Pumpkin, Oatmeal & Chocolate Chip Cookies

Fall flavors are probably one of my favorite things in the world. Especially PUMPKIN!!! I have already made my share of yummy pumpkin desserts and it's only August! 

I decided to share one of my favorite recipes as of late: Pumpkin, Oatmeal & Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are simply delicious, and so dang easy to make. So here is the recipe!

PUMPKIN OATMEAL & CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES RECIPE: 

1 C Softened Butter

1 1/4 C Light Brown Sugar

2/3 C Granulated Sugar

1 Large Egg

1.5 C Pumpkin Purée 

1 tsp Vanilla Extract 

2.5 C Flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp nutmeg 

1/4 tsp salt 

1.5 C Oats

1.5 C of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

•Preheat Oven to 400 Degrees F. 

•Prep 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

•Cream Butter and sugars. 

•Add egg, vanilla and pumpkin. Mix well. •Add dry ingredients. Mix until combined. 

•Use a ice cream scoop to scoop the batter onto cookie sheets. Spacing them 1-2 inches apart. 

•Bake cookies, one sheet at a time on 2nd to lowest rack space for 12-14 minutes.

•Once done baking, take off cookie sheet and place on cooling rack. 

•Let cool for about 1 hr.

•ENJOY the Chocolate and Pumpkin goodness!!! 

fresh & delicious: smoothies and juices

Throughout this entire pregnancy, the thing I have craved the most is fresh, ice cold drinks. Whether it be water, soda, juices, shakes or smoothies. Both of our fridges consists of about 80% liquids and 20% solids.. Thankfully, my husband doesn't mind it too much.  Or he is just being sweet and not saying anything about it.

Well, now that I am in my 3rd Trimester and getting close to being done with this pregnancy, I found that I am craving more and more healthy, wholesome foods. The same thing happened with my first baby and just thought it was just a little craving. But, just like with Cruz (my first child) the craving just continues to get stronger and stronger as the weeks go by. I guess the little dude needs those extra vitamins and minerals to get his strength up to keep up with his crazy active big brother. Thankfully, I LOVE fresh fruits and veggies. And, I bought all the cool kitchen appliances (A juicer, magic bullet etc..)  last year when I went thru this phase. So this time I just have to go to the store and buy all the food.

So, this post today will be mainly about a couple of yummy, healthy and easy drinks I have made in the last week or so that I think my readers will enjoy. So here we go! On to the recipes!!!

Chocolate Smoothie:

1 C "Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk"

1 Frozen Banana

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Tbsp Cocoa

Ice 

Instructions:

Add all ingredients into a blender. Mix well. (Add as much ice as you would like to give you the thickness you desire) 

Pour into a cup, and enjoy!

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Apple & Carrot Juice:

1 bag of baby carrots

4 Green Apples

Instructions:

Wash Veggies and Fruits. Cup and Peel apples. Put all ingredients into a juicer. Let it sit in fridge for an hour or so to set up. Shake well. ENJOY! Keep refrigerated.

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The Citrus Booster:

4 Large Pink Grapefruits (peeled)

3 Large Oranges (peeled)

1.5 Lemons (peeled)

Instructions:

Cut up all fruit into medium bites. Combine all, put in a juicer. After you have juiced all the fruits, put juice drink in the fridge and let it sit for about 1-2 hours. Once the drink has set up, shake well and enjoy the citrusy goodness!!! Keep refrigerated.

|chocolate mousse cups|

     As promised, I am going to post about the delicious little cups of heaven I have been making lots of lately... Chocolate Mousse Cups!!! 

These are such a fun and easy way to bring a little gourmet touch, taste and look to any party. 

THE RECIPE:

Chocolate Mousse Cups

1 Cup of Milk

2/3 C of Heavy Cream

1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract

1 Bag of Mini Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

2 Large Eggs

Directions:

In a saucepan, bring to a boil the Milk and Cream. Add vanilla and take off of the stove. Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, chop up the chocolate chips. Keep them in the processor. Once chopped well, pour the cream/milk mixture over chocolate chips in blender. Mix in blender for about 1 minute. Once blended, add eggs, one at a time. Mix well for about 2 more minutes. While its mixing, set your dishes or cups out on a cookie sheet. I will usually use little bowls or mini clear shot glasses. Pour cream and chocolate mixture into dishes about 3/4 the way full. once you have filled all of your cups/dishes put sheet of desserts in the fridge and let them set up for about 4-5 hours.

Once desserts have set up, top with Whipped cream, chocolate shavings and a fresh fruit and you have yourself a cute little gourmet treat!

ENJOY!!! Let me know how you like the recipe. 

-wb