Crosby&#8217;s Molasses

Pubnico Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

September 13, 2017by Bridget Oland

Servings: 30 serving(s)

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 60 minutes

Cooking time: 45 minutes

The ultimate lunch box cookie: Pubnico Soft Molasses Cookies travel well and are filling, so are practical and delicious.

This is one of those classic old fashioned soft (but not too soft) molasses cookies. It’s the famous Pubnico cookie, also known as Long Johns, Moose Hunters, Fat Archies & Lumberjacks. They’re also quite similar to our recipe for Katie’s Fat Molasses Cookies.

Soft but sturdy molasses cookies have been around for a long time. They travel well and are filling so are as practical as they are delicious.

The ultimate lunch box cookie: Pubnico Soft Molasses Cookies travel well and are filling, so are practical and delicious.
The ultimate lunch box cookie: Pubnico Soft Molasses Cookies travel well and are filling, so are practical and delicious.
The ultimate lunch box cookie: Pubnico Soft Molasses Cookies travel well and are filling, so are practical and delicious.

The first time I sampled Pubnico molasses cookies they were served with butter. And the combination worked. Although these cookies aren’t really low in sugar they aren’t overly sweet either so pair well with everything from a slice of cheddar to peanut butter.

These are meant to be a thicker cookie so take care not to roll them too thinly. The dough texture will vary depending on your flour. If it seems too soft to handle you can add up to an extra ¼ cup of flour. And you’ll use more flour when you roll them out.

Different versions of this cookie have different spice blends. Feel free to add extra ginger if you’d like them a little spicier.

When I sampled the cookies I didn’t get the recipe but fortunately it’s easy to find. This recipe was shared by Valerie from the blog A Canadian Foodie.

Pubnico Soft Molasses Cookie Recipe

Makes 2 ½ dozen large cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
1 large egg, room temperature
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned in
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon each of ginger, cloves, cinnamon and salt
1/2 cup milk

Instructions:

In a large bowl cream sugar and butter. Add molasses and egg and blend well.
Combine dry ingredients and add to the creamed mixture, alternating with the milk.
Scrape dough onto a lightly flowered surface and gather into a ball. Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for an hour or overnight. (Add up to ¼ cup additional flour if the dough is too soft to handle.)
Preheat oven to 350 F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut into rounds (or preferred shape).
Place on prepared sheet, about 1 1/2 “ apart.
Bake 12-15 minutes.

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

afterschool snacks cookies cut-out cookies ginger

View all 6 comments

Simon’s Easy Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe {Cookbook Giveaway}

June 26, 2017by Bridget Oland

Servings: 4-5 dozen serving(s)

Prep time: 60 minutes

Total time: 120 minutes

Cooking time: 60 minutes

Easy soft molasses cookies suit any time of year.

This easy soft molasses cookies recipe is from the new cookbook, Pantry & Palate, by writer Simon Thibault. It’s a cookbook filled with old-fashioned East Coast recipes that celebrate his Acadian roots. These are recipes that he grew up with, gathered from family members and from the Acadian community in Nova Scotia where his family is from.

Molasses was a staple in Acadian households. It was always easy to come by and was (is) suited to sweet and savoury dishes. (My grandfather, an Acadian originally from Prince Edward Island, practically considered molasses its own food group, it was so essential to his diet.)

The recipes may be old time but they’re not out dated.

Pantry & Palate is an exploration of history through food. And while some recipes are not every day fare (pickled pig’s head, for example) most are perfectly suited to today’s kitchen

From chicken fricot (chicken vegetable stew) to potato pancakes, scalloped cabbage, apple cake, gingerbread and apple pie, the book is filled with everyday recipes, family-favourite sorts of recipes.

A giveaway!

Now is your chance to try more recipe from Pantry & Palate. Courtesy of Nimbus Publishing Ltd. we’re giving away a copy of the book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Simon’s easy soft molasses cookies:

This is an old fashioned soft molasses cookie recipe, made with lard. To ensure they’re tender, take care not to over-bake them. They only cook for about 8 minutes, and they might not seem cooked at that point but they’ll set once cooled. These bake in a hot oven (375 F) so the bottoms can burn easily if you leave them in too long. They’re equally wonderful baked plain or rolled in sugar.

Easy Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
¾ cup lard
1 cup Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
1 tsp. ginger
4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
Sugar for rolling (optional)

Instructions:

In a large bowl, beat together the sugar and lard until the sugar is no longer grainy. Beat in the molasses then the ginger.
In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the sugar mixture and stir until just combined.
Refrigerate for an hour or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 375 F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Drop the dough by heaping tablespoonful (or a medium cookie scoop). Flatten gently with a fork. (or you can roll dough in balls & dip in sugar)
Bake for 8 minutes (Take care not to over bake these cookies. You want them to be tender.)

If you love soft molasses cookies try our recipe for Aunt Marcia’s Soft Molasses Thumbprint Cookies.

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

afterschool snacks cookies

View all 44 comments

RecipesBreadsBreads & Muffins

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

March 14, 2017by Bridget Oland

Servings: 1 loaf serving(s)

Prep time: 20 minutes

Total time: 75 minutes

Cooking time: 55 minutes

afterschool snacks cooking with kids wholesome baking

Chocolate chip banana bread is a wholesome snack. Made with whole wheat flour, Greek yogurt and with the sugar reduced by almost 1/3 from the original recipe, it’s a not-too-sweet treat that’s perfect for lunch boxes or an afternoon snack.

