Amaretto Brownies

I was wanting to make some brownies for the family picnic today...so I looked through my cookbooks.  I saw a recipe but I wanted to give it a little something extra.  I love amaretto...

Pic taken with my phone...not bad!

Amaretto Brownies

2 sticks butter, melted

2 cups sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract (I think it needed a little more)

4 eggs

3/4 cup cocoa

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

optional: sliced almonds for topping

Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly grease a 13x9 inch baking pan.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add cocoa.  Mix until well blended.  Add flour, baking powder, and salt, beating well.  Pour into greased baking pan.  (OPTIONAL: sprinkle sliced almonds on top)  Bake for 30-35 minutes.  Cool and cut into bars.

The WORLD'S BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

The WORLD'S BEST COOKIES!

Yummy lookin', huh? :-D

I don't know where I came across this recipe, but I was fortunate to have this recipe on hand!  It's my absolute favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe.  It's crispy and chewy at the same time. :-D 

This makes about 7 dozen cookies!  Plenty to go around!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 2/3 cup butter 
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 cups flour
•  1 teaspoon baking soda
•  1 teaspoon salt
•  1 (12 ounce) package chocolate chips

Directions

• Cream shortening, butter, and sugars in large mixing bowl; blend in eggs and vanilla.
• Combine dry ingredients and add to butter mixture.
• Mix until well blended.
• Stir in chocolate chips.
• Drop by rounded teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheets. (SEE NOTE BELOW)
• Bake at 375° for 7-10 minutes until golden brown.

NOTE: I don't bake my cookies without parchment paper.  I never get good results if I don't use parchment paper.  It helps prevent burnt bottoms.  My cookies always turn out perfectly this way. :)  It's definitely a good investment!  *hint hint* I'd love a silpat for Christmas!

"Healthy" Banana Brownies

I had a bunch of bananas that were getting really ripe.  My daughter kept wanting apples instead of bananas, so the apples got used up before the bananas.  I wasn't in the mood for ANOTHER banana bread.  I googled for recipes and this one looked good to me.  


It is good for a "healthy" dessert.  Well, to me, it is.  It's lowfat and has fiber in it, and low calorie.  I had everything on hand for it, as well.  The original recipe asked for 1 cup of flour, which made the batter really watery, so I added another 1/2 cup and it turned out ok.  


If you're looking for a brownie that's not too sweet and not too rich,  moist, springy, and cakey brownie...then this is the recipe for ya!

Banana Brownies

• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup boiling water
• 4 egg whites
• 3 medium mashed bananas
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. in a bowl combine oats & water, let stand 5 minutes.
2. beat egg whites, bananas, sugar, oil & vanilla until blended, then add the moistened oats.
3. combine dry ingredients, slowly add to wet mixture.
4. spread into 13x9 inch pan (sprayed with cooking spray).
5. bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
6. cool, cut into bars.

My 21 month old daughter LOVES 'em!  She had one little piece and kept wanting more and more. :)  Much better than giving her Oreos and other junk food! :)