Apple Pie Bars

OK, so I made some fabulous apple pie bars the other day and I the recipe was requested by a few people, so here goes.  Enjoy!!

For the crust:

1 stick butter
1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup sugar
1.5 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375.  Beat butter, applesauce and sugar until fluffy (about 2 minutes).  At low speed, beat in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms.

Press dough into the bottom of a 9x9 pan creating an even layer.  Bake in the center of the oven for 20 minutes or until the dough is golden.  Let cool.

For the Filling:

3 tbsp butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
6 granny smith apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 very ripe pear - peeled and sliced thin
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup water (if necessary)

In an large skillet, melt butter and brown sugar.  Add apples and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally until softened - about 10 minutes.  Stir in cinnamon and nutmeg.

Continue cooking until apples are caramelized and liquid is evaporated, about 10 minutes longer.  Scrape up any bits stuck to the pan and if necessary, add water to prevent scorching.  Let cool.

For the Topping

1.5 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick butter, chilled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces

In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.  Use the mixer to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal.  Press the mixture into clumps.

Assembly

Spread the filling over the crust.  Scatter crumbs on top and press lightly into and even layer.  Bake in the center of the oven for 1 hour, until the topping is golden, rotating the pan halfway through baking.  Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

*Note* - this did not exactly cut into bars well for me.  More like scoops of apple crumble....delicious crumble ;)

Adapted from mybakingaddiction.com

Buttoned Up!

I found this paper mache letter "K" the other day at one of those craft stores you can spend hours and hours in just looking at all the ideas and products.  OK...maybe that's just me.  So, I saw it and had the bright idea to glue about 200 buttons on it!  Actually, I glue buttons on most things, but this naked letter actually NEEDED it. 
The whole project took me about 5 hours over about 2 weeks.  I used all my stock of pink, red, blue and purple buttons so now I get to search for more.  Darn :)

Nutella Fudge Bars

Oh yeah, that's what it says, Nutella Fudge.  Throw in some butter, flour and oats to that and you have mouthwatering heaven.

In a large bowl toss together:
2 tsp baking powder
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar

use your hands to combine dry ingredients.

1 1/2 cup butter, cut into small cubes

This mixture should hold together when squeezed in your fist.

Divide crumble mixture in half and press half inthe the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.

Filling:

1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 evaporated milk
1 cup Nutella
Combine in  a double boiler and melt until smooth.  Don't let mixture get too hot, remove from heat as soon as chocolate melst and blend until smooth.

Pour filling over crumble mixture.  Top with remaining crumb mixture, breaking it into small pieces with your fingers.  Bake for 40 minutes at 350 until golden brown.

Prepare for your new addition!

A little Granola to start your day?

My first temp and granola, and it turned out de-licous!  It's make with coconut oil (which I already had as you know) so I feel like maaybbeee it's a little bit healthier.  Anyway, it turned out wonderful and I plan to toss it into all my breakfast foods or just eat right from the bowl :)

Coconut-Oil Granola

3 cups rolled oats
2/3 cup slivered almonds
1 cup coconut chips (I just used regular shredded coconut)
pinch of kosher salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup dried cherries (or other dried fruit)

Preheat to 325 and like a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
In a large bowl, stir together oats, nuts, coconut, salt and cinnamon.
In a small saucepan melt the coconut oil with the honey, brown sugar and maple syrup.  Pour over the oats until evenly coated.
Pour onto prepared baking sheet and spread in an even layer.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Stir and continue to bake at 10 minute intervals until uniformly golden.

Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet.  Sprinkle with the dried cherries.  Break up and store in an airtight container.

Sunny Day Cake

We went to a BBQ last weekend at some friends house and I volunteered to make the dessert (big surprise).  I really wanted to make a cake, and I also wanted it to be kind of light and summery since it was about 85 degrees that day.  I settled on this cake below and it was pretty much the best cake I've ever made.  It got good reviews from all participants involved in the study.

Sunny Day Cake (AKA Lemon Cake) from Piece of Cake by Camilla Salsbury

Whisk these together in a mixing bowl
2 cups flour (I used cake flour)
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking power
1 tsp salt

Add in
3 large eggs at room temp
1 cup buttermilk
1 stick of butter (softened)
1/2 cup shortening (ew - I know)
2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1/4 cup lemon juice
Beat at a medium-low speed for 1 minute until blended.  Beat on high speed for 2 minutes

Add in
1/4 cup lemon lime soda
1 tsp vanilla
Beat on low speed for 30 seconds until blended

Spread evenly into two prepared pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.  Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert cakes onto a rack to cool completely.

Frosting
In mixing bowl beat on high speed

6 oz cream cheese
1 cup butter (softened)

Gradually add in and beat on low speed:
4 cups powdered sugar

Add
1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
1/2 cup lemon juice

Beat on high speed 1-2 minutes or until fluffy.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm enough to spread.

Once cakes are completely cooled, place one cake flat side up on platter, spread 3/4 c frosting evenly over layer. Top with 2nd layer and spread remaining frosting over the top and side. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

Enjoy!

suuuuppperrrr yummminessss

Banana Recipie

For all my fans clamoring for the banana bread recipie here it is:

2 medium or 1 large banana, mashed
1 egg
3/4 cup skim milk
3/4 cup white flour
1/2 cup wheat flour
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp brown sugar
1-1/4 cup rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1-1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 and spray loaf pan with cooking spray with flour.

For the streusel topping combine 1/4 cup oats, 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice, 1 tbsp brown sugar and the coconut oil. Set aside.

For the bread combine the mashed banana, egg and  milk in a mixer.  Add the flower, 1 cup oats, remaining brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and the rest of the pumpkin pie spice.  Mix well then fold in the chocolate chips.

Pour mix in to loaf pan and top with struesel.  Bake 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center come out clean.

Happy Baking!

Cute little Saturday Craft Project

I think I may have gotten the idea from pinterest, but I got some rings (like the shower curtain ones) from Michaels and decided to attach our wedding cards to them.  I used my cropodile to punch holes in all the cards, attached to the rings and then added flair!!!
Now I just need to find a place to hang them....