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Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are everything delicious about a chocolate chip cookie in a quick and easy to make bar.   This is the ultimate basic blondie recipe.

Chocolate Chip Cookie BarsChocolate Chip Cookie Bars

While I  love cookies, I don’t always have the time (or patience) to portion out each individual cookie for baking.  This is where the cookie bar is genius.  These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars take only 10 minutes to prepare and then just spread in the pan and bake.  No rolling or cutting or shaping the dough.  And the result is everything delicious about a chocolate chip cookie in a quick and easy to make bar.  There are so many possibilities for variations with this recipe too, which is fun.  …

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Bring on Fall with this easy recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins!  They are light and moist, made with buttermilk, pumpkin and chocolate chips.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins | alidaskitchen.com

Fall is my favorite baking season.  I love all the fun apple recipes and pumpkin recipes, making old favorites and trying new recipes.  These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins are a wonderful, easy recipe to kick off pumpkin season!  When I came up with this recipe, I wanted something simple, similar to my Banana Buttermilk Muffins.  These recipes use common pantry ingredients, so they’re easy to make any time….

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Chocolate Banana Whole Wheat Waffles

Chocolate Banana Whole Wheat Waffles

Chocolate Banana Whole Wheat Waffles

Chocolate Banana Whole Wheat Waffles are made with buttermilk, whole wheat flour and sweetened with mashed bananas.  They are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy chocolate for breakfast!

While usually a pancake house, we recently branched out into the world of waffles with Sunbutter Wafffles.  I was excited to find these Chocolate Banana Whole Wheat Waffles because the flavor is similar to my everyday oatmeal – cocoa powder and naturally sweetened with banana.   The chocolate and banana are subtle, yet together with the buttermilk, produce a wonderful breakfast treat.  These waffles are delicious and are a welcome addition to our breakfast rotation!…

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Chocolate Zucchini Brownies from alidaskitchen.com

Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Brownies from alidaskitchen.com

Chocolate Zucchini Brownies are so chocolaty and fudgy, you would never guess they’re filled with zucchini!  Plus they are made with whole wheat flour and can be made vegan.  These are quite possibly, the best brownies ever!

The other night I shredded zucchini to make Chocolate Zucchini Bread again.  It was so chocolaty and good, I just couldn’t resist!  But then I opened my iPad and saw a zucchini brownie recipe that I had been researching.  Brownies are always tasty, plus this recipe looked quick and easy.  Why not try something new?  Considering how delicious chocolate and zucchini are together, I had no doubt Chocolate Zucchini Brownies would be good.  Now, they weren’t just good,……

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S'mores Brownies | alidaskitchen.com

S’mores Brownies #SundaySupper

S'mores Brownies | alidaskitchen.com

What do you get when you cross a brownie with a s’more?  This easy recipe for S’mores Brownies!   

As Labor Day marks the unofficial end of Summer, I am looking forward to cooler temperatures, Halloween (!) and, of course, lots of pumpkin recipes.  While Fall baking is my absolute favorite, sometimes nothing hits the spot quite like a s’more.   I have made several s’more-inspired recipes, including muffins, blondies, Golden Graham’s bars, even a cool and creamy pie!  But these S’mores Brownies might be my favorite s’more-inspired treat.  The chocolate brownie base is the perfect vehicle for all of the yummy s’more toppings, plus they take only minutes to prepare….

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Chocolate Zucchini Bread | alidaskitchen.com

Chocolate Zucchini Bread | Bundt Cake

Chocolate Zucchini Bread is a moist, chocolaty bread made with zucchini and a delicious way to use up all of that zucchini taking over your garden! 

Chocolate Zucchini Bread | alidaskitchen.com

I love the entire season of summer produce, from the abundance of berries and herbs, to everything in between. However what I really look forward to is the end of summer produce.  Mainly…zucchini!   All summer long I compile zucchini recipes in anticipation of the great bounty of summer squash….

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Cocoa Crispy Sunbutter Bars {Alida's Kitchen}

Cocoa Crispy Sunbutter Bars #SundaySupper

Cocoa Crispy Sunbutter Bars {Alida's Kitchen} Cocoa Crispy Sunbutter Bars are easy, no-bake bars made nut-free with sunflower seed butter, and topped with a layer of semi-sweet chocolate. They are also gluten-free.  

With back-to-school just around the corner, we are starting to think about ideas for what to pack for school lunch.  Something nutritious, delicious and easy isn’t too much to ask, right?  A little variety might be nice too.  Fortunately, today I am joining the Sunday Supper Movement, and the theme is ‘lunch box.’  Several wonderful bloggers have come up with fantastic recipes and ideas to help solve the lunchbox dilemma.  These are recipes are helpful when packing your own lunch to bring to work!  You can find links to all of the wonderful recipes at the bottom of this post.  But first, let’s talk about these Cocoa Crispy Sunbutter Bars!    

