Peanut Butter Balls and the #GatheringsCookbook

Last Friday was my annual Mother/Daughter baking day with my Mom, Sister and our daughters. We have been doing this for several years now.   It is literally one of my favorite days of the year.   Our main baking agenda is butter tarts, which I oddly don't really eat but we do also try and make a few other things.  These other things are what I look forward to.  Our trick is to come up with a few no bake items to put together while the dozens and dozens of butter tarts are baking.  For some reason I love no bake desserts, especially when they are covered in chocolate.  

I recently was given a copy of the cookbook "Gatherings" .  A beautiful book by Jan Scott and Julie Van Rosendaal.    The book is full of a wide range of different recipes grouped together by occasions, like kids birthday parties, backyard barbecues, pizza parties, date nights, games nights and more. This book has everything appetizers, main courses, desserts, drinks and snacks.   It really encompasses a recipe for any gathering you might have.

Since Mother/Daughter baking day is technically a family gathering I decided it would be great to try a recipe from this book.   They also happen to have a perfect no bake recipe, "Aunt Kathy's Peanut Butter Balls".   I find you can never really go wrong with peanut butter balls (unless you happen to be allergic to peanut butter).   The peanut butter balls in this book are also a bit different, with the addition of dates and walnuts. This gives them a great twist of chewy and crunchy inside.  They were of course, delicious and the hubby complained I made him stop eating them so I could take some photos.   He can now proceed with eating.

This weekend I have plan to make two more recipes, Potatoes Dauphinoise and a Lemony Kale and Brussels Sprouts salad.  There are really just to many wonderful recipes inside to try.  Several of my blogging friends also got a chance to try out the book.  Check out their posts from the week to see more delicious recipes from this book.

Please be sure to check out these fabulous bloggers all week long as we celebrate Jan and Julie:

Monday

Mardi from Eat. Live. Travel. Write.

Mairlyn Smith Canadian Cookbook Picks of the Year
Charmian from The Messy Baker

Tuesday

Amy from Family Feedbag
Jennifer from Seasons and Suppers
Heather from The Tasty Gardener

Wednesday

Isabelle from Crumb Blog
Stephanie from Clockwork Lemon
Valerie from A Canadian Foodie

Thursday

Britt from My Daily Randomness
Robyn from Planet Byn
Libby from Libby Roach Photography
Meg from Sweet Twist of Blogging

Friday

Christina from Strawberries for Supper
Louisa from Living Lou
Liliana from My Cookbook Addiction
Rhonda from Olive and Ruby
Jenn from Chocolate Shaving

Disclosure: I was given a complimentary copy of Gatherings for review purposes, courtesy of Whitecap Books. As always, any and all opinions and views are completely my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Banana Recipe Round up

Did you get any pregnancy cravings while you were pregnant?    I don't remember too many with my first.   I did enjoy a few more things that I would have normally ate, like a few more poutines and nachos but otherwise I still ate quite healthy.

For baby #2 it is pretty much the same, I am having a few indulgences but still aiming to stay on track.    My craving this time around though is banana baked goods.  I could literally eat banana bread every day.  Oddly,  I am not actually craving real bananas, just banana baked goods.  I have never been a pure banana lover.  Even now I really only eat the excess of what my little one doesn't it to give baby #2 some potassium.
There is a cafeteria in a building across the street from my work and I swear they make the best banana bread I have EVER had!  I can guarantee it is not healthy and potentially soaked in melted butter after it is baked but honestly BEST EVER! It is dangerous really.   I tend to treat myself maybe once a week with it and for the rest of my cravings I go to recipes that are a bit more figure friendly like my Gluten Free Almond Banana Bread.

Since I need to mix up my banana baking and try some new recipes I have asked some blogging friends and scoured the web for some delicious banana baked goods and created this round up for you.  Some healthy, some not, but all 30 Banana recipes will satisfy any banana craving.

Enjoy!

