Easy Apple Turnovers

1 can Pillsbury (or any brand) biscuits
1 apple, cored and thinly sliced or diced (I kept the skin on and it worked fine)
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 T. white sugar + 1 t. cinnamon
.
- Roll or hand-press each biscuit to 1/2 inch thick. (the kids had fun helping with this step)
- Mix sliced/diced apples with brown sugar until evenly coated.
- Microwave the apples for 30-60 seconds to soften slightly.
- Spoon a small amount of apples onto half of each pressed biscuit.
- Cover the apple side of the biscuit with the other 1/2 and press seems together with your fingers. (another fun step for the kids - my kids didn't seal them enough, but it didn't seem to matter)
- Sprinkle tops of turnovers with cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until the biscuit is golden brown.

Super Easy Pumpkin Bread

(from Recipe Zaar)

SERVES 4 -6

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup olive oil (can sub with canola or vegetable)
• 2 eggs, Beaten
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Sift together flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda.
3. In a separate bowl combined pumpkin, oil, eggs, water, and spices.
4. Then, combined with dry ingredients but, do not mix too thoroughly. Stir in walnuts.
5. Pour into a well-buttered 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until a thin skewer poked in the very center of the loaf comes out clean. Turn out of the pan and let cool on a rack.
6. Makes one loaf. Can easily double the recipe.
7. If desired, you can use them in a muffin tin as well. They come out just as moist. If you use muffin tin bake for 20-25 minute.

**A note from Mama**

This bread would be super tasty with an icing as well! Something like this, perhaps....

(from Food Network)

Icing:

• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 tablespoons whipping cream, fresh orange juice or rum

Icing: Cream confectioners' sugar and butter. Add remaining ingredients and beat until smooth. (If icing is too thin, add more confectioners' sugar; if too thick, add more cream, orange juice or rum. Drizzle over bread and enjoy!

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash salt
• Praline Topping, recipe follows
• Maple syrup

Directions

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Oven Waffles

(from Hillbilly Housewife)

This is a little expensive to make on a regular day but I call it my special guest breakfast. My mom always served this on Christmas Day, Easter, any day that deserved a nice breakfast but a quick one. It is quick, easy and looks great when served. It is also very forgiving, as you will see by the recipe. I think it is called a German pancake but we call it an oven waffle.

• 6-8 large eggs (The more eggs, the denser it will be)
• 1/3-1/2 cup milk
• 1 heaping cup of flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp of white sugar (You can add more if you want a sweeter waffle)
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 4 TBSP melted butter or margarine.

Pour melted butter in the bottom a 13 x 9 casserole pan, making sure the bottom is coated. (Baking spray does not work to keep this recipe from sticking) Blend all other ingredients in the blender until the flour is thoroughly mixed. Pour into pan and put in a 350 oven for 30-35 minutes. When the top is crusty and the pancake really puffy, it is done. DO NOT check for doneness with a knife or fork, as this will cause the pancake to fall.

Serve immediately. You can sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with syrup, or have it plain. If you want to go for a more adult version, you can omit the sugar and vanilla and sprinkle cooked bacon and peppers, etc., to make an oven omelet.

Donut Muffins

(from Hillbilly Housewife)

• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 medium egg
• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3/4 cup milk

For The Topping:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup melted margarine

In a mixing bowl mash together the shortening and sugar. Add the egg and whisk it all up until it is smooth. Make sure you use shortening, Not Margarine. The shortening gives this recipe it’s special texture. Measure the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg into the bowl. Pour in the milk. Mix the batter with a whisk until it is smooth. Drop the mixture into 12 oiled muffin cups. Make sure not to over fill the muffin cups, 1/2 to 2/3 full is full enough. Bake the muffins at 350� for 25 minutes, or until the muffins are brown on top. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.

Mix the powdered sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.

Take the muffins out of the pan. When they are cool enough to handle, dip the tops of the muffins into the melted margarine. Then dip them into the powdered sugar/cinnamon mixture. Arrange the prepared muffins on a large plate and serve while still warm. Makes a dozen. Very good for breakfast and after school or midnight snacks.

This recipe is very very old, at least 80 years old. It was created by a cook with leftover donut batter who didn’t have time to deep fry them. She added a little milk to make the batter thinner, and cooked it in muffin cups instead of deep frying it. The nutmeg is the secret ingredients which gives these muffins their special old fashioned donut flavor. Necessity is the mother of invention, and bless the cook who invented these. My family is grateful.

****Lil Mama's Note****

These would be super tasty with a chocolate drizzle frosting too!

Quick Cinnamon Rolls

(from Hillbilly Housewife)

• 
  
• 3-1/4 cups Biscuit Mix (homemade is fine)
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup softened margarine
• 1/2 cup brown sugar or Sucanat
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts, optional

In a large bowl combine the biscuit mix and milk. Mix the milk and biscuit mix together until you have a soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a large sheet of waxed paper. Knead the dough gently for few second. Pat the dough into a rectangular shape. Using a rolling pin or a heavy jar or glass, roll the dough out so that it is about half an inch thick. Try to keep it in a rectangular shape as you roll it out, this is a little challenging at first, but becomes very easy with practice.

Spread the margarine over the dough like spreading peanut butter on bread. Sprinkle on the brown sugar, breaking up any large lumps as you come across them. Scatter the cinnamon over the brown sugar. If you are using nuts, then sprinkle them on now too.

Now comes the part that takes a little skill. Lift up one side of the waxed paper and use it to help you roll up the dough like a jellyroll, with the filling on the inside of the roll. Pull back the waxed paper as you go so it doesn’t get inadvertently wrapped up in the roll. When the roll is nicely formed, use a sharp knife to cut it into about a dozen slices. I cut in the center first and then I cut each half in half again, making even quarters. Each quarter is then divided into 3 or 4 slices depending on how thick I want my cinnamon rolls to be. I prefer the rolls thicker rather than thinner.

Arrange the cinnamon rolls in well-greased muffin cups, or side by side in a well-greased 9 by 13-inch rectangular pan. If desired, squirt a little Pancake Syrup in the center of each cinnamon roll for flavor and stickiness. Bake the rolls at 400° for about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before eating. You may be tempted to eat them sooner, but if you do, you will burn the inside of your mouth. These are also good cold, and make good lunch box desserts.

**A note from Lil Mama**

I was going to make these cinnamon rolls, but didn't realize that real dough is a 2 or 3 hour project. Since I had already promised homemade cinnamon rolls for our Saturday morning breakfast, and it was 9:00 pm on Friday night, and quickly scrambled to the computer and came across these. They were super easy to make, and quite tasty! The dough tastes like biscuit dough, because that's what it is, but they were still super yummy, and I loved how they cook in the muffin tin! A great find and a definite make again!

Old Fashioned Cinnamon Rolls

(from Mommy's Kitchen)

1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter (4 tablespoons, half stick)
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons yeast (one package)
1/4 cup warm water (105°-115°)
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
3-1/2 cups bread flour

Filling
1/4 cup butter (4 tablespoons, half stick)
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
(optional) raisins

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Start by scalding the milk. Scalding breaks down a protein in the whey that can keep the dough from rising as much. In a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, bring the milk nearly to a boil. When a film starts to form on the top, turn off the heat and skim it off with a spoon. Add the sugar, salt, and the first half-stick of butter and stir until the sugar and butter are both melted. Set the milk/butter mixture aside to cool to room temperature.In a separate bowl, combine the yeast and warm water and stir quickly. Stir in the egg. Add the milk/butter mixture. (Make sure it's cooled down to room temperature or you'll kill the yeast.) Add the flour and stir until the flour is all incorporated and the dough comes together in a soft, loose ball. Add a couple of tablespoons of oil (I always use extra virgin olive) to a clean bowl. Roll the dough around until it is oiled all over, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a wet dish towel. This will keep the dough from drying out and forming a skin, which would keep it from rising.

Put the bowl someplace warm, not hot -- inside the stove, turned off but with the light turned on is about perfect -- until the dough has doubled in volume, about an hour-and-a-half. Once the dough has risen, punch it down to deflate it.Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for a few minutes, until the dough is smooth and satiny. Roll the dough out into a rectangle about an eighth-inch thick. Soften the butter, but don't melt it. Spread it evenly onto the dough. Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread the cinnamon mixture evenly over the dough and roll it up. cut into rolls and oil a baking sheet and arrange the rolls with room in between. Place the baking sheet in the oven -- turned off but with the light on again -- until the dough warms up and the rolls double in size. Then bake at 400° for 10-15 minutes, until they are golden brown on top. Arrange the rolls on your serving dish, and prepare the glaze. Pour it over the rolls.


Night Before Option:

Wrap the roll in plastic wrap, to keep it from drying out, and aluminum foil, to help keep the shape. Put the wrapped roll in the fridge overnight. The next morning, the cold dough will be firmer and much easier to cut. Use a knife or Dental Floss, once they're all cut, oil a baking sheet and arrange the rolls with room in between. Place the baking sheet in the oven -- turned off but with the light on again -- until the dough warms up and the rolls double in size. (This could take 2-3 hours so plan accordingly) Then bake at 400° for 10-15 minutes, until they are golden brown on top. Arrange the rolls on your serving dish, and prepare the glaze. Pour it over the rolls.

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Muffins

(from girltalk)

2007 at 12:01 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under Homemaking Recipes

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Muffins:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg, room temperature
1/2 cup cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar (I used 3/4 cup sugar, but we like ours sweet.)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease 12 muffin cups or use paper liners.
Beat cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Beat in egg, cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture into cream cheese mixture until flour is moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups filling them 3/4 full.
Bake in preheated oven until tops are golden, about 20 minutes.

Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents

(from Mommy's Kitchen)

1 lb. regular breakfast sausage, browned & drained
1 - (8oz.) pkg. philidelphia cream cheese or generic
2 - pkg. pillsbury crescent dinner rolls

Brown and drain breakfast sausage . Combine sausage & cream cheese. Roll into logs about 2 inches long place on crescent triangle or spoon into crescent. Roll up Crescents and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 350 about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Perfect Pancakes

(from Mommy's Kitchen)

3 cups plus 2 tablespoons cake flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups milk
2 large eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla
4 tablespoons butter (melted)
Lots of butter and syrup

Mix together dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix together milk, eggs, and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring very gently until just combined. Melt butter in the microwave and add it to the batter, stirring gently to combine. Cook on a greased skillet over medium-low heat until golden brown. Serve with butter and syrup.

Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping

(from Traci)

Crumb topping:
I cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Muffins:
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup canola oil
¾ cup milk {recipe calls for whole, but I use non-fat}
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 ½ cups fresh blueberries

1. Preheat oven to 375. Line muffin cups with paper or spray {makes about 18 muffins}
2. Make the crumb topping: Combine the flour with the brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in the melted butter, then pinch the mixture until it forms pea-sized clumps.
3. Make the muffins: Wisk the flour with the baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, eggs, and canola oil and beat with a mixer at low speed until combined. Beat in the whole milk and vanilla. Add the flour mixture all at once and beat at low speed until the batter is smooth. Stir in the blueberries.
4. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling them about ¾ the way full. Sprinkle crumb topping on top of each one and bake for 30 minutes or so. Let them cool before serving!