With the end of 2011 coming to an end this weekend, we had fun looking back at some of your favorite recipes of the year. We noticed some trends for the year being No Bake recipes as well as Slow Cooker dishes. Here at FaveDiets, we are also big fans of the slow cooker and love using it to cook up delicious healthy recipes all year round. Now, let’s take a look at five of our readers favorite recipes for 2011:

5 Reader Favorite Recipes for 2011

This image courtesy of Adele of Vegie Head (www.vegiehead.com)

1. Slow Cooked Detox Soup
This one came as no surprise really since we haven’t seen many of these detox recipes that are perfectly adapted for the slow cooker like this one is. This super healthy vegetable soup would even be a hit with families and the addition of miso paste adds an interesting flavor twist.

This image courtesy of Anne Colagioia

2. No Bake Nutella Oatmeal Cookies
No bake recipes were really popular with you readers in 2011 as well. We are seeing a pattern developing here with simple recipes and we like the way you think. These cookies are quick to make and delicious. If you haven’t tried this easy recipe, mark it down for 2012.

This image courtesy of Dreamfields Pasta

3. Festive Lasagna Roll-Ups
This twist on a traditional lasagna recipe is a perfect dish for holiday parties or any night of the week. Make it ahead for a fast way to get dinner on the table for the little ones in your house. This lighter version will also keep you on track with all your new year’s resolutions.

This image courtesy of Jackie @ Jackie's Kitchen

4. Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup
Tortilla soup has never been simpler or better for you than your traditional recipe. This slow cooked dish builds flavors all day and will fill your home with delicious scents. Just add some tortilla strips or chips and your stomach will thank you.

This image courtesy of Anne Colagioia

5. Classic Butter Cookies
Rounding out the top five is definitely one of our favorites this year and a must for every recipe box. These buttery classics are gluten free and taste great with or without the frosting.

Well, those are a few of our reader favorites this year. Hope you enjoyed all our delicious dishes this year and can’t wait to share what we have in store for you in 2012. Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy, and delicious new year!!

What was one of your favorite recipes for 2011? We would love to hear!

For the December version of This Month’s Healthy Bite, I asked, “What are your favorite Christmas cookie recipes?” We got some absolutely fantastic answers,  so be sure to check them all out:

From Lisa, Allergy Free Vintage Cookery:

My very favorite Christmas cookie is Coconut Date Balls. My mother used to make these for us at Christmastime from a recipe passed down from her aunt. They’re so simple to put together, and they taste so decadent and rich! As a bonus, they’re also gluten free, casein free, and egg free.

From Chiara, The Wandering Cook:

My favorite Christmas cookies are Brunsli, little chocolate dough balls similar to truffles. They are baked for the whole month of December in Switzerland, where I now live, and they are the perfect chocolatey treat!

From Carrie, Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen:

My favorite are Italian Sesame Cookies

From Raymund, Ang Sarap:

I would like to see a White Chocolate, Macadamia and Cranberry Chewy Cookie. I had tried this when I was in Malaysia and it tastes so divine.

From Alisa, Alisa Cooks and Go Dairy Free:

Well, I don’t really have one favorite, since cookies are my favorite dessert (too hard to choose!), but these are some cookies that I’m loving now – http://www.godairyfree.org/Recipes/Dairy-Free-Desserts/Cinn-ful-Sweet-Potato-Cookies.html

From Jennifer, Savory Simple:

These are my favorite cookies and I’m planning to make them for Christmas this year: http://savorysimple.net/2011/10/16/pistachio-cardamom-cookies/

From Lisa, Lisa’s Kitchen:

My favorite Christmas Cookie are these Rum Balls. I made these rum balls a few years back for a Christmas treat and have made them every Christmas since. They are somewhat like truffles, only stronger in taste because of the rum. Yum! I suggest you use a nice dark Jamaican rum for this recipe.

From Jackie, Jackie’s Kitchen:

For me, cookies are synonymous with the holidays and vice versa. My mother would bake tins upon tins of various types of cookies, which we’d enjoy with each gathering. One of my favorite varieties among the mix was a German spice cookie that was rich in flavor, more sophisticated than the everyday chocolate chip or oatmeal cookie, and it was certainly less sweet. Particularly inviting was the white powdered-sugar coating on each cookie, which complemented the wintery Northeast weather. These cookies were so special that they were not presented on the same plate as the other cookies, but their own “snowman” plate, which was is an adorable white ceramic plate with a snowman on the edge. My father would liken the cookies to the snowman’s little snowballs.