For my family the first week back from March Break is also the first week adjusting to the time change – a double whammy that has us all struggling through the early mornings. But when late afternoon arrives and it’s still bright and sunny, and daylight persists through dinnertime, it all feels worthwhile.

It’s a season for new lunchbox and after school snacks for my kids. Although winter isn’t quite over (hello province-wide blizzard warning for tomorrow) we’re all in the mood for snacks that feel less wintery, like this chocolate chip banana bread.

It’s a wholesome classic that hits the spot when you need a little nibble. Try it toasted with breakfast too.

Tip: If you’re using a frozen banana, thaw completely and whisk with a fork to incorporate the liquid. (This recipe made with frozen banana will take a little longer to cook.)

Eat within two days if you’re baking the bread with banana slices on top.

This recipe is adapted from Ricardo Cuisine.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients:

1/2 cup ripe banana, mashed with a fork (about 1 banana)
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
½ cup whole wheat flour or spelt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
Pinch salt
1 egg
½ cup lightly packed brown sugar
1 ½ Tbsp. Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
1 tsp. vanilla extract
¼ cup grape seed or canola oil
¼ cup dark chocolate chips
1 banana, split into three sections, squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkling of white sugar (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large loaf pan (9″ x 5″) with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, stir together the banana and sour cream. Set aside.
In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the egg with the brown sugar, vanilla and molasses until the sugar is fully incorporated (no longer gritty). Whisk in the oil. Stir in the dry ingredients, alternating with the mashed bananas, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir in the chocolate chips. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.
If topping with banana: split the banana down the middle lengthwise, separating it into three sections. Sprinkle 1-2 sections with lemon juice then sugar. Place on top of the batter. Press into the batter slightly.
Bake for 45 to 55 min.

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

One more thing…

If you’re in search of family-friendly food that’s easy to prepare, healthy and tastes good, then sign up to receive blog posts by email..

Leave a comment

Almond Butter Energy Bars Recipe

July 13, 2016by Bridget Oland

Servings: 36 bars serving(s)

Prep time: 25 minutes

Total time: 60 minutes

Cooking time: 35 minutes

Packed with protein, fibre and lots of flavour, Almond Butter Energy Bars bars are perfect for those days when you’re on the go.

This is how I coax my kids to go on hikes when we’re away on vacation…

Find a local bakery and let them choose snacks for the hike.

As long as there are treats in our backpacks and a chance to enjoy them throughout the climb my kids are game to hike.

And to be fair, my kids usually enjoy hiking, but some extra encouragement enroute to the next lookout is always welcome.

My favourite climbing snack is a hearty granola bar from a local bakery in mid-coast Maine. Moist and filled with seeds and nuts the bars pack well and are filling. One is definitely enough.

This Almond Butter Energy Bar recipe is my version of that wholesome bar.

Store them individually wrapped in the freezer if you want to have them on hand for hikes or anytime you’re on the go.

Almond Butter Energy Bars Recipe

Makes 36 bars

Ingredients:

3 cups quick rolled oats
1 cup bran (natural)
1 cup unsweetened coconut
1 cup sunflower seeds
½ cup pumpkin seeds
½ cup chopped almonds
½ cup raisins or dried cranberries
¼ cup wheat germ or ground flax
½ cup chocolate chips
½ cup Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup almond butter (can use peanut butter)
1 Tbsp. milk (coconut, cow, nut or seed milk)
2 tsp. vanilla
¾ tsp. baking soda

Instructions:

Mix oats, bran, coconut, seeds, almonds, raisins, wheat germ and chocolate chips in large bowl.
In a saucepan, combine molasses, oil, sugar and almond butter. Cook over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth. (Stir constantly.)
In a small dish, combine milk, vanilla and baking soda. Stir into molasses mixture and remove from heat.
Pour molasses-milk mixture over dry mixture and stir until dry ingredients are moist. Scrape mixture into a 9”x13” pan. Press mixture firmly into pan
Bake at 275°F for 30-35 minutes.
Let cool, cut into bars and store in the refrigerator.

Nutritional info: Per bar.

Calories: 174
Fat: 10.5 g
Saturated Fat: 2.9 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Carbs: 18.9 g
Sugar: 8.5
Fibre: 2.7 g
Protein: 3.5 g
Potassium 228 mg

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

One more thing…

If you’re in search of family-friendly food that’s easy to prepare, healthy and tastes good, then sign up to receive blog posts by email..

afterschool snacks cooking with kids healthy snacks oatmeal Vegan

View all 2 comments

One-Pot Bakery Style Molasses Cookies

February 25, 2016by Bridget Oland

Servings: 20-22 cookies serving(s)

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 40 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

afterschool snacks cookies cooking with kids lunchbox ideas

Homemade molasses cookies without the mess.

Bakery style molasses cookies are the easiest cookie recipe ever. You mix everything in a single pot and the dough requires no chilling. These gorgeous crinkle cookies travel well so make great lunch box cookies. And it’s the perfect recipe for kids to bake on their own.

I love when my kids decide to cook, but the kitchen mess can be a little daunting. Even though they’re responsible for washing up, the kitchen is never quite the same as when they found it, which is saying a lot since I don’t have a super tidy kitchen to begin with.

