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Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Scones

October 14, 2011 ·

A few weeks ago, Mike was out for a fun evening with the guys.  Meanwhile, I was home alone (well, Adam was home too, but sleeping).  Of course, I got the itch to bake something.  I found myself with leftover pumpkin and leftover buttermilk, along with some leftover cinnamon chips.  Sounds like I had the makings for the perfect pumpkin scone!

I sent a scone with Mike to take to work the next day. Shortly after he left, the phone rang. It was Mike and he said ‘I’m not sure how you’re going to take this..’    Um, ok?     ‘but I think this scone is the best thing you’ve ever made!’ Yay!  This was my first attempt at making scones, and I am so glad they were a hit!

The cinnamon chips are amazing with the pumpkin in these scones.  I suspect any chips, or even dried fruit, would be good though.  The base recipe is just that good.  I lightened things up by using my baking BFF, light butter.  I used 2 glazes – plain and spiced, and have written the recipe below with the full amount that I used.   While the glazes were really good, truthfully these scones can hold their own sans glaze.  Another time I would use half the amount (or simply go without), because I prefer something a little less desserty.  If glaze is your thing, then have at it, because they were fabulous!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Scones
Yields 8 scones

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/2 cup (1 stick) light butter, cold and cut into 8 pieces
1/2 cup cinnamon chips (or white chocolate or butterscotch chips)
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze – optional – see recipe below

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. In a food processor, pulse flours, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and baking soda until combined.  Add cold butter pieces and pulse until combined and butter forms small pea-sized chunks.  Pour into a large bowl and stir in cinnamon chips.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, pumpkin, and vanilla.  Add pumpkin mixture to dry ingredients and gently fold until dough comes together.  (be careful not to over mix). 
  4. Transfer dough to prepared baking sheet.  Press and form dough into a 8 to 9-inch round.  Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool completely and cut into 8 slices.

GLAZE:

Plain Glaze:

2 tablespoons skim milk
1 cup powdered sugar

  1. Whisk together milk and sugar until combined.  With a pastry brush, brush glaze over cooled scones.  Repeat until all glaze is used (or until desired coverage is achieved). 

Spiced Glaze:

1 tablespoons skim milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

  1.  Whisk together milk, sugar and pumpkin pie spice.  Pour glaze in a plastic bag.  Cut off a corner of the bag and pipe spiced glaze over scones, as desired. 

Note:  Let glaze(s) set before eating.

Adapted from Annie’s Eats, originally from Joy of Baking

Filed Under: bread, Recipes Tagged With: , ,

Sweet Onion and Cheddar Cornbread

October 12, 2011 ·

Chili and cornbread is such a classic combination. On Monday I shared a delicious Black Bean Chili with Roasted Butternut Squash with you. Today I am sharing with you this amazing Sweet Onion and Cheddar Cornbread that with our chili.  Of course, while I have made several cornbread recipes over the years, cornbread with sweet onions and cheddar is a version I did not have a recipe for…until now.

The first step in creating this recipe was to select a base, and for that I went to a very trusty source – the back of the cornmeal canister.  Their Easy Corn Bread was a perfect place to begin.  The rest was a little bit of guess work and crossed fingers.

Sauteed onions and cheddar cheese are the perfect additions that take this basic cornbread recipe to a whole new level. The poppy seeds sprinkled on top add a little visual appeal.  Mike has already requested I make this again.  There is no doubt this Sweet Onion and Cheddar Cornbread will be making a regular appearance at our dinner table this chili season.

Sweet Onion and Cheddar Cornbread
 
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Author:
Yields: 16 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • ¾ cup cornmeal
  • 1¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • pinch of salt (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (reserve 1 tablespoon for topping)
  • ¼ teaspoon poppy seeds
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 9 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
  2. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet. Add onion and saute until softened (about 5-7 minutes). Reserve 1 tablespoon for topping. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar and baking powder.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk milk, oil and egg until combined.
  5. Add milk mixture to dry ingredients, mixing just until dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in onion and and cheese (do not over mix).
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle reserved onion and cheese and poppy seeds on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Adapted from back of Quaker corn meal canister

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Banana Cinnamon Chip Muffins

September 8, 2011 ·

If there is one thing we always have plenty of in this house, it’s bananas.  Whenever we run low, Mike is quick to run to the store to replenish our stash.  It didn’t take him long to learn that there is no such thing as too many bananas.  A surplus of bananas means baking bananas, which means treats!  As I write this, I have a bowlful of overripe bananas waiting to be mashed, whipped, mixed, baked into something delicious.

