Feb 13, 2011

Monkey Bars


Snack cakes. Arguably, two of the best words in existence, melded together to make one irresistible munchie. Unfortunately, they have a bad wrap, thanks to dummies like Ding Dongs and Ho Hos.

But can you blame them? Whoever bestowed the names "Twinkie" and "Ring Ding" did no favor to make them sound appetizing. In fact, they don't even sound like food. And according to some sources, they're not. 

In his book "Twinkie, Deconstructed," Steve Ettlinger discloses that 5 of the 39 (39!) ingredients in a Twinkie come from rocks. So America's beloved cream-filled sponge cakes not only don't contain cream of any kind, but are stuffed with ingredients mined from oil fields and phosphate mines. What?!


But snack cakes don’t have to be the plastic-wrapped, preservative-packed nuclear war-surviving carb cakes that fill the lunch boxes of America. They can be homemade, nutritious, and heck, even spiked!


This here, is a snack cake for adults: A moist, spiced banana bread-like cake speckled with rum-soaked raisins and walnuts and dusted with sweet powdered sugar. Just peaking over one hundred calories a serving, they're a deliciously guiltless way to satisfy your sweet tooth. 

And the best part about adult snack cakes? Aside from the lowered risk of bully thievery, you can eat them whenever you want, although they really shine alongside a mug of morning Joe.


So put down that indestructible Twinkie and pick up something healthier. Something made with real ingredients that doesn't need faux frosting swirls to be enjoyed. Just a fork.


Monkey Bars
Cooking Light, October 2001
Yield: 16 servings (serving size: 1 bar)

Ingredients
1/2  cup  raisins
1 1/2  tablespoons  dark rum or apple juice
1  cup  all-purpose flour
1/2  teaspoon  baking powder
1/2  teaspoon  baking soda
1/4  teaspoon  salt
3/4  cup  packed brown sugar
1/4  cup  butter, softened
1/2  cup  mashed ripe banana
3  tablespoons  low-fat buttermilk
1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
2  large egg whites
1/3  cup  chopped walnuts
Cooking spray
1  tablespoon  powdered sugar

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine the raisins and rum in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at high for 1 minute, and set aside. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and the next 3 ingredients (flour through salt) in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Set aside.

Combine brown sugar and butter in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add banana and next 3 ingredients (banana through egg whites), beating well. Add the flour mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in raisin mixture and walnuts.

Spread the batter into an 8-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until golden. Cool the bars completely on a wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Nutritional Information: Calories: 135 (31% from fat), Fat: 4.7g (sat 2g,mono 1.1g,poly 1.3g), Protein: 2g, Carbohydrate: 21.8g, Fiber: 0.9g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Iron: 0.8mg, Sodium: 136mg, Calcium: 27mg.
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13 comments:

Katrina (Betty Ray) said...

I like the sound of a spiked snack cake. Perfect mid-morning work snack. I cannot wait to try these.

And those twinkie facts are scary!

teresa said...

love this cake! i need to show this to my husband who has a real weakness for twinkies. delicious!

Susan at www.ugogrrl.com said...

This looks awesome - can't wait to try!

Susan www.ugogrrl.com

Unknown said...

I just found your blog. I love the recipes and the photos. I have put a couple on my menu for this week. I hope that you keep it going for a long time. Congratulations on your healthy eating. I need to do the same.

Susan at www.ugogrrl.com said...

I have been enjoying your blog - since I started blogging. Therefore, you have been given a Stylish Blogger Award! Stop over at my blog to find out all the details.
Blessings,

Susan www.ugogrrl.com

Brownieville Girl said...

Waaaaaay better than anything in a packet!

Elle said...

So with all the work you have done on this blog including the wonderful pictures - I really think it's time to consider a book of all of this. You have brought pictures and practical experience to us AND great writing - consider an agent you ARE SO talented - Here is one I would recommend:
http://www.dystel.com/

Rachel said...

Thank you Elle, such a sweet thing to say! All I can say is...I wish! ;-)

"Vanilla and Thyme" said...

Dear Rachel, just wanted you to know, I've chosen you to have a "Stylish Blogger Award". I really like reading your posts - please click on my blog to copy your award and nominate 5 others- thanks for sharing your great recipes-

A Bowl Of Mush said...

Love these monkey bars, looks so delicious!

Anonymous said...

Just found this blog. Great job! What happened? Did you decide to quit since you finished your year of cooking? I vote for you continuing. I've recently started a similar journey.

Rachel said...

I will return shortly...stay tuned!

Unknown said...

للحفاظ على نظافة مجلسكشركة كشف تسربات المياه بالخبر
• يجب وجود سلة مهملات دائما في مجلسك حتى لا تتراكم النفايات وتؤدي إلي ظهور مجلسك بصورة غير لائقة
• يجب عليك استخدام شريط لاصق لتجميع جميع الأسلاك المنتشرة بالمجلس مثل أسلاك التليفون وأسلاك الفيديو و غيرها من الأسلاك لكي لا تعطي إيحاء بالفوضى بالمكان.
• إستخدام صندوق خاص بألعاب الأطفال حتى لا تنتشر بالمكان و تتسبب باحداث فوضى.
شركة تنظيف موكت وسجاد بالدمام
عزيزي العميل لتفادي أي مشاكل أثناء عملية التنظيف وعدم إهدار الوقت والجهد والمال ننصحك بالاتصال الفوري بشركة سبق كلين لتنظيف السجاد بالدمام نصلك فورا في اي مكان بالرياض ونقدم لك الخدمة المطلوبة في تنظيف الكنب والمجالس باعلي جوده و أعلى كفاءة ممكنة بافضل الأيدي العاملة المدربة علي أداء الخدمة بالشكل الذي يرضيك عن مؤسسة الثقة
وأيضا لم تنسي شركة تنظيف مسابح بالدمام مكتبك إذا كنت صاحب شركة كبيرة أو رجل أعمال وتستقبل الوفود من رجال الأعمال فنحن نقدم لك اعلي مستوي من الخدمة بأعلى كفاءة ممكنة وأقل وقت ممكن أيا كان نوع الكنب المستخدم في مكتبك من حيث الأشكال و الخامات المصنوع منها الكنب حسب ذوقك الرفيع في اختيار
اليوم الكامل خدمة 24 ساعة وينتقل الى فريق عمل كامل متكامل إلى أي مكان بالدمام
ما تتميز به" شركة سبق كلين لتنظيف المسابح بالدمام" :- شركة تنظيف منازل بالجبيل
شركة مكافحة حشرات بالاحساءشركة تنظيف مسابح بالدمام
شركة تسليك مجارى بالخبر
شركة تنظيف مجالس بالخبر

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