tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44293518393765238182024-03-18T22:49:50.553-04:00Sweetflutterbys3Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.comBlogger492125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-31505197475526897192013-06-16T13:34:00.001-04:002013-06-16T13:34:13.996-04:00Happy Father's Day!To all the fathers that have been there for the children in their lives, thank you.<br />
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<br />Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-45936693156859612592013-04-22T17:35:00.001-04:002013-04-22T17:35:37.458-04:00Hi Everyone!Sorry I have been gone so long. With work getting busier, I could not keep up with baking anymore. I am hoping that I can visit more often and maybe even connect with everyone via Facebook. Yes, I finally joined the crowd, though a bit late. I never could have a regular Facebook because of my profession (therapy) so I decided to make a page about therapy just so I could share in the fun. So I hope I can reconnect. I miss all of you!Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-72089272293378826112012-09-23T14:32:00.000-04:002012-09-23T14:47:34.100-04:00English Blueberry Scones<a name='more'></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBQYxC_3ODI3S00SIMYzKdvQbcyxwBqCX5zP73tB0_-5P20GjFDscm8u2x3bGpV57R1wJP3xSJZEaxm1Bt0QY0TLSM6cW84Q5Rr4qDjrdEuajnzA1TE01T3gTcMSILIpwoj-cc0vS-RS8/s1600/IMG_2751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A friend in the UK tells me all about her adventures finding sweet treats. She is a great writer so I get descriptions in mouth watering detail. Since I live in an area with no bakeries or even great places to eat, I have to live vicariously through her :) Recently, she was telling me about having scones with strawberry jam and Devon cream and I just had to try them, even if I had to make them myself. I got the strawberry jam and double devon cream then found a great recipe for scones, thinking all the while that I would be the only one eating them in my family (what kid eats scones after all!). It ended up that the scones turned out so well that not only did my kids and husband eat them all, but I got a request to make more! That just never happens so I think this recipe is a hit! <br />
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2 cups cake flour (make your own- just under 2 cups flour and 4 tblsp cornstarch), spoon and sweep Method <br />
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1/3 cup granulated sugar <br />
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1 tablespoon baking powder <br />
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1/2 teaspoon salt <br />
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5 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces <br />
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2/3 cup whipping cream or heavy cream, plus more for tops <br />
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1 large egg <br />
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1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract <br />
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1/2 to 3/4 cup frozen blueberries (do not thaw) <br />
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granulated sugar for tops, optional <br />
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Heat oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. <br />
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In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to blend thoroughly. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the flour mixture. Work in with a pastry blender and fingers until well incorporated and the mixture is crumbly. <br />
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In a small bowl, whisk the 2/3 cup of cream with the egg and vanilla. Stir the cream mixture into the dry ingredients just until ingredients are moistened. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead frozen blueberries in, a few at a time, folding over and adding a few more. Work the dough as little as possible.<br />
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Divide the dough into 2 portions and pat into circles about 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick. Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Arrange on the parchment paper. Brush each scone lightly with cream and sprinkle with sugar, if desired. Bake for 11 to 14 minutes, or until lightly browned. <br />
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Serve with lemon curd, butter, Devon cream, and/or your favorite fruit preserves.<br />
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Adapted from About guide to Southern Food<br />
<br />Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-63395898507117757782012-08-13T17:34:00.007-04:002012-08-13T18:05:01.752-04:00Moist and Delicious Carrot Cake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxZ15xKcL-xC1guivl2ZcBozvtWFxQnikGUMm53QjKgsD7NmLk5LTGJt0-F87AjyAlzpM2C63hkDkJmKeF_sZpPQ4XxRqDhSFbY4hBztOY0scfAirSvdsBCKVrk5SQlBmGyXGM2RnnY6A/s1600/IMG_2691.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5776274645178575650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxZ15xKcL-xC1guivl2ZcBozvtWFxQnikGUMm53QjKgsD7NmLk5LTGJt0-F87AjyAlzpM2C63hkDkJmKeF_sZpPQ4XxRqDhSFbY4hBztOY0scfAirSvdsBCKVrk5SQlBmGyXGM2RnnY6A/s320/IMG_2691.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Ok, it's been forever since I've posted, again. Too much work to do, no time to bake :( But for my brother's birthday, his first one home since retiring from the Navy, I had to make something special. So I shut the computer off and focused on making something memorable for his birthday. He requested carrot cake of all things! I haven't made carrot cake in ages. This recipe calls for so many heavy ingredients I was a bit worried when it came out of the oven without rising that much. But when I added the icing, it made all the difference. Plus all you needed was a small slice since it was so filling! Everyone raved over how rich and moist it was. This cake would be perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><div>Moist and Delicious Carrot Cake</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Ingredients<br /><br />2 cups all-purpose flour<br />2 teaspoons baking soda<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />2 teaspoons ground cinnamon<br />3 large eggs (I used 1 egg and 1/2 cup Egg Beaters)<br />2 cups sugar (I used 1 3/4 cup)<br />3/4 cup vegetable oil (Iused 1/4 cup oil and 1/2 cup applesauce)<br />3/4 cup buttermilk<br />2 teaspoons vanilla extract<br />2 cups grated carrot<br />1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained<br />1 (3 1/2-ounce) can flaked coconut<br />1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts<br /><br />Directions</div><br />Line 3 (9-inch) round cakepans with wax paper; lightly grease and flour wax paper. Set pans aside.<br /><br />Stir together first 4 ingredients.<br /><br />Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrot and next 3 ingredients. Pour batter into prepared cakepans. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.<br /><br /><br />Icing<br /><br />1/2 cup butter, softened<br />8 ounces cream cheese<br />4 cups confectioners' sugar<br />2 teaspoons vanilla extract<br /><br /><br />Directions<br /><br />Beat softened butter and cream cheese until well blended.<br />Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until creamy.<br /><br />Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake<br /><br /><br />"Love is like a good cake; you never know when it's coming, but you'd better eat it when it does!” ― C. JoyBell C.