To completely change subjects – have I told you about my baking chip collection?  I have a thing for baking chips.  I love buying chips in anticipation of creating new and exciting treats, but life (i.e. a busy toddler) usually gets in the way of those plans.   I decided it was time for a self-intervention.  I must begin baking my way through this collection,…starting with these cinnamon chips.

So the two stories come together…in the form of Banana Cinnamon Chip Muffins.   These muffins are a delicious and healthy option, made partly with whole wheat flour.  They are also made using 3 bananas, which means you can use less oil.  The cinnamon chips add just a little extra something that make these muffins special.  But if cinnamon is not your thing, these would be great with chocolate chips (mmm, or even peanut butter chips!).

These muffins are moist and delicious.  They are all I hoped for and more…yet I ended up doing more with them.  I made half of the recipe as just Banana Cinnamon Chip Muffins.  Tomorrow I will share with you what I did with the other half of the recipe! 😉

Banana Cinnamon Chip Muffins
Yields 12 standard muffins

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 ripe mashed bananas
1/3 cup canola oil
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup cinnamon chips (or chocolate chips)

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease or line 12 standard muffins cups.  Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.  Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the bananas, oil, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla until combined. 
  4. Fold banana mixture into flour mixture until just blended (do not over mix).  Add cinnamon chips, and fold gently until combined.
  5. Distribute batter evenly among muffin cups.  Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let cool in pan for 5 minutes and then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

Adapted from Keep Your Diet Real

Filed Under: bread, breakfast, Recipes Tagged With: , , ,

Zucchini Bread

August 24, 2011 ·

Childhood summers, playing in the vegetable garden, my 3rd birthday “cake”, that’s what this zucchini bread tastes like. 

Throughout my childhood, my parents had a vegetable garden.  I remember they grew cucumbers, green beans, various other vegetables, and of course zucchini.  Zucchini plants are the gift that keeps on giving.  Even better, lots of zucchini meant lots of delicious zucchini bread!

My mom said she got this recipe from an old relative of my dad’s.  Isn’t that the way it is…the greatest recipes are the old tried and trues?  Classic zucchini bread…one of the best simple pleasures.

Zucchini Bread
Yields 4 small loaves

3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup canola oil
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini (with peel)
3 cups flour (I used 1 1/2 cups all-purpose and 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
dash of salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Cooking spray

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Spray 4 small loaf pans with cooking spray (or grease/flour).  Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk to combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  Sift dry ingredients.
  3. In a large bowl, beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla until creamy.  Add zucchini and stir until combined.
  4. Fold the dry ingredients in with the wet ingredients until combined (do not over mix).
  5. Evenly distribute batter among 4 small loaf pans and bake for 60-70 minutes.  Let cool in pans for 5 minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

 

Filed Under: bread, breakfast, Recipes Tagged With: , , , ,
Zucchini, Banana, and Flaxseed Muffins | alidaskitchen.com

Zucchini, Banana, and Flaxseed Muffins

August 22, 2011 ·

Zucchini, Banana, and Flaxseed Muffins | alidaskitchen.com

Zucchini, Banana, and Flaxseed Muffins are a healthy muffin that tastes good too!  They are made without any butter or oil, yet the are moist and delicious due to the zucchini and banana. 

 New magazine day is one of my favorites days of the month.  Since I subscribe to several magazines, this translates into several favorite days a month!   Actually, I think Mike might like new magazine day more than I do.  Especially when after just one quick perusal, it looks like this…

10 flags after just a quick glance.  Not bad, eh?   Just wait until I get a chance to be more thorough!

It was hard to choose what to make first, but there was clearly no better way to kick off zucchini week here than Zucchini, Banana, and Flaxseed Muffins!  Good thing too, because these might be the tastiest muffins ever!  I know, I know, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.  But this time I mean it!

After one bite, you will never guess that these are healthy and low fat!  Sure there is zucchini and banana, but I’m sure you’ve noticed a lot of times muffins find some way to become glorified cupcakes.  Not these.  There is no butter and no oil added to these muffins, yet they are incredibly moist and delicious.  For an additional nutrition boost, I subbed in some whole wheat flour.  I also replaced whole milk with buttermilk since it seems everything is made better with buttermilk.

