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Campfire Blueberry Orange Muffins

July 7, 2014

 

orange muffins

My niece, Chelsie made these Orange Blueberry Muffins the last time we went camping.  THEY ARE DIVINE!!!  I made the mistake of not taking pictures of her preparing them, so these picture are borrowed from BuzzFeed Community – found on Pinterest.

These were a special treat while camping!!!

scooping muffins

Cut oranges in half and scoop out the inside, leaving just the orange peel.

filling muffins

Prepare a boxed Blueberry Muffin mix according to the package directions and fill ONE HALF of each orange.
wrapping muffins

Put the empty orange peel on top and wrap in 3 layers of foil.

muffins in fire

Place them over some nice hot coals, turning every couple of minutes.  They will take about 10 – 15 minutes to cook all the way through. (Just to be safe – take one out and check it make sure they are done all the way through.)

Thanks Chelsie!!!  These were the BEST!!!    ENJOY!!!!

 

Parmesan Bread Twists

July 5, 2014

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I love making these bread twists – First,  because they are REALLY good and I always eat way too many!   Second, because they are easy to make and only take 20 minutes to raise.  They are a great compliment to any meal.

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I also added a little garlic salt which is not shown.

1 1/2 cups warm water

2 T. sugar

Mix water and sugar in stand mixer – stir lightly to dissolve.

1 T. yeast

Sprinkle yeast over the top.  Let sit 5 minutes until yeast is bubbly.

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3 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

Add flour and salt.  Mix with the dough hook until smooth.

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Let it sit and raise for 10 minutes.

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With floured hands, remove dough onto a floured surface.

Roll dough into a large square.

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4 – 5 T. butter

Brush dough with about 3 T. melted butter.

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garlic granules

parmesan cheese (the kind in the green can)

garlic salt

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, garlic granules and a little bit of garlic salt.

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Fold the dough in half with the buttered side to the inside.

Lightly roll with a rolling pin, especially on the folded side to flatten it out a little bit.

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Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough in half the long way and then in 1″ strips.  (These will look kind of small but when you twist them, they stretch out.)

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Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Twist the strips and place on a cookie sheet.  Let them sit for another 10 – 15 minutes to raise.

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Bake at 400 degrees for 14 – 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Immediately after baking, brush with more melted butter and sprinkle with more garlic granules and parmesan cheese.

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Serve with marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, or ranch if desired….or just eat them as is!!!

This dough also makes excellent pizza dough.

RECIPE SOURCE:  The Recipe Critic (found on Pinterest)

 

FULL RECIPE WITHOUT PICTURES —

PARMESAN BREAD TWISTS

1 1/2 cups warm water

2 T. sugar

1 T. yeast

3 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

4 – 5 T. butter

garlic granules

parmesan cheese (the kind in the green can)

garlic salt

Mix water and sugar in stand mixer – stir lightly to dissolve.

Sprinkle yeast over the top.  Let sit 5 minutes until yeast is bubbly.

Add flour and salt.  Mix with the dough hook until smooth.  Let it sit and raise for 10 minutes.

With floured hands, remove dough onto a floured surface.

Roll dough into a large square.

Brush dough with about 3 T. melted butter.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and a little bit of garlic salt.

Fold the dough in half with the buttered side to the inside.

Lightly roll with a rolling pin, especially on the folded side to flatten it out a little bit.

Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough in half the long way and then in 1″ strips.  (These will look kind of small but when you twist them, they stretch out.)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Twist the strips and place on a cookie sheet.  Let them sit for another 10 – 15 minutes to raise.

Bake at 400 degrees for 14 – 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Immediately after baking, brush with more melted butter and sprinkle with more garlic granules and parmesan cheese.

Serve with marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, or ranch if desired.

This dough also makes excellent pizza dough.

RECIPE SOURCE:  The Recipe Critic (found on Pinterest)

 

 

Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

July 5, 2014

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Another great way to use overripe bananas.  This is a tasty little cookie.  The bananas make it very moist and delicious.

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Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

1 cup flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Whisk together flours, salt and baking soda in a small bowl.  Set aside.

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3/4 cup ( 1  1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

Beat butter and sugars until fluffy.

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1 large egg

1 1/2 vanilla extract

Reduce speed to low.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Mix until combined.

