Farewell Utah Peaches

I don't like to be the bearer of bad news. So it is with much regret that I post this information. Tomorrow, October 1st, is the LAST day that the "Fruit Lady" is going to get peaches from Utah. Excuse me while I shed a tear. If you want a box, her phone number is 480-844-9953 and her name is Barbara. You don't have to order...you can just show up. First come, first serve. She lives off of Gilbert and McKellips. She will also have pears, raspberries, and blackberries tomorrow for the last time. She will, however, continue ordering apples over the next few weeks. If anyone knows of another Utah peach hook-up...please let me know!

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins

This is another recipe from a relative of the Nielson family. Christian's sister, Alice, had this on her blog and since I am a lover of all pumpkin recipes...I had to try it.
4 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

2 cups brown sugar (loosely packed)

1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup butter, melted (or canola oil)

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

*Mix dry ingredients together. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix just until combined. Bake in muffin tins for 15-17 minutes at 350. (8-10 minutes for mini muffins).
*I made some regular sized muffins and some mini muffins. My kids liked them, which is always a bonus. I added some semi-sweet chocolate chips to the last 6 muffins that I made and I probably don't have to tell you that those were my favorite.

Crockpot Chocolate Cake

I, along with thousands of other people, read cjane's blog on a daily basis. She posted this recipe at the end of one of her updates. We tried it last Sunday and I cannot fully describe to you how good it was. We ate it warm with ice cream and it was a piece of Heaven. I'm not kidding. If you like chocolate, you HAVE to try this cake. Really soon.

1 chocolate cake mix
8 oz. sour cream
1 cup chocolate chips (I used a whole bag of Ghirardelli milk chocolate)
1 cup water
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 package instant chocolate pudding mix (I used the small box)

*Spray crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Mix all ingredients in a bowl by hand. Pour into crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
*I recommend having a lot of people on hand to eat this when you make it. If you have leftovers, they will haunt you and you will lose sleep thinking about them.

*Post edit: A few people have told us they made this and it burned in their crock-pot. So check the cake after 3-4 hours on low and see if it looks done all the way through.

Whole Wheat Banana Bread

After eating some of Holly's delicious zuchinni bread, I decided to search out a healthier way to make banana bread. I found this recipe online and we loved the way it turned out.
1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup honey

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup mashed bananas (3 ripe)

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 cup hot water

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

*Mix oil and honey. Add eggs and mix well. Add bananas and vanilla. Mix well, then add flour, salt, soda and hot water. Blend in nuts if desired. Pour into greased bread pans (I used two smaller ones) and bake for one hour at 325. Cool on wire rack before slicing.

*If you want to be even healthier, you could try applesauce instead of oil. If you try it and it works, let us know. Thanks!

PB and CC Oatmeal Cookies

If you are a fan of the peanut butter/chocolate combo...you will for sure love this cookie recipe.
1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 cup peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

2 Tbs. water

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2 cups oats

1 bag milk chocolate chips

*Mix butter and sugars. Add eggs, pb, vanilla and water. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 for 9-10 minutes.

Whole Wheat Waffles

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup oil

Mix well and bake in hot waffle iron. Makes 6-7 waffles.

Ginger Snaps

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup molasses

2 cups flour

1 Tbs. ground ginger

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Cream together butter and sugar. Add egg and molasses and mix well. Add the dry ingredients and mix well. Roll into 1 inch balls and roll the balls in sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.