Frugal Bites » Cookies and Bars http://frugalbites.com Eating Well on a Budget Mon, 24 Feb 2014 23:19:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.7.41 Low-Carb Protein Bar Recipe http://frugalbites.com/low-carb-protein-bar-recipe/ http://frugalbites.com/low-carb-protein-bar-recipe/#respond Mon, 24 Feb 2014 23:19:31 +0000 http://frugalbites.com/?p=1607 If you’re trying to tone up, lose fat and gain muscle, you’re likely swapping carbs for protein. However, store-bought power bars and protein bars are expensive. This version is much more frugal… and just as delicious! Tweak the ingredients according to your taste. Low-Carb Protein Bar Recipe These low-carb protein bars are quick and easy to make. Ingredients ½ C. skim milk 1 C. peanut butter 3 Tbsp. honey 1½ C. whey protein powder 2 C. oats (regular, not quick-cook) {Read More}

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If you’re trying to tone up, lose fat and gain muscle, you’re likely swapping carbs for protein. However, store-bought power bars and protein bars are expensive. This version is much more frugal… and just as delicious! Tweak the ingredients according to your taste.

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Low-Carb Protein Bar Recipe
 
These low-carb protein bars are quick and easy to make.
Ingredients
  • ½ C. skim milk
  • 1 C. peanut butter
  • 3 Tbsp. honey
  • 1½ C. whey protein powder
  • 2 C. oats (regular, not quick-cook)
Instructions
  1. On medium heat, combine milk, peanut butter and honey. Stir until well-combined. Remove from heat. Stir in protein powder and oats. Pat into a 9×13 cake pan. Cool completely, then cut into rectangles.

 

Source:  Homemade Protein Bars

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]]> http://frugalbites.com/low-carb-protein-bar-recipe/feed/ 0 French Almond Cakes http://frugalbites.com/french-almond-cakes/ http://frugalbites.com/french-almond-cakes/#respond Fri, 03 Jan 2014 02:54:12 +0000 http://frugalbites.com/?p=1567 These little French Almond Cakes are also known as Financiers because the French businessmen in the financial district of Paris helped make them popular.  They’re easy, but taste rich and moist. French Almond Cakes “Financiers” Ingredients 1 tsp. almond extract 6 large egg whites ½ C. flour ½ tsp. salt 1 C. finely chopped or ground almonds (I used whole almonds and ran them through my coffee grinder) 1½ C. powdered sugar 1½ sticks butter Instructions Preheat oven to 450 {Read More}

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These little French Almond Cakes are also known as Financiers because the French businessmen in the financial district of Paris helped make them popular.  They’re easy, but taste rich and moist.

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French Almond Cakes “Financiers”
 
Ingredients
  • 1 tsp. almond extract
  • 6 large egg whites
  • ½ C. flour
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 C. finely chopped or ground almonds (I used whole almonds and ran them through my coffee grinder)
  • 1½ C. powdered sugar
  • 1½ sticks butter
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Butter 18 muffin tins (traditionally, you’d use a Financier Mold but if you don’t have one the muffin tins you have at home already work well too).
  3. In a medium bowl, combine egg whites and almond extract. Meanwhile, combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add egg whites to the dry ingredients and give a quick stir until a light batter is formed. Pour into muffin tins.
  4. Bake 6 minutes at 450 degrees then lower heat to 400. Bake an additional 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Baking it first in a super-hot oven will crisp up the outside, while reducing the baking temperature to finish keeps the inside nice and moist. Allow the cakes to cool slightly then remove from the tins.
  5. When I first made French Almond Financier Cakes I used muffin tins. However, I found these cute petit fours molds at TJ Maxx for just $6.99 and thought they were cute.

Thanks, Kim Cooks the World!

 

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]]> http://frugalbites.com/french-almond-cakes/feed/ 0 Oreo Brownies http://frugalbites.com/oreo-brownies/ http://frugalbites.com/oreo-brownies/#respond Tue, 19 Nov 2013 11:59:39 +0000 http://frugalbites.com/?p=1525 These Oreo brownies couldn’t be easier!  They call for three layers of chocolatey goodness:  for which you can use prepackaged goodies.  Nobody will be the wiser!  I used ingredients from ALDI to save even more money. Oreo Brownies Prep time:  20 mins Cook time:  30 mins Total time:  50 mins Serves: 12-16 Don’t let the ease of this recipe fool you. Your guests will think you slaved in the kitchen for hours! Ingredients 1 package chocolate chip cookie mix 1 box {Read More}

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These Oreo brownies couldn’t be easier!  They call for three layers of chocolatey goodness:  for which you can use prepackaged goodies.  Nobody will be the wiser!  I used ingredients from ALDI to save even more money.

