Double Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

Don't you love it when you take a chance to alter one of your favorite go-to recipes and it turns out AWESOME? :) I've been making this pumpkin muffin/bread recipe for quite some time. I had the brilliant idea to swap some of the flour for cocoa powder + add chocolate chips. These muffins are SO moist & heavenly. Best of all, no oil or butter makes them like super healthy, right? :) No seriously, pumpkin is so good for you. :) I used some whole wheat white flour too because that's what I had- no one knew the difference! :)

Double Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins
yield: 2 dozen muffins- halving the recipe works great too!

• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 can (16 oz) pumpkin puree
• 2 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 3/4 tsp ground cloves
• 3/4 tsp ground ginger
• 2 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 & line your muffin cups. Whisk dry ingredients together & set aside. Mix together applesauce & sugar in large mixing bowl with electric mixer. Add pumpkin until combined. Slowly add dry ingredients Add eggs one at a time until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Scoop batter evenly into muffin cups - do not fill more than 3/4 full. Bake 20 minutes, or until top springs back lightly when touched. Cool slightly & enjoy. These are best when warm and the chocolate is melty! :) Yum.

Enjoy!

The BEST Banana Bread

I've only posted this recipe once before- as Banana Monkey Muffins, but its just so delicious I had to post it again. And this may not be my last time. I cannot apologize. Also, I think you will thank me. My mom has always made this perfect, moist and delicious banana bread whenever we had brown bananas. Now I've taken to doing the same! Funny how we all turn into our mothers, isn't it? It's OK- I don't mind one bit! :) This recipe is delicious as muffins, bread or even cupcakes. OK, I lied. I have also posted it in my Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes recipe. :) Oops. I'm sorry, but not really.

Another great thing about this recipe is its so quick and easy to make. Literally 5 minutes until its in the oven. It also doubles and freezes well. I had 5 very brown bananas so I made two loaves, intending to give one away, but somehow the other one ended up in the freezer for a later date. Oops. I really hope you get to make it soon!

The BEST Banana Bread
Makes 1 loaf or 12 muffins

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup mashed, very ripe bananas (about 3 medium bananas)

 Preheat oven to 350. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. It may work better to lay 1 piece going one way and another piece going the other way, both overhanging the pan for easy removal. Spray with cooking spray.

Mix dry ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until well combined and fluffy- about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time until incorporated. Add bananas, followed by sour cream until mixed. Slowly add flour mixture until batter is fully mixed. Use a spatula to fill prepared pan with batter and scrape bowl. Tap to settle. Bake for 60-75 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and top is golden brown. Cool in pan for several minutes, then remove by holding both sides of parchment paper and allow to cool fully in parchment paper on rack. Best served slightly warm with butter.

Enjoy!

How To Poach an Egg

I JUST poached an egg!!! Very exciting stuff. I thought this was way beyond my skil llevel, but the authors of The Best of America's Test Kitchen made me believe in myself! I have posted several recipes from this cookbook- I cannot get enough of it. Everything is described in detail with photos and tips- I highly recommend it. They gave step-by-step instructions on how to make eggs benedict. Now, I will try that another time. This time I just wanted to learn to poach an egg. One egg out of two made it on the first try, so yippee! It's really esay too- you can do it too!

Stuff you need to poach an egg:

• eggs
• 2 TBSP white vinegar
• 1 tsp salt
• water
• large skillet with lid
• teacups
• slotted spoon

How to poach an egg:

1. Fill a large skillet with water- almost to the brim. Add salt and vinegar and bring to a simmmer over high heat for several minutes.
2. Meanwhile, crack your eggs into a teacup. You can put up to 3 eggs in each teacup, depending how many you are brave enough to poach at one time. I recommend starting with 1 or 2.
3. Gently slide your eggs from the teacup into the simmering water. Cover pan and remove from heat. The residual heat of the water will cook your eggs.
4. Let sit 5-7 minutes (mine took 7) for eggs with a runny yolk. Remove gently with a slotted spoon.
5. Season and enjoy!

I had mine on a biscuit- yummy! :)

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!

French Bread French Toast

I LOVE french toast. Its sweet and very carb-ilicious. What's not to love? I usually only get it on occasion when I'm brunching, BUT I had a day old baguette and a ton of eggs. It was a no-brainer! I just found this simple recipe on All Recipes. It claimed to be fab and fluffy because of the added flour. I could not disagree. If you have any ground nutmeg, toss that in as well. Very tasty topped with cinnamon sugar and strawberries. Oh yeah- warm maple syrup will do you in. If you add mini chocolate chips, forget about your after lunch plans. You will need a nap for sure!

French Bread French Toast for Two
Adapted From All Recipes

• 1/2 day old french baguette (leave out overnight to get more stale- it will absorb better)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup cream
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 TBSP white sugar
• 1/8 cup all purpose flour
• cinnamon sugar, strawberries, chocolate chips, maple syrup for topping

 Place flour in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk in milk and cream. Add remaining ingredients, whisking until smooth. 

Slice bread diagonally into slices about 1 inch thick.

Heat lightly oiled griddle/pan over medium heat. Soak bread slices in egg mixture for about 30 seconds on each side- just long enough to make sure its coated, but not soggy. 

Use a fork to drain excess mixture from bread and place in pan until golden brown- about 3-4 minutes on each side. Top with your favorite things and enjoy!

Enjoy your weekend! 

P.S. Yep, I'm still soaking in the rays in sunny California! :) I will be back in Texas tomorrow and back to the million degree heat and humidity....

Mini Dougnuts- Party in Your Mouth!

You may remember that for my birthday back in April, my little brother sent me the lovely mini doughnut pan and cupcake pen.

 I FINALLY got around to using them. I really should have made these sooner. They are SOOO good. The recipe is simple (from Freida Loves Bread), but the nutmeg is what make these taste like "real" doughnuts- don't skimp! They are just so cute. They are the perfect thing to impress your guests with.

I added some thawed frozen blueberries to the third batch- very yummy! These would be great with chocolate chips too... Next time I'll experiment more. :)

Banana Streusel Crumb Cake - Make this now!

 
I know I said in my last post that these Strawberry Cupcakes were the best thing ever, but so is this banana streusel crumb cake (also known as banana snack cake).  I'm not exaggerating! You have to make it for yousrelf.

If you've been following my blog, you might know that I have this thing where I have to make banana bread whenever I have very ripe, brown bananas hanging around. I usually make it into bread or muffins using this recipe of my mom's. Its very delicious. You can see why I would be hesitant to try a new recipe, but I was really intrigued by this streusel-y recipe I saw over at Technicolor Kitchen. Everyone had good things to say about it. What can I say, I'm easily swayed by reviews!

I could go on and on and tell you about how I made this on Friday and again on Saturday because everyone loved it so much I ran out.Or I could mention how I brought it with me on a friend's boat Friday night and strange men I just met were fighting over the crumbs. I could blabber forever about the moist, fluffy cake and the sweet crunchy streusel. Or I could just tell you to go find you some brown bananas and get baking. I'm serious. Do it. Now!

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...

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. :)