Pumpkin Banana Muffins with Chocolate Chips

I haven't posted in quite some time.  Life has been very busy!  I decided I would come and post this new recipe that I tried out this evening.  Partially because I don't want to forget how to make it, and partially because I don't mind sharing it with the world!

I have made this banana carrot muffin recipe before, but I wanted to tweak it to match the ingredients I had on hand, and to make it just a bit healthier.  I substituted coconut flour for wheat flour.  Coconut flour is great for so many reasons.  Two of the best reasons are that it is full of fiber, and much lower in carbs.  I also swapped out the sugar for more natural real maple syrup, swapped out the Crisco for healthier fats, and I used pumpkin instead of carrots.  Oh - and I added chocolate chips.  Yum!

This recipe is adequate to feed a large family with.  We are up to 5 kids now, and I like having plenty to spare when I bake something because it doesn't take long for the baked goods to be eaten up.  And, the children are certainly eating these muffins up!  They have no idea how much healthy stuff they are really eating in these muffins, ha!  Anyhow, this recipe yielded just shy of 3 dozen muffins.

Just a side note about the coconut flour - if you aren't used to baking with it, the texture is different than conventional baked goods.  It usually gives a more creamy texture, but is very tasty at the same time.  I hope your family enjoys these as much as mine is!

Pumpkin Banana Muffins with Chocolate Chips

1 cup maple syrup

6 large eggs

5 bananas

1/3 cup apple juice

1 (15 ounce) can of pumpkin

1 + 1/3 cups coconut flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In large bowl, mix together butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup.  Add eggs and juice.  Mix in mashed bananas and pumpkin.  Next, add the coconut flour, baking soda, and salt.  Once everything is mixed together well, stir in chocolate chips.  Bake in lined muffin tins for 30-35 minutes.  Muffins are done when a fork or toothpick comes out clean. 

Creamy Carrot Crock Pot Soup

I have recently found myself in possession of a rather large amount of carrots, so naturally I have been looking for ways to use them up.  This soup turned out delicious!  This recipe is enough to make a family sized batch.  If you don't need as much, you can cut the recipe in half and still have plenty.

Creamy Carrot Crock Pot Soup

10 cups carrots - peeled and sliced
6 cups water
6 bouillon cubes
1/4 cup butter
2 tbsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 - 8 oz packages of cream cheese
8 strips of cooked bacon

Place carrots, water, bouillon cubes, butter, Italian seasoning, and cayenne pepper in crock pot.  Stir to mix the spices in.  Cook on high for approximately 5 hours, or until carrots are soft.  Using an immersion blender or regular blender, blend together the ingredients until smooth.  Cube the cream cheese and add to the mixture.  Blend well.  In another pan, cook bacon.  Cut into small pieces, add to the soup and mix well.

Cheater Cheesecake Recipe

I love this recipe because it is so easy!  It is a great go-to dessert recipe when I need something quick to serve guests or take to a potluck.  I call it "cheater cheesecake" because it is way easier and much quicker to make than a real cheesecake - it has minimal ingredients and there is no baking involved!  I usually prepare the filling and put it in a store-bought prepared graham cracker pie crust.  I have also made my own graham cracker crust, but find it more convenient to just use the graham cracker pie shells pre-made.  You can usually find them in the baking goods isle at the grocery store.  I have often topped it with a can of cherry pie filling, but tonight I made it with homemade blueberry pie filling.  I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Cheater Cheesecake Recipe

1 - 8 oz tub Cool Whip, thawed
1 - 8 oz bar of cream cheese, softened
1 - prepared graham cracker crust
Pie filling of your choice

In mixing bowl, place thawed cool whip and softened cream cheese and combine with a mixer until well blended and creamy.  Place cheesecake mixture into the graham cracker crust and top with pie filling of your choice.  Refrigerate and serve when ready.  It is best when well chilled.

25% Off Your Entire Purchase at Michael's

Michael's is offering a coupon for an extra 25% off of your entire purchase now through July 20th.  There are a few exclusions, but it does apply to almost everything, including sale items.  I like to go to Michael's every now and then and stock up on their sale craft items - it's a great way to give kids something to do and keep them from getting bored at home.  To order online, use code 25ENTIRE at checkout.  To get your printable coupon to use in the store, click here.

10% Off Entire Purchase At Hancock Fabrics

Now through Monday, July 8th, Hancock Fabrics is offering an extra 10% off of your entire purchase.  To use online, enter code ETNDG at checkout.  To get your printable coupon to use in-store, click here.

$25 off $50, $50 off $100 at Herberger's

On June 28th and 29th, Herberger's is offering a printable coupon for $25 off of a $50 purchase, and $50 off of a $100 purchase.  These coupons are only available for in-store purchases.  To get your printable coupons, click here.  Happy shopping!

Extra 20% Off at Kohl's This Weekend

Kohl's is offering an extra 20% off Thursday, June 13th through Sunday, June 16th.  These coupons are awesome!  Kohl's allows them to be used even with clearance merchandise, so it is a way to get some really great deals.  For online orders, use code FFJUN20, with pin number 5701.  Click here for your printable coupon to use in the store.