This week I will be featuring several zucchini recipes throughout the week.  I hope you will all enjoy them as much as we have!

Zucchini, Banana, and Flaxseed Muffins
 
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Yields: 12 muffins
Ingredients
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • ½ cup ground flaxseed (flaxseed meal)
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1½ cups coarsely grated zucchini (I used 1½ zucchinis)
  • 1 mashed ripe banana (approx ⅓ cup)
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat 12 standard muffin cups with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flours, flaxseed, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon.
  3. In a small bowl, stir zucchini and mashed banana together. Add to flour mixture and stir to combine.
  4. In medium bowl, whisk together milk, egg and vanilla. Add milk mixture to flour mixture and stir gently until combined (do not overmix).
  5. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes in pan and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely (about 30 minutes).
Notes
Adapted from Everyday Food, September, 2011
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Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Muffins

August 5, 2011 ·
Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Muffins {Alida's Kitchen}

My maternal grandmother was incredible in the kitchen and notorious for her baking.  She always had a vast array of ‘Grandma Goodies’ on hand, which certainly pleased her lucky grandchildren!  She knew everyone’s favorite goodie (granted it was near impossible to choose just one) and loved to make sure those favorites were always available.  One of my favorite goodies was a peanut butter rice krispie treat she made.  Much to my delight, she once told me it was okay to have one for breakfast.  “It has cereal after all!” is what she told me.  Who was I to argue with such reason!  I tried using that rationale to convince my parents, but it didn’t quite go over the way I hoped.  I found myself faced with yet another bowl of cereal for breakfast.

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Muffins {Alida's Kitchen}

My grandma was a wise woman and definitely on to something, if you ask me.  I think she would support me wholeheartedly today, because I am going to tell you IT’S OKAY TO HAVE CHOCOLATE FOR BREAKFAST!

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Muffins {Alida's Kitchen}

Chocolate in the form of Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Muffins, that is!  After all they are made with banana, peanut butter and whole wheat!  I think individually each would be reason enough to forego your everyday cereal in favor of these muffins. Together, there is no excuse really.

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Muffins {Alida's Kitchen}

These muffins are phenomenal.  Chocolate and clove are a genius combination.  The spices, along with the banana, take this muffin from a chocolaty dessert to a chocolate spice muffin.  Combined with the peanut butter, it becomes the perfect breakfast muffin.  My grandma would have definitely approved of this!

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Muffins
 
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Yields: 12 muffins
Ingredients
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup white whole wheat flour
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground clove
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup mashed ripe banana (approximately 2 large bananas)
  • ⅓ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used mini chocolate chips)
  • 8 tablespoons natural peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare standard 12-cup muffin pan with liners or by spraying with cooking spray; set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flours, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt (if using), cinnamon, clove and nutmeg.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk mashed bananas and yogurt until smooth. Whisk in the egg, sugar, oil and vanilla until well blended. Add the flour mixture and fold gently until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
  4. Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with the batter. Spoon about 2 teaspoons of peanut butte into the center of each cup. Evenly divide remaining batter to cover the peanut butter.
  5. Bake 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes in pan before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

Adapted from Christina Marsigliese and Amy’s Cooking Adventures

Filed Under: bread, breakfast, Recipes Tagged With: , , ,

Blueberry Lemon Muffins

July 15, 2011 ·

Have I told you lately that I love summer produce? Because I do!  This weekend we are planning a visit to our local farm to pick up several pounds of blueberries.  I am so excited! While we love to eat plain blueberries by the handful, I have a long list of great recipes using blueberries that I can’t wait to share with you!

So in honor, and anticipation, of our future blueberry windfall, I would like to share with you my favorite blueberry muffin recipe.

Years ago, I was flipping through a Bon Apetit magazine, and this recipe for blueberry muffins caught my eye. It just so happened to be an advertisement for Pam Cooking Spray – go figure!

Now I know that I promised you a break from yogurt recipes, and well…I stuck to that for over a week. It would simply not be fair to keep this recipe from you any longer. These muffins rock!

The beauty of using yogurt in baked goods means that you can use less oil/butter, which makes them a healthier option.  These muffins also contain oats, which provide a little texture that goes well with the juicy blueberries. And what more can I say about the blueberry-lemon combination – it just works.

