Bananaoatchoco Cookies for All

G'morning lovies (I guess its afternoon now, I have beent trying to post this since 9am - ooph!) The treats that I made last night are still top of mind so I had to share them ASAP.  These babies are unreal. A combo of a recipe from Tina and Gina's (O hey rhyming), they really hit the spot!


D came over last night for Pretty Little Liars and left over Proscuitto Pineapple Pizza.  Is anyone else traumatized by PLL? I had to watch an episode of Sex and the City after because I was to scared and it was too close to bed time. Apparently I am 4. No shame. ABC Family decided to really fighten the crap out of its 11-14 year old girls audience with this one. I do not hate it.


Either way, another amazing dinner out on the balcony (one of these days its going to rain and I am going to be devastated) and two dozen cookies later, here is the amazing Bananaoatchoco Cookie recipe!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup of quick oats
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 ripe banana
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter (These would be equally good and healthier with 1/2 cup of apple sauce instead but I didn't have any in the apartment)
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1 egg


Steps:
1) With an electric mixer mix sugar and butter until light and fluffy
2) Add all remaining ingredients and mix, on low, with electric mixer.  If you go to high its going to look like you had a flour fight... all over your kitchen
3) Scoop onto a pam-ed tin-foiled pan in tablespoon sized portions.
4) Bake for 7 to 9 minutes on 350 Degrees F
5) Enjoy!


These cookies are pretty bomb.com.  Only suggestion that I would have is to make sure to add a pinch of cinnamon as well. I forgot them and they were still delicious but 1/2 tsp of cinnamon would have really brought them over the edge.

How ooey gooey do these look?

Assuming cinnamon is included, I would starfabulusly rate them an 8/10. Gooey, sweet- but not too sweet- and anything involving chocolate and oatmeal in cookie form is a given.

Star Fabulous Rating: 8/10

Oatmeal Granola Bars

Last night after work I had the most fabulous evening.  Met a friend in Bryant park for a little to soak up some rays.  Met Jvo for a great Sushi feast in Murray Hill.  Slowly walked my way home and got my life situated. I am trying to organize my life a little bit seeing as we are moving in just 2 short weeks... assuming we ever find an apartment (another post... another time).  Welp, organizing my life consisted of the usual.  You know how it goes, vacuuming, bills to pay.. and of course for this girl- BAKING!

I haven't baked in a while so I was very excited to do so! It is my college reunion this weekend and you know what that means- roadtrip!  So of course, snacks needed to be made.  Yesterday I reached out to the twitter community, specifically some lovely ladies over to help me think of a fun recipe for on the go granola bars to take with me in the car.

Well Anne never fails me and helped me out with these amazing Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Granola Bars.  I made some slight tweaks and they really hit the spot.  As you guys know, I really love my raisins.  More than that, the chocolate and dried fruit combo really hits the spot for me. Well, I guess I kind of failed at the whole Only Eat What You Have Challenge because 2) I didn't have chocolate chips and those were purchased and b) I don't know if going out to dinner with friends counts as following the challenge but I have a sneaking suspicion that it does NOT.  O well, if chocolate and dried fruit does the same for you as it does for me, check out the below!

Ingredients:
2 cups instant oats
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped walnut
1/8 cup chocolate chips
1/8 cup raisins (I went with white raisins to mix things up)
1/8 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 and 1/2 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla 

Steps:
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2) Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl
3) Combine all wet ingredients in a separate bowl
4) Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until combined
5) Pour batter into a pam-ed pan (11×7).
6) To make it look pretty- sprinkle raw oats on top
7) Bake for 30 to 40 minutes (depending on how crunchy you want them to be)
8) Remove, let cool and cut into 15 squares.
9) Enjoy!

These are soooo good :)

Not sure how well they will travel but I will find out soon enough, I brought one to work for dessert after my lunch!

I would definitely give them a Star Fabulous Rating of at least 8/10! They are chocolatey and fruity and nice and gooey.

Star Fabulous Rating: 8/10 

My first granola bars with a success- Thanks Anne for sharing your recipe!