banana Archives - Inside BruCrew Life

Banana Cream Fudge

March 13, 2013 78 Comments

Fudge is always one of my favorite treats on any dessert tray. This Banana Cream Fudge gets its fun flavor from a Jell-o pudding mix. The extra chocolate and sprinkles give it that fun party look that’s sure to get smiles.

So, I realized something after I got my pictures edited for today…I am on a banana kick right now…which shouldn’t surprise most of you who read this blog regularly. Apparently I am slightly obsessed with making treats from the yellow fruit. I should probably change my blog name to BruCrew Bakes Bananas or something like that because yesterday I shared these Banana Caramel Cookies, today I have a recipe for Banana Cream Fudge, and tomorrow…yup, you guessed it. I have a banana pie recipe to share for Pi Day.

I’ll make you a promise. No more banana treats for at least another week. Deal? Mmmmmkkk!

Banana_Cream_Fudge, banana fudge, easy fudge recipe

These fudge pictures make me so happy to look at. I think it is the bright sunny color and the fun sprinkles on top. These are the perfect pick-me-up treat when you have had a not so good, feel bad for yourself week. Fudge is a happy treat that makes me smile and gets me out of that bad funk.

I never used to make fudge except at the holidays…then I started reading Aimee’s blog, and she always has so many fun fudge recipes from her kitchen, that now I am addicted to easy pudding fudge. I blame her for my jeans being mad at me. LOL! Haha! Just kidding!

I adore Aimee! She is the best blog friend, and she can always makes me smile when I am discouraged. So this fudge is for you Aimee. I wish you were here so we could devour it with a big pot of coffee.

Let’s talk about this easy fudge recipe for a second shall we? You can seriously have this Banana Cream Fudge in your fridge in 15 minutes. Now, because of the time it takes to set up…you will have to wait a few hours to actually enjoy it. I have no patience for that kind of stuff, so I always make fudge right before going to bed. That way it sets up overnight and is ready to go first thing in the morning.

All it takes is a big pot and a few ingredients. I wanted this fudge to have a crust kind of like a pie does. Plus, that gives it fun layers and that is my favorite way to make fudge apparently:-) I was going to go with a traditional vanilla wafer crust, but then I saw these chocolate shortbread cookies dipped in white chocolate, and I knew that was the fun different look I wanted to go for in this fudge. If you can’t find those shortbread cookies, any chocolate cookie will work. Add a little butter and press it in the bottom of your pan.

The fudge gets is started by melting white chocolate chips with some butter and a can of sweetened condensed milk. That stuff is heaven in a can, am I right? After that gets all melty and smooth, you will stir in the box of Jell-0 pudding mix . You will want to use the whole box, so you get all the flavor. Make sure you stir and cook the pudding for at least one minute. This just helps the pudding mix to dissolve a little more. No one wants gritty fudge.

Then comes more good stuff…you add an entire jar of marshmallow cream. I always have a jar or two of the ooey gooey marshmallow on hand because we are addicted to Fluffernutter sandwiches. Stir in the marshmallow cream and pour on top of your prepared crust.

Banana_Cream_Fudge, banana fudge, easy fudge recipe

After it has set up, you can cut it and go to town eating it, OR you can add a little bit of white chocolate and some sprinkles for that fun party look.

I recommend the sprinkles! They will make you smile all day long because sprinkles just make everything better.

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More fun recipes to use Jell-o pudding mixes in:

Turtle Cheesecake Fudge

Coconut S’mores Pudding Sandwiches

Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies

Banana Cream Fudge

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 42 squares

Banana Cream Fudge

This fun banana pudding fudge with a white chocolate drizzle and sprinkles is sure to brighten your day.

Ingredients

For the Crust

2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs

5 Tablespoons butter, melted

For the Banana Fudge

3 cups white chocolate chips

2 Tablespoons butter

1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz.)

1 box instant banana cream pudding mix (3.4 oz.)

1 jar marshmallow cream (7 oz.)

