Peppermint Bark

This is so embarrassingly easy that it hardly counts as a recipe.  I’ve had several people ask me how to make it so I decided to put it here.  I usually only make it around Christmas and I have no idea why as it would be great any time of the year and I can find the ingredients all year long.

I use CandiQuik for the white chocolate.  There are many different brands of candy coating and any one of them will work.  CandiQuik looks like this:

It comes in vanilla and chocolate.

Here is another version of bark that I made a couple of years ago ~ Cranberry Nut Chocolate Bark

Peppermint Bark

1 pkg vanilla CandiQuik
1 bag hard, round peppermint candy

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Unwrap the peppermints and place in a ziplock bag. Smash all the peppermints in the bag with a meat mallet or a rolling pin until all the pieces are small.

Melt all the CandiQuik according to the package directions. At this point, I dump the melted chocolate into a bowl and then dump in the peppermints and mix well.

Pour over the parchment paper and let harden. If it seems to be taking a long time to harden, place in the refrigerator until hardened.

Break up into pieces with your hands.

Easy peasy!

Happy Cooking!

Cranberry Nut Chocolate Bark

Something I  made when we had a few friends over before Christmas was this bark.  I saw the recipe on King Arthur Flour and it looked so delicious to me that I had to try it.

It’s easy to make even though it may not look that way.  Just make sure to follow the steps and yours will turn out great, too.

The recipe called for semisweet and white chocolate but I used the packages of chocolate and white bark that you can buy in the grocery store. They melt easily and then harden back up easily and they taste good.

Cranberry Nut Chocolate Bark

1 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup toasted pecans
1 pkg chocolate bark, melted
1 pkg white chocolate bark, melted

In a small bowl, mix the cranberries and toasted pecans together and set aside.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Melt the chocolate bark according to the pkg directions. Spread into an oval on the parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and let set.

Melt the white chocolate according to the pkg directions and carefully spread over the chocolate layer. Before the white chocolate sets, sprinkle the cranberry and nut mixture over the top and press in lightly.

Let the chocolate harden for several hours and then break into chunks. If you are having trouble getting the chocolate to harden, put the pan in the refrigerator until hard.

Makes about 24 pieces.

Happy Cooking!

Rum Cake

This was a favorite of ours years ago and I decided it was a good time to bring it back.  It’s very easy to make which is a plus!

This is the same Bacardi Rum recipe that was in every magazine in the 70’s and can now be found in almost every community cookbook published.  It’s a winner!

I just filled up the middle with fresh fruit but otherwise made exactly as the recipe states.

Rum Cake

Cake:
1 cup chopped pecans
1 pkg yellow cake mix ~ DO NOT add ingredients on the box
1 small box instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup dark rum ~ I used spiced rum

Glaze:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup dark rum ~ I used spiced rum

Grease a 10 inch tube pan or a bundt pan and sprinkle pecans over the bottom of the pan.

Mix together the cake mix, pudding, eggs, water, oil. and rum. Pour over the nuts in the prepared pan.

Bake at 325º for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

Invert onto a serving dish. I did it a bit different. I inverted onto a cookie sheet until it was glazed and then I carefully moved it to my serving plate.

For the glaze: Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in the water and sugar. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the rum.

Brush glaze over the top and sides of the cake. Allow cake to absorb the glaze. Repeat until glaze is used up.

Makes 10-12 servings.

Happy Cooking!

Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast with Blueberry Syrup

As a rule, I am not a fan of French toast but I have really started to like these overnight French toast recipes.  I think I made this one for Christmas breakfast for Mr. Meat Eater and I and we really enjoyed it.

I always use Challah bread for these kinds of recipes ~ it soaks up the liquids nicely and it’s a bit sweet.  King’s Hawaiian bread would work nicely, too.  I used frozen blueberries for both the casserole and the syrup and they worked perfectly.

I found the recipe on a blog called Real Mom Kitchen ~ it’s a very cute blog with some great recipes so check it out when you have a chance.

Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast with Blueberry Syrup

VIEW PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE!

French Toast:

12 slices bread, cut into cubes ~ I used challah but King’s Hawaiian would work
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cut in cubes
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen) ~ I used frozen and probably about 1 1/2 cups ~ do not defrost
12 eggs
1/3 cup real maple syrup
2 cups milk

Arrange 1/2 of the bread cubes in a greased 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle cream cheese cubes and blueberries evenly over the bread cubes and top with remaining bread cubes.

Mix together the eggs, milk, and syrup. Pour over bread cubes and cover the pan with foil. Refrigerate overnight.

Bake, covered, at 350º for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes or until fluffy and golden.

Top with sauce.

Makes 8 servings.

Syrup:

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 tbsps cornstarch
1 cup blueberries ~ I used frozen but fresh is fine ~ do not defrost
1 tbsp butter

Cook water, sugar, and cornstarch together until thickened. Stir in blueberries and simmer for 10 minutes. Add butter and stir until melted. Serve over the french toast.

Happy Cooking!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Recently, I found a recipe for pumpkin cinnamon rolls on King Arthur Flour’s website and decided to try them.  I made them in my bread machine but the recipe says you can make them by hand, mixer, or bread machine so it is a real versatile recipe.

