Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Yield: 4 servings (4 pancakes)

Prep Time: 25 min

Cook Time: 10 min

An absolutely decadent morning treat...

Ingredients:

PANCAKES:
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 Tablespoon canola oil
1 large egg, lightly beaten

CINNAMON FILLING:
1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

CREAM CHEESE GLAZE:
4 Tablespoons butter
2 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Prepare pancake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk in milk, oil and egg, just until batter is moistened (a few small lumps are fine).

2. In a medium bowl, mix butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Scoop the filling into a small zip baggie and set aside. You don't want this to remain super-liquidy. It's best if it becomes a consistency similar to toothpaste.

3. In a medium, microwave-safe bowl- heat butter and cream cheese until melted. Whisk together until smooth; whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla extract; set aside.

4. Heat large skillet over medium-low heat. Spray with nonstick spray. Scoop about 3/4 cup batter onto the skillet. Snip the corner of your baggie of filling and squeeze a spiral of the filling onto the top of the pancake. When bubbles begin to appear on the surface, flip carefully with a thin spatula, and cook until browned on the underside, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to a baking sheet or platter and keep in a warm oven until ready to serve.

5. When ready to serve, spoon warmed glaze onto the top of each pancake.

Tips:

*Keep the heat low or your pancakes might cook up too quickly. Don't flip them until you see those bubbles starting to pop on top. Flip them with a wide spatula so you can grasp the whole thing without batter and filling dripping all over the place!
*It's best if you pour the batter onto your skillet, wait a minute or so and then swirl the cinnamon onto the batter. That'll give it a chance to set a little before you add the swirl.
*If your baggie of filling begins to get too thick, just pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to soften it up again. On that same note, it shouldn't be too runny. The consistency of soft toothpaste is perfect. If it's melty and runny, it will tend to run all over your pancakes. Once you micro it, let it sit on the counter at room temp for a while until it thickens slightly.

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 2 sticks softened butter
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 10 oz bag chocolate chips
• 1 package Oreos

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until well combined. Add in eggs and vanilla until all ingredients are combined.
3. In a separate bowl mix the flour, salt and baking soda. Slowly add dry ingredients, along with chocolate chips, into the wet ingredients until just combined.
4. Using a cookie scoop, take one scoop of cookie dough and place it on top of the Oreo. Take another scoop of cookie dough and place it under the Oreo. Seal edges of dough together around the Oreo by pressing and cupping dough until Oreo is enclosed.
5. Place onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 9-13 minutes (mine took closer to 15 minutes). Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Oatmeal and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oatmeal and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup (1 stick or 4 ounces) butter, softened
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
Dark Chocolate Chips

Preheat Oven to 350.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together. Stir this into the butter/sugar mixture. Stir in the oats and Dark Chocolate Chips.

At this point you can either chill the dough for a bit in the fridge and then scoop it, or scoop the cookies onto a sheet and then chill the whole tray before baking them. This way they set up a little better.

Recipe from Amy Skjordal!

Homemade Hostess Cupcakes

Cupcakes
1 1/4 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Filling
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla exrtact
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 cup marshmallow creme

Ganache
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Icing
1 stick unsalted butter
1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla

Place oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350. Place paper liners in muffin tin for about 20 cupcakes.

Cupcakes
Place sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Pour into a large bowl. Add the chocolate and butter and let sit, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture has cooled slightly. Stir in the vanilla.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl.

Beat the eggs into the chocolate with a mixer, then stir in the dry ingredients.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans (~1/4 cup batter per cupcake) and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes. The cupcakes will sink in the middle slightly. Cool in the pans for 25 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Filling
While cupcakes are cooling, make the filling. Using a mixer, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Beat in 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar. Add the vanilla and 1 tablespoon heavy cream and beat until smooth. Alternating between batches, beat in the remaining 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar and 2 tablespoons heavy cream. Beat in the marshmallow creme. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Ganache
Place the chocolate in a stainless-steel bowl. Heat the cream and 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan until just boiling, then pour over the chocolate. Let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth. Add 2 teaspoons vanilla; let stand until cool but still glossy and liquid.

To Assemble
Spoon the filling into a pastry bag with a medium star tip. Insert the tip into the center of each cupcake top; fill until the cupcake is heavier (do not overfill). It's OK if some of the filling peeks out, it will be covered by the ganache. (I thought this part would be complicated and I was worried, but it was fine. I had Mike test one of the cupcakes to make sure I had the right amount of filling in it.)

Spoon a little ganache on each cupcake and lightly spread with an offset spatula or a knife. Chill for at least 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the icing: Using a mixer, beat the remaining 1 stick butter, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, milk and confectioners’ sugar until smooth, adding more milk if needed. Spoon into a pastry bag with a small tip. Pipe onto the cupcakes to decorate.

Store cupcakes in the refrigerator.

