Monday, December 14, 2015

Holiday Cake Mix Cookies with Christmas Sprinkles

These are a colorful Christmas Cookie. They'd make a great addition to your Cookie Gift Baskets.



I only use Duncan Hines Cake Mixes.
I learned this in a Cake Decorating Class .


Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Sheet Pans lined with Parchment Paper

8 TBS Butter, softened
8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
1 Egg
1/2 tsp Almond Extract
1/2 tsp Orange Extract
1 package of White Cake Mix
A variety of Christmas Sprinkles mixed together in a medium bowl.
Confectioner's Sugar in a medium bowl.

In a Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment:
Butter
Cream Cheese
Mix for 3 minutes.

Add:
Egg
Almond
Orange
Mix just until combined.

Add:
Cake Mix
Mix just until combined.

Add:
1/4 C of Sprinkles, fold in by hand.

Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Use a 1 1/4" Cookie Scoop, drop the balls onto the Sheet Pan.
Dip each one in the Sprinkles.
Roll in Confectioner's Sugar.
Return to the Sheet Pan 2" apart.
Bake for 10 minutes.

Remove the Pan to a rack to cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Spinach, Bacon and Blue Cheese Quiche

Anne just made this amazing Quiche last night. It is delicious!
We use Vegetarian Bacon from Morning Star.



Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees, just to par bake the crust!
1 - Pre Made 9" Deep Dish Pie Crust in a Deep Dish Pie Pan. You could also make a Homemade Crust instead of Pre Made.

8 pieces of Vegetarian Bacon. (I microwave it for 1 minute or until crispy) You can fry bacon if you're not Vegetarian.
1/2 pound of the best Blue Cheese you can afford, crumble it.
3 Large Eggs, beaten
1 C Half and Half
1/4 tsp Pepper
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
8 oz. Frozen Spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry in Paper Towels.

Par Bake the Crust at 425 degrees for 5 minutes.
Reduce oven to 375 to bake the Quiche.

Evenly sprinkle the Crumbled Bacon of the Crust.
Top it with Crumbled Blue Cheese.

In a mixing bowl:
Eggs
Half and Half
Whisk well.
Add:
Pepper
Nutmeg
Cayenne
Spinach
Stir well with a blending Fork.
Pour evenly into the Crust.

Bake for 40 minutes. A toothpick in the center should come out clean.
Remove pan to a rack to cool for 10 minutes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Saturday, December 12, 2015

Christmas Bark Candy

Here's my version of Christmas Bark. I love the combination of Pistachios and Cranberries. The green and red color makes them perfect for the Holiday. Add them to Graham Crackers, Caramel and Dark Chocolate and you have............. Christmas Bark Candy!

This is a Rimmed Quarter Sheet Pan, 9 1/2" X 13"


Here are several options for Graham Crackers.

I like Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Chips for Baking.

I also use Guittard!




Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
1 - 9 1/2" X 13" Rimmed Quarter Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper.

Graham Crackers, enough to line the pan!
16 TBS Butter, room temperature
1 C Dark Brown Sugar
1 C Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Chips or Guittard Extra Dark Chocolate Chips .
1 C Chopped Pistachio Nuts
1 C Dried Cranberries

Line the Sheet Pan with Graham Crackers.

In a Saucepan on medium heat, make the Caramel:
Butter
Sugar
Stir only to combine well as it begins to melt.
Heat until melted.
Boil with out stirring for 3 - 5 minutes. (it's important not to stir it while it boils)
Pour over the Graham Crackers.

In a Microwave Safe Glass Bowl:
Chocolate Chips
Heat, stirring after 30 seconds.
Continue until creamy smooth.
Pour evenly over the Caramel layer.
Spread with an offset spatula.
Sprinkle immediately with Pistachios and Cranberries.
Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Break into pieces to serve.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!



Friday, December 11, 2015

Mini Muffin Tin Pancakes

This recipe is very forgiving. It's simply an easy way to make a variety of Pancake Muffins at one time, to serve a crowd.
The idea is to create the flavor of a Pancake, including additional toppings, in an easy Muffin.
If you're familiar with Aebelskivers, this is a version of them. I've added a picture of an Aebelskiver Pan and a Gem Pan. I have both of these Pans and we make Aebelskivers in them. They can both be used with this recipe. This recipe is basically an American version of Aebelskivers.
I have an entire post on the Blog with Muffin Tin Recipes.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
1 - 24 C Mini Muffin Tin, brushed with melted butter or sprayed with a non stick vegetable cooking spray.