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1/2 cup ripe banana (or a little more) – mashed.  I didn’t measure – I used 2 very ripe medium bananas.

Mix in mashed banana.

Add flour mixture.  Mix until just combined.  (If you are adding more than the 1/2 cup of banana, like I did, add a spoonful or 2 of extra flour).

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1 cup rolled oats, regular or instant

8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Stir in oats, chocolate chips and nuts. (I didn’t add nuts.)

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Scoop rounded teaspoons onto a cookie sheet.

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Bake cookies 12 – 13 minutes.

Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes and then cool completely on a wire rack.

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Makes 30 cookies

 

FULL RECIPE WITHOUT PICTURES —

1 cup flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

3/4 cup ( 1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1 large egg

1 1/2 vanilla extract

1/2 cup ripe banana (or a little more) – mashed.   I used 2 medium bananas.

1 cup rolled oats, regular or instant

8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Whisk together flours, salt and baking soda in a small bowl.

Beat butter and sugars until fluffy.

Reduce speed to low.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Mix until combined.

Mix in mashed banana.

Add flour mixture.  Mix until just combined.  (If you have added more than the 1/2 cup of banana, like I did, add a spoonful or 2 of extra flour).

Stir in oats, chocolate chips and nuts.

Scoop rounded teaspoons onto a cookie sheet.

Bake cookies 12 – 13 minutes.

Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes and then cool completely on a wire rack.

Makes 30 cookies

 

Manti Turkey or Chicken Marinade

July 5, 2014

1 Manti Chicken or Turkey Marinade

This famous turkey marinade is what they use at the Manti Miralce Pageant in Manti, Utah.  We also use it on chicken.

1 cup soy sauce

1 cup oil

1/2 tsp. horseradish

1/2 T. garlic granules

12 oz. 7-up or Sprite

Mix all ingredients in a zip-lock bag.

Marinate turkey or chicken for approximately 24 hours.

Grill.

Enjoy! We served this with grilled vegetables: green peppers, mushrooms, onions, asparagus, zucchini and pineapple

Grilled Vegetables

 

RECIPE SOURCE:  Manti, Utah Miracle Pageant

Honey Glazed Salmon with Browned Butter Lime Sauce

July 3, 2014

 

1 Honey Glazed Salmon

This salmon is simple to prepare, yet has such an incredible flavor!!  The citrus of the lime, the silky sweet of the honey, and the deep rich flavor of the browned butter go together so well.   They all compliment each other perfectly.

 

Browned Butter Lime Sauce

3 T. salted butter, diced

Place butter in a small, light-colored saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, swirling pan until butter has turned a tan shade.  Be careful not to burn it! Browned butter should be a light brown color and have a toasty aroma. Overcooked butter will have a very bitter taste.

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1  1/2 fresh lime juice

1/2 clove garlic, minced

1/8 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Remove from heat and add lime juice, garlic, salt and pepper.

Pour into a blender and blend on low speed for 30 seconds to 1 minute until well blended.

Pour sauce into a small glass dish – set aside.  Note:  Whisk butter mixture with a fork before pouring onto salmon, as it will separate – rewarm if needed.

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Salmon:

2  (6 oz.)  salmon fillets, rested at room temperature for 20 minutes

4 tsp. flour, divided

Sprinkle 1 tsp. of flour on one side of each salmon fillet.

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1 T. honey, divided

Drizzle honey over the flour. (I did not measure out the honey.  I just drizzled the specified amount onto the salmon).

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small amount of olive oil (optional)

Lightly oil a small skillet and heat for a minute or two before adding salmon.  If you are using a pan that is NOT non-stick, you will need to add more olive oil.

Once it is hot, carefully place the salmon – floured and honey side down.

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(This picture shows oil on the pan.  The recipe I was following called for 1 T. of olive oil.  I would not use this much – if any.)

Cook over medium-low heat for about 6 minutes.  The  honey will give it a nice browned crust.

Flip salmon and sprinkle 1 tsp. flour on each fillet.  Drizzle with honey.

Cook over medium-low heat for another 6 minutes or until done.  DO NOT over cook salmon!

Plate salmon immediately and drizzle each fillet with half of the Browned Butter Lime Sauce.

zest of 1 lime

Sprinkle with lime zest.

