Chocolate Chip Banana Bars {Paleo}

You read that right.  A Paleo recipe on iambaker.  Things might be crazy around here for a second folks!

I cant tell a lie… the real star of this “chocolate bar” show is my KitchenAid food processor.

I have been doing quite a bit a Paleo baking lately and my food processor is essential to achieving the perfect results.  When using Coconut Flour and Almond Flour hand mixing(or even a stand mixer!) just wont do.  Those special ingredients need a Food Processor and mine has now found its home on my counter right next to my trusty mixer.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars {Paleo}

Now, lets be really honest about Paleo baking.  Its not for everyone!  Heck, I tried a LOT of recipes before even finding one that didnt taste like cardboard.  And here is that cold, hard truth…. nothing can replace the flavor of butter and sugar.

These bars are good… good enough to fool the kids and maybe even your co-workers, but they are not going to replace your tried and true recipes if you have no dietary restrictions.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars #paleo

And Paleo baking isnt exactly cheap!  The Coconut flour alone was $7.  And pure maple syrup (which some dont even consider Paleo) can be $10 a bottle.  And those yummy little semi-sweet chocolate chips were $4 for one bag!

But one thing I liked about this recipe is that is used coconut flour and not almond flour, because that was $15 for one bag.  So I can make these bars once a week and not have to take out a second mortgage.

Chocolate Chip Banana Cars #paleo

So, have I convinced you not to try these bars yet??  I dont mean to, really.  I just want to be honest about what they are and how they taste.  We like them… they are good… they are great even.  But since we have never really tried “sugar free’ baking here on iambaker, and I appreciate you letting me experiment as my diet and lifestyle changes! :)

And have no fear, I will be getting my Paula Dean on very soon with some yummy butter and sugar filled cakes for you.

But back to my Food Processor!  If you are going to do any Paleo baking at all, it really is a must have kitchen accessory.  Which wouldnt really make it an accessory anymore… more like a MUST HAVE tool.

**Have you ever visited the KitcheAid site?  As it loads there is a little drawing of a mixer and it says, “Loading… mixing… baking… making something special…” Its so cute!

KitchenAid food processor

No, I am not being paid one cent to talk about mine, I just happen to have become infatuated with it recently and wanted you to know how useful it is in alternative baking! (I might even have the BEST chocolate cake recipe to share with you soon… regular ingredients and all in a food processor!  Told ya I have been experimenting!)

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Chocolate Chip Banana Bars {Paleo}

Ingredients

  • 2 bananas
  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • coconut oil for pan

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients except chocolate chips in food processor and blend on high for 1-2 minutes. Scoop out batter into bowl and add most of the chocolate chips, gently mix to evenly distribute.
  2. Press batter into 8x8 pan greased with Coconut Oil.
  3. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips over top and bake for approximately 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
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If you are a believer that maple syrup is not Paleo, then you can substitute coconut oil.  I also used dairy, nut, and soy free chocolate, but you could use a dark chocolate instead that does not have soy lecithin or dairy in it.  Some folks let non-dairy free chocolate slide in their paleo baking… some dont.  Its just a preference! :)

This recipe is based off of a recipe I found over at Multiply Delicious, one of my new favorite blogs.  She posted some beautiful Paleo Banana Dark Chocolate “Cakies” and I was smitten.  Everything she posts is eye candy, and this is one of those blogs and you bookmark every single recipe.

Paleo Chocolate Chip Banana Bars

Thanks again for coming along for the ride here on iambaker.  I appreciate you being willing to stick around as I try new things!

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Strawberry Lemonade Cake {Generous Table}

Have you ever been to Heather Cristo Cooks?  Its a fabulous blog written by a fabulous woman.

Heather Cristo Generous Table

Heather recently became an author with her first book, Generous Table, Easy & Elegant Recipes Through the Seasons.  Its got everything you want a good cookbook to have… wonderful recipes, beautiful pictures, and extras tips to help you become a more confident entertainer!

Strawberry Lemonade Cake from Generous Table by Heather Cristo

 

I was immediately drawn to this cake, called the Strawberry Lemonade Cake.  Its one of the BEST tasting cakes I have ever had!  Perfect for summer.

Heather graciously said I could share the recipe with you!  I hope you will try this cake, see how fabulous her recipes are, and run out and buy her book!  Everything in it is just as fabulous.

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Strawberry Lemonade Cake {Generous Table}

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter at room temp
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon zest
  • 2 1/2 cups AP flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/3 cup cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup buttermilk
    • Strawberry Buttercream
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 5 cups powder sugar
  • 2 tbsp whole milk
  • 2-4 large strawberries, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350 and prepare two 9-inch round baking pans.
  2. In bowl of stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, place the butter, sugar and lemon zest. Beat until light and fluffy.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients and set aside.
  4. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, one at a time, combining thoroughly in between. With the mixer still running, add the lemon juice. (batter will look curdled, but its not)
  5. Add one third of the dry ingredients and 1/2 cup of the buttermilk. Mix, then stop and scrape the sides of the bowl. Repeat, adding another third of the dry ingredients and the remaining 1/2 cup buttermilk. Mix, then stop and scrape. Add the remaining third of the dry ingredients and mix until completely combined and the batter is light and fluffy.
  6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let the cakes cool before removing from the pans.
    8. Strawberry Buttercream
  8. Combine butter and powder sugar in a large bowl or standing mixer. Mix together on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add in the milk and strawberries and mix on high speed until the frosting is very fluffy and pale pink in color, with flecks of strawberry.
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Strawberry Lemonade Cake from Generous Table by Heather Cristo

 

Because I love and adore this cake and book so much, I am going to give away 2 copies!

To win simply comment and tell me, “How is your day going?”

See official rules for more information.

If you are impatient like me and need the book NOW, you can get it on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble.  You can also see her trailer here!

Heather Christo’s Generous Table by Heather Christo © 2013 Kyle Books

· 130 Comments

Candle Birthday Cake {Surprise Inside Cake}

The best part of birthdays??  The cake of course!

I would love  to share with you a fun cake idea as well as some tips on how YOU can best enjoy all the birthdays you celebrate!

 

Funfetti Cake!

 Here’s  Tip #1: Use a fabulous box mix like Pillsbury Cake Mix to ensure a level, beautiful and delicious cake!  Don’t stress about finding the perfect from scratch recipe, especially if you are a busy working parent.  Your child will not know the difference, but they will know that you baked something special just for them!

 

Raw Cake about to be frosted with #32 tip.

I am a huge fan of the easy concept.  Just because the technique is easy doenst mean you are sacrificing beauty!

For this cake I used a #32 tip from Wilton.  Simply hold the tip at the base of the cake, apply light pressure, and move up to the top.  Make sure to take the frosting all the way over the top edge of the cake.

Pillsbury Funfetti Cake decorated with #32 Tip

 

For the top I used a #1M tip and just made little swirled dollops of frosting.

This is a classic technique that I have loved and admired forever. I left the better part of the top of the cake white and really like how clean it looks!

Frosting dollops on top of a yellow cake. Cake has a surprise inside!

 The inside was something different all together!

I decided to make it a surprise inside cake, because who doesn’t love a good surprise???

Funfetti officially turns 25 this year, so what better way to celebrate than a unique and FUN and festive cake?

Surprise Inside Funfetti Cake from iambaker.net

 

Can you tell what the surprise is?

A candle!

Candle Surprise Inside Cake from iambaker.net

This tiny candle will be in every single piece of cake.  I just love that everyone who gets a piece will get some of the FUN surprise!

And whats even better is that sweet little candle is surrounded by a bright and festive Funfetti Cake.

Ready for those other two tips on how you can celebrate more?

Candle Surprise Inside Funfetti Cake!

 

Tip #2: Make a tradition.  Choose to always bake a cake.  Or make a certain flavor of cake.  Or buy a huge pack of candles on your baby’s first birthday and use the same candles every year.  Or make a personalized Birthday Book!

Audrey enjoying a Surprise Inside Birthday cake!

