Chunky Monkey Amish Oatmeal

May 10, 2019 Amanda Plott

After banana nut on my mind, and a pantry full of leftover oatmeal, I pretty much knew immediately what I was going to be making this week for breakfast. Some sort of… banana nut oatmeal. But! Not just any banana nut oatmeal. I wanted it to be chunky monkey style. What’s chunky monkey? Well, one of my most favorite flavors of ice cream that’s made with bananas, chocolate chunks, and walnuts.

There you have it, chunky monkey oatmeal. Of course, one of my favorite ways to make oatmeal is for it to be baked and ‘Amish’ style. This breakfast oatmeal also happens to be gluten-free (so long as you mind your brand of oats.)…

Camp Out Trail Mix

April 13, 2019 Amanda Plott

This past week, my girl turned 9 years old! As part of her ‘birthday week’ of celebration she got to miss out on a couple days of school so that we could go with a few of her friends to a local kids resort. The theme of the resort is a lodge style camp setting. And since I’m always looking to take snacks to keep on hand during our trips, I decided to mix us up a batch of camping themed trial mix!

This trail mix is full of fun little bits that I tried to keep somewhat ‘healthified’. One of the first things I think about with camping is tents and firewood. So I used some bugle chips and pretzel sticks! After that I aded some fish and bears. I mean, hopefully you won’t see a bear while out camping, but bears are out in the woods so…

Lightened-Up Cookie Monster Brookie Cake

April 6, 2019 Amanda Plott

As it turns out… I have a cookie monster living in my house and she’s turning 9 years old tomorrow. Though maybe she’s more of a cake monster since she’s somehow managing to get three birthday cakes this year due to a series of fortunate events. Yes, FORTUNATE events.

Every ear for my daughter’s birthday, I make her something special that I can take up to her school at lunch and let her share with her friends. This time around she requested a cookie cake. Which… is what I made last year. And we can’t do the same thing over again. So! I decided to take that cookie cake a step further and make it into a BROOKIE cake. What’s a brookie, you ask? A brownie and a cookie combined together!…

Lightened-Up Brown Butter & Bourbon Chocolate Chunk Cookies

February 23, 2019 Amanda Plott

These cookies are legit.

They are much a mouthful to say as they are a mouthful to eat. They are absolutely STUFFED full with all sorts of yummy and delicious tidbits of YUM. We’re talking big chocolate chunks, buttered pecans, and YES even BOURBON.

To say that these cookies are full of flavor would be a sad sad sad understatement. I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical that browning the butter would add more flavor, but it is DEFINITELY worth the few minutes of effort. That along with the bourbon… I’m in heaven over here…

Irish Whiskey Blondies

February 15, 2019 Amanda Plott

Now that Valentine’s Day is over, I’m already on the thought path of St. Patrick’s Day! I love St. Patrick’s day for a couple of reasons. One being that I’ve got some Irish blood in me. Another being that it’s my dad’s birthday. And of course… who doesn’t love an excuse to drink and pinch people? Don’t worry, there’s no green beer here.

Instead, I opted to start off with these lightened up Irish Whiskey Blondies. I based these blondies over some that I made a good while back now. And yes, there is actually whiskey baked right into these blondies. Enough to give the flavor and just a little kick…

Skinny Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies

February 8, 2019 Amanda Plott

Sweets for your sweet!

These red velvet cookies are lightened up with a few simple swaps and are actually pretty easy to make! They start out with a rather traditional red velvet cookie and are then filled in the center with an easy-peasy white chocolate fudge.

They’re super festive right now and would be perfect for any Valentine’s Day party, get-together, or to give as a sweet treat to friends and family on the day of looove…