Triple Chocolate Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread

I went to Walmart the other morning, which isn't much different than most mornings, and took pictures documenting my time there.  Taking pictures along the way was so much fun and it didn't bother anyone in the least little bit...they all know us by name.  I'll share that in another post.  I ended up buying zucchini, Nestle Semi Sweet Mini Chocolate Chips, Hershey's Chocolate Syrup and more Cocoa.  This is the result of my shopping trip.  Are you thinking a trip is in order, now?

Homemade Biscuit Mix

I sometimes use packaged biscuit mix in  my recipes, don't you?  Since I have been sharing them, it has come to my attention that not all of my friends, that follow Recipes For My Boys, have access to items like Bisquick.  I shared my Cheddar Garlic Biscuits this morning on facebook and one of my friends, from the UK, commented she was all excited about making them, until she read ... biscuit mix.  That was all it took to get me in the kitchen to make my own.  I think it turned out great and so did hubby.  At least by all the biscuits he ate, I would say so.  I don't think I'll be buying the packaged biscuit mix again.

Tall and Fluffy Biscuits Made From Scratch

These biscuits are so easy to make and better than a biscuit mix! In a very short amount of time, these tall and fluffy biscuits can be on your table. They are perfect for breakfast, a slider and supper. This recipes makes 10 3" biscuits.

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One Hour French Bread

I am in a hurry and I bet you are also.   With this recipe you can have fresh, hot French Bread on your table in one hour!  It is so easy to do.  Are you ready to impress your family and friends?  Great!  Gather the ingredients and let's get started.  You can view a slide show here.  Please take a moment to subscribe.  ~thank you~

Honey Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls

These are easy to fix even for a school day morning.  I made them this morning for my boys and still have plenty of time to do what I always do.  You know,  the things that were supposed to be done last night that were not for some unknown reason.  Kind of like “the dog ate my homework” kind of thing.  Get up and get moving!  Made a special breakfast for you little ones and big ones alike. 

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White Bread

I know it is hard to believe, but.......I misplaced my KitchenAid Stand Mixer for 6 years!  I know, I know!!!  We were going to move and packed a lot of our things away....moved them to a storage building and there they sat.  Only the storage building is 4+ hours away and when I did visit,  I never could find my long lost KitchenAid.  Last year, I found it!!!  I was ecstatic!  Whoopie!  Woot Woot!  Happy Dance and more that I'll spare you the details of.  This White Bread (which is perfect for sandwiches or your favorite soups and stews) is the first thing I made with my KitchenAid once it was back home...where she rightfully belongs, never to part again.  She is well over 20 years old and is still mixin' along, although a little worse from sitting idle all those years.

Sweet and Savory Focaccia

This is the first time I have made focaccia.   I used a salad kit with dried sweetened fruit, pralines, crumbled blue cheese.  I even topped it with a few baby greens and blue cheese vinaigrette.  Add your own fruits and nuts, cheese and herbs to make this your own.  Enjoy!

Enter to win the 15" Lodge Carbon Seasoned Steel Skillet I used to bake this focaccia in. 

Big Ole Yeast Rolls

These turned out perfect and will very likely be the last go to yeast roll recipe you use.  These would be perfect for buns, too.  I'm thinking these would be a great addition to Easter, or any holiday.  I haven't added the actual recipe to my blog, it is on Examiner.com.  The link below the pictures will take you there.  Enjoy!

Big Ole Yeast Rolls

Big Ole Yeast Rolls

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The Better Baker Weekend Potluck #48

Buttery Buttermilk Biscuits

I finally made biscuits that were light, fluffy, a little buttery and, well, edible!!!  I was so excited I just about drove my oldest by bonkers while riding in the truck yesterday talking about my biscuits!  ~smile~   It was quite an accomplishment for me since I am a Southerner, coming from a line of great women that made the BEST biscuits and couldn't make a descent biscuit.  Here they are...what do you think?

Pumpkin Ginger Bread

Here is yet another pumpkin recipe, this time with more ginger to make it Pumpkin Ginger Bread.   Not a hearty gingerbread taste, but a hint of the classic gingerbread which was what I wanted.   Oh my it was good!   My middle son, the oldest twin, decided to help himself the best way he could.   I couldn’t get angry with him…no matter how the bread looked when I got back to it.   Love and Hugs!

