Raspberry Dark Chocolate Banana Bread

picture source same as recipe source

Okay....where do I start with this?  The picture I saw on pinterest hooked me in.   Everytime I would scroll through my recipe board, I would slightly pause at it.

I finally decided to give it a try.

Before baking most recipes, I read the reviews and this one was no exception.  There were a lot of problems, suggestions, and praises.  I read them all and sort of adapted the ideas/suggestions to work for me.  I crossed my fingers as it baked and in the end, it turned out perfect.  It was delicious.  The raspberries were a PERFECT addition.  The bread was moist and soft and full of flavour.

Here are the changes I made:

* I preheated the oven to 325 degrees and cooked it for an hour at that temperature.  Then I raised it up to 350, loosely laid tin foil over it (top was done perfectly at that point, but inside was not) and cooked it for about another 30ish minutes.  I also cooked it on the bottom rack in the oven.

* For the mashed bananas to equal 1 1/2 cups, it took 3 bananas.

* I used frozen raspberries, however, when I measured them out, I took a potato masher and sort of roughly mashed them up.  There were some chunks and some crumbs...I liked that combo.  I still tossed them in flour before adding to the dough.

* I did not add quite as much dark chocolate chips as suggested.

* I used a metal loaf pan

* When it was done baking, I let it sit in the pan for quite a while before removing it to the cooling rack.  Even after cutting around the edge and removing it at that point, one of the sides was very soft and wanted to break away.  I carefully got it out and let it sit on the rack.  This was the hard part.  Waiting.  I know we all want warm banana bread, but I think this one would fall apart until mostly cooled.   It needs to sort of all bind together.  The batter to extras ratio is pretty close, so lots of places for this thing to break and fall apart.

Either way....you need to figure out how it works for you.  Many reviews said it turned out just fine for them following the recipe exactly.  You have to give this one a shot.

Check out Recipe Boy for this treat of deliciousness!

Candy Cane Snowballs

Okay...funny story...

So when Trace and I do our Christmas baking weekend, we each will just grab a recipe and work on it.  Sometimes we end up starting what the other finished, sometimes we work together...etc.

Well...this one was all Tracey.

She started it and part way through I hear an "oh crap!"  maybe could have even been more explicit, but I'm not sure.  The part of the recipe that says "3 cups powdered sugar, divided"....Tracey didn't read completely.  She just added 3 cups icing sugar to the mix.  Wellllllll....there's only one way to fix it.  Actually...2 ways, but who wants to throw out a bowl full of ingredients?  Her only real option....bring the rest of the ingredients up to the same amount as the icing sugar she added....yes...that is 4x the recipe.

At that point we were just hoping and praying these cookies would turn out to be the greatest thing on earth, since we were about to have enough to feed a small country.

They were pretty delicious and everyone loves them so far.  They are a melt in your mouth kind of cookie.  You might even find the recipe easy if you follow it instead of quadrupling it.

Check out Cooking During Stolen Moments for the recipe.

Peppermint Marshmallows

I've always wanted to try home made marshmallows, but was totally intimidated by the candy thermometer.  Well folks, I am here to tell you...no need to be afraid.  It is an easy little tool to use.

These were easy to make, but took wayyyy longer than the recipe said.

As far as the taste factor...yes...obviously better than your standard store bought ones, but in my world, nothing mind blowing about these.  Maybe they'd be fun to put in hot chocolate, or some gourmet s'mores...maybe even cut them more like a cube, put them on a stick and dip them in chocolate?  I dunno.  Creative folk will know what to do with it.

Betty Crocker gave me this recipe.  Yup....personally.  She gave it to me.  Betty and I go way back...old friends.

Okay...that was a lie.  I don't know her....but I did get the recipe from the website.

Let me know what you do with it...if you try it.  Or give me some suggestions what I'm suppose to do with all these marshmallows I have.

Marshmallow Christmas Squares

Thank you, thank you, thank you Dishin with Didi.  Oh my.  Way too easy, way too delicious, way too quick.  When I find recipes like this....all seems right in the world.

Only change...we didn't have maraschino cherries so we used candied cherries.  I think I would love it even more...maybe even marry it, if we had maraschino cherries, but that's just me and my love of maraschino....candied worked fine.

I used sweetened coconut...it doesn't specify in the recipe, so maybe you could use unsweetened too?  But why would you want less sweet?  I dunno.  That's just weird ....but whatever floats your boat.

Also...if you are just reading the recipe and not looking at her handy pictures, you might get confused on one thing. ...at least I did, but then again...I'm more of a pretty face than a smart one.  It says to add all ingredients except the sweetened condensed milk, however, you shouldn't add the coconut either.  Leave both out.  The coconut gets sprinkled on the bottom of the pan, then the mixture that has all ingredients, then more coconut...then press.  Read the recipe and look at her pics....you'll get it.

Everyone loved this one.  Well...except my nephew...but he doesn't like sweet things.  What?!  I didn't even know those people existed.

Check out the recipe....Dishin with Didi  and add it to your baking list.

ENJOY!

