Tag: kids in the kitchen

Ree Drummond’s Waffle Recipe Is The BEST EVER

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I think I won some mom brownie points with these waffles this past weekend. They are scrumptious! And well, with a stick of butter of in there, of course they are!

Don’t you love when you try a new recipe and you are pleasantly surprised! Of course sometimes you try something new and you experience disappointment. But sometimes the recipe risk is the best thing ever!

I’ll be making these today and actually freezing them so my girls can eat them for the rest of the week. We topped our waffles with fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and maple syrup. I hope you enjoy these as much as our family did!

For the direct link to the recipe CLICK HERE

Ree Drummond Waffle Recipe

What You Need:


2 cups of all-purpose flour

1/4 cup of sugar

1 tablespoon of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 1/2 cups of milk (preferably whole milk)

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 eggs plus 2 additional egg whites

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted (original calls for salted, I’m just not a fan of salted butter)

Steps:

1. Mix the dry ingredients together (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt)

2. Mix the wet ingredients (milk, eggs, egg whites, vanilla extract, and melted butter)

3. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and mix well.

Enjoy!

Spring Time Lemon Bars

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Spring time calls for lemon bars! The perfect tart, sweet treat to enjoy in some beautiful weather! This is also a great recipe to make with your little ones! Especially when pressing the dough!

Let’s get started!

What You Need:

For The Crust:

8 tablespoons of unsalted butter softened

1/2 cup of white sugar

2 cups of flour

A pinch of salt

For The Filling:

6 eggs

3 cups of white sugar

2 grated lemons for lemon zest

1 cup of fresh lemon juice

1 cup of flour

Powdered sugar for dusting

Steps:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350.
  2. For the crust, mix together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until combined. Then add the flour and salt. Mix well, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.
  3. Once all combined flatten the dough into a 9 by 13 glass baking dish.
  4. Bake the crust for 20 to 25 minutes, until lightly browned. While crust is baking prepare your filling.
  5. For the filling, mix together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over hot crust and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the filling is set and not wobbly. Let cool to room temperature. Then chill in the fridge for an hour.
  6. Dust with powdered sugar and cut into squares. Enjoy!

Tip: place lemon bars in freezer for 30 mins and once removed will be easier to cut squares!

Cinnamon Brown Sugar Apple Bread

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Makes 1 9×5 loaf of bread

What You Need:

1/3 cup light brown sugar plus two tablespoons

2 teaspoons of cinnamon

2 green apples peeled and chopped

2/3 cup white sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened 

2 large eggs 

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder 

Steps:

  1. First mix 1/3 cup of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together in a bowl; then set aside. In another bowl toss apples with the 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
  2. Beat the butter and the 2/3 cup of white sugar together in another medium bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; mix well.
  3. Whisk the flour and baking powder together in another bowl, then add to the butter mixture and beat until blended. Mix 1/2 cup milk into batter until smooth.
  4. Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan then add half of the chopped apple mixture.
  5. Sprinkle half of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture on top of the chopped apple layer.
  6. Pour the remaining batter, and top with remaining chopped apples, then the remaining brown sugar/cinnamon mixture.
  7. Lightly pat apples into batter; swirl brown sugar mixture through apples using a knife or spoon.
  8. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Note: comes out more of cake texture but still incredibly delicious!

Goes perfect with that morning coffee
What it looks like before going into oven
Fresh out of the oven.

Enjoy!

After School Oatmeal Muffins With Flax Seed And Mini Chocolate Chips

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Servings: 20 to 24 muffins

Pan suggestion: original muffin pan size or mini muffin pan size with muffin liners

What You Need:

1 1/2 cup of oatmeal

1 cup of whole milk

1/2 -3/4 cup of brown sugar (light or brown)

1/2 cup of unsalted butter melted (1 stick)

1 cup of flour

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

2 eggs beaten

1/4 cup of flaxseed

1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips

Steps:

1. In a medium bowl add the oatmeal and milk. Mix together and allow to sit and absorb for 30 mins.

2. In a separate mixing bowl add your flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and flaxseed. (The dry ingredients)

3. Once the milk and oatmeal have sat for a bit, add the beaten eggs, melted butter, and brown sugar. Mix well. (The wet ingredients)

4. Add your dry ingredients with your wet ingredients, combining your two bowls. Once everything is mixed together, add your mini chocolate chips.