Serve immediately.

* A note about Browned Butter:  Browned butter adds a complex nutty flavor to your food with this classic French technique.  Brown butter, also known as beurre noisette, is made by cooking butter long enough to turn the milk solids and salt particles brown while cooking out any water present.  It has a more complex flavor than melted or clarified butter.  Brown butter is traditionally served with fish, but makes a delicious topping for vegetables.  It adds a deep, nutty flavor to sweet items like butterscotch pudding or cream cheese frosting.

 

 

FULL RECIPE WITHOUT PICTURES —

HONEY GLAZED SALMON WITH BROWN BUTTER LIME SAUCE

Browned Butter Lime Sauce

3 T. salted butter, diced

1  1/2 fresh lime juice

1/2 clove garlic, minced

1/8 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

To brown butter *

Place butter in a small, light-colored saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, swirling pan until butter has turned a tan shade.  Be careful not to burn it! Browned butter should be a light brown color and have a toasty aroma. Overcooked butter will have a very bitter taste.

Remove from heat and add lime juice, garlic, salt and pepper.

Pour into a blender and blend on low speed for 30 seconds to 1 minute until well blended.

Pour sauce into a small glass dish – set aside.  Note:  Whisk butter mixture with a fork before pouring onto salmon, as it will separate – rewarm if needed.

Salmon:

2  (6 oz.)  salmon fillets, rested at room temperature for 20 minutes

4 tsp. flour, divided

1 T. honey, divided

small amount of olive oil (optional)

zest of 1 lime

Sprinkle 1 tsp. of flour on one side of each salmon fillet.

Drizzle honey over the flour. (I did not measure out the honey.  I just drizzled the specified amount onto the salmon).

Lightly oil a small skillet and heat for a minute or two before adding salmon.  If you are using a pan that is NOT non-stick, you will need to add more olive oil.

Once it is hot, carefully place the salmon – floured and honey side down.

Cook over medium-low heat for about 6 minutes.  The  honey will give it a nice browned crust.

Flip salmon and sprinkle 1 tsp. flour on each fillet.  Drizzle with honey.

Cook over medium-low heat for another 6 minutes or until done.  DO NOT over cook salmon!

Plate salmon immediately and drizzle each fillet with half of the Browned Butter Lime Sauce.  Sprinkle with lime zest.

Serve immediately.

* A note about Browned Butter:  Browned butter adds a complex nutty flavor to your food with this classic French technique.  Brown butter, also known as beurre noisette, is made by cooking butter long enough to turn the milk solids and salt particles brown while cooking out any water present.  It has a more complex flavor than melted or clarified butter.  Brown butter is traditionally served with fish, but makes a delicious topping for vegetables.  It adds a deep, nutty flavor to sweet items like butterscotch pudding or cream cheese frosting.

 

 

 

Strawberry Muffins

May 4, 2014

 

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This is the PERFECT muffin recipe!!  Any fruit can be added.  In this blog, I have pictures and ingredients for Blueberry muffins, which is the same recipe as this, exchanging the blueberries for strawberries.    They are super moist and have just the right amount of sweetness.  They are also easy and quick to make.   These muffins can be made into the large jumbo muffins, regular size muffins or mini muffins.

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Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray your muffin tin of choice with non-stick spray or line with cupcake liners.  Set aside.

Blueberry Muffins (3)

3 cups all-purpose flour 

4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon until evenly distributed.  Set aside.

Blueberry Muffins (4)

2 eggs, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until combined.

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1 cup buttermilk *

1/2 cup canola oil (or vegetable)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix in milk, oil and vanilla.

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Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix everything by hand.  Avoid over mixing.  Gently mix until all the flour is off the bottom of the bowl and no big pockets of flour remain.  The batter will be VERY thick and somewhat lumpy.

1 cup strawberries 

Roughly chop strawberries and fold into batter.

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Using a spoon, fill muffin cups with batter all the way to the top.

coarse sugar for sprinkling (optional – but makes them look really pretty! **

Sprinkle with coarse sugar.

 

* Buttermilk is preferred for the moistest texture but 1% milk or higher would be fine.  Almond milk or soy milk can be used also.  Do not use skim milk.

** Course sugar is not sold on the shelf  in your average grocery store.  I bought it from the bakery department at Harmons (SLC).