Candy Cane Chocolate Swirl Fudge

source

I loved this!  LOVED IT!  Everyone seemed to like this one.  Our taste testers (aka...family who hover over us while we bake) definitely gave it the thumbs up.    Oh and it was easy.  EASY!!  EASY PEASY!  Seriously...don't have time for Christmas baking, but want to whip up something fast?  This is it.

Check out Sally's Baking Addiction for the recipe.

We cut them into small small bite size pieces since it is rather rich.  I have a feeling this one will be a repeat for next year.  Too quick and easy not to.

Eggnog Biscotti

I don't really like biscotti.  So why did I include it in my Christmas baking?  Good question.  A couple of reasons...I wanted to see what it's like to make and I wanted to see if homemade tastes better...oh and I know others who like it, so this can my my gift to them.

First I have a disclosure to make.  Technically...I didn't make this....Tracey did.  Every year we get together and do a Christmas baking weekend.  We help each other with recipes, we both work on a recipe or we do one all on our own, start to finish.  This one was all Tracey.

From what I observed, it's easy enough to make.  I think the hardest part was shaping the dough on the cookie sheet....we couldn't quite figure out the correct way to do it.  It does rise a bit while it's baking, so count on that.  We used a large cookie sheet and shaped it in a rectangle but sort of rounded on top.  Oh and when I say we, I actually mean Tracey.

We used Shugary Sweets recipe for the biscotti and food.com's recipe for the glaze.  Next time I would make a lot more glaze so we'd have more to drizzle or dip...but that's just me and my sweet tooth talking.

They definitely taste better than any bought ones I've had, but still not something I love.

Try it.  Lemme know what you think.

Chocolate Cherry Snowballs

source

Okay...so I'm not a fan of shortbread cookies and this sort of reminded me of them, so I was not in love.  However, those who like shortbread cookies,  did love these.  I didn't really change anything and followed the recipe.  They were quite easy and do look nice when done, so they would make a good addition to your Christmas baking plate.  

Check out Betty Crocker, try them and let me know what you think.

Drunk Cherries

lost the source...sorry.

Another absolutely delightful little snack when fresh...you don't want these to sit for too many days after being dipped in chocolate...they don't look very pretty.

No recipe.  

Just cherries marinated in booze, dipped in melted chocolate.

I marinated mine in apricot and cherry brandy.  I've also seen recipes that suggest Amaretto.  Marinate overnight then dip.  I loved dipping these because of the stems...they made my life a million times easier.  After dipping, chill until chocolate is set...serve.

Mmmmmm.  

Marinated Grapes

source same as recipe

These were AWESOME freshly coated in sugar.  Mmmmm...such a good little snack.  

These were not so awesome after freezing or a few days later.  Make them the day you want them and have them eaten that day or the next.

I marinated my grapes overnight.  Seriously...delicious fresh, so marinate them the day before you want to serve them and then just coat them in the sugar the day of.  

Wonderfully easy grown up snack.  

Check out Epicurious for the recipe.

Chocolate Turtle Cookies

Another fan favorite.  These were a huge hit.  Lots of little steps, but easy and still worth it.  

Pixelated Crumb rocked our world with this recipe!  

We didn't crush our pecans small enough...in my opinion...I think that's the only complaint about ours.  We followed the recipe on this one and we were rewarded with delicious turtle cookies.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2013:  this year we bought ground pecans...worked much better!  We also had lots of melted chocolate leftover from other baking, so we drizzled it on top of these for a pretty little addition.  

Marshmallow Truffles

source same as recipe

These were my other favorite out of all my Christmas baking.  Messy to make, but worth it...soooo worth it. These aren't just marshmallows dipped in chocolate...they are so much more.  People who don't like marshmallows, liked these.

Better Homes and Gardens...I owe you.  This one is a definite must next year.

We used dried cherries in ours, I'm not sure if I would do that again...the textures didn't match.  I'm not sure whether I would leave them plain or think of another filling.  We dipped half in white chocolate and half in chocolate...you don't have to do that, it's just what we had left.  We sprinkled toasted coconut ontop of ours.

Did I mention I love these??

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2013:  We didn't add a filling...much better in my opinion...

Orange Creamsicle Truffles

source same as recipe

Out of all my Christmas baking, I had 2 favorites....this was one of them.  I love all things orange creamsicle flavored so I knew I would love these.  They did not disappoint....they tasted exactly how I pictured.

I'd like to thank Cooking Classy for this one.  I'm pretty sure I will want it in my regular Christmas baking rotation now.  We doubled the recipe, but that still wasn't enough....I'd increase it even more next time.

Eggnog Truffles

source same as recipe

Oh eggnog...how I love you.  I love your Christmas flavor.  I love you in everything I could possibly get you in.  

These were good, except I did make a mistake.  I added too much white chocolate to the truffle part which took away from some of the eggnog flavor.  Don't do that.  Just follow the recipe....which I can't believe I just said...when do I ever say that?

Visit McCormick's website for the recipe.  

