Oatmeal Streusel Banana Bread

What do I do when my husband tells me I don't need to make dinner and that we are going out to eat?  I bake!

I have been wanting to try more banana recipes and since my cousins gave me a bag of frozen ripe bananas I took the opportunity by storm.  I love any bread or muffin with a streusel topping.  Streusel topping makes everything better!  There is something about the sweet crumbly addition that makes you keep wanting to eat more. 

Oatmeal Streusel Banana Bread
Adapted from Baking Junkie

Ingredients:
Bread:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (1 stick)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 over ripe bananas, mashed

Streusel:
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup wheat flour
1/3 cup quick cooking oats
2 teaspoon cinnamon
6 tablespoon cold butter

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare a loaf pan with butter.
2.  Cream together butter and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time and mix until combined.  Add sour cream and banana.
3.  Mix cinnamon, flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add dry mixture to wet mixture.  Do not over mix!
4.  To make the streusel, combine all of the dry ingredients.  Cut the butter into small pieces and add to mixture.  Cut in using a fork or pastry cutter until mixture forms crumbles. 
5.  Pour the banana bread batter into greased loaf pan.  Top with streusel.  Bake for about 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
6.  Cool in pan.

This bread came out looking a little dark.  However the taste was still very yummy.  I think the only thing I would change about this recipe is to make it a muffin instead of a bread.  I had a little trouble making sure the middle of the bread was cooked and keeping the bread from burning.  I ended up covering the top with some parchment paper half way into baking.  I think by making it a muffin it would not only be easier to eat but the cook time will be shorter hence a more appetizing color (not so dark).

The husband and I took the pup to a dog park that we have not been before.  The dog park we normally take the pup to is currently under constructions.  They are reseeding the grass and fixing some pipes that were leaking causing huge mud puddles.  So on Sunday we took the pup to a dog park that a few of our friends have raved about.  This park was much bigger than our normal dog park.  Oh and so many more dogs were there for our pup to socialize with.  But of course the pup had to greet all the humans at the dog park first before attempting to make new friends.  The proud dog mom that I am loves it when other dog owners tell me how soft my dog is.  Ah so happy.  The husband and I both agree that when the day comes for us to have a k-i-d we will be one of those parents who always rave about our k-i-d.  For now I will enjoy my time with my 4 legged child and my baking.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have fantastic news!  The husband got a new job!  Whoot whoot!  This is very exciting for my little family.  Me and the pup are very proud of El Hubby.  Due to all the excitement some blogging and baking has been put to the side.  But have no fear I am back!

I have been dying to try a oatmeal cookie recipe that doesn't taste like a oatmeal cookie.  This may sound strange but why can't a cookie have oats and still be chewy, moist, soft, and creamily yummy?  Oh this recipe delivered!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
Adapted from Kristine's Kitchen

Ingredients:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (1 stick)
1/2 cup cream peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1.  Whisk together the flours, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.
2.  Cream together the butter, peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract; about 3 minutes.  Add the egg and beat to combine.  Gradually add the flour mixture until just combined.  Do not over mix!  Stir in the oats and then the chocolate chips.
3.  Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours. 
4.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper or foil.  (I prefer parchment paper)
5.  Use a 1 tablespoon scooper and scoop 2 scoops of dough on top of each other for each cookie.  Place cookie dough about 2 inches apart.  Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cookies are a golden brown.  Cool completely on the baking sheet and then store in a airtight container at room temperature.

I love the way my house smells after baking cookies with peanut butter.  Can they make a candle or air freshener that smells like that?  You know what I mean.  Oh well.  I guess I will just have to bake more often to have my house smell like pure yumminess. 

These cookies came out delicious and I can't wait to share them with my friends and family.  This recipe will get filed in my cookie section of my cooking binder.  Even the pup approves cause she gets to eat the left over peanut butter from the spoon I used to scoop it out.  

Enjoy!
XOXO

Khloe the d-o-g

I know for the last few months this blog has been dedicated to food and recipes.  However, I couldn't help but share this photo of my dog.  This is her reaction when I tell her that I am leaving for work this morning.

The husband and I have wanted a dog since we got married.  We had always imagined ourselves as dog people.  But when we got married we lived in a apartment that did not allow for dogs.  Once we purchased our house the search was on for a dog.  The husband and I probably went to the SPCA everyday that they were open in search of a dog.  In my head I imaged a cute black dog that I could name Reggie.  I have no idea why I wanted a black dog or why I wanted to name him Reggie.  But that is what I had my heart set on.  After months of looking and being disappointed I saw a picture of a black and white pup on the ARF website.  The website showed a link of a video of 5 black and white pups running around and playing.  I forwarded the link to my husband.  The next thing I know the husband sends me a message that he was going there after work.  He had already called and there was only 1 pup left in the litter.  The people at the shelter would hold the pup for him until the end of the day.  I was so excited all during work to see if this was the pup.  When I got to the shelter my husband was already filling out forms with this little barely 8 pound puppy in his lap.  I asked if there were any other cute puppies and without looking up at me he said "we are taking this little girl home".  I have never been this happy that I listened to my husband.  We took took this puppy home and named her Khloe. 

I cannot imagine life without this dog now.  A year and 3 months after adopting Khloe and she has turned from a shy little shelter dog to the princess that runs my house.  I like to joke and say Khloe has a rags to riches story.

XOXO