Monkey Bread

(recipe via allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 3 (12 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup raisins

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9 or 10 inch tube/Bundt® pan.
2. Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag. Cut biscuits into quarters. Shake 6 to 8 biscuit pieces in the sugar cinnamon mix. Arrange pieces in the bottom of the prepared pan. Continue until all biscuits are coated and placed in pan. If using nuts and raisins, arrange them in and among the biscuit pieces as you go along.
3. In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the brown sugar over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute. Pour over the biscuits.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate. Do not cut! The bread just pulls apart.

Banana Crumb Muffins

 

recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
  
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter

 

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Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. ( This is where I stir in walnuts for more texture.. and I like walnuts in my banana muffins) Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean. 

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp ground cinnamon
10 tbs salted butter, at room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup (packed) light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup old-fashioned oats
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare 2 cookie baking sheets with wax paper.
   
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, blend the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy (best to use an electric hand mixer).
4. Add the egg and vanilla until combined well.
5. Mix the contents of the first bowl into the buttery sugar blend.
6. USING A WISK or SPOON, stir in the oats JUST until well combined.
7. Stir in chocolate chips.
8. Scoop a tablespoon into your hand and make a ball shape. Place onto cookie sheets 2 inches apart (no really, keep them apart.. these babies spread out in the oven).
9. Bake about 11 minutes or until lightly brown on the edges. 
10. Let sit on cookie sheet for about 2 minutes, then transfer onto cooling racks.  Cool for 5 minutes.