Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies

Another school year is coming to an end...which means the kids need to contribute to the year end party noshes.  This year, instead of the chips and Crispers, Amelia wanted me to bake something for the class.  She was getting smirks from the kids in her class as to why the teacher would get a piece of our homemade brownies and none for the rest of the class. So, we decided on cookies...and not just cookies.  Chocolate chip would be the base cookie recipe...then I would add something else from the pantry to make it a bit more special -- dried cranberries and marshmallows.  Enjoy!!

Chocolate Chip - Cranberry - Marshmallow Cookies (makes 36 cookies)

Preheat the oven to 375 F

1 cup of soften unsalted butter
2 cups of brown sugar
2 eggs
2 2/3 cups of all purpose flour
1 tsp each of baking powder and baking soda
1 tsp of vanilla
1 cup of chocolate chips
3/4 cup of dried cranberries
2 cups of marshmallows

1. Mix butter, brown sugar and vanilla.  Then beat in eggs; one at a time.
2. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder and baking soda.
3. Gradually stir flour mixture into sugar mixture;
4. Fold in chocolate chips, cranberries and marshmallow until well combined.
5. Using the tablespoon measuring spoon; spoon cookie dough unto baking sheet lined with parchment paper/silicone mat. I found that the silicone mat produced nicer cookies. Lightly using fingers, flatten the dough slightly. Don't overcrowd your baking sheet, 6-8 cookies worked best.
6. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes.
7. Let the cookies cool before transferring to a cooling rack. Cookies will be soft and chewy.

Banana Muffins

With the summer like temperatures upon us...I will be using less of my oven.  As we step into June, the temperatures have gotten a bit cooler.  So, yesterday, I decided to bake some banana muffins to satisfy my baking "itch".

These moist little muffins are healthier than the original recipe I found. Instead of butter, I substituted with margarine.  I also added nutmeg and vanilla as part of my twist to the recipe. They are very simple to make and hope that you will get a chance to make them for your family.  Even Aidan asked for seconds.

Banana Muffins

Makes 18 medium size muffins

1 1/2 cup of all purpose flour
1 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp of baking soda
1/2 tsp of salt
3 large bananas, mashed
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup of margarine, melted
1/2 tsp of nutmeg
1 tsp of vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 F

1. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg
2. In a larger bowl, combine banana, sugar, egg and margarine and mix well.
3. Gradually add flour mixture to banana mixture (1/3 at a time).
4. Mix until well blended.
5. Line muffin pan with liners; use a tablespoon to scoop muffin batter into each muffin cup.
6. Tap the muffin pan on the counter to eliminate any bubbles in the batter.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Insert toothpick at 20 minutes and bake longer if needed. They don't need to be brown on top to be cooked thru.