Snickers Birthday Cake

Snickers Birthday Cake

I can honestly say that this recipe is probably the most unhealthy post I have made to date, but it is so delicious that I had to share it regardless.  It is a birthday cake, so obviously it is not something you should eat on a regular basis, but if the love of your life is turning 39 and you happen to have a one pound Snickers bar left over from Christmas, this cake is perfect. Because on your birthday you should be able to eat whatever you want and turning 39 is worth celebrating, as is every age (because the alternative to getting older is... well, not worth celebrating, obviously).  So go ahead, make yourself happy, and indulge in this amazing dessert with the people who you love!!

Oatmeal Blueberry Muffins

Oatmeal Blueberry Muffins

Ever have left over oatmeal that you don't want to throw away, but definitely don't want to eat as a bowl of mush again?  I know I sometimes do, so when that happens and I know I will have time within the next couple of days to do some baking, I turn to a recipe like this one. I actually made this on request from my sister in law in Canada who loved my recipe for Blueberry Steel Cut Oatmeal Scones last year.  I had planned to just make the same thing again, but to be honest, I didn't feel like grating up a stick of butter. I usually get my husband to do that task, but he was busy helping his dad on a construction job, so I made up a muffin recipe instead.  I totally made this one up out of my head using left over steel cut oats from breakfast, adding a little of this and a little of that until the batter looked right, and they turned out fantastic.  To be honest, when they first came out of the oven and then fell apart when I tried to take them out of the pan too soon, I got worried.  But once they cooled completely, they came out of the papers just fine and were extremely moist, sweet and amazingly popular with my four year old nephew.  They honestly taste like a mini bowl of oatmeal in portable cupcake form, so they were an easy way to get my kids and my nephew to eat a healthy breakfast while running around dressed in superhero costumes.  I am sure you could easily substitute regular oats and could definitely use canola oil instead of butter, and the end result would be just as good. And the best part is that it uses frozen berries so there is no excuse as to why you can't make them in the middle of the winter as well!

Gingerbread Pancakes

Gingerbread Pancakes

What do you get when you combine the recipes for Gingerbread Muffins and Buttermilk Pancakes? Gingerbread Pancakes!!  And the perfect Christmas (or any) morning breakfast.  The best part of this recipe is that the batter can be made the night before and then all you have to do in the morning is (get your husband) to cook the pancakes!  And you honestly don't even need syrup or anything else on them.  They are high in fiber and whole grains and all of the spices make them especially good for you, and tasty!!  You can easily make them vegan by using the soaked chia seeds instead of eggs, oil instead of butter and soy milk and vinegar instead of buttermilk.  Either way, they are super simple, and absolutely unforgettable. I am so glad I took the time to figure out this recipe and that they turned out so perfectly on the first try.  Considering this was the first Christmas morning my family and I didn't travel to visit any extended relatives, it was important to me to have a memorable morning meal for my family of four. And the left overs are great heated up in the toaster as well!!