Monday Morning Coffee Talk...With Muffins!

 

Good Monday morning! I awoke to this beautiful sight and somehow managed to grab my camera and get a few shots before it faded away. I am always amazed at the beauty God shares with us on a random Monday morning. I hope your weekend was nice. I didn't accomplish much other than pack away the few Valentine touches I had around and set out the even fewer St. Patrick's Day things I have! Now that the kids are older, I do less decorating, but I will never not do it. I am a holiday person, and I like a bit of them around my home. 

I am slow going this morning as I had trouble sleeping last night. I don't usually, but yesterday's late afternoon nap probably didn't help. I did shower and drink my water, and I also said my prayers and listened to my anxiety app. So, I suppose I am off to an ok start today. Dinner tonight is a new recipe for citrus salmon with rice and steamed vegetables. After that, we will tidy up and watch The Bachelor. Well, some of us. Steve and Flynn either play a game or watch something I don't like! 

Saturday morning, I found I had an abundance of fresh raspberries, so I decided to make some muffins. I think they turned out great, although I am so far the only one who has tried them. I guess I didn't realize that no one else likes raspberries! I did send some for Madison and Nicolas, so I won't end up eating them all! They are raspberry and chocolate chip, and they are delicious. I will link the recipe down below. Have a cozy Monday, my friends!

Chocolate Raspberry Muffins

Billie Jo

Valentine's Day Morning Coffee Talk

Good morning, my friends! And Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. We had a quiet Saturday and a festive Sunday. Yesterday we enjoyed a small Valentine's Day Brunch complete with pastries...thank you bakery..., fresh fruit, coffee, and juice. Later we watched the Superbowl and enjoyed some of Peyton's delicious treats. It isn't the Superbowl around here without Oreo Balls! It was an exciting game, and although our favorite team didn't win, we were happy for the team that did. I always hate that someone has to lose, you know? Anyway, here are a few pictures I snapped before brunch.

One of Peyton's traditional Superbowl Oreo Balls...which is blurry because I was trying to take it on the couch while grabbing one...

And here are a couple from the archives. Just because.

Happy Monday!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Enjoy!

Billie Jo

A Super Good Muffin Recipe

 Peyton received a new cookbook for Easter. It is small and charming and full of delicious recipes for breakfast. She couldn't wait to try one, and this is the one she chose. These muffins taste like the very best cinnamon sugar doughnut you ever ate. Try them today with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee. Enjoy!

Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Muffins

The Best Monkey Bread. Ever.

And believe me, I've tried them all. Ok...maybe not ALL...but you get the idea. The other day I set a loaf of frozen bread dough out to thaw. For some reason, I put it on a plate instead of in the pan. Forward several hours and I realize we won't be having fresh from frozen bread. Flynn was quick to suggest a remedy for the situation. She reminded me that she has a recipe for Monkey Bread in The Disney Princess Cookbook she has. (Side note: This cookbook is amazing! ) We made it. And it was delicious. It makes a smaller amount of yumminess, which is probably a good thing for me!  Oh, and if you are wondering who Abu is...the answer is down below. : )

Abu's Monkey Bread

Ingredients:

1. 1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
2. 1/2 cup brown sugar
3. 1/2 cup white sugar
4. 1 tsp. cinnamon
5. 6 Tbsp. butter, melted

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a bundt or fluted tube pan.
2. Mix the brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
3. Roll pieces of dough into melted butter, then roll into sugar mixture.
4. Place them in prepared pan.
5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes.
6. Cool 10 minutes, loosen sides, and invert onto serving plate.
7. Cool slightly, and enjoy!

Want a closer look?

Sure you do...

One glass of cold milk mandatory. 

Note: I did adapt this recipe to include frozen bread dough.

The original recipe called for homemade dough.

Enjoy!

P.S. Abu is the silly monkey friend of Aladdin. : )

Google for the image. : )

The Best Pancake Recipe Ever

I found it. The best pancake recipe ever. Finally. And would you like to know where? In this precious cookbook Flynn received from our little Christmas elves...

