed. Spread into the prepared pan.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out nearly clean. Cool the brownies completely before frosting.

Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, mix together Nutella and cream cheese until blended. Gently fold in the cool whip.  Spread over the cooled brownies; refrigerate 2 hours before cutting.

Baked Ziti

This is the perfect week night meal. Baked ziti is one of our favorites and we finally made it the other night. It's quick and easy to put together. We like to throw in some spinach, but you could really add anything you like. This recipe makes enough for about six people, so we definitely had left overs for lunch and dinner the next day. 

Baked Ziti
Ingredients:

1 lb ziti
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed1 tsp oregano
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
salt and fresh pepper to taste
8 oz fat-free ricotta
1/4 cup Parmesan
2 cups (8 oz) mozzarella, shredded
Cooking spray 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with oil spray.

In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta according to instructions until al dente.Drain and return to pot.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, add olive oil and sauté garlic. Add chopped spinach, salt pepper and chopped tomatoes. Season with basil, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt and pepper.

Add sauce to the pasta and combine the ziti. Add half of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and ricotta. Mix well then transfer to the baking pan.

Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until mozzarella is melted and the edges are lightly browned.

Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting

The other night we went to Bocado in Midtown to celebrate my good friend Jenna's birthday. We had a delicious dinner and enjoyed catching up. I'm usually not one to go out to dinner without getting dessert (you know me, I prefer dessert first!); however, we decided not to that night. Boy did I regret that decision!! As we were leaving I happened to walk by the most amazingly delicious looking chocolate cake with salted caramel frosting. My mouth was literally drooling as we walked out! Since then, I have been bound and determined to make it, and today, I did. 

Now, trust me, this cake is not nearly as pretty and perfect as the cake at Bocado...but it sure is yummy! The chocolate cake is super moist and the frosting is to die for! I can't wait to use this salted caramel frosting in another dessert...I'm thinking over brownies with pecans and toffee?! The entire process is a bit labor intensive, but totally worth the effort! 

Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

1 box devil's food cake mix

1 1/4 cup brewed coffee, cooled

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease your cake pans. 

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine eggs, oil, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together cake mix and cocoa powder. With the mixer on low speed, alternate dry ingredients and coffee until everything is incorporated. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides and make sure everything is combined and there are no lumps. Divide your batter between your cake pans. I made three 8 inch layers about 1/3 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let cool for 10-15 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely. 

Salted Caramel

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1. Combine the sugar, water, and the corn syrup in a large saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.2. Cover the saucepan and let it cook over medium heat for 3 minutes.
3. After 3 minutes, remove the lid, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil.
4. Do not stir from this point on, but instead swirl the liquid around the pan so that the caramel doesn’t burn.
5. Continue to cook until the caramel turns an even amber color then remove from the heat and let stand for about 30 seconds.
6. **Be very careful! Pour the heavy cream into the mixture. The mixture will bubble up significantly and is very hot.
7. Stir the mixture, again being careful. Add the butter and salt. Stir until combined.8. Stirring occasionally, allow to cool until thick and warm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Save any extra in a sealed container in the refrigerator.


Salted Caramel Frosting
Ingredients:
1 stick butter at room temperature
8 ounces of cream cheese
3-4 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup salted caramel (recipe above)

1. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed until creamy.
2. Add 2 cups of the powdered sugar into the butter/cream cheese mixture and beat to combine.
3. Add 1 cup of the salted caramel and beat to combine.
4. Add additional powdered sugar until the frosting is your desired sweetness and consistency.
ENJOY!!! :)

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies

I decided to make some cookies. Healthy cookies?? Maybe so, they have fruit, oats, and Greek yogurt! Yum. If you forget about the cake mix, they really aren't that bad! I love a good shortcut when it comes to baking...and cake mix is the perfect way to go for these cookies.  

They get their apple and cinnamon flavor from the Greek yogurt, who would have guessed! With the combo of cake mix and oats they are thick, chewy, and super soft. I love a good cookie, and trust me, these are GOOD! :)

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies 

Recipe adapted from Little Bitty Bakes

Ingredients: 
1 boxed spice cake mix (dry mix only — do not prepare the mix)

1 cup quick oats
1 large egg
1 6-ounce container Apple Cinnamon Chobani Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon canola oil

Directions:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper. 
• In a large mixing bowl, stir the cake mix and oats to combine. Add the egg, yogurt and oil; stir until mixed well. Drop the cookie dough by rounded tablespoon onto the prepared cookie sheets. 
• Bake 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Allow to cool 2-3 minutes before removing from cookie sheets to cool completely.