It’s been several years since I’ve been “allowed” to enjoy these cookies given my gluten-free dietary requirement. But this year, I’ve undertaken the task of making a gluten-free version with incredible success so these can now stay my favorite holiday cookies: http://visualcookbook.blogspot.com/2011/11/pfeffernusse-german-spice-cookies.html.

Happy Holidays!

From Kalyn, Kalyn’s Kitchen:

Five Delicious Sugar-Free and Flourless Cookies to Bake for Christmas:

Flourless Sugar-Free Pistachio Cookies

Sugar-Free and Gluten-Free Triple Almond Cookies

Sugar-Free and Flourless Chocolate and Oatmeal Cluster Cookies

Flourless, Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Sugar-Free and Gluten-Free Cookies with Almond and Flaxseed Meal

From Lindsay, The Lean Green Bean:

I love Toffee Graham Cracker Squares, Blackberry Oatmeal Bars & Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies.

From Roni, GreenLiteBites:

I love trying to make holiday cookies just a little bit healthier and I’ve successfully done it 3 times (after many, many failures. I can assure you!) Most recently I mastered a Less Sugar-Sugar Cookie that my son and I had a blast decorating. Click here for the recipe. My second favorite are these fun Molasses Cookie Balls which have that awesome rolled in sugar look. Click here for the recipe. Finally a fun Chocolate Walnut cookies that are heaven right out of the over. Heaven. Click here for the recipe.

From Erin, Girl Gone Veggie:

Snowballs:

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies:

From Sonia, The Healthy Foodie:

I recently came up with this Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookie recipe. This will, undoubtedly, become a new Christmas classic in this household. They are super moist, surprisingly sweet despite containing no added sugar whatsoever, and come out of the oven nice and golden brown as well as slightly crispy on the exterior. Gorgeous!

From Chloe, LightOnMyFeet:

My favorite Christmas cookies are snowballs! You can find the recipe on my blog here: http://feelinlightonmyfeet.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/snowballs/

I love them because they’re everything you’d want in a Christmas cookie! Sugary, buttery, and nutty. They’re so festive and always bring back some great Christmas memories!

From Jamie, Thrifty Veggie Mama:

One of my favorite Christmas cookies is peanut butter sandwiched between two Ritz crackers and dipped in chocolate. They are super easy to make, only use three ingredients, don’t require baking, and are delicious!

Thanks to everyone for all the fun responses!

Answer the next This Month’s Healthy Bite question: What are your favorite weeknight dinner recipes? Email us your answer or just simply comment on this blog post, and we’ll publish your answers and link to your blog at the end of the month. Got some blogger friends who would like us to link to them too? Ask them to answer This Month’s Healthy Bite too!

Almost any kind of meat can be cooked in the oven and be just as delicious as it is if you grill it or fry it. Ribs are no different. Cooking ribs in an oven aids in retaining the moisture of the meat. It is also much easier then grilling, as it’s more convenient and a lot less time-consuming. Whether you’re yearning for spare ribs, rib tips, or baby back ribs, here is a guide that will assist you in preparing delicious oven baked ribs.

Preparing the Meat
After purchasing an adequate amount of meat, be sure to prep it several hours ahead of your cooking time or even the night before. Most ribs have a tough membrane on the outside called the fell; ensure that you remove this in order to make your ribs much more tender. Season your meat thoroughly, using your favorite herbs and spices as a dry rub. Most people use a basic mixture of garlic, salt, pepper and sometimes brown sugar. You may add thyme, rosemary, paprika or any other spice that you find flavorful. You may also choose to marinate your meat instead of using a dry rub. Marinating ribs adds moisture to them. You may create your own marinade or use one of the commercially-prepared marinades. Refrigerate your ribs until you are ready to cook them.