5. Pour evenly into mini muffin pans or regular size muffin pans. Bake at 350 for 8 – 15 mins.

Note: the mini muffins cook a lot quicker. I set the time for 8 mins. While the regular size muffins cook in about 15.

Muffin Frittatas

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Servings: 12 muffin frittatas

What You Need:

8 eggs

1/2 cup of whole milk

4-5 pieces of chopped deli meat

1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of pepper

1-2 tablespoons of fresh parsley chopped

Steps:

1. In a medium size bowl whisk all ingredients together.

2. Spray a muffin tin pan with cooking spray and pour egg mixture into pans evenly.

3. Bake at 375 for 15 to 20 mins until slightly bubbly and a little golden on top.

Enjoy! Great to get your kids involved in and also kid approved. I like to enjoy these with a little salsa or hot sauce as well.

Overnight Sweet Cinnamon Rolls

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Makes 12 rolls

What You Need For The Dough

4 large egg yolks at room temperature

1 large whole egg at room temperature

1/4 or 1/2 cup of white sugar

8 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter plus additional for spreading on pans

3/4 cup of whole milk at room temperature

3 1/4 cups of all purpose flour, plus additional for dusting

1 package instant dry yeast ( 2 1/4 teaspoons )

1 1/4 teaspoons of salt

Cooking spray

Just a bit of heavy cream (optional)

What You Need For The Filling:

1 cup packed of light or dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter

What You Need For Icing:

8oz of softened cream cheese

3 tablespoons of heavy cream

1/4 cup of unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Steps:

  1. For the dough: in a large bowl whisk the egg yolks, whole egg, sugar, butter, and milk. Add 2 cups of the flour along with the yeast and salt; whisk until combined. Add the rest of the remaining flour (1 cup and 1/4). Begin to knead dough (will be a little sticky, add just a little bit of flour if necessary, I always add a little extra, like 1/4 extra.)Continue to knead until combined and doughy. (Dough should be stretchy. If kneading by hand, knead for about 20 mins)Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl, lightly oil the top of the dough, cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit out for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
  2. Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside.
  3. Butter a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish. On a floured surface shape the dough into a large rectangle. Brush the dough with the melted butter. Sprinkle the filling mixture over the dough, pressing the filling into the dough. Roll the dough into a tight cylinder. Using a sharp knife, slice the cylinder into 1 1/2-inch rolls; making 12 rolls. Arrange rolls cut side down in the baking dish; cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight.
  4. Take the rolls from the refrigerator and place in an oven that is turned off. Fill a pan or pot of boiling water and set on the rack below the rolls. Close the oven door and let the rolls rise until they look slightly puffy; 30 mins or so.
  5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  6. Pour a little bit of heavy cream over each of the rolls, covering the bottom of the pan. (Optional; this gives a more buttery, doughy taste/texture. While without is more original)
  7. When the oven is ready, place the rolls in the oven and bake until slightly golden on top; bake for 8 mins. Oven time may vary.
  8. Mix together ingredients for the icing starting with whisking the cream cheese first, then adding the heavy cream, next the butter, then gently adding the sugar. Spread on cinnamon rolls. Allow to sit for 30 to 1 hour and then enjoy!

Note: whatever is not eaten make sure to refrigerate. When ready to eat pull out and allow to sit for 1 to 2 hours until at room temperature.

Additional note: try using vanilla spice eggnog instead of heavy cream! It’s delish!

Enjoy!

The dough after 2 1/2 hours. Ready to create and roll.
Rolled up ready to sit overnight.
After coming out of oven above boiling water. step 4.
I’ve added a little bit of cream…….
And I’ve added a lot…… but come out good.
Naked without cream. It really depends on the texture you like. Without cream is more bread like, and with cream it more doughy.