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Cocoa Pebbles Dirt Pudding {alidaskitchen.com}

Cocoa Pebbles Dirt Pudding

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This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Post Pebbles but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PebblesBTS  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO 

walgreens-pebbles-collage

The other day Adam and I made a trip to Walgreens for some Post Pebbles Cereal, but if you follow Alida’s Kitchen on Instagram, you already know this.  I had several tasty recipe ideas swirling about, but also wanted to show Adam that you can take everyday items, such as cereal, and be creative.  While I do have an easy recipe to share with you, first I have to tell you about the fun project we made with our Pebbles Cereal!…

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Marble Cake with Fudge Frosting

Marble Cake with Fudge Frosting is the perfect party cake!  Enjoy a swirl of yellow cake and chocolate cake in every bite, topped with a fudgy chocolate frosting.  Delicious, a crowd favorite, and easy to make!

marble-cake-with-fudge-frosting-sqc

Recently, we celebrated Mike’s birthday, and as always I asked him to pick his birthday treat.  He usually just tells me to make whatever, but this year he got some advice from our resident 3 year old (who may be a bit opinionated these days).  After consulting a couple of his favorite cookbooks (really!) and a few of my printed recipes, Adam’s decision was made ~ Marble Cake with Fudge Frosting.  While Adam had never had marble cake before, and at the time was not a fan of chocolate, he was sure this was the perfect cake for his daddy.  He was absolutely right!

With yellow cake and chocolate cake in a pretty little swirl, we enjoyed the best of both worlds and the fudge frosting was the perfect icing on the cake (ha!)   And while it looks fancy, this cake is super simple to make.  The frosting was a bit stiff during the stirring process and goes on thick, yet is a thin layer on top of the tasty cake.  Decorate it as you wish, and here is the perfect party cake to celebrate any special occasion.

Marble Cake with Fudge Frosting - Alida's Kitchen

Marble Cake with Fudge Frosting
 
Marble Cake with Fudge Frosting is the perfect party cake! Enjoy a swirl of yellow cake and chocolate cake in every bite, topped with a fudgy chocolate frosting.
Yields: 16-20 servings
Ingredients
  • Cake:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1¼ cups granulated sugar, divided
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup milk (I used skim)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • Cooking spray
  • Frosting:
  • 1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup milk (I used skim)
Instructions
  1. FOR THE CAKE: Preheat oven to 350* F. Spray a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, combine cocoa, ¼ cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup water.
  4. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer (hand or stand) set to medium-high, beat butter and remaining sugar until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low, and add eggs, milk and vanilla, beating until smooth. Add flour mixture, continue beating on low until combined.
  5. Pour 2 cups of the vanilla batter into the bowl with the cocoa mixture, and stir until smooth.
  6. Pour vanilla batter into the prepared baking pan. Spoon chocolate batter into six puddles on top of the vanilla batter. Drag a knife through the two batters, creating a swirly marble effect.
  7. Bake 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost once cool.
  8. FOR THE FROSTING: Put chocolate chips in a glass or metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water (or use a double-boiler), until melted, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add butter, powdered sugar and milk. Beat on high until frosting comes together. Add more milk or sugar as needed to achieve desired consistency. (If frosting is too stiff, add more milk; if it's too wet, add more powdered sugar)
  9. Spread over cooled cake and decorate as desired.

Source: Real Simple

Marble Cake with Fudge Frosting - Alida's Kitchen

Chocolate Banana Brownies

 Chocolate Banana Brownies are so rich and fudgy,  you would never guess they are low in fat (and can be made vegan)!
 Chocolate Banana Brownies | alidaskitchen.com
I’ve been on a bit of a brownie kick lately and found myself choosing between three different brownies recipes to share with you today.  These Chocolate Banana Brownies were at the top of the list.  A brownie that is so rich and fudgy, you would never guess it’s low in fat (and can be made vegan)?  Yes please!
 Chocolate Banana Brownies | alidaskitchen.com

The addition of bananas not only puts a tasty twist on these brownies, but it also helps reduce some of the added fat.  There are also no eggs in this recipe.  Changes from the original recipe include using whole wheat pastry flour instead of all-purpose (either one works fine, I just wanted a whole wheat brownie) and using brown sugar instead of granulated, because I love the flavor brown sugar adds to baked goods.  Use your favorite non-dairy milk and non-dairy chocolate chips, and you have a delicious vegan dessert that everybody will love!

Chocolate Banana Brownies
 
Author:
Yields: 13x9-inch pan of brownies (see note for servings)
Ingredients
  • 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • 2 cups packed brown sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup mashed overripe bananas (2-3, depending on size)
  • ¼ cup milk (use soy or almond for vegan)
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (use dairy-free for vegan)
  • Cooking spray
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Spray a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
  3. In a medium bowl, stir bananas, milk, oil, and vanilla until well-blended.
  4. Add banana mixture to flour mixture, gently stirring until just combined. Add chocolate chips, folding gently.
  5. Pour batter into prepared baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Be careful not to over bake, otherwise the brownie may not be as fudgy). Move pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into squares to serve.
Notes
Note: 24 squares = 150 calores/brownie, 36 squares = 100 calories/brownie. These amounts are approximations based on the ingredients I used.

Source: About.com

Have more overripe bananas?  Here are some other healthy, easy recipes to try:

Pumpkin Banana Muffins

Banana Buttermilk Muffins

Healthy Banana Cookies

 

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