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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Neapolitan Bars

**See more of my Neapolitan Obsession here!**

I have made 11 pans of bars in the last week.  But these… well.

I think its safe to say that these are my favorite.

Neapolitan Bars with Oreo Crust

 

Oreo crust.

Creamy Strawberry filling.

Vanilla Whipped Cream.

Um, yeah.

It’s good.

Neapolitan Bars with Oreo Crust

You can even get all crazy and drizzle chocolate over the top too.  Or not.  It’s fabulous both ways!

I just barely adapted the strawberry bar recipe from A Spicy Perspective’s Fresh Strawberry Bars.  (Hers are served over a beautiful shortbread type crust… seriously genius!)

The bars rest on a bed of Oreo crust deliciousness.

Oreo Crust

And can I just tell you, I have the BEST little tip on how to get perfect Oreo crust.  I use Oreo PIE crust!  No food processor.  No endless hours of separating oreo cream from cookie to only end up in my belly anyway.

Simple. Easy.  Awesome.

For this recipe I used 2 packages.

Neapolitan Bars with Oreo Crust

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Neapolitan Bars

Ingredients

  • Strawberry Bars
  • 1 1/2 pounds of strawberries (about 2 cups after emulsified)
  • 6 eggs
  • 2 cans Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • food coloring if desired

Instructions

  1. In blender or food processor, puree strawberries and water until smooth. Add in eggs, Sweetened Condensed Milk and salt. Blend until very smooth. (add food coloring now if desired)
  2. Line 9x13 pan with layer of parchment paper.
  3. Spread Oreo crust (crumbs) on bottom of pan. (I used two packages which is 12 ounces) Pour 4 tablespoons melted butter over crumbs and flatten. Put pan in freezer to set crumbs. After about 15 minutes, you can remove from freezer and pour Strawberry filling over crumbs.
  4. Place bars into 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. Keep an eye on them, you do not want the strawberry filling to turn brown on top.
  5. Remove from oven and chill for a few hours before serving. When ready to serve prepare whipped cream or some Cool Whip and pipe with 1M tip.
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If you want to half the recipe you sure can!  Just use a 8×8 pan and only one package of Oreo Pie Crust.

I also kept the bars chilled while not being served.  When left out at room temperature the strawberry filling was a little soft for my liking.

Neapolitan Bars with Oreo Crust

· 41 Comments

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

Neapolitan Cupcakes

We have discussed my Neapolitan obsession right?

I needed to make some cupcakes for a special event last night, and you just know I have to had a Neapolitan twist!

Neapolitan Cupcakes! from iambaker.net

 

These were actually really, really simple.

Make your favorite chocolate cake recipe.

Make your favorite Vanilla Buttercream.

Make some chocolate coating. (recipe below)

Sprinkle with some chocolate jimmies.

Neapolitan Cupcakes!

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Strawberry Chocolate Dip Coating

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pink candy melts
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or shortening)
  • 1-3 drops of candy flavoring (oil based)

Instructions

  1. In microwave safe bowl (preferably with high sides) place candy melts and vegetable oil.
  2. Heat for one minute and then stir thoroughly.
  3. Keep heating in 30 second increments until chocolate is completely smooth.
  4. Add in flavored oil, 1 drop at a time, until you reach desired flavor.
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Tips for Success:

Allow cupcakes to cool completely before piping on buttercream.

I used a 1M tip to achieve soft billowing ruffles of frosting deliciousness. :)

After you have frosted the cupcakes, place in freezer for at least 15 minutes.

I used a spoon to drizzle the chocolate over the frosting.  If you find your chocolate is too thick and doesn’t spill over, add 1/2 teaspoon more vegetable oil and mix thoroughly.

Add sprinkles to the chocolate immediately.  (If you wait until the chocolate hardens, the sprinkles wont stick)

You can get the Strawberry Oil here.  I have only found it at specialty stores and online.

Consider calling up a dentist and getting on an affiliate program. (These suckers are SWEET!)

Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream and Strawberry Chocolate Candy Coating! (Neapolitan Cupcakes)

Enjoy!

· 25 Comments

Rainbow Fruit Cookie Cake

Rainbow Fruit Cookie Cake by iambaker.net

I love fruit pizza.  And I love the latest trend of “cookie cakes“.  So this is my interpretation of a cookie cake.  Its a  Fruit Pizza inspired Sugar Cookie Cake.   To assemble the cake: (recipe below) Bake sugar cookie dough into large round discs.  I used a 5 inch round [...] Read more »

· 64 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

The BEST Homemade Chocolate Milk

Homemade Chocolate Milke! ~ Cheap, Easy, and Delicious!

This is quite possible the easiest and cheapest and best option for Chocolate Milk.  I am talking BEST chocolate milk I have had.  Granted, I have only ever had the stuff from the grocery store.  But its WAAAAYYYYY better than that. Not only is it only four ingredients, but you [...] Read more »

· 65 Comments