Fruit-a-licious Breakfast Oatmeal!

Here's a super yummy breakfast oatmeal that's packed with fruity good-ness, plus a little chocolate to take the flavors to the next level.   I found the recipe on pinterest from Urban Nester.  I changed it a little but the basics are the same.  I didn't take any pictures of the process, but it's super easy!

Fruity Breakfast Oatmeal

I  1 1/2 times the recipe to fit my 9x13 pan since I'm feeding 7.  The origional is for a 10x7 pan.  Since I don't even own a pan that size, I'll give you my version.

3 cups rolled 6 grain oats (I used Bob's)

1/2 cup sugar

1 Tbsp molasses

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

1 1/2 cups cherries that have been pitted and sliced in half, and some quartered

(other fruit of your choice can be substituted.  I would use any kind of berry, bananas, peaches, apples chopped small, pears, etc.)

3/4 cups chocolate chips

Mix the dry ingredients reserving some of the cherries to place on top at the end.

Mix the wet ingredients:

3 cups milk

2 large eggs

5 Tbsp butter melted

1 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract

Put dry ingredients into 9x13 inch pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.

Gently pour milk mixture over the dry ingredients trying to cover all the oat mixture.

Put remaining cherries on top to make it pretty.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and set.

Let cool slightly as Cherries will be hot!

Serve.

 Warm fruity chocolate-y yummy-ness!

One Packed Little Muffin!

I had a bunch of Bananas and Apples so I went on a hunt for a tasty little muffin that would incorporate the two. 

 I found this powerhouse of a muffin that is whole grain.  Even better!  

I added a struessel topping and they came out perfect!  

Sunday Breakfast worthy - Absoulutely!

Brunch worthy - Of course!

Gifts - Yep!

Lunches for the kiddos - You better believe it!  

Mine are definitely getting one tucked into their lunch tomorrow!

Whole Wheat Apple Banana Oatmeal Muffins

(my husband said by the time you say all that, they will be gone.  Yes, Yes they were!)

First grind your wheat.  I'm liking my new wheat combo that is:

1 cup Hard White Wheat

1 cup Hard Red Wheat

1 cup Soft White wheat

1 Cup Kamut

1/2 cup Quinoa

For some reason that combination turns out amazing!  I grind a batch up, use what I need for the recipe, and freeze the rest in a zip-lock bag for later.

Next, chop 1 apple as shown in the blender.  I doubled the recipe so there are more apples in the blender.  I'll give you the basic recipe but feel free to double it and put some away for gifts or lunches for the kiddos.

I like to use this method to chop apples again and again.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a Large mixing bowl add the following:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2/3 cups sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup oats (Instant or Bob's Rolled 6 grain which is my personal favorite)

Mix together then add wet ingredients:

1 Tbsp molasses

1/2 cup Greek Yogurt

2 eggs

2 tsp skim milk

2 tsp vanilla

1 shredded apple

2 ripe bananas broken into 1 inch size pieces

1/4 cup vegetable oil

Blend well then add:

1/4 cup chocolate chips.

Fill muffin tins lined with cupcake liners.  I used a ice-cream scoop to scoop out the dough.  Fill til flush with pan.

Topping:

In a small bowl blend with pastry blender

1 Tbsp cold butter cut up

1/4 cup sugar

3 Tbsp whole wheat flour

Mixture should resemble course cornmeal.

Top each muffin with a scant Tablespoon of topping.

Bake at 350 degees for 18-20 minutes.

Remove, let cool slightly and serve.

A powerhouse little muffin filled to the brim with nutrition and super yummyness!

I wrapped some of these little beauties for my kiddos lunches tomorrow.  When I asked if they wanted one in their lunches, I got a resounding and slightly deafining YES!

Sneaky Maple Apple Oatmeal Bread

I've discovered a new favorite bread.  The best part it that it's super sneaky.  I promise you'll be amazed at all the nutritional yummy-ness packed in to these gorgeous loaves.  Let's get started.

Maple Apple Oatmeal Bread

Since we will be adding in shredded apples, I found a super easy way to do it.  Fill your blender with water and add cored apples. 

I have a Vita-Mix.  

Best purchase ever!

Pulse apples until they are the size you want.

 Then  pour into a strainer and let sit while you assemble the other ingredients.  If I had thought of it, I would have used the apple water as the water for the bread.  I didn't this time, but I will next time.

 Next grind your wheat.  I used equal parts Hard Red and Hard White wheat.  I also threw in about a cup of 10 grain, and 1/2 cup of Quinoa.  Grind it all together to get a fine flour.  Again I used my Vita-Mix.  Can I just say it's extremely versatile!
Here's the 3 Grains.

This one is Hard White Wheat.

This one is Hard Red Wheat or 

also called Turkey Red.

 The Hard Red has a higher protein content and makes for a denser bread.  But for some reason, when you mix the two wheats together it makes an amazing light loaf of bread.

Lastly is Quinoa.  Pronounced KEEN-WA.  It is the only complete protein grain.  It also adds a wonderful nutty flavor to the bread.

Grind the following:

2 cups Hard White Wheat

2 cups Hard Red Wheat

1 cup 10 Grain cereal

1/2 cup Quinoa

Place in bowl and set aside.

In a large mixer combine in order: 

If you're using a Kitchen-Aid, you'll have to 1/2 the recipe.

4 cups warm water

1/2 cup Canola Oil (applesauce is an option)

1/2 cup maple syrup (Honey is an option)

1 Tbsp Maple Extract

2 beaten eggs

2 Tbsp sea salt

3 Tbsp Dough Enhancer

3 cups High Gluten bread flour or All purpose White flour

2 cups rolled oats (quick or regular)

2 cups of the freshly ground wheat flour

3 Tbsp instant Yeast

Mix for about a minute.  Let rest for about 1 minute.  Then turn mixer back on adding flour 1 cup at a time until dough cleans sides of bowl.  I alternated between white and wheat flour, although you could do all whole wheat.

