Blueberry Coffee Cake

 Not only did I get to make this from blueberries we actually grew in our garden but Chris said it was one of the five best things I've ever made! 

Cake:

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 TBSP baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

5 TBSP butter, softened

3/4 cup buttermilk or thin yogurt

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

lemon zest

2 cups fresh blueberries

Cream butter, lemon zest and sugar. Add egg and vanilla. 

Mix dry ingredients together in small bowl with whisk. Remove a spoonful of the flour mixture and toss into blueberries.

Add half of flour mixture into creamed butter and egg. Mix in buttermilk. Then mix in rest of flour. Fold in blueberries. 

Pour into greased and sugared square baking pan. 

Bake at 375 for 55-60 minutes, or until pick comes clean. 

Immediately start making streusel topping and put on top of cake as soon as it is ready. Then continue baking.

Streusel: 

1/3 cup each: flour, sugar and brown sugar

 lemon zest

5 TBSP butter, softened

Cut butter into remaining ingredients.

Cool cake on rack until it's cool enough to drizzle on glaze.

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

pinch salt

1/4 tsp vanilla

5 tsp lemon juice

Eat slightly warm. 

Caramel Apple Oatmeal Muffins

 Inspired by the salted caramel chips at Trader Joe's, we had these muffins for breakfast this morning. Apple and caramel are one of my favorite flavor combinations and apple is my transition food between Summer and Fall. 😋🍎🍂

I was so nervous about how they would turn out, I only baked 6 as a trial. But they were moist, apple-y and sweet, but not too sweet. Next time I'll throw some pecans or walnuts in my half of the batch... 😜

Preheat oven to 425. Grease or place 12 muffin papers into standard sized muffin tin. You may make more or less depending on how full you fill them.

First mix 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a small bowl. 

Next grind 1/2 cup of rolled oats in food processor or blender until they have a flour-like consistency. Then pour them into a new mixing bowl.

Add:

1/2 cup white flour

1/2 cup wheat flour

3/8 cup or 6 Tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix the dry ingredients together. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.

Grate a cored and quartered apple until you have 1 cup. You don't need to grate it first, but you can if you want.

Add:

1/3 cup melted coconut oil

1 beaten egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

the sour cream/baking soda mixture

Stir until mixed but don't over mix or the muffins will become tough. Stir in grated apple and 1/4-1/3 cup caramel chips.  Gently fold them in, making sure they are both well incorporated.

Spoon into prepared muffin tin. The batter will be very thick.

Bake for 5 minutes at 425. Then turn off the oven and turn temperature to 350. Do not open or remove the muffins from the oven. Just continue to bake for 10-14 minutes, or until a pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cool on wire rack for 5-10 minutes before removing. Continue to cool on rack or enjoy while warm. 😊

Pumpkin Butter Muffins

 I really love this muffin! I know this sounds strange, but I was inspired by this soap I bought at Bath & Body Works. Don't worry... It doesn't taste like soap. LOL

It was also my first time using my new silicone muffin cups, which, by the way, work great! 

These taste a lot like mini pumpkin coffee cakes. They stay moist for days and have a hint of coconut... You know, the soap. ;) 

1 3/4 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Mix dry ingredients in large mixing bowl. Make a well in the flour mixture. 

2 cups pumpkin butter (or pumpkin puree)

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1/2 teaspoon coconut extract (can substitute with vanilla)

/1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Whisk the wet ingredients together and pour into the flour well. Mix until just combined.

Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full.

Combine brown sugar with a little white sugar. Mix with pumpkin pie spice, to taste.

Sprinkle generously on top of muffins.

Bake at 425 for 5 minutes. Then lower oven temperature to 350 and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until a pick comes out clean. 

Cool in wire rack. 

These are good warm or at room temperature. 

Ninja Egg Cups

 I love mini egg bakes! And the Ninja makes them so easy to do, I even made them while camping for our anniversary! 

