French Toast Bake

French Toast Bake

This is an easy simple recipe to feed a group or have to reheat throughout the week.

This is one of my go to recipes when I have a brunch or Mops, or a morning meeting.

It's a pretty in expensive recipe as well.

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup

1/2 Cup Butter

1 Cup Brown Sugar

Cinnamon

Day Old French Bread

5 Eggs

1 1/2 Cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

1) Grease bottom of a pyrex baking dish.

2) Tear in pieces your day old french bread and place in pyrex baking dish.

3) Mix together eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt and pour over bread. Sprinkle Cinnamon all over the top.

4) Cover and soak overnight in the fridge.

5) Next Day - Pre heat oven to 350

6) On stove top mix together corn syrup, butter, brown sugar. Once melted together pour over the bread mixture.

(sometimes I will double the sauce)

7) Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Poor Man's Caviar

Several years ago my friend Tami was hosting a garage sale. Well what does any good friend do when she is hosting a garage sale; yes that's right invite all her friends to bring their junk and sell it as well. Well one afternoon at the garage sale Tami brought out some yummy chips and poor man's caviar ??? I was skeptical but now I'm hooked. Most ministry events where I need to bring something quick that feeds a bunch of people I whip this up. It's kinda addicting, okay well some refer to it as crack but that's a crude comparison but it's pretty amazing.

I normally double all the non spicy ingredients so my kids can eat it. Feel free to add more fire to your liking.

First of all do you love Ikea ? I do! It meets so many of my shopping needs in one store. Oh and their cinnamon rolls yup to die for, you should really try one! Well my friend Alisha who is living in Romania was flying into town, and what better to do then go to Ikea when your by the airport! She pointed these bad boys out to me and I love them!!! They are thin laminated type paper cutting boards that clean up oh sooo easy!

Okay so get out your fancy cutting board or one from Ikea for $3 and grab a red/purple onion.

Dice it up really fine,(yes the whole onion) and place in a large bowl. I like to use glass so you can see all the pretty colors.

Then your going to add all the canned stuff to a big bowl.

I double up on the beans and the corn but not the Rotel.

Next chop up a green or red bell pepper.

Then add the crushed garlic, cilantro & red pepper.

Your end results will be a beautiful colorful dip just waiting for you to devour.

This was prior to mixing. If you look below you see a gorgeous photo I took off of this site.

Poor Man's Caviar

1 can black beans drained & rinsed

1 can corn (or 1 1/2 cup frozen corn) drained

1 can rotel tomatoes

1 red onion diced very small

2 cloves garlic crushed

fresh cilantro snipped (add to your taste)

crushed red pepper, start with 1/4 tsp and add as needed

lime juice

1 pepper diced (red, greeen or yellow)

salt to taste

Mix all together and let sit for a few hours to blend flavors. Can be made a day ahead. For more heat, add nore garlic & crushed red pepper.

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Freezer Cooking.

I am currently sitting in my favorite chair, the Christmas tree glistening, my children watching "Polar Express" (anyone else find that movie creepy @ all ?), and looking outside at the snow that is blanketing the ground all while the sun is being eaten by the new snow clouds rolling in over the mountains. Ah. Oh and my coffee is brewing, can't wait until it's done... man I sure hope my mom and dad got me the Keurig for Christmas, instant gratification, can I get an AMEN!

Okay back to the point of this post. NONE of the above would be possible if I didn't take time last Saturday to plan our meals and have them cooked, and froze and ready to thaw and eat at a moments notice! I am taking every minute of Christmas break and enjoying NOT being in the kitchen. Actually, I love being in there but I'm like this change of pace.

So how did I do it and what did I make ?

Well if you google "Freezer Cooking" your going to find a bazillion blogs, and I have yet to find one that is bad. If you go to Pinterest well same thing your mouth will be watering with amazing ideas! I did a little of both and made a detailed shopping list.

* The meat will be your most expensive item, so try and find that on sale or buy in bulk.

All that I made took me about 2 hours to mix up, flash freeze, bag up and cover.

I should also say that my family is not PICKY! My hubby is amazing that he is not a meat and potatoes kind of guy and a casserole is okay with him. He knows what a blessing it is to have food on the table and not care what it is :) My children also understand that I'm not a restaurant, that they eat what is made.

Breakfast Freezer Items

*Pancakes *Take a regular pancake mix and mix up the whole box, cook on your griddle or skillet. Once cooled lay on cookie sheet and "flash freeze" or "quick freeze" until they are solid.

