Master Baker March Challenge Part III

I did try the first recipe for banana bars with Reese's eggs. The flavor combination was delicious, and the oatmeal made it simultaneously lighter and heartier, which was yummy. However, it was more crumbly than I really wanted, and even doubling the bananas of the recipe that I based it on, I was looking for a stronger banana flavor. Although it wasn't what I imagined, it was definitely a yummy end result. (Sorry, but I didn't take more pictures. :( )

Reese's Egg and Banana Bars



2 large ripe bananas
2/3 cup butter
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups quick oatmeal (uncooked)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar (I used dark)
8 Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs



Finely chop bananas.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then stir in vanilla.
Add oatmeal and brown sugar. Heat and stir 5 minutes.
Press 1/2 of oatmeal mixture into the bottom of a greased 9" square pan.
Layer bananas over crust.
Layer Reese's Eggs over bananas.
Cover with remaining oatmeal mixture, and press down lightly.
Refrigerate a couple hours before cutting.


Then, I worked on another combination that I've wanted to try - coconut cookies with a mini Cadbury creme egg on top. I imagined this looking a bit like a bird's nest with an egg in it, but the cookies flattened out as they cooked. I suppose I could reduce the butter in the recipe to try to make it keep more of the shape, but I'm too afraid of losing the amazing taste that it currently has. I think I'm content with the recipe as it is, even if it's more flat than I expected. Within a few minutes of taking them out of the oven, I had already eaten five of them! I'm really pleased.

Nestegg Cookies


1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 cups unsifted flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 + 2 cups flaked coconut
4 dozen mini Cadbury Creme Eggs



Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cream butter until fluffy.
Add sugars gradually, beating well after each addition.
Add egg and mix.
Combine flour, soda and salt; then add to butter mixture, 1/4 at a time.
Add vanilla and 1 1/2 cups coconut.
Roll dough into teaspoon-sized balls and then roll in reserved 2 cups coconut.
Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375 degrees for 9-11 minutes.