Now that I've made them again at home, I decided I'd better post my recipe before I forgot how I did it. Disclaimer- this is really more of a method than a recipe. :) 

First make your eggs however you would prepare them for scrambled eggs. Just beat some eggs and milk together and season with salt and pepper. For 6 standard sized muffin cups, I used 3-4 large eggs with some milk.

Then cut up whatever you want in your egg cups: peppers, onions, mushrooms, bacon, ham, sausage... Cut it up pretty small because your cups aren't very big.

I sauté my fillings to get rid of any extra moisture in them (especially mushrooms and ham).

Pour 1 cup of water into your Ninja Foodi. Place silicon muffin cups in round baking pan on rack. Spray your cups with non-stick baking spray. I suppose you can also use a silicone egg cup mold but I don't have one of those... :) 

Fill your cups with some shredded cheese and your filling. Don't put too much in them.

Pour egg mixture into cups and fill them to nearly the top. Then carefully lower them into the Foodi on the rack.

Place glass or pressure lid on Foodi. If using pressure lid be sure it is on vent. Steam for 12 minutes.

Be careful when you remove the lid not to get too much water on top of the egg cups. Test them with a knife in the centers. If they come clean, they are done. 

I like mine a bit drier, so I lower the Air Crisp lid and bake them for 4 minutes at 375. 

Remove the rack from the Foodi and let them cool for a minute or so before you remove them from the cups... 

Quick & Easy Rice Pudding

About two years ago, I posted a recipe for stovetop Norwegian-style rice pudding. It took quite a while to make and it was a bit too smooth for me. I like my rice pudding with a little more texture. And on cold winter mornings, I don't want to spend 40 minutes standing at the stove.

So here's my super quick and easy version to do with leftover cooked white rice.

This isn't really a recipe, it's more of just directions. You can do this however you want to your taste...

Put some cold, cooked white rice in a small saucepan.

Cover it with sweetened vanilla almond milk.

Simmer and stir constantly on medium-high heat until it is thick.

Serve hot with desired toppings. I like butter, cinnamon sugar and dried cranberries...

Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola

Here's another variation on my basic granola recipe. I don't like it on yogurt but it's great with milk as a cereal. 


6 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup brown sugar1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup peanut butter powder1/2 cup coconut
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 cup roasted unsalted peanuts
1/2 cup powdered milk

Mix together in a large bowl.

2/3 cup honey (or maple syrup, any kind)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp water
2/3 cup oil

Heat in microwave for 30 seconds. Mix well and pour into bowl of dry ingredients. Coat well.

Pour into 2 9x13 pans.

Bake at 300 for 25-35 minutes, stirring about every 15 minutes. Bake until golden brown.

Cool, stirring occasionally to break up the granola.

Add mini carob chips.

Store in airtight container. Freeze for longer storage.

Overnight Oats

This is a quick, easy breakfast that has almost endless possibilities: pumpkin butter, jams, fresh fruits, curd...

pumpkin butter

blueberry lemon curd

chocolate banana

strawberry jam

Just follow this simple formula for whatever you choose.

Mix equal parts of oats, yogurt, and milk. Stir in whatever add-ins you want and 1 teaspoon of chia seeds.

Cover in small jar or bowl and refrigerate overnight.

Apple Cider Donuts

I really wanted a good apple cider donut recipe. I tried one and it was a total flop. So I just tweaked one of my other recipes and it worked. This is a nice small batch of donuts which is a good thing because you really have to eat them right away. They do not hold.

First: Pour 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice in a measuring cup. Add milk to the 1/2 cup line. Let sit for 15 minutes. Stir.
Next take 1 1/2 cups of apple cider and boil it on high heat until it has reduced to 1/2 cup. Let it cool to the temperature of your hot tap water.
Then pour 1/2 cup of the hot apple cider into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon of yeast on top of the water. Sprinkle 1/8 cup flour on top of yeast. Lightly mix and let sit 5-10 minutes, it will start to get foamy.
Add the milk and the following ingredients to the yeast and cider mixture.
3 Tablespoons melted butter, cooled slightly
3 Tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour (I used a bit of whole wheat flour, too)
Stir to make a soft dough. Add more flour if needed to make it stiff enough to knead.
Knead for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Knead in more flour if it is sticky. You will end up using about 2 1/2 to 3 cups total.
Roll out to about 1/2” thick. Cut out with donut cutter. (I used a biscuit cutter and an apple corer for the centers)
Place on baking sheet, cover with thin towel and set aside in a warm place to rise for about 30-45 minutes. (I turn my oven to the lowest temp for about 5-10 minutes while kneading and then turn it off)

before rising

(I also used the scraps)

Heat oil in deep fryer to 375.