Tips:  You don't have to use their branded ingredients...use what you have/want.  Also...FREEZE them before dipping.  You won't hate your life quite as much.  Also...use the stove top double boiler method for melting chocolate....easier than microwave...keeps the chocolate warm.

Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles

source

Sweet and salty....yum!

I realize Christmas is over and posting Christmas baking recipes is a little late, but you can bookmark it for next year, right?  

The changes we made was only in the melting and dipping chocolate part.  I like to melt it in a glass bowl over a boiling pot of water.  I also just add some vegetable oil to it instead of shortening.  I prefer doing it that way because it keeps the chocolate warm the whole time, where microwaving it doesn't.

Very important tip with making truffles....freeze them before dipping them in chocolate.  Your life will be a million times easier.

These were perfection.  Loved the pretzel crunch in it!  

We can thank Brown Eyed Baker for this recipe.

Mini Egg Cookies

First I have to say...I took these pictures myself.  Are ya proud?  I've actually been taking a lot of my food post pictures myself.  The days are finally longer, so I'm doing more cooking in daylight hours.


These ones were made on the weekend, so no excuse not to have a good picture of these.


Anyways...if you love mini eggs, you will LOOOOOVE these.  They are sooo freakin good.  Words can not describe the deliciousness that are these.


I got the recipe from my sister...I have no idea where she got it from.  I like my cookies to be soft, so I only baked them for 10 minutes.  The looked undercooked when they came out but were a gold brown on the bottom, so I knew they'd be fine.


Soft, mini egg cookies...heaven....


PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE

Let me know if you make them!!


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Linked This Post To:

Sunday Showcase
Tasty Kitchen
Creative Juice Thursday 
Flaunt It Friday 
Weekend Wrap Up Party 
Simply Link Party 
For The Kids Friday 
Whassup Wednesday
Rock Your Recipes

Mini Cheesecakes

These are dangerous...but perfect. I think they were the perfect size and no fork needed.


Tasty Kitchen pulls through again.


The only change I made was to the crust.  I couldn't find Nutter Butter Cookies here in Canada so I googled subsitutions and the most common answer were those white or vanilla oreo cookies.  I bought those and put them in my food processor...seemed to work perfect.


Let me know if you try them!

Cranberry Blondies

I love LOVE the cranberry bliss bars from Starbucks.  I kinda wish they were available all year round.


I'm pretty sure this recipe will satisfy my craving.  I made them this weekend and they are DELICIOUS!  I don't think they taste exactly like the ones from Starbucks, but they are good enough for me.


Another good recipe from Tasty Kitchen...I love getting recipes from there....I check it out daily.


Let me know if you try them.


This post is linked to...

Beat The Winter Blues - Indulge Your Sweet Tooth

Apple Cake

It's not the best picture of them.  They tasted so good and were such a hit, I didn't even have time to think about taking a picture. 


It's from my Betty Crocker cookbook, but I did find the same one on Betty Crocker's web page.  You can print one off from there.


The recipe on their webpage is for carrot cake, but in my cookbook it also gave you the option of using apples, which I did.


They say you can omit the carrots and add 3 cups of chopped tart apples.  I cored my apples and grated them with my food processor.


I, also, left the chopped walnuts out.


Make sure you cut the cream cheese icing in half.  There was WAY TOO MUCH for my cake and I ended up scraping half of it off.

Cookie Dough Truffles

I know Christmas is over, but I was being lazy and didn't get to posting these.  I think this is the last of my Christmas baking that I need to post.


These were a HUGE hit....everyone loved them.  I, once again, can thank Kari @ Beautiful Inspirations for this one.


You can print the recipe off from here.


The only changes I would suggest...

- After you roll the balls, freeze them.  This will make them much easier to dip into the chocolate.
- I added a little vegetable oil to the chocolate because so many other chocolate dipping recipes call for that.  I then used a fork to dip them into the melted chocolate.

Make sure you use mini chocolate chips in the truffle.  I did not and wish I did.  You don't want to have these cute delicious truffles and then WHAM...giant chocolate chip....doesn't work well.


I think I need to take a break from baking now for a little while.  I'm currently in a sugar coma and on my way to being diabetic.  I love Christmas!

White Velvet Cookies

Another good one from Kari @ Beautiful Inspirations. 


I know these probably look like your ordinary sugar cookie or shortbread or whatever other plain white cookies are out there.  However, I can assure these are not.  They are so good.  Just don't mess them up like I did.  Boy...did I ever mess them up.


You can print the recipe from here.


Okay so this is what I did wrong.  When I was gradually adding the flour, something seemed weird, so I reviewed the recipe and sure enough...I forgot to add the sugar.  I added it after the flour.  I think that affected the taste of the cookies because the sugar didn't probably blend in.  I also either rolled mine too thin or baked them too long, because they weren't as soft as they should have been.


Next time I think I would leave the icing white so they had more of that "winter" look to them.  I was going to pipe the icing on, but laziness got the better of me.  I'd for sure pipe the icing on for presentation purpose if I was serving these up to any company other than my family.


Either way....deliciously cream cheesey cookies.  Low fat too.


What?


Okay...maybe not.