Baking your ribs
Remove your meat from the refrigerator and place it in a baking dish. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Pour about a quarter of an inch of water into the dish; this will aid in keeping the meat moist while it cooks. You may also prepare your own braising liquid, using your choice of ingredients. Most people use wine or beer along with other seasonings such as onions or garlic.
Cover the pan with aluminum foil, ensuring that the foil is not pressing into the meat. Place the meat in the oven and bake for approximately two hours. Check the meat for tenderness after the first hour. Adjust your temperature to 350 degrees F, remove the foil and replace baking pan for another hour; cook until the meat is as tender as you like. You may brush with barbeque sauce and return it to the oven for another fifteen minutes if you so desire. You are now ready to serve your family and friends your oven-baked ribs; they’ll swear you spent all day standing over the grill.

Authors Bio:
Learn how to cook ribs from guest contributor Christa Blair who writes for EasyCookingGuide.Com

For the October version of This Month’s Healthy Bite, I asked, “What are your favorite pumpkin recipes?” We got some absolutely fantastic answers, from pumpkin pie and muffins to chili and a whole lot more. Check them all out:

From Karen, What’s in John’s Lunch Bag:

Snack Time Pumpkin Bites

Ingredients (in order of use):

• 110gm (1 stick) butter
• 110gm sugar
• 2 eggs
• 110gm self-raising flour
• 1 3.4 oz box Pumpkin Spice Jell-O Instant Pudding Mix
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Beat the butter and sugar together with a spoon until creamy.
3. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, stirring to combine after each one.
4. Sift flour directly into bowl and fold into mixture.
5. Add in pudding mix, milk and egg. Stir well.
6. Scoop into silicone mini-muffin pans.
7. Bake 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted toward the center comes out clean

Makes 36 cute little pumpkin bites

From Victoria, Pursuit of Hippieness:

I can’t get enough pumpkin this time of year! In fact, I recently rounded up some of my favorite pumpkin recipes, including my Pumpkin Spice Hippiecakes…

and my Pumpkin Veggie Chili!

Both recipes are vegan and gluten free!

From Jackie, Jackie’s Kitchen:

I’ve always loved anything with pumpkin. It creates moist, lightly-sweet baked goods, and is the perfect match for some of my favorite spices: cinnamon, cloves, ginger. It is nearly impossible to choose my favorite pumpkin recipe, so instead I will point to my latest pumpkin-based baked good, pumpkin gingerbread cake (with almond flour) (http://visualcookbook.blogspot.com/2011/09/pumpkin-gingerbread-cake-with-almond.html). It is incredibly moist, full of pumpkin flavor, and just bursts with the essence of fall and the many holidays and traditions that come with it.

From Jennifer, The Svelte Gourmet:

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting — HEALTHY ones!

From Kalyn, Kalyn’s Kitchen:

Here are a couple of my favorite pumpkin recipes:

CrockPot Pumpkin Chili with Ground Beef, Black Beans, and Kidney Beans

Low-Sugar and Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins with Pecans

From Alisa, Alisa Cooks:

This is my most popular pumpkin recipe and certainly one of our favorites – http://www.alisacooks.com/2009/11/05/dairy-free-soy-free-pumpkin-pie/

Thanks to everyone for all the fun responses!

Answer the next This Month’s Healthy Bite question: What are your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes? Email us your answer or just simply comment on this blog post, and we’ll publish your answers and link to your blog at the end of the month. Got some blogger friends who would like us to link to them too? Ask them to answer This Month’s Healthy Bite too!

Starting today, you now have a chance to win a free prize package from Roman Meal!

Five winners will win the following:

• 1 coupon good for a free loaf of Roman Meal Original bread. Roman Meal Original is a sweet and soft blend of wheat flour, whole rye, ground flax seed, and added wheat germ and bran. Most varieties have at least 24 grams of whole grains per serving, half the recommended daily value. All Roman Meal breads contain whole grains. They also have a natural balance of good fats (mono- and poly-unsaturated) and good (complex) carbohydrates.
• 1 pouch of Roman Meal Hot Cereal and Baking Mix of the winner’s choice, Original with Oats or Cream of Rye. Original with Oats is a delicious mix of 5 whole grain ingredients: wheat, rye, oats, bran and flax. Cream of Rye has 100% organic whole grain rye. Both are now available in a resealable pouch with recipes included. They make baking with whole grains quick & easy, and both have at least 30 grams of whole grains per serving.
• 1 box of Roman Meal Healthy Elements hot cereal. Healthy Elements is a delicious breakfast cereal that comes in Original, Maple, Honey, Raisin and Apple flavors.