Tip #3: Relax.  If you are a parent and trying to plan the perfect party for your most precious little angle, take a moment to sit back and catch your breath.  Are family and friends going to be gathered around?  Is there enough cake for everyone?  Then that is all you need.  I know, I know… we all want our children to have the most special day.  But truly… feeling loved is the greatest gift we can give them!

Surprise Inside Cake celebrating Funfetti's 25th Birthday!

In honor of Funfetti’s Special Day I would love to share some gifts with you!  Pillsbury is generously giving away a Prize Pack of fun.

Funfetti Celebration Starter Reader Giveaway Kit:

  • One box of Pillsbury Funfetti Premium Cake & Cupcake Mix
  • Funfetti Frostings (1 each of four new frosting flavors)
  • $50 dollar Visa or American Express gift card
  • Total estimated giveaway value: $60

To win simply leave a comment telling me:

Do you celebrate with cake on your birthday?

Be sure to visit then on Facebook (PillsburyBaking) and see all the amazing creations they are sharing!

· 277 Comments

Garbage Bars

I literally made these hours ago.  Tonight my husband, kids and I are going to a small gathering and I could not be more happy about it.  With all the events of the world of late, I feel so blessed that we are able to be with loving, caring people.

Even in the midst of personal trials and national devastation, I turned to something that always brings me joy.  Baking.

Garbage Bars from iambaker.net

 

And showing up to a friends home without a special homemade gift just seems so wrong, so this was win-win.

Since I decided to make them just a few hours ago, I hadnt prepared and gotten supplies.  The reason I am calling them “garbage bars” is because I simply emptied out my pantry to make them.

The bars are based off a recipe from my Mother-in-Laws church cookbook and are called Magic Bars.  I think they have been around for many, many years.

Garbage Bars!

 

Instead of using semi-sweet chocolate and chopped nuts as the original recipe called for, I used 1/2 cup of four different kinds of treats.

Just a few ingredients for Special Garbage Bars!

 

1/2 cup Peanut Butter Chips

1/2 cup Milk Chocolate Chips

1/2 cup White Chocolate Chips

1/2 cup Butterscotch Chips

I thought they turned out pretty great!

Sweet… like -holy heck are they sweet- but great none the less.

 

Amazingly Sweet Garbage Bars!

 

I just love how “custom” these bars are.  You can truly make them yours by using  your favorite ingredients!

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Garbage Bars

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1 14oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter chips
  • 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (or semi-sweet)
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
  • (Or 2 cups of whatever you have in your pantry: left over candy bars, oatmeal, etc.)
  • 1 cup coconut flakes (the original calls for 1 1/2 cups, but I am not a coconut fan)

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350.
  2. Melt butter in microwave or small saucepan over low heat. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over bottom of 9x13 pan then pour butter over crumbs. Flatten out crumbs with fork and make sure butter is evenly incorporated.
  3. Evenly pour two cups of flavored chips over graham cracker crust.
  4. Pour condensed milk over chips.
  5. Cover with coconut flakes. (Or shredded coconut)
  6. Bake 25 minutes. Edges will be brown and center should not jiggle.
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Amazing Garbage Bars!

Sending love and prayers to all those affected by the devastating events in Boston, Massachusetts.

· 51 Comments

Food Styling Challenge: Inspired by Charm

Food Styling Challenge for March: Inspired by Charm's Michael Wurm Jr.

  The month of March is all about Michael from Inspired by Charm. One thing I love about this challenge is the unique talents of each participant.  Kristen is a trend setter in food photography and is forever creating stunning ways to think about, feel towards, and view food.  Michael from Verses [...] Read more »

· 10 Comments

Rose Neapolitan Spritz Cookies

Neapolitan Rose Spritzer Cookies! from iambaker.net

I wish I had OCD for something like laundry or eating celery.  But no.  I have to be obsessed with Neapolitan.  And ‘rose’ anything. Like the Neapolitan Rose Cake.   Or the Neapolitan Chocolate Cookies Cups with Strawberry Buttercream.  I cant even tell you about all the Neapolitan desserts and [...] Read more »

· 105 Comments