<br /></div><br />Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-26565684534859261942012-07-04T12:21:00.001-04:002012-07-04T12:30:19.887-04:00Happy Independence Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR9D7wuXVGbjGA3rWFfAx43agl9sWIB2XklrlwOmQbB7LOJKlhyphenhyphenBokyw0zLgsPn3nArW0mYxvDotTFvf9OZWFrfoh-VTq2e75bqIKJi2HmZCMbmG7CdV1qAlmGT08lk_08yY4tvy_Mw5Y/s1600/declaration+of+independence.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5761352261910951570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR9D7wuXVGbjGA3rWFfAx43agl9sWIB2XklrlwOmQbB7LOJKlhyphenhyphenBokyw0zLgsPn3nArW0mYxvDotTFvf9OZWFrfoh-VTq2e75bqIKJi2HmZCMbmG7CdV1qAlmGT08lk_08yY4tvy_Mw5Y/s320/declaration+of+independence.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>And thank you to everyone who has protected our freedom. </div>Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-40368068155741587512012-06-28T17:27:00.006-04:002012-06-28T17:52:25.354-04:00Easy Strawberry Tartlets<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFjCn8EI3ieAgydToLZ151NKuhbtdfcNqKDPgVsbnQchj29XrZaMjapnJIl1RlOO8JlysPHpqPW5d1gg1MiE4va3tUxGpTcCtvW7SN41nj2Ko_hmDmZp1rTS08JALrFsEr7TWsLAJH7oG/s1600/IMG_2437.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759202815453143810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFjCn8EI3ieAgydToLZ151NKuhbtdfcNqKDPgVsbnQchj29XrZaMjapnJIl1RlOO8JlysPHpqPW5d1gg1MiE4va3tUxGpTcCtvW7SN41nj2Ko_hmDmZp1rTS08JALrFsEr7TWsLAJH7oG/s320/IMG_2437.JPG" /></a><br /><br />When summer started with a bang with those 90 degree days, there was no way I wanted to turn the oven on. Or even think about spending more time in the kitchen than I had to. So when I wanted something sweet, I made these tartlets up (there might be a recipe somewhere, but I'd like to think I'm this creative!). I used those mini Keebler graham cracker shells from the store and filled them with fresh strawberry goodness. Then I topped it with whipped cream. Easy, quick and so good!<br /><br />Easy Strawberry Tartlets<br /><br />1 package of mini Keebler (or any brand) graham cracker pie crusts<br />3 cups sliced and hulled strawberries<br />1/2 cup sugar<br />3 teaspoons lemon juice<br />1 teaspoon corn starch<br />pinch salt<br /><br />Whipped cream<br /><br />Mix strawberries, sugar, lemon juice and corn startch in a pot on medium heat. Stir constantly until mixture boils. Remove from heat and stir until thickened. Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes.<br /><br />Spoon strawberry mixture into individual shells. Chill through. Top with whipped cream and serve.<br /><br /><br /><em>"One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste." </em><br />-<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johannwolf106055.html">Johann Wolfgang von Goethe</a>Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-81703829491340816932012-05-07T17:40:00.007-04:002012-05-07T18:34:36.300-04:00Awesome Southern Buttermilk Biscuits<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9EaQQ2u2jK3FKjjlP6N5rY_IPhZckjhV3OJqVGr82v4aeNNIyAfdodutvK0VivpdSYy2KSQw8U24SVGUX0bd4aCVunRtoPJO8GccD8YYm4T_itoMzoHP7pPa97U8TqSl5Wy0WPeZo_s3/s1600/southern+biscuits.jpg"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 225px; height: 225px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5739911578003404610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9EaQQ2u2jK3FKjjlP6N5rY_IPhZckjhV3OJqVGr82v4aeNNIyAfdodutvK0VivpdSYy2KSQw8U24SVGUX0bd4aCVunRtoPJO8GccD8YYm4T_itoMzoHP7pPa97U8TqSl5Wy0WPeZo_s3/s320/southern+biscuits.jpg" /></a><br />I am trying my best to get in another few posts before the new Blogger interface starts and I have to spend a few months trying to figure out how to post again. Can you tell I'm not so good with computers? ;)<br /><br />If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know I am always looking for that perfect biscuit. I've tried many recipes, but I think this one comes the closest to what I have been looking for. It's got those flaky layers, soft inside and crunchy outside. It rises nice and high and tastes wonderful. And it's quick to make, perfect when you are busy getting together the rest of the meal. The recipe comes from Food.com. A reader posted it with very detailed instructions that I found very useful so I'll reprint it as she wrote it. I think you'll love these.<br /><br />Southern Buttermilk Biscuits<br /><br />2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the board ( if you can get White Lily flour, your biscuits will be even better)<br />1/4 teaspoon baking soda<br />1 tablespoon baking powder (use one without aluminum)<br />1 teaspoon kosher salt or 1 teaspoon salt<br />6 tablespoons unsalted butter, very cold<br />1 cup buttermilk (approx) (I make my own from 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice)<br /><br />Preheat your oven to 450°F.<br /><br />Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl, or in the bowl of a food processor. (I used the food processor- it turned out great)<br />Cut the butter into chunks and cut into the flour until it resembles course meal.<br />If using a food processor, just pulse a few times until this consistency is achieved.<br />Add the buttermilk and mix JUST until combined.<br />If it appears on the dry side, add a bit more buttermilk. It should be very wet.<br />Turn the dough out onto a floured board.<br />Gently, gently PAT (do NOT roll with a rolling pin) the dough out until it's about 1/2" thick. Fold the dough about 5 times, gently press the dough down to a 1 inch thick.<br />Use a round cutter to cut into rounds.<br />You can gently knead the scraps together and make a few more, but they will not be anywhere near as good as the first ones.<br />Place the biscuits on a cookie sheet- if you like soft sides, put them touching each other.<br /><br />If you like"crusty" sides, put them about 1 inch apart- these will not rise as high as the biscuits put close together.<br />Bake for about 10-12 minutes- the biscuits will be a beautiful light golden brown on top and bottom.<br />Do not overbake.<br />Note: The key to real biscuits is not in the ingredients, but in the handling of the dough.<br />The dough must be handled as little as possible or you will have tough biscuits.<br />I have found that a food processor produces superior biscuits, because the ingredients stay colder and there's less chance of overmixing.<br />You also must pat the dough out with your hands, lightly.<br />Rolling with a rolling pin is a guaranteed way to overstimulate the gluten, resulting in a tougher biscuit.<br />Also, you can make these biscuits, cut them, put them on cookie sheets and freeze them for up to a month.<br />When you want fresh biscuits, simply place them frozen on the cookie sheet and bake at 450°F for about 20 minutes.<br /><br /><br /><em>“I think the butter's slipped off your biscuit”- </em>unknownSweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-63812228134542648472012-04-28T14:27:00.002-04:002012-04-30T15:26:19.286-04:00Cowboy Cookies<div style="text-align: center; clear: both;" class="separator"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeSMQkUF1m63xGD3zvUCCnEuR7jtrLc-n1hYmgkFaoUgNhO_w7pyGZVUQPQL5G7-ZTdc6v8kWVhR7KgMA0ELirGJrKBD2-u9H-xGcmHge4HkFoeKUtfPsyrgbUR5E413NYnZwH3BgZadc/s1600/IMG_2376.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeSMQkUF1m63xGD3zvUCCnEuR7jtrLc-n1hYmgkFaoUgNhO_w7pyGZVUQPQL5G7-ZTdc6v8kWVhR7KgMA0ELirGJrKBD2-u9H-xGcmHge4HkFoeKUtfPsyrgbUR5E413NYnZwH3BgZadc/s320/IMG_2376.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>I haven't been able to post lately because of Blogger's change over to the new format. I've been working for a few weeks just to figure it out. For some reason, it does not work with my system, even though my system is current and updated. I don't know if this post will look normal or not when I post. I hope so!