Banana bread.

I really think banana bread has to be one of the most wonderful kinds of breads out there.

I love that it is light and moist.

My brother who HATES bananas including banana bread said he actually likes this one.

Yay!

So pretty much this recipe is amazing.

I got the recipe from a Betty Crocker cookbook.

Although, I did a few things different and even added an extra special ingredient.

Here's the recipe:

Banana bread

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter (softened)

3 mashed ripe bananas. (Use 4 if you like a stronger banana flavor)

1/3 cup water

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Grease and flour the bottom of your loaf pan. 

In a separate bowl whisk together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

Mix your sugar and butter together. (I used a kitchen aid but you can use a hand mixer as well.) Mix in the eggs one at a time. Add bananas and water and mix well. Finally slowly mix in your flour mixture and mix that well.  Pour into the loaf pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  About 1 hour 15 minutes.

Let cool for about 5-10 minutes before taking it out.

Spread on that butter and enjoy!

Sidenote: Oh you can add 1/2 cups of nuts if you want. I hate nuts so I never do.

Oh and I also always double it. Cause one loaf just isn't enough.

Pin It

Banana cream pie.

Looking for a yummy banana cream pie recipe?

This is a lovely one.

Really easy too.

Banana Cream Pie

(My aunt Lisa's recipe)

In a saucepan combine:

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/4 t. salt

Slowly add 2 cups of cold milk

Cook and stir on medium heat until it boils and thickens like pudding (but still a little runny).

Remove from heat and add 1 large egg (beaten)

Cook again on medium while stirring for 1 more minute.

Remove from heat and add:

2 Tablespoons of butter

2 teaspoons of vanilla

Cover with wax paper and cool to room temp.
Either make your crust or just buy one.
I used store bought.

Slice bananas in the crust. (Thin slices and cover the whole bottom in about 2 layers)

(About 2 bananas)

Pour the mix over that and refrigerate.

Top with whipped cream!

Makes 1 pie.

Pin It

Cinnamon/sugar covered almonds.

 I found this recipe here.

It's simply amazing.

Here's what you need:

1 cup sugar
3 cups raw almonds 

1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 cup water

In a large skillet combine the sugar, cinnamon and water. Add the almonds and stir constantly over medium heat, coating the almonds with the sugar, cinnamon and water mixture. Keep stirring until the sugar crystallizes. This takes a little bit.  So be patient! Remove the pan from heat and scoop the almonds onto parchment paper or aluminum foil. 

I doubled the recipe because I knew my family would completely down them.

And they did!

I'm sure there are lots of cute things you can do with them, like put them in a small bag and give them as gifts.

I don't know, be creative!

Or just keep them for yourself.

That's what I did:)

Pin It

Chocolate cupcakes with Peppermint cream cheese frosting.

These cupcakes were given a 10 1/2 by my sweet mom.

And she takes her food seriously.

So try them!

First make your chocolate cupcakes using your favorite recipe.

I'll share mine soon:)

Then make this for the frosting.

Peppermint cream cheese frosting.

1/2 cup butter softened

8 oz cream cheese softened

1/2 t. peppermint extract

1/4 c. liquid whipping cream

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Cream the butter and cream cheese together. Then add the whipping cream and mix together.

Sift in your powdered sugar and mix until combined.  Finally add in your peppermint extract and mix that in.

I kind of make this recipe up as I went so you may need a bit more powdered sugar.  Just sift it in until the frosting is the consistency you want it.

Frost your cupcakes and top with a peppermint kiss.

Enjoy!

Pin It

Buddy's (from the Cake Boss) amazing pumpkin pie.

If you are looking for an AMAZING pumpkin pie recipe.

This here is the one.

I usually always make my pumpkin pie using the recipe on the back of the can.

But when I spotted this recipe in the newspaper, I thought I'd give it a try.

And oh my gosh it was a hit.

My husband doesn't really even like pumpkin pie and he said would gladly have another piece!

So there you go, try it!!

It really is quite easy.

Gather all your ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 450.
Make sure the oven rack is in the center of the oven.

Put the pumpkin, sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, mace and vanilla in the bowl of a standstill mixer. Paddle at low speed for about 2 minutes.

Add the milk in two additions and mix for 2 minutes.
Then add the eggs and mix for another 2 minutes.
(It will be runny just so you know)

I doubled the recipe when I made it.
(This recipe is good for 1 9 inch pie crust. Deep dish.)

Pour it into your pie crust, either homemade or store bought.
Pop them in the oven and bake for 15 minutes on 45o and then turn the oven own to 375 and bake for an additional 30-40 minutes.
Or until a finger dabbed onto the surface emerges clean.

Here it is!!
When I pulled off the aluminum it kind of ripped part of the crust off.
I have no idea why.
But that definitely did not affect the taste:)

Here is the complete recipe.

Buddy's Pumpkin Pie

1 unbaked 9 inch pie crust, homemade or store bought.
1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree ( I like Libby's pure pumpkin)
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 t. cornstarch
1/2 t. fine sea salt
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. ground cloves
1/4 t. ground ginger

1/4 t. ground nutmeg
1/4 t. ground allspice
1/4 t. ground mace (I found this in the spice section at Wal-mart)
1 t. pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. whole milk
2 extra large eggs.

1) Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2) Put the pumpkin, sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, mace, and vanilla in a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Paddle at low-medium speed for approximately 2 minutes.
3) With the motor running, pour milk in two additions. Stop the motor, scrape the sides of the bowl with a wooden spatula, restart, and paddle for an additional 2 minutes. Add the eggs and paddle until absorbed, approximately 2 additional minutes.
4) Pour the mixture into a 9 inch pie crust pan and bake for 15 minutes, then lower heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and bake until finger dabbed onto the surface emerges clean, 30-40 minutes.
5) Remove the pie from oven and let cool for 1-2 hours. Slice and serve right away with whipped cream (if you want) or cover with plastic and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Enjoy!

Pin It

Mountains.

 My family calls them mountains. 

But most probably know them as German pancakes.

Anyway, they are simply amazing and make such a yummy breakfast.

Even dinner occasionally:)

So here's how you make them.

You will need:

6 eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup flour

1/2 t. salt

5 T. butter

Melt the butter in a glass pan or really any pan. About the size of a 9x13. Just stick it right in the oven while you are waiting for it to preheat to 450 degress F.  Whip the other ingredients together.  It is better to do this by hand because you want it to be lumpy! As soon as the butter is melted pour the mixture in and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the mountains form and are slightly golden brown.

Serve immediately with syrup and powdered sugar on top.

Yum!

Pin It

Brown sugar/cinnamon glazed rolls.

These rolls are AMAZING.

I got the recipe from my aunt who used to make it for all of us cousins.

We really all thought they were the best and would down a whole pan in seconds.

These can be made as a side or for a dessert.

We usually will make them as a side for Sunday dinner or something.

Okay here's the recipe.

Put bout 20 frozen (Rhodes) rolls in a pan and cover.

Let rise for 2-3 hours.

Then make your sauce.

In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup butter, 1 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

Heat on medium until the sugar starts to dissolve.
Stir constantly.

Don't heat too long though.

It will look kind of like this!

Then remove from heat and add 2 teaspoons of vanilla.

Stir.

Pour over the top of your rising rolls and let them finish rising.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the rolls are done.

Enjoy!!

Brown sugar/cinnamon glazed rolls.

1: Put 20 rolls in pan.  Cover and let rise for 2-3 hours.

2: Combine:

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3:Heat on medium until sugar dissolves while stirring constantly.

4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla.

5: Pour over the top of your rolls and then cover and continue rising for another hour or so.

6: Bake at 350 degrees F for about 10-12 minutes.

Pin It

Halloween sugar cookies.

These are absolutely the best tasting sugar cookies I have ever had.
And I mean that.
I am a huge fan of the daisy cookies from Smart Cookie.
And I promise these are just as good.
Plus they really are so easy to make.
The frosting is the time consuming part if you want make them all detailed and stuff.
You don't have to though.

So let's get started.

In a bowl, combine 6 cups of flour, 4 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

In a bigger bowl cream together 1 cup shortening and 2 cups of granulated sugar.

Beat in 3 large eggs.

It will look like this.

Now mix in 1 cup milk and 2 teaspoons of vanilla.
(Okay it will look really gross like chunky soggy stuff. But I promise it's okay!)

Finally add the flour mixture. I added about 1 1/2 cups at a time and beat like crazy.
It will look like dough...obviously haha!

You do not have to chill this dough. Yay! So spread some flour out and cut out cute things with your cookie cutters. They don't necessarily have to be Halloween obviously. Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 8-10 minutes. I like to pull mine our right before they turn golden brown that way they are very soft and just so yummy.
That's it for the cookies!

Now for the cream cheese frosting.

Combine 2 8 oz package of softened cream cheese and 1 cup softened butter.
Make sure they are softened.

Sift in 4 cups of powdered sugar. Our sifter was being stupid so I did it the old fashioned way. But it worked!
Then add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. And mix until combined.
Make sure the frosting is the consistency you want. You can add a little bit of milk if it is too thick or a little bit more sifted powdered sugar if not thick enough.

Frost away!

Oh they are just so cute and taste so good!


The recipes.

No chill cut-out cookies.
(I got this recipe from my great grandma)

1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
cream together
3 large eggs
beat in
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
beat in

In another bowl.
6 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Add flour mixture to other mixture. Spread flour on counter and roll out dough and then cut out the cute shapes you want. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool before you frost.

Cream cheese frosting.
(I found this online and sadly I don't remember where so if this is your recipe let me know and I will give you proper credit.)

2 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 cup butter, softened
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in vanilla and mix again.
Frost!

Pin It

Applesauce spice cupcakes with Cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Yep that is a mouthful but they are soooo good.
And really not too hard to make.
The cupcake recipe I found here.
And then the frosting recipe was something I put together.

For the cupcakes:

You will need canola oil, eggs, packed brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
See end of post for amounts.

Line your muffin/cupcake tins with paper liners.
(About 24)

With an electric mixer beat eggs, sugars, and oil.
Then add dry ingredients and continue mixing.

Finally mix in applesauce.
(Make sure you get a very good can opener otherwise you might have an explosion of applesauce like this!)
(Or just get the applesauce you don't have open with a can opener.)

It will look something like this!
It is a little runny.

Pour into lined cups.
About 2/3 full.
Bake at 350 for 16-20 minutes.

Cool completely before frosting.


For the cinnamon cream cheese frosting:
(I was bad with pictures sorry)
You will need sugar, flour, milk, heavy cream, butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and cinnamon.

In a medium saucepan, whisk sugar and flour together. Add milk and heavy cream.
Then cook over medium heat, whisking occasionally until mixture comes to boil and has thickened. About 20 minutes.
(Make sure it is thick)

This is the part I forgot to take pictures at.
Transfer mixture to bowl and mix with electric mixer on high until it cools.
Reduce speed and add cream cheese and butter. Mix until combined. Add vanilla and cinnamon. And mix.
If frosting is too soft, chill in fridge and then beat again. If too firm, place bowl over pot of simmering water and beat with a wooden spoon until it's the proper consistency.

Frost.

Enjoy!!


Applesauce Spice cupcakes with Cinnamon cream cheese frosting

For cupcakes:

1/2 c. canola oil

4 lg eggs
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
3/4 c. granulated sugar
2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
3/4 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
1/8 t. cloves
1/2 t. nutmeg
1 1/2 c. applesauce

Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin tins with paper liners. (24) With an electric mixer beat eggs, sugar, and oil. Add dry ingredients and continue mixing. Mix in applesauce. Pour in lined cups and bake for 16-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely then frost.

For frosting

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. flour
1 1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. heavy cream
1/4 c. butter, softened
1 1/4 pkg. cream cheese, straight fro, fridge
1 t. vanilla extract
2 1/2 t. cinnamon. (You can add more if you taste it and you want it more cinnamony)

In a medium sauce pan, whisk sugar and flour together. Add milk and heavy cream and cook over medium heat. Whisk occasionally until mixture comes to a boil and has thickened. About 20 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl and beat on high until it cools. Reduce speed and add cream cheese and butter. Mix. Then add vanilla and cinnamon and mix until combined. If frosting is too soft, chill in fridge and then beat again. (I had to do this.) If too firm, place bowl over pot of simmering water and beat with a wooden spoon until proper consistency.

Pin It