Easy Whole Wheat Bread

Bread is one of those things that I always think is a huge pain in the ass to make, but it never really is. And, when it comes down to it, it's worth what effort it takes. Because this?

This is delicious for nearly everything.

This easy whole wheat bread, based on a recipe from King Arthur Flour, is even easier than I anticipated. Just put the ingredients in a bowl and mix, toss it in a pan, let it rise, then bake. It's a lazy baker's dream come true! I adapted it to our personal family preferences (a lil' bit of white flour for my man), and based on what ingredients we had on hand. 

The verdict? It was gone within the day, so I guess it was pretty damn good. I'll definitely be adding it into our favourite recipe pile, and making it again when we need a quick bread fix.

9 Of My Best No-Bake Desserts

With the weather finally starting to warm up, I figure it's a perfect time to do a round up of my best no-bake desserts. From cookies, to squares, to pudding, there's something for everyone here. 

You ready? 

Peanut Butter Balls

Football Rice Krispie Treats

Easy Chocolate Fudge

Nanaimo Bars

Easy Egg-Free Chocolate Pudding

Mexican Chocolate Tofu Pudding

Chocolate Peanut Butter Drops

S'mores Bars

Peanut Butter Chocolate Oat Bars

I guess I really like chocolate and peanut butter?

What's your go-to best no bake dessert?

Low Fat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

The name is long, but the amount of time this delicious thing spent in my home was short.

Why? Because it's a giant cookie, dammit. 

And it's lower in fat and sugar than most recipes, but that comes way, way, WAY far behind how awesome it tastes and how easy it is to make.

The man got home from work right as this was coming out of the oven, and we sat down with two spoons for the official taste test. (He's actually the one holding the spoon in these pictures - but you can't see him telling me to hurry up so he can eat).

The verdict? Soft, with just the right amount of crumbly on the edges, and a rich oatmeal cookie taste despite the cut in fat and sugar.

Definitely a fun and tasty departure from traditional cookies!

Easy Chocolate Fudge

Know what today needs? Chocolate fudge.

I tend to think that every day needs chocolate fudge, and with this super easy recipe it's completely possible. Which might seem dangerous - so much available! - but you don't have to eat the whole tray at once. (We ate the whole tray at once).

The best part of this easy fudge recipe is that it's practically impossible to mess up. Seriously - it's no-bake, and really just involves stirring two ingredients together in a pot on the stove until it becomes a delicious melty mess of tasty milky sugar.

I told everyone I made this fudge for a clothes swap with my girlfriends, and for my man to take to his baseball game, but I actually just made it because fudge. Who the hell needs an excuse to make fudge?

No Yeast Apple Cinnamon Rolls (with whole wheat)

There have been a few things I've loved so far this week.

And with days marred by so much tragedy, it's important to recognize the things that make us smile. This week it all started with the verbal smackdown Trudy Campbell gave the somehow-always-detestable Pete on Mad Men, which was quickly followed by the sun actually existing in Vancouver for a few days, and, finally, these no yeast apple cinnamon rolls.

A healthier take on cinnamon buns, these rustic roll ups taste a little like apple pie hugged by dough. The bottoms become sort of caramelly, the centres soft and flavourful. They passed the three person test (loved by the man, the boy, and me) and were gone within a few hours - a sign they need to be in my home more often and yours, too, I'm pretty sure.

I left them without icing because they were damn good on their own, and I didn't want the sugar content any higher. But no one is stopping you from drizzling on a little bit, if that's what you're into - you just have to let me know how it turns out.

Quinoa Shepherd's Pie

If you're a shepherd's pie traditionalist, you might want to look away.

Or cottage pie traditionalist, depending on what your definition of each type of meat and potato pie is.

This shepherd's pie recipe is a bit different than the norm, thanks to the addition of quinoa. Partly to save money because beef is expensive, and partly for a healthier twist on a traditionally heavy dish.

This one went over really, really well with the family. My man has been working nights over the past few weeks, and aside from missing having someone to watch The Voice with, the boy and I have missed him at the dinner table, too. So I've been trying to make meals that will be equally tasty and hearty when heated up in the wee hours of the morning when he got home. This ended up being perfect, almost too good, because he almost had to fight me for the leftovers.

We'll definitely keep one in the freezer for a fast weeknight meal from now on.

Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars

Here's a dessert that stands the test of time.

Okay, so just about 50 or so years, but I can think of a lot of desserts from 50 years ago I wouldn't really want to eat. This, however, is not one of them.

The other day I was browsing through cookbooks at my parents' house when I spotted a somewhat tattered copy of a Better Homes & Gardens dessert cookbook, circa 1960. Hilariously dated photos (I posted one on Instagram) accompany some pretty awesome recipes that I knew I had to make. So I helped myself to the book (you know where to find it, Mom!) and had at it.

These chocolate chip toffees bars are the first recipe I've tried from the book, and I love the simplicity of the recipe, combined with that made-at-home charm of the finished product. The bars are sweet, slightly crispy and crumbly, and almost taste like a Skor bar - or at least what I remember Skor bars tasting like before I realized they were trying to kill me.

The original recipe calls for a bit more flour (2 cups), and to be baked in a jelly roll pan, but I find the tweaks I made resulted in a better bar. Feel free to try it both ways to see what you like best.

Ham and Broccoli Quinoa Bites

I can't be the only one with one hell of an Easter candy hangover, right? 

(And maybe a little bit of a real hangover, too - but long weekend!)

Every year, I think that I could never ever possibly get sick of eating Creme Eggs, Mini Eggs, and all the other chocolate that comes my way during Easter. And then every year I do get sick of it, and I need to detox and get back on track with healthy(ish) eating.

These ham and broccoli quinoa bites help me do just that. Vitamins, minerals, and protein galore, they're the perfect post-Easter lunch or dinner. And anything that helps us use up Easter dinner leftovers is awesome, too.

How do you detox from the great candy holiday?