<br /><br />Cowboy cookies are some of my favorite kind. They are so versatile and because of that, you can make them any way you like, adding and taking out according to your preference. I love lots of different kinds of chips and often leave out the nuts because the kids don't like them. I also have tried adding less sugar just to see what happens. The cookie tastes great anyway and I get to eat less calories each cookie (which translates into more cookies for me :) ). This recipe is adapted from Southernfoods.about.com. I hope you like these as much as I do.<br /><br />Ingredients<br /><br />1 1/2 cups flour<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1/2 teaspoon baking powder<br />3/4 teaspoon salt<br />1 cup butter, softened<br />1 cup peanut butter<br />1 cup granulated sugar (or 3/4 cup)<br />1 cup packed light brown sugar (or 3/4 cup)<br />2 large eggs<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />2 cups quick cooking oats<br />2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks or chips<br />1 cup coarsely chopped peanuts or pecans (Optional)<br /><br />Lightly grease a baking sheet or line with parchment or silicone mat. Heat oven to 350°. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and peanut butter with granulated and brown sugars until creamy. Beat in vanilla and eggs until smooth. Stir in the flour mixture, then stir in oats, chocolate chips, and peanuts or nuts. Drop cookie dough by teaspoonful onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Store cookies in a tightly covered container or food storage bag. Makes about 4 to 5 dozen cookies. Enjoy!Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-55442822524327682002012-04-08T14:28:00.003-04:002012-04-08T14:36:57.019-04:00Happy Easter!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QqI_eVyaTIM91NMcR2cKLThqUy48frsJMsC0VAnMpNTcfoBCm92W1UEusxISx28fcerMsbV0tzbBTabWOtFrkxbIIQinAvRJpbzzo2c3LyYWCY5lst-IboCqbB_y-NpB2BYcWH-S-gDv/s1600/Easter+Cross.jpg"><span style="color:#000000;"></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 275px; height: 183px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729100340557007378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QqI_eVyaTIM91NMcR2cKLThqUy48frsJMsC0VAnMpNTcfoBCm92W1UEusxISx28fcerMsbV0tzbBTabWOtFrkxbIIQinAvRJpbzzo2c3LyYWCY5lst-IboCqbB_y-NpB2BYcWH-S-gDv/s320/Easter+Cross.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center">Happy Easter to everyone! </div><div align="center">Thank you Jesus for dying for us.</div>Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-56105639745219531152012-03-12T07:50:00.011-04:002012-03-12T21:28:51.668-04:00Old Fashioned Banana Cake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-pfjw3NwHSpOAJemK8Y0fREoe62RqpkYUXbHUdLtHUB0-NekQkkj1zXxthyphenhyphenPrpnGjfCrsEI4_shjGr0wM2yfvyaTLVfBygHvLJPrZr4W_X16AswI15i_tQVQa4sOBPXU2bp0oGR0Hdyq/s1600/Kurt%2527s+birthday%252C+etc+2012+021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718978165686484306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-pfjw3NwHSpOAJemK8Y0fREoe62RqpkYUXbHUdLtHUB0-NekQkkj1zXxthyphenhyphenPrpnGjfCrsEI4_shjGr0wM2yfvyaTLVfBygHvLJPrZr4W_X16AswI15i_tQVQa4sOBPXU2bp0oGR0Hdyq/s320/Kurt%2527s+birthday%252C+etc+2012+021.JPG" /></a><br />It feels good to sit down and actually post to my blog. It's been a long time. The past two months have been quite adventurous. I have been very busy with my new job which has picked up considerably since Christmas. I work on line as a mental health consultant so the work really has no boundaries. I can work 7 days a week, which I often do. But it is part time and shutting off the computer is always an option!<br /><br />I also had a breast cancer scare, which thank God, turned out to be nothing. But as anyone who had been through it knows, the time between hearing the test results and knowing everything is ok can seem like a millenium. Right after I found out all was ok, I got sick with a cold virus that involved 4 weeks of constant coughing. After a round of anti biotics and much rest, I'm finally on the mend. Throw in stomach flu for the kids and the usual running around, and my poor blog was at the bottom of my to do list!<br /><br />Well, if I've learned anything in the past few months it is to appreciate my health and the health of my family above all else. Until you lose it, you don't realize how precious it is.<br /><br />Before all of this happened, I did have time to make a new recipe. I checked out Barefoot Contessa's cookbook "How Easy is That?" from the library and found this wonderful and easy recipe. Since I'm always looking for new ways to use up ripe bananas this really fit the bill. The cake was moist with a nice mixture of citrus and banana flavor and the cream cheese icing (yum!) adds a flavorful balance. <strong><br /><br />Old-Fashioned Banana Cake</strong><br /><br />3 very ripe bananas, mashed<br />3/4 cup granulated sugar<br />1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed<br />1/2 cup vegetable oil<br />2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature<br />1/2 cup sour cream<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />Grated zest of 1 orange<br />2 cups all-purpose flour<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (I used regular)<br />1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts<br /><br />Cream cheese frosting (recipe follows)<br /><br />Walnut halves, for decorating<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 2-inch round cake pan.<br /><br />Mix bananas, granulated sugar and brown sugar in bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Add oil, eggs, sour cream. vanilla and orange zest. Mix until smooth.<br /><br />Stir together flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Stir in chopped walnuts. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes, turn out onto cooling rack and cool completely.<br /><br />Spread frosting thickly on top of cake and decorate with walnut halves. Slice and serve.<br /><br />Makes 8 servings.<br /><br />Cream Cheese Frosting<br /><br />6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature<br />6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature<br />1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract<br />2 1/2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar.<br /><br />Mix cream cheese, butter and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment on low speed until just combined. Don't whip. Add sugar and mix until smooth.<br /><br /><em>“On a traffic light green means go and yellow means yield, but on a banana it's just the opposite. Green means hold on, yellow means go ahead, and red means where the hell did you get that banana at...”</em><br /><br />-Mitch HedbergSweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-58570438658081750072012-02-05T16:46:00.005-05:002012-02-05T17:18:56.653-05:00Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie<strong></strong><strong></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QV0XJBsIR7KlRVzILkS2IJ2q0pwSLz5pOPE75oWrPEv0et71-WMQbi5gj7XHKe8IHBQwTGdu9yPXeXC0oVnt3-jbuxOWaTx-a1ICADFXoHvngZEL21mpvEzrdKAwV0kMgvi9kVWrb6PS/s1600/Kurt%2527s+birthday%252C+etc+2012+013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705771532710360786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QV0XJBsIR7KlRVzILkS2IJ2q0pwSLz5pOPE75oWrPEv0et71-WMQbi5gj7XHKe8IHBQwTGdu9yPXeXC0oVnt3-jbuxOWaTx-a1ICADFXoHvngZEL21mpvEzrdKAwV0kMgvi9kVWrb6PS/s320/Kurt%2527s+birthday%252C+etc+2012+013.JPG" /></a><br />I've always been a little hesitant to try making cream pies because I'm afraid to burn them. I have a great recipe for a chocolate cream pie, but it's all cold ingredients so there is no boiling involved. So when my husband requested his favorite coconut cream pie for his birthday, my first thought was I wonder which restaurants sell coconut cream pies? But since I couldn't find one that didn't charge an arm and a leg, I decided to jump in with both feet and make one. I couldn't have been more surprised at how easy this recipe was. I even used the microwave as one reviewer suggested and it worked like a charm. And to top it off, the pie was delicious. Coconut cream pie was never a favorite of mine but after tasting this pie, I've changed my mind!