Chocolate Donuts...

Now, who here loves donuts??

On occasion, I'll make some donuts up for the boys.

I love this recipe as you bake the donuts versus frying them.

It's nice to have a healthier version 

every now and again...

And it's more gentler on the tummy too!

*If you wanted to do a gluten free version,

just use the GF all purpose flour mix

 instead of regular flour.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Donuts

• 1 cup all-purpose flour 
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup buttermilk
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

 Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 3-4 tablespoons milk, or as needed
• sprinkles, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Spray a donut pan well with non-stick 

cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour,

 cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a separate bowl, mix together the buttermilk, 

sugar, egg, butter and vanilla until well combined.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients 

and mix until just combined.

Spoon the batter into the donut cavities making sure to only

 fill them about ⅔ - ¾ of the way full.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until a toothpick

 inserted into the donut comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and allow to 

cool for about 5 minutes in the pan.

 Remove donuts from the pan and

 transfer to a wire rack to cool.

To make the glaze:

In a separate bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. 

If the glaze is too thick, slowly add one tablespoon of 

milk at a time until it has reached your desired consistency.

Dip the tops of the donuts into the glaze and transfer 

back to the wire rack to cool and allow the glaze to harden. 

Top with sprinkles if desired.

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Hugs & Blessings,

Fall Mix...

Hello Friends!  

How are you all doing this week?

I make up a Fall mix every year.

You can add in just about anything 

you and your family likes.

This year I chose this for my mix:

A half a box of Kix cereal

A half a box of Good Morning cereal

1 package Yogurt Craisins

1 box of chocolate teddy grahams

1 bag of cupcake flavor goldfish crackers

Half a bag of pretzels

1 bag of M&M's

Mix everything into a great big bowl.

And store it in a pretty jar or a few gallon sized bags.

Do you make a sweet treat for Fall?

Thanks for stopping by!

Spicy Cereal Mix...

Fall has officially arrived here in our neck of the woods

and it has been getting rather chilly here in the evenings!

We got our first frost the other morning and it was rather cold outside!

BRRR!!!

I love it when I can get a fire going in the ol' wood stove 

and get in my kitchen and make up a yummy snack for the family.

I have been busy for well over a week, getting the guys ready to go hunting.

And this is one of the snacks I made for them to take.

Here's what you'll need to make spicy mix:

1 box rice or corn chex cereal

1 bag bugles 

1/2 box Cheerios cereal

1 bag goldfish pretzels or pretzels of your choice

1 bag goldfish cheese crackers

1 box cheese crackers, (Cheese-Its)

1/2 cup veg. oil

1 package ranch mix

2 Tbsp. steak or southwest seasoning

1 Tbsp. Cayenne Powder

2 tsp. garlic salt

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees.  

Pour the cereals, pretzels, bugles and 

cheese crackers into a large roasting pan.

In a small bowl, combine the oil, ranch mix, 

steak seasoning, cayenne powder and garlic salt.

Mix really well.

Pour over your dry mix and stir really good.

Bake for 1 hour, stirring about every 20 minutes

 to evenly mix the seasoned oil throughout your cereal mixture.

Pull out of the oven and let your mix cool completely

before placing in your container or bags.

If you have a larger family or just want to make a lot

you can double your recipe.

And really you can add just about anything 

you want to make your own creation of flavors!

I also make a sweet mix.

Because who doesn't like sweet and salty.

If you would like to check out the way

 Roxy made her sweet mix

click HERE.

You can also check out my SIL, Ashley's version HERE.

See... the possibilities are endless!!

I hope you all have a delightfully spicy or sweet kind of a day!

Hugs & Blessings,

Hidden Surprise In A Cracker...

Happy Monday Everyone!

It's been yet another busy week here.

I've been:

Planning our school year, 

Getting ready for a Labor Day Camping Trip, Yay!

Learning to do Secretarial work all over again (Smiles)

Entertaining several friends over the course of my last post!!

Laundry, Laundry and more Laundry!

What have you been up to?

So, in the midst of all the busyness

I have the perfect snack to share with you all.

It's sweet and salty and just what the Doctor ordered!

Rolo Cracker Sandwiches

3 sleeves of Ritz Crackers

1 bag of Rolos, unwrapped

Preheat over to 275 degrees.

On a baking sheet, place one Ritz cracker and top with a rolo.

Place in oven for 2-3 minutes or until rolos have a glossy look.

Take cracker/rolo out of oven and immediately place on the second cracker.

Lightly push down.

Remove from pan and cool!

If these make it to your storage jar,

 store them in the refrigerator or freezer!

Bet you can't eat just one!

Have a great week!

AMY

Sweet Treat...

Hello there!

How are you today?

Who here Loves Rice Krispie Treats??

Have you ever tried another type of cereal 

with the gooey-ness of marshmallows?

These are Lucky Charm Bars and they are really good!

Bet you can't eat just one.

These are quick and easy to make and you don't have to turn on the oven!