I have never been one to let a messy kitchen slow me down but I sure enjoyed the ease of cleanup when we made these molasses cookies.

One pot, one wooden spoon and almost two dozen molasses cookies to show for it.

Really, what can be easier?

These bakery style cookies are a slight adaptation of a recipe from Bon Appetit, via the lovely blog, The Café Sucre Farine. It was their recipe name that caught my eye: “Bakery-style” conjures a gorgeous display of sparkling crinkle cookies.

These are very pretty cookies with the sparkling sugar coating. We rolled ours in fragrant citrus sugar that I had leftover from another cookie project.

The recipe is similar to my mom’s All-time Favourite Chewy Molasses Crinkle Cookies, only this recipe is much lower in butter and sugar. These bakery style cookies are less rich and aren’t chewy so they travel very well. They’re also great for dunking.

One-Bowl Bakery Style Molasses Cookie Recipe

Makes 20-22 cookies

Ingredients

½ cup butter
⅓ cup sugar
¼ cup (packed) dark brown sugar
⅓ cup Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
1 egg
2 cups flour, spooned in
2 tsp. baking soda
1½ tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
½ tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
Sugar for rolling

Instructions

Preheat to 375°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Melt butter in a medium-sized pot. When just melted remove from heat and stir in the white and brown sugar. Stir in the molasses then the egg, mixing well.
Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt just until combined.
At this point the dough can be refrigerated or you can bake the cookies right away.
Place rolling sugar in a small bowl.
Scoop dough by the tablespoonful and roll into balls. Roll in sugar and set on prepared sheet, about 2” apart.
Bake 10-12 minutes. Once set, remove to wire racks and let cool completely.

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

View all 12 comments

RecipesDesserts

Crumble Top Baked Apples

January 12, 2016by Bridget Oland

Servings: 2 serving(s)

Prep time: 20 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Like individual apple crisps, only easier.

Crumble-top baked apples are like individual apple crisps, only easier. They make a great snack but also transition well to dessert when served with cream or ice cream. They really don’t need anything to be satisfying.

After testing the recipe a couple of times at home I introduced it at my afterschool cooking class at my daughter’s school. Sixteen enthusiastic kids make them without a hitch.

Although their ease to prepare is part of the appeal, they also look pretty in a bowl in a very wholesome sort of way.

The instructions may seem a little fiddly at first since you bake the apples in two steps but once you have made them a couple of times you won’t even need to measure anything. The crumble top quantities below are more of a guide. I have spread the mixture across three apples instead of two and I have also made extra crumb top, on occasion.

When it comes to slicing the peeled apples, I use a gentle rocking back and forth motion to carefully make the slices without going all the way through the apple. If you do end up slicing all the way through it’s no big worry. Just continue along according to the instructions below.

Crumble-Top Baked Apple Recipe

Makes 2 apples

Ingredients

2 large, firm apples, like Honey Crisp, Pink Lady or Granny Smith
2 Tbsp. butter, divided
1 1/2 Tbsp. Crosby’s Fancy Molasses, divided
1 1/2 Tbsp. brown sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon, divided
1 Tbsp. flour
2 Tbsp. rolled oats
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 400°F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
Melt 1 Tbsp of butter over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in 1 Tbsp of molasses and ½ tsp cinnamon. Set aside.
Peel the apples and cut in half from top to bottom. Core the apples (use a melon baller or spoon).
Place the apples cut-side down on a cutting board. Cut slices into the apple, 1/4-inch apart, stopping just before you cut through the bottom.
Place the apples in the baking pan, flat-side down. Brush the apples with melted butter and molasses mixture.
Cover pan with foil, and bake for 10-15 minutes, until apples are soft (but not collapsing).

While apples are baking prepare the streusel topping:

Combine remaining Tbsp. of butter with, remaining ½ Tbsp. of molasses, the brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, flour, oats, and a pinch of salt.
Remove apples from oven and top with streusel.
Increase the oven temperature to 425 F
Return apples to oven, uncovered. Bake 10 minutes.
Serve with cream, ice cream or on their own.

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

afterschool snacks apples Dessert

Leave a comment

RecipesBreads & MuffinsMuffins

Healthy Blueberry Bran Muffins

January 7, 2016by Bridget Oland

Servings: 12-14 muffins serving(s)

Prep time: 20 minutes

Total time: 55 minutes

Cooking time: 35 minutes

Adapted from Ina Garten the Barefoot Contessa

You can never have too many recipes for blueberry muffins…

These blueberry bran muffins are light-textured and moist.

You can never have too many recipes for blueberry muffins and blueberry bran muffins are especially appealing. They have a wholesome flavour that can’t be matched and never taste like a piece of cake, which is sometimes the case with regular blueberry muffins.

These blueberry bran muffins are light-textured and moist. They’re made with a generous amount of bakers bran (natural wheat bran) which is the key to their lofty texture. Blueberries and molasses keep them extra moist.

This is the kind of muffin that works for breakfast, for school lunches and for an after school snack.

I came across the recipe one sleepy holiday evening at my sister’s. I was flipping through her new cookbook, Make it Ahead by Ina Garten. There were loads of great looking recipes in the book but the one that really caught my eye was for these blueberry bran muffins. All of our family feasts over the holidays got me thinking about simple food and wholesome snacks and this recipe fit the bill.