For the Topping

1/4 cup white chocolate chips, melted

1 4 cup colored sprinkles

Instructions

Combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter. Firmly press the mixture into an 8x8 pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large sauce pan combine the white chocolate chips, butter, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir over medium heat until melted and smooth. Add the pudding mix and stir 1-2 minutes longer. Spoon in the marshmallow cream and stir until melted and smooth again. Pour the fudge mixture onto the prepared crust. Refrigerate a few hours or until hard.
Remove the fudge from the pan and cut into 42 small squares. Drizzle with melted white chocolate and top with sprinkles. Store in a loosely sealed container for 4-5 days. No refrigeration needed.

Notes

This can also be made in a 9x13 pan, but I would double the crust if you do that. The squares will be a lot shorter that way too.

http://insidebrucrewlife.com/2013/03/banana-cream-fudge/

*I am not affiliated with Jell-o in any way. I just really like their product and want to share fun recipes with it.

Shared on: Chic & Crafty, I’m Lovin It, Weekend Potluck, What’s Shakin,

Banana Toffee Scones

January 8, 2013 38 Comments

Yes, I have a banana addiction.

I can’t just buy a few at a time. But of course, they all turn brown and spotty before I can eat all of them. I’m a green banana snob. Ripe bananas totally gross me out. But…that just means I can be a crazy baker for a few days. If I can get to them before everyone else in the house that is. I realize that this is the third recipe in a row with banana in it. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Muffins, Scones, & Donuts Tagged With: banana, breakfast, scones, toffee

Banana Toffee Cake

September 13, 2012 17 Comments

Things I’ve learned recently are…

banana cake, sweet recipes, dessert recipes

1. Don’t set the kitchen timer for your cookies and then go out of the room, down the hall, and into the bathroom. Chances are you won’t hear the timer go off and then your cookies will be slightly overdone when you remember that you have cookies in the oven.

2. If you do 100+ crunches on an exercise ball on day 1, don’t laugh, sneeze, or cough for at least 3 days after these said crunches.

3. Don’t let sick babies slobber all over your necklace and cough in your face, unless you like being sick for 2 weeks straight. (it’s ok…he was really, really cute:-)

4. When you buy 4 bunches of already ripened bananas on discount, you need to bake with them very soon or your kitchen will become home to fruit flies very quickly.

5. If you come out of the gym, don’t just assume the first black van you see is yours. There are other black van owners that go to your gym too. Always look inside the window first to see if you recognize the items in the front cup holder:-)

[Read more...]

Filed Under: breakfast, Cakes & Cupcakes Tagged With: banana, banana cake, banana coffee cake, breakfast cake, cake, cake recipes, chocolate, dessert recipes, toffee

Banana S’mores Muffins with Kernel Season’s

August 31, 2012 22 Comments

Need a jump start in the morning? These Banana S’mores Muffins will get you going.

I have an unhealthy obsession with bananas…

I can’t go to the grocery store without buying them.

I can’t bake without them.
I can’t eat them once they turn yellow.
Yes, you read that right.

It’s a real dilemma because then I have to buy more bananas to eat.
Meanwhile the yellow bananas continue to ripen on the counter.
My husband will eat some of them, but he can’t keep up with all the ones I buy.
The kids don’t eat them that often either.
I can only freeze so many.
Currently there are 2 (soon to be 3) very large ziplock bags full of frozen banana chunks.

And what did I do today…bought more bananas because they were on sale:-)

It’s a very good thing that I bake a lot.
And that I like to bake using a lot of bananas.

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Kernel Season’s to try a few of their popcorn seasonings.
My husband was super excited about this because he eats popcorn like all the time.
Can I confess something to you?
I’m not a huge popcorn fan….unless it is covered in white chocolate and has candy in it,
then I go to town on the stuff!

We started looking over their website, and I was in awe at all the flavors they offer.
Definitely “no more naked popcorn” with the fun ones they carry.
It was hard to decide which ones to try first.
Since we were given the option to try 4, I let my husband pick 2 for his popcorn,
and then I picked 2 to create some fun desserts with.

Of course when they came, we tried the pizza on popcorn and the nacho cheese on rice.

