zoo-chini bread


It’s that time of year {has been for a while} where the zucchini plant burst with zucchini growing under it large leaves. My friend gave me a zucchini as long as my right arm, and wider! So, with an upcoming trip to the zoo, the kids and I got to work baking zoo-chini bread. Get it? Clever huh?!

Two versions – Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Bread and Zucchini and Chia Seed Muffins. Both were delish…and made for the perfect snack as we watched the Giraffes eat leaves off the tall trees at The Denver Zoo.

Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Bread
recipe adapted from Joy of Baking

Ingredients
1/8 tsp xantham gum
1 cup Bobs Redmill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour
1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup chocolate chip morsels
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 light extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups shredded raw zucchini

How To
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients including, the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon. Then fold in the chocolate chips.
In another large bowl, use an electric blender or whisk the eggs, oil, both sugars and vanilla extract.
Fold in the grated zucchini into the wet ingredients, then fold in the ‘dry’ ingredients until well blended.
Pour batter into a greased 9x5x3 loaf pan, place in oven and bake for about 55-60 minutes {stick a toothpick and make sure it comes out clean before you remove from the oven}.
Cool, then slice and serve…or pack for the zoo.

Zucchini and Chia Seed Muffins
recipe adapted from my grandma

 Ingredients
3 eggs, beaten
1.5 cup light extra virgin olive oil
1.5 cup coconut oil
2 cups sugar
2.5 cups grated zucchini
3 cups flour
2.5 tsp cinnamon
3 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tablespoons Chia Seeds

How To
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, add eggs, vanilla, sugar and oil, then fold in the zucchini.
In another medium bowl, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, chia seeds and cinnamon, then add to the bowl with the zucchini. Blend until combined.
Place in muffin cups and bake for approximately 16-18 minutes or until it pasts the toothpick test.

{images via Tutto Bella}

valentine’s day printables

We have cutesy kid-and-adult-friendly DIY Valentine’s for…all the hot mama’s, the stud{s} in your life, all the cutie’s and for those who make you giggle! Some are healthy and others are not, but they are all adorable, and for Valentine’s Day, that’s all that really matters, right?

The original and new files {revamped with stripes} are available for a $3 purchase here.

DIY Adult Valentine’s

you are one hot mama
{fill the bag with hot tamales, fold over the custom tag and staple closed}

happy valentine’s day stud muffin
{fill the bag with a homemade poppy-seed muffin, fold over the custom tag and staple closed}

Poppy-seed Muffin Recipe
Makes 12 muffins
recipe adapted from our wonderful mom

Add the following ingredients to a large bowl and mix:
2 cups flour
1/8 cup poppy seeds {a used a little more, but less than 1/4 cup}
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter

Add 2 eggs{1 at a time} to the above ingredients and mix well

Add 1 cup plain yogurt and 2 tsp. almond extract and mix into the rest of the mixture.

Put the muffin mixture in baking cups and bake in the oven on 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes {It took me about 18 minutes}.

DIY Kid Valentine’s

i think you are quite a cutie
{fill a bag with clementines, fold the custom tag over the top of the bag and staple closed}

friend, you make me laffy
{fill the bag with laffy taffy for your silly friends, fold the custom tag over the bag and staple closed}

The original cutie file {the orange bubble}, can be bought here.
The original laffy taffy file {the blue bubble} is available too.

{images via j. sorelle}

bake sale

I LOVE to bake…and I LOVE to eat baked goods. I could easily be extremely overweight I love them so much. Thankfully, I have some self-control. So, knowing all that, it’s no surprise I love BAKE SALES.

I remember baking cookies and cupcakes with my mom to raise money for my school and sports teams…and now the tables have turned and just this summer, I was baking for my son’s school fundraiser {the first of many, I’m sure}.

With these delicious treats, you will be the queen of the bake sale…and rake in the big bucks!!

Pencil Push Pops, Bakerella

Apple Cupcakes, Martha Stewart


Cupcake Cones
, Taste of Home


Rice Krispies Dipper Treats
, Rice Krispies


Glazed Doughnut Muffins
, My Baking Addiction


Slutty Brownies
…definitely RENAME before arriving at school, The Londoner


Mini Berry Pie
, Martha Stewart

Once you’ve made your delicious treats, don’t forget to spend the time on presentation! View these tips from the super talented Amy Atlas and if your making cupcakes {not on a cone}, and want cute and easy packaging, be sure to visit Lisa Storms site here.

{images via BakerellaMartha Stewart, Taste of Home, Rice Krispies, My Baking Addiction, The Londoner}