Oven-Baked Caramel French Toast

Caramel Sauce

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons light corn syrup

French Toast
8 to 12 slices french bread
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a small saucepan, combine caramel ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until bubbling. Pour sauce into a 13″x9″ baking dish. Place slices of bread on top of the sauce, crowding if necessary. Combine eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a blender. Pour evenly over bread. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours, or overnight. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove dish from refrigerator 30 minutes prior to baking. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes until puffy and light golden brown. To serve, invert slices of toast on serving plates.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2nWHo0/www.everydayhomecook.com/2011/05/oven-baked-caramel-french-toast/

Polka Dot Cheesecake

Polka dot cheesecake

I saw someone wearing the greatest polka dot rain coat today and it inspired me to make this cheesecake. It needs to be refrigerated overnight so make sure you make it the day before you want to serve it. I find that popping it into the freezer for about 1/2 hour makes it a lot easier to cut. Using a knife dipped in hot water between cuts also helps to make clean edges. If you want to make this into a traditional cheesecake you will need an 8 inch spring form pan.

Crust

1 cup Graham crumbs

¼ cup cocoa

2 tbsp sugar

¼ cup melted butter

Filling

16 oz softened cream cheese

½ cup sugar

2 eggs

2 oz dark chocolate, melted

1 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup sour cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Grease a 7 X 7 inch square pan and line it with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, mix together the graham crumbs, sugar, cocoa, and melted butter and press into the pan.

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the eggs one at a time on low speed. Add vanilla and sour cream. Scrape the sides of the bowl one more time and beat until smooth. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cheesecake filling and set aside.

Melt the 2 oz of dark chocolate in a bain marie (a bowl placed over a pot of barely simmering water), or in a microwave on low temperature. Stir the melted chocolate into the reserved 1/2 cup of cream cheese filling.

Pour the plain batter into the pan, smoothing out to the edges. To make the dots you will need a pastry bag fitted with a round tip. Fill the pastry bag with the chocolate cheesecake mixture. Gently press the tip of the bag into the smoothed out plain cheesecake and squeeze the bag forming a dot. Place dots all over the cheesecake until the chocolate mixture is used up.

Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the oven for an additional 1 hr. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Freeze if you wish for about 1/2 hour before cutting. Use a knife dipped in hot water to help when cutting.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2kSgis/bakersdaughter.typepad.com/the_bakers_daughter/2010/04/polka-dot-cheesecake.html

Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 package active dry yeast
3 ounces unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil
3 quarts water
3/4 cup baking soda
1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water
Coarse sea salt

For the Pretzels: Combine the water, sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Add the salt and flour and mix on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl, about 3 to 4 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a flat surface and knead into a ball with your hands.

Oil a bowl with vegetable oil, add the dough and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Bring the water to a boil in a small roasting pan over high heat and add the baking soda.

Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 ounces each. Roll each piece into a long rope measuring 22 inches and shape. Cut the dough into one inch pieces to make the pretzel bites. Boil the pretzel bites in the water solution in batches. We did about 15 bites at a time. Boil for about 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon. Place pretzel bites on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure they are not touching. Brush the tops with the egg wash and season liberally with the salt. Place into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown.

Remove to a baking rack and let rest 5 minutes before eating. Serve with cheese sauce, recipe below.

Cheddar cheese sauce:
½ Tablespoon unsalted butter
½ Tablespoon all-purpose flour
½ cup milk
8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated

For the cheese sauce:

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese until smooth and all of the cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

*If you want to make cinnamon and sugar pretzel bites-instead of adding salt, sprinkle the bites with cinnamon and sugar. For the frosting mix-soft cream cheese-about 3 T, powdered sugar, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a little bit of milk. Whisk together. Add more milk if it is too thick, if it is too thin, add more powdered sugar. I don’t measure. I just guess until the consistency is right.*

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/29rrcX/twopeasandtheirpod.com/homemade-soft-pretzel-bites/

Alfredo Chicken n' Biscuits

• 2 cups chopped fresh broccoli
• 1-1/2 cups sliced fresh carrots
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 carton (10 ounces) refrigerated Alfredo sauce
• 1 cup biscuit/baking mix
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon dill weed

In a large skillet, saute the broccoli, carrots and onion in oil until crisp-tender. Stir in chicken and Alfredo sauce; heat through. Transfer to a lightly greased 8-in. square baking dish.

In a small bowl, combine the baking mix, milk and dill just until moistened. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto chicken mixture.

Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 18-22 minutes or until bubbly and biscuits are golden brown.

Enchilada Chicken Soup

Ingredients

• 1 can (11 ounces) condensed fiesta nacho cheese soup, undiluted
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 2-2/3 cups whole milk
• 1 can (10 ounces) chunk white chicken, drained
• 1 can (10 ounces) enchilada sauce
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
• Sour cream

In a large saucepan, combine the soups, milk, chicken, enchilada sauce and chilies. Cook until heated through. Serve with sour cream.

Tortellini and Ham Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 package (19 ounces) frozen cheese tortellini
• 1 cup frozen pepper strips, thawed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1-1/4 cups cubed fully cooked ham
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Directions

• Cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute pepper strips in butter until crisp-tender. Add ham and garlic; saute 1 minute longer.
• Combine the cornstarch, broth, basil, parsley and
• pepper; stir into pepper mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
• Add 2 tablespoons cheese. Drain tortellini; toss with ham mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Yield: 4 servings.
• Photo from Taste of Home

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough + Cupcake = The BEST Cupcake. Ever.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1 (18.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
1 1/3 cups water
1/3 cup canola oil
3 eggs

Directions

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and sea salt; set aside. Beat the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Add 1 egg and the vanilla extract and beat until smooth. Mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips; mixing just enough to evenly combine. Form the dough into tablespoon-sized balls; place onto a baking sheet, and freeze until solid, about 2 hours.

