Double decker cookies

Double decker cookies are cake mix cookies with chocolate spread sandwiched in between cookies. These were a bit hit in my friend circle and their kids. I was so happy that these super simple cookies soon became a favorite for everyone.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 15 minutes
Makes : 24 cookies

Ingredients:

Vanilla cake mix : 1 packet (430 grams)
Eggs : 2 large
Oil : 1/2 cup

Chocolate spread : As needed
Method:

Beat eggs well, mix rest of the 2 ingredients into a smooth batter with a spatula.
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Line the cookie sheets with parchment paper and scoop a tablespoon of dough with a little space as the cookies doesn't spread much.
Bake the cookies for 15 minutes.
Take a cookie, smear chocolate spread and place another cookie on top of it. Continue the same process with rest of the cookies.
Place these double decker cookies on a plate and keep them in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Serve chilled.

Potato and Egg Casserole

Potatoes and eggs are an awesome combination for breakfast. I mixed both of them and baked a Casserole.
It's super easy to make and delicious. Kids loved the taste of the Casserole. This would be a good one holiday breakfast.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 25 minutes
Serves : 4

Ingredients:

Eggs : 8
Potatoes: 2 large chopped into small pieces
Ground black pepper: 2 teaspoons
Chives : 1/2 teaspoon
Milk : 1/3 cup
Salt to taste

Method:

Beat eggs and add the rest of ingredients. Mix well and pour the mixture in a 9x9 baking pan.
Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean from the middle.
Serve immediately.

Chewy Jaggery Cookies

My cousin bought me organic jaggery powder couple months ago. He uses in coffee and said he likes that taste. I have been thinking of making diabetic friendly cookies and cakes for awhile but didn't want to compromise on the taste. Initially I was a little hesitant to use jaggery powder to make these cookies but I dared to bake these cookies as part of our bake-a-thon.
Surprisingly the texture of these cookies was exactly what I expected.. soft and chewy. Both my kids loved the taste, my daughter thought I added caramel in the cookies. They couldn't believe when I said I substituted jaggery for sugar.
So, here is the recipe for much healthier and diabetic friendly cookies.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Resting Time : 2 hours
Bake Time: 10 minutes +5 minutes
Makes : 20 cookies

Ingredients:

All purpose flour : 2 cups
Baking soda : 1 teaspoon
Cornstarch : 1 1/2 teaspoons
Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
Salt : 1/4 teaspoon
Jaggery powder : 1 1/4 cups
Unsalted butter : 3/4 cup melted / 170 grams/ 12 tablespoons
Egg : 1 large at room temperature
Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons

Method:

Sift together flour, baking soda, cornstarch and salt in a bowl.
In a medium bowl melt butter, add jaggery powder and whisk until no jaggery lumps remain. Add egg, vanilla and cinnamon, whisk to mix well.
Pour in the dry ingredients and mix together with a spatula. The dough will be very soft but thick.
Cover the dough and chill for 2 hours or up to 3 days.
Take the dough out of the refrigerator and let it soften at room temperature. You can slowly soft knead the dough to soften too.
Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, take 2 tablespoons of dough, make a ball a press a little to form a circle shape and place them on a cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes, take the cookies out, press a little with a spoon on the top and bake again for 4-5 minutes.
Let them cool and store in a air tight container for 7 days.

Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies or white cookies are soft in the inside with a little crisp on the outside. There are so many recipes for sugar cookies. These are a Christmas favorite cookies to make and share even though they are made year around. You can leave the cookies as is, sprinkle some colored sugar or add some frosting to jazz it up.

This time I made these cookies for a bake sale where my daughter and her friend were selling them to donate to Charity.

All the shaped cookies I made were gone before I get to take pictures.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes 

Bake Time : 10 minutes per batch

Makes : 36 cookies

Ingredients:

All purpose flour : 3 cups

Granulated regular sugar : 1 cup

Butter : 230 grams at room temperature 

Baking Soda : 1 teaspoon 

Salt : 1/2 teaspoon 

Eggs : 2 large at room temperature 

Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons

Method:

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla extract and beat until they blend well.

Add all the dry ingredients slowly and mix well with a spatula.

Take the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Take the dough out, roll it 1/4 inch thin on a floured surface. Cut into desired shapes.

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Place the cookies on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies are just starting to get a light color.

Take them out and sprinkle some colored sugar.

Bread and banana casserole

My kids love French toast, I was just getting bored making the same old French toast so I thought of using those ingredients and banana to make a casserole. I didn't add butter but still loved the richness of the dish. It's soft on the inside and little crisp on the top.
The casserole is really filling and tastes delicious as the bananas are carmelized. Works great for breakfast or brunch. My kids loved this variation for their regular French toast. I'm sending this dish for our month long December Bake-a-thon.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes (will increase if using French bread by 5 minutes)
Serves : 4

Ingredients:

White bread : 8 slices cut into 4 pieces each
Eggs : 6 large
Milk : 1 cup
Light brown sugar: 1 cup + 1/4 cup
Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
Ground Cinnamon: 2 teaspoons
Maple syrup : 2 teaspoons
Ripe bananas: 2 medium sliced

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place half of bread cubes in a 3 quart casserole dish, add banana slices, brown sugar and maple syrup. Add the other half of bread cubes.
In a bowl, mix milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, sugar, eggs and whisk really well.
Pour this milk mixture on the top and press firmly.
Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Serve hot with some maple syrup (can add whip cream on the top)

Bread Pizza

Pizza is kids favorite. If you are looking for a easy pizza recipe without the dough, bread pizza is a good alternative.
Kids thoroughly enjoyed these pizzas.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Bake Time : 8-10 minutes
Serves : 1

Ingredients:

Bread : 3 pieces
Butter : 1 Tablespoon
Pizza sauce : 3 teaspoons
Green pepper: 2 tablespoons sliced
Tomatoes : 1 small diced
Olive : 1 tablespoon
Jalapeños: 1 tablespoon
Mozzarella cheese : 12 small cubes.

Method:

Pre heat the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Butter one side of the bread slices and place butter side down on a baking sheet.
Spread 1 teaspoon of pizza sauce on each slice.
Add all veggies and 4 cubes of cheese on each slice.
Place the sheet in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Serve immediately.