CUTE AND EASY WAY TO DECORATE GINGERBREAD COOKIES

I saw this picture and thought it would be a cute and easy way to let the kids help you decorate gingerbread boys and girls!

CINNABON CINNAMON ROLLS COPYCAT RECIPE

For those of you who love these rolls and want to try your hand at making them, here is a recipe my friend shared.
makes 12 cinnamon rolls

Rolls
2 ¼ teaspoons yeast
1 cup water warm (110-120)
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup buttermilk
2 eggs
7 tablespoons butter, divided
5 ½-6 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt

Filling
½ cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon cornstarch

Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cups powdered sugar
½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon kosher salt

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook; add water, sugar and yeast.  Swirl to combine.  Allow yeast to bloom, about 5-7 minutes.  

In the meantime:  melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a microwave safe bowl.  Combine buttermilk, eggs and butter. Beat with a fork until eggs are mixed.

Once yeast mixture is bubbly and frothy, add buttermilk mixture to bowl of stand mixer.  Mix on low and add 4 cups of flour, one cup at a time.  Add salt.  Once flour is mixed in, add remaining flour slowly until dough becomes a ball and completely pulls away from the walls of the mixer.  Your perfect dough ball will clean the bowl.  Mine takes 5 ½ cups total.  Knead dough on medium-high for 5 minutes.

Lightly dust countertop with flour.  Turn dough out onto countertop.  Knead a few turns, shape dough into a ball.  

Add 1 tablespoon butter to bowl and heat in microwave until melted.  Place dough into bowl upside down, flip dough over and cover loosely with plastic wrap and drape bowl with a towel.  Set bowl in a warm place in your kitchen.  Allow dough to rise for 60-90 minutes until nearly doubled in size.

Meanwhile combine light brown sugar, cinnamon and corn starch in a medium bowl.  Stir with as fork until combined.  Set aside.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.  Knead the dough a few turns, then using a rolling pin, roll out into an 18” tall  x 24” wide rectangle.  Spread softened butter around dough leaving the bottom 1” uncoated.  

Sprinkle buttered dough with brown sugar mixture, leaving the bottom 1” uncoated.  Press sugar mixture into dough by gently rolling with your rolling pin.

Starting at the top, tightly roll dough toward you, using the last 1” to seal roll.  Cut dough roll in half and then cut those halves in half, giving you 4 pieces.  Cut each of those pieces into 1/3rd.   You will have 12 pieces.

Grease (2) 9”x13” baking dishes.  Place rolls in pans evenly spaced out, 2 rows of 3 rolls in each.  Make sure to put the end pieces upside down.  Loosely cover with plastic wrap and drape a towel over pans.  Set pans in a warm place and allow rolls to rise another 60-90 minutes until rolls have doubled in size and are touching.

Preheat oven 350°F.  

Bake for approximately 20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.  Halfway through baking time rotate the pans.

In the meantime prepare frosting; add cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Add sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and salt.  Beat until mixture is light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Set aside.  

Remove rolls from oven.  Spread ¼ of frosting over each pan of rolls.  Allow to cool slightly and repeat.  Serve and enjoy!

PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE CAKE

I had this recipe at one time, thought about it today and looked it up online.  It is from Woman's Day magazine.

2 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cup(s) unsweetened cocoa

2 1/4 cup(s) granulated sugar

3/4 cup(s) packed brown sugar

2 1/4 teaspoon(s) baking soda

3/4 teaspoon(s) baking powder

3/4 teaspoon(s) kosher salt

1 1/2 cup(s) whole milk

3/4 cup(s) canola oil

3 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoon(s) peppermint extract

1 1/4 cup(s) boiling water

20 mini candy canes

3 package(s) (8 ounces each) cream cheese, at room temperature

3/4 cup(s) (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 box(es) (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar

peppermint meringues, for decorating (optional)

 Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat three 8- by 2-inch round cake pans with cooking spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper; spray the paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, granulated and brown sugars, baking soda and powder, and salt. In a bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, eggs, and peppermint extract. Mix the milk mixture into the flour mixture until fully incorporated. Mix in the boiling water (the batter will be thin).

Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pans before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, crush the candy canes and make the icing. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Place one cake layer on a platter. Spread 1 1/4 cups icing over the top. Top with another layer and 1 1/4 cups icing. Top with the last cake layer. Frost sides and top with the remaining icing. Gently pat the crushed candy canes all over the sides of the cake. Top with meringues (if using).

