Thursday, December 29, 2011

For New Years - Dessert Crepes

Try out this easy crepes recipe and let them top it with their favorite toppings!

Dessert Crepes

Skillet over medium heat
Total time: 30 mins. (NOT including hour refrigerator time)
Easy

Ingredients

-2 eggs
-1 c. milk
-2/3 c. flour
-1/8 t. salt or a pinch
-1 1/2 t. vegetable oil


Directions

1. Combine eggs, milk, flour, salt, and oil in a blender until smooth
2. Refrigerate for 1 hour
3. Heat a skillet over med-high heat
4. Pour 1/4 c. crepe batter into pan
5. Tilt skillet to completely cover the bottom with crepe
6. Cook for 2-5 mins. turning once until golden
7. Repeat, and repeat again....again.....
8. Enjoy with toppings!

Topping Ideas

-Strawberries
-Bananas
-Pineapple
-Jam
-Whipped cream
-Chocolate sauce
-Powdered sugar

Recipe source, thanks to: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/crepes-2/detail.aspx 

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Holiday Favorites- Gingerbread Sandwich Trees


Gingerbread Sandwich Trees

Preheat oven 325*
Bake time 8-10 mins.
Start-finish/total time: 1 1/2 hrs. (3 with cooling and refridgerating)


Difficulty - Hard
<Very Good!>









Ingredients



-3/4 c. butter, softened
-1 c. packed brown sugar
-1 egg
-3/4 c. molasses
-4 c. flour
-3 t. pumpkin pie spice
-1-1/2 t. baking soda
-1-1/4 t. ground ginger
-1/4 t. salt
-M&M's miniature baking bits
-3/4 c. vanilla frosting
-1/4 c. confectioners' sugar
-Green food coloring (optional)


Directions


1. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy
2. Add egg and molasses
3. Combine the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, ginger and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well
4. Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours or until easy to handle
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness
6. Cut with a floured 3-in. tree-shaped cookie cutter
7. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets
8. Gently press baking bits into half of the cookies
9. Bake (325, 8-10) or until the edges are firm
10. Remove to wire racks to cool completely

for the Frosting


  • 1. In a small bowl, combine frosting and confectioners' sugar until smooth; tint green if desired. Spread over the bottoms of plain cookies; top with decorated cookies

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Holiday Traditions- Rolled Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies

Preheat oven 400*
Bake time 2
Start-finish/total time: 1 hr. (not including additional 1 hr. chill)


Easy




Ingredients

-1 1/2 c. butter, softened
-2 c. white sugar
-4 eggs
-1 t. vanilla extract
-5 c. flour
-2 t. baking powder
-1 te. salt

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth
2. Beat in eggs and vanilla
3. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt
4. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour
5. Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick
6. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter
7. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets
8. Bake in 400 for 6 to 8 mins.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

NEW Holiday Recipes- Pretzel Ice Cream Pie

Pretzel Ice Cream Pie


No bake
Start-finish/total time: 1 hr.


Difficulty - Medium


*Note requires two separate recipes, on Epicurious, link embedded 








Ingredients


-1 recipe Pretzel Crunch
-25 g. butter, melted (2 T.)
-1 recipe Pretzel Ice Cream




Directions



1. Using your hands (or a food processor if you prefer), crumble the pretzel crunch clusters to half their size. (The smaller size will make for better distribution of the moisture and fat, creating a nice crunchy crust.)
2. Toss the melted butter into the crumbled pretzel crunch, mixing well. Using your fingers and the palms of your hands, press the mixture firmly into a 10-inch pie tin, making sure the bottom and sides of the pie tin are evenly covered. Wrapped in plastic, the crust can be frozen for up to 2 weeks
3. Use a spatula to spread the ice cream into the pie shell. Freeze the pie for at least 3 hours, or until the ice cream is frozen hard enough so the pie is easy to cut and serve. Wrapped in plastic wrap, the pie will keep for 2 weeks in the freezer


Monday, December 5, 2011

Holiday Favorites- Molasses Ginger Cake

Molasses Ginger Cake

Preheat oven 325*
Bake time 1 hr.
Start-finish/total time: 2 1/4 hrs.

Difficulty - Med. Hard
















Ingredients

-4 T. unsalted butter
-1 c. unsulfured molasses
-1/2 c. buttermilk or plain yogurt
-1/2 c. packed dark brown sugar
-2 large eggs
-1 oz. crystallized ginger, chopped fine (2 T.)
-2 c. flour
-1 1/2 t. ground ginger
-1 t. baking soda

Directions

1. Grease the pan
2. Melt the butter in a medium-size saucepan over low heat
3. Remove from heat stir in molasses
4. Add the buttermilk, brown sugar, eggs, and crystallized ginger
5. Stir until thoroughly blended, mashing any lumps
6. Put the flour, ground ginger, and baking soda into a large bowl
7. Stir and mix well
8. Pour into the molasses mixture
9. Combine, blending well
10. When blended spread in the prepared pan
11. Bake (1 hr.)
12. Test at about 50 mins, with a toothpick
13. If it comes out clean


-8-in. square baking pan

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Holiday Favorites- Classic Shortbread

Holiday Shortbread


Preheat oven 325*
Bake time 45 mins
Start-finish/total time: 1 hr.

Difficulty - Extremely Easy







Ingredients

-1 lb. butter
-3/4 c. sugar
-3 1/2 c. flour

Directions

1. Combine butter and sugar, to a cream
2. Slowly add the 3/4 c. flour
3. Spread into 1-in. thick pan
4. Bake (45 mins.)
5. Cut while hot, cool
6. Share and enjoy this delicious recipe!

Holiday Favorites- Butter and Jam Prints

Butter and Jam Thumbprints

Preheat oven 350*
Bake time 15 mins
Start-finish/total time: 1 1/2 hrs.

Difficulty - Easy

Ingredients

-1 3/4 c. flour
-1/2 t. baking powder
-1/2 t. salt
-3/4 c. unsalted butter, (1 1/2 stick, softened)
-2/3 c. sugar
-1 egg
-1/2 vanilla bean (1 t. pure vanilla extract)
-1/3 c. raspberry, cherry, or strawberry jam

Directions

1. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together
3. In another bowl, whip the butter and sugar with an electric mixer, until fluffy (3-5 mins)
4. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined
5. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients, in 2 additions, until just incorporated
6. Scoop dough into inch sized balls
7. Roll in sugar, then press a thumbprint into the center of each ball (about a 1/2-in. deep)
8. Fill each with 3/4 t. jam
9. Bake until golden, share and enjoy!
















Recipe from The Food Network Kitchens