Banana Nut Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting	Chocolate Malt Banana Cakes	Brown Sugar Banana Bread
Banana Fluffernutter Muffins	Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache	kinny Nutella Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Banana Spice Oatmeal-Walnut Streusel Muffins	Gluten Free Almond Banana Bread	Brown Butter Banana Peanut Butter Cookies
Honey Banana Poppy Seed Bread	Banana Bread Waffles	Super Soft Banana Bread
Peanut Butter Banana Brownies	Banana Lentil Muffins	Banana Pancakes
Brownie Crumble Banana Bread	Chocolate Banana Cake Bars (Vegan + Gluten-free)	Blueberry Banana Almond Baked Oatmeal
Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting	Double Chocolate Muffins with Banana Cream	Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
Brown Butter Banana Donuts	Healthy Banana Bread	Purple Ribbon Banana Bread
Biscoff Banana Bread	Banana Split Cheesecake	Easiest Banana Bread Ever
Strawberry Banana Bread	Healthy Banana Bread Recipe *Egg Free	(Almost!) Fat-Free Pumpkin, Banana & Butterscotch Whole Wheat Bread

InLinkz.com

Chocolate Malt Banana Cakes

I hate being late, and yet I feel it is happening more and more.  I want to say that when my husband is with me it is more him than me, that or I just haven't mastered the art of packing up with a toddler.  He thinks it takes less time to get places than it actually does.  I also think he never wants to be on time.  He doesn't like to be the first person at places, and I hate to be the last.

This morning I got a call from the midwives asking if I was on my way,  and I said "not yet" , apparently I was 10 minutes late for my appointment!  AAH!  According to my phone my appointment didn't start until for another 40 minutes.  Do you know how much this drove me crazy.  I hate to be the person that throws off the schedule and makes everyone else late.  That is why I hate being late, I don't like making other people late or wasting their time.  I rushed over and literally had maybe the fastest appointment ever so I didn't cause to much of a disruption.   I booked my next three appointments and actually put the time of the appointment in the subject as I fear daylight savings may have adjusted the date in my phone.  This could just be an example of my never ending technology curse.

I have another reveal dessert idea coming but with Easter rapidly approaching I couldn't resist picking up some Chocolate Malt eggs.  I love chocolate malt balls in general and these are just so pretty, colorful and fun to use this time of year.

Chocolate Malt Banana Cakes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 3/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup malt powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 bananas, ripe and mashed
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2/3 cup chopped malt balls/eggs
• 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray an 8 mini loaf pan with non stick spray or butter.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, malt powder, baking soda/powder and salt and whisk together.
3. In a large bowl or mixer bowl , beat butter until whipped. Add both sugars and beat until light and fluffy.
4. Add each egg, one at a time, beating just a minute.
5. Add the mashed bananas and mix on low to incorporate.
6. Add the dry ingredients in 2-3 additions on low until just combined. Add buttermilk and mix until mixed in.
7. Fold in the chopped malt balls. Divide the batter evenly between the 8 mini loafs.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
9. While cooling heat whipping cream in a small sauce pan until simmering. In another bowl place the chopped chocolate, cover with the whip cream and let sit a few minutes. Stir to combine and melt all the chocolate. Let sit a few more minutes and drizzle over the banana loafs and topped with more chopped malt ball eggs.

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Mini Pies

 Yesterday we found out the sex of baby #2.  Of course I am not going to just tell you. I need to make some reveal desserts for friends and family first and then you will find out.   It always seems to be such a big debate whether to find out or not?  People who wait always say they want the surprise.  Just because I want to find out at 20 weeks instead of 40 weeks doesn't mean I am not surprised when I find out.   I like to spend those remaining 20 weeks, shopping, getting ready, thinking about names (another big debate in my house).   One of the best things about finding out early is shopping for the post season deals, this can be especially true if you having a different sex than you already have.
If the sex is the same well that makes shopping harder to justify but not impossible.  Babies clothes are just too cute so no matter what baby #2 is I will be doing some shopping in some form.

