Homemade Soft Pretzels

There really isn't a whole lot that's better than a soft, doughy, fresh pretzel.

Fun fact: I FINALLY conquered my fear of working with yeast.   ::: applause :::

This is great for my recipe book, bad for my waist line. I am now addicted...I can't decide if its the carbs or working with yeast. I'll let you know after I finish this pretzel.

These are SO easy to make and taste amazing. You can also play around with different toppings just like your favorite unnamed pretzel shop in the mall. Cinnamon and sugar, cheddar jalapeno, stuff them with a hot dog...you could even whip up a quick cheese dip for these salted ones! 

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cupcakes

Yeah.

I went there.

 I'll be honest and tell you that this really isn't my kind of recipe. I typically like to play it pretty safe.

Silly, silly me.

This recipe is adapted from here. I'm not a huge buttercream icing fan, so I threw in a block of cream cheese. Why not? Cream cheese makes everything better. It also mellowed out the immediate taste of SUGAR.SUGAR.SUGAR when I took a bite.

Don't worry, these are totally healthy. I used the knock off Cinnamon Toast Crunch you get at Whole Foods! :) Kidding. I heard someone was concerned about my typical low fat choices. I totally made up for them with these.

Excuse me while I dig my way out of frosting.

S'mores Pie

Oh my. 

Growing up, I wasn't much of a sweets fan. I know, I was weird. Then one day, I was pregnant! Everything I thought I knew about myself was thrown out the window, including my palate. I could dominate anything with sugar and butter, especially those last few months. I think I was only eating out of depression. It was hot, I was a whale, and had someone else's toes in my ribs. It was glorious. I still have no idea how I managed to only gain 19 pounds. That was almost 2 years ago (wow) and my sweet tooth has diminished slightly. Yes, slightly. This is bad news for me, but good news for everyone else. I make and pass out treats like I'm your grandma. I'm a great person to know.

Now, onto the pie. Graham cracker + rich, rich, rich chocolate + marshmallow = total win. This is a pretty simple pie to make and assemble. It also makes for a beautiful presentation and great summer backyard BBQ dessert. Enjoy!

Angel Food Cupcakes

Let's make cupcakes! Ok! Lent really put a dent (I'm a poet and wasn't aware of it) in my creation of delicious sweets. Angel Food Cake is by far on of my favorite cakes, but I always seem to forget about it. Usually around this time of year, it starts showing up around the grocery store bakery and I say (out loud, to no one), "Oh yeah!! Angel Food Cake!!!"

This was my first time making a homemade Angel Food Cake mix. With the lack of butter or oil, I convinced myself that Tony Horton would be ok with me having three one. So I did. Yum. I'm not a big frosting gal, unless its contains 6 blocks of cream cheese, so I topped these with fresh whipped cream (1 pint heavy whipping cream, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in the mixer until "whipped") and fresh berries. This combination just screams Summer, and seeing as it was 92 degrees here yesterday, go ahead and whip up a batch. 

Please visit my link parties page to see who I linked up with this week! 

Melt In Your Mouth Baked Chicken

Winner winner, chicken dinner.

I wonder how many of you just closed the window and moved on to a much cooler blog? Probably a lot. Those of you who did stay, I'm excited to share another way to change up your chicken dinners! I have seen a similar recipe made with mayo (ick) but this is a nice twist made with 0% Greek yogurt. Husband approval was through the roof with this one. I consider that a win.

Please visit my link parties page to see who I linked up with this week!

Fresh Orange and Vanilla Cake

This weekend we celebrated my Granddad's 83rd birthday! The (delicious) dinner theme was Mexican! I think I ate my weight in guacamole. No kidding. I made refried beans from scratch and this cake! I'm a BIG fan of cream cheese anything, but turn it into a frosting...yes, I'm in. I am not, however a fan of super sweet frostings. This, to me is THE perfect frosting. Not too sweet, with a good amount of tang from the cream cheese. This is a 3 layered cake with just a hint of orange mixed with a deliciously moist vanilla cake. 

In the words of my aunt Vicki, "This is the best cake I have ever eaten in my life."

Enough said.

Happy Birthday, Granddad. 

Please visit my link parties page to see who I linked up with this week!

Cheesy Bacon Biscuit Pull-Aparts

These are a super easy and quick weekend breakfast. Do I think you should eat bacon and cheese all the time? No. Often? No. Occasionally? Fine. Moderation, people. 

