Day 23: Banana Walnut Cookies by Anna Lankin

Our next guest blogger is my cousin, Anna. Anna and her sister, Jenny, were the first to introduce me to the term:  Om Nom Nom. When I first saw that comment on facebook I was perplexed. What the heck were they talking about?! Then I said it out loud and it clicked, If you don't believe me, try it!!
My little (and I say that in the most endearing way) cousin has grown up to be a smart, beautiful young lady who is currently finishing her last semester at Oakland University.

This picture was taken at my high school graduation party.
Anna, Stephanie and Jenny

I am so happy that Anna shares my love for baking delicious treats....Om Nom Nom....Enjoy!!!

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One of my favorite snacks is banana bread, so I thought why not make them into a cookie! I also wanted to make something I haven't heard of before.  Everyone was curious as to how they would taste, and they are just like banana bread, but in a cookie form.

I took the base of the recipe from SimpleRecipes.com I just made a few changes.

Banana Walnut Cookies

(adapted from Banana Cookies on SimpleRecipies.com)

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp.

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 cup banana (about 2 1/2 large bananas; can be mashed or cut)

1 tsp baking soda

2 cups flour

pinch of salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 cup of nuts (I used walnuts)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a medium bowl mix the butter, the granulated sugar, and the brown sugar together.

Then slowly add the egg and mix until fluffy.
In a separate smaller bowl, mix the bananas and baking soda.
In a large bowl, mix four, salt, and cinnamon.
Sift the four mixture into the butter mix.
Add banana mix.
Fold in the nuts

Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until brown (depending on the size of the cookie you make)

My two roommates and boyfriend's comment:

Jenny: Om nom nom!!!
Tammy: Fantastic!
Brian: I want more!!

Not only was I excited, but so was my roommate Tammy. Once I told her I was going to do this, she volunteered to be the first taste tester. I actually had to make a double batch so my parents could have some too :] I really enjoyed doing this!!

Day 22: Dulce De Leche Cookies by Michelle Giroux

The first COD (Cookie Of the Day) guest blogger is my cousin, Michelle. Michelle is as caring as they come. A kindergarten teacher currently due any day with her second child, she took time out of her busy schedule to bake these delicious cookies. Michelle has one of those infectious laughs and you cannot help but have a wonderful time when you are with her. Below is a picture of Michelle, Theresa (future guest blogger and just as awesome) and me at our cousin's wedding along with our husbands.

Kevin and Theresa, Stephanie and Adam, and David and Michelle :)

I hope you enjoy her blog as much as I did!!!

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This summer my brother went to visit his girlfriend Barbara and her family in Brazil.  He had a wonderful time meeting her family, seeing the beautiful sights of Brazil, and enjoying the great food of Brazil, especially the sweets.  A favorite in Brazil is a spread called dulce de leche.  In Brazil people put dulce de leche on fruit, ice cream, anything you want to add a little sweetness.  David brought this traditional treat back with him as a gift from Barbara’s family. 

When Barbara came to visit us in Michigan, I wanted to make something to share with her that would bring her a little closer to home.  This recipe was found in the food section of the Detroit Free Press.  They are really easy to make.  The spread in the middle, dulce de leche, can be found in the baking or ethnic aisle of most grocery stores (unless your lucky enough to know a great family in Brazil!)

 Dulce De Leche Cookies

(recipe from the Detroit Free Press)

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar
¾ cup Dutch process cocoa powder
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
1 egg
1 ½ tsp vanilla
1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 can (13.4 ounces) dulce de leche

Beat butter with a mixer on high for 30 seconds.

Add sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon and salt.

Beat in egg and vanilla.  Slowly add flour.

Divide the dough in half, cover and chill for 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

Shape each half into cylinder about 2 inches in diameter.  Wrap each cylinder separately and chill for 4 hours (or until firm enough to slice). 

Preheat oven to 325 , line baking sheet with parchment paper

Cut rolls into ¼ inch slices.  Place 1 inch apart of baking sheets.  Bake 12-14 min or until the edges are firm.  Cool for 2 min on baking sheet, then on wire rack until completely cooled. 

Spread the dulce de leche on one side of half of the cookies.  Top with the remaining cookies, pressing together lightly to make a sandwich. 

We are going to Disney World!

Making cookies has become a part of our daily routine. On Sunday we create our cookie menu and shop for all the necessary ingredients. Each morning I take out a stick of butter (since almost every cookie recipe calls for the butter to be softened). And the first question the boys ask me when I pick them up from school is "What is the cookie of the day?"

We are currently having a blast (let's see what I'm saying on day 200)!
There are few things at this point that could prevent me from making the COD. This reason may be the best of all...we are going to DISNEY WORLD!!!

Back in December a good friend mentioned that his parent's time share in Orladno was available through the end of February. Adam and I have been talking about taking the kids to Disney for the past few years. This was an oppertuinity to good to pass up.

We told the boys over Christmas break, however we didn't make it easy for them. We wrote out "We are going to Disney World" on separate pieces of paper, put the pieces in a bag, dumped them on the dining table and told them to figure out the puzzle.
What we got was a good hour of entertainment as they created different words. In a matter of minutes they put together 'we are going to' but it took a while wo get the rest.  See for yourself their reaction once the puzzle was figured out.

Since I knew we would be gone for 10 days I asked my family if they would be interested in becoming guest bloggers while we were away. Lucky for me (and you!) they were excited to 

help!! I cannot wait to share a little about these wonderful women and their delicious cookie recipes!!!