Baking – Page 3

Basic Tart Dough

June 24, 2015 by Danielle

This summer I’m sharing a few delicious tart recipes. But first I wanted to share my tart dough recipe used for each tart. I love how versatile and easy these tarts are. They’re the perfect summer entertaining dessert as a simple bite-sized treat.

Having the tools on hand to make tart making easier is a must! Make sure to pick up a tart shaper and a mini muffin pan to make the perfect mini tarts.

The best part about them is that they’re so versatile! I’ll be sharing lemon blueberry tarts, strawberry cream cheese tarts, and raspberry tarts.

Basic Tart Dough

This dough is a basic tart dough recipe. Please note that you will need to chill at least 1 hour or overnight.

1/2 cup softened butter
3 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar

Using a mixer, beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add flour and sugar and mix until a soft dough forms. Cover and chill at least 1 hour or overnight. (I’ve chilled for up to three days without any issues).
Shape dough into 1″ balls and press into an ungreased mini muffin pan. Using a tart shaper dipped in flour, press dough to form the tart shell.
Poke bottom of shells with a fork and bake at 450 for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before filling.

What’s your favorite tart flavor?

Once you’re done making the tart dough, try these delicious tarts!

Filed Under: Baking, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: Baking, dough, tart dough, tarts

Peanut Butter Fudge S’mores Mug Cake Recipe

May 29, 2015 by Danielle

This shop featuring a Peanut Butter Fudge S’mores Mug Cake recipe has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LetsMakeSmores #CollectiveBias #sponsored

With the unofficial start of summer here, there’s no better time to enjoy the tastes that remind us of summer. Barbecue, simple sweets, and having fun making it! For us that means making some tasty s’mores treats. But you don’t need a campfire, or even a stove, to make these delicious s’mores inspired mug cakes. All you need is a microwave.

This variation of our chocolate mug cake is one that came about after my daughter asked if we could roast marshmallows one night in our fire pit and we realized we had no idea where our roasting sticks were. Since moving to our new home last year we had somehow misplaced them. So I figured the microwave was as good as any place to make smores!

One thing I love to have on hand is a good dessert to go-to in case a need for sweets hits. We don’t like to keep cake or other sweets in the house because we know that they won’t be consumed in moderation. So I enjoy a few recipes that require little prep but still take care of the sweet tooth.

This s’mores mug cake takes less than 10 minutes, from start to finish, to prep and “bake” in the microwave. How’s that for instant gratification?

And the addition of peanut butter to the classic flavors of a s’more just takes it to another level. But I must warn you. Make sure you have a cup of milk next to you because this is one rich dessert.

Peanut Butter Fudge S'mores Mug Cake

3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 Hershey's chocolate bar
2 Honey Maid Graham Cracker Squares (exclusively at Walmart, crumbled)
1/2 teaspoon butter (melted)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened dark cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
Kraft's Jet Puffed Marshmallows

Combine 3 tablespoons peanut butter and 1 Hershey’s chocolate bar in a small bowl, then melt in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Stir until smooth and set aside.
In another bowl, combine melted butter with graham cracker crumbs and stir until moistened. Grab your mug and press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom to create a crust.
In a bowl. whisk egg, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add in flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa, stir until a thick batter forms. Stream in melted peanut butter and chocolate mixture, mixing to combine. This will be very thick.
Add half of the mixture on top of the graham cracker mixture, then add a marshmallow or two. Add remaining batter on top. Cook in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes at 80% power.
Remove and top with 1-2 additional marshmallows and a few pieces of Hershey’s chocolate bar if desired. Microwave for 5-10 seconds to make them melty and slightly puffy, or put them directly under the broiler for about 10 seconds to toast if desired (I always burn stuff I broil so I went with the microwave).
If you used the microwave to melt the marshmallows, you can use an aim n’ flame or kitchen torch to char. Sprinkle with graham crumbs and grab a fork!

You can find all of the ingredients you need for the perfect s’mores dessert at your local Walmart. Look for the special s’mores display or head to the candy and cracker aisle to find everything.

How do you change up a classic s’mores dessert?

Have more time? Try my s’mores brownies! Or my healthy peanut butter s’mores. Both made in the oven!

Filed Under: Baking, Desserts, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: Cake, chocolate cake, mug cakes, smores

85 Ways to Use Yogurt

May 25, 2015 by Danielle

Are you a yogurt fan? We’re sharing 85 ways to use yogurt in your everyday recipes!

There’s one thing I can always count on to make me happy. Whether it’s morning, noon, or night. And that’s a delicious bowl of yogurt. It’s the one thing I reach for in the fridge when I need a snack or when I’m cooking up a meal or dessert.

