French Toast Sticks

This was my second attempt at French Toast Sticks.  I like to have different breakfast options ready to go because I send breakfast to daycare.  The first attempt at french toast sticks didn't turn out so well, but these were much better!

The first time I tried baking them.  I wasn't able to flip the sticks half way through the cooking time as the recipe indicated so one side ended up burning some.  This time I decided to cook the sticks how I normally would - on the griddle.  I also added some jarred peaches in hopes of making them a little sweet since I don't serve them with syrup for my boy.

Verdict: Attempt two was a success.  My toddler only ate about 1 stick (or less), but that's more than he ate from the first batch.  His favorite breakfast is still the sweet potato pancakes (and maybe a bagel with cream cheese).  I also thought they tasted better than the first time around.

French Toast Sticks
Makes 30 sticks

Ingredients:
10 pieces of bread, cut into thirds
5 eggs
~1/2 c milk
4 oz peaches (baby food)
1 t vanilla
1 t cinnamon sugar

Method:
Beat eggs with fork, add milk, vanilla, cinnamon sugar and peaches.  Stir to combine.  Soak bread in batter and place on heated griddle (about medium heat).  Cook on each side ~3 minutes or until golden brown.

To freeze:
Allow sticks to cool.  Line baking sheet with foil, spray with Pam.  Layer sticks on foil.  Flash freeze for 1-2 hours.  Remove from pan and place in Ziploc baggie.

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

This recipe is the first one that I've made post foot surgery.  It's an easy recipe, but it took a toll on me, and I know I need a little bit more time before trying much more baking or cooking!

I've made this recipe once before.  The first time I made half the batch plain thinking that my toddler would eat it (nope) and the other half was for me but I didn't include the chocolate chips.  This time I made the entire batch the same way with all the add-ins.

I really like this recipe.  It's fairly easy to make and it's delicious! It's also adaptable (plain or any add-ins you want!).  This makes a really good breakfast to go.  However, my toddler took one bite and spit it out.  A texture thing maybe?  I'm convinced there wasn't a chocolate chip in that bite.

Adapted from Big Girls Small Kitchen

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Makes 32 squares

Ingredients:
2 c oats
1 c whole wheat flour
1/4 t salt
1 t baking powder
1 1/2 c milk (I used skim)
1/4 c peanut butter
1/4 c canola oil
1 egg
3 T brown sugar
1 t vanilla
1/2 c chocolate chips
1/2 c walnuts, chopped
1/2 c dried cranberries (I diced these since I thought my son would be eating it).

Method:
Pre-heat oven to 375F.  Mix the oats, flour, salt and baking powder in a small bowl.  Beat oil, peanut butter, vanilla, and sugar together in medium bowl.  Beat in egg.  Add milk and stir.  Add nuts, dried cranberries.  Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients.  Stir to incorporate.  Add chocolate chips.

Pour the batter into 2 greased loaf pans (9x3 or similar).  Bake 25 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

When done, use knife to separate bar from pan.  Let cool on rack.  Store in refrigerator.

Blueberry Wheat Pancakes

Recently I have been making breakfast on the weekend.  Usually when I make pancakes, I opt for sweet potato pancakes.  My 1-yr old loves them!  And I feel they are somewhat healthy and a good way to sneak a vegetable into his diet.  (Something I try to do wherever I can!)

In an attempt to change it up, I decided to make blueberry pancakes.  When I make pancakes, I make a big batch and freeze a bunch.  Pancakes are easy to freeze and they still taste good out of the freezer!

I decided to try Money Saving Mom's recipe for Chocolate Chip Whole Wheat pancakes, but I decided to substitute the chocolate chips for blueberries.

This recipe was good, and we all liked the pancakes!  I think the whole wheat made them a little chewier than a white pancake (and the sweet potato pancake), but they were still edible.  My son definitely prefers the sweet potato pancake, but he eat these also!