Healthy Banana Bread

A super moist and healthy banana bread that's made with whole wheat flour.

This is the best banana bread that I ever had in my entire life! Seriously, this banana bread is a great way to start your day! it's healthy, it does taste like bananas, it's super moist, and the crust is just amazing! 

As I already mentioned in some previous posts, I am taking an amazing Child Nutrition course. In this course we had optional weekly cooking assignments, (WEEK 4: Create a dish or baked product OF YOUR CHOICE (one that could be served by itself, or as part of a meal). The creation should be homemade and contain real, natural ingredients as much as possible. ) - for me that meant baking something from scratch and making it as healthy as possible! 

So I decided to bake with my 3 years old niece Sophia, a healthy banana bread that contains whole wheat flour and no butter!

So we baked our healthy banana bread loaf, it came out REALLY good and Sophia loved it!

After posting her picture on Just Cook For Kids Facebook page, our amazing lecturer Maya Adam shared it, and you guys asked for the recipe! If you give it a try, please leave me a comment and let me know how did it turn out and what do you think! (:

Sadly the course has came to an end, but I must say that I learned a lot of interesting things from the course and really enjoyed taking it. Today, to celebrate the completion of our course, Maya posted a video on her YouTube channel with the Just Cook kids baking a BANANA BREAD! If you're interesting in watching it, click here. Happy Baking!

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe

Serves: 12 servings

Ingredients

• 2-3 mashed bananas
• 2/3 cup sunflower oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup natural greek yogurt
• 1 cup all purpose wheat flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 
  
• 
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180° and grease a loaf pan with sunflower oil.
2. Combine all ingredients together and pour mixture into greased loaf pan. (you can add some chocolate chips if you like)
3. Bake for 60-80 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool before slicing. Enjoy!

Another great way to start your day with Bananas...

Triple Chocolate Banana Muffins

Read More

Orange Biscotti with Cardamom and Walnuts

A simple recipe for Italian crunchy Biscotti. They're perfect with your cup of tea or coffee!

Biscotti also known as Cantuccini, it means twice baked in Italian. These crunchy cookies are made dry by cutting a fresh loaf hot from the oven into slices and baking again. A great way to start your day is to have some fresh crispy biscotti with your morning coffee or tea!

I made 3 different kinds of Biscotti in the past couple of weeks, 3 different flavours and all of them turned out really delicious! You can make plain biscotti, add raisins or chocolate... But, adding orange zest and cardamom to Biscotti makes them really special. They are usually eaten by dipping the biscotti in your cup of coffee, tea, or milk. Adding walnuts to these elegant finger like cookies not only makes them taste better but it makes them healthier!

For a printable version of this recipe click here.

Orange Biscotti with Cardamom and Walnuts Recipe

Serves: About 20 slices

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 250 grams all purpose flour
• 200 grams white sugar
• 2 medium eggs
• 2 tsp orange zest
• 80 grams walnuts (chopped)
• 1 tsp cardamom
• 
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 220°.
2. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
3. In a medium bowl cream butter with sugar, add flour, cardamom and blend until combined. Add eggs, and mix all together. Fold in orange zest and walnuts.
4. On the prepared baking sheet, shape the dough into 2 (2x12 inches) logs. Bake for about 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
5. Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes and reduce oven temperature to 200°.
6. Slice the partially cooled logs using a knife on a slight angle into 1/2 inch thick slices.
7. Place slices with cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until biscotti are dry on top and slightly toasted at the bottom. Turn over and bake for 15 more minutes.

Read More

Cinnamon Rolls

This is an easy recipe for Cinnamon rolls, and the best part is that they take about one hour to prepare from scratch! If you're a fan of sweet and fluffy cinnamon-y things, then this is the recipe for you.

I'm a huge fan of cinnamon rolls, I always liked them... Plain, with cream cheese, with raisins, with walnuts, with chocolate... YUM! All of these versions taste wonderful!! So feel free to add whatever satisfies your tastebuds!

For a printable version of this recipe click here.

Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Serves: 16 rolls

Ingredients

Rolls:

• 3/4 cups fresh milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup butter (softened)
• 1 egg
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp instant yeast
• 1/4 cup powdered white sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Frosting:

• 2 tbsp cream cheese
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 
  

Instructions

1. Heat milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat.
2. Mix in butter and stir until melted. Let mixture cool until lukewarm.
3. In a bowl mix flour with sugar, salt, yeast.
4. Stir in flour 1/2 cup at a time. Mix well.
5. When dough becomes thick, knead for 5 minutes on a floured surface.
6. Put dough in a medium sized bowl and let it rest for 15 minutes (covered with a damp cloth)
7. In a small bowl mix brown sugar with cinnamon and butter.
8. Roll out dough, and spread cinnamon mixture into it.
9. Roll up dough and pinch seam to seal.
10. Cut the huge roll into 16 equal rolls and place into lightly greased muffin pan with cut side up.
11. Cover tray with a damp cloth until the rolls double in size (about 30 minutes).
12. Bake in a preheated pan for 15 to 20 minutes or until rolls are golden.
13. Stir together cream cheese with butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Spread frosting over warm rolls and serve.