And by the way, it is on sale now on Amazon!

Pascal's Pancakes

Ingredients:

1. 1 egg
2. 3/4 cup milk
3. 2 Tbsp oil
4. 1 Tbsp maple syrup
5. 1 cup flour
6. 2 tsp. baking powder
7. 1/2 tsp. salt
8. Pam spray or butter

Directions:

1. Crack the egg into a large mixing bowl.
2. Whisk in milk, oil, and maple syrup.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Add to egg mixture. Stir just until combined. It will be lumpy!
5. Lightly grease a griddle or frying pan warmed to medium heat.
6. Pour batter on using a 1/4 cup measuring cup.
7. Cook until the tops start to bubble. Flip and continue cooking until golden brown.
8. Enjoy!
9. Oh. I double this for our family. They reheat great too. : )

P.S. In case you are like me, and have no clue who Pascal is, Flynn was quick to inform me that he is Rapunzel's pet chameleon.

And he makes amazing pancakes.

Who knew?!

Cherry Coffee Cake

Fall is my favorite for all things pumpkin. But every once in awhile, we whip this up for something different. I cannot remember where I found this recipe, but it is delicious. Steve likes it warm, out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I prefer it the next day, with a cup of tea. Either way, it is divine. : )

Cherry Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1. 1 egg, beaten
2. milk
3. 1/2 cup butter, softened
4. 1 cup sugar
5. 2 cups flour
6. 2 tsp. baking powder
7. 2 21oz. cans cherry pie filling

     Topping:

1. 1 cup flour
2. 1 cup sugar
3. 1/2 cup butter, softened
4. Combine all ingredients until crumbly.

Directions:

1. Break egg into measuring cup.
2. Add milk to equal one cup. Set aside.
3. Combine butter, sugar, flour, and baking powder.
4. Add egg mixture. Beat well.
5. Pour into greased 13x9 pan.
6. Spread pie filling over top.
7. Sprinkle with topping.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes. Check often.
9. Enjoy!



Summer Berry Strudel

So I had some berries to use up. They looked like this...

Pretty, right?

And Madison came home from work with the perfect recipe to use them in. You will want to give this one a try. Promise.

Summer Berry Strudel

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups flour
2. 2 tsp. baking powder
3. 1 Tbl. sugar
4. 1/2 tsp. salt
5. 5 Tbl. Crisco
6. 3/4 cup milk
7. 1 egg
8. 3 cups berries ( I used blue and blackberries)
9. 1 cup sugar
10. 2 Tbl. butter
11. Powdered sugar and water

Directions:

1. Mix by hand flour, baking powder, 1Tbl. sugar, salt, Crisco, milk, and egg.
2. Spread out on sheet pan.
3. Mix berries with 1 cup sugar.
4. Put filling on top of batter.
5. Dot with butter.
6. Fold like a calzone. Pinch edges.
7. Bake 25 minutes at 425 Degrees.
8. Stir powdered sugar and water together.
9. Drizzle over top.
10. Slice and enjoy!



Madison's Dream Coffee Cake

My Madison created this yummy coffee cake a few years ago by combining a couple different recipes. It is sooo quick and sooo good. Even my picky eater Rhett ate one...or two...pieces. It is perfect for lazy Sunday mornings and is even better  the second day. Enjoy!

Madison's Dream Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1. 1(18 oz.)box yellow cake mix
2. 1 cup vegetable oil
3. 4...yes 4...eggs
4. 1 cup sour cream
5. 3/4 cup sugar
6. 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
7. 1/4 cup flour
8. 1/2 stick butter
9. Fresh or frozen blueberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease a 13x9 inch pan.
3. Combine cake mix, oil, eggs, and sour cream.
4. Beat two minutes at low speed.
5. Mix sugar, cinnamon, and flour in a small bowl.
6. Cut butter into small pieces, and add to sugar mixture.
7. Spread half cake batter into pan.
8. Sprinkle half sugar mixture over top.
9. Sprinkle blueberries over sugar.
10. Repeat with remaining batter and sugar mixture.
11. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.
12. Enjoy!



