Bake Outside the Box: Sweet Treats

Helloooooooo, sweet tooth!!

I have a crazy sweet tooth.

Candy- I can take it or leave it. But put a jar of cookies on my kitchen counter and I lose self-control.

Chocolate is my weakness. I love chocolate anything. Well, not coconut. Chocolate can't save coconut.

I believe that baking from scratch and understanding what ingredients are going into your food can make a difference in your thought processes. It can help you to be more intentional about how much and how often you eat the things you love {like cookies and brownies}. This makes a difference in your health!

I have shared my favorite healthy oatmeal cookie recipe already, but I don't always make these healthier substitutions. If I am making dessert for a family dinner, or if we are celebrating something, I will go all in- but I also know that I will be sharing these desserts. That makes a big difference in the number of calories that are left to sit in front of my face.

Freezing cookies and brownies is one of my favorite Mommy Machine Secrets.  These things freeze really well and then they are out of sight, out of mind. I have also found that, in the summer, a frozen chocolate chip cookie is the perfect treat!

Recently, I was given the gift of an ice cream maker! Even more homemade goodness to add to my lists.

I find comfort in baking. It makes me happy. Biologically speaking, the sugar adds to that happiness {it releases endorphins to the brain that make us feel happy}. But there is also comfort and happiness in being able to share the love. My Little Man loves to help me bake, that's great bonding time!

Check out the BOTB Pinterest Board for my favorite go-to recipes to satisfy my sweet tooth. I make one of these every week- 3 out of 4 weeks I make healthy substitutions with whole wheat flour, egg beaters and applesauce instead of half of the butter.

One week each month I "bake to share"! If we aren't having a big family dinner then I take some to work with me.

As a bonus, I'm also sharing my Healthilicious Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe! Enjoy!!

Ingredients
1/2 c. margarine or butter
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs or egg beater equivalent
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 c. whole wheat flour
2 c. all purpose flour
1-1/2 c. chocolate chips

Directions
Mix the margarine or butter, applesauce and sugar until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla then mix well.

Mix in flours and baking soda until combined. Add chocolate chips and stir until evenly distributed.

Use a small scoop to drop dough onto a baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
*To freeze: allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Place in a large freezer safe plastic bag, seal, and freeze.

To see more BOTB posts click here and here.

Healthilicious: Brownies

Oh yes, I went there.

I am a chocolate adict. I admit it.

Me+chocolate=love

However, I have no self-control and I notice this most when I try to button my pants the day after I make brownies. Yikes!

I had to do something. I like to make brownies. A lot. So I started making them this way- a healthier way. I will be the first to admit they are good, but they aren't the same as "real" brownies. So when I am asked to make brownies for a special occasion like a family dinner {or just because it's Friday}, I still make the real thing.

These will get you through some chocolate cravings though. Promise.

Healthy{ier} Brownies

1 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs (or equivalent egg substitute like Egg Beaters)
1/2 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1 tbs water
1 cup chocolate chips (optional, but suggested :))

Spray mini muffin tin (my preference) or 9x13 pan liberally with cooking spray.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixer, combine sugars, applesauce, oil, vanilla, water and eggs. Mix until combined. Then mix in the whole wheat flour and baking powder. Add the a.p. flour until combined. Chocolate chips can now be thrown in and mixed together too.

Pour batter into muffin tin- filling mini muffin cups 3/4 full. Or pour into 9x13 pan and spread evenly. I prefer the mini muffin tin because I can't seem to get the 9x13 pan to cook evenly, it could just be my oven though.

I added M&M's to the tops of mine before putting them in the oven, I did not add chocolate chips this time though, so it's ok.

Bake for 8-10 minutes in mini muffin tin or 18-22 minutes in a 9x13 pan.

Let these cool completely and then enjoy! They will be gone before you know it... and your pants will still button tomorrow.