Saturday, October 31, 2009

Cinnamon Doughnut Muffins

The original formula for these muffins was found in The Taste of Home Baking book. I have changed it about a bit to fit the needs of my family. My son is allergic to all dairy products. It is amazing how many formulas are as versatile with soy / rice products. In some recipes / formulas the soy / rice products will change the overall end result. However, I have found in most of my baking / cooking I can freely substitute these products.

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
3/4 cup rice milk (or soy milk)
Jam - you favorite kind
Topping
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

1. Combine all dry ingredients.
2. In a seperate bowl combine all wet ingredients.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix just to combine. Do not overmix. Overmixing will cause the muffins to be tough.
4. Prepare a muffin tin with pan spray. Place 2 tbsp of batter in each cup.
5. Place 1 tsp of jam in the center of the batter in each cup.
6. Place an additional 2 tbsp on top of the jam. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar on top of each muffin.
7. Bake at 350*F for 15 - 25 minutes. Serve warm

Enjoy!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Chocolate Cream Dip

This recipe in its orginal form was wonderful! I have tweaked it to make it fit into various events!

1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
8 ounces Frozen whipped cream, thawed
1/2 tsp vanilla flavor

1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Ensure the chocolate is hot, not just melted.
2. Add the vanilla flavoring to the whipped cream.
3. Fold the chocolate into the whipped cream.

This dip is great matched with the following...
assorted fruits - apples, pears, bananas, strawberries, kiwi, grapes, peaches

cinnamon chips

If your child loves chocolate.. then this is for you! Really what is the attraction to candy... mostly chocolate. When making this you could substitute a few miniature chocolate bars for the semi sweet chocolate chips. This is also, a great recipe to make with you children. Enjoy!

Halloween & Parties!

So, I am not a fan of the never ending stream of sugar that is displayed to children during school parties. I probably have more issues than school parties.. but let's start there! Is trick or treating not enough of a supply of sugar? Why do we as parents' feel this need to supply the neighborhood with more and more candy? My children are young (4 & 6), I am strongly opposed to food being shoved in front of my children that is made to look like it is the best thing out there! Since my oldest child started trick or treating, I have tried to provide the opportunity to choose. I also, try to provide information! A small piece of candy, perhaps a miniature candy bar verses a banana. Which will taste better? Which will last longer? Which will sustain you better?... I am not opposed to children endulging in a piece of candy. However, I am opposed to children not be given the opportunity to make a well informed decision. In my next post, I will share a recipe that I have prepared for the last 2 years. I love having this to share with my children when a miniature chocolate bar is just not enough. Enjoy!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Pound Cake

This formula is from my grandmother's file! This is probably my favorite item that she makes!
Vegetable Shortening 1 cup
Sugar 2 cups
Cake Flour 3 cups
Eggs 4 each
Buttermilk 1 cup
Baking Powder 1/2 tsp
Baking Soda 1/2 tsp
Extract (Vanilla/Almond) 1 tsp

1. Cream shortening and sugar together
2. Sift all dry ingredients together
3. Add eggs and flavoring to sugar mixture
4. Add dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk
5. Prepare 2 loaf pans with butter and flour. Pour batter into pans.
6. Bake at 350*F up to an hour. Check after 30 minutes.

Variation: For a marbled pound cake Add 2 tbsp baking cocoa and 2 tbsp sugar to 1 cup of batter. Swirl into cake batter to create a marbled effect.

Enjoy!

Why blog? Why not!

I enjoy sharing what I have made with anyone who would like to try a new recipe / formula. I enjoy preparing foods with my children. I want them to know why there are traditions in food. Why do we share food with our families and friends. Food supports us in so many different ways. So this blog is dedicated to my ever adoring children. I love you both and love watching you grow and learn about this world we live in. As time goes on, I look to ad lots of fun to eat recipes / formulas for everyone to try. If you are reading this blog and would like help with a recipe / formula, or have one you would like to share.. post along! I look forward to sharing my love for food with you!