kim, Author at Lovin' From the Oven

Cinnamon Banana Cake

April 28, 2015 by kim 3 Comments

I’m just curious– how many of you guys made a New Year’s Resolution and are still sticking to it? We’re already past one quarter of the year (crazy, right?), are you on track to keep it up for the remaining months? I made a simple resolution: to read 50 books by the end of the year. So far, I’m well ahead of track.

Thanks to my Christmas present from my DH, a Kindle Paperwhite, I go through books like nothing. I just finished book number 26 and already have five more to read. Seriously, it’s addicting. I carry my Kindle with me everywhere I go.

I’m currently reading Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation by Bill Nye. Yes, that Bill Nye the Science Guy. It’s a bit different than what I normally read, but I’m already hooked. Another favorite of mine so far this year is Not My Father’s Son: A Memoir by Alan Cumming. They’re both just amazing men.

Do you have any good book recommendations? I’m always looking for something to add to my list! I’m open to any category: romance, sci-fi, memoirs, biographies, teen adult, mystery… you name it, I’ll read it. I don’t discriminate against books.

I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm growing up. I don’t understand kids that aren’t into reading, especially with all of the book that they have access to now and days. Not only do you have a physical library to go to, you can always check out books on OverDrive instantly! That still blows my mind how I can check out a library book in five seconds from the comfort of my own bed.

That’s why with all of the kids in my life, I’m a constant book gift-er. I’m crossing my fingers that eventually, they’ll see a book that intrigues them and become hooked. Books open a whole other world of creativity and imagination.

Maybe you can make this cinnamon banana cake and bribe your kids to pick up a book? One slice of cake for one book read. I’d be all over that.

This cake has everything that I dream of. Chocolate, bananas, and a cinnamon crumb. It baked beautifully and each bite left me wanting more. Just trust me on this one.

Recipe adapted from The Idea Room.

Cinnamon Banana Cake

Ingredients

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 dash salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 cups flour
2 cups vanilla greek yogurt (I used Chobani)

Filling:

1/3 cup brown sugar
1 Tbs. cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Blend butter, sugar, bananas, eggs and vanilla. Add remaining ingredients for the cake.
In a separate bowl, mix all the ingredients for the filling. Layer batter and filling twice in a 9X13 dish. Bake 350 degrees F for 45 minutes.

https://lovintheoven.com/cinnamon-banana-cake/

World’s Best Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

April 22, 2015 by kim 24 Comments

I know what you’re thinking… recipes that are start with “the world’s best?” Really? Well, typically I take them out of the title, but these cookies deserved for those three little words to stay. I think they’re that good.

I mean, those are some good looking cookies! That crinkle on top from my cookie scoop stayed in place and spread out just the right amount. They held their shape beautifully, which is all I ask of a cookie. The consistency is extremely soft. So soft, that if you tried to pick it up immediately after baking, they’d fall apart. These cookies need time to set. Make sure you let them cool ON the cookie sheet. Resist the urge to move them around!

But can we talk about the beauty all of these cookies are on?

It’s from Mad Hatter’s Platters! How cute is their name? I’ve never had anything quite this nice to display my desserts. When I first received it in the mail, I was impressed with the packaging and how heavy duty these plates were. I was expecting something a little flimsier (only because I’ve never owned a tired platter before), but I’m glad I was wrong. This is something that I would expect to last me for years through wear and tear.

They have unique 2 tiered and 3 tiered platters for you to choose from. I’m currently obsessed with this one and just might have to buy it after I move. These would also make great housewarming or hostess gifts. It was shipped disassembled, but it took me no more than two minutes to put it together. All you need are your hands! No extra tools required.

The sky is the limit with these platters. They’re great for entertaining, everyday use or even as a centerpiece. Don’t just think about using it in the kitchen… How about in the bathroom for holding soaps or hair ties? Or the bedroom for holding miscellaneous jewelry? You can check Mad Hatter’s Platters on their site and Facebook page for more great ideas.

Since all the pieces come apart, you can change the look of our platter with different sized plates and bowls in the “add-a-plate” section on their site.

Guess what?! Mad Hatter’s Platters is giving away a 2 tiered platter to one lucky reader! Aren’t they the best!?

Just make sure to enter via the Rafflecopter below. You have a week to get your entries in!

Cookie recipe from The Idea Room.

World’s Best Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 to 1 tablespoon milk (add this at the very end just to make dough smooth and creamy)
1 cup mini semi-chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream together the butter, peanut butter, and both sugars.
Mix in the egg and vanilla.
Gradually stir in the baking soda, baking powder, and flour until just combined.
If needed, stir in the milk until the dough is easy to handle. Mix in the chocolate chips.
Use a cookie scoop to drop on baking sheet. Bake for 9-10 minutes. Let cool completely on cookie sheet.

https://lovintheoven.com/worlds-best-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is a sponsored post, but the opinions expressed are my own.

M&M Oreo Cookie Bars

April 21, 2015 by kim Leave a Comment

Did I ever tell you guys that we found a new place? We’re officially moving next month! We’re still staying in Los Angeles, just a different city over. I can’t wait! The only downside is well, packing and actually moving. We’re planning to do the move by ourselves this time, without a moving company (like our last move from SF -> LA). Reason is: my DH’s work paid for our move last time and we’re too poor to do it again. Hah.

I contacted a couple of moving places just to get a quote to see how much it would cost. I had no idea that movers are so expensive! The best rate was about $150/per person/per hour, and you have to hire at least three people minimum. That’s $450/hour times probably 4 hours of work? That’s $1800! Without the tip! No thanks, renting a Uhaul and asking friends/family for help it is.

Thank goodness we have such wonderful friends and family! There’s no way we could do it without them. I can’t wait until we can afford to buy our own place and not worry about moving around anymore. Too bad that day is in the distant future. For now, I’m crossing my fingers that this new place we’re moving to works out and we can stay there for a couple of years.

It seems that every time we move, we acquire more stuff, making each move more strenuous than the last. It’s all part of growing up. First you buy a couch, then a dining table set, and matching bedroom furniture. That’s when you know you’ve really grown up. You actually have furniture for each room! We’re halfway there.

These bars from Averie Cooks are every kid’s dream. They’re full of candy and sugar, so consider yourself warned. For me, I would have liked them to have more dough to cookie/candy ratio. If you like sweet desserts, then make the recipe as is. For something a little lighter, I’d say to cut down on the M&M’s and Oreos a bit.

Also, I just hopped over to Averie’s post for this recipe and she made these bars when she was emptying out the pantry when moving! What a coincidence that I just talked about the same thing. I now dub these the “moving out bars.”

M&M Oreo Cookie Bars

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
1 large egg
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
18 Oreo Cookies, coarsely chopped
about 1/2 cup dark chocolate M&M's

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8x8 pan with foil.
Mix together the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla.
Add the flour until just combined. Gently stir in the Oreos.
Evenly spread the batter into the prepared pan. Lightly press the M&M's on the top.
Bake for about 20 to 22 minutes.

https://lovintheoven.com/mm-oreo-cookie-bars/

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