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Oreo Brownies
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 12-16
 
Don’t let the ease of this recipe fool you. Your guests will think you slaved in the kitchen for hours!
Ingredients
  • 1 package chocolate chip cookie mix
  • 1 box brownie mix
  • Eggs (according to package instructions)
  • Vegetable oil (according to package instructions)
  • 1 package Oreo cookies
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the cookie batter according to package instructions. Press on the bottom of a 9×13 pan lined with parchment paper. Meanwhile, make brownie batter according to instructions and set aside. Layer your Oreo cookies on top of the cookie layer. Pour the brownie batter on top and bake for 30-33 minutes.

oreo brownie recipe oreo brownie recipe oreo brownie recipe oreo brownie recipe

I originally posted this Slutty Brownie Recipe (named so because they’re easy and quite sinful) on Mommysavers.com.

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]]> http://frugalbites.com/oreo-brownies/feed/ 0 Chocolate Buckeye Balls http://frugalbites.com/chocolate-buckeye-balls/ http://frugalbites.com/chocolate-buckeye-balls/#respond Sat, 16 Nov 2013 17:49:09 +0000 http://frugalbites.com/?p=1521 Chocolate Buckeye Balls Recipe 1/2 C. (one stick) butter, softened 1 2/3 C. creamy peanut butter 1 tsp. vanilla 4 C. powdered sugar Chocolate almond bark In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, peanut butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. It’s ready when it forms a sticky dough.  Roll into 3/4″ balls and refrigerate one hour, or longer.  Remove refrigerated balls and heat chocolate almond bark according to package instructions.  Roll Buckeye Balls in chocolate and place on waxed paper {Read More}

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Chocolate Buckeye Balls Recipe

1/2 C. (one stick) butter, softened
1 2/3 C. creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
4 C. powdered sugar
Chocolate almond bark

In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, peanut butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. It’s ready when it forms a sticky dough.  Roll into 3/4″ balls and refrigerate one hour, or longer.  Remove refrigerated balls and heat chocolate almond bark according to package instructions.  Roll Buckeye Balls in chocolate and place on waxed paper to cool.

I originally posted this Buckeye Recipe on Mommysavers.com

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]]> http://frugalbites.com/chocolate-buckeye-balls/feed/ 0 White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies http://frugalbites.com/white-chocolate-macadamia-nut-cookies/ http://frugalbites.com/white-chocolate-macadamia-nut-cookies/#comments Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:22:42 +0000 http://frugalbites.com/?p=1325   Last week, I was searching for an easy dessert that would be kid-friendly yet sophisticated enough to serve with a nice meal.  Since I planned on sharing the meal with our neighbors, I had to be at the top of my culinary game.  The kids requested cookies, but to me chocolate chip cookies just are too ordinary to be impressive.   I landed on this version of the white chocolate macadamia nut cookie.  The saltiness of the macadamia nuts {Read More}

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Last week, I was searching for an easy dessert that would be kid-friendly yet sophisticated enough to serve with a nice meal.  Since I planned on sharing the meal with our neighbors, I had to be at the top of my culinary game.  The kids requested cookies, but to me chocolate chip cookies just are too ordinary to be impressive.   I landed on this version of the white chocolate macadamia nut cookie.  The saltiness of the macadamia nuts go perfectly with the sweet white chocolate.  Plus, it’s just a little bit more refined than its chocolate chip cousin.

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White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 36
 
A flavorful change from the traditional chocolate chip cookie. Macadamia nuts give these cookies a salty goodness that highlights the sweet chocolate.
Ingredients
  • 1 C. butter, softened
  • ¾ C. brown sugar
  • ½ C. white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. almond extract
  • 2½ C. flour
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 C. coarsely chopped macadamia nuts
  • 1¼ C. white chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a mixer, cream the butter, sugars, and eggs together.
  3. Add eggs, one at at time. Add vanilla and almond extract.
  4. Next, combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Add to the butter mixture and stir until well-combined.
  5. Add nuts and chocolate chips.
  6. Drop teaspoons of batter onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

 

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]]> http://frugalbites.com/white-chocolate-macadamia-nut-cookies/feed/ 1 Pumpkin Bars: Yummy Any Time of the Year http://frugalbites.com/pumpkin-bars-yummy-any-time-of-the-year/ http://frugalbites.com/pumpkin-bars-yummy-any-time-of-the-year/#respond Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:17:06 +0000 http://frugalbites.com/?p=1195 This is another one of the terrific recipes from the forums at Mommysavers.com (Pumpkin Bars via Mommy2Mercedes).  I made it last week and it was delicious.  I ate a whole row myself, and brought some to the neighbors.  However, at one point I forgot to cover the bars and my husband came home to find the bars that were remaining had no more frosting.  Our cats had licked it off!  (Gross, I know….  and such a terrible waste of good {Read More}

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This is another one of the terrific recipes from the forums at Mommysavers.com (Pumpkin Bars via Mommy2Mercedes).  I made it last week and it was delicious.  I ate a whole row myself, and brought some to the neighbors.  However, at one point I forgot to cover the bars and my husband came home to find the bars that were remaining had no more frosting.  Our cats had licked it off!  (Gross, I know….  and such a terrible waste of good food!)

