Pumpkin Chocolate Breakfast Cookies

We just loved the breakfast cookies I made a few weeks ago. So much my husband requested a pumpkin version. These are just as moist as their banana brothers, with a hint of pumpkin and spice.

Pumpkin Chocolate Breakfast Cookies

1/2 can pumpkin puree
1/4 c shortening
2 T neutella
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
2 c brown rice flour mixture
2 c oats
1/3 c sugar
2 t baking soda
3/4 t xanthan gum
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1/3 c chocolate chips

Mix all dry ingredients together and set aside. Mix pumpkin, shortening, neutella, eggs, and vanilla together. Add dry ingredients and mix. Pour in oats and chocolate chips. Scoop 2 T onto a baking pan lined with silicone or wax paper. Bake at 350 for 13 - 15 minutes.

Yields: 22 cookies

Kielbasa Soup

When it's cold outside I can't wait to eat soup for dinner. And with two little people in the house, I don't have a lot of time for complex soups. This one is made in the crockpot and reminds me of an Italian soup. It was tasty and very filling.

Kielbasa Soup

2 cans chickpeas
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 c chopped onions
1 T minced garlic
1 t rosemary
1/2 t thyme
2 c chicken broth
1 turkey kielbasa
4 c spinach (shredded)

Add all ingredients except the kielbasa and spinach to the crockpot. Cook at low for 4 - 6 hours or high for 2 - 3 hours. 1 hour before serving ad spinach and kielbasa. I cut my kielbasa in circles and then in half to make it easy for our 2 year old to eat. Enjoy!

PB Granola

We're big fans of granola in our house. We also go though jars of peanut butter, so I figured we could use a peanut butter recipe. The house smelled delicious as this was cooking! It tastes fabulous. You can taste a hint of honey and cinnamon, but mostly the peanut buttery goodness. I will definitely make this again. I will probably double the batch next time.

Peanut Butter Honey Granola

1/2 c peanut butter
1/2 c honey
1 t cinnamon
1 t vanilla
3 c oats
1 c puffed rice
1/2 c sunflower seeds

Pour oats, rice and sun flower seeds in a medium bowl and mix. Set aside. Put honey and butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute. Mix together and add cinnamon and vanilla. Pour over oat mix until everything is thoroughly covered. Spread on a baking sheet covered with wax paper. Bake at 320 for 15 - 20 minutes or until it starts to brown. Set aside to cook and break into pieces.

Banana Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies

I've been in a breakfast rut lately. I had a baby about a month ago, and have been relying on cereal or oatmeal for the majority of breakfasts and I'm sick of it. So today I whipped up a batch of granola and thought I'd try something new while I was at it. So I experimented and loved the results!

This is meant to be a healthy breakfast substitute, so it's not a really sweet cookie. It more reminds me of little drops of bread. It's moist with a subtle taste of Banana. But that doesn't make it any less delicious. I split one of these with my son, and left a plate of cookies on the table while I went to find my camera. When I came back my son was sitting on the table and a cookie was gone!

These cookies travel well. They don't leave crumbs and one serving fits neatly in your hand. If serving to kids, you may want to make them half the size for easier consumption.

Chocolate Chip Banana Breakfast Cookies

1 1/4 c brown rice flour mixture

1/4 c sugar

2 t baking soda

1/2 t xanthan gum

2 bananas (smashed)
1/4 c oil

2 T peanut butter

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

2 c oats

1/3 c chocolate chips

1/3 c walnuts (optional)

2 T flax seeds (optional)

In a medium bowl combine all dry ingredients; set aside. Mix together bananas, oil, peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla. Add in dry ingredients mixing thoroughly. Mix in oats, chocolate chips, walnuts, and flax seeds.

Scoop 1/4 c* batter onto cookie sheet lined with silicone mat, or wax paper (or lightly spray pan). These don't expand or rise too much, so flatten the cookie to desired shape. Bake at 350 for 16 minutes or until just starting to brown.

Yields: 12 cookies

* This makes pretty big cookies (1 serving per cookie), if desired scoop in smaller amounts and adjust cook time accordingly.