Banana Breakfast Cookies

Hi Guys!

It's been way too long since I've posted!  Busy doesn't even begin to describe what's been going on around here.  First of all, my daughter moved to New York.  She's a grown-up now.  Not sure how I feel about that yet.  And, we drove her to New York.  You read that right, we DROVE from Louisiana to New York.  Over 1400 miles each way.  With all of her stuff crammed in to the SUV along with Old School Italian Hubby, me, her and her brother in the back seat reverting to younger and more annoying brats with every mile.  It was fun.  But seriously we did have a few silly spats but for the most part it was a great old-fashioned family road trip.  We stopped at fun roadside attractions along the way and made wonderful memories.  Most importantly, we got her moved into her new life and she's happy and thriving.  What more could a Mama want?

We also lost our beloved family dog, Peanut.  He was such a special part of our family and we were lucky to have him for more than 13 years.  I'll miss my little shadow who followed me everywhere and sat at my feet while I cooked, hoping I would drop something yummy.



The other day I noticed that a few bananas in the fruit bowl were very ripe.  Perfect for baking.  I usually use over ripe bananas to make banana nut bread but I thought I'd try something new.  I'm not a huge breakfast eater.  I'm more of a coffee and more coffee kind of gal.  But I've been trying to eat healthier lately so I thought breakfast cookies would go great with my coffee and more coffee.  These are easy to make with just a handful of ingredients. 

BANANA BREAKFAST COOKIES

2 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 tsp cinnamon, optional*

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  In a big bowl, mix the mashed bananas, peanut butter, vanilla extract, oats and cinnamon (if using) until combined well.  Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.  Scoop out with 1/4 cup measuring cup (I use an ice cream scoop) and roll into balls.  Place on the lined cookie sheet and flatten each ball.  Bake 15 minutes or until firm and lightly golden on top.  Let cool 5 minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

These "cookies" have no added sugar and go great with a cup of coffee or tea.  They are healthy and filling.  You can substitute raisins for the chocolate chips if you'd like.  You can also use any nut butter you have.  This recipe is very versatile and a great way to use up over ripe bananas.  They keep for a week in an airtight container, even longer in the fridge. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Clusters

My Mama gave me a big bag of old fashioned oats.  I like to eat oatmeal as much as the next guy but you can only eat so much.  Plus, it's August. In Louisiana.  It's 90 degrees at breakfast time!  Not exactly the "chill in the air weather" that makes you crave a steaming bowl of oatmeal.  So, I made some little treats that are cool, portable and popable.  They taste so good you won't even realize they're good for you!  Bonus:  this recipe has only 4 ingredients!

 

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER OAT CLUSTERS

1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (quick cook oats will work too)

Melt the peanut butter, milk and chocolate chips in a medium sized pot over low heat.

Stir it often until it is melted and smooth.

Remove it from the heat then stir in the oats.

Mix well to thoroughly combine.

Drop by a Tablespoon (I use a small scoop) onto wax paper (or a buttered plate or a silicone mat).

Chill in the fridge to let them set up (at least 10-15 minutes).  Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container.

These little clusters are like granola bars rolled into a ball!  So yummy!  They have a great chewy texture.  They're not too sweet (no added sugar).  They're chocolatey.  Plus, they are good for you!  That's a win win right there!

No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies

It's July 1st.  My son just said to me, "Mom, the year is half way over already".  I had to stop and think (oh wow it really is!).  Man, that went fast!  The cliche is so true, time really does fly.  That's why we should savor every minute we get because before you know it our kids are grown and we're old and gray (I'm closer to that than I'd like to admit).  My son will be a senior in high school this year.  A senior!  I feel like he's still my baby boy but nope.  I still like to take care of him, though.  He really likes these no bake cookies.  My Aunt Sue made some and he couldn't stop eating them!  So, I had to make him some more (I had to).

NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER CEREAL COOKIES

1 cup sugar

1 cup white corn syrup

1 cup peanut butter (I like creamy but you could use crunchy)

6 cups corn flakes (I used Honey Bunches of Oats)

In a small pot, heat corn syrup and sugar over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil.  

Remove from the heat.  Add the peanut butter and stir well.

Measure the 6 cups of cereal into a large bowl.

Pour the peanut butter mixture over the cereal and stir well.  It will get thick and be kind of hard to stir but make sure it's well incorporated.

Form into balls and place on wax paper (or a silicone mat).  I used an ice cream scoop to keep them uniform in size, but you can just use your hands and roll into balls.  You can make them as big or as small as you want.

These are really yummy and like I said, my son loves them!  Even though they're sweet, they also have peanut butter and cereal so they're better for him than a lot of other snacks!  My hubby liked them, too.  You can substitute any cereal you like, Rice Chex, Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Wheaties, etc.  Give these a try and see if you're bunch loves them as much as mine. 

No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies

It's July 1st.  My son just said to me, "Mom, the year is half way over already".  I had to stop and think (oh wow it really is!).  Man, that went fast!  The cliche is so true, time really does fly.  That's why we should savor every minute we get because before you know it our kids are grown and we're old and gray (I'm closer to that than I'd like to admit).  My son will be a senior in high school this year.  A senior!  I feel like he's still my baby boy but nope.  I still like to take care of him, though.  He really likes these no bake cookies.  My Aunt Sue made some and he couldn't stop eating them!  So, I had to make him some more (I had to).

NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER CEREAL COOKIES

1 cup sugar

1 cup white corn syrup

1 cup peanut butter (I like creamy but you could use crunchy)

6 cups corn flakes (I used Honey Bunches of Oats)

In a small pot, heat corn syrup and sugar over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil.  

Remove from the heat.  Add the peanut butter and stir well.

Measure the 6 cups of cereal into a large bowl.

Pour the peanut butter mixture over the cereal and stir well.  It will get thick and be kind of hard to stir but make sure it's well incorporated.

Form into balls and place on wax paper (or a silicone mat).  I used an ice cream scoop to keep them uniform in size, but you can just use your hands and roll into balls.  You can make them as big or as small as you want.

These are really yummy and like I said, my son loves them!  Even though they're sweet, they also have peanut butter and cereal so they're better for him than a lot of other snacks!  My hubby liked them, too.  You can substitute any cereal you like, Rice Chex, Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Wheaties, etc.  Give these a try and see if you're bunch loves them as much as mine.