Just Doodling!

Hello Sweets,

I am fighting some sort of sore throat :(  It has made the packing for my move almost none existent, and that will make it for a hectic week and a half before I move.  My body is fighting so hard that yesterday I would pass out at any moment, and that was more annoying than most realize.  Normally  I would be over the moon happy that I am sleeping, because I have a lot of trouble doing so.  However, when you need to get certain things done it's a bit of a pain, since you don't get much done... at all.

Since I am bed bound for today I decided to get a jump start on my post, and that's when I realized I missed a recipe from last November.  How did I miss such a delicious recipe?  I have no clue lol, but I found it now and that's all that matters ;)  Today's recipe is a favorite of Nathans, whether I am making a cookie or a muffin he is sure to love what comes out of the oven!  I know there are many more different variations of the snack I'm showcasing today, and I even came across a  website that was full of different recipes.  Needless to say I am very excited to try out some new recipes, that is once my body decides to cooperate again :p  I guess I should tell y'all what we're making today, as my title sneakingly suggests we're making snicker doodle muffins!!  This recipe is NOT mine, but I found this delightful treat on In Praise Of Leftovers.  Check her blog out, it's full of yummy goodies :)

 Snicker Doodle Muffins

Ingredients
(muffins)

1 1/2C + 2Tbs flour
3/4C sugar
2tsp baking powder
1/4tsp salt
1/4tsp nutmeg
1/2C milk
1 egg, beaten
1/3C butter, melted

(topping)
1tsp cinnamon
1/2C sugar
1/3C butter, melted

 

Direction:

1)  Combine the first five ingredients.

 

2)  Add milk, egg, and 1/3C of melted butter, mix gently to combine.

 

3)  Butter a muffin tin, and fill muffin cups 1/2 full.

 

4)  Bake for 15-20 minutes, until tops are light brown and springy to the touch.

 

 5)  While muffins are still warm, dip in butter (from topping half).

 

6)  Roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture.

How cute is it that Nathan is helping me :)

7)  Serve warm.

 

great texture

Sooo yummy

 These are some of the most delicious muffins I've ever tasted, and they are even good when they're not warm.  I can't even begin to describe how good they are, but I can tell you that they are not overly sweet at all.  Also unlike some of the other recipes you'll find online there is no cream of tartar or vanilla, but you would never notice.  These are a perfect addition to any breakfast, or just as a snack.  All in all a perfectly delicious treat!

I can't tell you how frustrated I was last night trying to find this dang recipe lol, but by some sort of miracle when I searched on google today it just popped up.  I feel as though a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, a cinnamon sugar weight that is ;)  Tomorrow we are going to travel back to November for an American Thanksgiving treat, and I promise you that it is to die for!  Until next time....

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo

O.M.(chocolate)Goodies!

Hello Sweets,

I'mmmmmmmmmmmm baaaaaaaack!!  Lol yes it does feel great to be back at my computer for my blog, and on a regular basis ;)  I'm also trying out some new recipes this week, I started tonight with a delicious roasted chicken and my kitchen smells so good.  Yes it would have been cheaper to just pick up a pre-made one at the grocery store, but we all know that is not the Canuckette way.  Not to mention I wouldn't know what went in the prep or how to cook a moist whole chicken, but now I do!!  However, that tender and juicy recipe will not be revealed today, today I wanted to write something sweet instead and no I'm not talking about a little love note ;)

Everyone loves brownies right?  I know what you're thinking, I've already done brownies.  These brownies, much like their name, are the best brownies ever (so far)!!  I wanted a brownie that had a frosting on top, as those were my favorite when I would buy the boxed stuff *hangs head in shame*.  But that is not the way I bake anymore, only with heart and love now and that means no more boxes!  Nathan and I went to visit some of my family in Florida a couple weeks back, we flew over in his small airplane which took 6 1/2 hours but with views like this who can complain;

 

 

 

 so pretty right?

So keeping with my new love of sharing my baked goods I wanted to bring some brownies for the family to enjoy :)  Yes I know, total dork, but that's just me and I'm okay with that ;)  Lets get to the yummy treats shall we?

The Best Brownies

Ingredients

14Tbs butter

4oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped

1 1/2C sugar

2 1/4Tsp vanilla

2 large eggs

1C flour

1/3C pecans, chopped

2 1/4C powdered sugar

1/2C unsweetened cocoa powder

3-4Tbs milk

 

only the best chocolate for my man ;)

Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 400F.  Grease an 8" square baking pan.  In a large heavy saucepan over low heat; melt 8Tbs of butter and the chopped chocolate, stirring constantly.

 

2)  Remove from heat and stir in sugar, 2Tsp vanilla, and eggs (one at a time).

 

 

 mmmm chocolate!

3)  Blend in flour and pecans.

 

4)  Spread batter in the prepared pan and bake until brownies just start to pull away from the sides of the pan; 18-22 minutes.

 

5)  To prepare frosting; in a medium bowl with an electric mixer, beat remaining butter and vanilla until creamy.

 

6)  At low speed; gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder alternately with milk, beating well after each addition until frosting is smooth and fluffy.

 

7)  Frost brownies when removed from oven by gently spreading on.  Cut into 16 squares.