They are absolutely delicious. You get so much flavor even using just a small amount.

I can’t wait to find some of the other flavors in the stores now.

Salt and vinegar, sour cream and onion, and cajun are just a few I’ll be keeping an eye out for.

Now to use the sweet ones for something out of this world…sure popcorn is much better with these.

But I am a dessert blogger…what COULD I do with these???

Insert the yellowing/blackening bananas that I have on my cupboards…

yup, banana muffins it is!

But not just any banana muffin. No, that would be too easy, and so not me.

Let’s go with banana muffins…
with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate chips

AND then…let’s dip the tops in butter and cover it

with some awesome Chocolate Marshmallow seasoning

just like a donut muffin.

Now we’re talking:-)

Banana S’mores Muffins

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Yield: 16 muffins

Banana S’mores Muffins

Banana S'mores muffins with a marshmallow sugar topping makes a great breakfast choice

Ingredients

For the Muffins

2/3 c. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. butter, melted

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

2/3 c. banana, smashed

1/2 c. sour cream

2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 c. graham cracker crumbs

1 Tbsp. Kernel Season’s Chocolate Marshmallow Seasoning

2/3 c. milk

1/2 c. miniature chocolate chips

1/2 c. miniature marshmallow bits

For the Topping

1/2 c. butter, melted

6 Tbsp. Kernel Season’s Chocolate Marshmallow Seasoning

Instructions

Cream the butter, sour cream, and sugar. Add the egg, banana, and vanilla and cream again. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and graham cracker crumbs. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk until it is all mixed in. Do not over mix. Stir in the chocolate chips and marshmallow bits by hand.
Fill the muffin liners at least 3/4 full. You can fill them almost to the top. Bake at 400* for 18 minutes. Let cool for about 5 minutes. Dip the tops of the muffins in the melted butter and sprinkle with the chocolate marshmallow seasoning. Store loosely covered. Makes about 16 muffins.

http://insidebrucrewlife.com/2012/08/banana-smores-muffins/

*Kernel Season’s provided me with four bottles of popcorn seasonings to review. All opinions are my own. You can purchase your own seasonings at Walmart, Target, or online.

Shared with: Friday Flair, I’m Lovin It, Open House, Kitchen Fun, Feature Friday, Weekend Potluck, Free For All, Weekend Wrap Up, Once Upon A Weekend, Strut Your Stuff, Seasonal Inspiration

Filed Under: Muffins, Scones, & Donuts Tagged With: banana, Kernel Season's, muffins, s'mores

Peanut Butter Banana Coffee Milkshakes

July 13, 2012 43 Comments

Yesterday was one of those days…

one where my attitude and heart just weren’t right all day.

I had a serious case of the crankies…

and the sad thing, was that I knew it.

Did I do anything to change it?

No, and I let my crankiness out on my family.

The kids were loud and obnoxious all day…

and the infernal whistling in the house was getting on my last nerve.

I have to confess that I raised my voice to them more than once…

and I’m sure if a mirror had been in front of me, I wouldn’t have liked what I saw.

Oh, and I made them clean up the many messes that they continued to leave behind.

Seriously I thought, “How many times do I have to tell them?” and

“Is summer over yet?” I may have even let the comment slip that I couldn’t wait for school.

I let my irritation grow and grow without taking a moment to figure out what was behind it.

Peanut Butter Banana Milkshake, coffee milkshake

As I sat there,

I realized that I can pinpoint where my bad attitude is coming from.

Since summer has started we have gotten way off schedule.

Now that isn’t the bad part…I think it’s ok to relax a little when the opportunity is there.

But getting off schedule means we are up way later than before (me even later doing blog stuff)

causing us to sleep in until unearthly hours.

Then I am rushed to get exercise in, make food, clean the house, run errands, play games…
add in baking, blogging, photography…the list goes on.

Did you catch something???

No where in my list did I mention quiet time or Bible reading.

My heart isn’t right because I haven’t been getting the right food for my heart.
I spend a lot of my time every day around food, yet failed to miss the most important meal.

I keep telling myself that I need to get all this other stuff done first and that I will do it later.