Cookie Butter Heart Blossom Cookies

I have some sad news.  Okay, sad for me, maybe not for most people.  One of the my favorite kitchen gadgets is dying. A few pieces have started to break and it is barely hanging on and has lost its vigor.  It is the one tool I probably use as much as my mixer. It is so handy, small and quick.  I just love it.   It is my mini processor attachment to my hand blender.  I have had this for years now, so I am hoping I can still find a replacement.  New fancier models have come out since this one but I don't need a new one I just need a new base/bowl.   Right now the little rod that holds the blade in place doesn't stay in place very well and it can be tricky to even get the lid on.  I am also just worried I am going to lose the little rod, since I almost have twice and my mind is baby mush.  I have tried to find it online but of course shipping it to Canada is not going to be an easy task.   I will figure out a way to get my replacement bowl, I must.  I need my mini processor!

Strawberry White Chocolate Brownies {Gluten Free}

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

Love is in the air. Do you do anything special today, with your loved one, family or friends?  Most Fridays we go out for dinner, myself, hubby and the little one. Tonight we will not. Even though we go out fairly early because of the little one, most places will just get too busy, loud and potentially overpriced.  As well behaved as she is most times, I don't want that one time she isn\t to be tonight as no one wants a fussy toddler ruining their romantic dinner. So just in case, tonight we will order in, and stay cozy.

The hubs and I have never really gone too over the top for Valentines Day.  Neither of us need anything, so other than some flowers, chocolates or a tub of his favorite ice cream, we keep it low key.  Better to save our money for more important things.  More money saved means I can finally convince him to get an SUV to make room for our expanding family.

Oh right!  I haven't told you yet.   Baby #2 is on the way, making its arrival late July.   We are very excited and getting ready for some busy times ahead.  Our little ones will be 20 months apart so there will be a lot going on.  Even the next few months will be busy moving around some bedrooms, office and workout equipment to make room for Baby #2.     I will definitely need to find a big win of energy now and then.   For now I will have to run on adrenaline since caffeine is not a pregnant ladies friend.   Post baby these brownies might have to the kick I will need, and at least they have some fruit in them.

Hope you have a wonderful day with your loved ones.

Strawberry White Chocolate Brownies {gluten free}

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup Gluten free flour blend
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp espresso powder
• 3 oz white chocolate , chopped
• 3/4 cup strawberries, chopped
• 1/2 cup strawberry white chocolate
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 - 2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
• sprinkles

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray a 9 inch springform pan.
2. Place the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a double boiler. Stirring off and on to melt together. Once completely melted remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Whisk in the sugar. Then whisk in the eggs, one at a time.
4. Add vanilla and whisk in.
5. Add flour, salt, espresso powder and baking soda. Fold in until partially combined.
6. Add strawberries and white chocolate.
7. Using a spatula, scrape the batter into the spring form pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes and a skewer comes out clean. Remove from oven, let cool.
8. Make icing : Beat cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl using a spatula.
9. Add icing sugar, one cup at a time, beating in with spatula.
10. Using an offset spatula spread over the brownies. Top with sprinkles.

Raspberry Kiss Cheesecake Bars

Are you an Olympic watcher?   I like the Olympics and I like to hear what happened but I can't watch it a lot. Especially live.  If I already know what happened I am okay but I find watching it not knowing so nerve racking and intense. I am a flipper, I go back and forth because I can't watch how things turn out I just like to know the outcome.  For most of us we will have no comprehension of what it is like to compete in something that huge and I just feel for everyone who doesn't get a medal and excited for everyone that does. 

The Olympics definitely are exciting,  I will just watch most of it through the wrap up on the nightly news or see my friends updates on facebook.   

Take the Superbowl for example.  This I can watch because it is just fun even if I barely watch a game all year. Obviously someone has to win and someone has to lose but I always find it so sad for those who don't win.  You see the players sitting on the benches, sometimes tearing up, looking so upset they didn't pull out the win.   That is clearly how sports are supposed to work, I get it, just tough to watch I guess.

Valentine's day is quickly approaching.  Along with Easter, I love desserts around Valentines day because they are often prettier, include fruits and/or are heart shaped.   How can you not love things heart shaped? Heart shape= love=happy.  Since these special Raspberry Kisses came out special for Valentines day I figured I must figure out a way to bake with them for a pre-valentines day treat.  

Frankly, It is hard to go wrong with cheesecake. LOVE!