This is a traditional Aebelskiver Pan.
I have 2 of these.
One is Cast Iron and the other one is a Non Stick version.

This is my Cast Iron Gem Pan. I have a post about Gems on the Blog.
I use this pan to make Aebelskivers or
 Muffin Pancakes.
This is also the Pan we use to make Ree Drummond's
Buttered, Rosemary and Sea Salt Rolls at Thanksgiving.
This Pan is very versatile. It can be used to make Baked Breakfast Muffins with Hash
Brown Nests and an Egg in the center.


Mini Muffin Tin Pancakes

You can use your favorite Pancake Mix. It can be purchased or homemade.  We like Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix. I use it for my Aebelskivers too. I've included a recipe to make your own mix.

Toppings can be added to each individual cup to bake a variety at one time. We all have our favorite toppings when it comes to Pancakes.

Here are some suggestions for toppings:
Blueberries
Chocolate Chips
Diced Bananas
Diced Strawberries
Jam
Nutella
Warm Maple Syrup as a garnish after they're baked.
Dust with Confectioner's Sugar after they're baked.

When you add a dollop of Jam or Nutella it's the same as an Aebelskiver.
I have an Aebelskiver Pan but you're limited to the amount you can make at one time.
This way you can make up to 24 Pancake Muffins at once.


Homemade Pancake Mix:

1 1/2 C All Purpose Flour ( not cake flour, not whole wheat flour, just basic white flour)
2 TBS Sugar
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 1/2 C Milk
2 Eggs, beaten
1 tsp Vanilla extract
Maple Syrup, Confectioner's Sugar and Butter for serving.

In a bowl mix:
Flour
Sugar
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Salt

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and gradually add the Milk
Add the Eggs and Vanilla and whisk until mixed ( it's ok if it has lumps)

Fill each well with batter.
Top with your favorite ingredients.
Bake for 12 minutes.

Serve warm.
Top with Warm Maple Syrup, Drizzled with Melted Butter or simply Dusted with
Confectioner's Sugar.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Crockpot Enchilada Dip

Here's a Tex - Mex Dip served with Tortilla Chips or as a Sauce on Enchiladas and Tamales.
We're having a Tex - Mex Tamale Christmas dinner with several side dishes. I'm serving this dip along with the Tamales and as a dip for Enchiladas.







2 C of canned Enchilada Sauce
2 C grated Pepper Jack Cheese
8 oz. Cream Cheese, room temperature, cubed.
1 JalapeƱo, seeded and diced.
1 TBS of Taco Seasoning
Tortilla Chips

In a Crock Pot on High layer in the following order:
Enchilada Sauce
Pepper Jack Cheese
Cream Cheese
Jalapeno
Taco Seasoning
Do not Stir.

Cover and Cook on High for 1 hour.

Whisk well.
Reduce Heat to Low.
Cover and continue cooling for 30 minutes.

Serve with:
Tortilla Chips
Enchiladas
Tamales

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Thursday, December 10, 2015

The Top 7 Brands of Cocoa Powder

I often talk about my choice of Cocoa Powder when I need it for Baking or to make homemade Hot Chocolate. My personal favorite id Hershey's Special Dark. It made the list.


7 Best Brands of Cocoa That Every Baker Should Use ...

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Egg Nog Pie

I love everything about Egg Nog and anything made with it.
Here's an easy and delicious Egg Nog Pie.



Here's what you'll need:
1 - pre made Graham Cracker Pie Crust or make a homemade 9" Graham Cracker Crust.

1 - 3.4 oz. package of Vanilla Instant Pudding
1 1/4 C Cold Egg Nog (I only use Promised Land Egg Nog)
1/3 C Whole Milk
1/2 tsp Nutmeg + additional for garnish.
1 C Cold Heavy Cream
1 tsp vanilla
1 TBS Confectioner's Sugar.

In a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer.
Pudding Mix
Egg Nog
Milk
Nutmeg
Beat 2 minutes.
Set aside.

In another large bowl with an electric hand mixer:
Heavy Cream
Beat to a soft peak
Add:
Vanilla
Confectioiner's Sugar
Beat to stiff peak.
Fold into the Pudding Mixture by hand.

Spoon into Crust.
Refrigerate for 3 hours.

Serve each slice garnished with Nutmeg.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!