Pumpkin French Toast

Two of my very favorites...together for my very favorite time of year. This is an easy and delicious recipe that comes quickly and smells heavenly all at the same time. I found a similar recipe floating around Pinterest and decided to give it a try.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin French Toast

Ingredients:

1. 3 large eggs
2. 1/2 cup milk
3. 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
4. 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
5. 10 pieces white bread...I like the thicker sliced

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients except bread in a shallow dish.
2. Spray griddle with Pam and allow to heat to medium high.
3. Dip each piece of bread in egg mixture and cook until bottom is golden brown.
4. Flip and cook until other side is too.
5. Spray Pam in-between batches to prevent sticking.
6. Serve with butter, syrup, whipped cream, even mini chocolate chips!

Note: I double this for our family of six. : )

Fresh Strawberry Muffins

If you have read this blog for any amount of time, you know how I feel about muffins. Muffins = love. June is strawberry month, and if I have fresh strawberries, you better believe I am making strawberry muffins. I found this recipe online and it has turned out to be a favorite. Enjoy!

Fresh Strawberry Muffins

Ingredients: 1/2 cup softened butter

                      3/4 cup sugar

                      1 egg

                      2 cups flour

                      2 tsp. baking powder

                      1/2 tsp. salt

                      1/2 cup milk

                      1/2 tsp. vanilla

                      1 1/2 cups strawberries, chopped

                      cinnamon sugar

Directions:   Beat butter and sugar.

                     Add egg and mix well.

                     Stir flour, baking powder, and salt

                     in small bowl.

                     Add this and milk alternately

                     to butter mixture. Add vanilla.

                     Stir in strawberries.

                     Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

                     Bake in muffin tin at 400 degrees

                     for 20-25 minutes.

                     Makes 12 muffins.

                      



Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

This recipe is a favorite of ours. I have had it for so long, I don't even remember where I found it. In any case, these muffins come together quickly and taste delicious! The recipe makes 2 dozen which is a good thing around here! I like to make them in the evening, then set them out along with some fresh fruit for school morning breakfasts. Enjoy!

                    Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients:      1 box chocolate fudge cake mix
                       1/2 cup oil
                       1 small box chocolate instant pudding
                       1/2 tsp vanilla
                       3/4 cup water
                       4 eggs, beaten
                       6 oz. mini chocolate chips, frozen

Directions:       Blend cake mix, oil, pudding mix,

                       vanilla, water,

                       and eggs until smooth.                           

                       Fold in chocolate chips.

                       Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.

                       ( I use Reynolds baked for you   

                       StayBrite baking cups...

                       they are the best! )

                       Bake at 350 degrees for

                       25 to 35 minutes.

                       Cool. Sprinkle with powdered

                       sugar before serving.

                       Makes 2 dozen. 

After School Snack...Pumpkin Chip Muffins

I have written before about how Flynn and I like to have a homemade snack once a week for our hungry school kids. This is an all-time favorite of us all. I found the recipe at Taste of Home. Enjoy!

                   Pumpkin Chip Muffins

Ingredients:    4 eggs
                     2 cups of sugar
                     1 15 oz. can pumpkin
                     1 1/2 cups oil
                     3 cups flour
                     2 teaspoons baking soda
                     1 teaspoon baking powder
                     1 teaspoon cinnamon
                     1 teaspoon salt
                     12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:       Combine flour, baking soda,
                      baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
                      Set aside.
                      Beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and oil until smooth.
                      Gradually add flour mixture and mix well.
                      Fold in chocolate chips. Fill muffin cups.
                      Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 18
                      minutes.
                     ( I had to bake mine a bit longer.)
                      Cool in pan 10 minutes.
                      Makes 2 dozen muffins.