Click here to enter this giveaway today!

Roman Meal has been creating healthy whole grain products for over 90 years. Family owned and operated from day one, Roman Meal is actively involved in ensuring that its products maintain the highest standards of quality and nutrition. Based in Tacoma, Washington, Roman Meal has grown to partner with more than 90 bakeries in the U.S. and internationally. These partners bake and distribute quality Roman Meal breads locally, assuring you that the product you’re purchasing is the freshest possible.

Plus, be sure to check out the FaveDiets product review of Roman Meal and the Roman Meal Featured Foodies profile page.

For some great ideas on what you can do with Roman Meal products, check out these FaveDiets recipes:

1. Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
2. Grilled Chicken Mojito Sandwich
3. Southwestern Whole Grain Egg Sandwich
4. Strawberry Ricotta Stuffed Whole Grain French Toast
5. Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
6. Tomato and Garlic Bread Soup
7. Whole Grain Bread Pudding with Caramelized Bananas
8. Whole Grain French Toast and Tropical Fruit Kabobs

The Roman Meal Giveaway Summary

• Prize: One coupon good for a free loaf of Roman Meal Original bread, one pouch of the Roman Meal Hot Cereal and Baking Mix of the winner’s choice, and one box of Roman Meal Healthy Elements hot cereal for five people.
• Timeline: Begins on October 12, 2011 at 12:00:01 a.m. Eastern Time, and ends on October 23, 2011 at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time
• Contest open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. Winners must claim prize within 14 days of being announced.

Good luck!

Summer is out, and I say good riddance!  There are certain foods that I consider it absolutely obscene to eat when the hot, muggy air is making you sweat, and unfortunately that rules out some otherwise taste foods from June-August.  But now there’s a brisk chill in the air, so I say farewell iced tea, hello hot coffee! Goodbye cucumber yogurt soup, hello miso marinades! and most importantly, welcome back to my hearth and heart Whole Wheat Apricot Oat Bread!

Ever since I found this recipe in Dough by Richard Bertinet, it’s been a surefire winner whenever I make it. Bertinet describes it as a kind of “muesli in bread form” and I agree: many other fruit-and-oat breads might use honey or sugar or spices to try and the bread into  a muffin hybrid.  Well, nuts to that! We came here for the taste of apricots and whole wheat bread, and by jingo, that’s what this bread tastes like, and it is glorious.  One decent sized roll is breakfast all by itself, no need for butter, jam, or even a side of eggs.

Plus, it’s a great first recipe if you’re going through Bertinet’s book: he advocates a light tossing/folding motion rather than the rough heel-of-the-palm kneading that’s more normal in bread baking.  Essentially, you scoop up the dough, slap it down onto the table, fold it over, and repeat, to try and work air into the dough.  Dusting the bread and work surface with extra flour is absolutely verboten, but if you get the technique right, the dough with take on that great springy quality all by itself.  Since the whole wheat dough used in this recipe is naturally denser and less sticky than a white flour dough, it’ll be a little more forgiving of your mistakes when you’re practicing this culinary sleight of hand.  If this method is really like pulling teeth for you, conventional kneading will also work.

The bread is so earthy and hearty that I just can’t imagine myself eating it in spring or summer, and that’s without considering the logistics issues of turning an oven on full blast on a 90 degree day. However, with the temperature dropping, it’s time to delight my friends and neighbors with this lovely loaf.  If you need something to make a meal of it, this bread would probably pair very well with a hearty autumn soup like this Butternut Squash and Carrot. Join me on a starchy adventure, won’t you?

Looking to try a few more baked good suitable for the cold days ahead?  Here are a few more ideas:
Pistachio Biscotti from Zesty Palette
Malt Bread from Overdue
Fig Torte from Beyond the Plate
Challah Bread from Gluten Free Canteen
No-Knead Olive Bread from Crumbs and Cookies

Homemade cookies were one of the first things I learned to bake with my mom. My absolute favorite are peanut butter cookies. In fact, I like mine slightly burnt. I make several different peanut butter cookie recipes depending on if I am in the mood for chewy, soft, or crispy. Recently I added a new recipe to my repertoire to accommodate my lacto vegetarian boyfriend. Lacto vegetarians are simply vegetarians who also abstain from eating eggs. The lack of eggs can make baking a little difficult at times but it turns many of my favorite recipes into low calorie or healthier versions.

