Banana Toffee Oatmeal Cookies

November is officially here, and you know what that means: The countdown to the holidays has officially begun!

I am giddy at the thought of all the fun recipes I plan on trying over the next few weeks. The cookies, the cakes, the side dishes... the kitchen will be bustling with activity. For me, the only things that put a damper on holiday cooking are my outdated appliances. Sigh.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to have what I have and I've certainly learned to make do... but, gosh would it be nice to have updated appliances that help me instead of hold me back!

I recently got an invitation to visit my friends at Rosner's Appliances in West Palm Beach and take a tour of their brand new, state of the art showroom and the products they have to offer. BOY, was it an eye opener! There are appliances today that practically cook dinner for you. Stove tops that heat up wherever you place the pot {and are immediately cool to the touch when the pot is removed}. Convection ovens that steam your food to perfection! Refrigerators with climate-controlled temperature zones. Swoon!

I was totally in seventh heaven... it was like walking through a kitchen wonderland.

Of course, while I was browsing, I was also taking mental {and possibly written} note of the items that might just come in handy for my own kitchen one day. Soon, I was daydreaming about adding a few of these top-notch luxury appliances to my own Christmas wish list.

This past weekend, I got to bake for their showroom grand opening using their luxury ovens and put the appliances to the test. I'd say they passed with flying colors!

I had so much fun with everyone there, surrounded by shiny new refrigerators, ovens and ranges, that I was inspired to write a holiday poem. It goes a little something like this:

'Twas the month before Christmas and all through the kitchen

You could hear a lone baker -- a fit she was pitchin'.

Her oven, you see, was just not up to par,

For the cooking to come on a date not too far.

In her cozy apartment, with husband and pup,

She would do what she could without giving up.

But the space was just not what she needed to make

All the wondrous provisions, from turkey to cake.

With Thanksgiving and holidays happening soon,

She'd been dreaming of upgrades to make to that room.

Since she dwelled in the kitchen more often than not,

Some brand new devices would help quite a lot.

But who could assist make her dreams all come true?

Why, Santa, of course. He'd know just what to do.

She gathered some paper and picked up a pen,

And started her letter to her jolly old friend.

"Dear Santa," she wrote, "It has been quite a while.

My last correspondence was when I was a child.

I may now be grown, but I do still believe,

And I hope you can help me before Christmas eve."

"My wishlist this year is not just for me,

But more for my dear friends and sweet family.

They wait all year long at the edge of their seats

For our holiday dinner and fabulous treats."

"If I had a new fridge, and a perhaps a new oven...

They'd help me to possibly double the lovin'!

But I hate to ask something with so great a price...

So, if you don't mind, let me share some advice:

My buddies at Rosner's, they've got what I need,

At prices so fair, it's a deal -- guaranteed.

From Viking to Jenn Air and Monogram, too,

Fhiaba to Thermador... just one will do."

"A convection appliance would help me to bake

In a fraction of time it would usually take.

Some treats for your reindeer or sweets for the Mrs.

Would certainly get you some nice "thank you" kisses!"

"An induction-type cooktop is also quite neat,

In just 90 seconds its easy to heat

A big pot of water and bring to boil

Without all the waiting around while you toil. {And once you have tried it, you'll be oh-so-spoiled.}

Another good reason it's causing such yearning?

An auto-cool feature... more finger-burning!"

Or maybe the latest in healthier cooking,

A convection steam oven is worthy of looking.

It cooks full of flavor, but leaves out the fat...

And helps slim down bellies from "jelly" to flat!

{Now, please, dear ol' Santa, don't read into that.}

"So, head right to Rosner's {they know me buy name}

No other appliance store is quite the same,

They're friendly and helpful and sure know their stuff,

They've got so many great things, decisions are tough!"

"I've been a good girl, so I hope you'll consider

One gift from my wishlist - no wrapping or glitter.

Your cookies are waiting, no pressure at all...

I know lugging an oven would be quite a haul."

"So, Santa, good luck as your tasks you complete.

Happy Baking to all...May your holidays be sweet!"

She sealed up her letter, and dozed off in bed,

Where visions of appliances danced in her head.

And she secretly hoped Santa would grant her wish,

To help her make this holiday time so delish!

Totally cheesy, I know. But I'm hoping, if not this year, Santa will recognize my efforts and deliver sometime in the future. 😉

If you're looking to purchase new appliances before it's holiday cooking go-time, head over to Rosner's. I have a feeling they'll have exactly what you need... and maybe a few extra items for your holiday wish list!

Rosner's Appliances

1480 S. Military Trail

West Palm Beach, Florida 33415

Disclosure: I was compensated for my time to visit, review and promote Rosner's, but as always, the opinions written here are all my own. I absolutely loved getting to know the friendly and knowledgeable management and staff during my visit and would most definitely consider purchasing appliances from them in the future!

...................................................................

While I was baking at Rosner's I decided to make simple oatmeal cookies to go along with the chocolate chip cookies I had already planned on baking {per my oatmeal cookie-loving husband's request}. Somehow, I always forget about good ol' oatmeal cookies! I was so pleased with how they turned out {the classic Quaker Oats recipe}, that I went home & adapted them to give them a spin.

Classic oatmeal cookies are amped up with banana and toffee bits for a new twist on an old favorite. These cookies are soft & cake-like... almost like little oat-filled banana breads. For the second batch, I added in some semi-sweet chocolate mini chips, because chocolate never made anything worse. I liked both versions equally!

I can just imagine putting these out on a holiday dessert buffet and watching them disappear! I think they'd be Santa approved. 😉

Banana-Toffee Oatmeal Cookies

adapted from Quaker Oats

1 stick butter, softened

¼ cup + 2 tablespoons brown sugar

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 banana, mashed

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Pinch of salt

1 ½ cups rolled oats

½ cup toffee bits {I use Heath Bits o' Brickle}

{Optional} Semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugars until well incorporated. Add egg, banana and vanilla extract and beat until smooth.

3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and oats.

4. Add dry mixture to wet and mix until just incorporated. Mix in toffee bits. {And mini-chips if desired.}

5. Bake on a non-stick cookie sheet for approximately 12 minutes or until the edges just begin to brown. When baked through, remove from oven and allow to set on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Makes about 30 cookies.

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