Choco-Chip Bars

I just wanted to try out some chocolate chip bars when I came across this recipe at realmomkitchen.com. It is really a very simple and tasty recipe. The chocolate chips add a great flavor to the bar for all the chocolate lovers!! I just made some substitutions and additions to the recipe...

INGREDIENTS:

1 large egg+ 1 large egg yolk

1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2+1/8 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9X13-inch baking pan with foil, letting the excess hang over the edges of the pan to help you pull the bars from the pan after they have baked. Spray the foil-lined pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Mix the flour, baking powder, and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside. Whisk the egg, egg yolk, and sugars in alarge bowl until combined. Add vanilla and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until just combined; do not overmix. Then add the vegetable oil and mix well. Fold in the chocolate chips. The batter will be thick. Spread the batter into the prepared pan by patting it with hands.

3.Bake for about 25-28 mins until the top of the bars is light golden brown and edges start pulling away from sides of pan. Cool at room temperature. Remove the bars from the pan by lifting the foil overhang and transfer them to a cutting board. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve.

Fruit Cake

This is the simplest cake I have ever made as it doesn't require any decoration as such as the fruit arrangement itself is the loveliest decoration for the cake and gives it a real special look...I had made this cake for my friend's birthday and was glad that everyone liked it..You have to follow the simple basic recipe for cake which you can find on this blog. After baking the two round cakes you can either fill it with fruits in between or plain whipped cream will also do, I used only the whipped cream. Frost the whole cake with the whipped cream and decorate the cake with the fruits you like and in whatever fashion you prefer. I used strawberry, kiwi, and mandarin oranges due to the color combination which makes the cake more "good looking". The whipped cream and fruits give an amazing taste along with the cake..I think you should try it out once for sure!!

Nankhatai

Nankhatai is one of the favorite Indian cookie which almost every age group likes. I was in search of a good recipe for it for years when I finally tried out this one which I happened to see on an Indian TV show..Its really quick and easy recipe without much mess!!!

INGREDIENTS:

2/3 cup all purpose flour

2/3 cup castor sugar

2/3 cup shortening+ 4 tsp water (You can use 2/3 cup unsalted butter without water instead of shortening)

1 tsp cardamom powder

1 tsp baking powder

almond+pistachio powder for decorating

DIRECTIONS:

Take the shortening and mix water into it, then add castor sugar and mix it with hand for about 5-7 mins till the mixture is fluffy and light. Then add all purpose flour gradually to it along with the cardamom powder and baking powder. Make a soft dough out of the mixture. Make small round balls and spread the almond and pistachio powder over it. Bake the cookies at 400 degrees F for about 7-10 mins. (Keep a close watch after about 5 mins as the baking time varies and keeping it for a longer time may burn out the cookies). Enjoy them with tea..

Sugar Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter (melted)

1 egg

2 tbsp baking powder

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla essence

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add milk and vanilla essence. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place onto ungreased cookie sheets about 2 inch apart. Bake 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.