Over the years, I have made these muffins using different types of flours and yogurts.  This time, I made them using whole wheat pastry flour and Greek yogurt.  These muffins are just as delicious using all-purpose flour and/or regular yogurt, so use what you have or go crazy and try something different!

Blueberry Lemon Muffins
 
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Author:
Yields: 12 muffins
Ingredients
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats, uncooked
  • ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt (or regular plain nonfat yogurt)
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare 12-cup regular muffin pan with cooking spray or liners.
  2. Whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix together yogurt, oil, egg and vanilla.
  3. Pour yogurt mixture into center of dry ingredients; stir until just blended. Do not over mix. Fold in blueberries and lemon zest. (Note: batter is thick)
  4. Divide batter evenly between prepared muffin cups. Bake 12-14 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pan, then remove from muffin pan and cool completely on wire rack.
Notes
Adapted from a Pam Cooking Spray Advertisement found in Bon Apetit magazine

 

 

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Strawberry Yogurt Muffins

June 29, 2011 ·
Strawberry Yogurt Muffins | alidaskitchen.com

Strawberry Yogurt Muffins are an easy, healthy muffin recipe made with lots of fresh strawberries and Greek yogurt.  

After picking up 8 pounds of strawberries from a local farm, I noticed these were the most perfect strawberries I have ever seen.  They had a perfect shape, a perfect stem and were a deep red throughout (no white inside these berries).  My husband wondered what I could possibly do with 8 pounds of strawberries?  Spend a LOT of time experimenting in the kitchen, that’s what!

In fact, I was thinking 8 pounds might not even be enough.  I eat strawberries on my plain Greek yogurt every day.  My son eats strawberries by the fistful.  There is also a long list of goodies that I want to make with strawberries…hmm.

For the longest time, I have been searching high and low for the perfect strawberry muffin recipe.  I was inspired by this recipe for Strawberry Bread on Cate’s World Kitchen.  I love that Cate uses yogurt, a good dose of vanilla, and this recipe uses more actual strawberries than other recipes I found.  From the original recipe, I reduced the amount of sugar and used plain nonfat Greek yogurt.   The recipe below is written accordingly.

These muffins smelled incredible while baking in the oven.  It was hard to resist digging in while they cooled, but I knew they would be worth the wait.  And worth the wait they were indeed!  They are moist, delicious and have bits of sweet strawberries in every bite.  We are definitely going to make another trip to the farm to pick up more strawberries, and I will definitely be making more of these muffins!

Strawberry Yogurt Muffins
 
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Yields: 12 muffins
Ingredients
  • 1½ cups white whole wheat flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • ¼ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1½ cups strawberries, chopped
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line or grease 12 muffin cups.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, yogurt, oil and vanilla until blended. Add to flour mixture and gently mix until combined (Be careful not to over mix). Gently fold in strawberries.
  4. Divide batter evenly between muffin cups. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let muffins cool in pan for 5 minutes. Transfer muffins to wire rack and let cool completely.

Adapted from Cate’s World Kitchen

Strawberry Yogurt Muffins | alidaskitchen.com

Filed Under: bread, breakfast, healthy, kid-friendly, Recipes Tagged With: , , , ,

Raspberry White Chocolate Muffins

June 6, 2011 ·

Raspberry season is upon us with a plethera of delicious berries to do with as we wish.

And I wish for Raspberry White Chocolate muffins.  Seriously.  I have been waiting all year for raspberry season just so I could make them.

These muffins are definitely one of those muffins.  The kind of muffins that feel like dessert for breakfast…and well….it kind of is.  But there’s fruit, so it’s totally legit.

Raspberry and white chocolate are such a classic combination.  The juicy raspberries burst in your mouth and the white chocolate chips provide a nice texture.  The cream cheese gives the batter a sticky consistency, resulting in beautiful, rustic-looking muffins.  Enjoy!
Raspberry White Chocolate Muffins
 
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Yields: 12 muffins
Ingredients
  • 1 package (8 oz) light cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
  3. Combine the flour and baking powder.
  4. Add dry ingredients to the cream cheese mixture until just blended. Stir in chips. Gently fold in raspberries.
  5. Distribute batter evenly amongst 12 muffin cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.

 

Slightly adapted from Taste of Home: Cupcakes & Muffins

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