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

Beat 3 eggs in a large bowl with an electric mixer to break up. Add the cake mix, water, and canola oil; continue beating for 2 minutes on medium speed. Spoon into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each 2/3 full. Place a frozen cookie dough ball on the top center of each cupcake.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the cake portion of the cupcake (not the cookie dough ball) comes clean, about 20 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Snickers Caramel Cheesecake Cookies

2 Cups chopped Snickers Bars
2 1/2 Cups graham cracker crumbs
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
5 Tablespoons melted butter
2 8oz packages softened cream cheese
1 Cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla
3 Tablespoons caramel sauce

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place chopped Snickers Bars into a bowl, set aside for now. Place graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter into a mixing bowl to combine. Spoon a couple spoonfuls of crumbs into each muffin top pan and press down and up the sides. Bake for 5-6 minutes or just until browned. Remove from oven.

2. In a stand or electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add in eggs and vanilla until well combined, scraping sides of bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in caramel sauce until well combined. Pour about 1/4 Cup of cheesecake mixture over each baked crust then top evenly with chopped Snickers. Bake for 23-26 minutes or until cheescake edges are just starting to brown and centers are nearly set. Remove and let cool completely. While still warm, loosen all edges with a plastic knife to make for easier removal from pan. Refrigerate once cooled then top with caramel sauce and whipped cream to serve!

12 individual cheesecakes

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1Dhqcm/picky-palate.com/2010/07/08/snickers-caramel-cheesecake-cookies/

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Refrigerator Cake

2 1⁄2 cups heavy (whipping) cream
1 bag (10 oz) peanut butter chips
18 whole chocolate graham crackers
Recipe Preparation
1. Heat 2⁄3 cup cream in a large microwave-safe bowl until steaming. Add chips; whisk until smooth. Slowly whisk in remaining cream. Chill 15 minutes.

2. Beat with mixer just until soft peaks form. Arrange 3 crackers, side by side, long edges touching, on serving plate. Spread evenly with 1⁄2 cup cream mixture. Repeat for 4 more layers; add 1 more layer crackers. Chill 1 hour. Chill remaining cream.

3. Spread top and sides of cake with cream. Chill 4 hours or up to 2 days.

4. Decorate with peanut butter chips, if desired. Slice with a serrated knife using a sawing motion.

More amazing yummy cakes at www.womansday.com/Articles/Food/Recipes/8-No-Bake-Summer-Cakes.html

Orange-Raspberry Dreamsicle Cake

2 pkg (13 oz each) coconut macaroons (we used Archway)
3 cups (1 1⁄2 pt) raspberry sherbet
2 pt vanilla ice cream
3 cups (1 1⁄2 pt) orange sherbet
Garnish: pretty iced cookies
Recipe Preparation
1. Line a 13 x 9 x 2-in. pan with foil, letting foil extend about 2 in. above pan at both ends. Lightly coat with nonstick spray.

2. Line bottom of the pan with macaroons; press to flatten and form a layer. Freeze 20 minutes, or until firm. Meanwhile, refrigerate raspberry sherbet and 1 pt vanilla ice cream to soften slightly.

3. Drop spoonfuls of softened sherbet and ice cream into crust, alternating flavors and packing them down as you go. Freeze 2 hours, or until firm.

4. Repeat with orange sherbet and remaining vanilla ice cream. Freeze 30 minutes to set, then swirl surface decoratively. Freeze 6 hours, or until hard, and serve, or wrap airtight and freeze up to 2 weeks.

5. To serve: Lift foil by ends onto cutting board; remove foil. Cut in 9 bars; cut bars in half diagonally to make wedges.

Santa Fe Burrito

Santa Fe Burrito
Prep time: 4 minutes

2 eggs
1 cup Santa Fe frozen mixed vegetables (black beans, peppers, and corn)
1 flour tortilla
1/2 cup low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup salsa

Mix the eggs and vegetables and spread the mixture on a plate coated with nonstick spray. Cook in the microwave for 1 minute, stir with a fork, and microwave again until the eggs are cooked and the vegetables warm. Pile onto a flour tortilla, top with shredded Cheddar cheese and salsa, fold, and eat.

Black-Cherry Smoothie and Peanut-Butter Oatmeal

Black-Cherry Smoothie and Peanut-Butter Oatmeal
Prep time: 4 minutes

1 cup R.W. Knudsen black-cherry juice
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen unsweetened cherries
2 Tbsp protein powder
2/3 cup oatmeal
1 Tbsp peanut butter
1/2 cup fat-free milk

Blend the cherry juice, frozen fruit, and protein powder until smooth. Microwave the oatmeal according to the directions on the package. Stir in the peanut butter and milk