Chocolate Chip Oat Bars

I saw this recipe in my Food & Nutrition Magazine (one of the few I still get and actually read!) and wanted to give it a try. I’m not adverse to mixes as this one starts with just that and then kicks it up a notch with some added oats, nut butter, goji berries etc. Easy to make and a new treat for the fam.

Ingredients:

1 box Simple Mills Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

1/2 cup oats

1/4 cup goji berries (or other dried fruit)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

2 Tbsp oil

2 Tbsp nut butter

1 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 cup water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine wet ingredients. Stir in the dry ingredients. Spread mixture into a loaf or cake pan. Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Ginger Cookies

I’m on a ginger kick! Whether it’s grated in my hot tea or cold water, mixed in muffins or stir fry or a Moscow Mule, get in my belly! So, clearly when I needed to bring a dessert for a school function, I chose these Ginger cookies (inspired by Texan Erin Baking). They turned out soft and have the perfect amount of spice.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour (or a mix of the 2) or gluten-free flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons canola oil
• 6 tablespoons molasses
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons sugar, for rolling

Directions:

1. Mix together the flour, baking soda, salt and spices.
2. In another bowl mix together the sugar, oil, molasses and egg.
3. Add the dry to the wet ingredients and mix to combine. Refrigerate dough for about an hour.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
5. Roll dough into balls and then roll the balls in the remaining sugar. Place on a non-stick baking sheet and press down with a fork. Bake for 9 minutes.
6. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before placing them on a wire rack to cool.