Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars

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No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars

No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
  • 3/4 cup walnuts
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, unsweetened
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 cup dates, pitted
  • 1/2 cup cherries, dried
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

    1: Spray a 8 x 8 pan with cooking spray.
    2: Add oats, walnuts, cocoa and salt to a food processor bowl. Process into very small crumbles.
    3: Add dates and cherries. Process until the mixture resembles a crumbly dough and the cherries and dates are chopped up.
    4: Press mixture evenly into the pan.
    5: Chill until firm (about 1 hour).
    6: Cut into 8 - 16 (or desired) sized bars. Serve.

Notes

You can use whole pitted dates or date pieces.

These Walnut Cocoa Cherry bars do not need to be stored in the refrigerator.

These No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars are perfect for breakfast, snacks and dessert.

If the dates are very dry, soak them in water about 5 - 10 minutes. Then drain the water off before adding to the mixture.

Wetting a clean spatula or fingers with water makes it easier to press the mixture in the pan without much sticking.

When processing the dough, you may need to stop and scrape down the dough if it get stuck in a ball.

Old fashioned oats are the same as rolled oats.

Try this sweet, yummy No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars recipe! It is super healthy and easy to make! It has only a few ingredients and you do not need to heat up your kitchen to make it. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make No-bake Cocoa Cherry Walnut Bars.

These No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars are perfect for breakfast, dessert and as a snack. This recipe is so easy, even beginner cooks can make it. Watch this cooking video and make these delicious No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut bars today!

These No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars are a sweet treat!

Oatmeal Surprise Cookies

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Oatmeal Surprise Cookies

Oatmeal Surprise Cookies

Ingredients

  • 3 bananas, ripe, large
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 egg (optional)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
  • Cooking spray
  • Additional Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup of any two of the following (1 cup total):
  • Raisins, any color
  • Coconut, shredded
  • Nuts, chopped, any type
  • Chocolate chips, dark or semi-sweet
  • Fruit, dried, chopped, any type
  • Dates, chopped

Instructions

1: Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 2 baking sheets with a cooking spray.

2: Mash bananas with a fork.

3: In a large bowl, mix ingredients together in order. Mix well after each addition.

4: Drop by a heaping teaspoonful on a greased baking sheet.

5: Bake at 350° for 25 - 30 minutes or until they start to become golden on the top and bottom.

Notes

Be creative and try other additional ingredients.

You can use 4 small bananas instead of 3 large.

I have substituted 1/2 cup no-sugar applesauce or pumpkin puree for some or all of the oil and they still taste great.

These freeze well. You can place a few in a sandwich bag in the freezer, and they are ready to go for an easy breakfast, snack, or in a lunch.

Use can use another type of salt if you prefer.

Old fashioned oats are also called rolled oats.

Try these fun healthy Oatmeal Surprise Cookies! They are so easy to make and super yummy! These cookies are made with common ingredients you will likely already have. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make this Oatmeal Surprise Cookies recipe.

What is so fun about these cookies is that you can change some of the ingredients and make these cookies different every time! When you share them they can be a surprise every time! They are sugar free and perfect for breakfast, snacks and dessert! Watch this cooking video and make these yummy, fun Oatmeal Surprise Cookies today! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Oatmeal Surprise Cookies.

Cranberry Walnut Scones

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Yield: 8 Scones

Cranberry Walnut Scones

Cranberry Walnut Scones

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white whole wheat flour (lightly packed)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup coconut or date sugar
  • 2 tablespoons flax meal
  • 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1/3 cup cranberries, dried
  • 2/3 cup soy milk
  • 1/3 cup grape seed or canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

    1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
    2: Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, flax meal, walnuts, and dried cranberries in a mixing bowl.
    3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy milk, oil and vanilla.
    4: Using a fork, mix the liquid mixture into the dry mixture.
    5: Once the dry ingredients are completely mixed in, form a ball.
    6: Gently flatten the dough into a 7 inch circle on the baking sheet.
    7: Using a knife, score the dough into 8 wedges. Do not separate the wedges.
    8: Bake 20 - 22 minutes or until golden brown.
    9: Serve warm.

Notes

You can use any granulated sugar in place of the coconut or date sugar.
I recommend using organic flour and aluminum free baking powder when you can.
Flax meal is the same as ground or milled flaxseed.
You can use whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry in place of the white whole wheat flour. If you use these flours the scones will be a bit denser and not as sweet.

Bake these delicious, healthy Cranberry Walnut Scones! This recipe is so easy to make. I think you will love them! These tasty scones are full of healthy vegan ingredients like white whole wheat flour, dried cranberries and walnuts. They are perfect for breakfast, dessert or a snack. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make these amazing Cranberry Walnut Scones. Watch this cooking video and make this tasty Cranberry Walnut Scones recipe today!

No-bake Chocolate Lemon Macaroons

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Want to learn how to make healthy, delicious coconut macaroons? Try this easy No-Bake Chocolate Lemon Macaroon recipe! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Chocolate Lemon Macaroons.

Macaroons are a delicious coconut based cookie that are very easy to make. Put some of these Chocolate Lemon Macaroons in a pretty box and they are a perfect gift for the holidays or any occasion. If you don’t feel like cooking I think you will love this no-bake recipe that has only a few ingredients. This Chocolate Lemon Coconut Macaroons recipe is so easy to make! Watch this cooking video and make some tasty No-Bake Chocolate Lemon Macaroons today!

Yield: 12 - 16

No-bake Chocolate Lemon Macaroons

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup cashews, raw
  • 2 cups coconut, dried (unsweetened)
  • 3 tablespoons lemon zest, fresh
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup agave or honey
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips or chunks (bittersweet, dark or milk chocolate)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the fresh lemon zest and set aside.
  2. Place the cashews in a food processor. Process until they are a fine meal. Add the cashew meal to a mixing bowl.
  3. Add the coconut, lemon zest and salt to the food processor. Process to mix these ingredients.
  4. Continue to process the ingredients and slowly add the agave. Process until the mixture begins to stick together and forms a ball. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides a few times while processing.
  5. Stir the coconut mixture in with the cashew meal. The mixture should be wet enough to form a ball. If it is not, add a bit more agave. If the mixture is too wet, add a bit more coconut.
  6. With a small ice cream scoop or just with your hands, form the mixture into balls and place on a tray lined with wax paper.
  7. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe container. Heat in the microwave for 30 second intervals until the chocolate is liquidy when stirred.
  8. Drizzle the chocolate over each lemon macaroon.
  9. Place the macaroons in the refrigerator to chill. Once they are completely chilled they are ready to serve.

Notes

Sea salt can be used in place of Kosher salt if desired.
Add more or less chocolate as desired.

© Karen Breyer

 

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