BAKING:

REGULAR MUFFINS (Makes 15-16) :  Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes, then reduce temperature down to 375 degrees for 13-14 minutes  until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

LARGE MUFFINS (Makes 6) : Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes, then reduce temperature down to 375 degrees for 25-26 minutes until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

MINI MUFFINS (Makes 30) :  Bake 11 – 12 minutes at 375 degrees the entire time.

Muffins taste best fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  Muffins will freeze up to 3 months.

 

RECIPE SOURCE: Sally’s Baking Addiction (found on Pinterest)

 

FULL RECIPE WITHOUT PICTURES —

STRAWBERRY MUFFINS

3 cups all-purpose flour 

4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 eggs, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup buttermilk *

1/2 cup canola oil (or vegetable)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup strawberries 

coarse sugar for sprinkling (optional – but makes them look really pretty! **

 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray your muffin tin of choice with non-stick spray or line with cupcake liners.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon until evenly distributed.  Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until combined.

Mix in milk, oil and vanilla.

Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix everything by hand.  Avoid over mixing.  Gently mix until all the flour is off the bottom of the bowl and no big pockets of flour remain.  The batter will be VERY thick and somewhat lumpy.

Roughly chop strawberries and fold into batter.

Using a spoon, fill muffin cups with batter all the way to the top.

Sprinkle with coarse sugar.

 

* Buttermilk is preferred for the moistest texture but 1% milk or higher would be fine.  Almond milk or soy milk can be used also.  Do not use skim milk.

** Course sugar is not sold on the shelf  in your average grocery store.  I bought it from the bakery department at Harmons (SLC).

BAKING:

REGULAR MUFFINS (Makes 15-16) :  Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes, then reduce temperature down to 375 degrees for 13-14 minutes  until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

LARGE MUFFINS (Makes 6) : Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes, then reduce temperature down to 375 degrees for 25-26 minutes until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

MINI MUFFINS (Makes 30) :  Bake 11 – 12 minutes at 375 degrees the entire time.

Muffins taste best fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  Muffins will freeze up to 3 months.

 

RECIPE SOURCE: Sally’s Baking Addiction (found on Pinterest)

 

 

 

Candy Bar Brownies

May 4, 2014

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If you love ooey – If you love gooey – If you love a rich, sweet brownie – this is the one for you.

It can be made with any type of candy bar – just pick your favorite.  Pictures below are made with Reese’s Mini Peanut Butter cups.

You need to plan ahead when making these brownies as they need to cool for at least 3 hours to allow for a nice cut edge.

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

cooking spray

Line an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.

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1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter.  Allow the butter to cool momentarily.  I put it in the frig for a few minutes.

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1 large egg

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 T. vanilla

Add egg, sugars, and vanilla.  Whisk vigorously until combined – about 1 minute.

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1  1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

pinch of salt

Add flour, baking soda, salt and stir until just incorporated.  Batter will be quite thick and dense.

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Reserve 1/2 cup batter; set aside.

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Press remaining batter into prepared pan – a rubber spatula works well.

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1 heaping cup of your favorite candy bar  

Mini’s are the easiest but you can roughly chop full-size candy bars such as Snickers, Milky Way, Butterfinger, Heath, Rolos, Reese’s

Evenly sprinkle the candy over the batter.

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1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk  (about a half of a can)

Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top.

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Using your fingers, drop small bits of the reserved cookie dough over the top.

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Bake for about 30 – 32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out without cookie dough batter clinging to it.  It may not be clean because you are going through other layers.  The edges will be firm, raised and golden.  The sweetened condensed milk should be pretty well set – but it will still be gooey.  Bars will firm up in the pan as they cool.

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Allow bars to cool in the pan for at least  an hour and then 2 hours in the refrigerator, or overnight.

Lift bars out of the pan by lifting the foil.  Remove foil, being careful because some little pieces may stick.  Cut into bars or squares.

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These were made with 3 Musketeers ….. which I would not make again.  The fluffy inside of the candy kind of disappeared.

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Using Almond Joy gave little pieces of nut and coconut throughout the bar.