Read More

Thyme Bread Loaf

I'm one of those lucky people that own a bread making machine! My sister bought it from Paris a few years ago, my Mum used it a few times then it just sat in the kitchen sad and alone... Until I rediscovered it again! It is actually an amazing machine that is extremely easy to use, all you have do is add the ingredients, wait for 2-3 hours, and BAM you have a homemade, delicious, healthy, fresh loaf of bread made with high quality ingredients.

We now bake different bread loaves pretty often, almost everyday. I'm not a big fan of ready bread loaves that you can purchase at any bakery, most of the time they add some weird chemicals to keep the loaf fresh and soft for a long time, and that's definitely not good.

This is probably my favourite savoury bread that I bake, I usually have it with a layer of butter and it tastes AMAZING. Or with dinner (for example soup!) You will love how crusty the golden crust is, and how soft it is from the inside.

If you try this recipe, leave me a comment and tell me how it did turn out. But I'm pretty sure that you will LOVE it.

For a printable version of this recipe click here.

Thyme Bread Loaf Recipe

Serves: 1 kg loaf

Ingredients

• 60 grams butter (room temperature)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp honey
• 310m fresh milk
• 470 all purpose flour
• 1.5 tsp instant yeast
• 2 tbsp flax seed
• 2 tbsp dried thyme
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp virgin olive oil
• 
  

Instructions

* Using an ordinary oven:

1. Preheat oven to 220°.
2. In a medium sized bowl beat butter with honey and milk, continue beating until combined.
3. In another bowl whisk together flour with salt, and yeast. (activate yeast by adding 2tbsp of lukewarm water and 1tsp of sugar)
4. Slowly stir the flour mixture to the butter and milk mixture, stir until just combined but do not over mix.
5. Let dough sit for 1 hour in a bowl covered with damp cloth in a warm place.
6. knead for 10-15 minutes, then add seeds to dough.
7. Line a loaf pan with wax paper and add the dough, add olive oil to top and sprinkle with dried thyme.
8. Bake until top is golden and bread is ready. Let it chill on a wire rack for half an hour and serve.

* If you own a bread making machine, all you have to do is mix the ingredients in sequence above, choose dark crust, 1000 grams and turn it on.

Looking for a different kind of bread...?

Classic Bread Loaf

Read More

Oreo Cheesecake

Baked Cheesecakes are probably one of my favourite desserts, I love their texture, and how satisfying a piece of a New York style cheesecake can be!

In this recipe I decided to combine Oreos (Everybody loves Oreos! I mean, how can anyone not love Oreos?!) and one of my favourite desserts, baked cheesecake! And this combination is perfect.

If you liked the classic New York Style Cheesecake topped with fruits, you will absolutely love this!

This is an easy recipe, you just have to follow the steps and make sure that you do not over mix the batter, it's best to mix the ingredients using a spoon. Top with whipped cream and crushed Oreos, or any other topping that you like.

I love how the crushed Oreos on the top kind of melt on the cheesecake Uhhhh SO GOOD!

For a printable version of this recipe click here.

Oreo Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients

• 24 Oreos (crushed)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 packages cream cheese (600 grams in total)
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3/4 cups milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream/labaneh (160 grams)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• whipped cream (optional)
• 
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 220°. and oil a 9inch pan (grease the sides of the pan as well)
2. In a medium bowl crushed Oreos with melted butter. Press into pan.
3. In another bowl mix powdered sugar with cream cheese using a spoon until smooth, and then mix in the eggs one at a time but do not over mix. Mix in the milk, sour cream/labaneh, vanilla and flour until smooth. Add some crushed Oreos to mixture.
4. Pour filling into prepared Oreo crust.
5. Wrap your pan in 2 layers of aluminium foil and place in a water bath (a bigger pan with 1 inch of water in it) then place in preheated oven.
6. Bake for 60 minutes, turn the oven off and let the cake cool with door closed for 1-2 hours.
7. Chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
8. Decorate cheesecake with whipped cream and crushed Oreos.

* To prevent cracking make sure to grease the sides of the pan before pressing the graham crackers crust.

* Make sure that your ingredients are room temperature and are not cold otherwise your cake will be lumpy.

* Handmix ingredients.

Looking for a classic New York Style Cheesecake?

You have to try this recipe!

New York Style Cheesecake

Read More

Hershey's Kisses Brownies

If you love chocolate, you love Hershey's mini kisses, and you're a fan of super moist brownies, this is the perfect recipe for you! Very easy and quick recipe, all you have to do is mix the ingredients together, bake in the oven, and TA-RA you're done!

These brownies can be served either hot or cold. If you like the taste of hot melted chocolate then serve hot (bake then chill for 10 minutes and consume!)... If you prefer the taste of chocolate that melts in your mouth, then chill for at least 40 minutes and consume! I personally like to eat these brownies while still hot, especially on a cold day with a glass of milk, and when I'm craving chocolate! Trust me, these are to die for!