These cookies are the perfect amount of peanut flavor with just a hint of chocolate. Turning them into cookie pops was just my way of making them irresistible. If there is one thing I know, it’s that food on a stick is a hit with people of all ages. These would also be great as a gift too, maybe group some together as a homemade cookie bouquet or arrange them in a little planter as I did for a unique presentation.

This quick and easy recipe is a vegan version but my original recipe is listed below for those who include eggs in their diet.

Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Pops

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Baking Time: 10-12 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Makes: 3 Dozen Cookie Pops

Ingredients:

* 1 1/4 cup(s) of flour
* 1/2 cup(s) of white sugar
* 1/2 cup(s) of light brown sugar
* 1/2 cup(s) of Vegan Buttery Sticks, softened
* 1/2 cup(s) of Natural Peanut Butter Creamy
* 1 1/2 tsp. of egg replacer powder
* 2 tbsp. of Soy Milk, unsweetened
* 1/2 tsp. of baking soda
* 1/2 tsp. of baking powder
* 1/2 tsp. of salt
* 1 tsp. of vanilla
* 1/2 cup(s) of vegan semi sweet chocolate chips
* 36 lollipop sticks

Instructions:

1. Whisk together egg replacer powder and Soy Milk, unsweetened.
2. Add softened Vegan Buttery Sticks and Natural Peanut Butter Creamy to the egg mixture and beat just until light and fluffy, don’t over mix.
3. Add sugars and vanilla to the mixture and beat until combined.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together to combine.
5. Slowly add the dry mixture with the wet until combined.
6. Chill dough for at least 30 minutes.
7. Roll dough into 1 1/4 inch balls and insert a lollipop stick into one end. Place on cookie sheet.

8. With the flat end of a bowl or glass, gently press out the balls into one inch discs. Cookies will slightly expand while cooking.

9. Place cookie sheet into pre-heated 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes, do not overbake. Cookies are done when they are golden brown.
10. Allow cookies to rest on cookie sheet for five minutes and then transfer to wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes to cool.

11. Melt semi sweet chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds at a time, stirring at each interval, until completely melted. About 1 minute.
12. Add melted chocolate to a sandwich baggie and snip one end to create a decorating bag for your chocolate.
13. Zig zag back and forth with the chocolate and allow them to dry at least 15 minutes. Be sure to start and end off the cookie.

14. Enjoy!

Yummy!
If you like Peanut Butter Cups, you would love these cookies. They are the perfect combination of salty and sweet.
And here is the non-vegan recipe:

Chocolatey Peanut Butter Cookie Pops
* 1 1/4 cup(s) of flour
* 1/2 cup(s) of white sugar
* 1/2 cup(s) of light brown sugar
* 1/2 cup(s) butter, one stick
* 1/2 cup(s) Peanut Butter Creamy
* 1 egg
* 1/2 tsp. of baking soda
* 1/2 tsp. of baking powder
* 1/2 tsp. of salt
* 1 tsp. of vanilla
* 1/2 cup(s) semi sweet chocolate chips
* 36 lollipop sticks

Follow the same baking instructions above.

So, what kinds of cookies do you like to bake or eat? Do you ever make any special recipes for people on special diets or with food allergies?

If you’re like me, the last thing you want to do in the middle of this sweltering hot summer is turn on your oven. Your AC unit is already cranked as high as you can afford to run it, if you’re lucky enough to have one at all. So what is a baker to do during this time? The urge to bake something is simply killing me, not to mention my sweet tooth desperately needs satisfying. A girl can only eat so much ice cream! Luckily, there is a plethora of easy summer desserts available that don’t even require turning on an oven!