Place in baggies and all you will have to do is pull out and put in the toaster! This is great for whole wheat or healthy options- versus store bought loaded down with junk pancakes.

*Sausage Patties - I took a roll of ground sausage and froze until just solid a little bit, and then i pulled it out and sliced. Cooked it in the skillet and let cool. Once cooled I did the "flash freeze" method and put in a gallon size ziplock. Now in the morning it just needs warmed in microwave for a a few seconds.

*Mini Quiche* Mama and Baby Love have a great recipe and tutorial. I use whatever meat is cheapest or on sale.

*Seasonal Muffins* Lady Bird Lane has a great recipe for freezing, and you can do whatever add in's you want for whatever season it is.

With these items I will pair either... Yogurt, Fresh Fruit, Granola (my recipe) or oatmeal with those.

Lunch.

I don't really do anything special for lunch. I do either leftovers, or a quick sandwich with popcorn and a fruit or vegetable.

However there is a great recipe for Mac & Cheese @ Once Upon A Month Mom and she has a ton of great ideas over there!

Dinner.

*Spaghetti* I mix it all up the noodles, sauce, cheese and meat. The only thing i do a little different is undercook the noodles because they will cook more when unfrozen. I pour into a freezer dish and when ready to eat, thaw in fridge in the morning. Bake it at 350 until warm add more cheese and sauce if necessary. I make a huge pot and divide into two separate dishes for my family.

*White Chicken Chili* I will post this recipe later sometimes but basically I doubled it, cooked it and then let it sit and cool. Once cool put in gallon size bags and froze.

*Shepherds Pie* Once again I usually make two at a time. I can post a recipe if you ask, but really google and your would find a bazillion. Mine usually consists of meat,corn,mashed potatoes and cheese, maybe cream of sauce if I have any, and seasonings.

*Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf* What's cooking Chicago has this yummy recipe and it's super simple. If you don't have some of the spices I don't think it's a big deal.

*Chicken Club Pizza* Basically any Pizza you want because I make about 4-6 pizza dough balls and freeze those. Then make whatever Pizza you want. I use Chicken on this pizza so it's already cooked and shredded in my freezer. I use Pioneer Women's pizza crust. Read to the bottom for instructions on freezing.

*Taco Meat* Cook meat and freeze in bag.

*Baked Chicken Parmesan* My real life friend Jennifer told me about this and it's yummy.

I have several more but that is a few to get you started! Let me know if you have any questions!

Some days.

Some Days you just need one of these nice cups...

add to it some yummy hot chocolate mix and some steamed milk.

Then take one of these low fat, no calorie, zilcho sugar marshmallow stir sticks...

and I promise you that you will get one of these...

a priceless smile from your three year old.

Now you don't think after yesterday's post that I would partake in such indulgence do you ?

No of course not... I was eating the other treat choc. covered oreos ;)

Chocolate Covered Oreos

*Pack of Oreos

*Almond Bark/Candy Coating

*Christmas Sprinkles

Step one- Check for broken oreos and eat immediately :)

Step two- Melt your chocolate. (I do thirty seconds at a time until fully melted in microwave, yes I know the microwave sucks your brain cells, and distorts the nutrients but really I think in this case the nutrients are long gone.

Step three- Using a large fork to balance cookie dip in chocolate. Let it drip a bit and then set on wax paper to dry.

Step four- While still wet sprinkle with fun Christmas Sprinkles.

Stir Sticks

*Large Marshmallows

*Coffee Stir Sticks

*Bag of Choc. Chips

*Crushed Candy Canes

Step 1- Put the stir sticks in marshmallows

Step 2 - Crush candy canes

Step 3 - Melt chocolate

Step 4 - Dip Marshmallows

Step 5 - Sprinkle with Candy Canes

Step 6 - Let dry on wax paper

Step 7 - Wrap up in cute cello bags, put in a much with a packet of Hot chocolate. Inexpensive gift :)

Peppermint Chocolate Cupcakes

Sometimes in life you just need a little bit of chocolate, and then their are times that you need chocolate and well some peppermint :)

I love to bake cupcakes, and sometimes I am so thankful for an excuse to make them. Not that I need one, but well this time I had a reason :)

At our church here in Colorado we house students who are training to go into full time ministry. Well we adopted one of the chica's into our family. We just love us some Mary Helen! She's a sweet southern girl from Alabama who loves to say yes ma'am and make me feel way old.

