Oreo Cookies and Cream Muffins

Oreo Cookies and Cream Muffins are a tasty vanilla muffin studded with large chunks of chocolate sandwich cookies throughout.  If you like Oreos (or Joe Joe's!) and are looking for a fun recipe to try with them, these muffins are for you.    While Oreo muffins are not something that I would make every day, after making the crust for my Lighter Chocolate Cheesecake Bars, I found myself with leftover Oreos (if there is such a thing).  Why not try something new for a change!  Oreo Cookies and Cream Muffins are glorious and definitely something worth trying if you're a cookies and cream lover, like myself!

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Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

It's been a while since I've shared a dessert, so to make up for that, I decided you deserve some chocolate.   Not just any old chocolate though ~ Chocolate Cheesecake Bars, and they're made on the lighter side.  Despite being made light, each bite of these Chocolate Cheesecake Bars is chocolaty, decadent and sooooo good!    

The hands on work takes all of 10 minutes, which is awesome.  First you start with a simple chocolate cookie crumb crust.  Then toss the rest of the ingredients the food processor (minus the chocolate chips, which are used for topping) and process until smooth.  Pour the filling over the crust, sprinkle with chocolate chips, and bake.  Easy peasy!  After baking, just chill the bars for a few hours, or overnight.  Cut into bars and enjoy!



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Honey Roasted Chickpeas with Sea Salt {Garbanzo Beans}

Honey Roasted Chickpeas with Sea Salt are a healthy, sweet and salty snack that is easy to make.  They are high in fiber, protein-packed, gluten free, dairy free...and Adam can't get enough of them (in other words, they're toddler friendly too!)

Honey Roasted Chickpeas are made with only a few simple ingredients, and you most likely have everything you need already in your pantry.  In fact, all you really need is one ingredient, and that's the chickpeas.  The additional ingredients are simply for flavoring, but roasted chickpeas are super crunchy and delicious straight from the oven.  In this case I made them honey roasted with sea salt, however I have other variations in the works that I am excited to share with you soon!

In other exciting news, Alida's Kitchen has been nominated to the Top 25 Foodie Moms - 2013 list on Circle of Moms!  I could not be more thrilled and grateful for the nomination.  You can help vote me into the Top 25!  Just click here (or on the "Vote for Me" button in the sidebar) and scroll down to find Alida's Kitchen.  Voting is open until June 4th, and you can vote once every day until then.  Thank you so much for your support!