Monkey Bread

Ingredients:
3 packages of refrigerated biscuit dough
1 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease one 9 or 10 inch bundt pan.  Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag.  Cut biscuits into quarters.  Shake 6-8 biscuit pieces in the sugar/cinnamon mix.  Arrange pieces in the bottom of greased pan.  Continue until all biscuits are coated and placed in pan.  In small sauce pan melt the butter with the brown sugar over medium heat.  boil for 1 minute.  Pour over biscuits.  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.  Let bread cool in pan for 10 min, then turn onto plate.

Pani Popo (Hawaiian rolls)

My niece, Lia, made these roll for our Hawaiian themed New Year's party. I don't like coconut but all the food at that party seemed to have a bit of coconut in it so I gave it all a try. Even though these rolls are covered in coconut milk, they were sweet enough that I still loved them. When a friend of mine had her own Hawaiian themed party I knew just what to bring! The best thing about them is how completely simple they are to make.

Ingredients:
Rhodes Rolls (or any dinner roll recipe)
1 can coconut milk
3 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup sugar

Directions:You can just use any dinner roll recipe you want, or use the frozen rhodes rolls (but thaw them and let them rise). Once the rolls are risen to how you would usually bake them, mix 1 can coconut milk, 3 tablespoons sweeten condensed milk, and 3/4 cup sugar, and then pour this mixture over the rolls and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. (I found that my rolls only needed about 20 min to bake)

Bunny Buns

My 11 yr old wanted to make these as soon as she saw them in The Friend magazine at the beginning of the month. On Easter weekend we finally got around to it. Actually she finally got around to it, she made them mostly by herself and they turned out great. I love that my kids cook.

Ingredients:
1 pkg active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup milk, warmed not quite to boiling
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup orange juice
2 Tbsp grated orange peel
5 1/2 cups flour, sifted
Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup hot water, 1 tsp butter

Directions:
Sprinkle yeast in warm water and set aside. In another bowl, blend milk, sugar, shortening, and salt. Cool until lukewarm, then add eggs, water with yeast, orange juice, and orange peel. Stir in flour a few cups at a time to make a soft dough. Let stand for 10 minutes. Knead dough 5-10 minutes on a lightly floured surface until dough is smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover with a clean towel and put in a warm place. Let dough rise for 2 hours, or until double in size. Punch dough down and let stand for 10 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into strips 1/2 inch wide and 14 inches long. Roll between hand to rounded snake shapes. Cut one strip into pieces 1/2 inch long and roll into balls. Place one long piece of dough on a greased cookie sheet. PLace one end of the strip over the other to make a loop; bring the end that is underneath up and cross it over the other end. Place a ball of dough on the top of the bottom loop. Cover bunnies and let rise in a warm place for 45-60 minutes until nearly doubled in size.
Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes.

For the glaze stir powdered sugar, water, and butter together. Frost bunnies with the glaze while they are still warm.

Breadsticks

Ingredients:

For the Dough:
1 package active dry yeast
4 1/4 c. all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
2 T. unsalted butter, softened
2 T. sugar
1 T. fine salt

For the Topping:
3 T. unsalted butter, melted
1/2 t. kosher salt
1/8-1/4 tsp garlic powder
pinch of oregano

Directions:1. Make the dough: Place 1/4 c. warm water in the bowl of a mixer, sprinkle in the yeast and set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the flour, butter, sugar, fine salt, and 1 1/4 cups plus 2 T. warm water; mix with the paddle attachment until slightly sticky dough forms, 5 minutes
2. Knead the dough by hand on a floured surface until very soft and smooth, 3 minutes. Roll into a 2 foot long log; cut into 16 1 1/2 inch long pieces. Knead each piece slightly and shape into a 7 inch breadstick; arrange 2 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover with a cloth; let rise in a warm spot until almost doubled, about 45 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 400 F. Make the topping: Brush the breadsticks with 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp kosher salt. Bake until lightly golden, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine remaining 1/4 tsp salt with garlic powder and oregano. Brush the warm breadsticks with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with flavored salt.

Caribbean Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 ripe bananas, mashed
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup chopped walnuts (I left these out)
1/2 cup shredded coconut (left this out too)

Directions:
Preheat 350. Grease and flour 2 9x5 inch loaf pans. Whisk the all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a bowl. In a separate bowl beat the bananas, eggs, vegetable oil, applesauce, brown sugar, white sugar, and vanilla together. Stir the flour mixture into the wet mixture. Fold the zucchini, walnuts, and coconut into the batter until evenly combined. Pour into the prepared pans. Bake in oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 40-50 minutes. Cool in the pans for 25 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:
Beat the following ingredients until creamed:
3 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 c. oil

Then Add:
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
3 c. flour

Mix well, then stir in:
2 c. peeled and grated zucchini

Directions:
MAKES TWO LOAVES! Pour into pans lined with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 45 to 60 minutes or when knife comes out clean.

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:
2 cups canned pumpkin
3 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
3 1/3 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
4/3 tsp ground cloves

Directions:
Preheat oven 350. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, sugar, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Beat until well mixed. Measure the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, nutmeg and ground cloves into a separate bowl, then stir until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, beating until smooth. Grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans and dust them with flour. Evenly divide the batter between them. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 10-15 min. Then remove the pans by inverting them onto a rack and tapping the bottoms.