Unfortunately later tends to never come.

My day feels rushed from all the things that I do…or don’t do.

Some things are important (like trying to keep a clean house and feed munchkins)

but a lot of my day is filled with nothingness.

My priorities have gotten off track, and my attitude has just followed.

I need to be sitting down with my Bible and devotional and starting my day out better.

That alone will make me a more pleasant person to be around…

it will make me a nicer mom.

I don’t want cranky mom to be the one the kids remember.

My goal for the rest of the summer…

make the time each morning to sit quietly, without the distractions of the internet,

and have some real “breakfast”.

I think the crankies will disappear pretty quickly when I have the right food.

I know this had nothing to do with the milkshake pictures. I’m sorry!

When I sat down to write something, nothing came to mind.
All I could think about was the bad day,
and how I messed up royally as a wife and mother.
The Lord prompted my heart and it all just came out as I typed.

Thank you for letting me share a little bit of what was truly on my heart.

Now who wants a
peanut butter banana coffee milkshake:-)

Peanut Butter Banana Coffee Milkshakes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 3 shakes

Peanut Butter Banana Coffee Milkshakes

Peanut butter banana milkshakes get a jolt of caffeine from the coffee

Ingredients

1 whole frozen banana

3 1/2 c. vanilla ice cream

1/2 c. peanut butter

1 c. brewed coffee, cooled

Instructions

Add everything to a blender and pulse until smooth. Pour into 3 glasses and top with cool whip and sprinkles if desired. Serve immediately.

http://insidebrucrewlife.com/2012/07/peanut-butter-banana-coffee-milkshakes/

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Filed Under: miscellaneous Tagged With: banana, coffee, drinks, ice cream, milkshake recipes, peanut butter, summer drinks

Almond Joy Banana Bread

July 11, 2012 41 Comments

I can’t seem to stop buying bananas.

It is probably safe to say they are my favorite fruit.

Every single time we are at the store and they have the “baking” bananas super cheap,

we come home with at least 6 or more bunches + some green ones to eat right away.

Most of the baking bananas get peeled, chopped, and frozen right away for green smoothies.

But I usually set aside at least 4 ripe bananas…

you know to get really good and dark.

To get the best flavor in your baked goods,

the bananas have to be dark…not spotty…like black dark.

Totally grosses me out when I am peeling them,

but I love the way it makes bread and muffins taste.

Oh yum!!!

I bought a bag of Almond Joy pieces too!

The idea for bananas and almond joy had been swirling in my head for awhile.

Coconut is a huge addiction for me.

I love to add it to everything.

It has found its way into cookies, bars, and cheesecake.

My kids don’t even bat an eye anymore when they taste the coconut in stuff!

One point for mom in that category…

totally proves that if you keep offering the same food to your kids,

eventually they will eat it and even like it:-)

So I knew that I wanted to mix some banana with my favorite candies.

The first thing I thought of was cookies…but then I had an intense craving for banana bread.
I opened the bag of candies, even had a handful headed toward my mouth,
when I realized that I could have my bread and my candies together still!
If I can make Twix Banana Bread, why not Almond Joy banana bread?

I am so glad that I made this because
after tasting it…I have to say it is one of my favorite breads.

Dense, banana-ey, full of coconut, and yummy candy…
anyone want to come over for coffee and help me devour the rest???

Addicted to Almond Joy like me?

Banana Reeses Cookies

June 28, 2012 46 Comments

Happiness is…

*cool summer mornings where you need a blanket to snuggle under

*little hands reaching for yours when you go for a walk

*hearing your kids playing and getting along…for a while:-)

*kissing your husband

*going to Goodwill and finding fun photo props

*fun baking supplies in the mail

*planning a party with your daughter

*doing what you love

*finding boxes full of baking bananas at the grocery store

*baking cookies (or anything for that matter)

*REESES in any shape or form:-)

*combining bananas and Reeses into the best cookie ever!

Seriously these cookies were amazing!

Chocolatey, fudgey, banana bread like, chock full of peanut butter cups, and Reeses pieces…

do I have you convinced you NEED to bake these cookies in the very near future???

