Almond Toffee Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp salt (omit if using salted butter)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
3/4 cup toffee bits
3/4 cup sliced almonds

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine butter and sugar in mixing bowl. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Beat until combined. Slowly add in the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Stir in the oats, toffee bits, and almonds.

Scoop dough into balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool for three minutes on the cookie sheet. Move to a cooling rack.

Makes 4 dozen cookies

PEAR CRISP

4 or 5 pears, peeled and chopped or sliced

Lemon juice (to sprinkle over pears, keeps them from darkening) Optional

2 tablespoons corn syrup

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 stick or 4 tablespoon butter or margarine

 

Sprinkle pears with lemon juice, drizzle with corn syrup.  Place in baking dish.  Whisk together remaining ingredients except for butter. Sprinkle over pears. Cut margarine in pieces and put on top of casserole.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes.  Enjoy!

 

Note:  You can replace brown sugar with white, leave out the oats, and sprinkle 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese over pears for another variation of this recipe.  Can also combine apples with the pears or make this recipe with just apples.

Chocolate No-Bake cookie

3 cups quick cooking oatmeal
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 Tbl peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla

1. Place butter and milk into saucepan and melt over medium heat.

2. Once melted, stir in sugar, cocoa powder, peanut butter and bring to a full rolling boil, stirring continually. *you can leave out the peanut butter*

3. Boil for 2 1/2 minutes, stirring to avoid scorching & burning.

4. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and oats. Stir well to combine.

5. Drop by spoonful onto silicone baking mat, wax paper, or parchment paper.

6. Cool and enjoy!

Banana Nut Granola

6 cups rolled oats (not quick cook variety)

1 1/2 - 2 cups chopped walnuts (or any nut you like!)

1 - 2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (or you can use coconut oil)

1/2 - 3/4 cup raw honey (adjust to your own taste preferences)

1-2 bananas, slightly soft

*Note: the more honey you add the stickier the cereal will be and the more 'clumps' you'll have.

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well. Next combine the olive or coconut oil and honey in a small pot and heat gently until bubbles begin to form on sides. Mash bananas and add to the warm liquid mixture and then pour over the dry ingredients. Keep mixing until well incorporated. There may be small chunks of banana and granola, which is fine, however, try to break up any large portions. 

Spread evenly on two or three jelly roll pans and bake at 300 degrees for approximately 40 minutes. Be sure to stir granola every 10 minutes so that it browns evenly. When it is toasted to your liking, remove and cool. Since this has banana in it, I recommend storing it in glass jars in the refrigerator.

Homemade Granola

Simple 
Homemade Granola

6 cups rolled oats (not quick cook variety)
1 1/2 - 2 cups chopped walnuts (or any nut you like!)
1 cup shredded coconut (I don't like fresh, but toasted it's great)
1 - 2 tsp. ground cinnamon


Combine in a large bowl...


1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (or you can use coconut oil)
1/2 - 3/4 cup raw honey (adjust to your own taste preferences)
*Note: the more honey you add the stickier the cereal will be and the more 'clumps' you'll have.


Combine in a small pot and heat gently until bubbles begin to form on sides... Pour warm olive oil and honey over dry ingredients, tossing until well combined.. Spread evenly on two jelly roll pans...aka baking sheets .. Bake at 300 degrees for about 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.  Remove and cool. At this point you can add raisins, dried cranberries, or ground flax seed (although I find that flax seed settles to the bottom and is best added to each bowl individually)... Store extras in a half gallon mason jar (it won't all fit, so you'll just have to eat some right away!) or 2-3 quart size jars...