<br /><br /><strong>Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie<br /><br />1 1/2cups half-and-half </strong><br /><strong>1 1/2 cups coconut milk<br />2 eggs<br />3/4 cup white sugar<br />1/2 cup corn starch<br />1/4 teaspoon salt<br />1 cup flaked coconut, toasted<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract (you can substitute coconut extract)<br />1 (9 inch) pie shell, baked<br />1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed<br /><br />In a medium saucepan, combine half-and-half, eggs, sugar, corn starch and salt. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly (or put into microwave for 7 minutes stirring as needed) . Remove from heat (or microwave), and stir in 3/4 cup of the coconut and the vanilla extract. Pour into pie shell and chill 2 to 4 hours, or until firm. </strong><strong><br /><br />Top with whipped topping, and with remaining 1/4 cup of coconut.<br /><br />Note: To toast coconut, spread it in an ungreased pan and bake in a 350 degree F (175 degrees C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.<br /></strong><br /><br />Adapted from All Recipes.com<br /><br /><br /><em>"What? Ridden on a horse?<br />Yes </em><br /><em>You're using coconuts!<br />What? </em><br /><em>You've got two empty halves of coconuts and you're banging them together!<br />So?" </em><br />-Monty PythonSweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-91852373969756142062012-01-13T18:31:00.003-05:002012-01-13T18:52:49.141-05:00White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikghg903Bk1NRh2S0pbL_AkD9z37jMNTts82ZqWMmpWoOAVU0J7zZHbHU0ntVPS3NTgKTrmw8J-q-0p-ryNASSmZnHE984Ju3WAARPwk_2DpGeWrfIlw6E_hch5CHdbGK45UtenInavsPX/s1600/Peppermint+fudge.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697264357630567618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikghg903Bk1NRh2S0pbL_AkD9z37jMNTts82ZqWMmpWoOAVU0J7zZHbHU0ntVPS3NTgKTrmw8J-q-0p-ryNASSmZnHE984Ju3WAARPwk_2DpGeWrfIlw6E_hch5CHdbGK45UtenInavsPX/s320/Peppermint+fudge.jpg" /></a><br />Every year at Christmas I try a new recipe just because I like the variety and to keep things interesting for the kids. If I don't do this, I would make the same recipes every year. My only criteria for the new recipe is that it is easy. I'm in way over my head during the holidays and making some new recipe with 20 steps isn't for me. This year, this recipe fit the bill. It was fun to make and it was delicious. Very few ingredients and it tasted like I worked all day. Now that it's after Christmas, I'm still thinking about this fudge. I'll be making it again very soon. Those left over candy canes will get used up too!<br /><br /><br />White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge<br /><br />3 bags white chocolate chips<br />3 containers, 16 ounce Vanilla Frosting<br />1-½ teaspoon Peppermint Extract<br />12 drops Red Food Coloring<br />6 Candy Canes, Crushed<br /><br />Line a jelly roll pan with wax paper or parchment paper. Leave some to hang over the sides to use as a handle. Set aside.<br /><br />Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring often. If you use the microwave, heat for 30 seconds at a time and stir. While the melted chocolate is still warm, quickly stir in the frosting before chocolate starts to set up. Add peppermint extract and mix well.<br /><br />Evenly spread the mixture into the prepared pan, then drop food coloring over the top of the fudge. Swirl it with a knife to create a marbled effect. Add crushed candy canes and press lightly to adhere them.<br /><br />Cool for 1 hour in the fridge.<br /><br />Remove from the pan using the wax paper or parchment paper. Cut into squares.<br /><br /><br /><br /><em>"Every man dies. Not every man really lives." </em><br />-William WallaceSweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-46272565318613686602011-12-31T11:06:00.002-05:002011-12-31T11:14:10.839-05:00Happy New Year!<em>"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us."</em><br /><br />-Hal Borland<br /><br /><br /><em>"People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas." </em><br /><br />-Author Unknown<br /><br />So with those thoughts in mind, eat and be merry! Happy New Year to everyone!Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-23804097754632620972011-12-24T15:33:00.001-05:002011-12-24T15:34:36.744-05:00Merry Christmas!I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-3561749743281234272011-12-18T16:01:00.005-05:002011-12-21T13:32:52.378-05:00Peppermint Patties<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmijQEVktVlDJkl2PiOzbIcaO7pOqKxV5hXSveizhsXG5I74OjjJLdrLi0nUNEpurzxSF6U1grmeJ_KfHzjnQJNoamKtNO4BGe5UKyITCAMchlQnn-mByqxUXX-0Ecvs7e3LYHtPP8UJd/s1600/Rachel%2527s+birthday+2012%252C+etc+056.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688647431273596978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmijQEVktVlDJkl2PiOzbIcaO7pOqKxV5hXSveizhsXG5I74OjjJLdrLi0nUNEpurzxSF6U1grmeJ_KfHzjnQJNoamKtNO4BGe5UKyITCAMchlQnn-mByqxUXX-0Ecvs7e3LYHtPP8UJd/s320/Rachel%2527s+birthday+2012%252C+etc+056.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>I have been terribly neglectful about writing on my blog. Every time I went to post, there was another interuption. Such are the holidays! As I am making my way through baking this year, I noticed that no matter what else I make, these Peppermint Patties always top the list of favorites with everyone. I almost always end up baking a batch at the beginning of my baking run and one at the end because all the orginial ones are gone by then. So I thought it might be worth reposting the recipe for anyone who missed them the first time around. These are very easy too make and the only time consuming part is dipping them in chocolate. Other than that, you can whip these up in no time and they are impressive enough to take to parties or just enjoy with guests. I bet they don't last long in your house either!<br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Peppermint Patties</strong><br /><br />2 cups powdered sugar<br />1 1/2 tsp. softened butter<br />2 tsp. peppermint extract<br />1/4 tsp. vanilla extract<br />2 tbsp. cream<br />8 oz dark chocolate, chopped (about 1 1/3 cup)<br />1 tbsp. vegetable shortening<br /><br />Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. In a medium bowl, blend together sugar, butter, extracts, and cream on low speed. After blended, increase mixer speed to medium high and beat an additional 2 minutes or until mixture is creamy.<br /><br />Using about a teaspoon size, roll candy into small balls and place on wax paper. Using your thumb, press top of ball down but do not flatten all the way. When completed, place cookie sheet into refrigerator and chill for 20 minutes (I have found that freezing them makes it very easy and much neater when you dip them in the chocolate).<br /><br />Meanwhile, melt chocolate and shortening in microwave (on 50% power) or over a double boiler until melted.<br /><br />Using dipping tools or two forks, dip the candy into the chocolate one at a time. Remove excess chocolate by scraping bottom of candy on the side of the bowl. Place back on cookie sheet and refridgerate to harden chocolate. Store patties in the refrigerator.<br /><br />Make about 36. Recipe is easily doubled.