• Home
  • About
    • Simply… Nicole
    • Simply… Sara
  • Food
  • Family
  • Lovelies
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Recipe Index

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

June 3, 2013

  

:: Strawberry Oatmeal Bars ::

When it comes to baking, you just can’t go wrong with a recipe that calls for a crumbly mixture of butter, brown sugar, and oatmeal {am I right?}! Combine those ingredients with your favorite flavor of jam {yum!} and you are left with a rich and chewy bar that you can enjoy as a snack or even served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! These delicious bars also pack perfectly in kids lunches and would make a nice treat for a friend!

We were fortunate to have a  jar of super sweet homemade strawberry jam that a friend had made for us in our fridge. I used it in this recipe… and I am sure it enhanced the pure tastiness! Although I used strawberry, you can use any flavor of jam of your liking. Peach… raspberry…. blackberry…. whatever you fancy or have readily available! The buttery, brown sugar oatmeal mixture is used for the base of the bar…. and the crumbly topping! It is super easy to make with only one-bowl needed!

The original recipe was taken from one of our favorites {the Pioneer Woman}. Nicole and I love all of her recipes… but as usual, we tend to make a few adaptations based on the ingredients we have on hand. Since my jam was very sweet… I cut back on the brown sugar. I also used half whole wheat flour and half white all-purpose to make it a tad bit healthier {hmm… not sure if that’s possible with all of that butter}!! Any way that you choose to do it… they are sure to come out delicious! Enjoy!  

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding

May 13, 2013

 

:: Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding :: 

It really is simple. Use only the finest ingredients, pour some love into what you cook…. and the result is a rich, smooth, creamy dessert that will make your taste buds dance with delight!

You can adjust the sweetness of this particular dish by the amount of sugar that you add. It’s all a matter of personal preference. After allowing the pudding to chill in the fridge, dish it up and top with perfectly ripe banana slices & crunchy vanilla wafer cookies. The subtle hint of fresh banana combined with the tiny flecks of natural vanilla bean in the pudding makes this an old-fashioned dish you’ll remember!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

{weekend} lovelies

May 3, 2013

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

The weekend is here!  School is winding down, but our schedules seem busier than ever! Hope that you can take a few moments this weekend for yourself…. and maybe browse some of our favorite finds on the web this week over a cup of your favorite coffee or tea! We kept it short and sweet! Enjoy… and have a lovely weekend, friends! {xo}

 

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas // Hither & Thither

Mother’s Day is coming up quick! Here are a few gift ideas! Click the title link above to see even more classic ideas for your sweet moms…. or possibly a treat for yourself!

 

 

 

The Best Olive Oil Cake You’ve Ever Had // Cup of Jo

This recipe uses your finest olive oil, lemons, a touch of rum, and almond milk….. Mmmmmm! I personally can’t wait to make this recipe! Wouldn’t this be divine over a cup of hot coffee with the company of a close friend? Bliss… 

 

 

  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Lovelies

Peanut Butter & Oreo Ice Cream Cake

March 23, 2013

 

>>> Peanut Butter & Oreo Ice Cream Cake <<<

What do you get when you combine smooth, chocolatey ice cream with

creamy peanut butter, crunchy Oreos & a drizzle of caramel?

One over-the-top, intoxicatingly delicious… ICE CREAM CAKE!  

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

{weekend} lovelies

January 26, 2013

It’s that time again!

Here are our {loveliest} picks from the web this week!

We thought we would focus on kids this time around

{because they’re just so cute}!

Hope it brings you lots of smiles,

some ideas &

maybe even a little design inspiration!

Enjoy your weekend!

xo,

s & n

 

{Musical Inspiration // Vazquez Sounds “Rolling in the Deep”}

 

{A Thoughtful List // 40 Ways to Love Your Child}

 

{A Backyard Bungalow // Apartment Therapy}

 

{Shared Spaces // Better Homes & Gardens}

 

{Kids Style we Love // Nordstrom}

 

{Lunchbox Ideas // Family Fresh Cooking}

 

{Tips on Photographing Your Own Kids // Click it up a Notch}

 

{Do-it-Yourself // Felt Crowns by Hello Bee}

 

{Dreams for your Child // Harper Grace Designs on Etsy}

 

{A Sweet Treat // Glacier S’more by Betty Crocker}

 

{Countdown to Valentine’s Day // Craft Ideas by Babble}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Lovelies

Ina’s Cranberry Apple Cake

November 19, 2012

It’s no mystery that my little Sophia and I love Ina…

she is afterall the amazing Barefoot Contessa.

I’ve been wanting to try this simple recipe for some time…

{Ina’s Cranberry Apple Cake}

With Thanksgiving approaching,

it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it out.

The recipe is super easy, and has very basic ingredients with perhaps

the exception of fresh cranberries that you may not have on hand.

{Here is what you need}

* 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over for stems

* 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced

* 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

* 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (2 oranges)

* 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

* 1 1/8 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

* 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

* 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

* 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

  * 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

* 1/4 cup sour cream {I actually substituted with unsweetened almond milk}

* 1 cup all-purpose flour

* 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

** chopped walnuts {optional, but delicious!}**

{Directions}

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine the cranberries, apple, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice,

and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment,

beat the eggs on medium-high speed for 2 minutes.

With the mixer on medium, add 1 cup of the granulated sugar,

the butter, vanilla, and sour cream and beat just until combined.

On low speed, slowly add the flour and salt.

Pour the fruit mixture evenly into a 10-inch glass pie plate.

Pour the batter over the fruit, covering it completely.

Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar

and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle it over the batter.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake

comes out clean and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

{Here’s the Scoop}

It’s the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert.

I agree with many of the reviews on food network that it is almost more cobbler-like,

or maybe even a bread pudding consistency.

You won’t believe how good your house smells when it’s baking!

Upon first bite, I instantly could taste bursts of tangy cranberries…

hints of cinnamon and vanilla…

and the taste of fresh orange combined with the tart apples.

It’s the perfect combination of zesty and sweet!

I think you and your guests will LOVE it!

P.S. I may be enjoying this tomorrow morning with a cup of coffee {wink}.

It could totally be considered a delicious coffee cake!

Filed Under: Food

« Previous Page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About

bioSara and Nicole are sorority sisters that simply “happened” to end up in the same small town. They have many things in common, which have set the tone of their blog. They hope that you will join them in their journey of motherhood, dreams that may be, the daily life, and their passion for cooking, yoga, fashion, and design!

SIgn Up For Our FREE Newsletter!

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with Simply Happenstance!

Categories

Archives

recent pins

  • Sweet Potato Sheet Cake with Marshmallow Frosting
  • Cinnamon-Sugar Pretzel Bites
  • Pumpkin Pie Bars

Copyright 2015 • Simply Happenstance • Grits Design


All personal images and videos are copyright to Simply Happenstance. All other images are copyright to their respective owners.
We would love for you to use our images, but please cite www.simplyhappenstance.com.