Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls with Buttermilk Cream Cheese Icing

Dec 202010
 

It is a cherished tradition in our family to have cinnamon rolls for breakfast Christmas morning.

Growing up, sometimes they were homemade, sometimes they were from a package, sometimes they were the whomp-em variety (you know, the kind from the can that you “whomp” on the counter?) but they were always there, first thing, and we nibbled on them as we opened Christmas gifts followed by a large, hearty breakfast later in the morning.

Over the past few years I’ve been experimenting with various recipes for making them from scratch, and this is my hands down favorite, numero uno winner. A true “feast day” recipe that we save for only special occasions. I love it because it uses all sourdough for leavening, can be placed in the pan the night before and rises overnight in the fridge so you can throw them in the oven first thing in the morning, and they are billowy, soft, and super decadent. The inclusion of a lot of butter, mashed potato (yes, mashed potato!) and a little bit of buttermilk gives these cinnamon rolls a presence and flavor that can’t be matched. . .

Three Cheese Fondue with Caramelized Onions

Jan 142010
 

Imagine that there is this amazing picture over there to the left.  Creamy, smoky cheese fondue.  A perfect meal for a wintry night, lightly melty over a forkful of sourdough french bread.  Got that image?  Good, because we ate it too fast to take one! This is not your typical, “traditional” fondue.  First, I add the smokiness of my caramelized onion marmalade which I make in a big batch in advance in the crockpot and store in the fridge.  Second, it includes cream cheese, which isn’t in a standard traditional fondue, but is a fixture in my fridge, plus I often use cheddar if I don’t have gruyere.  And you know what?  This cheese fondue is amazing.  Creamy, smoky, delicious.  I’m thinking I’m going to start using it in place [... To read more, click here ...]

Sweet Potato Pecan Pie

Nov 252009
 

Yum, right? I am excited to announce that I’m a guest blogger over at Centsational Girl’s blog today! I’m sharing one of our family’s favorite recipes, Sweet Potato Pecan Pie, which I make every year! This pie is a great combination of classic sweet potato pie with a spicy, creamy base and pecan pie, with a gorgeous crunchy top. Not to mention the flaky, buttery crust. I love it. For the recipe, please visit Centsational Girl, and check out a few of the other great posts she’s shared recently, while you’re at it! My favorites? How to make homemade Christmas Crackers (I am so saving my toilet paper and paper towel rolls from now until Christmas!), and A gorgeous poinsettia pillow made out of felt. I don’t have time to [... To read more, click here ...]

Spiced Apple Cider – For the Love of the Slow Cooker

Nov 132009
 

This recipe is a family favorite. It would not be the holidays without spiced apple cider, ladled from a waiting, simmering slow cooker into mugs lovingly cupped in cold fingers. We serve this at Christmas parties and to carollers, sip it while making pfefferniuss and while watching our favorite Christmas movies. I can’t eat Thanksgiving pie without a cup of spiced apple cider nearby. Nor open Christmas presents. A waft of this and I am home. Spiced Apple Cider adjust to fill your particular Slow Cooker Enough apple juice to fill your slow cooker. Growing up, we always used the frozen concentrated variety and I’m not above using that now! For every “can” of prepared frozen juice (or approximately 32 ounces of juice if you are using fresh or bottled [... To read more, click here ...]

Smoked Salmon Spread

May 062009
 

Smoked Salmon Spread with Pecans courtesy of my mom and dad One 1-lb. can of wild, Alaskan salmon One 8-oz. package of cream cheese, softened 2 teaspoons grated white or yellow onion 1/4 teaspoon sea salt * 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice 1 teaspoon horseradish 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke * 3 Tablespoons fresh parsley, snipped (or 1 Tablespoon dried parsley) 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika Drain, removing bones and skin from salmon. Flake salmon into a bowl. Combine cream cheese, lemon juice, onion, horseradish, salt and liquid smoke with salmon, mixing well. Chill several hours or overnight. About an hour before serving, combine pecans, parsley and paprika. Shape salmon mixture into a log or ball and roll in pecan mixture. Chill. Serve with crackers, sliced baguette and sliced [... To read more, click here ...]

Holiday Treats: Grandma Elsie’s Chocolate Coconut Balls

Dec 182008
 

These are by far my favorite holiday treat. I love them. I always was so excited each year when Grandma would come visiting with her coffee cans full of sweet treats. Now it is my turn to pass on the tradition and I look forward to making these each year! Grandma Elsie’s Chocolate Coconut Balls 2 pounds confectioner’s sugar1-1/2 cup shredded or flaked coconut1-1/2 cups chopped pecans1 can sweetened condensed milk1 teaspoon vanilla1/2 pound butter, melted12 ounces of dark (bittersweet) chocolate chips2 Tablespoons coconut oil Place sugar, coconut, pecans, milk and vanilla in a bowl. Pour melted butter over all ingredients and mix well with an electric mixer. Refrigerate and chill mixture 3-4 hours. Once chilled, roll into balls the size of walnuts and place on a cookie sheet. Chill [... To read more, click here ...]

Holiday Treats: Never Fail Fudge

Dec 182008
 

I am terrible at making traditional fudge. You think fudge would be no big deal for me, seeing as how I make several varietities of candies for the holiday’s every year, and I’ve conquered my fear of the candy thermometer in various buttercream recipes via Daring Bakers, but I have never conquered fudge. That “soft-ball” stage I hear about? A myth I’m sure. Whenever I try a new fudge recipe I either wind up with crunchy, crystallized fudge (yuck!) or basically a highly stressful to make ice-cream topping (because the fudge doesn’t set). Long ago I decided to stop trying new recipes and stick with my old faithful, which I’m sharing with you below. This recipe was originally found in an old family cookbook (named “See’s Fudge” but I’m concerned [... To read more, click here ...]

Holiday Treats: Grandma Elsie’s Buckeye’s

Dec 152008
 

This recipe is a family favorite. My grandma used to make one or two batches of these a year and bring them as gifts, along with a batch of her famous fudge, in coffee cans for Christmas. I’ve since taken over the tradition and these are always met with love and thankfulness to everyone they meet. These are an act of love, as they certainly take some time to make, but with extra helping hands it makes the process easier! Plus, I only make these once a year, (my annual candy making Saturday!) so it is well worth the effort! Packaged up in some seasonal tins, this is a special family treat I’m happy to share! Grandma Elsie’s Buckeye’s 3 pounds confectioners sugar2 pounds creamy peanut butter1 pound butter, softened2 [... To read more, click here ...]

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