Apple Pie Sour Cream Muffin Recipe

These are the perfect breakfast muffin, brunch or on the go. Love the smell of these baking. The aroma lingers long after they are baked and shouts fall. Easy, simple recipe that is a no fail every time.

Use any kind of apples you like, I prefer a tart one over the sweeter kinds as they sugar enhances the flavors

Batter:

1 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup butter)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all purpose flour

Topping:

1 or more large apples pared cored and diced mcintosh, granny smith or cortland
1 teaspoon cinnamon or more to taste
1/2 cup brown sugar

Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts ( but that would be more like a coffee cake than pie topped!)

In a large mixing bowl, place all wet ingredients in the bowl. Slowly add all the dry and mix until thick batter is evenly blended.

Place  batter in lined cupcake tin ( I use a ice cream scooper) and put 1 teaspoon of apple topping on each muffin. Bake in 350 preheated hot oven until brown around 25 minutes. Makes around 12.

Best Pecan Sugar Cookie Slice and Bake Cookies

The best sugar cookies are like a shortbread cookie to me. Buttery, crisp and of course are homemade. I love the ease of these cookies as they come together perfectly every time and everyone asks for them throughout the year not just a Holiday cookie. The flavors all meld together perfectly.


Best Pecan Sugar Cookie Slice and Bake Cookies

3/4 cup butter  softened 
1 cup sugar
3 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
2 tablespoons milk 
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
pinch of salt
Optional: Course sugar to roll edges

In a large mixing bowl using a flat beater, beat the sugar and butter together until light around 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and almond extract and combine will blended.
Slowly add the flour, pecans and milk until it just forms a ball starting out with just 2 tablespoons milk. Add the other if needed depending on altitudes you may need a few teaspoons more. Dough should just form together.

Place the dough on wax paper to form a long log and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Slice cookies around 1/2 inch thick or you can roll them and cut them with a fluted edge cookie cutter if you like then place on parchment paper. You can even roll the edges in course sugar if you like. Bake at 350 for around 20 minutes or until edges are lightly brown.
Cool completely before serving.

Here is a basic dough slice and bake recipe click here

Italian Turkey Dumpling Recipe

Absolutely the best comfort food on the planet in this bowl!

 Italian Turkey Dumpling Recipe

5 cups of cooked Turkey boneless
2 tablespoons minced garlic
garlic powder
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon oregano dried
4 leaves fresh basil chopped
salt pepper to taste
1/4 cup olive oil

Dumplings

2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup half and half or whole milk
1 teaspoon each garlic powder, parsley
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
pinch of cayenne powder

Mix the dry ingredients and herbs in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another.  Pour the wet ingredients into the dry just until moistened and all comes together. Cover dough with a wet towel and set aside.

Dumpling Sauce:

In a large sauce pan add:

6 cups turkey leftover broth or use chicken broth
1 cup diced carrots
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 medium sized potatoes diced
(optional) 8 oz. mushroom slices, peas, corn or any other kind of vegetable you like
3 minced garlic cloves
2 tablespoons sherry (secret ingredient)
1/4 cup heavy cream
6 tablespoons flour
1 or 2 fresh basil leaves chopped
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil

In saucepan melt butter, add the oil. Sauté the garlic and vegetables for around 2 minutes. Add the flour and stir. Pour the broth in these vegetables mixture. Add the sherry. Simmer 15 minutes then add the heavy cream. Fold in turkey. Come to a simmer.
Add the dumpling mixture around 2 tablespoons full at at time and cook until they are light and puffy around 15 minutes. For thicker sauce continue cooking until liquid boils away.

Simple Apple Crostata Recipe

There is always one person that asks for apple pie for Thanksgiving. Not a big fan of it myself and the kids like the cream pies and pumpkin. I always make a crostata since it's just a small amount. It's easy to throw together and perfect for that one person who has to have their apple pie. Here is the easiest pie you'll ever make.

Simple Apple Crostata Recipe

3 McIntosh apples cored, pared and slices
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoon water
1 pie sheet store bought or homemade
cinnamon

Place the dough into a pie plate that has been lightly coated with oil spray.
Put the sliced apples in the center. Sprinkle with cinnamon add the sugar evenly over apples, then drizzle the water to the top of apples and the butter in the center. Fold the sides of dough towards the center leaving the middle open.

Bake at 350 degree hot oven until browned on top around 30 minutes until top is browned.

Roasted Butternut Cinnamon Squash Recipe

I like simple great tasting recipes. This is one that takes hardly any time to do and perfect side dish for Turkey day!
I really love butternut squash, I find it naturally sweet. Just adding a little more butter makes it melt in your mouth! Baking in the oven also releases it's natural flavors and enhanced with a little brown sugar added gives this the wow factor!