And it has come in handy this week, getting us through the first Monday in January and the whole sleepy week. (Getting back into the swing of things has been a little painful, for everyone in my household). Thankfully this is the kind of muffin that works for breakfast, for school lunches and for an afterschool snack.

I didn’t bother to freeze them so the batch lasted four days on the counter before they were all gone, and the final muffin still tasted great.

I love to eat them plain or with a little peanut butter but my daughter prefers them with a heaping spoonful of strawberry jam.

Blueberry Bran Muffin Recipe

Makes 12-14 muffins

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¾ cup plus 2 Tbsp. plain yogurt
1/2 cup grapeseed oil (or vegetable oil)
½ cup sugar
6 Tbsp. Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
2 Tbsp. honey
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ½ cups wheat bran
1½ cups blueberries

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare muffin pan.
In a large bowl whisk together the flour with the salt, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.
In a medium bowl whisk the yogurt with the oil, sugar, molasses and honey.
Whisk in the eggs and vanilla.
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry and mix gently until almost combined.
Stir in the wheat bran in two additions.
Stir in the blueberries and mix until evenly distributed.
Spoon into prepared muffin pan and bake for 25-30 minutes if using fresh berries. Bake for 30-35 minutes if using frozen blueberries.

Nutritional info: Per muffin.

Calories: 205
Fat: 9.3 g
Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
Cholesterol: 27.5 mg
Sodium: 70.3 mg
Carbs: 31.3 g
Sugar: 15.3
Fibre: 5.1 g
Protein: 3.7 g

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

One more thing…

If you’re in search of family-friendly food that’s easy to prepare, healthy and tastes good, then sign up to receive blog posts by email..

afterschool snacks healthy snacks Muffin Recipes muffins

View all 10 comments

RecipesBreads & MuffinsMuffins

Sugar-Dipped Mini Pumpkin Muffins

November 20, 2015by Bridget Oland

Servings: 14-16 serving(s)

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 40 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

afterschool snacks Christmas baking Muffin Recipes pumpkin

I like to call these doughnut-muffins because, although this is very much a muffin recipe, the cinnamon sugar topping makes the muffins taste like old fashioned sugar doughnuts. It dresses them up in such a simple way and makes these muffins a lot more appealing, especially to my kids.

I have a soft spot for old fashioned doughnuts. Even as a child they were my favourite — I was crazy about the texture and the slight crunch of the sugar coating. Fancy yeasted doughnuts never felt authentic to me.

I was lucky that my mom would make homemade doughnuts from time to time. My husband’s aunt had a great talent for making old fashioned doughnuts too and every time she heard we were coming for a visit she’s start cooking. We got to watch her make them one time, before she had a deep fryer. It’s like she was one with her vat of Crisco, knowing when it was just the right temperature for frying. No thermometer necessary.

I have never attempted old fashioned doughnuts so these sugar-dipped pumpkin muffins are my stand-in.

They’re yummy and not too sweet. Best eaten within a couple of days, especially after dipping.

Sugar-Dipped Mini Pumpkin Muffin Recipe

Adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Makes 16 mini muffins

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup milk

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

2 Tbsp butter, melted
¼ cup sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line mini muffin pans with liners or grease them well.
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg.
In another bowl whisk the melted butter, sugar and molasses. Whisk in the egg then add the vanilla, pumpkin and milk.
Add wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined.
Spoon batter into the muffin tins.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly pressed.

For the cinnamon sugar coating:

Stir together the cinnamon and sugar.
When the muffins have cooled dip the tops first in the melted butter then in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Set on a rack to dry.
Best eaten within a couple of days, especially after dipping.

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

One more thing…

If you’re in search of family-friendly food that’s easy to prepare, healthy and tastes good, then sign up to receive blog posts by email..

Leave a comment

RecipesCookies & Bars

5 Best Bar Recipes for Fall

October 1, 2015by Bridget Oland

We’re in search of the best bar recipe…

Through August and September we challenged members of Food Bloggers of Canada to develop and share delicious bar recipes that used molasses as an ingredient. We had a terrific response and have had quite a challenge whittling those entries down into a shortlist of 5.

But whittle we did. Today I’m sharing the five finalists in our “Raising the Bar” contest with Food Bloggers of Canada. We’ll be baking and nibbling our way through these five recipes over the next couple of days to choose the winner and two runners up.

Our 5 Best Bar Recipes:

Here are the finalists (in no particular order):

Molasses & Ginger Chew Granola Bars

Created by Sam of the blog It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken

Salted Coco-lasses Bars

Created by Margaret at Kitchen Frau blog

Hearty Pumpkin Pie Granola Bars

Created by Jo-Anna of the blog A Pretty Life

Molasses Carmelitas

Created by Jenny of The Brunette Baker blog

Gooey Pear Hazelnut Blondies

Created by Lindsay of Edible Woman blog

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

afterschool snacks seasonal

One comment so far

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies | a Wholesome Treat

September 23, 2015by Bridget Oland

Servings: 24 serving(s)

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 63 minutes

Cooking time: 48 minutes

Wholesome Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies have a comforting cakelike texture and are studded with dark chocolate chips

A chocolate chip cookie with vegetables is really a parent’s dream cookie.