</div><br /><em>"There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries."</em>-W.J. Cameron </div>Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-19604161899242439712011-11-23T16:17:00.012-05:002011-11-23T18:14:41.377-05:00Eggnog Spice Bundt Cake<strong></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqenUdG06u0Z2UaPNqK0UA8jugoyThAI_f349KlNLSbqZeqxideSS8amD5hgrQzhnkW7cRBPJmlIF7Hyj9Sm52LiqSeP7sBVP9u2gUdW7cifcZgGheBCbJiVZY_A91sQy7nhq2qYOn17rb/s1600/Family+pictures+and+other+about+2009+to+2011+1113.JPG"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678303948329237362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqenUdG06u0Z2UaPNqK0UA8jugoyThAI_f349KlNLSbqZeqxideSS8amD5hgrQzhnkW7cRBPJmlIF7Hyj9Sm52LiqSeP7sBVP9u2gUdW7cifcZgGheBCbJiVZY_A91sQy7nhq2qYOn17rb/s320/Family+pictures+and+other+about+2009+to+2011+1113.JPG" /></a>I have made Thanksgiving dinner each year over the past several years. It just worked out that way because both moms are getting up in years and don't get around so well and my sister is a nurse and therefore either sleeping off a shift or working one. I didn't mind because the house always smelled so good and I love the holidays! But this year, my brother is home after 20 years of missed Thanksgivings. He wants to make up for being away so he has been planning Thanksgiving since he was stationed in Cuba almost two years ago. When I offered to help make something, he suggested desserts. Right up my ally! Instead of my usual Pecan pie, this year I can afford to be a bit more creative. I found a recipe in the newspaper for Eggnog Spice Bundt Cake. This cake is easy to make and smells divine. Along with the pumpkin pie and chocolate pie, I think the desserts are covered!<br /><br /><strong>Happy Thanksgiving everyone!<br /><br />Eggnog Spice Bundt Cake<br /><br />1 (181/4-ounce) boxed spice cake mix<br />1 (4-serving) instant vanilla or cheesecake pudding and pie filling mix<br />1 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt<br />1/4 cup canola oil<br />1 cup light eggnog<br />1 egg<br />3 egg whites<br />1 1/3 cups toasted chopped pecans<br />Powdered sugar<br /><br />1. Preheat oven to 350F. Coat a nonstick Bundt pan with cooking spray.<br /><br />2. Combine cake mix, pudding mix, yogurt, oil, eggnog, egg and egg whites in a large bowl. Mix until creamy.<br /><br />3. Stir in pecans. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. When cool, dust with powdered sugar.<br /><br /></strong><strong></strong><br /><em>"What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?"</em><br />-Erma BombeckSweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-3890016664811849122011-11-07T16:48:00.006-05:002011-11-07T17:25:42.255-05:00Sweet Potato Pie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvcu3Oagi813bwJ2PD-CtRtFPBuwT7F3iDC4cyRcYpZsakFiCD0ho1R1UUfRsiMy93X7Zp5Wrncd3IMSrb9-iz6pdFhx3OBpB_5-OmXGs5WBkOys9_9AWWd_BlZ_dLf_03at25oOIsbp1/s1600/sweet+potato+pie.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672375933520989826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvcu3Oagi813bwJ2PD-CtRtFPBuwT7F3iDC4cyRcYpZsakFiCD0ho1R1UUfRsiMy93X7Zp5Wrncd3IMSrb9-iz6pdFhx3OBpB_5-OmXGs5WBkOys9_9AWWd_BlZ_dLf_03at25oOIsbp1/s320/sweet+potato+pie.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>For those of you that requested a simple sweet potato pie recipe (ahem...you know who you are, Debi and Beth), here is my favorite. It comes from an Old Virginia Receipts recipe I have framed on my kitchen wall. I've tried to make other recipes, but this is the one I always come back to. I'm making it again this year for Thanksgiving. I wrote it out as it is written exactly in the recipe. I really don't talk like that, honestly!</div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Tidewater's Own Sweet Potato Pie</strong></div><br /><strong>1 unbaked 9 inch pie crust</strong><br /><strong>1 1/2 cups sweet potatoes, mashed</strong><br /><strong>3/4 cup brown sugar</strong><br /><strong>3 eggs, beaten</strong><br /><strong>1 tsp. cinnamon</strong><br /><strong>1/2 tsp. nutmeg</strong><br /><strong>1/2 tsp. salt</strong><br /><strong>1 tablespoon butter, melted</strong><br /><strong>1/2 tsp. vanilla</strong><br /><strong>1 tablespoon lemon juice</strong><br /><strong>1 tsp. lemon peel</strong><br /><strong>1 cup light cream</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine sweet potatoes, brown sugar, spices and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix well! Fold in lemon juice and peel. Slowly, you hear, add butter, vanilla, eggs and cream. Make it smooth. Spoon into pie shell. Bake 45 or 50 minutes. Poke a straw in center....clean? Done!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><em>"Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence." </em>-Erma Bombeck<br /><br /><em>"Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action."</em><br />-W.J. CameronSweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-51762978577680459612011-10-23T14:52:00.003-04:002011-10-23T15:16:52.169-04:00Baked Apple Pies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OmTb1tWopjjvbpFxmypnAx9h2WsECcbKZpJ5h1plbZs4XgsBngK1C_VfWdkCY0m-QGqkDCHpZTtUoa9RLuTRRU2k0qrGIj953hmj5Qj8LfOwaX057bUOWRIJII-e9OucZcuMUpjYxqqp/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666762926399210546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OmTb1tWopjjvbpFxmypnAx9h2WsECcbKZpJ5h1plbZs4XgsBngK1C_VfWdkCY0m-QGqkDCHpZTtUoa9RLuTRRU2k0qrGIj953hmj5Qj8LfOwaX057bUOWRIJII-e9OucZcuMUpjYxqqp/s320/IMG_2094.JPG" /></a> On a recent trip to Virginia (I just can't stay away!) we picked up some apples from the farm market. Along with the apple cider, the apples there are some of the best I have ever tasted. So much so that I try to make at least one trip around fall each year just to get some. Inevitably, I buy too much and my apple saturated family won't eat any more. So to avoid waste, I make something with the rest. This year, I found a recipe for individual apple pies. They can be baked or fried, but I like baked the best. They are sweet, tart, delicious and portable!<br /><br /><strong>Baked Apple Pies<br /></strong><br /><div></div><br /><strong>1 tablespoon butter<br />4 or 5 medium to large apples<br />1/2 cup sugar<br />1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />1 teaspoon lemon juice<br />1 (8-piece) container refrigerated flaky biscuit dough<br />1 tablespoon water<br />Powdered sugar<br /><br />Add the butter to a large pan and melt. Add the apples, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the apples are soft, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool.<br /><br />When the filling is cool, roll the biscuits out on a lightly floured surface so that each biscuit forms a 7 to 8-inch circle. Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of the filling on each biscuit circle. Brush the edges of the circle with water. Fold the circle over the filling to make a half-moon shape. Seal by pressing the edges with the tines of a fork.<br /><br />If you are baking these, pre heat the oven to 400 degrees. Place pies on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until the top is browned. Remove and cool.<br /><br />If you are frying the pies, preheat deep-fryer with oil to 350 degrees.<br /><br />Carefully add the pies to the oil, 1 at a time, and fry until golden brown, turning the pies as necessary for even browning, about 5 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with powdered sugar immediately.<br /><br /></strong>Adapted from Paula Deen's Fried Apple Pies<br /><br /><em>"We are born believing. A man bears beliefs as a tree bears apples.” </em><br />-Ralph Waldo EmersonSweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-69293894847331675292011-09-28T13:02:00.005-04:002011-09-28T13:25:15.550-04:00Victoria Sponge Cake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRpje6B1IjWhZy96A7cOSphZ__nvnO2_G_2NzErzHF2WuJiC9Ox4B_FXHWTtL7S7oaHBcbWJQB9cthdpPPTP9_uWYUQXu0BpqB1isOcA0B6DocQwCKyb-MHPiCU427lpNQPgWUOdUKUoA/s1600/IMG_2054.