Sunday, June 22, 2014

Amish Friendship Cinnamon Bread Alternative {without a starter}


Have you ever had real Amish Friendship Bread?  The kind that is made with a "starter"?  It is one of the best breads I have ever eaten, but it isn't a bread that you can jump up and make the second you get a craving.  The "starter" takes at least 10 days to be ready.  Check out this post if you are interested in the original version.

I pinned a recipe a long time ago that claimed to be just as good as Amish Cinnamon Bread.  I tried it once as mini loaves, but filled the pans too full and it wasn't very pretty.  

Months went by and I finally tried again, but as a regular loaf.  
It turned out so GOOD!  Whether you eat it warm with butter or at room temperature, it doesn't matter, it will be delicious.  It is so soft and moist and I even used half butter and half applesauce.  

The cinnamon sugar crust on top will have you going back for slice after slice.  

Now, this isn't quite the same as actual Amish Friendship Bread, but it is a good alternative for when you get that craving.  Next time, I am thinking of cutting back on the sugar and adding some vanilla pudding mix instead.  If you try it let me know what you think.

You might also like:
Amish Friendship Cinnamon Bread Alternative
adapted from: Red Fly Creations
(Printable Recipe) or (Printable with Picture)

1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened (I used 1/4 c. butter and 1/4 c. applesauce)
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. buttermilk
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

Cinnamon/Sugar Topping
1/3 c. sugar mixed with 1 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream together butter and sugar.  Add the egg and vanilla and mix to combine.  Add the buttermilk, flour, baking soda and salt and mix until just combined.  Spread half of the batter into a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.  Sprinkle 3/4 of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top.  Gently spread remaining batter over the top and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.  No need to swirl it with a knife, but you can if you want.  Bake for 48-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Allow to cool in loaf pan for 15-20 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pan and invert to a wire rack and cool.  Makes 1 loaf.    
Linked up at Weekend Potluck!

Friday, June 20, 2014

Weekly Menu Planning Saturday #15


SUNDAY

MONDAY

Cheesy Broccoli Orzo
You could also throw some leftover spinach in this and it would be delicious.


TUESDAY



WEDNESDAY
Chicken Parmesan Crescents with a Side Salad


THURSDAY


FRIDAY


FOR A SNACK
Easiest Salsa Around
(Made in the blender or food processor)
You can use this for the tacos and for the pizza.


FOR DESSERT

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Butterscotch Cookies 'n Cream Cake Mix Cookies

These cookies were a result of clean out the pantry Saturday.

Saturday was in the 60's and it was windy.  I opened up my windows and let the breeze cool the house down while I did some cleaning and then rewarded myself with Cafe Rio and Cookies.

 I'll clean out my pantry any day of the week for Cafe Rio and Cookies!  I'd probably even clean out yours :)

I found an opened bag of Cookies 'n' Creme bars with just enough left to throw in these cookies.  I have decided that those Cookies 'n' Creme Bars taste good in everything.  They are one of my new favorite ingredients to add to cookies, because they have so much flavor and they are so creamy.

Those creamy melted candy bars and butterscotch chips mixed with a chewy chocolate cookie sure is a rewarding treat and I think you deserve these tonight!  
You might also like:
Butterscotch Cookies 'n Cream Cake Mix Cookies
From: Jenn@eatcakefordinner
(Printable Recipe) or (Printable with Picture)

1 chocolate cake mix
1 (3.4 oz.) box instant Butterscotch pudding 
2 eggs
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
12 Cookies 'n' Creme fun-size bars, broken into pieces
1/2 - 3/4 c. butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl combine dry cake mix and pudding mix.  Add the eggs, oil and vanilla.  Mix until blended using a hand mixer.  Roll dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Press a few Cookies 'n' Creme pieces and butterscotch chips into the top of each dough ball.  Bake for 10-11 minutes.   Makes around 30-34 cookies. 

Linked up at Weekend Potluck!  

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Weekly Menu Planning Saturday #14 - Father's Day Edition

Today's Menu Plan Saturday is a Father's Day Edition.  This is all food that my Dad would eat, which means . . . NO CHICKEN!

SUNDAY 
FRIDAY
Fresh Garden Tomato Chili
If you have any leftover Pot Roast, it would be great in this chili.


SATURDAY
Menu-Play Day and Take-Out Night


DESSERT AND SNACKS



Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Turkey Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Father's Day is this weekend.  Do you have any plans?  Maybe a BBQ with the family?  Ya know, this pasta salad goes perfect alongside some grilled chicken or a burger and it can feed quite a few people!  Just saying :)
  
My Dad gave me a Betty Crocker Healthy Cookbook and this recipe was inspired by a similar one in the book.  Rather than using Mayonnaise, it calls for Light Ranch Dressing.  I always buy Light Ranch Dressing.  With the brand that I buy, I really can't tell the difference.

This pasta salad is delicious and I love that it is lighter than traditional pasta salad.  

You might also like:
Mom's Macaroni Salad
Roasted Red Pepper Macaroni Salad
Mexican Corn Pasta Salad
Turkey Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
From: Jenn@eatcakefordinner
(Printable Recipe) or (Printable with Picture)

16 oz. medium shell pasta
1/4 lb. deli ham, diced
1/4 lb. deli turkey, diced
2 green onions, chopped
1 tomato, diced
1/3 c. imitation bacon bits
3 c. fresh spinach, chopped
3/4 - 1 c. light ranch dressing, or more to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, for garnish before serving

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse well with cold water.  Allow to dry completely before preparing the salad.  Once pasta is dry, add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.  Taste and adjust any ingredients, if needed.  Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.  Garnish with Parmesan cheese just before serving.  Serves: 8-10. 



Linked up at Saturday Night Fever!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Ham, Turkey and Bacon Croissant Melts

It has been such a nice weekend.  I visited my swimming pool for the first time this season and it was so nice and relaxing.  Then, I cleaned my house really well and pretty much ate popsicles the rest of the day.  I would have made myself some Frothy Sunrise Punch, but I didn't have any orange juice on hand.  
But . . . now I am HUNGRY.  This sandwich is exactly what I want right now.  Croissants have got to be one of the best things ever created and when you bake them, they get EVEN BETTER.  It's true, check out these Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants to see why :)

This Croissant Melt really is so DANG GOOD.  Hello . . . it has ham, turkey crunchy bacon, Pepper Jack cheese and honey mustard, all served on a buttery, flaky, croissant.  Add an egg and make it a breakfast sandwich.  To-die-for!  

You might just find yourself making these on a weekly basis.  
Ham, Turkey and Bacon Croissant Melts
From: Jenn@eatcakefordinner
(Printable Recipe) or (Printable with Picture)

4 large croissants
1/2 lb. deli ham, sliced thin
1/2 lb. deli turkey, sliced thin
8 slices bacon, cooked
4 big slices Pepper Jack cheese

Honey Mustard
1/3 c. Mayonnaise (I use light)
1 Tbl. mustard
1 Tbl. Dijon mustard
1 Tbl. honey
1/2 Tbl. fresh lemon juice
a few dashes of Worcestershire, opt.
salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Slice croissants in half.  Spread honey mustard on each half.  Top the bottom half of each croissant with a few slices of deli ham, deli turkey, two slices of bacon and a slice of cheese.  Cover with tops and place on a baking sheet.  Bake for 4-5 minutes or until cheese is melted and croissant is slightly toasted.  Serves: 4

For the Honey Mustard: Stir together all ingredients.  Taste and adjust ingredients, if needed.  

Jenn's Notes: I used Black Forest ham and Cajun turkey.  

Linked up at Saturday Night Fever!

Friday, June 6, 2014

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