Yesterday was her Birthday and since she is away from home well the girl needs something yummy to indulge in for her birthday! So I made her some yummy cupcakes!

She texted me a picture later of the pan of 2 dozen cupcakes that were demolished by the students.

Okay so I normally don't share my recipes but this is a cheater recipe that is soooo EASY!!!

Semi-Homemade Chocolate Cupcakes w/ a Stuffed Andes Peppermint inside (yummo) & Cream Cheese peppermint Icing. Sprinkled on top are the soft baking chips that andes makes at Christmas!

Cupcake Directions

Cupcake:

1 package devil’s food cake mix

1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix

1-cup sour cream

1-cup vegetable oil

4 eggs; lightly beaten

1/2-cup warm water

1 teaspoon of vanilla (could use peppermint, but I prefer to taste the chocolate)

Package of Christmas Peppermints (round and large)

Frosting:

8 Oz Cream cheese (room temp)

6 tbsp. unsalted butter (room temp)

1-2 tbsp peppermint extract (do it to your taste)

4 cups powdered sugar

2 tbsp heavy whipping cream

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

* Line muffin tins (this recipe will make close to 3 dozen)

* In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs, vanilla and water.

*Divide the batter into the prepared pans. I use a pampered chef melon scoop :)

*Bake for 15 minutes, and then take your Peppermint and unwrap and push down into cupcake. At this point your cupcake will not be all the way cooked that's okay!! Push it down and then allow the cupcake to "swallow it up" and continue to bake for another 3-5 minutes until the top is springy to touch.

*Cool cupcakes all the way before frosting.

To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Blend in the vanilla extract. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar until incorporated and smooth, 1-2 minutes. Add the heavy cream to the bowl and beat on medium-low speed just until mixed, then up the speed to medium-high and whip for several minutes until light and fluffy. Once cupcake is cooled, grab your favorite tip and bag and decorate away. Sprinkle the top with red and white peppermint Andes (baking isle).

Let me know if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer!

Enjoy!

Cinnamon Roll Pulls & Dryer Sheet Substitues

So if that's not a random title I don't know what is.

First I told you of my love for all things Pinterest.

So when I found this Yumminess, I knew I had to indulge I mean make it for my family.

So here is how my turned out.

Cinnamon Roll Pulls

The original recipe is found here.

What you need.

1 Round Sour Dough Bread (Found in your local store bakery)

1/2 Cup Butter (Softened)

1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar

1/4 Cup Honey

Dash of vanilla

1/2 Cup Cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

(Mix)

1 1/2 Cup Powdered sugar

1-2 Tablespoon of Milk

First Make Honey Vanilla Butter. Whip up Butter and Powdered Sugar together, and mix in honey and vanilla. Set aside.

Next Cut the bread long ways but not all the way thru to the bottom, about 1/2 inch between each one.

Take your Butter you made and butter between each slice.

Then rotate around 90 degrees and cut again, but not all the way thru.

Now put your butter in between all those slices.

Perfection is not a must just make sure you get it all over :)

Then take your cinnamon and sugar and generously spread in between the slices. You may have a little extra.

Wrap up in foil and bake for 25-30 minutes (until warm all the way thru) at 350 degrees.

As soon as you pull it out take your frosting mixture the powdered sugar and milk combo and drizzle over the bread. Put on serving plate.Serve while warm!

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So along time ago I read somewhere a book, a magazine, yup I don't remember about reusable dryer sheets. To say I was skeptical is an understatement.

Well I have used it for over a year and I love it!

So here is the method I use.

Get one of those Lemonade Plastic Jugs (Think $ store people).

Some Sponges. I have like 6-8 (I think)

A bottle of fabric softener.

Take your fabric softener and pour into Lemonade rubber maid container,add equal part water.

Place your sponges in the mixture in the Lemonade Plastic Jug.

Each time you throw your clothes in the dryer throw in one of the sponges (squeeze out first).

This will last you 2x as long if not more.

Let me know if you try either of these!!!

Hootenanny & Chewy Granola Bars

Yummy!!!

I ran across the recipe for Hootenanny's the other day and thought I would try it. We had for dinner last night and the kids loved it!! That is a huge score if the kids approve!

Ingredients:

1/2 stick butter

1 Cup Milk

6 Eggs

1 Cup flour

Dash of Salt

Cinnamon

Additional toppings.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees . While preheating place the butter in a 9 x 13 pan WHIlE the oven is preheating. In a blender or mixer mix together eggs & milk; add flour and a small dash of salt and blend again. Pour the mixture into the pan with the melted butter. sprinkle cinnamon on top. Bake 15 - 20 minutes.