Banana Bread

I love over ripened bananas because it means we can make banana bread. I used partial wheat flour and added in some flax to add in a little bit of goodness. I got this recipe from one of my favorite type of cookbooks--the ward Relief Society cookbook. I have several and they really are my favorite. I suppose it is why I love food blogs so much--lots of tried and true family recipes to be found.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 Tbsp milk
1 cup mashed bananas

Directions:
Stir together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Set Aside. In a mixer bowl, beat sugar and shortening with electric mixer until light, scraping sides of bowl often. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and the milk beating till smooth alternately to creamed mixture. Add flour mixture and banana alternately to creamed mixture, beating till smooth after each addition. Turn batter into lightly greased 8x4x2 loaf pan. Bake at 350 oven for 60-65 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Makes 1 loaf.

Corn Bread

Ingredients:1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup yellow corn meal
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/3 cup canola oil

Directions:Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray or lightly grease a 9 inch round cake pan (or 12 cupcakes). In large bowl combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder. Stir in egg, milk, and canola oil until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes (less for cupcakes--15-20). Or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

West's Stuffed French Toast

Ingredients:

1 loaf French bread (homemade is best). cut into 1 inch slices

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese at room temperature

1/2 cup preserves (raspberries)

1 grated lemon peel

7 eggs

1 1/2 cups half & half

4 Tbsp granulated sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Sauce:

1/4 cup preserves (raspberry)

1 3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup half & half

Directions:

Cut a horizontal slit in the side of each bread slice, cutting to but not through the other side. Beat the cream cheese, preserves, and lemon peel in a bowl until well mixed. Spread about 2 tsps of mixture inside each slice. Place stuffed bread slices in the greased pan.

Beat remaining ingredients until well mixed. Pour egg mixture over bread slices, and turn sliced carefully to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes but no longer than 24 hrs. Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Uncover the french toast. Drizzle with the 1/2 cup melted butter. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Add sauce when ready to serve.

Sauce:

Mix preserves, powdered sugar, lemon juice, half & half. Whisk until well mixed. Pour over baked french toast and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serves 8-10 people.

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

I got this recipe when I was looking for a copycat recipe for the Red Lobster biscuits. Red Lobster's biscuits are softer and better than these but these are a decent second best.

Ingredients:
2cups bisquick
1/2 cup cold water
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

topping:
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tsp parsley flakes
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp italian seasoning

Directions:
Mix bisquick, water and cheese together. Shape into biscuits and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 450 for 8-10 min.

Mix melted butter, parsley, garlic powder, and italian seasoning together. When the biscuits are done cooking brush them with this mixture.

Staff of Life Whole Wheat Bread

I got this recipe from my mom. I like that it completely uses whole wheat flour. This has got to be as healthy as bread gets--not one bit of refined flour or sugar. Plus I've been using my new wheat grinder to grind the wheat flour myself.

Ingredients:

3 cups hot water

1/4 cup olive or canola oil

1/4 cup of honey or sugar (I always use honey)

1 T instant yeast

2-2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (to start with, add more later--maybe 4 more cups)

1/2 T salt

optional ingredients:

1 T dough enhancer*

1/4 cup vital wheat gluten

Directions:

Put water, oil, honey , and yeast in a bowl. Add 2-2 1/2 cups of flour and (opt. 1/4 cup vital wheat gluten) and mix to a paste. Add salt and additional flour until dough forms a ball around the dough hook and sides of bowl are clean. Knead for 7 minutes. (Optional: add dough enhancer after the 7 minutes of kneading and knead for another minute until mixed in). Place dough on oiled counter. Divide into two equal pieces and shape into loaves. Place in greased bread pans. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until double in bulk, about 45 minutes. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Place bread in oven, turn heat down to 350 degrees, and bake for 35 minutes. Remove from pans and let cool on wire racks.

*dough enhancer---I couldn't find any in my local stores for some reason so here is recipe for that in case it's needed:

1 cup Lecithin granules (find at a vitamin store)

1 Tbsp vitamin C powder

1 tsp ground ginger

Mix ingredients together and store in tightly closed glass jar.

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

This is just from my Betty Crocker cookbook. My entire family loves this bread, especially my son Jason. It's amazing how quickly this bread disappears.

Ingredients:
3 cups whole wheat flour
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup shortening
1 Tbsp salt
2 packages regular or quick acting active dry yeast
2 1/4 cups very warm water (120-130)
3-4 cups all purpose flour
butter, melted

Directions:
Mix whole wheat flour, honey, shortening, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Add warm water. Bet on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in enough all purpose flour, 1 cup at a time, to make dough easy to handle.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead about 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl and turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm place 40-60 min or until double. (dough is ready if indentation remains when touched).

Grease 2 loaf pans, 9x5x3. Punch down dough and divide in half. Flatten dough for each loaf with hands or rolling pin into a rectangle, 18x9 inches. Fold crosswise into thirds, overlapping the two sides. Flatten or roll into square 9x9 inches. Roll dough tightly, beginning at one of the open (unfolded) ends, to form a loaf, tightly, beginning at 9-inch side. Press with thumbs to seal after each turn. Pinch edge firmly to seal. Press each end with side of hand to seal. Fold ends under loaf. Place seam side down in pan. Brush loaves lightly with margarine. Cover and let rise 35 to 50 minutes or until double.

Place oven rack in low position so that tops of pans will be in center of oven. Heat oven to 375. Bake 40 to 45 min or until loaves are deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped; remove from pans, cool on wire rack. Makes 2 loaves. 115 calories slice.

Crescent Rolls

Ingredients:

2 T yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

1 stick butter, softened

2 eggs

4-5 cups flour

Directions:

Mix first 3 ingredients and let sit 15 minutes until bubbly. Then add the salt, butter, eggs, and flour. Mix in enough flour so it isn't sticky. Let rise until doubled in size. Roll out into circle and spread melted butter on top. Cut like a pizza into triangles and roll the big end towards the small end until rolled up. Let rise again and bake 375 12-15 minutes.