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Best-Ever Pumpkin Bars
 
This easy recipe is sure to please. Even our cats liked it!
Ingredients
  • BARS
  • 3 eggs
  • 1⅔ C. sugar
  • ¾ C. vegetable oil
  • 2 15-oz. cans pumpkin puree
  • 2 C. flour
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • FROSTING
  • 1 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 C. butter, softened
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 4 C. powdered sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Stir into pumpkin mix until thoroughly combined.
  2. Spread the batter into a greased jellyroll pan. Bake for 25 to 30 min. Cool before frosting.
  3. For the frosting, cream cream cheese and butter together. Stir in vanilla. Add powdered sugar a little at a time. Beat until smooth. Frost cooled bars.

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]]> http://frugalbites.com/pumpkin-bars-yummy-any-time-of-the-year/feed/ 0 Classic Snickerdoodles Recipe http://frugalbites.com/classic-snickerdoodles-recipe/ http://frugalbites.com/classic-snickerdoodles-recipe/#respond Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:26:33 +0000 http://frugalbites.com/?p=1095 According to Wikipedia,  that the name “Snickerdoodles” is a corruption of the German word Schneckennudeln (“snail noodles”), which is a kind of pastry.  I grew up eating this very Classic Snickerdoodles recipe at my grandmother’s house in Iowa, who was of German heritage.   Her secret ingredient (lemon extract) made them just a little bit tangy as well as sweet.  I could never eat just one! Frugal Tips:  Since Snickerdoodles are mainly flour and sugar based, they cost less than cookies with chocolate {Read More}

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classic-snickerdoodles-recipe

According to Wikipedia,  that the name “Snickerdoodles” is a corruption of the German word Schneckennudeln (“snail noodles”), which is a kind of pastry.  I grew up eating this very Classic Snickerdoodles recipe at my grandmother’s house in Iowa, who was of German heritage.   Her secret ingredient (lemon extract) made them just a little bit tangy as well as sweet.  I could never eat just one!

Frugal Tips:  Since Snickerdoodles are mainly flour and sugar based, they cost less than cookies with chocolate chips.

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Classic Snickerdoodles Recipe
 
Snickerdoodles are frugal and easy to make. The lemon is the secret ingredient!
Ingredients
  • 1½ C. sugar
  • 1 C. vegetable shortening or butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 2¾ C. flour
  • 2 tsp. cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp. soda
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 tsp. lemon extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream sugar and shortening together. Add beaten eggs. Sift dry ingredients together and add to sugar mixture. Add vanilla and lemon extract. Chill dough in the refrigerator for one hour. Roll in 1″ balls. Dust in mixture of 2 Tbsp. sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

 

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]]> http://frugalbites.com/classic-snickerdoodles-recipe/feed/ 0 Toffee Club Crackers http://frugalbites.com/toffee-club-crackers/ http://frugalbites.com/toffee-club-crackers/#comments Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:36:54 +0000 http://frugalbites.com/?p=1072 These Toffee Club Crackers were something I remember my Grandma making at Christmastime. I’m not sure I got the recipe quite right, but they were delicious (almost addictive!) nonetheless. There are many, many variations of these cracker cookies. I also have a recipe that uses graham crackers and pecans – also delicious. Really, the possibilities are endless. Toffee Club Crackers Prep time:  10 mins Cook time:  10 mins Total time:  20 mins Serves: 40 pieces Ingredients ½ stick butter ½ stick {Read More}

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These Toffee Club Crackers were something I remember my Grandma making at Christmastime. I’m not sure I got the recipe quite right, but they were delicious (almost addictive!) nonetheless. There are many, many variations of these cracker cookies. I also have a recipe that uses graham crackers and pecans – also delicious. Really, the possibilities are endless.

Print
Toffee Club Crackers
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 40 pieces
 
Ingredients
  • ½ stick butter
  • ½ stick margarine
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup slivered almonds
  • Chocolate drizzle (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lay out one sleeve of Club crackers on a baking sheet. Meanwhile, heat butter, margarine and sugar in a medium saucepan until bubbly. Pour over the Club crackers. Press slivered almonds onto the tops of the crackers. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Once cool, add a drizzle of chocolate (optional) made from melted chocolate chips or chocolate almond bark.

