Recipe THURSDAY! BAKE SALE! Think FAST!

Hey there everybody! With the school year winding to a close, and nicer weather headed our way, the bake sale requests are coming in fast and furiously! Here are two great standbys that sell like hotcakes and whip up in no time - ANNA BANANA CUPCAKES + CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL COOKIES (with a secret ingredient! SHH!)...

CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL COOKIES Ingredients: -1 cup butter, softened -3/4 cup sugar -3/4 cup packed brown sugar -2 eggs -1 teaspoon vanilla extract -3 cups quick-cooking oats -1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour -1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix -1 teaspoon baking soda -1 teaspoon salt -2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips -1 cup chopped nuts Directions: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the oats, flour, dry pudding mix, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks. Yield: about 7 dozen. (PUDDING = secret ingredient!) ******************

ANNA BANANA CUPCAKES (for my sis!) Ingredients: -1/2 cup shortening -1-1/2 cups sugar -2 eggs -1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium) -1 teaspoon vanilla extract -2 cups all-purpose flour -3/4 teaspoon baking soda -1/2 teaspoon baking powder -1/2 teaspoon salt -1/2 cup buttermilk BANANA BUTTER FROSTING: -2 cups confectioners' sugar -1/3 cup butter, softened -3 tablespoons mashed ripe banana -1 tablespoon lemon juice Directions: In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in bananas and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 375° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. In a small bowl, combine the frosting ingredients; beat until light and fluffy. Frost cupcakes. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen. ***************************************************** “I'm getting so old, I don't even buy green bananas anymore.” ~Chi Chi Rodriguez