I had to break out the stretchy pants after these because I Could.Not.Stop!!!

One after the other kept going into my mouth

and I didn’t even care…seriously that’s what the pants were for!

You did see how many peanut butter cups and pieces are in these, right??

Don’t mess with my and my Reeses…

and after seeing that my most popular recipes involve peanut butter and Reeses of some sort…

I’m thinking you all like them just as much as I do:-)

So, really, these cookies were for you.

I just had to taste test them to be sure they were ok for you:-) hee hee!

And now that there are no cookies left…I guess you better go bake your own…

and then go hide in a closet with a big plateful

because after you taste these…

you won’t want to do anything but stuff your face with them.

Honest!!!

Still craving more Reeses?

Maybe one I can tempt you with one of these recipes:-)

Oreo Reeses Brownies

Ultimate Reeses Cheesecake Brownies

Reeses Owl Cupcakes

Reeses Popcorn Munch

Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies

Banana Reeses Cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 30 cookies

Banana Reeses Cookies

Chocolate cake mix cookies made with banana and Reeses...best cookie ever!

Ingredients

1 chocolate cake mix

1/2 c. butter, softened

2 brown bananas, smashed

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. miniature chocolate chips

1 c. peanut butter cups, chopped

1/2 c. Reeses pieces

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter, bananas, and vanilla. Slowly add the cake mix. The dough will be very thick. Stir in the chocolate chips, peanut butter cups, and pieces by hand carefully.
Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake at 350* for 10-12 minutes. Cool on the pan for about 1-2 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an air tight container.

http://insidebrucrewlife.com/2012/06/banana-reeses-cookies/

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Filed Under: cookies, Cookies & Whoopie Pies Tagged With: banana, cake mix cookie, candy, chocolate, chocolate cake mix cookie, cookies, peanut butter, peanut butter and banana, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Reeses pieces

Oreo Banana Pancakes

May 11, 2012 19 Comments

Pancake night really means no dinner inspiration

or no cooking desire was found in me for the night.

Breakfast for dinner comes in handy all the time:-)

We all have our own little pancake eating quirks too.

My littlest guy only likes butter.

My daughter has to have butter and sugar.

The oldest likes peanut butter and chocolate syrup.

Me, I just go for the straight syrup…maybe some butter.

And the hubby, well, he does syrup most of the time,

then chases it down with the butter and sugar method.

Every once in a while we pull out the fruit and cool whip

but the kids aren’t as crazy about that…

unless we are doing “turkey” pancakes.

Then it is just about the decorating

because they don’t like to eat it that way.

I was feeling adventurous the other night,

plus I had some brown bananas that needed used up right away.

Into the pancake batter they went.

And why not throw oreos and sprinkles in too…just for some more fun.

Don’t you think that sounds good?

Well, let me just tell you…

these were super duper yummilicious!!!!

I loved how the flavors weren’t totally over the top sweet

or obnoxious.

They were perfect drizzled (or drenched) in maple syrup.

Of course I had to make a batch of plain pancakes too…

because the kids didn’t want to mess up their pancake style

with mom’s crazy pancake creation.

They all tried a new one (and liked it) but

then went back to the plain ones.

Crazy kids:-)

Just means more yummy pancakes for me.

Now that I think about it…

I think I froze the leftovers that night.

Yay! I know what I am having for breakfast now:-)

Do you have any pancake eating quirks???

Oreo Banana Pancakes

by Inside BruCrew Life

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

2 c. pancake mix
1 1/4 c. water
2 Tbsp. sour cream
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 c. chopped oreos
1/4 c. colored sprinkles
2 spotted bananas

Instructions

In a bowl combine the pancake mix, water, sour cream and sugar. Gently stir until just combined. Smash the bananas and stir into the batter. Very carefully stir in the oreos and sprinkles. Cook on a pancake griddle for at least 1 minute per side or until lightly brown on both sides. Makes about 15 four inch pancakes.

