Friday, May 27, 2011

Snickerdoodles


Snickerdoodles are James' fav. cookie. This is the 2nd time that I made them. The 1st time they tasted yummy and were chewy but the fell. I was really wanting them to be fluffy. I discovered the secret the second go 'round. Don't let the cracks get too big. Pull them out a bit after they form. Here is the yummy recipe that I used:

Snickerdoodles
by Dawnya


Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 10 Minutes
Difficulty Easy

Preparation Instructions
Mix shortening, sugar and eggs together. Then sift flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Add to egg mixture and stir well. Once it is mixed, chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
Roll into a ball about the size of a walnut. Roll the ball in a cinnamon sugar mixture of 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Place on an ungreased baking sheet, cook at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until lightly brown.
Yummy, easy cookies. Enjoy.
Ingredients
1 cupShortening
1-½ cupSugar
2 wholeEggs
2-¾ cupsFlour
2 teaspoonsCream Of Tartar
1 teaspoonSoda
½ teaspoonsSalt
_____
FOR CINNAMON SUGAR MIXTURE:
2 TablespoonsSugar
2 teaspoonsCinnamon



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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread


I found this recipe on the Joy The Baker blog. It looked so yummy that I had to make it myself! I am so glad that I did it is sooooo good. Mmmm.



I used some leftover frosting that I had in my fridge to top it.

Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread

Makes: one 9x5x3-inch loaf

For the Dough:

2 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 envelope) active dry yeast

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 ounces unsalted butter

1/3 cup whole milk

1/4 cup water

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Filling:

1 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg

2 ounces unsalted butter, melted until browned

In a large mixing bowl (I used just the bowl of my stand mixer) whisk together 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Set aside.

Whisk together eggs and set aside.

In a small saucepan, melt together milk and butter until butter has just melted. Remove from the heat and add water and vanilla extract. Let mixture stand for a minute or two, or until the mixture registers 115 to 125 degrees F.

Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula. Add the eggs and stir the mixture until the eggs are incorporated into the batter. The eggs will feel soupy and it’ll seem like the dough and the eggs are never going to come together. Keep stirring. Add the remaining 3/4 cup of flour and stir with the spatula for about 2 minutes. The mixture will be sticky. That’s just right.

Place the dough is a large, greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel. Place in a warm space and allow to rest until doubled in size, about 1 hour. *The dough can be risen until doubled in size, then refrigerated overnight for use in the morning. If you’re using this method, just let the dough rest on the counter for 30 minutes before following the roll-out directions below.

While the dough rises, whisk together the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg for the filling. Set aside. Melt 2 ounces of butter until browned. Set aside. Grease and flour a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Set that aside too.

Deflate the risen dough and knead about 2 tablespoons of flour into the dough. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 5 minutes. On a lightly floured work surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough out. The dough should be 12-inches tall and about 20-inches long. If you can’t get the dough to 20-inches long… that’s okay. Just roll it as large as the dough will go. Use a pastry brush to spread melted butter across all of the dough. Sprinkle with all of the sugar and cinnamon mixture. It might seem like a lot of sugar. Seriously? Just go for it.

Slice the dough vertically, into six equal-sized strips. Stack the strips on top of one another and slice the stack into six equal slices once again. You’ll have six stacks of six squares. Layer the dough squares in the loaf pan like a flip-book. Place a kitchen towel over the loaf pan and allow in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes or until almost doubled in size.

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Place loaf in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is very golden brown. The top may be lightly browned, but the center may still be raw. A nice, dark, golden brown will ensure that the center is cooked as well.

Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the bread and invert onto a clean board. Place a cake stand or cake plate on top of the upside down loaf, and carefully invert so it’s right side up. Serve warm with coffee or tea.

I think this bread is best served the day it’s made, but it can also we wrapped and kept at room temperature for up to 2 days.




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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Family Night


We played The Game of Life.



The kids had a blast! Eva was so excited that she got to live in a tree house! Ethan was stoked that he kept getting thousands of dollars. Jacob was very bummed that he didn't get to have any kids (although he beat the pants off of us all!).




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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Toothless


Ethan was wiggling his front tooth this morning and it finally came out!

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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Girls Day at the MIM





We (my sisters Steph, Kris, Kris' daughter Cenita, my girlie Eva, my mom and myself) went to The MIM on May 7th.



We had a ton of fun in the hands on room.




This was Eva's favorite instrument. It is a frog that makes a croaking sound when you slide a stick up it's back.




The museum is extensive.




This is a huge gong. This is in one of the halls.




So is this group of drummers. I mostly took pics of the hands on room.

I think everyone had a good time. Thanks for coming along chica's!



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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Grandma Shupe

Saturday we had a party for my grandma. She is 90years old!





Here she is with my daughter Eva.




Here is a pic of some of the decor. (my mom did them)

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