Carefully place donuts, a few at a time, into the hot oil. Cook until golden brown and then flip to cook the other side. Watch them carefully! They cook kind of quickly and turn dark. I think it is due to the cider in them. 

Place on a paper-towel lined plate to drain. 

Then toss in sugar mixed with a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

You can also make a glaze from sifted confectioners sugar and apple cider. Pour over while donuts are still hot.

Crock Pot Egg Bake

Today I made my favorite Tater Tot Egg Bake in my crock pot. So easy and it cooked while we were at church and was ready for brunch for us and our company when we got home.

I'm guessing it would work for any egg bake recipe, but here's the one I like best...

Spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Line bottom with frozen potato rounds/crowns (the flat tater tots).

Cover with your favorite egg bake cooked meats (bacon, sausage or ham), sauteed veggies and grated cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

Beat 8 eggs and about 1/2 cup milk.

Pour over stuff in the crock pot.

Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2 hours.

Remove lid and let sit a couple of minutes before serving.

Norwegian Style Rice Pudding

This probably isn't terribly authentic but it makes a delightful breakfast served warm with melted butter and cinnamon sugar on top.

3/4 cup short-grained rice
1 1/2 cups water

Bring to a boil. lower heat, cover and simmer for 13 minutes.

Mix:
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
ground cardamom, to taste
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries

Add milk mixture to the rice, 1 cup at a time. Turn to medium heat and stir and cook until thick before adding the next cup of milk. This will take about 40 minutes or so.

Remove from heat.

Serve warm with melted butter and cinnamon sugar on top.

Chill leftovers. Can be served cold or reheated in microwave.

Apple Friendship Bread Muffins

I finally found a variation that I like. Best one yet. 

! cup Amish Friendship Bread starter

1 cup oil

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1/2 cup milk

3 eggs

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 small box of vanilla pudding & 1 butterscotch

1 small finely chopped apple tossed with 2 Tablespoons of cinnamon sugar

1/2 cup toffee bits

1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts 

Add ingredient to starter, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. 

Streusel:

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup flour

1/4 tsp cinnamon

pinch nutmeg

2 Tablespoons butter

Mix dry ingredients and then cut in butter.

Put into prepared muffin tins. Bake at 365.  Bake for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with streusel and continue to bake for about 15 minutes or until a pick comes out clean.

Pressure Cooker Egg Bake

I was hesitant to post this without trying it a second time because my pressure cooker didn't seem to actually build up pressure. It heated up and then counted down. But there was no steam released once the timer was up. But it turned out so perfectly that I did it anyway... :)

The secret to my egg bake is tater tot rounds. You know, those cute flat tater tots you buy in the frozen food section next to the French fries.

Turn your pressure cooker onto the meat setting and let it heat up for a couple of minutes. Add a bit of oil and brown your favorite breakfast meat (sausage, ham or bacon) until it is cooked along with your some veggies of your choice. I had to reset my meat setting a second time.

I used 1/8 cup chopped onion and bit of chopped green pepper with 6 oz of my homemade breakfast sausage.

Toss in 2 cups of the tater rounds and give them a toss to heat them up a bit.

Beat 5 eggs and 1/4 cup milk. Pour over meat/tater tot mixture.

Place lid on cooker and cook on rice setting for 7 minutes.

Quick release and open lid. Sprinkle with some shredded cheese and replace lid to melt.

This is also very good served in flour tortillas with salsa and sour cream for a breakfast burrito.