At the end of this past semester, I decided that it was time to get back into a routine and start eating better and working out again. Today was the day to start! I woke up bright and early (well…8am) and went to the gym back home with my mom. I hit the elliptical (2.35 miles in 25 min) and then did a short arm circuit routine. It felt good to finally get my body moving again!
We stopped at Einstein’s Bagels for a quick breakfast – coffee & an Egg White, Bacon, and Cheese BagelThin Panini (minus the bacon!).
Still in stinky workout clothes, we ran to Michael’s craft store and Khol’s for some Christmas shopping!
We’re spending the afternoon baking Christmas treats!
First up: Mocha Pudding Cakes
Ingredients:
Cooking Spray
1 egg
1.5 teaspoons butter, melted
1/2 cup lowfat milk
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar, divided
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, divided
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup hot water
optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips
optional: 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Spray four glass custard cups with cooking spray.
3. In a bowl, whisk together the egg, cooled melted butter, and milk.
4. In another bowl, combine flour, 1/2 cup of the brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of the cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
5. Slowly pour the egg mixture into the center of the flour mixture. Stir until just combined and flour is no longer visible. (Optional: mix in chocolate chips.)
6. Evenly divide batter into custard cups.
7. In small bowl, combine hot water, and remaining 2 tablespoons of each brown sugar and cocoa. Stir until dissolved.
8. Evenly pour hot liquid on batter in custard cups – approx. 3 tablespoons per cup.
9. Place cups on cookie sheet and bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until liquid is absorbed into cakes.
10. Remove from oven and cool. Top each cake with ice cream and enjoy!
Total time: 45 min.
These cakes are best served warm. Although this is not the simplest recipe – it is so rich, chocolate-y, and delicious!
Next: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:
1.25 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2.5 cups quick oats
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup margarine
1 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky should work)
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
chocolate chips to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Stir together dry ingredients except sugars.
2. In a different bowl, beat margarine and peanut butter until smooth, then blend in sugars.
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
4. Stir in dry ingredients, add as many chocolate chips as you would like, and spoon onto cookie sheets (about 1 inch balls).
5. Bake until golden brown (approx. 16 min, but times vary). Makes about 60 cookies.
These are some of my all time favorite cookies! They aren’t too peanut butter-y or chocolate-y or to oat-y! Perfection!
Off to more baking! Have a great day!
one healthy choice 