FULL RECIPE WITHOUT PICTURES —

CANDY BAR BROWNIES

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 large egg

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 T. vanilla

1  1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

pinch of salt

1 heaping cup of your favorite candy bar.  Mini’s are the easiest but you can roughly chop full-size candy bars such as Snickers, Milky Way, Butterfinger, Heath, Rolos, Reese’s. 

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter.  Allow the butter to cool momentarily.  I put it in the frig for a few minutes.

Add egg, sugars, and vanilla.  Whisk vigorously until combined – about 1 minute.

Add flour, baking soda, salt and stir until just incorporated.  Batter will be quite thick and dense.

Reserve 1/2 cup batter; set aside.

Press remaining batter into prepared pan – a rubber spatula works well.

Evenly sprinkle the candy over the batter.

Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top.

Using your fingers, lightly crumble the reserved cookie dough over the top.

Bake for about 30 – 32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out without cookie dough batter clinging to it.  It may not be clean because you are going through other layers.  The edges will be firm, raised and golden.  The sweetened condensed milk should be pretty well set – but it will still be gooey.  Bars will firm up more in the pan as they cool.

Allow bars to cool in the pan for at least  an hour and then 2 hours in the refrigerator, or overnight.

Lift bars out of the pan and remove foil, being careful because some little pieces may stick. Cut into bars or squares.

Snickerdoodles

May 4, 2014

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After 35 years of marriage, I just learned that Snickerdoodles are my husbands favorite cookie!  Go figure!!

We tried 3 recipes and this was our favorite.

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Cookie Dough:

1 cup of butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy – about 3 minutes.

2 eggs

Add eggs and cream for about 2 more minutes.  Creaming the dough at this point will give you a soft chewy cookie.

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3 cups flour

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. salt

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

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Add to the butter mixture.

Mix until all ingredients are combined.

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Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

3 T. sugar

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and sugar.

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Roll the dough into balls and roll it around in the cinnamon sugar.

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 cooking spray

Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.  Place cookie on cookie sheet – don’t set them too close together.  You want them to have room to spread out without touching each other.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes, or until the edges crack.

Let them sit on the cookie sheet and cool for a bit before removing them to a cooling rack.

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Recipe Source:  Jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com

 

FULL RECIPE WITHOUT PICTURES —

SNICKERDOODLES

Cookie Dough:

1 cup of butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

3 cups flour

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. salt

cooking spray

Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

3 T. sugar

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

 

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy – about 3 minutes.

Add eggs and cream for about 2 more minutes.  Creaming the dough at this point will give you a soft chewy cookie.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Add to the butter mixture.

Mix until all ingredients are combined.

In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon sugar coating.

Roll the dough into balls and roll it around in the cinnamon sugar.

Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.  Place cookie on cookie sheet – don’t set them too close together.  You want them to have room to spread out without touching each other.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes, or until the edges crack.

Let them sit on the cookie sheet and cool for a bit before removing them to a cooling rack.

Recipe Source:  Jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Fluffy Orange Jello Salad

May 4, 2014

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This is such a refreshing jello salad.  It would be great as a side to any meal but especially a summer barbecue.   This recipe is similar to the one that has cottage cheese in it but it doesn’t, which gives it a great smooth texture.  Oranges are listed in these ingredients but any fruit can be used.  Just make sure that you match up your fruit with the correct flavor of jello.  My friend, Kellee shared this recipe with me and she loves it with raspberries!  I’ll have to try that next time.

NOTE:  This recipe must be made the day before so it has time to set completely!! 

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1 large orange jello

1 small instant vanilla pudding

Mix jello and pudding together.

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Add 2 cups boiling water.  Stir until dissolved.

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2 cans mandarin oranges – drain, saving the juice

Add enough water and the reserved juice to make 2 cups.  Add to jello/pudding mix.

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Chill until slightly thickened – syrupy consistency.  This takes about 1 1/2 hours.  (I have put it in the freezer to speed this process).

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Slightly smash up the oranges.  Add to the jello mixture.

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12 oz. Cool Whip

Fold in Cool Whip.

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Chill until set.

The oranges tend to sink to the bottom.  Stir before serving.

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FULL RECIPE WITHOUT PICTURES —

1 large orange jello

1 small instant vanilla pudding

2 cans mandarin oranges – drain, saving the juice

12 oz. Cool Whip

Mix jello and pudding together.

Add 2 cups boiling water.  Stir until dissolved.

Add enough water the the reserved juice to make 2 cups.  Add to jello/pudding mix.

Chill until slightly thickened – syrupy consistency.  This takes about 1 1/2 hours.

Slightly smash up the oranges.  Fold in oranges and Cool Whip.

Chill until set.

The oranges tend to sink to the bottom.  Stir before serving.

 

 

Banana Nut Muffins

March 9, 2014

Banana Nut Muffins (9)

The cinnamon crunch on the top of these Banana Muffins make these the best!

Banana Nut Muffins (1)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray muffin tins with non-stick spray or line with muffin liners.

3 cups all-purpose flour 

4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon, divided

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and 1 tsp. cinnamon until evenly distributed.  Set aside.

Blueberry Muffins (4)

2 eggs, room temperature

1 cup light brown sugar, divided

1/4 cup granulated sugar

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, 3/4 cup brown sugar and granulated sugar until combined.

Banana Nut Muffins (2)

1 cup buttermilk *

1/3 cup canola oil (or vegetable)

3/4 cup mashed banana (about 2 very ripe bananas)

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix in milk, oil, mashed banana and vanilla.

Banana Nut Muffins (3)

Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix everything by hand.  Avoid over mixing.  Gently mix until all the flour is off the bottom of the bowl and no big pockets of flour remain.  The batter will be thick and somewhat lumpy.

Banana Nut Muffins (4)

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, divided

Fold in 3/4 cup chopped nuts.

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Using a spoon, fill muffin cups with batter all the way to the top.

Mix together:

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped nuts

Banana Nut Muffins (6)

Sprinkle evenly over the tops of the muffin batter.

Banana Nut Muffins (7)

* Buttermilk is preferred for the moistest texture but 1% milk or higher would be fine.  Almond milk or soy milk can be used also.  Do not use skim milk.

These muffins can be made into the large jumbo muffins, regular size muffins or mini muffins.

BAKING:

REGULAR MUFFINS (Makes 15-16) :  Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes, then reduce temperature down to 375 degrees for 14 – 15 minutes  until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

LARGE MUFFINS (Makes 6) : Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes, then reduce temperature down to 375 degrees for 25-26 minutes until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

MINI MUFFINS (Makes 30) :  Bake 11 – 12 minutes at 375 degrees the entire time.

Banana Nut Muffins (8)

Muffins taste best fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  Muffins will freeze up to 3 months.

RECIPE SOURCE: Sally’s Baking Addiction (found on Pinterest)

FULL RECIPE WITHOUT PICTURES:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray muffin tins with non-stick spray or line with muffin liners.

3 cups all-purpose flour 

4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp. cinnamon, divided

2 eggs, room temperature

1 cup light brown sugar, divided

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup buttermilk *

1/3 cup canola oil (or vegetable)

3/4 cup mashed banana (about 2 very ripe bananas)

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, divided

* Buttermilk is preferred for the moistest texture but 1% milk or higher would be fine.  Almond milk or soy milk can be used also.  Do not use skim milk.

These muffins can be made into the large jumbo muffins, regular size muffins or mini muffins.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray your muffin tin of choice with non-stick spray or line with cupcake liners.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon until evenly distributed.  Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and 3/4 cup brown sugar and granulated sugar until combined.

Mix in milk, oil, mashed banana and vanilla.

Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix everything by hand.  Avoid over mixing.  Gently mix until all the flour is off the bottom of the bowl and no big pockets of flour remain.  The batter will be thick and somewhat lumpy.

Fold in 3/4 cup chopped nuts.

Using a spoon, fill muffin cups with batter all the way to the top.

Mix together:

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped nuts

Sprinkle evenly over the tops of the muffin batter.

BAKING:

REGULAR MUFFINS (Makes 15-16) :  Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes, then reduce temperature down to 375 degrees for 14 – 15 minutes  until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

LARGE MUFFINS (Makes 6) : Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes, then reduce temperature down to 375 degrees for 25-26 minutes until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

MINI MUFFINS (Makes 30) :  Bake 11 – 12 minutes at 375 degrees the entire time.

Muffins taste best fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  Muffins will freeze up to 3 months.

RECIPE SOURCE: Sally’s Baking Addiction (found on Pinterest)