I am still here

It has been a busy holiday season. I have been very busy sewing quilts and jammies for the kids they are all done and I can bake and cook again. Christmas was so fun and I love this season. I hope that we can keep this season in our hearts all year.

very yummy do-nuts

Krispy Creme Doughnuts
Don't wait in line - make your own!

2 pkg. yeast
1/4 C. warm water (105-115ºF)
1 1/2 C. lukewarm milk (scalded then cooled)
1/2 C. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1/3 C. shortening
5 C. all-purpose flour, divided
Vegetable oil

Dissolve yeast in warm water in a 2 1/2-quart bowl. Add milk, salt, eggs, shortening and 2 cups flour. Beat on low speed scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed scraping bowl occasionally, 2 minutes. Stir in remaining flour until smooth. Cover and let rise in warm place, until double, 50 to 60 minutes. (Dough is ready when indentation remains when touched.)

Turn dough onto floured surface; roll around lightly to coat with flour. Gently roll dough 1/2-inch thick with floured rolling pin. Cut with floured doughnut cutter. Cover and let rise until double, 30 to 40 minutes.

Heat vegetable oil in deep fryer to 350ºF. Slide doughnuts into hot oil with wide spatula. Turn doughnuts as they rise to the surface. Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute on each side. Remove carefully from oil (do not prick surface); drain. Dip the doughnuts into Creamy Glaze set on rack; when slightly cooled spread Chocolate Glaze on top. Doughnuts may be dipped into sprinkles or other toppings after Chocolate Glaze is applied if desired.

The Best Cinnamon Rolls ever

Well I made cinnamon rolls tonight and they were just the best. I got this recipe from my sweet mother of course she taught me much of what I know about baking. She has the best in her town. Any ways here is the recipe, remember it is all about the dough that makes a good roll.

Mom’s Cinnamon Rolls

Dissolve 2 tbsp + 1 tsp of yeast in to 1 cup warm water. Add ½ tsp sugar

Stir in:
3 cups warm milk
1 cup sugar
4 tsp salt
( I microwave this until milk is warm and shortening starts to melt)

4 eggs
1 cup shortening
14 cups of flour

Let rise till doubled in size

Cream together sugar butter and cinnamon and spread on top of rolled out dough Roll up and cut. Place in greased pans so they are not touching. Let rise for about 15 min and them bake for about 20 min or until golden brown.

Cream cheese frosting
1pkg of Cream cheese and powder sugar until the right consistency.

I told you that my white bread was easy

So the recipe that I posted earlier the White Bread recipe, is so easy that my 8 year old son made it. He amazes us each time he bakes for us. I have had to share my domain with him for sometime now. It is kind of nice not to do all the cooking. I thought I was going to have to wait longer for that to happen but I guess not. Joseph has a form of Autism (Aspergers) and only sees things in black and white. So cooking is for him very black and white. He follows the directions to the tee. Anyways he is amazing. I will post pictures of the loaves of bread that he made tomarrow hopefully.

Mini Cream Puffs made easy

Cream Puffs

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter

1 cup flour

4 eggs

Heat water and butter to a rolling boil. Stir in flour. Stir vigorously over low heat until ball forms. Remove from heat. Beat in eggs one at a time until smooth. Use a decorating bag with a large opening tip to press out the dough about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Bake @ 400 for about 15 min until golden and puffed. Cool.

Filling:

Whipping Cream

Powdered Sugar

Whip until it forms a peak and is starting to become stiff.

With a long straight tipf for decorating bag use to pipe in cream into side of cream puff. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy.

I will make these instead of buying the ones from cosco. They are just heavenly.

Delightful Cherry Tarts

Tarts:

Cream together :

1 Cup butter

1 Cup sugar

Add :

2 egg yolks beaten well

1/2 tsp vanilla

Gradully stir in:

2 1/2 cups flour

Take Approximately 1 1/2 tbsp dough and work in to a muffin tin, it should be very thin. Fill all the tins and bake for 15 min at 350 or until golden brown, should be crisp.

Filling

1 package of cream cheese

1 cup + or - powdered sugar depending on how sweet you want it.

favorite fruit topping

remember these are so yummy and really easy

Glazed Popcorn

10-12 Quarts of Popcorn
1 cup coconuts
1 cup cashews
1 cup almonds
1 lb butter
2 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup karo syrup
1 tbsp vanilla

Combine butter, sugar, and syrup in heavy sauce pan. Add vanilla and bring to slow boil. Cook 2 minutes. Pour over pop corn nuts and coconuts. Stir and let cool

Here is the Gluten free basic mix

basic Gluten free mix

Mix 2 cups brown rice flour or chickpea flour, 2/3 cup potato starch, and 1/3 cup tapioca starch,
Or mix 1 cup chickpea or garfava flour, 1 cup brown rice flour, 2/3 cup potato starch, and 1/3 cup tapioca starch. Store in an airtight container in the refirgerator.

I made yummy apple pie today

Gluten free Flaky pie crust

1 1/2 cup basic Gluten free Mix
3 tbsp sweet rice flour
2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
9 tbsp cold unsalted butter
1 jumbo egg
1 1/2tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar


Apple pie filling (I can this in jars and process for 20 min)

4 1/2 c suagr
1 cup corn starch
10 cups water
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp lemon juice
3 drops yellow food coloring

Heat all ingredients togther until thickened
While hot pour over Sliced apples packed in canning jars. Process for 20 mins in hot water bath. Makes about 12 quarts.

