Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I don't bake as often as I used to.  But lately, B has been into his favorite oatmeal raisin cookies.  In my effort to stop eating processed foods, I decided to bake a batch of his favorite cookies.  This is by no means healthy, but it is delicious.

2 C flour
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar
2 Sticks butter -- softened
3 C oats
1 1/2 C raisins
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs

Mix all the dry ingredients (not the oats or raisins) together in one bowl.  In another large bowl cream the butter with both sugars and vanilla.  Mix until smooth and creamy.  Add one egg at a time mixing between each egg.  Add the dry ingredients along with the butter mixture.  Mix until all incorporated.  Stir in oats and raisins and mix well.

Drop the cookie dough a couple tablespoons at at time on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake approximately 14 minutes (it took 19 minutes in my oven). 

Black Bean Brownies

I've heard of black bean brownies before, but was always a bit skeptical.  Would I be able to taste the black beans through the chocolate?  I made these a few weeks back and the answer to that question is nope! This is a super easy way to get your chocolate fix AND add get a serving or two of protein!

1 box of Brownie Mix (Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, ...)
1 14.5 oz. can of black beans

Drain, rinse black beans thoroughly.  Add beans back into the can and fill the can with water.  Puree black beans and water in a blender and blend until completely smooth.  Add to brownie mix only (do not add whatever the mix tells you to add.  Just use the dry mix).  Mix the brown mix and black bean puree until well combined.  Pour in a greased baking dish and bake according to package.  Your brownies are done once a toothpick comes out clean.

This brownie is a little denser and "fudgier", but still so good!

Chocolate Pudding

                                          Photo courtesy of planetgreen.com

I have a bit of a sweet tooth.  Okay, I have a huge sweet tooth!  I'm always rummaging around for something to satisfy my craving.  The thing is, I know myself so I avoid keeping sugary stuff in the house.  Over the weekend, I decided I would make chocolate pudding.  I thought, I'll make a batch and make it maybe, kinda, sort of good for you.  Actually, it isn't really healthy, but at least it's natural!

4 cups of milk.  I used 1%
1/2 cup of sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup of cornstarch

Heat the milk and vanilla in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  In the meantime, mix the sugar, salt, cornstarch in a large bowl.  Once the milk and vanilla warm through, add the chocolate and stir until smooth.  Be sure to scrape the bottom as the chocolate may settle at the bottom of the pot and burn.  Once everything is combined, add a few ladles of the hot mixture to the dry ingredients.  After each addition, whisk until smooth.  Once everything has been incorporated, add the entire mixture back to the saucepan and cook over medium heat.  Stir somewhat constantly so it doesn't burn.  The mixture will thicken after a few minutes (about five minutes).  Once it does, you can either ladle it into single serving containers or pour it into one large container.  Either way, lay a layer of plastic wrap directly on the pudding so it doesn't form a skin.  Once it has cooled for about an hour, transfer to the fridge and chill for several hours.

Enjoy!

I took a photo, but I am too embarasssed to post it.  I'll take another one soon and hopefully that'll be good enough to post.