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657458187916350034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRpje6B1IjWhZy96A7cOSphZ__nvnO2_G_2NzErzHF2WuJiC9Ox4B_FXHWTtL7S7oaHBcbWJQB9cthdpPPTP9_uWYUQXu0BpqB1isOcA0B6DocQwCKyb-MHPiCU427lpNQPgWUOdUKUoA/s320/IMG_2054.JPG" /></a>This recipe is for a quick and easy cake that is popular in the UK. Who knew that such a simple cake with so few ingredients could be so good? This cake is perfect for a light after dinner treat or it could be served at a party for an elegant yet simple dessert. It is not overly sweet, so the texture of the cake, the fruit and cream really come through. You can use raspberries as I did or the more common strawberries and cream. Dust with a light coating of confectioner's sugar and you are done!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br />Victoria Sponge Cake<br /><br />1 cup butter or margarine, softened at room temperature<br />1 cup caster sugar<br />4 medium eggs (I used large)<br />2 tsp vanilla extract<br />1 1/2 cups self raising flour<br /><br />milk, to loosen<br /><br /><br />Preheat the oven to 350 degrees<br /><br />Grease and line 7in cake pans or 1 larger baking pan (10 inch) with parchment paper. Butter the parchment paper.<br /><br />Cream the butter and the sugar together in a bowl until pale and fluffy.<br /><br />Beat in the eggs, a little at a time, and stir in the vanilla extract.<br /><br />Fold in the flour using a large metal spoon, adding a little extra milk if necessary, to create a batter with a soft dropping consistency.<br /><br />Divide the mixture between the cake pans and gently spread out with a spatula.<br /><br />Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden-brown on top and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.<br /><br />Remove from the oven and set aside for 5 minutes, then remove from the tin and peel off the paper. Place onto a wire rack.<br /><br />(If you made one large cake, use a serrated knife and cut the layer in half. Proceed below)<br /><br />Sandwich the cakes together with jam, lemon curd or whipped cream and berries or just enjoy on its own.<br /><br />Adapted from the BBC Food Recipes<br /><br /><em>"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.”</em><br />-Walter Bagehot quotes (British political Analyst, Economist and Editor, one of the most influential journalists of the mid-Victorian period.1826-1877)Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-70704522646213336792011-09-10T15:09:00.003-04:002011-09-10T15:28:05.312-04:00Favorite Sugar Cookies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn67d0FEdY2wvHXpMFTCIIeBuLsa9eNZepkNid1hyHf3St-pPqWsefdNHMdYAR1B5KXbHae97rZWz5E7Cf7pd-CxCUq2lkR87xxFH7ATSO85DqPetGhwB6tOslxkrdG5yxNvZKjclcy6z2/s1600/IMG_1937.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650810952794830850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn67d0FEdY2wvHXpMFTCIIeBuLsa9eNZepkNid1hyHf3St-pPqWsefdNHMdYAR1B5KXbHae97rZWz5E7Cf7pd-CxCUq2lkR87xxFH7ATSO85DqPetGhwB6tOslxkrdG5yxNvZKjclcy6z2/s320/IMG_1937.JPG" /></a> The kids finally started school. I was beginning to think it would be Christmas before they got to go back. Our district's high school was being renovated over the past year and after much chaos, rumors and other fun, my two youngest went to school yesterday. My oldest, who starts high school this year, goes back on Monday. Keeping with tradition (even if that tradition is two weeks late this year!), I made a treat for the kids for after school on their first day. They all suggest different desserts (my son, who is 7, wanted Jello) but after much debate, I decided to try a new recipe. I've made plenty of sugar cookies before, but the addition of lemon to the mix was new to me. But the difference it makes in the taste and texture is out of this world. So I named these Favorite Sugar Cookies because from now on, they are our favorite!<br /><br /><strong>Favorite Sugar Cookies</strong><br /><br /><strong>2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1/2 teaspoon baking powder<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />1 cup butter, softened<br />1 1/2 cups white sugar (I used 1 1/4 cup which worked fine)<br />1 egg<br />1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract (I didn't have lemon extract on hand so I used regular lemon juice. You can add more if you like your cookies more lemony!)<br />1 tablespoon lemon peel<br />1/2 cup sugar for rolling cookies<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.<br />In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.<br />Using a mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until smooth and very fluffy.<br />Beat in egg, vanilla extract, lemon extract and lemon peel.<br />Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.<br />Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and roll in sugar. Place on lined cookie sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart.<br />Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned.<br />Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.</strong><br />Adapted from Bunny's Warm Oven Blog<br /><br /><br /><em>"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap." </em>-Barbara JordanSweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-6407120867959434882011-08-21T13:57:00.004-04:002011-08-21T14:22:43.151-04:00Devilishly Good Chocolate Cake<strong></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyoFecgPHxaKgNn5vJEkUal1R9oCJUIKTOhvpoj_YS2nEvSMHVIGefaoDYDTwRBZMgDDKm8rMDwR2Bk6nxXZt0Li6Wzt4QCYF8pBctMLpXG0JvAygGPGOnWUA8ZBmcgz4n3Z7QmGFCwUx/s1600/IMG_1921.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643370541511542434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyoFecgPHxaKgNn5vJEkUal1R9oCJUIKTOhvpoj_YS2nEvSMHVIGefaoDYDTwRBZMgDDKm8rMDwR2Bk6nxXZt0Li6Wzt4QCYF8pBctMLpXG0JvAygGPGOnWUA8ZBmcgz4n3Z7QmGFCwUx/s320/IMG_1921.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><div>When you are craving chocolate, this is the perfect cake. It's moist, full of chocolaty goodness, and most of all, easy. I've made it twice already (my daughter asks for it all of the time) and each time, it suprised me with the depth of the chocolate flavor. I've made this with Chocolate Pan frosting but you can also make it with Old Fashioned Cola Frosting as well (instructions included). This cake would go great with, well, anything! You can also make it in a 9 x 13 pan or a bundt pan (which I prefer). This recipe comes from The Cake Mix Doctor.</div>
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<br /><div><strong>Devilishly Good Chocolate Cake </strong></div>
<br />1 square (1 oz.) unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
<br />1/2 cup water
<br />1 pkg. plain devil's food cake mix
<br />1 pkg. chocolate instant pudding mix
<br />4 large eggs
<br />3/4 cup buttermilk
<br />1/2 cup vegetable oil
<br />2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
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<br /><div></div>
<br />Chocolate Pan Frosting
<br />8 Tbsp. (1 stick) butter
<br />4 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
<br />1/3 cup whole milk (for Cola frosting, subsitute 1/3 cup cola for milk)
<br />4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
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<br />Directions:
<br />Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly mist a 12-cup Bundt pan with vegetable spray, then dust with flour. Shake out the excess flour. Set the pan aside.
