Caramel Apple Pie

I have a great update to your classic apple pie recipe. This recipe has two wonderful crusts on the top & bottom & is dotted with delicious toffee pieces that add the perfect flavor when slightly melted. I made this pie in a hurry (sorry, no photos of the process), but I didn't think it was too difficult at all! The most annoying part is chilling your ingredients before you start, but it helps the crust come together. It was SO delicious with some light caramel swirl ice cream!

I think I'm going to make it again this weekend for a BBQ, and it would be the perfect addition at a Thanksgiving table! I really hope you give it a shot soon. I have to say, I normally make my mother's classic pie crust, but I went ahead and gave this crust a shot since it went along with the recipe. I can't complain - pretty tasty!

Pumpkin Melt-in-your-Mouth Cookies!

Oh wow. Apparently I've been busy. I really don't have much to show for it. A few shopping bags, a lot of new kitchen stuff, a few amazing meals in Las Vegas, and like a billion cookies. I really wish I'd gotten around to posting this recipe before Halloween, but I'm not beating myself up about it too much because people still love pumpkin stuff way into the fall months. I'm having a hard time believing its fall when its 85 degrees in Austin. At least my office keeps the AC going enough to give the little space heater under my desk a workout. :)

Anyway, these cookies are simply fabulous. They really do melt in your mouth- I honestly cannot tell you how many I ate. They are a little cakey & a little fall spicey & not too sweet. I was desperately looking for a home for all of these cookies since G is not a huge fan of pumpkin things (I know!!). This recipe makes  A LOT of cookies, and it is only half of the original recipe! Craziness! But seriously, please make these before you get tired of pumpkin stuff! They will make you about 837 new friends.

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

I made these when my friend, Michele, was in town from the UK, and luckily, she grabbed a quick iphone photo!

These pancakes are really good. Like really good. The perfect combo of cinnamon rolls & pancakes- brilliant RecipeGirl! Unfortunately, although I have made these twice, I have not taken any pictures of the final result! I guess I was really hungry & impatient. Regardless, I wanted to share the recipe with you so you can enjoy them too. The cinnamon filling & frosting last for a while in the fridge, so all you need to do is whip up another batch of pancake batter (Feel free to use your favorite recipe instead) & heat up the cinnamon sugar mixture in the microwave to make it softer- add some melted butter if needed.

For the final result, you don't NEED to add syrup. Or chocolate chips. I think the syrup adds a little extra something. And hey, you need the glaze too!


Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Recipe from RecipeGirl
For the pancakes:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup milk ( I used skim)
• 1 TBSP canola or vegetable oil
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

For the cinnamon sugar filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 TBSP cinnamon

For the cream cheese glaze:

• 4 TBSP unsalted butter
• 2 oz. cream cheese
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• sprinkle of salt

Make the pancakes:

Whisk together dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Measure the milk in a large measuring cup, add egg & oil and beat slightly with a fork. Whisk in wet ingredients until batter is just moistened. (lumps are A-OK).

Make the cinnamon sugar:

Mix together all 3 ingredients until well combined and scoop into a plastic bag. Set aside to set up. You don't want it to be too runny or too hot- the consistency of toothpaste is just right. You can put it in the fridge for a few minutes, if needed.

Make the cream cheese glaze:

In a small heatproof bowl, heat butter in microwave until almost melted. Add cream cheese until melted. Be careful, the cream cheese will "pop" in the microwave. Whisk in remaining ingredients until smooth. Set aside. 

Assemble the pancakes: 

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and spray with butter cooking spray. Scoop 3/4 cup batter into pan. Wait 1 minute and snip small amount of corner of bag and squeeze spiral of filling on top of pancake. Once lots of bubbles begin to form on the top, flip pancake and cook a few more minutes until both sides are cooked through. Top with cream cheese glaze and maple syrup, if desired. Chocolate chips are a nice addition too if you're feeling crazy.

Enjoy!

Best Carrot Cake EVER!

I didn't realize how much I really loved carrot cake until this beauty came along. I never order carrot cake for dessert. There's usually something much more appealing on the dessert menu that wins me over- a rich chocolate lava cake, creme brulee, bananas foster cake.... you get the idea. This cake makes me wonder how many delicious carrot cakes I have missed out on. Let me clarify- only carrot cakes WITHOUT raisins need apply. Then again, I'm really doubtful any can measure up to this. The spice is just right. The moistness is amazing without any oil- and this is chock full of healthy things like carrots, walnuts, coconut and applesauce. So its totally like a healthful cake. :) Shh... I can't hear you.

