Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

On cold and cloudy days, I seem to get cravings for pumpkin. And this pumpkin bread is my all-time favorite, slightly adapted from the ladies at Our Best Bites. It's warm spice flavor is perfect for chasing away the winter blues.

And I love that I can use whole wheat flour, greek yogurt, and applesauce to make it yummy and healthy…well, sort of healthy :)

Just try not to eat the whole loaf in one sitting…believe me, you'll want to!


Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
(Makes 2 loaves)

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1/4 teaspoons ground clove
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon baking power
1 teaspoon table salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup white sugar
6 ounce container greek yogurt, vanilla
3 eggs, slightly beaten
15 ounce can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup canola oil (or 1/2 cup applesauce)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 9x5 loaf pans with nonstick spray and then lightly cover with flour. Set aside.

2. Combine flours, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gently combine and set aside.

3. In separate mixing bowl combine the sugars, mixing well with a wooden spoon. Add yogurt, eggs, pumpkin, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

4. Slowly add the dry ingredients until wet. Gently stir in chocolate chips. (The batter will seem a little dry, but don't worry it will still be yummy!) Divide the batter between the two loaf pans and sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top if you'd like. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes and then remove loaves and place on wire rack.


*Time Saving Tip: When completely cooled, wrap the second loaf in layers of plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Place in the freezer and you'll have a delicious treat for the future! Just place the loaf in the fridge or on the counter to thaw when you're ready to enjoy!

Peanut Butter Blossoms

While growing up, I can remember a few staple cookie recipes that my mom would make. Peanut Butter Blossoms were one of them. And if you could snatch some right after they came out of the oven…Oh the melted chocolate goodness!

I've also seen fun variations online using caramel kisses or other flavors! I have yet to try them because I'm such a fanatic of straight chocolate…but it would be fun to do!

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Ingredients:

48 Hershey Kisses, unwrapped

1/2 cup shortening

3/4 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 egg

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Beat shortening and peanut butter. Add sugars and beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk, and vanilla.

2. In separate bowl, stir together flour, soda, and salt. Gradually add to peanut butter mixture.

3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. When finished, immediately place Hershey Kiss on top of each cookie, pressing down so the cookie cracks around the edges. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.

FROZEN Birthday Party

Ok. Have you seen Disney's new movie Frozen yet?

If not…GO GO GO!

Seriously, it's the best. The main characters are sisters and have to help each other through an amazing adventure. The music is amazing. I cannot say this enough! I may or may not have leaked a few tears during the song "Let It Go" and I was just thrilled with the broadway feel of it all.

Of course my husband was next to me rolling his eyes and checking his watch. Musicals are not his thing, but he still enjoyed the characters and storyline :)

Well. Onto the party.

My daughter had a birthday in December and we always wait until after the holidays to celebrate with her friends. And that lucky duck! Since Frozen came out in November we had the perfect party theme just begging to be used! 

So here are a few ideas to get you started on your own Frozen birthday party!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ok. This is the BEST chocolate chip cookie recipe E.V.E.R. 

At least to me, haha!

This recipe of goodness was passed along to me from a close friend a few years ago (Hi Kayse!) and it's one I just keep going back to. So whip up a batch and try not to snatch too much cookie dough before baking :)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/4 cup flour

1 bag of chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Combine shortening and sugars in a mixing bowl. Mix until smooth.

2. Add eggs, salt, soda, vanilla, and flour. When everything is mixed well add the chocolate chips.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Make 5 dozen cookies…or about 4 1/2 if you snatch some dough :)

*Time-Saving Tip: After the cookies have cooled, put half of the cookies into a ziploc freezer bag, remove the air, and close up tight for the freezer. This makes an easy dessert to grab on the go or quickly take to a neighbor or friend.