Peppermint Meringues:

2 large egg whites

1/4 cup(s) granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon(s) cream of tartar

1/8 teaspoon(s) peppermint extract

Red gel or paste food coloring

Heat oven to 200 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large metal or glass bowl, whisk together the egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar. Set the bowl over (but not in) a saucepan of simmering water and cook, whisking constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the whites are very warm to the touch, 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove from heat and, using an electric mixer, beat on low speed, gradually increasing the speed to high, until soft glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes. Beat in the peppermint.

Transfer 1 tablespoon meringue mixture to a small bowl and tint red. Using a paintbrush or a skewer and the red meringue mixture, paint 3 vertical stripes in a pastry bag fitted with a 3/4-inch star pastry tip.

Carefully spoon the white egg white mixture into the piping bag, being careful not to smear the red meringue. Pipe small stars (about 3/4 inch) onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake the meringues until just set on the outside, 20 to 30 minutes. Slide the sheets of parchment paper onto wire racks to cool completely.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE CAKE with COCONUT PECAN ICING

I got this recipe from a friend who got it from Back Roads Living.

• 1- Box German Chocolate Cake Mix (You brand choice)
• 1- Can Coconut Pecan Icing
• 1- 8 oz package or cream cheese ~ softened to room temp.
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 Large egg
• 1 Tbsp all purpose flour
• 1/2 Tsp vanilla extract
• 1- Bundt Pan

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Prepare cake according to box directions
3. In a separate bowl add cream cheese, sugar, egg, flour and vanilla
4. Mix until well blended
5. Grease or spray your Bundt Pan with non stick spray
6. Pour half of your cake mix into your Bundt Pan
7. Spoon the cream cheese mix on top of the cake mix in the pan. Don’t worry if it sinks a little.
8. Pour the remaining cake mix on top
9. Bake in pre-heated oven for 30 minutes
10. Let cool and apply icing

SOCK-IT-TO-ME CAKE

I love this cake probably because of have so many good memories of having it at my mom's house.

Cake:
1 pkg less 2 tbsp Moist Deluxe Butter Recipe Golden Cake Mix
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup oil
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar

Streusel Filling:
2 tbsp reserved cake mix
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup pecans, finely chopped

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 - 2 tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Grease and flour a Bundt pan; set aside.

Mix the streusel filling ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.

Combine cake ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.  Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.  Pour 2/3 of the mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle streusel filling over cake batter.  Spoon remaining batter evenly over the streusel.

Bake cake at 375 degrees for 45 to 55 minutes until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool in the pan for 25 minutes then invert onto a serving plate.  Allow to cool completely.

To make glaze: Mix the powdered sugar with the milk to reach drizzling consistency.  Drizzle over the cooled cake.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL SHORTBREAD BITES

1⅔ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup butter, cold
⅓ cup white sugar
1 to 2 cups caramel, depending on desire thickness
1½ cups dark chocolate

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Spray a 9-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine flour, butter, and sugar in a food processor; process until mixture has a crumb like texture.

Press the mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.  Remove from oven and cool in pan on a wire rack.

Pour the caramel over the crust and refrigerate 3 to 4 hours to set.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until completely melted when stirred.  Stir after first minute.  Spread melted chocolate over the chilled caramel layer.

Chill until chocolate begins to set.

Cut into squares to serve.

Note: I got this recipe from CakeCentral.

WHITE MOUNTAIN FROSTING WITH VARIATIONS

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tbsp water
2 (1/4 cup) egg whites
1 tsp vanilla extract

In a small saucepan mix together the sugar, corn syrup, and water; cover and heat to a rolling boil over medium heat.  Uncover and boil rapidly to 242 degrees on a candy thermometer or until mixture firm ball stage. (Firm ball stage: a small amount dropped into very cold water forms a firm ball that holds its shape until pressed.)

As the above mixture boils, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.

Pour the hot syrup very slowly in a thin stream into the egg whites, beating constantly on medium speed. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form.  Stir in the vanilla during the last minute of beating.

Variations:
Cocoa Mountain Frosting - Same as above but sift 1/4 cup cocoa powder over the frosting and gently fold in until blended.

Cherry-Nut Mountain Frosting - Same as above but stir in 1/4 cup chopped candied cherries and 1/4 cup chopped nuts.

Pink Mountain Frosting - Substitute 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry syrup for the water.

PAULA DEEN'S APPLE BUTTER PUMPKIN PIE

1 cup apple butter 
1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin 
1/2 cup packed brown sugar 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger 
3 eggs, slightly beaten 
3/4 cup evaporated milk 
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell 
Sweetened whipped cream, for garnish

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Combine apple butter, pumpkin, sugar, salt and spices in a bowl. Stir in eggs. Gradually add milk and mix well. Pour into pie shell. Bake for about 40 minutes or until set.