This will RISE really big but won't run over the pan I promise.

Cut into squares and serve like a pancake. Add syrup, jelly, fruit, powdered sugar, cool whip!

We added Cool whip and cut up strawberries and served with turkey bacon.

Now for the Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Peanut Butter or (sunbutter)

1/3 Cup Honey

1/4 cup coconut oil (or other oil of your choice)

1 Cup Oats

1 Cup total of any combination of sesame seeds, coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, dried fruit or nuts.

In a medium sized pan, melt together peanut butter, honey, and oil.

Remove from heat and one cup of oats. Choose your favorite combo of sesame seeds, coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, dried fruit or nuts, to equal a total of ONE CUP.

Pour in and stir well.

Stir well, then spread mixture into 8x8 or 9x4 pan.

Chill for several hours, then cut into bars.

I wrap into individual plastic wrap for a quick grab and run.

They are chewy and if you add chocolate they melt quickly! Not a good outdoor snack. I keep in fridge in a basket.

Cupcakes.

I have mentioned before that I have a love for cupcakes.

I would open up a store if I had the money.

They are a great outlet for me for creativity and for my cravings.

However, I rarely eat one!!

I love to give them away, I have sold them, and have used for fundraisers.

Here are a few of my favorites...

Sorry for the lack of quality of these pictures (from my phone)

Luscious Lemon With buttercream frosting with a halved strawberry.

Chocolate Cupcake Snicker Stuffed with a Carmel Frosting with Carmel drizzle and chopped Snickers on top.

Chocolate Cupcake With Marshmallow frosting and graham cracker crumbs sprinkled on top.
Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcake with Mint buttercream frosting and andes peppermints on top.

Banana Split Cupcake with Buttercream frosting topped with a cherry and swirled with chocolate.
Peach Cupcake with Cream Cheese frosting sprinkled with brown sugar.
Chocolate Cupcake with A surprise Thin Mint Cookie inside buttercream frosting with soft peppermint andes on top.

Reese Peanut Butter Cupcake With a Peanut Butter Creamy Ganache inside topped with Reese Peanut Butter Cup

Chocolate Banana Cupcake with a Ghiradelli Chocolate banana frosting and a banana slice on top.

Okay so there are a few of my specialties.

What is your favorite cupcake flavor ?

Do you ever go to cupcake shops ?

Do you have a favorite cupcake blog ?

Chocolate.

Definition of Chocolate = CRACK.

Totally addicting.

Must have.

What is it about chocolate that just makes you go ahhhh life is better (until you get onto the scale), at which point you freak and swear off all chocolate for the rest of your life...

My friend Lisa made this and I was sold. I have made it now way to many times to count... well wait on my scale I can.

This is Brownie Trifle.

You will need: Brownie mix or already made brownies

Sweetened condensed Milk

8oz cool whip

16 0z cool whip

1/4 cup water hmm or was it 1/2 cup... I will have to look and see.

3.9 oz chocolate instant pudding mix.

ice cream carmel topping

Heath Toffee Bar Bites.

1. Mix together Sweetened Milk, water ,8 oz cool whip, pudding mix.

2. Cut up brownies and put in bottom of trifle dish or big bowl.

3. pour.... I mean drizzle the carmel on top of the brownies.

4. layer the chocolate mix you made over the brownies.

5. sprinkle heat toffee bar bites on top.

6. spread cool whip layer on top of the bites.

7. Repeat.

8. On top of the last layer of cool whip i put more heath toffee bar bites...

The picture above doesn't show chopped bites but that's what I use :)

What's your favorite Chocolate dessert ?

Apple Snickers Salad

This is one of those recipes that doesn't "look" yummy but really does taste amazing!

I actually have not made it in a long time, but we were having Mexican Night with some friends last night and I needed something quick and simple and as close to "sugar free" as possible.

1 1/2 cup cold 2% milk

Dry Instant Vanilla Pudding mix (sugar free)

Mix these together for 2 minutes and let set for a few minutes.

Large Cool Whip (I used sugar free)

Fold into pudding mixture.

Chop up 4 Green Granny Smith Apples

Chop up 4-6 Snickers

Mix all together.

Chill.

Serve.

Yup that simple and that good.

photo courtesy of Here.

Granola.

One of the recipes I seem to get asked for a lot is Granola. It's so easy to make and so super yummy. Your home will smell amazing while your making this.