Pumpkin Ginger Bread 

1 3/4 cup King Arthur Unbleached All Flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ginger or more to taste

3/4 to 1 teaspoon cinnamon or more to taste

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg or more to taste

3/4 cup sugar

4 Tbsp molasses

2 Tbsp lemon juice, optional

1/4 cup oil

2 eggs

1/2 cup coconut milk or milk

1 cup packed pumpkin puree, not filling

What to do

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Lightly grease 9 x 5 loaf pan

Sift dry ingredients and sit aside.

Whisk together eggs, oil, molasses, sugar, coconut milk.

Add dry ingredients, stirring until moist.  Do not over stir.

Fold in pumpkin, you do not need to mix it all in. 

Cook in preheated oven for 45-60 minutes.  Done when toothpick comes out clean.

Cool in pan 10 minutes, run a knife around edges, flip out and cool on rack or eat warm.

Buttermilk English Muffin

The other day my oldest son had an appointment to get his eyes checked. Thankfully, they are very near perfect and he does not need glasses! We stopped by the fast food place with the famous egg muffin breakfast sandwich. You know which one I am talking about. My oldest said they were so good! My reaction was.... I could do better, health and taste wise. Homemade is always healthier and tastier. ~smile~ I told him such and would prove it to him. 

This morning, I started my quest to find a great english muffin recipe. I binged and found several recipes. I ended up adapting my recipe from Fleischmann's Skillet English Muffins recipe. We were all very pleased with the results. The Buttermilk English Muffins were delightfully soft and full of those nook and crannies you just have to have in english muffins! Once you make these, you will not go back to the store bought ones.

Irish Soda Bread with Dried Fruit

It's almost St. Patrick's day and I have been in the mood to cook the part.  You know, Corned Beef and Cabbage,  Irish Stew.....making Shamrock Shakes for my boys.  I've never made Irish Soda Bread before and so glad that I did.  I opted for a non-traditional bread, adapting this recipe from Barefoot Contessa's recipes for Irish Soda Bread.  While it isn't traditional Irish Soda Bread,  which has only flour, soda, salt and buttermilk,  it is great bread!  I didn't have any currants, couldn't find any and my boys ate all the raisins so I used what I had ... dried fruit bits and they made the bread wonderful!   Enjoy!

Chicken and Spinach Alfredo Bread

Chicken Spinach Alfredo Bread, is an amazing addition to many dishes, soups and salads.  Serve it by itself, and you have an appetizer that is toasty, soft and has just the right amount of melted Alfredo Spread.  When you add cooked, diced chicken and fresh spinach, you have a meal!!  Go ahead and make both for your family.  I know you will be asked to make them time again!  Best served warm.

I made this in a loaf pan.  Obviously, I went overboard, 2 cups of chicken! It just about had to be eaten on a plate with a fork.  <3 and hUgs! 

Chicken Spinach Alfredo Bread

Ingredients

1 loaf frozen bread dough

1/2 cup alfredo spread 
1 to 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
1/2 bag, 8 oz., fresh spinach

Directions

Thaw dough according to directions on package. Once thawed, roll into a 10" x 15" rectangle on a lightly floured counter or cutting board.  Spread the alfredo spread on the dough starting in the middle from end to end lengthwise and move outward.   Leave 1/2" on  each side.   Add spinach and top with chicken.  Moisten sides with a light dab of water and roll up tight,  lengthwise.  Move to greased cookie sheet, or loaf pan, and tuck ends under.  Bake 10-12 minutes and turn the pan around.  Cook another 10-20 minutes until browned on top and done.  Remove from pan and place on rack to cool.  Enjoy! As always, my oven cooks different than yours.   Start checking at earlier than suggested.  Please adjust time accordingly.  

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Weekend Potluck

Hoecakes

Since I am about to freeze....I decided to make a Big Ole Pot of Hamburger Vegetable Soup.  Oh My Goodness...If you haven't tried making it, you need to.  The recipe is very forgiving.  Use whatever you have on hand and make it your own.  A great way to use up leftovers, too.

When you make soup, you just haveta make bread!  I decided to make Hoecakes!  These are very thin and so good if you are hankering for a little bit of cornbread without making a big pan.  They are crispy yet moist on the inside.  I bet there isn't a southern kitchen that hasn't had hoecakes cooked in them!  It has been ages since I made them but once I started making them...oh the memories that were brought back to me.  Grandma making a ton of them as she cooked a mess of greens!  Mama making them by the dozens as she cooked up this very soup I am making today.  Standing by the stove...talking away to anyone and everyone that would stand by long enough to listen.  They never meet a stranger and their homes, and hearts, overflowed with friendship, family, and love!

