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Browsing Tag: cinnamon
There are a few basic things required for a perfect fall for me:
- a chill in the air
- crisp, yellow leaves falling off the trees
- folk music on constant repeat
- sweaters
- pumpkins
- apple cider
- gingersnaps
No fall is complete without this, and I regret that for the last six years, I have not enjoyed wonderful falls. But Colorado — Colorado has AMAZING falls. I am so happy about this season here! So of course I had to complete the list with the perfect gingersnap.
These cookies are a blend of crispy and chewy, with a slight tangy sweetness from the molasses. Enjoy!
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Step One.
Prep step! Measure out your ingredients (use a sifter for the perfect amount of flour). Combine your dry ingredients lightly with a fork.
Step Two.
In your mixer, beat the butter on high for 3 minutes until it is lighter in color. Add the sugars and beat for another 3 – 5 minutes, until the mixtures is light in color and slightly whipped.
Step Three.
Beat in the egg, then add the molasses and mix until incorporated. Gradually add the flour, in three parts, and mix to incorporate.
Step Four.
Pinch off Tablespoon-sized portions of the dough; roll
in your hands to make a ball. Roll the ball in sugar. Repeat until all of your dough is used.
Step Five.
Refrigerate the balled dough for about 30 minutes; after about 20 minutes, preheat your over to 325°F. Bake the cookies on a silicone or parchment-lined baking sheet for about 12 minutes, or until slightly browned and done. Enjoy your bite of fall!
These cookies are a blend of crispy and chewy, with a slight tangy sweetness from the molasses.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 1/4 cup all purpose flour (sifted)
- 1 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Prep step! Measure out your ingredients (use a sifter for the perfect amount of flour). Combine your dry ingredients lightly with a fork.
- In your mixer, beat the butter on high for 3 minutes until it is lighter in color. Add the sugars and beat for another 3 - 5 minutes, until the mixtures is light in color and slightly whipped.
- Beat in the egg, then add the molasses and mix until incorporated. Gradually add the flour, in three parts, and mix to incorporate.
- Pinch off Tablespoon-sized portions of the dough; roll in your hands to make a ball. Roll the ball in sugar. Repeat until all of your dough is used.
- Refrigerate the balled dough for about 30 minutes; after about 20 minutes, preheat your over to 325°F. Bake the cookies on a silicone or parchment-lined baking sheet for about 12 minutes, or until slightly browned and done. Enjoy your bite of fall!
HAPPY MARDI GRAS SEASON!!! Today is the Epiphany, or the Three King’s Day, which means that Christmas is over, and it’s the start of Mardi Gras season! Years ago, that would have meant nothing to me. But after living in New Orleans for so long, it means that it’s time to decorate the Christmas tree with the colors of faith, power, and justice and pop a king cake in the oven.
King Cake is a Mardi Gras staple, and everyone has an opinion as to which one is the best. But have you ever tried it at home?
Throughout the course of Mardi Gras, I will be making king cakes for THREE levels of difficulty. So if you’re nervous about yeast, make the easy one! If this seems like a good fit, bake away! If you’re up to a challenge, wait a little, and the blog will deliver.
There is always a baby or a bean hidden inside a King Cake. Well, unless you work for a bakery that is worried about getting sued for choking… At any rate, someone will inevitably find the hidden baby Jesus, and then that person makes the next king cake! Happy Mardi Gras!
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Step One.
Prep Step! Measure out all of your ingredients. Mix the dry ingredients together.
Step Two.
Heat the milk until it is lukewarm. That means that it needs to be between 110°F and 115°F. Sprinkle the yeast on top, and let it sit for about ten minutes, until it’s frothy.
Step Three.
Whisk the yolks in a separate bowl. Then, add the melted butter, egg yolks, vanilla, and lemon zest. Mix it all together. Slowly, beat in the dry ingredients.
Step Four.
Time to knead! It’s more fun to do my hand, but you can let your mixer do it for you if you want. Make sure that i’s fitted with the dough hook. Knead for about ten minutes, until it stretches (kind of like taffy) when pulled. Place it in a greased bowl, and turn once so that the greased “bottom” is now on top. Cover the bowl with a towel, and set it in a warm place for an hour and a half. It will rise to about double of the volume!
Step Five.