I started turning to yogurt more and more as a staple in my home after going through Weight Watchers after having my oldest child. It is such a great substitute for other ingredients in recipes and is full of flavor. Plus… less calories!

And in it’s simplest form, with a sprinkle of granola and some sliced berries, it can make any day better. Plus, when you’re done eating the yogurt inside, you can make something fun out of the container!

Have some yogurt in the fridge like I do? Here are 101 ways to use yogurt!

85 Ways to Use Yogurt

Breakfast

1. In strawberry muffins

2. Sprinkled with homemade granola

3. In a breakfast cereal parfait

4. In brown sugar maple muffins

5. To make a strawberry shortcake parfait a little healthier

6. In banana blueberry muffins

7. Spruced up as pumpkin pie yogurt

8. In greek yogurt blueberry muffins

9. In apple carrot walnut muffins

10. In chocolate chip donuts

11. In a healthy blueberry parfait

12. In overnight oats

13. In a Pomegranate Parfait with Blueberries

14. In cinnamon streussel yogurt muffins

15. In baby bran muffins

16. In banana chocolate chip whole wheat pancakes

17. In these flavorful Pomegranate Pancakes

18. In a blackberry shortcake parfait

19. In these Red Currant and Rosemary Olive Oil Scones

20. In these Whole Wheat Cranberry Sauce Scones

21. Or these Whole Wheat Mango & Ginger Scones

22. And these Whole Wheat Orange Scones with Chia Seeds

23. Or change it up with these Whole Wheat Pomegranate Scones

24. And around Halloween, bake up these Whole Wheat Pumpkin Scones

Lunch

25. To spruce up tropical chicken sliders

26. In a greek chicken wrap

27. In greek style gourmet burgers

Dinner

28. To lighten up Pomegranate and Lamb Moussaka with Cardamon

29. In a marinade for Chicken Skewers with Dipping Sauce

30. In a chicken tikka masala recipe

31. In the slow cooker with this butter chicken recipe

32. In a Boneless Chicken Breast Kabob (Joojeh Kabob)

33. With these Filet Mignon Kabobs (Kabob-eh Barg)

34. In this Yogurt Marinated Leg of Lamb

Side Dishes

35. Grilled Baby Artichokes with Balsamic Yogurt

36. In carrot raisin salad

37. Mixed with mint on top of a beet salad

Snacks

38. In vanilla chai banana bread

39. In an apple blossom parfait

40. In apple cobbler yogurt bites

41. In cranberry orange muffins

42. With a cup of coffee and this Nut Crusted Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread

Drinks

43. With a straw in a PB Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

44. In an orange creamsicle smoothie

45. Spiced up in a pumpkin pie smoothie

46. In a strawberry smoothie

47. In this Mango-Rum Smoothie

48. With avocados in a blueberry smoothie

49. In a cookies n cream smoothie

50. With papayas in a papaya smoothie

51. In Doogh (Persian Yogurt and Mint Drink)

52. In an Orange Cream Smoothie

53. After a workout in this Mango Protein Shake

54. In a Pomegranate Smoothie

Dessert

55. In mandarin orange cream pops

56. For a delicious addition to a Banana Smash Cake

57. In chocolate chip muffins perfect for dessert

58. In a Plum Yogurt Cake

59. To cool down in frozen greek yogurt pops

60. In an Orange Upside Down Cake

61. In churro cupcakes

62. In these root beer float pops

63. In chocolate covered strawberry frozen yogurt

64. In pumpkin spice yogurt

65. In a berry triffle

66. In strawberry frozen yogurt

67. In these Strawberry-Rhubarb Creamsicles

68. In a pomegranate sundae yogurt parfait

69. Frozen in pina colada popsicles

70. In berry cake with coconut rum

71. To moisten Carrot Cake with Walnuts & Raisins

72. With a glass of wine and this Grape Upside Down Cake

73. In a vibrant Lemon Basil Cake

74. In this Red, White & Blue Jello

75. In these mini Saffron & Raisin Pound Cakes

76. In this White Rose Cake

Dips and Appetizers

77. In a herbed yogurt cheese dip

78. In a refreshing homemade tzatziki dip

79. In Borani-e Esfenaj (Yogurt and Spinach)

80. In this Hatch Chile Dip

81. In Borani-e Bademjoon (Persian Yogurt and Eggplant)

82. With this Mast-o Khiar (Persian Yogurt with Cucumbers)

83. In chocolate caramel apple dip

84. With apples in this PB Yogurt Dip

85. In peanut butter cinnamon yogurt dip

What’s your favorite way to incorporate yogurt into your day?

