Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins (with Gluten Free Option)

Three of our favorites in one...cinnamon....applesauce...muffins! These are great for snack, breakfast, or even dessert.  Double your batch because they go fast!

Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins (with Gluten Free Option)

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (homemade is best if you have it)
1 teaspoon baking soda
2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups flour (I used Jules GF Flour)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine dry ingredients.

Beat together butter and sugar, then add eggs.  Beat on medium for 20-30 seconds.
 Add applesauce.
 Mix until combined. 
 Dump in flour mixture. 
Mix just until dry ingredients are wet.
Scoop into greased muffin pan. (I have not tried these with papers so I don't know if they will work well or not.) 
I filled mine fairly full using all of the batter.  It is thick.  If you have peaks on your muffin batter you can wet your fingers a little and tap them down.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool in pans for at least 5 minutes then finish cooling on rack.  
 Eat now or freeze for another time.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #80

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday 

PEANUT BUTTER Party!!




Last week's recipes that received the MOST CLICKS!!  Thanks for checking out my CHERRY TORTE and MOM'S EGG NOODLES!!


Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Copycat McDonald's White Chocolate Mocha Coffee

Recreate your favorite fancy coffee drink at home.  You can leave off the whipped cream and  drizzle of chocolate but why would you?  It adds to the fanciness!  Even if you don't have an espresso machine you can make this drink.  I promise it isn't hard!

Let's get to brewing!

Copycat McDonald's White Chocolate Mocha Coffee

1 espresso (uses about 1/4 cup water and 1 Tablespoon coffee ground, espresso style)*
1 ounce white chocolate syrup (I used Torani brand)
7 ounces steamed milk
whipped cream (sweetened or not)
chocolate syrup, optional

Use the steamer on your espresso machine to heat milk or microwave until about 150 degrees. I use 2% here at home but you are welcome to try non-fat, 1% or whole milk.

Pour 1 ounce or 2 Tablespoons of the white chocolate syrup into a 2 cup measuring cup.
 Pour in your espresso which should measure about 4 ounces to add to the syrup.
 Stir.
 Pour your milk in until it reaches 12 ounces.
 Stir again.
 Pour into your coffee cup.
Add whipped cream. I used a frosting decorator tip in a large star shape and a disposable plastic baggie to make it pretty but there isn't anything wrong with spooning it on. If  you spoon it on, get as much on the spoon as you want and lay the spoon down into the coffee.  The heat will make the whipped cream pop right off the spoon.
The chocolate syrup is optional.  Sometimes they drizzle this on and sometimes not.  Sure looks pretty!
Enjoy!!
*It won't be quite the same but you can use a regular coffee pot with the same measures above and double up on your filter to make your "espresso."