TWD - Tarte Noire, Brrrr-ownies, Lot's of Ways Banana Cake and Chewy, Chunky Blondies

Dude you're getting some bang for your buck here today!  A complete month full of TWD in one post!  

I was seriously behind in my baking and didn't want to get booted from the group so I spent Monday in the kitchen catching up on TWD and Barefoot Blogger recipes.  My trainer was ecstatic!  He always gets whatever Mr. B can't eat!

Let's get started with the Tarte Noire.  I actually made this one last week for Barry's 30th birthday dinner.  We all loved it but when I gave a piece to my BFF's chocolate loving husband, I watched him throw half a piece away, so it obviously wasn't for everyone.  Since this was for Barry and he like a little chocolate with his chocolate, I opted for Dorie's Chocolate Shortbread Tart Dough.  

I'm giving this one two thumbs up.....it's quick and easy with great chocolate flavor (without being too heavy) and it elegant enough for your fancy dinner party (Mom....get that done.....it's your turn!!).

For the recipe visit dharma girl at bliss: towards a delicious life

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Next up.....Brrrrr-ownies.  These are essentiall just gooey, rich brownies with chopped up Peppermint Patties thrown in.  These were my friend, Jenny's, favorites but I didn't like the texture of the peppermint patty after it had been baked.  Got a little tough for my palate!  But if you like mint and chocolate together, you're gonna love these!

For the recipe visit Karen at Welcome to Our Crazy Blessed Life.

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Oh, oh, oh....the Lot's of Ways Banana Cake.  THIS was my favorite.  I took some real liberties with this one because with all I was baking, I certainly didn't need a whole cake in the house......trainer or no trainer!!  I halved the recipe and baked it in a springform pan along with substituting the coconut and dried fruit for some more decadent fillings.  And I also omitted the rum and added some oats!

Here's my version of the recipe since I butchered Dorie's!!

"I Did it My Way Banana Cake"

Makes 1 9-inch round cake

1 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup oatmeal

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/3 cup sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 ripe bananas, mashed (1 cup)

1/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup cocoa nibs 

1/2 cup cinnamon chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan (or round cake pan), set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the cocoa nibs and cinnamon chips.  Set aside

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugars on medium speed til light and fluffy, about 3 minutes  Add the egg and vanilla and beat for 1 minute more.  Turn the speed down to low and add the banana to the mixture, til just combined.  Add half the flour mixture, still on low speed, til just combined, then add the buttermilk, then the remaining flour mixture.  Add 2/3 of the cocoa nib and cinnamon chip mixture to the batter and stir til just combined, but do not overmix.

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread evenly.  Sprinkle the remaining nib/chip mixture on top of the batter.  Bake the cake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool the pan 5 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack until room temperature before cutting

To see the original recipe visit Kimberly of Only Creative Opportunities.

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And for Mr. B's favorite....Chewy, Chunky Blondies.  I didn't really think about this when I was making them, but when he took his first bite he said, "Mmmmmm, chocolate chip cookies?"  He was essentially right.  They're just cookies in a bar form.  I made these as written except for the walnuts.  Left those out.  I was going to leave out the coconut also, but put it in at the last minute.  I wish I would have listened to my first instinct as you couldn't really taste it.

I served this with a scoop of coffee ice cream and some of David Lebovitz's caramel sauce!  Dayum!!  Tasty shizzle.

Visit Nicole of Cookies on Friday for the recipe.

So there you go.  A whole month of July recipes knocked out.   And I'm completely depressed that next week is August already!