Which is perfect for this time of year!

Lucky Charm Bars

1 small box of Lucky Charms cereal

1 large bag of marshmallows

1/4 stick butter

Grease a 9x13 pan with a little butter, set aside.

Place your large pan on the stove and melt your butter.

Add in the marshmallows and stir till melted. 

 Once melted stir in your Lucky Charms cereal.

Pour the cereal mixture into your prepared

 pan and gently pat it.

*If it's a bit sticky, get your hands damp and pat the 

warm cereal mixture into the pan.*

Cut into squares and Enjoy!

I hope you all have a terrific day!

Angel Eggs...

Who here loves Deviled Eggs?

Well, we do but we call them "Angel Eggs"

Why should we give the devil credit for something so yummy?

We don't and shouldn't!!

So, when you go to make these the next time,

tell everyone they are Angel Eggs.

I make mine with a few special ingredients

and I think I'll share them with you today.

As long as you promise to never call these delicious eggs

anything but ANGEL EGGS, deal?

Angel Eggs

6-8 hard boiled eggs, peeled, rinsed and halved

1/4 cup to 1/2 cup mayo

2 tsp. creamy horseradish sauce

2 green chilies, cleaned and seeded

1 garlic clove, minced

garlic salt to taste

pepper to taste

paprika, optional

Pop out the egg yolks into a medium bowl.

Smash with a fork.  Now add in the mayo, horseradish,

 green chilies, garlic and pepper. Mix really well. 

 If the mixture is still too dry, add in a bit more mayo.

Sprinkle with paprika if desired.

Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Now where is that smell button?

Yummy!

If these make it to the dinner table, I wouldn't store them more than 3 days.

When the yolk and mayo start to separate, I'd toss them out!

How do you make your Angel Eggs??

These Eggs shouldn't be made for just the holidays

They should be made year round!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Blessings,

Nutella Energy Bites...

Oh no it's Monday... Get it Off! Get it Off!

(Insert Smiles Here)

Who needs some energy today?

The first day of the week...

Lots to do...

Little energy?

No Problem!

These little energy balls are very nutritious and they 

are perfect for that healthy snack!

Even if you are on the go!

I hope you all have a wonderfully productive week!!

We have lots going on and are very busy,

Spring Time and all...

Nutella Energy Bites

• 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup lightly toasted coconut
• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Roll into balls.

 Serve or store in several individual small 

airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Hugs to You All,

Pico de Gallo Salsa Recipe...

Who here LOVES a good salsa?

Have you ever tried making your own?

What do you put in yours?

My hubby loves this version

it's called Pico de Gallo.

It's made with fresh ingredients 

and then it's chopped into medium sized chunks.

Don't forget to grab your tortilla chips!

Here's what you'll need:

Pico de Gallo

6-8 medium sized tomatoes, washed and chopped

2 onions, any kind, chopped

small bunch of cilantro, rinsed and minced

4 jalapenos, seeds removed and diced 

( you can leave the seeds for added heat)

3 garlic cloves, diced

4-6 roasted green chilies, skins removed, chopped

1 half lime

salt and pepper to taste

A bag or 2 of tortilla chips

Combine all chopped ingredients into a bowl.

Squeeze a half of lime over the salsa and add in salt and pepper to taste.

Please don't forget to wear some rubber gloves while cutting the jalapenos

or your hands will burn for several hours. 

Trust Me on this one!  Ouch!

Enjoy!

I hope you all are staying warm and cozy!

Blessings,

Amy

Cinnamon Pecans...

It's getting very close to the holidays and these

 have got to be one of the best snacks ever!

I even think this would be a great gift in a jar

to give to friends and family...

Well, if you don't manage to eat them all before

they make it in a pretty jar...

And they are so simple to make...

Grab a pen to write this one down 

and keep it in a safe place.

I guess you can print it out too! 

Cinnamon Pecans

1 Tbsp. butter

3 cups Pecans

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Melt your butter in a large non-stick skillet.

Stir in the pecans and the sugar.

Cook until sugar melts.  This will take about 5 minutes. 

Keep stirring so they don't burn.

Remove from heat and toss with this mixture:

1 Tbsp. sugar, 2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ginger and 1/2 tsp. nutmeg.

Spread onto wax paper and let cool.

Break apart the pecans.

Store in a jar or a tub.

Enjoy!

Blessings and Hugs,

The Best Muffin Yet...

I have been on a muffin kick for a while now,

please bare with me.

I have lots of muffin recipes to share with you

and I will try not to post them all at once..

I am trying and experimenting with recipes 

to try and cut back on some of the sugars.

Some recipes call for so much sugar, 

just reading the recipe makes my teeth hurt!

And, then this way, my kids get a healthier muffin or cake or cookie.

Let's just get one thing straight here before I give you this recipe.

I am by far NOT a health nut, but I do like to eat better, bake more

and buy less processed foods.

In the long run, its better for me and my family!