It’s what we’re all in search of: a lunchbox treat or afterschool snack with a bit of goodness in it.

Now that we’re back into the swing of school, lunches and afterschool snacks are top of mind in our house. And the zucchini is plentiful, so why not combine the two?

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies have a comforting cakelike texture and are studded with dark chocolate chips. Use yellow zucchini if you’re not a fan of green streaks in your cookies (the zucchini isn’t peeled) or if green in a cookie gives your kids reason to pause.

You can also change up the spices, going with just the cinnamon or swapping ginger for the nutmeg.

Be sure to give your grated zucchini a little squeeze to get rid of excess water before adding it to the batter.

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Adapted from the Barbara Kingsolver book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Makes about 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

½ cup butter
½ cup brown sugar
1/3 cup Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
1 egg
1 Tbsp vanilla
Grated zest of an orange (optional)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat or spelt flour
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. nutmeg
1 cup grated zucchini (with some of the liquid squeezed out)
1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

In a large bowl cream butter with sugar. Beat in molasses then the egg, vanilla and orange zest.
In another bowl whisk the flours, baking soda, salt, spices.
Stir the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Stir in the zucchini and chocolate chips.
Drop by tablespoonful on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake at 350 F for 12-14 minutes

Nutritional info: Per cookie.

Calories: 146.6
Fat: 6.6 g
Saturated Fat: 3.9 g
Cholesterol: 18.6 mg
Sodium: 61.8 mg
Carbs: 19.8 g
Sugar: 11.1 g
Protein: 2 g
Calcium: 20.4 g
Fibre: 1.1 g
Potassium: 136 mg
Folate: 25.9 (DFE)
Vitamin A: 38.5 (RAE)

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

One more thing…

If you’re in search of family-friendly food that’s easy to prepare, healthy and tastes good, then sign up to receive blog posts by email..

afterschool snacks cookies zucchini

View all 2 comments

Bear Paws | Old Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies

September 15, 2015by Bridget Oland

Servings: 20 serving(s)

Prep time: 20 minutes

Total time: 40 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

afterschool snacks cookies lunchbox ideas Traditional Favourites

Bear Paws | Old Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies

I’m not sure if it’s the cakelike softness of Bear Paws that draws me to these cookies or the cute name.

Whatever it is they’re irresistible. No matter who is in the house, young or old, these cookies go flying off the counter when I bake them. Even during all of my testing the early versions got devoured.

These are definitely good lunchbox and afterschool snack cookies.

I am typically not one for fiddly cookies but I made an exception for these because I wanted them to have cute toes. Even though they take a little bit to assemble – middle and four toes – the process went quickly once I created the first few. They’ll look shaggy when you put them together but the edges will soften as they bake.

Sure they’re not smooth on top like the store-bought version but I was going for texture as I worked with this recipe. In the end we all agreed that they really resemble puppy paws.

If you’re not in assembly mode you could always roll the dough and use a hand-shaped cookie cutter to create these. Maybe there are paw-shaped cookie cutters out there too.

Whichever method you choose to shape these cookies, they’ll be delicious. The gentle spicing is wonderful and the texture is just so perfect.

Bear Paws | Old Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies

Bear Paws | Old Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookie Recipe

Makes about 20 cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
1 large egg
1/4 cup hot water
2 tsp. baking soda
3 cups flour, spooned in (can use half whole grain)
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl cream butter and sugar. Beat in molasses and egg.
In a separate bowl whisk the flour, spices, and salt.
Combine the hot water and baking soda in a little cup. Pour into the butter mixture and stir to combine.
Add the dry ingredients and stir until incorporated.

To make the paws:

Using a medium cookie scoop or a tablespoon, make the middle of the paws and then use a teaspoon measure to make four toes. This will be a little messy but will get easier once you have done a few.
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. Let cookies cool for a few minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

One more thing…

If you’re in search of family-friendly food that’s easy to prepare, healthy and tastes good, then sign up to receive blog posts by email..

View all 7 comments

RecipesBreads & MuffinsCookies & Bars

10 Wholesome Snack Ideas for the Whole Family

September 11, 2015by Bridget Oland

Wholesome Snack Ideas for the lunch box and afterschool

September is a good time to restock the cookie jar. Now that we’re back into the routine of school we need goodies to pack in lunches and wholesome snacks on hand for the kids when they arrive home from school starving.

My kids aren’t the only ones in need of healthy things to nibble through the day. My husband and I brown-bag our lunches to work so we like to have appealing snacks to pack in our lunches too.

One of the benefits of homemade snacks is that you can stuff a little nutrition into sweet treats.

When you’re in charge you can add nuts and seeds to cookies, use whole grain flour, add a little ground flax or reduce the sugar. And you can change up recipes as required to make them nut-free and school-friendly. Some of the recipes below are gluten-free as well so you’re covered on that front too.

Another great thing about making your own snacks is that you can always double the batch and freeze the extras.

10 Wholesome Snack Ideas

Here’s a collection of my (and my kids’) favourite muffins, cookies and bars that are wholesome and hit the spot, at recess, lunchtime or afterschool.

Blueberry Wheat Germ Muffins

Whole Wheat Banana Flax Muffins

Peanut Butter (Almond Butter) Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies

Cape Cod Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Coconut Cranberry Granola Bars

Cranberry Almond Granola bars

Dark Chocolate Almond Bars

Naturally Sweetened Coconut Mounds

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

One more thing…

If you’re in search of family-friendly food that’s easy to prepare, healthy and tastes good, then sign up to receive blog posts by email.

afterschool snacks healthy snacks

Leave a comment

RecipesBreads & Muffins

Banana Oat Molasses Pancakes | Wholesome & Hearty Breakfast Food

September 9, 2015by Bridget Oland

Servings: 4 serving(s)

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Wondering what to feed your kids on busy school mornings?

Today was the first day of school for my kids. Back to the routine – the morning rush, packaging lunches and making breakfast.

My kids have great morning appetites but it doesn’t mean it’s a breeze to get them fed well before they head out the door. Like all mom’s I’m in search of breakfast food that’s quick, healthy and substantial.

These banana oat molasses pancakes are wholesome and hearty breakfast food. They’re substantial with whole grain flour and rolled oats so stick to your ribs in a porridge sort of way. The banana slices on top add a nice bit of sweet and the molasses adds great flavour.

I made this recipe twice on the weekend up at our cottage and they went from breakfast food to snack food as the day progressed.

That’s the great thing about healthy pancakes. They’re perfect breakfast food with loads of protein and a good amount of fibre. You can nibble them for a snack, in the same way you’d eat a muffin. You can even pack them for lunch, with a little container of syrup on the side.

Tip: I put extras in the freezer and warm them in the toaster on busy school mornings.

Banana Oat Molasses Pancakes Recipe

Makes about 8 generous pancakes

Ingredients:

½ cup plus 2 Tbsp. rolled oats (old fashioned or quick — but not instant)
1 cup whole wheat or spelt flour
1 Tbsp. ground flax, oat bran or wheat germ
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 egg, beaten
2 Tbsp. Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
1 Tbsp. sugar (optional)
3 Tbsp. oil
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1 banana, sliced into rounds

Instructions:

In a large bowl combine the rolled oats, flour, flax, baking soda and salt.
In another bowl, beat the egg with the molasses and sugar. Whisk in the oil and milk.
Add wet mixture to dry and stir until combined. Lest rest 10 minutes.
Heat griddle over medium and grease with oil. Drop batter into pan by 1/3 cup measure. Top with sliced banana. When edges are set and bubbles start to form on top, flip and cook until done.
Place cooked pancakes in a warm oven until ready to eat, or cool on a wire rack and freeze.

Nutritional info, per large pancake

Calories: 194.5
Fat: 7.3 g
Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
Cholesterol: 25.5 mg
Sodium: 250 mg
Carbs: 26.2 g
Sugar: 8.1 g
Protein: 5.5 g
Calcium: 65 g
Fibre: 2.7 g
Potassium: 266 mg
Folate: 26.3 (DFE)

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

afterschool snacks Breakfast

View all 4 comments

Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies {Almond Butter option too}

July 24, 2015by Bridget Oland

Servings: 18 serving(s)

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 40 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

afterschool snacks almond butter cookies healthy snacks oatmeal Refined sugar free

Finally, a healthy cookie that my daughter will devour.

My daughter has a sweet tooth and she’s picky when it comes to baked goods. She likes her treats super sweet and spends her pocket change on Caramilk bars and packaged chocolate pudding. She dips into the chocolate chips whenever she gets the chance and has been known to eat pouches of hot chocolate with her fingers. No milk required.

That’s why I was surprised when these cookies started disappearing off the counter. And she wasn’t just picking the chocolate chips out of them.

This is a barely sweet cookie that is turned into a treat with chocolate chips. The original recipe called for ¾ cup of chocolate chips but I dialled it back to ½ cup.

I have made these oatmeal cookies with almond butter as well (my daughter’s favorite is the almond butter version). Both variations are great so it’s more a matter of flavour preference and what you have on hand.

These cookies are surprisingly filling and have a terrific texture…Nice and moist. I have tested the recipe with old fashioned rolled oats but my preference is to use quick oats. It makes all the difference in the texture. If all you have are old fashioned oats you can pulse them in the food processor a few times to break them up a bit. I adapted this recipe from Naturally Ella.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 18 cookies

¼ cup butter
1/3 cup smooth peanut butter or almond butter
¼ cup Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
¾ cup flour
½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup quick rolled oats
½ cup chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 F
In a small bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
Combine butter and peanut butter in a saucepan over low heat and stir until butter has melted. Remove from heat and whisk in the molasses. Scrape into a bowl, cool slightly then whisk in the egg and vanilla.
Stir in the flour mixture then the rolled oats and chocolate chips.
Drop by the spoonful (I used a medium cookie scoop) onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Flatten them slightly with the bottom of a glass. (You can also roll them into balls and flatten.)
Bake for about 12 minutes

Nutritional info: Per cookie.

Calories: 132.7
Fat: 7.3 g
Saturated Fat: 3.2 g
Cholesterol: 17.8 mg
Sodium: 87.7 mg
Carbs: 14.8 g
Sugar: 5.6 g
Protein: 3.1 g
Calcium: 22.4 g
Fibre: 1.2 g
Potassium: 145.6 mg
Folate: 26.5 (DFE)

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

One more thing…

If you’re in search of family-friendly food that’s easy to prepare, healthy and tastes good, then sign up to receive blog posts by email..