When I was ready to add the cinnamon before rolling, I thought there was really too much so I only used half.  After baking, I wish I had used the whole amount so they would have had more a cinnamon-sugar taste so be sure to use the entire amount even if it looks like too much.

Another trick I learned from this recipe is to make sure the rolls are completely cool before adding the frosting and it won’t melt into the rolls and it will look really pretty.  I wish I had realized this before, LOL!

The rolls are absolutely delicious and I hope you try them!

I am just going to post the link to the recipe since there are some great tips included with the recipe ~ KA’s Pumpkin Rolls  I hope that you give them a try if you like to make yeast breads ~ they would be great for the holidays!!!

Happy Cooking!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

These are, without a doubt, the best muffins I have ever made.  They are easy to make but take a bit of time to make each part.  They bake up tender and moist.  I brought some to the dog park and sent some to work with Mr. Meat Eater and everyone loved them.

I thought the cream cheese filling was a little runny and I’d have to work on it to make it less so but I wouldn’t hesitate to make these over and over.  In fact, I will be making them for Thanksgiving weekend.

The recipe came from Country Living magazine who says it came from a B&B.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Filling:
1 (8 ounce) cream cheese, room temperature
1 egg
3 tbsps sugar

Topping:
5 tbsps sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup roughly chopped pecans
3 tbsps butter, melted
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Muffins:
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsps cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsps baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 1/4 cup pumpkin
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla

Heat oven to 375º. Spray 2 12-cup muffin pans with Pam or use paper liners (I spray the liners, too).

In a medium bowl, mix the filling ingredients together and set aside.

In another medium bowl, mix the topping ingredients together and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.

In another medium bowl, mix the eggs, pumpkin, oil, and vanilla together.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the pumpkin mixture in. Mix with a fork until well moistened.

Evenly divide half the batter between the 24 muffin cups. Place 2 teaspoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture on top and then divide the rest of the batter between the cups covering the cream cheese as best you can. I am not the best at dividing but as long as there was a spoonful on top of the cream cheese, it worked.

Sprinkle some of the pecan mixture over the top of each muffin.

Bake until golden ~ about 20 to 25 minutes. Insert a toothpick in center to check for doneness.

Makes 24 muffins.

VIEW PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE!

Happy Cooking!

My Favorite Breakfast Casserole

Way back in May, 2008, when I started this blog, this was the first recipe I posted ~ without a picture ~ so I thought a do-over was called for.

This is really my favorite breakfast casserole and I served it at my recent EB Pink Party.  It’s the recipe I usually make for holiday breakfasts since it can be put together for the most part the night before.  It’s also very easy to add or subtract ingredients and make it your very own.  I never put in the tomatoes and I have made it with ham, bacon and sausage.  All three are good but I like ham the best.

When I make for a holiday breakfast, I usually make a fruit salad and some kind of sweet rolls or coffeecake ~ very easy and delicious!

I think I found this recipe on a B&B website but I’ve been using it for so long I don’t remember for sure.

Breakfast Casserole

1/2 stick butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
2 -3 medium tomatoes, chopped
12 eggs, beaten
1 24 oz bag frozen hash brown potatoes
1/2 to 1 pound cubed ham, thin sliced ham, cooked crumbled bacon, or cooked, crumbled sausage
3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Melt butter and place in bottom of 13 x 9 baking pan (glass). Spread potatoes (still frozen is ok) in bottom of pan. Sprinkle chopped veggies over potatoes Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle meat over potatoes and veggies At this point, you may continue or casserole may be refrigerated overnight.

Pour beaten eggs over potatoes. Bake at 350º for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle cheese evenly over top. Bake another 5-10 minutes or until cheese is hot and bubbly.

Remove from oven and let set for approx. 5 minutes. Cut into squares and serve with spatula.

Makes 6-8 servings

VIEW PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE!

Happy Cooking!

Pumpkin Waffles and Apple Cider Syrup

The minute the cooler weather arrives, I am trolling for pumpkin and apple recipes.   I found this recipe on Allrecipes and it’s so good!

The syrup is a little sweet for me so I think I would cut down on the sugar next time to maybe 1/4 cup since the cider is sweet already but otherwise I would keep everything the same. I made the syrup first and then made the waffles.

Pumpkin Waffles and Apple Cider Syrup

Waffles:

2 1/2 cups flour
4 tsps baking powder
2 tsps cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
2 cups milk
4 eggs, separated
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat your waffle iron.

Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, salt and brown sugar in a mixing bowl.

In another bowl, stir together the pumpkin, milk, and egg yolks.

Whip the egg whites in another clean, dry bowl until soft peaks form.

Stir the flour mixture and the melted butter into the pumpkin mixture and stir to just combine.

Using a whisk or a spatula, fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, stirring gently until mixed. Fold in remaining egg whites.

Cook waffles according to the directions of your waffle iron.

Syrup:

1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup apple cider
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsps butter

Stir together the sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon n a saucepan. Stir in the cider and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until it begins to boil Boil until the mixture thickens.

Remove from heat and stir in the butter until it melts.

Serve warm

Makes 6 servings.