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<br />Place the chocolate and water in a small saucepan over low heat. Cool, stirring, until the chocolate is melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside.
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<br />Place the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Fold in the melted chocolate. Blend with mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 to 3 minutes more, scraping down the sides again if needed. The batter should look thick and well combined. Pour the batter into the pan, smoothing it out with the rubber spatula. Place the pan in the oven.
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<br />Bake the cake until it springs back when lightly pressed with your finger and just starts to pull away from the sides of the pan, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes. Run a long, sharp knife around the edge of the cake and invert it onto another rack to cool completely, 20 minutes more.
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<br />Meanwhile, prepare the frosting:
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<br />Place the butter in a medium saucepan and melt over low heat, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the cocoa powder and milk. Let the mixture come just to a boil, stirring, and then remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the powdered sugar until the frosting is thickened and smooth. Pour the warm frosting over the top of a cooled cake, spreading it with a spatula so that it reaches all sides of the cake. Work quickly because this frosting goes on best while still warm.
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<br />Transfer the cake to a serving platter and spread the warm frosting over the cake. Let the frosting set for 20 minutes, then slice and serve.
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<br /><em>"Coffee makes it possible to get out of bed. Chocolate makes it worthwhile." </em>
<br />-Author Unknown
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<br />Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-20059188453381994942011-08-07T15:34:00.006-04:002011-08-07T16:14:16.872-04:00Cinnamon Sugar Pull Aparts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9cShyvul28HEtQUjVrVW9JZq8eMaGkXV9Innw30mgHAhoQ8YEAkGWnaKEWvnZJsYvwG_TSknn7aiamXZsoo90qVB6_AklYlsGoAMfQoHTPXheTn37bPKpJ2HZ4Yca0oaZ_C1T3xAvNGY/s1600/IMG_1910.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638199911816677874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9cShyvul28HEtQUjVrVW9JZq8eMaGkXV9Innw30mgHAhoQ8YEAkGWnaKEWvnZJsYvwG_TSknn7aiamXZsoo90qVB6_AklYlsGoAMfQoHTPXheTn37bPKpJ2HZ4Yca0oaZ_C1T3xAvNGY/s320/IMG_1910.JPG" /></a><br /><br />My husband's second job is teaching. He is a professor at two colleges, one a community college and the other a university. He teaches nights and weekends, in his spare time ;) His last Saturday morning class was this weekend and he asked me if I would fix a simple snack for the class. I decided on these pull aparts. Pretty much everyone loves cinnamon and sugar with bread so I thought it might appeal to everyone. It did and they loved them. These would be a great addition to a buffet breakfast or a tasty late night snack.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Cinnamon Sugar Pull Aparts</strong><br /><br /><strong>1/2 cup sugar</strong><br /><strong>2 1/2 tsps. cinnamon</strong><br /><strong>1/3 cup melted butter</strong><br /><strong>1 can (12 oz) refrigerated buttermilk flaky biscuits</strong><br /><br /><strong>Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Generously grease or spray a square glass baking pan. </strong><br /><br /><strong>In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and sugar and blend well.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Separate dough into 10 buscuits and cut each into quarters. Dip each quarter into the melted butter then dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Arrange in the baking pan so they are touching. </strong><br /><br /><strong>Bake for 19 to 27 minutes. When done, let cool. Remove the pull aparts from the pan and serve on a plate. </strong><br /><br /><strong>Makes about 10 servings.</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><em>"Cinnamon bites and kisses simultaneously."</em><br />-Vanna BontaSweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-83330470954290240002011-07-27T19:21:00.003-04:002011-07-27T19:40:14.450-04:00Nutella Brownies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLARszc57tJZMU7s7RYJnLPcnMimeKcKwdqIUiTD_L3_kUm9kbcEbqoDHthxzgKTC5FaWbAvCJIT5v6PMw3Y6nu0c6Htv3Z4n2J2dw49a-MRqPABsX-cdptOJcSWPoZJoZNiEvDp0OhLaV/s1600/IMG_1875.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634176581515003906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLARszc57tJZMU7s7RYJnLPcnMimeKcKwdqIUiTD_L3_kUm9kbcEbqoDHthxzgKTC5FaWbAvCJIT5v6PMw3Y6nu0c6Htv3Z4n2J2dw49a-MRqPABsX-cdptOJcSWPoZJoZNiEvDp0OhLaV/s320/IMG_1875.JPG" /></a><br />I thought I was all done with the Nutella recipes for a while when I spotted this one as I was just browsing on the internet. Really, who could pass up something that looks like this?! Icing on top of rich, chocolaty Nutella? Not me, no way. As a coincidence, the same kids I made the Nutella Bites for were over visiting my kids again. So I made these brownies for them. They must think all we eat is Nutella in this family. They loved these so much one of them insisted on the recipe. I sent some of the brownies home with them along with the recipe and a jar of Nutella, partly just to save myself from making more of brownies (and eating them).<br /><br /><strong>Nutella Brownies</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>1 cup butter (2 sticks), melted<br />1 1/2 cups granulated sugar<br />2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract<br />4 large eggs, room temperature<br />1 cup all-purpose flour<br />3/4 cup cocoa<br />1/8 teaspoon salt<br />1/2 teaspoon baking powder<br />3/4 cup Nutella<br />1/2 cup peanut butter<br /><br />In a medium bowl combine all-purpose flour, cocoa (sift this in to get rid of lumps), baking powder and salt. Set aside.<br /><br />Over low heat, melt butter and stir in sugar and vanilla extract until well combined.<br /><br />To the butter-sugar mixture add eggs, one at a time. Beat until blended. Add cocoa mixture and mix on slow speed, just until blended.<br /><br />Heat Nutella and peanut butter in the microwave in 20 second intervals until it reaches a runny consistency. Stir this mixture into the batter.<br /><br />Pour the batter into a glass 9 x 13 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven.<br /><br />Cool completely before cutting.<br /><br />Icing- Mix just enough milk and 1 cup of confectioner's sugar until smooth but not runny, drizzling it over the brownies, then with chocolate chips, if desired.<br /></strong><br /><br /><em>"Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods."