sugar Archives - Simply Sells Kitchen

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Sandra Sells — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 16:24:01 +0000

I know what you are thinking, “What am I going to do with all those ripe bananas?” Well, I know what you should do—make banana bread! I mean, most of us have more than one banana going a little too ripe anyway. Banana bread is my usual go-to solution, but sometimes we make our paleo banana pancakes or smoothies. I was thinking of how to make the recipe better. Chocolate chip banana bread was the perfect answer! Bananas in our home In our household we love bananas. We go through bundles and bundles every month. The kids have grown up loving them as well. They’re really perfect to incorporate into any sweet treat and add another depth of flavor. One of our favorites is something we call banana whip. We freeze a few bananas and then blend them in our Vitamix blender for a sugar-free treat you can’t beat. This chocolate chip banana bread recipe is a great one that your friends will love! I wrote this as a two-loaf recipe in hopes that you will share one with a friend, or you can freeze it if wrapped well! This past weekend I brought two loaves to our precious friends at church for a post-service snack. I definitely got some thumbs up! It just warms my heart when everyone shows me their mouthful smiles! Banana bread recipe This recipe is so simple! It can be made using a bowl and a whisk or right in your mixer. I opted for our KitchenAid stand mixer. I would ordinarily say to mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then combine them, but let’s be real and save a dish. So, just put the bananas in the bowl (or mixer), and then add the rest of the ingredients and mix them until just combined. It is better not to over mix, so just mix the ingredients until a smooth batter. Add the evenly split batter into your greased loaf pans and bake at 350℉ for 45-50 minutes. I advise you to look at them at the 45-minute mark and decide your desired brownness. We like to spread butter on the bread right after it comes out of the oven, and if possible serve it warm. There is just nothing like a warm slice of this chocolate chip banana bread with a spread of smooth and creamy butter, along with your favorite hot drink! This is something that we had often growing up. I really hope you and your loved ones enjoy this banana bread!

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Tres Leches Cake

Sandra Sells — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 14:55:06 +0000

Baking at the Sells household is always a fun family affair. Whether brownies, cookies, or cakes it doesn’t matter. Kodi and I love it, the kids love it and, of course, neither of us can hardly wait to lick the spoon! This tres leches (three milks) cake is no exception. Baking as a family For us, baking dessert is a sign that we are relaxed and happy. Out come the kid’s stepping stools shortly followed by the young ones slightly arguing about who will be the closest to the mixing bowl action. We get so much happiness from our family coming together. I really do believe baking is therapeutic and brings a sense of hope that something good is just on the horizon. I know that might sound slightly dramatic but it does bring tons of joy in our house! We’ve always had a sweet tooth – who doesn’t – so we want to share a tres leches cake recipe that is sure to cure sweet tooth cravings. Besides satisfying your own sweet tooth the recipe is fantastic for a potluck, party or family gathering. History of Tres Leches Historically, canned evaporated milk used in tres leches started being made in the 1850’s and became more popular in the early to mid-twentieth century during both world wars. At that time it was popular to soak sponge cake in evaporated milk to preserve or sustain the cake’s life. In trying to keep up with demand for canned evaporated milks, companies expanded operations to Central and South America. Some say Nicaragua was responsible for using canned evaporated milk to create the delicious tres leches treat while others trace its origin to England in the Middle Ages. Miami even tries to stake claim to the origin of the popular dessert. Either way, regardless of who’s responsible, we can all agree that tres leches is truly a heavenly and magical dessert! The back story Our recipe started as a cure for Kodi’s sweet tooth back in his college days. It was originally a budget branch-off recipe of a coconut cake that he learned to make while living in Boston, which always hit the spot. After moving back to Florida, he discovered and grew a love for Spanish flavored foods. Tres leches cake has been a favorite of his since. In the beginning, he started with box cake, a few milky toppings, and then covered in sweet whipped topping. The cake was quick, easy, delicious and required very little effort. Now that we are well beyond college days, the cake has been reinvented into an upgraded version made from scratch. The result gives bragging rights to any baker! The tres leches recipe can be adapted for any holiday by decorating the top with colored sprinkles, berries or any other seasonal fruit. By doubling the recipe you can make a very large sheet cake that will really impress at your next gathering. Have fun and let us know what you think! Feel free and be creative!

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Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Sandra Sells — Sat, 23 May 2020 09:00:28 +0000

Who doesn’t have a love for cookies! They’re such a delicious part of life. Think about it, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, birthday parties, family gatherings, and more! Just like us, you probably have many varieties of cookies for many varieties of special occasions. People have been making cookies since the seventh century. That’s right, over 1500 years of cookies!! That must be why people love them so much. At the Sells’ household, we’re no exception. This chocolate chip oatmeal cookie recipe has been a staple in our household since we’ve been married. Not only do they make their way into our holidays but they’re a highly requested item at most gatherings that we’re a part of. At one point, a couple years ago, in the spirit of entrepreneurship, we thought we would start a cookie business. We were going to call it, “Two Hot Cookies” because Kodi and one of his guy friends were going to start it out. Thinking back about it now makes me laugh a bit, haha! These ideas are conversations we have almost on a daily basis. We can’t help but think of ways to start a business for multiple streams of income; especially, one that incorporates food! That business idea may still be up in the air, but the cookies are amazing and definitely worth making in your own home. The Story Behind these Cookies Kodi has been making these chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for our family and friends for years. They are dense, chewy, not too sweet, and knobbly in all the best ways. He discovered a recipe years ago and kept tweaking the ingredients until he had the perfect consistency of chewy cookie. The oat and chocolate experience makes this recipe a keeper. If you’ve ever wanted a cookie that holds up to the dunk in coffee or milk, soaks in what is desired, and hits the spot these are what you’re looking for. This recipe is so flexible that if you minus the oats, you can create many variations. The other day, I followed just the cookie base part of the recipe, and added sprinkles on top. The kids were very thrilled indeed. All they wanted to eat for the next few days were the special sprinkle cookies that they requested. The cookies were a success and looked beautiful! On one occasion, Kodi swapped 1/4 cup of flour for 1/4 cup of black cocoa powder and made a double chocolate chip cookie that was so decadent! Eating them made us feel guilty, haha, they were that good! Make it Your Own Feel free to add in your own ingredients. Just swap out the oats and chocolate chips for something you and your family love. We would love to hear about your cookie adventures in the comments below. Feel free to share with us, as we’re always looking for a unique way to make another delicious creation. Be encouraged, be creative, and have fun eating those delicious cookies!

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