Banana Bread

I came across this recipe on Pinterest, and changed a few things here and there, so even though this title sounds generic trust me on this:  IT IS SO GOOD!!!  I tell you what, I think coconut oil is the best thing in the world (almost, because I love a lot of foods, and things) and I choose it over butter in recipes whenever I can!  This recipe is good for one large (9x13) loaf pan or two smaller pans (not sure what the dimensions are).  Enjoy!

I N G R E D I E N T S

--3/4 cup of sugar

--1 cup coconut oil, measured melted

--2 eggs

--2 large bananas, about 1 cup

--1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

--1 tsp. baking soda

--1 tsp. salt

--1/2 cup greek nonfat yogurt

--1 tsp. vanilla

 --First things first, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Choose which pan size you would like to use, and spray it liberally with cooking spray.

 --In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine sugar and coconut oil and blend until incorporated.

 --Add in the two eggs, and mix until smooth.

 --In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.

 --Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and blend until all incorporated.

 --With your bananas, peel them and mash them until it's a consistency you like.

 --Measure out the yogurt,

 --And add the yogurt, bananas, and vanilla to the mixture.

 --Divide the mixture into the pans, or pour it into the large one and put in the oven for about 55-60 minutes, or until the top is darkened and browned.

 --Allow the bread to cool about five minutes before flipping it onto a cooling rack.

 --It's okay if the top of the bread is a little dark.  The coconut makes the crust the best part!

 --Flip the breads onto the rack and allow to cool completely before cutting it.

 --But I had to take the end while it was warm!

XOXO

Valentine's White Chocolate Cookies

from thepioneerwoman.com

Yay for Valentine's Day!! Yay for this holiday to excuse any indulgences in chocolate-related treats or heart-shaped edibles.  It's love day, and I'm going to enjoy it.  And these cookies will make the day even better, promise!

 I N G R E D I E N T S

--2 1/2 sticks softened butter

--2 cups sugar

--2 cups flour

--2 eggs

--1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

--1 tsp. salt

--3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

--1 tbsp. vanilla

--1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (i used mini ones)

--2 cups white chocolate chips

--Valentine's M&Ms, for cookie tops

 --Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer, dump in the softened butter.

 --Add the sugar, and mix it on medium speed until it creams together.

 --Like this.

--Then, with a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl and give it another mix.

 --Perfect.

 --Next, crack in two eggs, beating each one at a time until combined.

 --Add a tablespoon of vanilla,

 --And mix until it's all combined.

 --In a separate large bowl with a sifter, combine the flour and cocoa powder,

 --And to it add baking soda,

 --And salt.

 --Sift these ingredients, and this will help the texture of the cookies to be light and fluffy!

 --Now in batches of about 1/2--1 cup, add this to the butter mixture with the mixer on low speed (unless you'd like a cloud of cocoa dust to come upon you).

 --Turn the mixer off, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and give it another mix.

 --Now for the good part.  Add in the semisweet chocolate chips,

 --As well as the white chocolate chips.  Mix until all the chips are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

 --TRY YOUR VERY BEST TO REFRAIN FROM SNITCHING THIS BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE NO COOKIES LEFT.

[sorry for the yelling]

 --Scoop the cookies onto a cookie sheet using a scooper (it'll save so much time) and allow enough space for the cookies to grow a little.

 --Option for the holiday:  press on a few M&Ms on top of each cookie to add a little color to them!  Then let them bake about 9-11 minutes until formed on the top.

 --Keep them on the cookie sheet about five minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

 Happy Valentine's Day!!

XOXO