Cherry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies

I find that the more I watch television, the more I continue to watch television. Once I start, I can't quite bring myself to stop. The advertisements for the next episode or a new show draw me in, whether I like it to or not.

I lived without a television for many years. Sure, I would keep up with a few of my tried and true shows through the internet, but I never went out of my way to find new shows or, god forbid, watch reality tv just for the sake of it. Going for walks, reading books, or just sitting in silence replaced the background noise of the glowing screen. I never missed the television—when you don't have one you simply find other (and often more productive) ways to spend your time.

Lately, my eyes have been glued to the screen. I find myself flipping through the channels looking for something, anything, to watch. It doesn't even have to be good, quality television. Bad TV and I have become close friends, whether I like to admit it or not. This weekend I saw a promo for the next episode of The Bachelor and actually tuned in. I've never watched an episode in my life! While I know many of you know and love it (we all have our guilty pleasures, don't we?), it is something that has never interested me. Since when have I become so lazy I'm willing to watch anything as long as it thinks for me? I feel a bit of shame.

But today, I shut off the television. I turned down the radio. Reveling in the silence of a snowy winter afternoon, I baked these cookies. And it felt good.

These cherry chocolate chunk oatmeal cookies have the qualities of a classic oatmeal cookie. Crispy at the edges and thick and chewy in the center, these cookies combine the best in cookie textures. The tart cherries and bittersweet chocolate contrast well against the lightly sweetened dough. These cookies are perfect for dunking in a glass of milk or curing the midnight munchies.

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Chocolate Marbled Banana Bread

I love a good banana bread. I am ever searching for new and different banana bread recipes; I guess you could say I'm a sucker for it. But, in my defense, there are so many different varieties!

There are healthy breads, like this banana nut bread, that are stuffed with good things for you. Not only do they get the stamp of approval for breakfast, but they are tasty too. By adding nuts and straying from butter and oil, you can have your "cake" and eat it too.

But my favorite has to be the dessert breads. I may be a bit of a chocoholic, but I don't think I'm biased in insisting that chocolate and banana is a flavor combination sent down from heaven itself. There are breads stuffed with chocolate chunks, some that are cinnamon spiced, and even more with a crunchy crumb topping. These breads resemble cake more than bread, but I can't stop wishing it was okay to eat these for breakfast...

Even the flour can significantly alter the the finished product. An all-purpose flour will yield the traditional loaf of bread you already know and love, whereas whole wheat flour will yield a loaf with a complex and hearty texture. Cake flour yields a loaf with an unbelievably velvety and smooth texture (almost like cake itself, but with less calories!). In some aspects, I guess you could say I'm a banana bread connoisseur. But really, I think its only fair I share this delicious obsession with you.

This chocolate marbled banana bread is soft, tender, and never too sweet. Each bite alternates between bursts of banana and deep bittersweet chocolate flavors, complementing each other with taste and ease. The marbled pattern gives a twist on the traditional banana bread loaf while adding an air of sophistication. This is a great banana bread recipe to add to your arsenal.

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Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies

I always have to have something sweet in the house. Call it my vice or my weakness, but I just can't help myself. Cookies, cake, pudding, or chocolates, I'm not picky. It doesn't even have to be a big dessert; a small handful of chocolate chips will do.

Hello, my name is Kristin and I'm a sugarholic.

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right?

Sometimes I'll clear the house of (aka completely devour) all of the chocolate and sugary snacks in an attempt to convince myself that I don't need them. I don't have to have a snack every single day. I don't need sugar to make me feel satisfied after a meal. Chocolate is not my best friend. These are the things I tell myself. But, really, who am I kidding? Chocolate is a woman's very best friend.

I usually make it a day or two (I think my record is three) before I cave and find myself in the candy aisle of the grocery store picking out sour gummy worms. I don't even like candy but, given a few days without my sugar fix, a girl tends to forget these things. If I still feel guilty about succumbing to the sugar cravings, I'll go to the baking aisle instead to buy important baking ingredients. You know, chocolate chips, toffee...

In my deepest, darkest, sugar deprived moment, I got out a spoon and a bag of brown sugar. Don't you dare judge me.

These chocolate salted caramel cookies are sweet, salty, and oh so rich. The caramel melts into the cookie, bringing a soft caramel flavor to the chocolate, but it stays solid enough to form ooey gooey strings when you break a warm cookie in half. Decadent and delicious, these cookies will only leave you wanting more (and a tall glass of milk).

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