 

(I forgot to take a picture of the completed brownies :( )

These brownies are so moist, chocolaty, and AMAZING!!  Lol these are close to what I'm striving for in my perfect brownies, I love brownies with frosting so this is a keeper :)  Only thing left to do is to make small little changes until they're worthy of a Canuckette title ;)

As much as I would love to write a little more for y'all, I have a migraine starting and I also have some research to do.  Yes the research is food related, and of course it is a surprise ;D  Until next time...........


Stay sweet,



Jennifer xoxoxoxo

 

Save the Date....for Cake!!

Hello Sweets,

I am very happy and excited to say I've had a wonderful day :D  I was worrying about somethings, but today I found out that everything will be just peachy keen and therefore I'm a happy camper.  I should have just listened to Nathan because he kept reassuring me that everything would work out, he's usually right about the things that worry me (although let's keep that between you and I ;) ).  I still have an ear to ear smile from being relieved *cue happy dance*

When I was growing up my grandmother would sometimes make date squares around the holidays, then my mom and I made a HUGE batch from Christmas a few years back.  I was craving them a few weeks ago and I decided I wanted to give them a go, thus the research began.  I only had raisins in the house and since I'm on a budget I decided they would be just as good.  I came across a recipe that looked pretty tasty (but I can't remember where I got it), and knew it would be a big hit.  A big reason I love to bake is to provide my nephew with some yummy treats, and since raisins are one of his favorites I knew this would be a hit for his little tummy.  During my research I discovered that date squares are what some Canadians call it, to the rest of the world it's called matrimonial cake.  It's not cake like at all, and I personally would not want this for my wedding dessert lol.  Don't get me wrong it's tasty, but it will never replace an actual cake.

Matrimonial Cake (aka Date Squares)

Ingredients

filling;

1 1/2C raisins (or dates)

3/4C sugar

rind of 1 orange, grated

1 1/2C boiling water (of half OJ and half water)

top/bottom;

1C butter, softened

1 + 1/4C brown sugar

1 + 1/2C all purpose flour

1Tsp baking powder

1/2Tsp salt

1 + 1/2C rolled oats

 

Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 325F.  Put the raisins (or dates), rind, sugar, and boiling water into a saucepan and gently cook until it becomes a jam-like consistency.

 

2)  In a mixing bowl; cream together the butter and sugar.  

 

I accidentally melted the butter :(

3)  Then add the rest of the dry ingredients, mixing until crumbly.

 

4)  Pat half of the oat mixture into the bottom of a buttered 9" square pan.  Spread the date mixture over the base, then cover with the remainder of the oat mixture.  Bake for 45 minutes.

These are soft and chewy, and not sweet at all but I find them very filling so a small piece should do just fine.  Miguel loved them so much that I ended up sending a second little batch over with my sister, I can't say no to his little dimples!  This was the first time I've made them with raisins and I actually prefer them this way, it's a milder flavor than the dates can be sometimes.  But I still say this is not a cake or a wedding cake!!!

For a change tomorrow I will be posting a recipe that is gluten and processed sugar free O_O  It's not something I would normally make for myself but I did a trade with my mother and that's what she requested.  I did try what I made and it wasn't bad, but alas I am a flour junkie so it just wasn't the same to me.  I've also been toying with the idea of making tiny fruit tarts, but not sure what or how yet just another thought rolling around in my big ol' brain lol.  Until next time.....................................


Stay sweet,



Jennifer xoxoxoxo

Now Socially Acceptable!

Hello Sweets,

Spring is finally here!!!!!!!! Yes us Canadians have to wait longer than the rest of you to enjoy the nicer weather, but it has been fabulous and warm out so I couldn't be happier :)  Well actually I can, but until Nathan and I are reunited I will have to settle for sunshine only.  I took a walk the other night (no more treadmill for this girl) and I caught myself smiling because the weather was perfect and the smell of fresh cut grass assures me it's here to stay *happy dance*.

We've actually been fortunate enough to has some amazing summer like weather, weather just like Texas, which makes me miss my love but the warmer the weather the happier I get :D  Oddly enough our weather in good old Canadia has been warmer then Texas O_o but hey I'll take it!  So since it's been so warm I decided to make some more...............Canucksicles!!!!!!!  Yes that's right I made more but in a new flavor, which means a short but sweet post for a sleepy Sunday :)  But don't worry I've got some wonderfully delicious treats for you this week, I actually had a day where I was feeling especially creative and made a few different treats (this is where the cancuksicles were revamped), and I even spiced up one of my favorite dinner meals which is also the first full meal I had ever made at the rip old age of 12!  So as you can see my love of food started young and just kept growing into the passion I have today, let's get to the sweet stuff shall we?

Canucksicles #2

Ingredients

1 1/4C strawberries, quartered

1 banana, sliced

1/2C orange juice

1/3C yogurt (orange juice)

Directions:

1)  Chop up all your fruit into small manageable pieces for your bullet or blender.

2)  Place into the blender with the orange juice, blend just slightly before adding the yogurt.

3)  Add the yogurt and blend until completely liquefied, pour into your popsicle molds and put into the freezer to set.

 

So as you can see you can make popsicles with what ever you choose, I am actually toying with a green popsicle lol yup but I can't tell you what my secret ingredients are until it's complete :)  Be inventive and creative and most importantly don't be afraid to try something new and unusual.

So I know it's a short post today but it's Sunday and I have a day full of family, friends, and laughter so I think you guys will be okay with a short one :)  I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday whether you're relaxing with your feet up, or outside getting active with your loved ones!  Until next time..........................

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo