Banana Chocolate Chip Blondies

So i figured out what I wanted to make with those bananas from this morning… I actually had 6 that needed to be used so I froze 4 of them for future banana soft serves/smoothies and used the other 2 for Banana Chocolate Chip Blondies! More on that in a second…

I went on an hour-long bike ride around Hoboken and acted all touristy…

Look ma! No hands!! I took this while riding. So talented.

2 things I noticed on my bike ride. 1.) The leaves are falling off the trees and turning colors. Um, summer just got here…Don’t even think about coming early Fall.

2.) Free movies on Tuesday nights under the stars! How romantic

I bet you Adam can’t wait to see Tangled

I came back and made myself a quick lunch so I could get started on my blondies!

Spicy “chicken” on sandwich thin with pickles, lettuce and buffalo sauce.

Also a side of activia yogurt with a drizzle of sugar-free chocolate syrup, strawberries and a handful of cereal.

In case you haven’t noticed I can’t get enough chocolate, fruit, cereal, pickles and buffalo sauce. Weird cravings.

Anyways… Onto those blondies. If you like banana desserts I suggest you make these because they have a strong banana flavor! They’re also healthified

Banana Chocolate Chip Blondies (Makes 16)

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour (I used all-purpose white but I think I would do 1/2 whole wheat next time)
• 2 ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter ( I used earth balance – make sure it’s softened)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Beat butter and brown sugar

• Add the bananas, vanilla, salt and chocolate chips.

• Beat until batter looks runny

• Add flour and mix with hand spoon until batter forms
• Test out batter

(excuse my greasy hair and my open cabinet -i have a bad habit of leaving them all open!)

• Spray 8×8 pan with olive oil cooking spray and add batter

• Bake for 35 minutes until edges are brown and the middle is set
• Let cool for 10 minutes and slice into 16 squares.

These hit the spot and were a nice change from making the normal banana bread with my overly ripe bananas!

I have training tonight for a promotional modeling gig with Absolut so I’ve prepped Adam’s dinner but will grab something quick to take with me on the go. Perhaps another blondie? What? They’re healthy!

QUESTIONS: Do you have any habits of leaving drawers/cabinets open in the kitchen? 

Sunday Dinner

There is just something special about Sunday’s. It’s a day for families, but todays families are always so scattered and it seems the older we all get the busier we are. Regardless of what is going on in our lives or how “busy” we are, we always take the time to spend Sunday with Grandma.  On a typical Sunday at my Grandma’s house you will find (at least) 12 people watching whatever sport is on, various chips & dips on the table and me overloading on M&M’s before dinner is even served!

If you’ve ever met my Grandma you know what an amazing woman she is. She always leaves a lasting impression, knows exactly what to say at exactly the right time and cooks up some of the best dinners I’ve ever had. No matter what’s on the menu we know it’s going to be delicious. Some of our Sunday staples include lasagna, chicken tetrazini, stuffed chicken, stir fry, GRANDMA BREAD and let’s not forget about dessert! I truly give my Grandma credit (blame) for my obsession with sweets. When a waitress at a restaurant asks if we want to order dessert after we’ve all eaten ourselves silly she always says “Sure, we’ll have a bite!” My kind of girl…

Last night’s Sunday dinner was one of my favorites. We inahled enjoyed Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes (the best you’ll ever have), carrots, broccoli, strawberries and rolls. I almost didn’t go because I was “busy”… I had/have a lot to do for an upcoming Bridal shower this weekend and didn’t think lounging at Grandma’s for 6 hours was a good idea. My brother called and said he was going back to college in the morning and wanted to make sure I’d be there. So, off I went. I don’t need much convincing when it comes to a homecooked meal – ESPECIALLY when it gives me a break out of the kitchen.

 

Grandma with her grandchildren - I'm the only girl!

 

 

I hope we continue this tradition forever and ever. I love the family time, the memories it makes and the dessert my grandma serves

Of course I forgot to take pictures of my dessert… I was overly excited that we were having brownie sundaes and there were 4 different types of ice creams to choose from. I also had to try out all 4 flavors. It was completely unnecessary.

I wont be giving out any of Grandma’s recipes today… But I did make a cookie you might be interested in!

When these are on sale for $1…you buy them.

Then, you think of some way to incorporate them into a dessert recipe…

Next, you remember how good these monster sized cookies were.

So you decide to substitute the butterfinger for the oreo.

Now you do a happy dance because you are a genius (and you’re on a sugar high)

Butterfinger Stuffed White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 2/3 c Butter plus 2 tbs.
• 1/2 c Sugar
• 1/2 c Dark brown sugar
• 1 Egg
• 1 ts Vanilla
• 1 1/2 c Flour
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (i used ghiradelli)
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (i used ghiradelli)
• Mini butterfingers

Directions

• Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Grease cookie sheets. In large bowl with electric mixer beat butter, sugars, egg and vanilla at med-high speed until fluffy.
• Reduce mixer speed to low, add flour, increase speed gradually and beat just until blended. Stir in white and milk chocolate chips

• Take a ice cream sized scoop and place one on each end of butterfinger

• Press sides down and seal edges so butterfinger is completely covered.
• Place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart because these will be large and in charge

• Bake for 10-14 minutes. Remove from oven when browned on edges

I dare you to eat just one…Double dog dare you. Now you have to…

I clearly need some type of detoxing in my life… My stretchy pants aren’t stretching anymore.

QUESTIONS: Do you have Sunday dinners with your family?? What is your favorite dish your Grandma makes?