Hershey Kisses Brownies Recipe

(Serves: 10 bars )

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup cacao
• 1 cup of Hershey's mini kisses
• 
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 220°.
2. In a small saucepan melt the butter and the sugar. Bring to boil and set aside.
3. Mix all the remaining ingredients together using a spoon (except for the chocolate). Then gradually start adding the butter mixture (to prevent cooking the eggs) and mix until well combined. Add Hershey's mini kisses.
4. Line a baking pan with baking paper. Pour the batter.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges are fully baked and the centre is under baked.
6. Let brownies cool down and enjoy!

Read More

Shortbread Cookies

When I was little my Mum made these cookies, I used to love helping her press the dough using the cookie press! I also enjoyed choosing different shapes of the cookie press disks, two of them looked like flowers, one was a Christmas tree, another like an ornament,  and there were 2 more that I never liked!

You will need a cookie press to make these cookies. In the picture above is my Mum's cookie press that comes with a variety of disks to make various shapes, we had it when I was little so I think she bought it about 25+ years ago. Still works perfectly fine!

These cookies are very easy to make, all you have to do is mix the few ingredients very well, insert the dough into the cookie press and start making loads of the little cookies!

For the centre of the cookie, you can add whatever you like! I used M&M's and Chocolate chips... But you can also add Jelly or Jam or simply colourful sprinkles.
If you try this recipe out, let me know how that goes, don't be a stranger!

Keep in mind that once baked, cookies get a little bit bigger, so leaving about 2cm gap between them would be a good idea.

A friend of mine asked for the recipe and made some snowflake shaped cookies. I thought that was a great idea for Christmas goodies. Sadly I don't own a snowflake disk, but next time I see one I will definitely buy it.

These simple, crisp, fragile, and buttery tasting cookies are great to have with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. 

Shortbread cookies Recipe

(Serves: approx. 50 cookies)

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• M&M's or chocolate chip cookies or jam

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 220°.
2. In a bowl mix all ingredients together.
3. Take a handful of dough and roll it in the palm of your hands so it looks like a snake. Fill cookie press with dough.
4. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Press down cookie handle and dough will come out. One you have pressed enough dough lift the cookie press up and you will see the cookie.
5. Add M&M's or chocolate chips to the centre of the cookie and press it down. Or to add jam, put a little jam on the tip of the knife and put the jam in the centre of the cookie.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cookies become slightly browning. Let cool for 20 minutes and enjoy!

Read More

KitKat Brownie Bars

If you're a big fan of Kitkat, these brownies taste like heaven!
You will love these brownies because they're crunchy and moist at the same time, my favourite way to eat them is with a cold glass of milk. I used four types of chocolates to make these brownies but that's optional... If you want these brownies to be super chocolatey add 1 tbsp of cacao (I skipped this time).

Not to mention how the Kitkats add their classic crisp to every bite! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

If you're looking for low-calorie brownies, follow exactly the same recipe but skip the chocolate chips and substitute the sugar with maple syrup or honey.

They're very easy and quick, 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to bake! Chill at room temperature, then cut into squares and enjoy!

KitKat Brownie Bars Recipe

(Serves: 8 bars)

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 70 grams unsalted butter (melted)
• 30 grams melted chocolate
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 50 grams powdered sugar
• 30 grams all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 standard Kitkat chocolate bar (4 fingers)
• 2 tbsp milk chocolate chips (optional)
• 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips (optional)
• 1 tsp cacao powder (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 220°.
2. In a medium sized bowl mix the egg, melted butter, melted chocolate, vanilla, sugar, flour, baking powder and cacao powder.
3. Line a baking pan with baking sheet (I used a loaf pan 8cmx24cm).
4. Crush 2 kitkat fingers and add to butter along with half of the chocolate chips.
5. Pour batter into pan and sprinkle with 2 crushed kitkat fingers and chocolate chips left.
6. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. open the door of the oven and let the brownie sit there for 10 more minutes. The brownie is very soft when hot, let it cool down before slicing. Serve with a cold glass of milk.

Read More

Apple Muffins

Apples pair so well with cinnamon and these apple muffins are a hit! They're healthy and delicious!

I baked these muffins a couple of days ago and our house smelled so good, when the muffins were ready they were gone within an hour, the kids LOVED them! 

You will love this recipe because the muffins are so refreshing, soft, moist, flavourful, and light at the same time! Ideal for breakfast!

With this recipe you can make muffins or a single apple cake by either pouring the batter in muffin liners or regular cake mould it doesn't matter, the result is the same! Yumminess!

Apple Muffins Recipe
Serving: 18 muffins

Ingredients

• 3 medium sized apples (grated)
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp vanilla powder
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Whipped cream (optional)
• 
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 220°.
2. Mix eggs and sugar until smooth. Add olive oil.
3. Mix all dry ingredients.
4. Mix dry ingredients with sugar and eggs mixture, then add the grated apples and mix using a spoon.
5. Pour batter into muffin liners and bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from the centre of the muffin.
6. Top with whipped cream and serve.

Read More