tart & sour summer...

I found this recipe a while back in Self magazine (know that magazine with a ridiculously photoshopped lady in a bikini on the cover?) These lemony snacks actually taste like lemons surprise surprise- not artificial like those ones from a Betty Crocker box. I tend to add more lemon than needed..just because its just so delightfully tart and perfect. The crust especially is my favorite because i confess to be a huge nut lover- *in a very sophisticated voice* they contain many beneficial oils in them which is vital to our body's wellbeing (my health tip for the day).

Whisk away my lil' bluberries, whisk away (:

CITRUS SQUARES

crust:

1/2 c almonds
1/2 c whole wheat flour
1/4 c powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
4 tbs butter cut into 8 chunks

put all these into the food processor and add butter last. mix up till you get a nice chunky mix.
place onto 9x9 buttered pan, bake at 325 for 22-24 mins.

lemony goodness:
1 c sugar
2 eggs
2 lemons
2 limes
1/4 salt
1/4 c flour

combine sugar, salt, flour, zest lemons and limes. juice all lemons and limes into mix. add eggs and stir it up (:

pour mix onto baked shortbread, bake for 25-30 mins or till center is set.

let cool- sift some powdered sugar on top. VOILA!

cookies+cheesecake...

Know those days when you just can't figure out what you're craving? That's when you just gotta combine it all into one ;)
...I originally thought this recipe was really unhealthy so i modified it a tiny bit to fit my preferences and high standards.

OATMEAL COOKIE CHEESECAKE BAR

crust:

1/2 c finely chopped almonds (throw them in the blender for a few secs)
1/2 c whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp salt
6-8 tbs softish butter

cookie dough:
5 tbs unsalted butter (room temp.)
1/3 c brown sugar
3 tbs white sugar (since we're being racist here)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c oatmeal
1/3 c flour
chocolate chips

cheesecake filling:
10 oz cream cheese (room temp.)
1/4 c sugar
1 egg, room temp (everything needs to be room temp when you bake FYI)
1 tsp vanilla

the layering shenanigans-
...mix up the crust and spread it in your baking dish. bake for 10-15 minutes at 325 F. now, mix together cookie dough ingredients; beat butter with the sugars, salt and vanilla. then add in flour, oatmeal and chocolate chips.
lastly, mix cream cheese with sugar- add in egg and vanilla.
*layering time!*
pour cheesecake over cooled crust, dollop cookie dough over top randomly (or spread it- be creative :)
bake for 30 mins at 325.
Cool completely- patience young Jedi.
and ps. it tastes better when its been in the fridge for a while anyway;)

swirly and completely american...

Yes yes, I am completely aware that this screams out *AMERICAN AMERICAN*, but i have to admit i do like to have myself some good quality peanut butter every now and then (yes, you just witnessed a proud Finnish native say that- believe it). Especially delicious when mixed into some chocolate ice cream...YUMMA!

So here it is folks- 

Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

1/2 c bitter/semi sweet chocolate chips or any chocolate

1/2 c butter

...melt these together in a double boiler :)

3 eggs (room temperature)

1/2 c sugar

1/4 tsp salt

...whisk these together till fluffy

once the chocolate mix is cooled, combine the eggs and chocolate together

...then fold in 1 c flour.

I use Adam's crunchy peanut butter, about a 1/2 cup.. placed a few dollops randomly and took a knife to run through each dollop to make swirls :)

Bake at 350 (about 175 C) for 25-30 mins. 

*If you don't happen to have peanut butter around...(hard to come by in Finland) here's an easy enough recipe for homemade peanut butter 

I highly suggest eating this with some delicious 1% reduced fat organic milk ;)

Spoon it up!