<br /></em>- ArtistotleSweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-20247408573084804242011-07-13T10:49:00.002-04:002011-07-13T11:04:23.941-04:00Brown Sugar Cinnamon Peach Pie<strong></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_5TH8GhRHoadH4W6aSjg5b9FFWiS38fFYucb8bI8OxDyx32KWaYTXJzCaHdgD3NcVzAoK0_zm-XtXxIOunAXhsHTnGUo8YqvhvXkH1gttdD-2ZQj04WO1LNNDnsRHG8fCQPIaRwzAbI9/s1600/IMG_1860.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628849531702592434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_5TH8GhRHoadH4W6aSjg5b9FFWiS38fFYucb8bI8OxDyx32KWaYTXJzCaHdgD3NcVzAoK0_zm-XtXxIOunAXhsHTnGUo8YqvhvXkH1gttdD-2ZQj04WO1LNNDnsRHG8fCQPIaRwzAbI9/s320/IMG_1860.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>When my husband was in Virginia recently, he was kind enough to stop by the Virginia Farm Market in Winchester and pick me up some fresh peaches. I love peaches, but I can't eat a 1/2 a peck before they go bad. So my oldest daughter and I decided to make a peach pie. I found a great recipe in Southern Living magazine that sounded different than the usual. Brown sugar and peaches together? Yum. And it was good. I used a frozen crust instead of the homemade one the recipe suggests, but I included the ingredients anyway for anyone who is more ambitious than I am!</div><br /><br /><div><strong>Brown Sugar Cinnamon Peach Pie</strong></div><br /><strong>Ingredients </strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>1 1/3 cups cold butter<br />4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided<br />1 1/2 teaspoons salt<br />1/2 to 3/4 cup ice-cold water<br /><br />8 large fresh, firm, ripe peaches (about 4 lb.)<br />1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar<br />1/3 cup granulated sugar<br />1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />1/8 teaspoon salt<br />1 1/2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces<br />1 large egg, beaten<br />1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar<br /><br />Cut 1 1/3 cups butter into small cubes, and chill 15 minutes. Stir together 4 cups flour and 1 1/2 tsp. salt. Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender until mixture resembles small peas. Gradually stir in 1/2 cup ice water with a fork, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened and dough begins to form a ball and leaves sides of bowl, adding more ice water, 1 Tbsp. at a time, if necessary. Turn dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap; press and shape dough into 2 flat disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap, and chill 30 minutes to 24 hours.<br /><br />Preheat oven to 425º. Place 1 dough disk on a lightly floured surface; sprinkle dough lightly with flour. Roll dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Starting at 1 edge of dough, wrap dough around a rolling pin. Place rolling pin over a 9-inch pie plate, and unroll dough over pie plate. Press dough into pie plate.<br /><br />Roll remaining dough disk to about 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.<br /><br />Peel peaches, and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; cut slices in half. Stir together brown sugar, next 3 ingredients, and remaining 1/4 cup flour in a bowl; add peaches, stirring to coat. Immediately spoon peach mixture into piecrust in pie plate, and dot with 1 1/2 Tbsp. butter. (Do not make mixture ahead or it will become too juicy.)<br /><br />Carefully place remaining piecrust over filling; press edges of crusts together to seal. Cut off excess crust, and reserve. Crimp edges of pie. If desired, reroll excess crust to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into 3-inch leaves using a knife. Brush top of pie with beaten egg; top with leaves. Brush leaves with egg; sprinkle with 1 1/2 Tbsp. granulated sugar. Cut 4 to 5 slits in top of pie for steam to escape.<br /><br />Freeze pie 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a jelly-roll pan in oven 10 minutes. Place pie on hot jelly-roll pan.<br /><br />Bake at 425° on lower oven rack 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°; bake 40 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning, and bake 25 more minutes or until juices are thick and bubbly (juices will bubble through top). Transfer to a wire rack; cool 2 hours before serving.<br /><br /><em>“A Georgia peach, a real Georgia peach, a backyard great-grandmother's orchard peach, is as thickly furred as a sweater, and so fluent and sweet that once you bite through the flannel, it brings tears to your eyes.”</em><br />-Melissa Fay Greene, ‘Praying for Sheetrock’Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429351839376523818.post-58917910542757581322011-07-05T19:55:00.003-04:002011-07-05T20:19:46.370-04:00Mini Nutella Bites<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeDqJwJ75m924RW0e4s0ISG3tcavzs3EX7cKao9_aXGg6Av8kKBBbT0lr10S9HOsaAkIlLA8zDsMzpqVeME9QvUcs9TVYV_2F09qKsghfV9tF8VKQRh8s5YfqcNJCNP7E_VDfVlILqmBy/s1600/IMG_1848.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626021454399186514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeDqJwJ75m924RW0e4s0ISG3tcavzs3EX7cKao9_aXGg6Av8kKBBbT0lr10S9HOsaAkIlLA8zDsMzpqVeME9QvUcs9TVYV_2F09qKsghfV9tF8VKQRh8s5YfqcNJCNP7E_VDfVlILqmBy/s320/IMG_1848.JPG" /></a><br />Here in Pittsburgh we have a part of town that is called "The Strip". Now, I know what you are thinking, but it's not really like that. It's a strip of road that runs from downtown to one of the local communities. It has wholesale produce vendors, Italian goods, a seafood market, a Chinese grocery store and many other fascinating places. One of my favorite is Mon Ami, which is a chocolate/candy store with exotic chocolates from around the world. When my brother was home in June, we took him there. As the kids were ordering gelato, I started a conversation with the owner. She mentioned a recent trip to Florida and a lovely dessert she had called Nutella bites. Well, you know me and chocolate, I had to ask for the recipe! Wouldn't you know that nice lady emailed me the recipe right the next day? She kept telling me how good they are. And she could not be more right. I made a double batch and they were literally gone within 30 minutes. These are super easy. Just be sure you make enough!<br /><br /><strong>Mini Nutella Bites<br /></strong><br />Ingredients<br />1/2 cup Nutella spread<br />1 large egg<br />5 tablespoons all purpose flour<br />1 ounce chopped chocolate or chopped nuts to put on top before baking<br /><br />Directions<br /><br />1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line or grease mini cupcake/muffin pan<br />(12). Put the nutella and egg in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth and well blended. Add the flour and whisk until blended.<br /><br />Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins (about 3/4 full ) and sprinkle with the chocolate or nuts. Bake for about 10 minutes.<br /><br />You can also serve with some fruit and whipped topping for company<br />dessert.<br /><br /><em>"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you." </em></div><br /><br /><p>-John Wooden </p>Sweetflutterbys3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.com9