I used Pilsbury Simply Biscuits to cut out some of the junk in the regular Grands listed in the recipe. You can also use reduced fat cheese (NOT fat free), but it probably won't melt as well. I'm sure it will be as tasty. 

Please visit my link parties page to see who I linked up with this week! 

Flu Fighter Cookies

Put down the phone, I didn't find a cure for the flu. I just made some yummy cookies filled with ingredients to help your body battle the flu! 

If you don't follow me on Twitter or Facebook, then you have missed the week long saga of  every member of my family being sick. We even paid the ER a visit on Wednesday! Fun times.  I am just now starting to feel human again (can't you tell? I made cookies) thanks to a LOT of herbal tea with honey and enough Vicks products to make any shareholder happy. 

Let's break down a few of these ingredients!

Cinnamon: anti-inflammatory properties, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic properties.

Nutmeg: helps regulate your GI tract.

Allspice: helps ease digestive symptoms (use your imagination), acts as an anesthetic to numb pain, it is also knows to have string antioxidant properties, and it is used to treat coughs, chills, bronchitis, and depression.

Ginger: widely used to treat colds and the flu.

Honey: helps treat allergies

Cranberries: rich in antioxidants and helps treat infections

Raisins: another concentrated source of antioxidants

Walnuts: Eating as few as six to seven average sized nuts a day could help scavenge disease causing free radicals from the body

Apricots: enriched with numerous health promoting phyto-chemicals; that helps prevent heart disease, reduce LDL, ("bad cholesterol") levels and offers protection against cancers

You might think they will taste like a spice cookie but the lemon zest adds a lovely freshness and keeps them light!

Have I convinced you yet?? 

Now go whip up a batch! 

Pin It

Flu Fighter Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup Greek yogurt

1/2 teaspoon ginger powder

Zest of 1 lemon

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

1 1/4 cup dried cranberries

1 1/4 cup raisins

1/2 cup walnuts

1/4 cup dried apricots, diced

Preparation:

Spray 2-3 baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray. 

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt until well combined.

Beat the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Add the honey, yogurt, ginger powder and lemon zest and beat until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture to make a sticky batter (do not overmix). Fold in the oats and half of the raisins, cranberries, apricots, and walnuts.

 Mix the remaining dried fruit and nuts in a small bowl and set aside.

Drop 2 tablespoon sized scoops of batter onto the prepared baking sheets. Top each with some of the reserved dried fruit and nut mixture and chill for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Bake the cookies until dark golden but still soft, 10 to 12 minutes; cool on a rack. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Please visit my link parties page to see who I linked up with this week!

Apple Pie with Cinnamon Roll Crust

If you saw this tweet: 

Then you knew this was coming. 

The title is intriguing...and so is the crust. I found the original idea for the crust here. She did a sweet potato pie, but hey, who doesn't love a good fruit pie? This is really just a classic apple pie with a fun crust. Super easy, and slightly fun. I used two Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts, but you could totally one up me and make your own. Just make enough for a top and bottom crust! 

Apple Pie with Cinnamon Roll Crust


Pin It


Ingredients


1 package refrigerated pie crusts
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon cinnamon
5 cups thinly sliced peeled apples
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Handful of dried cranberries (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out one pie crust on a lightly floured surface. Brush with butter and sprinkle evenly with cinnamon. 

Roll up tightly and slice into 1/2-inch rounds, like miniature cinnamon rolls.

Press miniature cinnamon rolls, flat side down, evenly into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate, making sure there are no spaces between the rolls. Set aside.

In large bowl, mix sugar, 1/4 cup flour, the cinnamon, nutmeg and cranberries. Stir in apples until well mixed. Spoon into pie plate. 

Roll other round of pastry into 10-inch round. Fold into fourths and cut slits so steam can escape. Unfold top pastry over filling; trim overhanging edge 1 inch from rim of plate. Fold and roll top edge under lower edge, pressing on rim to seal; flute as desired. Brush with milk, and sprinkle with sugar, if desired. Cover edge with 2- to 3-inch strip of foil to prevent excessive browning. Bake 40 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes. 

Let cool 20-30 minutes before slicing. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. 

                     Please visit my link parties page to see who I linked up with this week!