365.168: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bars

That title seems too long... I might change the name of these to Heavenly Bars.

Or something like that.

I just put these in the oven, so I haven't tasted the finished product, but let me just say that a batter never lies. I know my batters. These are the sweet treats I'm going to bring to Elevate tomorrow night! mmmmm.....



I found the recipe on a site called Cookie Madness. Here it is if you want to try them!

Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (288 grams)
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin (240 grams)
1/3 cup water
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (220 grams)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Swirl:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar (48 grams)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 large egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 15×10 inch pan with non-stick foil or just spray with cooking spray.

Pumpkin Batter: Mix together the butter and sugar. With a mixing spoon or whisk, beat in eggs, pumpkin, and water until well blended, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Mix flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and nutmeg together; stir into batter. Spread all but a few tablespoons batter evenly in prepared pan. Reserve the few tablespoons of batter

Swirl: In a second bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add egg and beat just until it’s mixed in. Drop tablespoons of cheese mixture over pumpkin batter, then drag a knife through to make marbles. Drop reserved tablespoons of pumpkin batter over top. The reason for this is, there’s a lot of white batter, so putting a few tablespoons of pumpkin batter on top gives more of a contrast.

Bake on center rack until pumpkin batter springs back when touched, about 30 minutes. Let cool completely in pan, then chill for an hour or more. Cut into 24 bars.

365.123: Simmer Down Now

Here is the EASIEST, fastest recipe I've got! It's delish, and also very healthy. So healthy, in fact, that it qualifies as a "Lean and Green" on the Medifast diet! I don't have a name for it, so ideas are welcomed!

Ingredients:

• package of thin-sliced chicken breasts, seasoned with salt and pepper
  
• large can of diced tomatoes that comes flavored with basil, garlic, and oregano
• eggplant, diced
  

Brown chicken breasts on stovetop, then add eggplant and saute for a couple more minutes. Pour tomatoes on top and simmer for at least fifteen minutes. Serve over rice.