Hoecakes

makes 6-8 3-4" cakes

1 cup plain cornmeal

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups boiling water, only use what you need

bacon grease, oil, butter, crisco or spray oil

Mix salt in cornmeal.  Heat water to boil.  Add water a little at the time, stirring, until completely moistened. You may not use all the water...you may need more.  If you need more, just add a little cold water to it.   

Let sit for a minute or so, the mixture will be thick.

Best if cooked in a cast iron skillet..just like Mama and Grandma did.  If you don't have one...use a non stick pan.  Spray with oil or put a bit of bacon grease in the pan.  Heat until it sizzles.  Drop a couple of teaspoons of the cornmeal mixture in the pan and flatten by spreading around.  Cook until browned and turn over.  Cook on other side until brown and middle is Not set but has a little give to it.  Place on a paper towel to absorb any grease.  Taste and add more salt, if desired.  You can add butter to them if you wish.  I don't...just tear into them and start eatin' with your favorite meal.  Sopping up the liquid...pot licker of Greens or the stock of the soup.  Enjoy!  <3 and hugs!

WW Cranberry Orange Banana Nut Bread

Sick, Sick, Sick!  That's is what we have been, forever it seems, around here!  We get well and 5-10 days later, sick again.  A vicious cycle that I attribute to all the boys being in school this year.  Teachers are saying that this is what is happening with most of the children.   I'm not liking it.  No matter how much I wipe down, spray or douse everything, and everyone for that matter...the "sick", as Reid calls it, comes back to us.

I wanted to fix something for the boys and tried to do something a little healthier for them this time.  Sweet and a little tangy, nutty and yummy, with glaze or without out (my preference) it is a keeper here!  <3 and HUGs!

Whole Wheat Cranberry Orange Banana Nut Bread

1 cup all purpose flour 

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, use least amount and add more if desired

1 cup sugar, a little more if you need it

1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and sliced

1 egg, beaten

frozen orange juice concentrate thawed and undiluted*...to use in bread, 3/4 cup and topping, 1/4- 1/2 cup

1 teaspoon vanilla

1-2 bananas, mashed

1/2 to 1 1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 1/2 to 2 cups chopped/sliced thin fresh cranberries

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray loaf pan or bundt...this will be shorter.

Sift first 6 ingredients together in bowl

Stir in sugar

Cut in butter....flour will turn into a little coarse, sandy looking

Mix in egg, vanilla and 3/4 cup orange juice

Fold in banana, sliced/chopped cranberries and pecans 

Pour into greased desired pan

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.  

Rotate.

Cook another 10 minutes and check.  Checking every few minutes.

It is done when toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean and top is light brown.

Mine was done in 35 minutes.

As always, My oven cooks different than yours.  Check at earliest time and adjust cooking time accordingly.  

Let sit 10 minutes, run knife around edges to loosen and invert onto rack.

I like mine like this!  <3 and Hugs!

Cranberry Orange Drizzle

1/2 to 2/3 can whole cranberry sauce

1/4 to 1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate

1 cup confectioners sugar, adding more if you like it sweeter

Whisk all together and drizzle over individual pieces.   

You can also poke holes in the bread with a bamboo stick while bread is still warm.  Warm the glaze and drizzle over bread.  Make certain you have a plate underneath to catch the run off.  

*Note....I used frozen orange juice concentrate because that was what I had.  You can use 1 Tablespoon grated orange peel and 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice for the bread, instead.

You can also substitute freshly squeezed orange juice with  1-2 teaspoons grated orange peel for the drizzle.

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Shared on The Country Cooks Foodie Friday

Apple Pie Bread

I'm always looking for something Yummy and Easy  to cook for My Boys!  I am finding frozen dough to be my friend!  Stuff anything in it and it is bound to be good!

Last night I took out two loaves, cooked one and put the other in the refrigerator.  Got up this morning and remembered the apples my step daughter, Carla, had given us.  MMMM... Apple Pie in loaf of yeast bread!  Oh My Stars...It is GOOD!  Hope you like it!

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Cinnamon Breakfast Rolls

I took rolls out to thaw for supper, put them in the refrigerator and somehow forgot to cook them.  Yes, I know….it doesn’t seem possible to forget something as delicious as yeast rolls.  But, I did! 
We had Chicken and Dumplings.  We ate way too much food.  Piled up on the couches and we all went to sleep.  All except my oldest, he went to bed after school because of a headache…darn allergies!  He woke me up at 8:30…hungry and thinking it was time to get ready for school.  After making him a sandwich, convincing him it was a long time until morning, getting the little ones ready for and put in bed, waking my husband and sending him to bed, getting myself ready for bed…I then sat on the couch again.  Yep, went back to sleep.  
I was up at 4 a.m. and knew I couldn’t go back to sleep.  Stiff from sleeping on the couch, I made my way to the kitchen to start the coffee and then to start a load of laundry (this is an ongoing process at our house!)  I looked in the refrigerator and they therewere…the rolls I took out the day before were ready to be baked!  They had were fluffy like the pillow I missed sleeping on last night.  I knew I needed to cook them.  Thinking I had cinnamon sugar made (I keep in on hand) I decided to make cinnamon rolls but didn’t want anything really sweet.  The rolls ended up with swirls of cinnamon sugar inside buttery yeast rolls.  YUMMY!  I hope you enjoy them as much as we did!  <3 and Hugs!

Oh So Good!Pin It

Cinnamon Breakfast Rolls

Ingredients

1 package frozen rolls or you can use a loaf, thawed

1 –2 cups cinnamon sugar;  1 to 4 Tablespoons ground cinnamon *to taste* to 1 cup brown sugar

butter or margarine

Directions

Mix the sugar and cinnamon and place in a bowl or on a plate. 

Stretch rolls

Press one side in cinnamon sugar

Roll lengthwise and then fold under

Place in greased pan, mine is 10x12 and let rise until doubled in size.

Cook at 350 degrees in preheated oven.

Check at 10 minutes I think mine were done at 15 minutes.  I’m really going to have to write my recipes down while I make them. ;D

As always..My oven cooks different than yours.  Check at earliest time and adjust as needed.
Slather butter or margarine, all over the rolls.  I keep a stick in the freezer, take out and rub all over the rolls.  YUM!

Enjoy!  <3 and Hugs!


Shared with
Church Supper #12
My Meatless Monday

Parmesan Garlic Pull Apart Bread

We had fun making this!  Line the children up and start making these YUMMY Parmesan Garlic Pulls, that's what My Boys call them.  They were so happy with the outcome of these and between the 5 of us...well, there wasn't any left.  ;D  Delicious as a snack or to complement a meal.  Make some today with your little ones and see smiles upon smiles.  ;D  <3 and Hugs!

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Pepperoni Cheese Pull Apart Bread

Do you want something fun and delicious to snack on?  Bread, pepperoni, cheese and a hint of garlic perhaps?  Well, here it is!  Just for you!!!
It was rainy Sunday morning and after baking a loaf Whole Wheat Banana Bread,  I took out a loaf of frozen bread.  Not having anything particular in mind…I kept thinking about the possibilities there were given with a loaf of unbaked dough.   Looking in the refrigerator made it easy to decide…a half a stick of pepperoni and low fat cheddar cheese. 

Whole Wheat Banana Bread

We awoke to thunder and heavy rain with darkness all around us.  A cozy Sunday morning with hubby and the boys.  Somehow, this dreary to some....lovely to me,  morning gave way to rumbling tummies.  Non-stop cries of "I'm Hungry!"   I look around and see those bananas that nobody wants..that have sat on the counter a day too long.  While they look bad on the outside...the inside is full of Deliciousness just waiting to be created and eaten!  Here is what became of those bananas on dark, rainy Sunday morning in Florida.  

Whole Wheat Banana Bread

Ingredients

3 ripe bananas, smashed or pureed

2 large eggs

1 1/4-1 1/2 cup Buttermilk
1 stick of margarine/butter

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

loaf pan, greased

Preheat oven to 325 degrees


Directions

Cream butter/margarine and sugars.  

Beat in the eggs.  
Add pureed, or smashed, bananas 
Add vanilla.

Mix flours, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

I didn't have buttermilk so, I added 2 tablespoons lemon juice, or use vinegar, to 1 1/2 cups whole milk.  Stir and let sit for 5 minutes or until it starts to curdle 

Using a spatula, alternate the flour and milk.  Ending with milk.  You may not have to use all.  I used 1 1/4 cup today.

Put in grease loaf pan and bake at 325 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

I turn the pan around at 20 minutes.  Then checked again in another 30 minutes.  Mine cooked for 45 minutes.

Done when toothpick comes out clean. 
Very Dense and Oh So Good!

As always, my oven cooks different from yours so adjust times accordingly.

<3 and Hugs! 


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EMM Church Supper
Made From Scratch Tuesdays