VIEW PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE!

Happy Cooking!

Brunch Mushroom Frittata

I am a real mushroom lover and this dish was was my favorite at my my pink party  last weekend.   It’s easy to make and a little bit unique in that you use shredded cheddar cheese for the “crust”.  I used a 9×9 square baking dish since the recipe just called for a 8-cup baking dish.  The recipe also called for only 4 mushrooms, chopped and I used about 10 mushrooms, sliced.

I found the recipe in a cookbook called Savor the Seasons by the Junior League of Tampa. It’s the third book in their Culinary Collection.

Brunch Mushroom Frittata

2 tbps butter
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
4 mushrooms, chopped (I used 10 mushrooms, sliced)
4 ozs sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
6 eggs
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup milk
1 1/4 tsps salt
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp dried thyme
dash of pepper
2 dashes Tabasco sauce

Preheat oven to 325º.

In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, green pepper and mushrooms and saute until the vegetables are tender, about 7 minutes, stirring often.

Press the cheese evenly over the bottom and up the sides of a greased 8 cup baking dish. I did not cover the sides but just went up a bit from the bottom.

Beat the eggs, cream, milk, salt, cumin, thyme, pepper and Tabasco in a bowl until blended. Add all but 1/2 cup cooked vegetable mixture and mix well. Set 1/2 cup vegetable mixture aside.

Carefully pour the egg mixture in the prepared pan trying not to move the cheese from the bottom of the dish.

Bake for 30 minutes or until almost set in the center. Sprinkle with the remaining vegetable mixture and bake for 10 minutes longer or until set.

Makes 6-8 servings

VIEW PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE!

Happy Cooking!

My EB Pink Party, Berry French Toast, and a Giveaway

This giveaway has ended but check the giveaways link up above to see if there are any current giveaways going on!

Before I get on to business, I finally figured out a way to include printable recipes using google documents.  From now on, after each recipe you will see a link that says View Printable Recipe, click on it and it will take you to the recipe in google docs and you can print out just the recipe!  I will slowly start to add in all the recipes here but it will take awhile.  Until then, just follow the directions under PRINTING up in the bar right up on top.

Last month (or maybe it was August) I was contacted by Eggland’s Best to see if wanted to have an EB Pink Party in support of breast cancer awareness month.  I jumped at the chance.  EB sponsored my brunch and sent an amazing prize pack that I will send on to one lucky winner!   We had a great time at my brunch ~ these are my friends from our local dog park.  A few couldn’t make it and we really missed them.   We are a pretty diverse group of all ages AND our dogs all get along!

Between us in this picture, we have 13 dogs and 2 grand dogs.  I’m the 4th from the left if anyone is wondering!  Mr. Meat Eater took the picture so he will remain the mystery man 🙂

I can’t thank Eggland’s Best enough for the chance to have this party and for all they do to help in the fight against breast cancer.  I’m beside myself that they chose me and my blog to help pass along the word and that they have such delicious eggs.  I haven’t used any other brand of eggs in years!

One of the dishes I made was berry French toast.  I am NOT a French toast lover and anything that even LOOKS like bread pudding I usually run away from.  I don’t know what compelled me to try this dish but it has to be one of the best breakfast dishes I have ever made.  It’s super easy and is not the least bit heavy.

The recipe calls for French bread but I used a loaf of challah bread instead and I think a loaf of King’s Hawaiian bread would be just as good.  The other thing I like is that it calls for frozen berries so it can be made all year round instead of just during berry season.  The frozen berries are also cheaper to use.

I think this was the most popular dish at the brunch!

Berry French Toast

1 loaf of French Bread, cubed (I used Challah)
6 egg whites
3 eggs
1 3/4 cups milk (I used 2%)
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 (12 ounce) pkg frozen unsweetened mixed berries
2 tbsps cold butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar

Places cubed bread in a lightly greased 13×9 baking dish.

In a bowl, combine the egg whites, eggs milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt and pour over the bread cubes in the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. I have never let it sit that long. I usually make it about 5 hours ahead and put in the fridge until baking time.

Bake, covered, at 350º for 30 minutes. Once you have put it in the oven, take the berries out of the freezer and let sit on the cupboard to defrost a bit.

In a small bowl, cut the butter into the brown sugar until crumbly. Sprinkle berries, the brown sugar/butter over the top and bake, uncovered, for 15-20 more minutes or until a knife inserted near the middle comes out clean.

Serve with maple syrup if desired. It’s really good with the syrup!

Make 8-10 servings.

VIEW PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE!

More brunch recipes to come this week!

Now for the giveaway.  Here’s what is included in the prize pack:

In the prize pack from Eggland’s Best you will get a set of 4 EB ramekins, 1 EB apron, 1 EB whisk, 1 EB spatula, 1, EB egg timer, 1 EB eco bag, 1 EB plush egg.

For a chance to win, just let me know your favorite dish to make for breakfast!  That’s it ~ very easy!

The giveaway will run until October 17 at midnight.  If you are the winner, you will have 3 days to get in contact with me!  I will use Random.org to choose a winner.

Thank you Eggland’s Best!!!!!!!

Happy Cooking!