¼ Cup Oil

½ Cup Honey

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

3 Cups Old Fashioned Oats

1 Cup Coconut

1 Cup Pecans or Any Nut

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Optional: Raisin or any other dried fruit

Mix Oats, Coconut, Cinnamon

Melt Oil & Honey in microwave until it gets bubbly mix well and add Vanilla.

Mix the Oil/Honey Mixture with the oats mixture and bake at 375 for 14 Minutes.

Stir at end of 14 Minutes then add any nuts and put back in over for 4 minutes. Stir it up and then put back in over for final 4 minutes. Pull out of oven and let cool, place in air tight jar/container.

Great to serve over yogurt, or ice cream.

Easy New Years Recipes

With New Years Eve we know some of you are looking for a quick easy recipe. Trust me it doesn't get much tastier and simple than this.

You need :

(2) packs Hot Dogs

1 Bacon

Toothpicks

Brown Sugar

Dried Diced Onions

Your going to cut the hot dog's in half.

Cut the Bacon in half.

Wrap the Bacon around the hot dog and stick a tooth pick in.

Do this until completed. Now there won't be an even # of Bacon to Hot Dog ratio so you will have a few leftover Bacon strips. Just put in a ziplock and wait for later.

Then your going to generously pour brown sugar and the diced onions over top. There is no magical amount. Sorry I don't really measure when it comes to these type of dishes.

Then your going to cook for 45 minutes at 350 in your oven.

Then your going to generously pour brown sugar and the diced onions over top. There is no magical amount. Sorry I don't really measure when it comes to these type of dishes.

Then your going to cook for 45 minutes at 350 in your oven.

Check at about 30 minutes and make sure it's not burning.

Some ovens are different.

Pull out and cool.

SO YUMMY....

Candy Corn Bark.

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I love love love fall time!

I love sweets.

None of these are secrets about me :)

I am going to share with you a recipe I found somewhere (so bad about that).

I promise it's so easy!!!

My daughter sold this last year to earn $ for Operation Christmas Child. I was so proud of her! She put together 4 boxes and blessed 2 boys and 2 girls with an awesome box!

What you need:

A bag of pretzels (skinny small stick kind)

a package of oreos

a package of seasonal candy corns

a brick of white choc. candy coating

Step 1 - Take your pretzels and break them up and spread all over a cookie sheet.

Step 2- Did you know they make seasonal oreos ?

Well break them up and spread on top of Pretzels.

Also take the candy corns and spread them on top of the oreos.

Step 3 - Melt your white chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals.

then poor on top of the pretzels, candy corn, and oreos.

Also sprinkle a few candy corns on top to make pretty!

Step 4 - Put in freezer for like 15-20 minutes or until it's all set.

This is what it will look like :)

Step 5 - Break apart and Enjoy!!

Yummyness

Is that even a word ? Well I like it!

Sometimes as a wife in ministry I like to give gifts. Okay scratch that I love to give gifts. Sometimes giving gifts cost too much $ so I like to get creative.

Okay girlfriends are you listening I got a really yummy recipe :)

CANDY CORN BARK!

Okay so here are the easiest instructions EVER! Even the non-domesticated can make this ...

I PROMISE!

I will even guarantee if you mess it up (which you can't) I will send you some!

Ingredients:

Candy Corn

Pretzel Stick

Candy Corns

Oreo Cookies

White Candy Coating

Take a cookie sheet and lay out a piece of wax paper on it.

Grab your bag of pretzel sticks and hand to your over zealous toddler that is begging to help or your raging hormonal teen who just needs something to do, and have them break the pretzels in half. Smash the bag , Step on it, whatever just get them things broke :)

Pour the pretzels on the wax paper.

Repeat the pretzel step with the oreo cookies :)

Sprinkle the oreo cookies over the pretzel sticks.

Open your candy corns and sprinkle on top.

Open white Candy Coating and melt in 30 second intervals and stir. Repeat until smooth :) You can burn so be careful No one likes burnt chocolate :)

If your really domestic use a double boiler. No explanation for that because if you own a double boiler you know what your doing :)

Pour the Melted white chocolate candy coating on top of the pretzels,candy corn, and oreo cookies.

Place in the freezer to let it get set quickly because well i'm impatient and that's the way i get to eat it quicker... i mean give it away faster :)

Then once cold and solid take a butter knife and use the end to break into odd shapes.

Pick up a piece, Hold up to your mouth, say a big prayer that you would not gain a million pounds, and Enjoy!