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Thank you so much for reading my blog. If you liked this post, please leave a comment. Comments are a great way for me to see what is a blog hit or miss:-)

Filed Under: banana, breakfast, oreo Tagged With: banana, oreo

Chocolate Chip Banana Cake with Honey Peanut Butter Frosting

April 23, 2012 59 Comments

I used to decorate cakes…

For other people. Real life people.

Do you know how stressful that is?

I am kind of a perfectionist (in some areas of my life).

So when I would have a cake order, it would make me kind of neurotic.

I would spend hours at a time making sure everything

looked absolutely perfect.

There were times I would scrape it off and start over if

there was a line that I couldn’t make right.

Then I had to make sure that I was doing it

exactly how the customer wanted it.

My most fun cakes were the ones that they said “just do whatever”.

Actually those were fun but VERY stressful…

because what if they hated what I came up with?!?!?

Reality set in and I realized that I couldn’t charge

enough to balance out the time I was putting into these cakes.

So now I just bake when I want to and what I want to.

There is waaaay less stress baking for my family.

Although every once in a while I will take a cake order

and then kick myself when I actually have to work on it.

In fact, I will try to talk people into cupcakes 9 x’s out of 10

because they are much easier to do.

Plop a swirl on top and they are good to go:-)

This bad boy was what I created for my birthday this year.

Yes, I know my birthday was almost a month ago

and I am just now sharing.

Remember what I said about less stress.

That is the fun about blogging…

I can share whenever I feel like it.

Today feels like a cake day to me.

Plus with all the veggies I have been eating…

I wanted to drool over some peanut butter frosting:-)

One of my favorite designs to do is the basket weave.

This is the one that I will do most times if I have my own choice.

It makes such an impressive cake AND

everyone thinks it took you hours.

Want to know a secret?

This awesome looking design is actually one of the easiest…

once you have mastered it.

I thought it would be fun to show you step by step

so you believe me when I say it is easy.

**One thing to remember…use a flat plate.

I had this one on a plate with an edge and it was hard

to get the bottom strips of frosting straight down at the bottom.

First gather your supplies.

You are going to need a round cake, a frosting bag, frosting,

a plastic coupler, and metal tip #47 .

You can purchase all of those at your local Michaels or Hobby Lobby

in the cake decorating aisle.

Level the cakes and completely cover the cake with a thin layer of frosting.

Put the bigger part of the plastic coupler in the inside of the bag.

Fill the bag with frosting.

Add the metal tip and the small screw part of the coupler.

Twist the bag at the top and hold it between the thumb and index finger

in the palm of your hand. (sorry I should have had pics of that too)

Make sure the bag is twisted so that the edged part of the tip is facing up.

Squeeze the bag gently while moving down the side of the cake.

Don’t worry if it isn’t perfectly straight.

When you get all the lines on, no one will even notice.

Go back to the top and start squeezing small strips across the line.

Make sure you leave a space the size of the metal tip in between each one.

You will have to continue twist the top of the frosting bag to keep it tight in your hand.

Always make sure the edged part of the tip is facing upward.

This is what gives your line the basket look.

Now squeeze another straight line over the ends of each small strip.

It starts to get a little tricky right about here.

You want to pipe your small strips opposite the ones you did on the first line.

Each time you add a small strip…

make sure the metal tip is down into the frosting.

In fact it will be slightly under the straight frosting line.

This makes it look like the frosting is all one piece.

Now I say this is seriously so easy…

and it really is.

But it does take a lot of practice to get it right.

My first cakes like this were sorry to look at,

but I kept trying and now I can whip one out in less than an hour.

Don’t give up!! They are so fun to do

and believe me, everyone loves them!!!

After you get all the way around the cake with your lines,

add a decorative border to the top as a finisher.

I usually do a backwards S using metal tip #18.

Each time you do another S, you need to make sure the tip is under the last one.

By starting under the frosting, it keeps it looking like one giant strip of frosting.

You could also just do a shell border or even a star border on it.

After all that hard work,

you deserve a GIANT slice of cake!

Yes, I know, that after putting all that time into making it pretty,

you will feel kind of sad to make the first cut.

Believe me, it gets easier each cake you do:-)

Chocolate Chip Banana Cake with Honey Peanut Butter Frosting

by Inside BruCrew Life

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 38 minutes

Ingredients (1 cake layer)

For the Cake

1 yellow cake mix
3/4 c. water
1/3 c. oil
3 eggs
1 c. brown bananas, smashed
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. mini chocolate chips

For the Frosting

1 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. peanut butter
4 tbsp. water
3 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. salt
4 c. powdered sugar

Instructions

For the Cake

Combine the cake mix, baking soda, cinnamon, oil, water, and eggs and beat on low for 1 minute. Increase the mixer speed a little bit and beat for 2 more minutes. Stir in the bananas and chocolate chips by hand.

Grease and flour an 8×2 inch pan and pour the batter in. (I use a Wilton 8×2 round pan) Bake at 350* for 38 minutes. Check with a toothpick to be sure your cake is finished. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then flip out on a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat cake instructions if you want to make a double layered cake. Place the first layer on a plate and spread frosting on top. Place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with frosting.

NOTE: One single layer can also be baked in a 9×13 pan for about 30 minutes if you don’t have an 8″ pan.

For the Frosting

Cream butter and peanut butter. Add 2 Tbsp. water, salt, and vanilla and cream again. Slowly add the powdered sugar. After all the sugar is added, beat in the honey until creamy. If the frosting is too thick, beat in another 1-2 Tbsp. water until creamy.

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Filed Under: Cakes & Cupcakes Tagged With: banana, cake, chocolate, peanut butter

Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies

April 11, 2012 63 Comments

Today I decided to get my baking groove on with some Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies

but if you asked me what I would be baking each week,

I would probably give you a blank stare.

I could give you a list of a few ingredients that I could play around with.

(ok that just made me giggle…because my baking cupboard is full…I have more than a few.)

But I never know for sure what I am going to make

until I get the Kitchen Aid out.

Some bloggers have a detailed plan of recipes and posts that they want to accomplish. Some of these bloggers even do themes. Then there are other bloggers who actually bake and write posts way ahead of time.

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Filed Under: cookies, Cookies & Whoopie Pies Tagged With: banana, chocolate, cookies, peanut butter, pudding cookies, Reeses pieces

Banana Split Brownie Pie…and a hop!

March 14, 2012 44 Comments

Banana Split Brownie Pie for when you need an extreme chocolate dessert.

You know the saying it’s as easy as pie?

That’s not always the case…keep reading to see why:-)

Today is March 14…as in 3.14…

the mathematical numbers for PI.

(it’s ok…I didn’t remember that either)

I can honestly say that math was not my strongest subject…

something about all those numbers makes my head spin.

But I do like PIE,

you know the kind with the E on the end.

So when Dorothy (who loves Math and is wearing a PI shirt today)

asked me to participate in a fun pie hop for PI day…

my answer was clearly a yes.

I started flipping through some old cookbooks,

because I don’t make pie very often.

This one was one that I have been wanting to make for a while.

Want to know a secret about my Pie?

Apparently I assume a lot when I am baking.

I saw brownies in the recipe and just went ahead

and made the full batch without reading further.

I finished up the rest of the recipe with a few modifications:-)

All seemed to be going well, until the next day when I cut a piece.

The center was very gooey and fudgey.

Now how did that happen when the Banana Split Brownie Pie was in the oven for 50 minutes???

I was bummed until I ate a piece…turns out my mistake tasted pretty good.

So I reread the directions and found out

that you only use part of the oil and water for the brownies.

I just figured it was the normal amount so I didn’t finish reading.

Yup, it was a User Error! I get a big fat FAIL!!!

Don’t worry I made sure to put the RIGHT ingredients in the recipe.

Yours will turn out better than mine, I’m sure.

Just make sure you READ all the directions thoroughly!!!

But we do like undercooked brownie recipes around here,

so there was no problem devouring this yummy pie.

Maybe I should take this holiday to brush up on my math and reading skills??

Now for the best part of this post…

You get to hop around and have even more PIE!!!