Check out these no bake desserts from FaveDiets that are a perfect solution for summertime “baking.” Pies are especially easy to whip up in time for dinner, or even that upcoming company picnic on your calender; they are perfect desserts for a crowd. Everyone will go crazy over this this Strawberry-Jello Pie Supreme. Not only does it taste fantastic, but it only requires four simple ingredients and 20 minutes of your time. Who doesn’t love strawberries and whipped cream? It’s probably one of my favorite food combinations of all-time.

Take a look at some of these other no bake desserts that are perfect for the dog days of summer. These cheap and easy desserts will surely satisfy that sweet tooth of yours while keeping your home nice and cool.

Lemon Pie Parfait: There are lots of easy lemon desserts out there, but this one will truly amaze your friends and family at your next get-together! Not only is the presentation absolutely adorable, but these parfaits are super easy to make and they taste great. I can’t wait to bring these to my next party!

Nutella Cheesecake Pie: Ok, if you have never had Nutella, please go directly to the store and purchase some. (After you finish reading this blog, of course!) You can thank me later. Nutella is a delicious hazelnut spread that is so yummy,  I’m actually having a hard time coming up with words to describe it. This no-bake Nutella Cheesecake Pie already has my mouth watering. Nutella and cheesecake together in one pie? Yes, please!

Lime Cracker Pie: Cool off with this creamy pie before summer comes to an end. With only four ingredients, this simple pie is so easy to make, you’ll wish you found this recipe sooner!

Berry Cream Pie: Make the most of your fresh summertime berries while you can with this delicious berry pie. Raspberries and blueberries were used in this version, but feel free to substitute whatever fruit you prefer; the thick cream filling will be the perfect complement to any fruit you choose!

You might be thirsty after enjoying these tasty pies. While you’re in the kitchen, why not whip up some Lavender Pink Lemonade? Or if you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, this Southern-Style Sweet Tea is always a classic!

Please enjoy these easy summer desserts! Although summertime lends itself to enjoying fresh fruit, I must admit that rich, chocolate pies are my personal favorite. Which do you prefer, chocolate or fruit pies?

FaveDiets.com has created a brand new eCookbook, 27 Easy and Healthy Casserole Recipes For You, chock full of the healthy cooking ideas you need to get through your weeks. The casseroles in this eCookbook are great because they allow you, the home cook, to meet everyone’s needs. In particular, these healthy casserole recipes combine the ease and convenience of a casserole with the benefits of a balanced meal.

The 27 Easy and Healthy Casserole Recipes For You eCookbook is completely free, and can be downloaded here: http://www.favediets.com/Casserole-Recipes/27-Easy-and-Healthy-Casserole-Recipes-For-You-Free-eCookbook

The healthy casseroles featured in this eCookbook will show you everything you need to know in order to get a tasty and healthy meal on the table without spending a lot of time or money. This eCookbook features some of the most popular casserole dishes around, including healthy chicken casserole recipes, healthy vegetable casserole recipes and casserole recipes with ground beef.

With this eCookbook, we have assembled some of the absolute best casserole recipes around, including healthy chicken casseroles, vegetable casserole recipes and healthy casseroles with ground beef. This healthy cooking eCookbook has everything from Swiss Cheese and Chicken Casserole and Homemade Green Bean Casserole to Super Simple Hamburger Casserole and Easy Breakfast Potato Casserole. The recipes in this crowd-pleasing collection are fun and easy, and all of them are delicious. Make one or make several, and discover the tasty and healthy delights that can only be found in healthy casserole recipes!

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Interested in reviewing this eCookbook? Download it, peruse it, and then write about it in the comments section of this post! I’d love to know what you think of this masterpiece!

This is one of the best easy cookie recipes that I have tried in a long time. What makes this cookie so great is that it combines the best parts of oatmeal cookie recipes, healthy peanut butter cookie recipes and chocolate cookies into one super dessert. Trust me when I say that this is one of those easy chocolate cookies that you have to try.

I don’t know why, but I have been baking up a surprising amount of desserts lately. However, I started off on this recipe not out of a desire for sweets, but rather out of necessity. I had 11 old bananas in my freezer that were taking up precious real estate and needed to be used. I was going to use all of them for banana bread, until I stumbled upon this chocolate cookies recipe on the blog Peas and Thank You.

Mostly, I decided to make this recipe because A) I had most of the ingredients on hand and B) it wasn’t banana bread. And thus, these came to be: