Saturday, October 29, 2016

Jumbo Buckeyes Cupcakes

This is a placeholder for these jumbo cupcakes I just finished making.

We will be watching the Ohio State playing North Western Chicago at 3:30pm this afternoon and we are routing for the Buckeyes and "Go Buckeyes!!". These treats will hopefully sink our sweet teeth and warm our hearts as we cheer for our favorite team.

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cup milk ( I would reduce to 1 cup next time)
3 eggs
1 box of german chocolate cake mix

Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature, plus 2 Tbs
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup milk
1 tiny smear of black color gel




Wednesday, October 26, 2016

At the Cross Quilt

This is a simple wall quilt I put together in a short time. I am hoping this quilt will shine and bring real Light and Vision to the beholder.







Saturday, October 1, 2016

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Apples are in season this time of the year, what better than to bake some warm and delicious cinnamon rolls with chopped apples! hmm, walnut maybe an excellent additional too if you have some handy in your pantry.

So here it is....

1/4 cup warm water
1 Tb yeast

1 1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup flour

3 2/3 cup flour
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup oil

cinnamon
brown sugar
1 apple, chopped in tiny pieces.
walnut (optional)

Instruction:
In a mixer, drop in warm water and sprinkle yeast over warm water, let sit for 10-15 mins, this will turn foamy.

In a small sauce pan, heat milk and stir in 1/3 cup flour. Stirring continously until flour comes together and begins to thicken. Turn off heat, stir in sugar and oil. Let this batter sits and cool but still warm.

Add warm batter into the mixer, turn on mixer in low speed, adding in one cup of flour at time.
Continue to mix till dough is well incorporated, turn off mixer.
Using your hand, fold & knead dough for 2 or 3 mins. Fold dough into a nice ball and put dough in a dry bowl or same mixer bowl and let rest for at least an hour.

Dough should rise double in size, punch down & fold dough together.
Divide dough into 2.
On one piece of dough, roll out thinly, spread chopped apples, spread evenly brown sugar and sprinkle cinnamon.
Wrap dough into a long log, cut into 12 pieces. Each piece should look a ring with oozing apples and brown sugar. Lay pieces on baking sheet (lined with parchment paper, do not use waxed paper).

Repeat the same on the second dough.
Bake at 350F for 25 minutes.
Optional, dap top of each roll with cream cheese icing while rolls are still warm.


Men Breakfast Strata with Bacon & Sausage

I am hoping this breakfast casserole is a crowd pleaser, and a great way to serve up the Men's Breakfast for this Saturday. It is fun to try new recipes.
I made 3 recipes to serve up to 20 men, this should be plenty to share.


INGREDIENTS
1 loaf (day's old) french wheat bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 cup grated cheese, I am using sharp cheddar. 
  • 2 cups broccoli florrets.
  • 2/3 cup fried chopped bacon ( one lb bacon cooked into 2 cups cooked bacon)
  • 1/3 lb sausage  ( one lb sausage cooked for 3 recipes )

Egg Mixture
  • 6 eggs
  • 1¼ cups milk
  • ¼ cup sharp cheddar
  • salt and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. In a deep cooking pan, cook bacon until crispy, drain and cool, chop into small pieces, set aside.
  2. Drain bacon grease, using the same pan, cook sausage and chop into small pieces, set aside.
  3. Using the same cooking pan, pour away any excess grease, and cook broccoli until soft, about 5 minutes, set aside.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together egg mixture until combined.
  5. Spread half the bread into the base of a 8 x 13 baking dish.
  6. Pour over egg mixture, make sure all the bread is soaked and covered evenly.
  7. Top with some of the cheese.
  8. Next layer with the broccoli, bacon and sausage.
  9. Top with remaining cheese, then squish down to help the bread soak up the egg mixture.
  10. Set aside for at least 30 minutes, or over night.
  11. Preheat oven to 350F.
  12. Bake for 45 minutes until golden on sides. Let it set for 5 minutes.
  13. Serve warm, sprinkled with italian herbs if desired.
  14. Top with hot sauce if desired.


       all set to go into the oven...
     Fresh Out from the Oven