Toddler Snack Attack: Peanut Butter and Banana Waffle Sandwich

WARNING: MESSY.  THIS POST IS NOT INTENDED FOR PARENTS WHO LIKE CLEAN TODDLERS.  CONTAINS IMAGES OF A MESSY TODDLER THAT ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR CLEAN FREAKS.

I'm not sure who this is for technically; me or The Toddler.  Peanut Butter and Banana is one of my favorite combinations but paired with warm waffle and chocolate chips and I'm in heaven.  It's like dessert, for snack or breakfast.  The peanut butter melts into the waffle and becomes this thick liquid that drips all over.  I love melted peanut butter. 

So the ingredients are pretty simple: peanut butter, banana slices, chocolate chips, honey and cinnamon.  And a toasted waffle, can't forget that.

I've said it once and I'll say it again, honey and cinnamon with peanut butter is an out of this world combination!  Trust me.  When you add the cinnamon and take a bite, the first words out of your mouth will be "where have you been all my life"?

Just look at that peanut butter!

Drippy, warm gooey peanut butter.

And here he comes.  I knew it wouldn't be long before he came to dig in.

Yup, he peeled back the top and went straight for the chocolate chips.  His momma didn't raise no fool.

Don't worry, I moved him to his high chair before he got too carried away!

Of course he isn't actually capable of eating it as an actual sandwich.  If you are starting to cringe, I'd cover your eyes.  It's about to get real messy up in here.

And of course, he felt the need to run his "peanut butter fingers" through his hair.

PEANUT BUTTER.  PEANUT BUTTER EVERYWHERE!  But that's why we have bath tubs, right?

I think that about sums it up.

Blueberry and Honey Parfait

I do realize that this is not a new concept.  However, I felt that it was necessary to document the fact that I ate breakfast this morning.  I can't remember the last time I ate my own breakfast.  I usually just eat the first few bites of The Toddler's breakfast because there just isn't time.  Those of you with little ones know that you have a limited window to get out the door, if you don't, you're staying home.  But not today.  Today I triumphantly and victoriously made (and ate) my own breakfast.  Yes, those adverbs are necessary. 

Blueberry and Honey Parfait

Ingredients:

plain greek yogurt
granola
honey
blueberries
sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

Drizzle honey in the bottom and on the sides of a jar.  Layer yogurt, granola, blueberries and sprinkle with cinnamon. (I'm of the notion that something automatically tastes 100 times better in a mason jar).

My favorite type of greek yogurt is Fage.  It's really palatable and doesn't taste so much like a grainy sour cream.  If you absolutely despise plain greek yogurt, use plain yogurt.  The point is to allow the honey to sweeten it without lots of unnecessary sugar.  I used clover honey but if you have access to good local honey go for it!

Don't forget the cinnamon.  I've recently been on a cinnamon and honey kick.  With yogurt, cream cheese, peanut butter...oh especially peanut butter.  It'll make you say, "hello where have you been all my life?" 

Cinnamon Roasted Pecans

I have a helper today! My oldest is 2 months shy of two years old and loves helping out in the kitchen.  Today we made something super simple that was so easy for him to help with: cinnamon roasted pecans.  I'm pretty sure this recipe is fool proof.  If my two year can manage, I think you'll be just fine.  I used this recipe from Hungry Gems.  Instead of adding the pecans to a bowl of cinnamon and sugar, I put everything in a ziploc bag and shook!  It made clean up so much easier, making this recipe one that we will return to again and again.

Egg white and vanilla.

Whisk egg white and vanilla until "frothy" (1 minute on high)

Add pecans.

keep scooping............

..........patience....

...........and scooping....

Oh my.  Look how cute.  He's wearing an apron my great aunt made.

"uh oh"

Stir to coat all the pecans in the egg white and vanilla.

Put pecans in bag with cinnamon and sugar.

Try to attach paddle (optional)

Shake baby, shake.  Wait, NEVER shake a baby, just the bag of pecans and sugar.

Clean up your mess.

Thank you.  Good job bub!  (Did I mention he isn't two yet?)

Put pecans on a silicone lined baking sheet.  Don't have one?  Use foil or parchment paper.  When the pecans come out of the oven, go buy one.  You have to let them cool anyway.

Bake at 250 degrees for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

You have no idea.  These are amazing.