Once dough cleans sides of bowl, cover and mix for 5 minutes.

Now add in  the 4 cups coarsely chopped apples.  You will have to add more flour to get the dough to clean the sides again.  Then mix for another 5 minutes.

Prepare bread pans by spraying with cooking spray.

Since it's mostly whole wheat, you only need to let it rise once.

Turn dough out onto counter and divide into 4 pieces.

In another pan pour about 1-2 cups quick oats.

Knead dough into loaves and roll in oats pressing to coat.

 Place dough in pans and slash the tops. I made 3 X's on mine.

Cover with plastic and let rise until bread is about 1-2 inches above the top of the pan.

 Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
When oven is preheated, remove plastic wrap and place in oven.
Drop temperature to 325 degrees.
Bake for about 40-45 minutes.  It's a longer baking time due to the water content of the apples.

 Let cool on racks.

 Slice and enjoy.  This was some of the softest bread I've made.  I love it when whole wheat comes out like that.  

Gone are the days of wheat bread door stops.  You're smiling because you know what I mean.

Cowboy Cookies

I got this recipe from my Aunt Donna.  She was an amazing baker.  I hope to match her abilities someday.  Here's a favorite recipe from her.

Cowboy Cookies

Cream together:

1 cup melted butter

2 cups sugar

1 Tbsp Molasses

Then add:

2 eggs mixing well

In another bowl combine:

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Mix together and add to butter/sugar mixture.  Then add:

2 cups regular oatmeal

1 cup chopped nuts

1 cup chocolate chips

Mix well and drop spoonfulls on parchment paper.  Bake at 350 degrees on stone for about 11 minutes or lightly browned.

Cool slightly on baking racks.

 Of course the kids love to help!

Country Christmas music playing in the background.  So Perfect!

Super Yum No Bake Cookies!

Let me just say that these cookies are dangerously addictive.  

Plus they are super easy to make.  

OK. Disclaimers done, here the how to:

No Bake Cookies

In a large saucepan combine the following:

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup milk

1 3/4 cups sugar

4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa

Mix well til smooth and heat over medium until boiling.

Boil for 1 1/2 minutes.  The boiling time is very specific.  It ensures the cookies will hold together properly.

After mixture has boiled for 1 1/2 minutes, remove from heat and stir in:

1/2 cup crunchy or smooth peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 cups quick cooking oats

Mix well to dissolve peanut butter and evenly distribute oats.

Drop onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
If it's cold outside, put the pan in the garage for about an hour.  Otherwise put in freezer to speed up hardening.

Remove from wax paper and 

gobble them up!  

Seriously!  I can't eat just one!

Molasses Oatmeal Bread

This recipe is seriously one of my favorites! I got it from my good friend Erica who is an amazing baker.  It is also a very versatile recipe.  You can make it as whole grain-y as you want.  I've done it multiple ways and it always turns out super yummy!  Here goes:

Layer the following ingredients in your mixer. 

(I use a Bosch, if you're using a Kitchen-aid you will need to 1/2 the recipe.)

5 cups hot tap water

4 cups quick oats

2 Tbsp salt

1 cup sugar or honey

2/3 cup oil or applesauce (they can be used interchangably)

2 eggs

1/3 cup molasses

It will look like this:

 Next layer about 3 cups flour over the ingredients trying to cover the liquid. Then sprinkle over the top:  3 Tbsp yeast

 Turn the mixer on and mix for about 30-40 seconds to combine the ingredients.  Turn mixer off, cover and let sit for about 1-2 minutes. This lets the yeast develop.

Now turn on mixer and begin adding flour one cup at a time until it cleans the sides of the bowl.
See Clean Sides!

 (The flour can be white, wheat, or a combination of both.  If using more wheat than white, you'll need to add 2-4 Tbsp vital gluten to the dough)

Cover loosely and let rise.  If using more wheat flour you don't need to let it rise twice.  Go straight to the next step.

 Once the dough is peeking over the bowl, remove lid and turn out on to floured surface.

 Divide dough into 4 balls.  (For Kitchen-aids, 2 balls.)

 Knead into loaves and place in pans sprayed well with Pam or cooking spray.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until dough is above the rim of the pan.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
When oven is ready, place loaves in oven and drop temperature to 325 degrees.
Bake for 32-33 minutes.

 When bread is done, remove and brush tops with shortening.  I use this little brush I got from King Arthur Flour here. Sweet!

Let cool slightly, slice and enjoy your
little piece of Heaven!

Sneaky Cookies

Some days I am all about sneaky nutrition. If I can sneak some good stuff into some... well not as good stuff... I will.

I found this recipe and had to try it.

I modified it just a little to suit my tastes, and my kids.

Monster Marshmallow Oatmeal Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees. I bake on a pizza stone and parchment paper. Make sure the stone is in the oven to preheat.

Cream together:

2 sticks butter melted

2 cups granulated sugar

2 Tbsp molasses

Mix on medium until fluffy.

Beat in:

2 eggs

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

In separate bowl mix together:

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

Add to butter/sugar mixture and mix well.

Add in 1 cup at a time:

2 cups quick cooking oats

1 1/4 cups crispy rice cereal

2 cups chocolate chips

1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Using teaspoon, drop dough on parchment paper.

Bake for 11 minutes, let cool slightly and Enjoy!

(PS. The kids didn't even know there were oats in them, and they loved the Marshmallows!)