Leave a comment

Carrot Cake Cookies for Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies

July 10, 2015by Bridget Oland

Servings: 24 cookies serving(s)

Prep time: 20 minutes

Total time: 50 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

RecipesBreadsBreads & MuffinsDesserts

This is one of those “delicious with the nutritious” recipes

It’s a cookie, but it’s filled with lots of healthy stuff like vegetables, old-fashioned rolled oats, a little bit of flax and unsweetened coconut. You can make them a bit healthier if you swap our some of the flour for whole wheat or spelt flour. And you could always reduce the sugar a bit.

If your kids like to snack on cookies this recipe is a good choice.

Carrot cake cookies have a great oatmeal cookie texture and are on the soft side. They’re delicious on their own buy can easily be turned into a special treat if you sandwich them with frosting to make Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies. (You could also sandwich them with peanut butter, jam or a bit of fruit compote.)

Carrot Cake Cookie Recipe

Makes about 24 cookies

Ingredients:

½ cup butter, softened
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
2 Tbsp. Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
1 ¼ cups flour, spooned in (can use half spelt or whole wheat)
2 Tbsp. ground flax or wheat germ
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ cup rolled oats
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
¾ cup grated carrots

Instructions:

In a large bowl cream the butter with the sugars and salt. Beat in the egg then the molasses.
In another bowl whisk the flour, flax, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon.
Add flour mixture to creamed mixture and stir until just combined.
Stir in the oats, coconut and carrots. Combine well and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Scoop dough by the tablespoonful onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place about 1 ½ inches apart.
Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Nutritional info: Per cookie.

Calories: 121
Fat: 6.2 g
Saturated Fat: 3.8 g
Cholesterol: 18.6 mg
Sodium: 89 mg
Carbs: 15 g
Sugar: 7.4 g
Potassium: 80 mg
Calcium: 18.4 g
Vitamin A: 59 g
Protein: 1.8 g
Fibre: 1.1 g

Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies

When cooled, sandwich Carrot Cake Cookies with Molasses Frosting:

2 Tbsp. soft butter
½ Tbsp. Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
½ tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. milk or cream
Enough icing sugar to make mixture spreadable

Cream butter and molasses. Stir in the vanilla and half of the milk then ½ cup of icing sugar.
Add remaining milk and another ½ cup icing sugar.
Continue adding icing sugar 2 Tbsp. at a time until you get a nice spreadable consistency.

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

One more thing…

If you’re in search of family-friendly food that’s easy to prepare, healthy and tastes good, then sign up to receive blog posts by email..

afterschool snacks cookies oatmeal wholesome snacks whoopie pies

View all 12 comments

Taffy Toast makes a sweet, buttery, crispy treat

February 27, 2015by Bridget Oland

Servings: 1 serving(s)

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Every Maritime family has some sort of bread and molasses story.

Fresh bread with butter and molasses has been a dessert stand-in for decades (dare I say centuries) up and down the Eastern seaboard. In some places it was biscuits with molasses and everywhere there is the hot debate about what goes on first, the butter or the molasses. (If you butter first then the molasses just runs off. Molasses first seems to defy convention…)

I have yet to try toutons, the fried bread dough drizzled with molasses that is a favourite in Newfoundland but what I have become fond of is Taffy Toast, a childhood treat of Holly from Nova Scotia. When Holly told me about the childhood dessert treat that her mom used to make for her and her siblings I felt like the bread-and-molasses food group had been elevated to a whole new level. It’s sweet, buttery and crispy. Holly grew up calling it Taffy Toast and the name couldn’t be more apt.

Taffy Toast is a speedy treat that makes for a nice afterschool snack when the cookie jar is empty. (I have tested it on my children’s friends and they devour it in a flash.)

To end the molasses-first or butter-first debate I have tested this recipe both ways and the molasses-first version wins hands down.

Be sure not to overheat the pan or it will burn easily.

Taffy Toast Recipe

A molasses memory from Holly Bond

Makes two slices (10 fingers)

Ingredients:

2 slices of bread (porous bread is best since it lets the molasses soak in a bit more)
About 2 Tbsp. Crosby’s Fancy Molasses*
1-2 tsp. butter

*If you’re using thick cut homemade bread you may need more molasses.

Instructions:

Spread molasses on both sides of each slice of bread.
Melt 1 tsp. butter in a fry pan over medium heat.
Place bread in pan and fry until golden and just crispy.
Flip and repeat.
Slice into fingers and serve warm

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

One more thing…

If you’re in search of family-friendly food that’s easy to prepare, healthy and tastes good, then sign up to receive blog posts by email.

afterschool snacks Breads Breakfast Quick Breads Sweet treats

Leave a comment

RecipesBreads & MuffinsMuffins

Six Week Refrigerator Bran Muffins with Natural Bran

September 29, 2014by Bridget Oland

Servings: 4 dozen serving(s)

Prep time: 20 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Light and airy bran muffins…No kidding!

This is one of those bran muffin recipes that has been around for eons. It makes four dozen muffins and the batter is stored in the fridge so you always have it on hand when you’re in the mood for fresh muffins but don’t have the time or inclination to mix up a batch.

A lot of six-week refrigerator bran muffin recipes call for boxed bran cereal but my mom always made them with natural bran. Baker’s bran as we called it. Using natural bran keeps your muffins light textured which is a treat since many bran muffins are more like doorstops.