Filed Under: Appetizers & Sides, Baking, Breakfast, Desserts, Dinner, Drinks & Refreshments, In the Kitchen, Lunch, Recipes, Snacks, Uncategorized Tagged With: breakfast recipe, easy recipes, greek yogurt, Recipe, yogurt

Easy Homemade Gifts: Coffee Truffles

December 22, 2014 by Danielle

This time of year is filled with holiday baking in our home. And while cookies are usually center stage, I try and get in a few different goodies like these coffee truffles to balance out the dessert spread.

These truffles are also the perfect way to share your love of baking and making with friends and family! Simply grab a few tins and pack up some truffles to gift to those you love. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Baking, Christmas, Desserts, Holidays, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized

Coffee Gift Ideas plus a Berry Scones Recipe

December 20, 2014 by Danielle

Every year I get together with my girlfriends and we do an ornament gift exchange. It’s the perfect time to sit back, relax, and enjoy each other’s company.

This year I opted to host and had the girls over for a delicious cup of coffee and some berry scones and biscotti. I also had a surprise for them…

Thanks to Keurig I would also be able to gift a brand new Keurig 2.0 to one lucky friend. How awesome is that? Plus, I put together some cute mug gifts for each friend to take home.

The new Keurig 2.0 features Keurig 2.0 Brewing Technology™, which reads each lid to deliver a perfect beverage every time. See – what did I tell you? Perfection!

Not only will they be able to enjoy the perfect cup of coffee every morning but with the new K-carafe packs they can also entertain guests and brew a 4-cup pot of coffee to share!

And when one has coffee to share, you need something to pair it with. I whipped up some of my favorite berry scones and grabbed a few boxes of biscotti from the store to serve alongside our delicious coffee choices.

Berry Scones Recipe

This recipe makes about 12-15 mini scones or 6 large scones.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
6 tablespoons regular butter
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup dried blueberries
1/2 cup 1% milk

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt and pulse 2-3 times to mix. Add the butter and pulse 7-8 times just until the mixture forms large, coarse crumbs the size of peas. Scatter the cranberries into the dough and pulse until just moist.
Turn dough onto a lightly floured countertop or work space and press it together gently until the dough forms a ball. Using a spoon, grab a heaping scoop of dough and drop onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing scones about 1 inch apart.
Bake until golden brown, 13-17 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly and serve warm.

At each table setting I included a mug, two different kinds of biscotti, and k-cup packs for each guest to take home and enjoy. I also included a little candy cane (perfect for stirring) with a cute poem about the legend of the candy cane.

You can download a printable version of this poem here.

Once we enjoyed the coffee, scones, and some extra biscotti it was time to exchange gifts. When we were finished opening up the ornaments it was time to draw a name for the Keurig 2.0 I was gifting away.

Now there may or may not have been a little friendly competition from my friends but I assure you that no biscotti or scones were harmed when choosing a winner.

The Keurig 2.0 brewer makes a great holiday gift for anyone on your list. You can purchase a Keurig 2.0 K300 like the one I gifted for one of your friends at Walmart. I highly suggest grabbing a box or two of k-cup packs or k-carafe packs to go along with your gift.

Who would you gift a Keurig 2.0 to?

Filed Under: Baking, Breakfast, gift ideas, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: breakfast recipe, coffee, DIY Gifts, gift guide, gifts, Keurig, Keurig 2.0, Recipe, scones

Oatmeal Recipes: Quick and Delicious Apple Crisp

December 7, 2014 by Danielle

This shop featuring a delicious apple crisp recipe made with rolled oats has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and Quaker. All opinions are mine alone. #QuakerUp #MyOatsCreation

One thing I love about this time of year is sharing holiday memories with my family. We baked a lot during the holidays and still continue that tradition today. That love of baking during the holidays has transpired from baking for the whole family to also baking for just my husband and me.

We try to do date night once every few weeks. With the busy holidays, we have to have a plan for a night at home every once in a while. Even if we aren’t going out I still want to make it a special evening for the both of us. I love to bring out our favorite holiday recipes to enjoy together as we snuggle on the couch and watch a movie together.

I always have apples and Quaker oatmeal on hand so individual apple crisp desserts were the perfect solution to our next date night in. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Baking, Desserts, Holidays, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized

Family Movie Night Snack Recipes with Superheros and M&M’s

September 5, 2014 by Danielle

This shop featuring family movie night snack recipes has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HeroesEatMMs

We are pretty big comic fans in this house. And Marvel tops our charts of awesome. From attending San Diego Comic Con since before it was cool (we could literally walk up and buy badges the day of!), to watching every Marvel movie that comes out on the big screen, we take our superheros seriously.