Cook’s Notes:

-If the crust begins to burn, place tin foil around the crust and lower the temperature of the oven.

-A tasty topping for this pie is praline pecans.

MARTHA WASHINGTON BALLS

I got the recipe for these little candies that taste like Almond Joy candy bars from my sister-in-law.

2 boxes of confectioner's sugar
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup), softened 
(must use real butter, no substitutes)
1-14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp pure almond extract
1-14 oz bag pkg. shredded coconut
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts
1-12 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 bar paraffin

Cream together sugar and butter in a bowl;add milk. Stir in almond extract,coconut and nuts;mix well. Form candy into 1 inch balls. Place on waxed paper and refrigerate for 3 hours. Melt paraffin and chocolate in top of double boiler, stirring well. Remove from heat but allow chocolate to remain over hot water. (If chocolate becomes too thick, return to heat for a minute or so to thin). With toothpick, dip each ball in chocolate and place on waxed paper to set.

Alternatives:
1. Just use melted chocolate chips w/o the paraffin. It is more difficult to get good coverage, messy and frustrating. You will not get the shine but you are not eating paraffin, if that bothers you.
(Shocking news: Most chocolates that you buy have paraffin mixed with the chocolate.) 
2. Use melted almond bark with a little vegetable oil or crisco added to get even coverage. Place dipped candies in the freezer for five minutes, to get the shine. (Almond bark will make the candies sweeter).

Too bad these aren't diabetic-friendly since Almond Joy is my favorite candy bar!  Enjoy some for me!

NO BAKE ITALIAN CAKE

If you know me, you know I love coconut.  I will make me a sugar-free version of this!  Thanks Anna DeLong for sharing this with me!

1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 small can crushed pineapple, undrained
40-50 vanilla wafers
1 8-oz. carton cool whip, thawed
2 cups sweetened, flaked coconut
12-16 maraschino cherries, rinsed

Whisk together sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice in a small bowl until thoroughly combined. Mix in pineapple with juice and set aside.

Line the bottom of a small glass baking dish (8x8 or 7x10) with vanilla wafers. Pour all of the pineapple mixture over vanilla wafers then add another layer of vanilla wafers on top of pineapple mixture. Spread cool whip evenly on top of vanilla wafers then sprinkle with coconut. Top with cherries then cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours before serving.

PUMPKIN PIE WITH SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

You may be asking why I am posting a pumpkin pie recipe in March.  The answer is simple, I have two reasons.  First, pumpkin is healthy and should be eaten year round!  Second, the calendar may say it is March but much of the country is experiencing snow and blizzard conditions.  So bake up a tasty pumpkin pie, sit by the fire and relax!  You can't control the weather!

1 can (15-oz) pumpkin
1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 large eggs
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 9-inch deep dish pie crust (boughten or your favorite recipe)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Place pie pan on a cookie sheet and line with the crust.

In a large mixing bowl combine the pumpkin, milk, eggs, and spice; mix together until smooth.  Pour the filling into the crust.

Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.  Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake another 40 minutes or until a knife inserted about an inch from the crust comes out clean. 

Remove from oven and set on a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Yield: 8 servings.

TO MY FELLOW CHOCOHOLICS!

Each morning I check to see what the top 5 recipes are on this blog for the past week. The list is based on the past 7 days. Often I have to smile as I realize many of you are chocoholics like me.  Often 3 out of the 4 are chocolate recipes.  Today I laughed as I read the list, all 4 were chocolate recipes!  Two brownie recipes, a chocolate bundt cake and a chocolate pie.  Readers after my own heart!

EASY WW STRAWBERRY PIE

1 reduced-fat graham cracker pie crust
1 pkg (4-serving size) sugar-free strawberry jello
1/4 cup water
1 carton (8-oz) reduced-fat frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 cartons (6-oz each) fat-free strawberry yogurt
8 large fresh strawberries for garnish, if desired

In a glass microwave safe measuring cup, heat the water to boiling in the microwave.

In a large glass mixing bowl combine the gelatin and the boiling water. Using a wire whisk, stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Again, using the whisk, stir in the two cartons of yogurt. Gently fold in the whipped topping until blended.

Using a silicone spatula, transfer the mixture into the crust, spreading evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.

To serve, cut pie into 8 slices. Top each slice with a fresh strawberry you have cut to fan out, if desired.
 
Approximately 5 WW pts per serving.