Cupcakes!

I made these cupcakes for a very special two year old. Her birthday is today and I hope they are truly enjoyed. The theme of the party was monkeys so I decided to do a banana vanilla and then for those less adventurous I also did a plain vanilla.

They both have a butter cream that I created very stiff so they wouldn't fall during travel, and now that I have done the cream that stiff I don't think I will ever do it any other way! I garnished the banana vanilla with a dried banana chip and the vanilla with rainbow sprinkles.

Here is the vanilla

Here is the banana vanilla!

Yum and done!

Oatmeal Date Walnut Chocolate Cookies

Well with a long name like that you get hungry just remembering it right? These cookies are a spin on the traditional oatmeal rasin cookie. I had a bunch of dates and figured I would give it a spin and the results are delicious!

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour (all-purpose will do fine)

• 2 cups quick cooking oats

• 1 cup dark brown sugar

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 3/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup veg shortening

• 1/4 cup water

• the equivalent of 3 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1 1/2 cups dates (pitted and chopped)

• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions

Mix all dry ingredients in a stand mixer or with a hand held until combined well. In a separate bowl mix the egg equivalent, vanilla, shortening, and water until combined well. Add to the dry ingredients about 1/4 cup at a time. Add the walnuts, dates and chocolate chips mix lightly. Spoon tablespoon fulls onto a cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 9 to 10 minutes or until golden brown!

Yum and done!