With the release of Captain America: Winter Soldier on Blu-ray/DVD on September 9th, we thought it fitting to have a family movie night superhero style with delicious M&M’s® inspired treats. So I piled up our favorite Avengers movies – including Avengers, Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor – and let the kids choose which one they wanted to watch.

Sharing A Morning With Friends and Coffee-Mate + a Healthy Berry Muffin Recipe

June 16, 2014 by Danielle

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop featuring Coffee-Mate and a healthy berry muffin recipe in support of #CMSalutingHeroes has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser.

Living in San Diego, we’re surrounded by the men and women who serve our country in the military. When I was growing up, my step-father was in the Navy and now my Brother In Law is in the Coast Guard.

Both grandpas and an uncle served as well. So while military life isn’t my life, it’s been with me since I was small. Now that I have children of my own and run a playgroup, I’m constantly meeting the wives of men serving in the military (some who have served themselves).

One very special military wife, my friend Nadia, is someone I hold dear. Not only does she keep me sane but she’s someone I’d call a true friend. The dedication and support she shows for her husband as well as the great way she’s raising her kids both awes and inspires me to do more. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Baking, Breakfast, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: blueberry, Coffeemate, muffins, raspberry

Easy Summer Recipes: Tomato Basil Bread with Bruschetta

June 4, 2014 by Danielle

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop featuring easy summer recipes that get #DinnerDone has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser.

I don’t think there’s anything better than a house filled with the smell of freshly baked bread. It just takes me back to a warm safe zone where I’m comfortable and relaxed. Pair freshly baked bread with delicious dips and toppings and I’m pretty much set. Especially during the warm summer months.

I absolutely love to bake but one of my greatest fears for the longest time was using yeast in my baking. But one day I got up, put my big girl panties on, and started experimenting. And you know what? Baking with yeast wasn’t as hard as I thought. In fact it was kind of fun. Being able to form something with a handful of ingredients and watch it rise, fall, and rise again and then pull it out all golden brown and delicious is quite rewarding.

Now normally I’d head to the garden to grab some ripened tomatoes and fresh basil but my tomato plants are still green. So to make this recipe quick and easy I used delicious Hunt’s petite diced tomatoes. I love being able to stock up on tomatoes when I am not quite ready to pick my own. Luckily we still had plenty of fresh basil to grab! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Baking, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized

Bigelow Vanilla Chai Banana Bread: The Perfect Mommy Time Out Snack

May 21, 2014 by Danielle

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This #AmericasTeas shop featuring a vanilla chai banana bread recipe has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser.

When the kids are asleep and the house is all quiet I feel like I finally have a little mommy time-out to relax, reset, and take a little time for myself after working and caring for the kids all day. Whether that time is spent sipping a cup of Bigelow vanilla chai tea or (if my husband is home) a walk around the neighborhood, I find essential to take advantage of this downtime.

Naptime has become my time over the past few years and I take full advantage of it. I take this time to prep dinner, get some laundry in, catch up on work, or make some goodies to enjoy after naptime. And sometimes? I even get to read. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve actually finished a book? It’s been a while.

As I recognize this opportunity for my own mommy time-out during naptime, I’ve been leaning more towards spending this time for myself instead of the endless list of chores and work that’ll be there after naptime.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Baking, Breakfast, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: Banana, Bigelow, Bigelow Tea, bread, chai, quick bread, Recipe

Basic Tart Dough

Basic Tart Dough

What’s your favorite tart flavor?

Peanut Butter Fudge S’mores Mug Cake Recipe

Peanut Butter Fudge S'mores Mug Cake

How do you change up a classic s’mores dessert?

85 Ways to Use Yogurt

85 Ways to Use Yogurt

What’s your favorite way to incorporate yogurt into your day?

Easy Homemade Gifts: Coffee Truffles

Coffee Gift Ideas plus a Berry Scones Recipe

Berry Scones Recipe

Who would you gift a Keurig 2.0 to?

Oatmeal Recipes: Quick and Delicious Apple Crisp

Family Movie Night Snack Recipes with Superheros and M&M’s

Sharing A Morning With Friends and Coffee-Mate + a Healthy Berry Muffin Recipe

Easy Summer Recipes: Tomato Basil Bread with Bruschetta

Bigelow Vanilla Chai Banana Bread: The Perfect Mommy Time Out Snack

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danielle@acraftyspoonful.com

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