Gluten Free Cooking

My son is on a restricted diet so we alter a lot of recipes. He is autistic and taking gluten and caceian out of his diet has helped a lot. I am doing a lot of substituting and it is so fun to try new things out. I have a plethera of gluten free recipes if any of you are iterested in them I will post them. Like I said I love cooking and I even love the challenge of cookign gluten free. It can be done and very delicious might I add. Oh and did I say how healthy it is also.

Gluten Free Cooking

Oatmeal Carmelitas

Oatmeal Carmelitas

1 cup flour
1 cup oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup melted butter

Combine in large bowl to form crumbs. Press 1/2 mixture into greased 9" square baking pan and bake for 10 min @350.

Sprinkle over baked crust:
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts
3/4 cup carmel topping with 3 Tbsp flour mixed together and drizzle over chocolate and nuts

Sprinkle remaining crumbs on top. Bake for 15-20 mins more.
Chill and cut. Very rich and yummy to serve for a treat or give away at christmas time.

Enjoy

Oh' Henry Bars

Oh' Henry Bars

1/2 cup corn sryup
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
Bring to a boil in medium sauce pan
Turn Heat off and add 4 cups oats all at once. (I also add chopped peanuts)

Bake on sheet cake pan for 20 mins @350
Cool. In Microwave melt Chocolate chips and 1 cup Peanut Butter. Siring about every 30 seconds until smooth and creamy. Spread over top of Oatmeal crust , and Sprinkle with nuts. This is yummy and easy and serves lots of people

Whole Wheat Bread

Whole Wheat Bread
6 ½ c. warm water 2/3 c. oil
2 tbsp. salt 2/3 c. honey
3 tbsp yeast 15-16 c whole wheat flour

Measure water into mixer. Add less then half total flour. Mix. Add salt, yeast, oil and honey. Mix. Add the rest of the flour until dough begins to pull away from sides of bowl. Knead for 10 min. Put into greased pans. Let rise until double. Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 min. This recipe is for a bosch mixer . If made by hand let rise till double in greased bowl. Then punch down and put in greased pans . Let rise till doubled. Ussally 100% whole wheat needs to be kneaded in a mixer with a heavy dough hook.

This is great sliced and then frozen until ready to serve.

Spaghetti Sauce with meat

Spaghetti Sauce with Meat
30 lbs tomatoes
2-1/2 lbs ground beef or sausage
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped celery or green peppers
1 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced (optional)
4-1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp oregano
4 tbsp minced parsley
2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup brown sugar
Yield: About 9 pints
Procedure: To prepare tomatoes, follow directions for Spaghetti Sauce Without Meat . Saute beef or sausage until brown. Add garlic, onion, celery or green pepper and mushrooms, if desired. Cook until vegetables are tender. Combine with tomato pulp in large saucepan. Add spices, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until thick enough for serving. At this time initial volume will have been reduced by nearly one-half. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Fill jars, leaving 1-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process according to the recommendations in Table 1 or Table 2 depending on the method of canning used.

You do not have to can it with the meat in it. i did and it was ok but I like it with out better

Tables
Table 1.
Table 1. Recommended process time for Spaghetti Sauce With Meat in a dial-gauge pressure canner.

Canner Gauge Pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of
Style of Pack
Jar Size
Process Time
0 - 2,000 ft
2,001 - 4,000 ft
4,001 - 6,000 ft
6,001 - 8,000 ft
Hot
Pints
60 min
11 lb
12 lb
13 lb
14 lb
Quarts
70
11
12
13
14
*After the canner is completely depressurized, remove the weight from the vent port or open the petcock. Wait 10 minutes; then unfasten the lid and remove it carefully. Lift the lid with the underside away from you so that the steam coming out of the canner does not burn your face.

The Best breadsticks ever to die for

Bread Sticks
1 tbsp yeast Let bubble and then add;
2 tbsp sugar 1 tsp salt
1 ½ cups warm water 3 ½ cups of Flour

Mix Dough Let rise . Roll out and cut into strips. Melt 1 cup butter in baking dish add garlic salt, Parmesan Cheese and Parsley, and seamee Seeds. Twist strips and roll in butter mixture continue until done bake at 350 for about 20 min until golden brown

HomeMade Baby Wipes

Baby Wipes
1/2 Bounty Big Roll
2 Cups Water
1 Tbsp Baby Wash
3 Tbsp Baby Oil
1. Cut the roll in half and place in water mixture with the cut side down.
2. Turn container upside down for at least 1 hour or until mixture has Seeped through entire roll.

The best ever sugar cookies

This is the best sugar cookie recipe ever, i acctually like them, and I am not a sugar cookie fan.

Sugar Cookies
Cream together:
1 cup oil
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
Mix:
4 cups flour
11/4 tsp cream of tarter
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
Roll into balls and then flatten and sprinkle with sprinkles or colored sugar crystals.
Bake at 350 for 9-10 mins.
I have not tryed to use cookie cutters but am going to be doing that tonight so I will let you know how it works out.

The best White Bread /Rolls you will ever try

White Bread
3 c. hot water 4 tsp. salt
1 c. milk 1/3 c oil
2 Tbsp yeast 10 c flour
2/3 cup sugar

Add all ingredients in order and mix together. Let rise until doubled in size. Punch down and put into greased pans. Rise for about a ½ hour. Bake at 375 for 20-30 min.
This recipe also makes great rolls that never fail!!!!

Cooking is so fun

I love to cook and bake. I have collected many different recipes that I love and so I thought that I would share them with others, plus I am always being asked to email and send recipes to everyone so now they will be here on my blog and if you want one that is not on my blog you can request it. I hope that this will benifit you.