 

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]]> http://frugalbites.com/toffee-club-crackers/feed/ 4 Pecan Tassies: It Wouldn’t Be Christmas Without Them! http://frugalbites.com/pecan-tassies-recipe-christmas/ http://frugalbites.com/pecan-tassies-recipe-christmas/#comments Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:57:34 +0000 http://frugalbites.com/?p=1051 For our family, it wouldn’t be Christmas without these Pecan Tassies.  My grandmother made them and passed the recipe on down to my mom, and now I’m making them too.   Be warned:  it’s nearly impossible to eat just one! Frugal Tips:  Don’t forget that you can store nuts in the freezer indefinitely.  It prevents the oils in them from becoming rancid and giving them a spoiled taste.  That said, you can save a lot by buying them in bulk {Read More}

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For our family, it wouldn’t be Christmas without these Pecan Tassies.  My grandmother made them and passed the recipe on down to my mom, and now I’m making them too.   Be warned:  it’s nearly impossible to eat just one!

Frugal Tips:  Don’t forget that you can store nuts in the freezer indefinitely.  It prevents the oils in them from becoming rancid and giving them a spoiled taste.  That said, you can save a lot by buying them in bulk and freezing what you can’t use right away.

Related Mommysavers Forum Conversation:  Fill in the blank:  It just wouldn’t be Christmas without _____________. 

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Pecan Tassies
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 24
 
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without these treats.
Ingredients
  • ⅓ C. cream cheese
  • ½ C. butter, softened
  • 1 C. flour
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ C. brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • ⅔ C. pecans
Instructions
  1. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, butter, and flour. Refrigerate dough for one hour.
  2. Remove from refrigerator and press into mini tart pans (yield: 24). Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium saucepan, heat egg, brown sugar, butter, vanilla and pecans until bubbly. Remove from heat and spoon into tarts. Bake for 25 minutes

 

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]]> http://frugalbites.com/pecan-tassies-recipe-christmas/feed/ 1 Smucker’s Double Chocolate Diamonds http://frugalbites.com/smuckers-double-chocolate-diamonds/ http://frugalbites.com/smuckers-double-chocolate-diamonds/#comments Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:06:39 +0000 http://frugalbites.com/?p=1041 Who knew that Smucker’s Ice Cream toppings could be used in such creative ways?   If you’ve got a jar of Smucker’s fudge, you can make these yummy Double Chocolate Diamonds.  The base of the bar is flour and peanut butter, but the topping is rich fudge doubled up with chocolate chips.  What’s not to like about that?  Next on my list of things to make is this Grilled Poundcake with Blueberry Sauce and Ricotta Cream.  Mmmmm! Check out more {Read More}

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Who knew that Smucker’s Ice Cream toppings could be used in such creative ways?   If you’ve got a jar of Smucker’s fudge, you can make these yummy Double Chocolate Diamonds.  The base of the bar is flour and peanut butter, but the topping is rich fudge doubled up with chocolate chips.  What’s not to like about that?  Next on my list of things to make is this Grilled Poundcake with Blueberry Sauce and Ricotta Cream.  Mmmmm!

Check out more Smucker’s Recipes HERE.  Plus, stay tuned for great giveaways we’re offering this week with Mommysavers as part of their Five Days of Holiday Giveaways Series.  One Frugal Bites/Mommysavers reader will win a $100 gift pack provided by Smucker’s!

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Smucker’s Double Chocolate Diamonds
 
Ingredients
  • No-Stick Cooking Spray
  • 1 cup Vegetable Shortening
  • ½ cup Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 1½ cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1¼ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 (11.75 oz.) jar Smucker’s® Hot Fudge Topping
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
  1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Line bottom and sides of 15½ x 10½ x 1-inch jelly roll pan with foil. Coat with no-stick cooking spray.
  2. BEAT shortening, peanut butter and brown sugar in large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until creamy. Beat in eggs and almond extract until smooth. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Mix at low speed just until combined. Spread evenly in prepared pan.
  3. BAKE 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack while preparing chocolate layer.
  4. PLACE chocolate chips in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute. Stir. Microwave in 15 second intervals until melted and smooth. Stir in hot fudge topping. Microwave on HIGH 15 seconds. Spread over warm baked bars. Sprinkle with walnuts. Chill 1 hour or until chocolate layer is firm.
  5. LIFT bars from pan with foil and place on cutting board. Cut into diamonds by cutting on the diagonal from corner to corner both directions forming a large “X”. Beginning at one center cut, make 1½-inch parallel diagonal cuts on both sides. Repeat with other center cut to form diamonds. Store in refrigerator.

 

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