Lower in sugar and convenient…

I grew up with this muffin batter in the fridge, stored in a four litre ice cream container. And thanks to mom I also grew up with warm muffins cooling on the counter when I came downstairs for breakfast on sleepy school mornings. Afterschool I used to love dipping a spoon, or my finger, in the batter in the fridge.

I cut the sugar in half in this recipe and added a bit more molasses since it’s a more flavourful sweet. It makes the muffins extra moist and sweet enough without being cake-like.

Mom said she always loved this recipe because it used a whole litre of buttermilk so you’re not stuck with leftover buttermilk wasting away in the fridge.

The batter can be stored in the fridge for up to six weeks, although I have read that they don’t rise as high as the batter gets older.

Six Week Refrigerator Bran Muffin Recipe

Made with Natural Wheat Bran (not bran cereal)

Makes four dozen muffins

6 cups natural wheat bran
2 cups boiling water
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/3 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
4 cups buttermilk
1 cup Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
5 cups flour, spooned in
2 Tbsp baking soda
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 425 F and prepare muffin pans.
Measure the wheat bran into a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Stir and let sit.
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Whisk in the molasses and buttermilk.
Add flour mixture and stir gently until almost combined. Stir in wheat bran mixture and mix gently just until incorporated.
Scoop into prepared muffin cups and bake at 425 F for 5 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375 F and bake for another 18-20 minutes, until muffin tops spring back lightly when touched.
Cool in pan for 10 minutes then remove to a cooling rack.

Nutritional Profile:

Calories (kcal)	150.5
Fat (g)	5.3
Saturated Fat (g)	2.9
Trans Fat (g)	0.2
Cholesterol (mg)	27.5
Sodium (mg)	261
Potassium (mg)	242.3
Carbohydrate (g)	24.7
Fibre (g)	3.4
Sugar (g)	9.3
Protein (g)	3.9
Vitamin A (RAE)	45
Vitamin C (mg)	0.2
Calcium (mg)	60.3
Iron (mg)	1.8
Vitamin D (μg)	0.1
Vitamin E (mg)	0.4
Thiamin (mg)	0.1
Riboflavin (mg)	0.1
Niacin (NE)	2.8
Folate (DFE)	53.7
Vitamin B6 (mg)	0.2
Vitamin B12 (μg)	0.1

Make this recipe delicious with Crosby's Molasses.

One more thing…

If you’re in search of family-friendly food that’s easy to prepare, healthy and tastes good, then sign up to receive blog posts by email.

We’d love to send you our monthly newsletter too. Our Making Life Delicious newsletter includes cooking tips, menu ideas and featured recipes. Here’s the link to our monthly email sign-up form.

afterschool snacks Muffin Recipes

View all 35 comments

Crispy almond butter granola bars are no-bake and gluten free

June 3, 2013by Bridget Oland

No-bake cookies and bars were the first treats I learned to make on my own. The recipes were always extra easy, usually included some kind of cereal and always made a big batch.

I got my Brownie “Baking” badge by making peanut butter cereal squares all by myself and I learned to make Rice Krispies squares over a fire at summer camp.

There is a lot to be said for getting kids cooking at a young age. When you have mastered cereal squares then it’s onto chocolate chip cookies, and may be a cake or muffins….

This is the lasting value of the Brownie “Baking” badge:

Once you develop a taste for homemade treats it’s hard not to feel underwhelmed by the packaged version.
Setting kids free in the kitchen builds their confidence in the kitchen and that little bit of know-how will stand them in good stead when they’re off on their own. There’s a chance they’ll do more cooking from scratch, rely less on processed, packaged foods and be healthier over all.

So here I am, back where it all began, making cereal squares.

It had been years (decades?) since I last cooked with Rice Krispies and when I first tasted Vanessa’s squares I realised how much I loved that unmistakable crispy texture. They can transform a granola bar (just ask my kids).

This is one of those recipes that you can adapt to suit your tastes by mixing and matching the nut, seed, dried fruit, chocolate combinations.

Vanessa’s crispy almond butter granola bars

2 cups rolled oats (not instant), gluten free if that’s what you require
2 cups Rice Krispies cereal (gluten free variety)
¼ cup ground flax seed
½ cup Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup almond butter
½ cup slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds (or a combination)
½ cup dark chocolate chips or dried cranberries (or both)

Instructions:

Line a 9”x13” pan with parchment paper or grease it thoroughly. Set aside.
In a large bowl combine rolled oats, cereal and ground flax.
Measure out the slivered almonds and chocolate chips and set aside.
In a small saucepan combine molasses and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves then bring to a boil for 30 seconds to a minute.
Remove from heat and quickly add almond butter. Stir to combine.
Working quickly, pour sugar mixture over dry ingredients and mix well.
Quickly add the almonds and chocolate chips, using your hands if necessary.
Still working quickly, press into prepared pan.
Cool and cut into squares. Makes 24 squares

Nutritional information:

Calories 140

2.2 gr fibre

Good source of vitamin E, magnesium and manganese

If you’re into gluten-free treats try our coconut almond energy balls.

afterschool snacks gluten free Granola bars

View all 13 comments

RecipesAppetizersSalads & sides

Layered Hawaiian Salsa Dip

February 12, 2012by Bridget Oland