I love Brown Eyed Baker and have tried many of her recipes. I adapted this one to include unsweetened applesauce instead of oil. This is a trick you can use in any recipes that require oil, and I always do so. I really hate the taste of oil in a baked good- it just tastes rubbery to me. Your baked good will not taste like apples, don't worry, and you will be enjoying a much healthier, tastier alternative. I hope you try it!

French Toast Souffle

Did you have Easter brunch? If not, I feel bad for you. I really feel bad when I think about all the delicious, moist, fluffy French Toast Souffle I had after Easter church. It was SO good that I haven't stopped thinking of another reason to make one. Unfortunately, I do not have 4+ people to cook for everyday in Austin, but that is also a blessing! ha Since I'm going back to NOLA for lil bro's college graduation in a couple weeks, maybe I'll make it again! No. Definitely making this again. Yay! :)

I adapted this recipe from one I found on AllRecipes.com. My mom always makes a delicious French Toast for special occasions, and her secret is the Pepperidge Farm cinnamon bread.

Can't figure out how to keep this rotated the right way!

We tweaked this recipe to include that bread and in the end it was much easier than making real French Toast. The only catch is that you have to make it the night before, but its super quick. My mom may have even admitted she preferred this one- I'm shocked! She totally trusted me all the way and never even questioned the "soggy" mess that was in the fridge all night... Never...

Does this dress look familiar?

Everyone gobbled this up and it was perfect with a little butter and warm maple syrup on top. We enjoyed ours with the perfect complements- crispy bacon and fresh fruit salad.

 My little Jackson was looking for unwanted bites. Unfortunately for him, there weren't many...

New York Style Crumb Cake

Crumb Cake. Coffee Cake. Cake. Know what all those things have in common? I'll give you three guesses...

I could talk about my love for all things cakey all day, but some people get bored with that. Some people prefer to talk about shoes or candy or queso dip or even work. Yuck. I do like shoes...

Every day once in a while  I have a big craving for a breakfast pastry, cake or cinny roll- I know, I need help. Thank goodness I found this recipe from Bree to help me in a crisis. Along with a couple helper boys, I managed to eat every last piece of this breakfast treat. The buttery brown sugar, cakey parts and snowflakes of powered sugar all mix together to form a little piece of heaven. I seriously thought I heard a harp playing when I took my first bite. Long story short, I think you might like this. Also, if you need help eating it, I'm so there for you. That's what friends are for. BTW, I am so not eating Carrot Cake French Toast as I write this...

Snickerdoodley-do my darling

I've not been craving chocolate lately. I've wanted vanilla-y stuff. I've been looking for a reason to make vanilla cupcakes with vanilla icing just because I never do that. It sounds delicious. :) Anyway, I ended up making these snickerdoodles for a few reasons.

1. cookies are decidedly easier to make than cupcakes
2. I had all the ingredients
3. they would be ready to eat sooner

SOLD! This recipe is from Bree- are you surprised? I just love everything she makes!

These were really tasty- I got the A-OK approval from all tasting parties. :) I even packaged half of them up to give to my friend Ashley at Ashley D Photography to thank her for giving me some photography lessons.

I know you're wondering why my photography hasn't improved yet now that you know this, but just be patient! I've only had one lesson and it was AFTER I made these. :) I'm working on it... My major problem is that I only have time to do my baking late at night, so its dark...Stop thinking about that and start thinking about making these cookies. :) The cookie dough is also yummy, but if anyone asks, I'm not the one who told you to eat raw dough!

Curious Monkey Bread

G loves the zoo. He loves monkeys, especially. Sometimes I liken him to Curious George. For Valentine's Day this year I gave him a "Day at the Zoo."

Aren't you kinda (but not really) impressed with my first attempt at PhotoShop to make the "tickets"? Except, I used Pixlr (a free web version). I loved the way the turned out. I also found some other things he may need at the zoo- or for a ride to the zoo. Of course, I had to make some monkey bread too.

It sure would be great for breakfast, but I made it for dessert since it was a weeknight. I did all the steps up to putting it in the oven the day before and then kept it in the fridge overnight. I took it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before I wanted to bake it then baked as direct. SO YUMMY!

I've never made monkey bread before, and I rarely ever eat it, but you have to try this one! It tastes like mini cinnamon sugar butter doughnut holes. G was impressed. I was proud. You can pull it apart with your hands and eat it like a monkey. I prefer a fork. :)