Cinnamon Rolls

This is my son's current fave- homemade cinnamon rolls.  They're pretty easy to make since I use the exact same recipe that I use to make homemade rolls.  After the dough rises, I roll the dough out on a greased cookie sheet.  I cover the dough with melted butter, then a generous amount of cinnamon and sugar.  (The cinnamon and sugar is mixed together beforehand, I usually do about a 1:4 ratio- 1 tbsp cinnamon for a 1/4 cup sugar).  Then I start on one side and gently roll the dough up, so it makes one big log.  (Make sure to pinch the end of the dough down so it stays in place).  I personally like to use a piece of floss to cut my log into rolls.  Then I place the rolls in a greased cake pan right next to each other (side to side).  It makes every edge of the cinnamon rolls  so soft and gooey.

Bake on 350 for 25-30 minutes.

And then for the best part- frosting!  
Mix together:
2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup margarine/butter (softened)
2 tbsp milk
Then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.  
Pour over cinnamon rolls.

Or for a delicious cream cheese frosting-

mix together:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup margarine/butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla
tiny pinch of salt
1 lb of powdered sugar (about 3 3/4 cups)
and about 1 tbsp of milk for consistency

Homemade Rolls Recipe

My family has been making these homemade rolls for as long as I can remember!  They are always a delicious addition to any meal!  Here's what you need:

2 tbsp yeast
1 ½ C warm milk
½ C margarine/butter (soft)
½ C sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
½ C warm water
flour

Mix all ingredients together in a stand mixer.  (I always heat up the milk and margarine together in the microwave before adding them to the rest of the ingredients).  Add flour in spurts until mixture does not stick to the side of the bowl and bowl looks clean (see picture below).  Continue to mix for about 5 minutes.  Let dough raise for 30 min to an hour.  Shape dough into small balls and place on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 min (until golden brown).

Bean Dip

Another family favorite!  This is a must at any party we have!  This bean dip is as delicious as it is easy.  What you need...

8 oz. package Velveeta cheese
8 oz. package cream cheese
1 can of chili (personal fave- Hormel with beans)
1 can of refried beans (personal fave- Rosarita traditional)

Combine all ingredients in a crockpot. Cook until cheese melts and dip is warm.  Enjoy!

Favorite Banana Bread Recipe

I'll admit, I'm kind of a banana bread snob.  I'm not the biggest fan of bananas, and I'm even more picky when it comes to banana bread.  But the banana bread from this recipe, I could eat all day long.  It's a favorite in our household and never lasts long.  Here is the recipe:

1 ¼ C sugar

½ C margarine/butter (soft)

2 large eggs 

About 2 or 3 medium bananas

½ C milk

1 tsp vanilla

 2 ½ C flour 

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt  

Preheat oven to 325°. Grease pans. Mix sugar and margarine in large bowl (I always use my kitchen mixer). Stir in eggs until well blended. Add bananas, milk, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt just until moistened. Pour into pans. Bake loaves for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 min until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pan, then let banana bread cool on wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.

*Update: Lately I have been substituting the butter with a 1/2 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt.  It does change the consistency a little, but after having it twice this way, I don't notice/mind it anymore.  It's a great way to add more protein and save hundreds of calories!

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Homemade macaroni and cheese (which my kids refer to as cheesy noodles) is a family favorite for dinner.  If my kids were in charge, we would eat this every night for dinner.  They even choose this baked macaroni over eating out.  I like this meal because it is easy to make and the ingredients are basic, so I always have them on hand.  

Prep time: 15-20 min

Bake time: 25-30 min

Ingredients:

1½ C elbow macaroni (can also use small/medium shells as well)

¼ C margarine or butter

¼ C flour

¼ tsp pepper 

½ tsp salt

1¾ C milk 

1½ C grated cheddar cheese

grated cheddar cheese (for top)

Prepare macaroni according to package directions. Drain. Melt butter in large pan. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir cheese into milk mixture until melted. Place drained macaroni in casserole dish, and stir in cheese sauce. Sprinkle more cheddar cheese on top. Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese topping is melted.

Halloween Pizza

This is one of our family's favorite Halloween treats- a pumpkin shaped pizza.

This is our favorite recipe for pizza crust:

4 1/2 C flour

 1 1/2 C water

2 tsp yeast

3 tbsp powdered milk

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp vegetable oil

In a stand mixer, add water, yeast, and powdered milk.  Mix thoroughly until yeast is dissolved.  Mix the remaining dry ingredients together in a separate container and add them to the mixer.  Mix on low until most of the flour and water have mixed, then continue kneading for 10 minutes.  Dough will be loose and scrappy at first and will quickly form a moist, smooth cohesive ball (while the dough is still scrappy, add the vegetable oil one tablespoon at a time).

After the dough has been kneaded for 10 minutes, remove it from the mixing bowl and, using a rolling pin, roll it out to desired size.  Cover with a towel and let it rise for an hour.  After crust has risen, add sauce, cheese, toppings.  Bake at 500 on pizza stone for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Halloween Spider No Bakes

My kids and I had a fun time making these cute Halloween treats- no bake cookies turned into spiders with M&M's for eyes and pretzels for legs. (My son turned the back one into a black widow). :)   

Here is our favorite recipe for no bake cookies:

2 C sugar

1/2 C cocoa

1/2 C milk

1/2 C butter/marg

2 C oats

1/4 C peanut butter

In saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa; stir in milk and butter.  Bring to boil.  Boil for 3 min.  Stir in oats and peanut butter, return to boil.  Drop on wax paper. 

*Tip- Stir mixture constantly to make sure bottom does not burn.