I feel better now...

Let's continue on to the recipe now!

Enjoy!

Blueberry Muffins

1/4 c. butter

1/2 c. sugar (but I use 1/3)

1 egg

3/4 c. milk

1/4 tsp. vanilla

1 3/4 c. + 1 Tbsp. flour (I use half wheat, half white)

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. blueberries, cleaned and patted dry

Cream the butter and sugar.  

Beat in the egg, then milk and vanilla, beat until smooth.

This mixture will seem very liquidy to you. 

Combine the 1 3/4 cups flour with baking powder and salt in a small bowl. 

 Add to milk mixture, stir just till combined. (batter will be lumpy)

Toss the berries in the 1 Tbsp. flour, then fold them into the batter. 

 Spoon into 12 greased or paper lined muffin cups. 

 Bake in a preheated 425 oven for about 25 minutes 

or until lightly golden brown.

*For the last 10 minutes of baking turn your ovens down to 375. 

Happy Day!

S'mores Trail Mix...

This has got to be one of the easiest trail mixes ever!

And it's perfect for Fall and Winter.

It would even be a great idea for a gift!

S'mores Trail Mix

! Box of Golden Graham Cereal

1 bag milk chocolate chips

1 bag mini marshmallows

Mix in a big bowl and then store in 

snack bags or a glass container.

When you eat all three of the ingredients

 in one bite, they taste like a S'more!

I must admit... these are rather addicting!

I bet you can't eat just one bowl!!

(Smiles inserted here...)

Happy Day to you All!

Hugs & Blessings,

Zesty Jalapeno Poppers...

This is the perfect little snack or appetizer for a

 small get together with family or friends.

My hubby loves anything hot, 

so I found this recipe in one of my cook books

and changed it up a bit by adding in

 fresh garlic to the cream cheese mixture.

Jalapeno Poppers!!

Yep, these little puppies are hot!

Make sure to wear gloves when removing the seeds or

your hands will burn, literally BURN for hours afterwards.

Trust me on this one, my hands burned

 for about 5 hours after removing the seeds

and not wearing gloves!!

I will NEVER do that EVER again!

I soaked my hands in vinegar,

 and then milk and rubbed lavender on my hands

and then after researching on Google, 

the one thing that worked the best 

was a mixture of sugar and olive oil, crazy right?!

Sheesh...

Once, you get the jalapeno seeds out, 

smear in your cream cheese 

and fresh garlic filling.

Next, wrap a half a piece of bacon

 around the jalapeno

cream cheese mixture. 

Insert a toothpick through the bacon 

and pepper to secure it in place.

Place your poppers onto a foil lined cookie sheet.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes.

I placed mine under the broiler for 

about 3 minutes to give them a nice crisp.

And, viola!  

You have Smoking Hot

 Jalapeno Poppers with bacon!

Jalapeno Poppers

5-10 jalapenos

1 pkg. cream cheese

1/2 a pkg. bacon, cut in half

Cut jalapenos in half long ways, 

wearing gloves scrape out seeds

 and the membrane of the peppers.

Mix cream cheese and 2 cloves chopped fresh garlic.  

Smear on the cream cheese mixture

 on to each half of the pepper.

 Wrap the bacon around 

the cream cheese and pepper.  

Insert a toothpick into each 

bacon wrapped pepper.  

This will secure the bacon in place

 and will prevent it from curling while baking. 

 Place the poppers on a foil lined baking sheet.

Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes.

You can place them under the broiler 

for an extra 3-5 minutes for an extra crisp 

around the edges!

Take out of oven and enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs to you all,

Quick & Easy Cherry Tarts

 

 

I had a hankering for something Cherry the other day

and didn't want to fuss with a time consuming dessert.

 

So, I came up with this and my oh my.....

 I think all you gals will love it!

 

 

Quick & Easy Cherry Tarts

 

 

1 can butter biscuits ( I used Grands Biscuits)

1 can Cherry Pie Filling or pie filling of your choice

1/2 cup dried cranberries

3 Tbsp. Brown Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla

Simple Frosting, optional

 

Preheat your ovens to 375 degrees. 

 

In a medium sized bowl, combine the cherry pie filling,

dried cranberries, brown sugar and vanilla.  Set aside.

 

Dust counter with a little flour.  Open up your biscuits and take one biscuit and roll out until it reaches a larger sized circle.  Take 2 Tbsp. filling mixture and lay on one half side of flatten biscuit.  Fold dough over filling and crimp with fork to seal.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet. 

Repeat with remaining dough and filling. 

 

Bake for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown.

 

Cool slightly and drizzle with a simple frosting if desired.

 

 This only made 8 tarts, so if you want more do 2 cans of biscuits!

 

 

I hope you enjoy these as much as my whole family did!

 

YUMMY!

 

 

Don't lose your grip on love and loyalty.

Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.

Earn a reputation for living well.

Proverbs 3:3-4

 

 

Hugs,