Make sure you stop at each one and leave them some “sweet” comments:-)

1.Dorothy (Crazy for Crust) – Carrot Cake Pie

2.Aimee (Shugary Sweets) – Irish Banana Cream Pie

3.Ashton (Something Swanky) – Baltimore Bomb Pie

4.Hayley (The Domestic Rebel) – Grasshopper Thin Mint Pie

5. Ellen & Jacqueline (Bake it with Booze) – Brandied Apple Pie

6. Mandy (Mandy’s Recipe Box) – Reese’s Fudge Pie

7. Karen (Trilogy Edibles) – Apple & Apricot Tart

8. Kristin (Kristin’s kNook) – Caramel Apple Galettes

Banana Split Brownie Pie

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 10 slices

Banana Split Brownie Pie

Brownie pie topped with banana cheesecake and strawberries

Ingredients

For the Crust

2 c. waffle cones, crushed

6 Tbsp. butter, melted

For the Pie

1 brownie mix

1/4 c. oil

2 Tbsp. water

1 Tbsp. instant coffee

1 egg

For the Cheesecake

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1/4 c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

1 banana, smashed

2 Tbsp. flour

For the Topping

I container strawberries, halved

1/4 c. hot fudge

Instructions

Crush the waffle cones and combine with the melted butter. Press into a 9 inch pie pan.
In a large bowl, combine all the brownie ingredients and stir until mixed. Spoon into the crust carefully. Bake at 350* for 30 minutes.
While the brownie is baking, beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, flour, and egg until creamy. Stir in the banana. Spread on top of the baked brownie very carefully. Bake another 20 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate until serving time.
Before serving, place halved strawberries on top of the pie. Heat the hot fudge for 30 seconds and drizzle over strawberries. Refrigerate leftovers.
Recipe adapted from Pillsbury

http://insidebrucrewlife.com/2012/03/banana-split-brownie-pie-and-a-hop/

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Filed Under: Pie & Ice Cream Tagged With: banana, banana split, brownie pie, brownies, coffee, strawberry

Chocolate Toffee Banana Cookies

March 5, 2012 17 Comments

Hello from a banana freak.

Chocolate Banana Toffee Cookies, cake mix cookies

I can’t be the only one out there that likes their bananas to crunch, right?

You know the kind of banana.

Slightly green. Peel hard to get off.

Yup, that is just how I like to eat my bananas.

In cereal, plain, with chocolate…

It just can’t taste like a banana to me.

Strange. I know.

But in the cookies I made last week or these Toffee Banana Coconut Muffins,

you have to leave them on the counter for a while.

Not a problem for me because as soon as they loose their green hue,

I won’t touch them with a ten foot pole.

I don’t know what to say about these yummy cookies from last week.

Best cookie to date.

Chocolate. Toffee.

Banana bread like texture.

Even better the next day.

Gone.

Yea, that just about sums it up.

So get out those fat pants and whip up a batch today.

What are you waiting for?

Your bananas are too green?

Ok, gotcha!

I guess you could always clean…which is how I’m going to spend this day.

Anyone want to do it for me???

I pay really well…in cookies:-)

Chocolate Toffee Banana Cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Yield: 36 cookies

Chocolate Toffee Banana Cookies

Chocolate cake mix cookies with banana and toffee bits. You will want a big glass of milk with these.

Ingredients

1 box chocolate cake mix

1/2 c. butter, softened

2 tsp. instant coffee granules

2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

2 spotty bananas, smashed

3/4 c. flour

1 c. mini chocolate chips

1/2 c. toffee bits

pinch of salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350* In a bowl, stir together coffee and vanilla until dissolved. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat cake mix, butter, coffee, salt, vanilla, and eggs until combined.
Add the bananas and flour and beat gently. Stir in the chocolate chips and toffee bits by hand. Drop by large spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Bake 12-14 minutes.
Cool on sheet for 1 minute before removing to a cooling rack. Store in a loosely sealed container. Makes 24-36 cookies, depending on how big you make them

http://insidebrucrewlife.com/2012/03/chocolate-toffee-banana-cookies/

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