Easy Alfredo Sauce

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This Alfredo sauce is so yummy! Enjoy!

What You Need:

2 cups of Parmesan Cheese

1 (8 tablespoons) stick of unsalted butter

1 cup of heavy cream (8oz)

A few dashes of salt and pepper

1 teaspoon of fresh parsley finely chopped and a little extra chopped for garnish

Steps:

1. Melt the butter in a small sauce pan on medium heat, once butter is melted add heavy cream. Allow to simmer while mixing for 2 minutes seasoning with salt and pepper.

2. Add Parmesan cheese and parsley. Add a few dashes of milk or pasta water to thin sauce out a little. Allow to cook and very low heat until ready to serve.

Enjoy!

Arroz Con Leche – ‘Mexican Rice Pudding‘

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What You Need:

7 cups of water

1 cup of white rice

1 teaspoon of cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick

1 12oz can of evaporated milk

1 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk

1 cup of whole milk

1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract

Steps:

1. In a medium/large simmering pot bring the water, rice, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to a boil or the cinnamon stick. Boil for 18 minutes, uncovered.

2. Drain the liquid from rice and add the milks and vanilla extract to the pot. Keep the stove on a medium heat and mix for 20 mins consistently until thick and creamy.

3. Pour the rice pudding into a round 2 1/2 qt dish. Mix in the rest of the cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon) and continue to mix while still hot.

4. Serve right away warm or chill for 2 to 4 hours. Dash some more cinnamon on top for appeal. Enjoy!

Batter For Waffles Or Pancakes

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This batter is delicious. Works great for pancakes OR waffles. Whatever you and your family are in the mood for!

This batter is good for 3 days in the fridge. What you can also do is make ahead and then freeze. Great for school mornings. Just pop the waffles in the toaster!

Quantity: Makes about 8-10 waffles or pancakes. We are a family of 5 and we usually always have leftover batter.

What You Need:

2 cups of all purpose flour

1/4 cup of sugar plus a few dashes of cinnamon

1 teaspoon of salt

1 tablespoon of baking powder

2 teaspoons of baking soda

2 cups of milk

1/2 cup of vegetable oil plus 2 tablespoons

2 eggs

(Unsalted for butter for pan or waffles maker)

Steps:

1. In a medium size bowl add flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar. (Dry ingredients) mix and set aside.

2. In a different medium size mixing bowl mix together the milk, vegetable oil, and eggs. (Wet ingredients)

3. Add wet mixture to dry mixture and mix well. Set aside for 25 mins.

4. If you are making pancakes: add 1 tablespoon of butter to pan until melted. Add a ladleful of batter to skillet. When batter begins to bubble flip over pancake until both sides are a golden brown color.

If you are making waffles: spray your waffle maker with a vegetable oil spray. Add a small ladle size of batter to waffle maker. Careful not to add too much otherwise it will spill over. Press waffle maker until light turns green or a nice golden color.

Serve with fresh fruit and maple syrup or a type of fruit compote with whip cream. yum!

Fat, Yummy, Chocolate Chip Cookies – So ADDICTING

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These cookies are amazing! Best when eaten fresh but still delish the next day. I literally just ate one…

Makes: 18 to 20 cookies

Oven: 325

Time: 12-15 mins. Watch them closely for perfection

What You Need:

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup of MELTED UNSALTED butter

1 cup packed of LIGHT brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

2 cups (1 bag) of semi chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl.

2. In a large bowl mix together with an electric mixer the melted butter, the brown and white sugar, the vanilla extract, the egg, and the egg yolk.

3. Begin to add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and mix. Add the chocolate chips. Use your hands if you need to, sometimes it’s easier.

4. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to sit in fridge for 1 to 2 hours.

4. Scoop 1/4 cup size onto cookies sheets lined with parchment paper.

5. Bake at 325 for 12 to 15 mins. Oven time may vary. Watch closely.

6. Once golden brown remove from oven and allow to cool a little before moving to a cookie cooling rack.

Enjoy and share!