Punch down the dough. Then divide it into three balls. Roll each out until it is about two feet long. Braid the ropes of dough, and then shape it into a circle. You should put something in the middle so that it stays round while it bakes. Originally (in the picture) I used a 28oz tomato can, but I later switched it out with a round cake pan so that the ring would be larger. Cover the ring again with a towel, and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350F.
Step Six.
Cover the ring loosely with aluminum foil and pop it in the oven. Bake for about 25 minutes. Then, take the foil off and continue to bake for about 5 to 10 minutes, until the outside is golden brown. Let cool for about 30 minutes, or until it is cool to the touch.
Step Seven.
Whisk the ingredients for the icing together. Drizzle along the ring; the icing will drip off of the edges. Sprinkle with the Mardi Gras colors: purple, gold, green. Don’t forget to hide the baby!
Ingredients
- King Cake
- 1 cup lukewarm milk
- 2 packages active dry yeast (not instant)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup melted butter
- 5 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- zest of one lemon
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- Icing
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- gold, purple, and green sprinkles
- King Cake baby
Instructions
- Prep Step! Measure out all of your ingredients. Mix the dry ingredients together.
- Heat the milk until it is lukewarm. That means that it needs to be between 110°F and 115°F. Sprinkle the yeast on top, and let it sit for about ten minutes, until it's frothy.
- Whisk the yolks in a separate bowl. Then, add the melted butter, egg yolks, vanilla, and lemon zest. Mix it all together. Slowly, beat in the dry ingredients.
- Time to knead! It's more fun to do my hand, but you can let your mixer do it for you if you want. Make sure that i's fitted with the dough hook. Knead for about ten minutes, until it stretches (kind of like taffy) when pulled. Place it in a greased bowl, and turn once so that the greased "bottom" is now on top. Cover the bowl with a towel, and set it in a warm place for an hour and a half. It will rise to about double of the volume!
- Punch down the dough. Then divide it into three balls. Roll each out until it is about two feet long. Braid the ropes of dough, and then shape it into a circle. You should put something in the middle so that it stays round while it bakes. Originally (in the picture) I used a 28oz tomato can, but I later switched it out with a round cake pan so that the ring would be larger. Cover the ring again with a towel, and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350F.
- Cover the ring loosely with aluminum foil and pop it in the oven. Bake for about 25 minutes. Then, take the foil off and continue to bake for about 5 to 10 minutes, until the outside is golden brown. Let cool for about 30 minutes, or until it is cool to the touch.
- Whisk the ingredients for the icing together. Drizzle along the ring; the icing will drip off of the edges. Sprinkle with the Mardi Gras colors: purple, gold, green. Don't forget to hide the baby!
I love living in New Orleans, but I always get homesick for Wisconsin during fall. The cool weather, the leaves, the crisp air… it’s as cliche as a Hallmark movie, but I love every minute of it.
I’ve decided to start fall here anyway, even though my car registered at 110° yesterday when I got in after word. I stopped at Trader Joe’s (new to New Orleans! Finally!) and got a few fall staples. So I put a few to good use this morning for a simple fall breakfast!
Be sure to add this granola to your shopping list the next time you go to Trader Joe’s!
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Step One.
You want to use plain Greek yogurt for this parfait. It’s tangy and not-so-sweet flavor is exactly what you need to pair with syrup and sweet granola.
Prep your ingredients.
Step Two.
Mix the yogurt the with pumpkin and cinnamon in a bowl before you assemble the parfait.
Step Three.
Add a third of the mix to a cup or a bowl. Drizzle with one third of the syrup. Sprinkle 1/3 of the granola on top.
Step Four.
Continue layering like this until all of your ingredients are used!
Enjoy the first bite of fall!
A sweet and tangy bite of fall that is perfect for a protein-filled, energizing breakfast!
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek Yogurt
- 2 Tbsp pumpkin puree
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp organic coconut palm syrup
- 1/4 cup Trader Joe’s Country Pumpkin Spice Granola Cereal
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the yogurt, pumpkin puree, and cinnamon.
- Add a third of the mix to a cup or bowl. Drizzle with one third of the syrup. Sprinkle 1/3 of the granola on top.
- Continue layering like this until all of your ingredients are used.
- Enjoy the first bite of fall!