Roasted Butternut Cinnamon Squash Recipe

1 Butternut squash microwave 5 minutes for easy cutting in half. Scoop out seeds and set on top of parchment paper.
2 tablespoons melted butter or butter spray
2 teaspoons cinnamon ( 1 teaspoon for each side) or more it you like
1/2 cup brown sugar divided ( 1/4 cup for each side of the squash you can use less also if you want it naturally sweet)

On each side of the squash, brush with butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon, add 1/4 cup sugar evenly on each side.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees roasting the squash until fork tender.

Check out this roundup of side dishes

Homemade Cookie Butter Recipe

 “What is Cookie Butter?” and I always describe it as spreadable cookies. Cookie Butter can be used as a spread, just as you would use Nutella or Peanut Butter (I personally love to spread it across waffles or pancakes!). You can also use it as a butter replacement in your favorite recipes. You can use other cookies like snickerdoodles, butter cookies, chocolate crisp cookies, sugar cookies and other cookies that crumble easy to make other flavors too! Check out this easy recipe!

This one above is cookie butter using snickerdoodle crushed cookies

Cookie Butter

1/2 pound (8 ounces) sugar cookies or other cookies that will crumble easily (do not use peanut butter or filled cookies)  place in food processor and make fine crumbs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 water
1/2 cup powdered sugar

After you have made the fine crumbs in the food processor add the vegetable oil and water to make a paste using the pulse option on your food processor. Slowly add the powdered sugar. If the cookie butter is not spreadable add a little more water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.

Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving. Lasts a least a week.
Great on waffles, pancakes, on crackers or on top of ice cream. Many uses for this.

Turkey Tortilla Bowl Recipe

One of my favorite ways to use up leftover turkey that is so easy to throw together and it taste sensational! This turkey tortilla bowl is bursting with melted cheese and great flavors and take virtually no time to make. 

Turkey Tortilla Bowl Recipe

1 can diced tomatoes with chiles
Tortilla chips
1 or 2 cups of leftover Turkey chopped or shredded
2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar
1 can black beans or refried beans

Optional  additions or toppings: sliced black olives, corn, cubed avocado, shredded lettuce, sour cream, taco sauce, chopped onion, diced jalapenos, cooked rice 

Layer the chips on the bottom of a casserole dish. Add the cheese, beans, Turkey and repeat till you get to the top ending with cheese then adding the can of  diced tomatoes with chiles. Bake on 400 degrees until cheese melts or microwave until cheese melts. Serve with sour cream and taco sauce if desired.

Taco Tuesday Easy Recipe

Whether you use chicken, pork, beef or fish, tacos can
be the best meal of the day in your home! Mine have shredded pork, sliced tomato, shredded lettuce, refried beans, taco sauce and sour cream. You can choose many of the suggestions listed below that your family enjoys. Happy Taco Tuesday!

Taco Tuesday Easy Recipe

Corn tacos or soft flour tortilla tacos warmed 

 Filling and Topping Options:

Leftover cooked shredded beef, chicken,  turkey, pork, fried fish 

Shredded cheese

Shredded lettuce

Chopped black olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, bell peppers
Corn
Black beans
Rice
Refried beans

Mild taco sauce

Sour cream

Salsa

I love to make the beef or pork in the slow cooker. Starting with pork tenderloin or even a london broil roast, add 2 cups
of root beer or regular beer to the slow cooker with any meat of choice and slow cook all day around 6 hours on high. (Of course you can use ground beef (for fish tacos: use your favorite fish batter fried recipe click here for my recipes)

Fill the corn  or flour taco with meat of choice and then top with any of the above options.

Enjoy!

Best Side Dish Recipes

                        Brussels Sprouts Roasted 

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Fried Rice

Loaded Boiled Potato Recipe

Fried Zucchini

                                  Italian Rice and Beans Recipe

                                            Parmesan Roasted Tomatoes

  

                     Roasted Sweet Potato Recipe

                           

                                         Roasted Vegetables

                                            Italian Spiced Corn 

More Side Dishes :

Mom's Italian Style Roasted Potatoes
Potatoes and Sour Cream
Bowties with Creamy Garlic
Baby Shells with Meatsauce
Roasted Potatoes with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
Amaretto Sweet Potato Casserole
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Upstate Utica New York Greens Baked, Fried
Eggplant and Cheesy Casserole
Amaretto Cranberry Sauce

Turkey Broccoli Casserole Recipe

Here is an easy all in one dish meal. This casserole is perfect to freeze ahead of time for the busy cooks out there.
 Perfect to bring along for potluck also.

Turkey Broccoli Casserole Recipe

2-10 ounces frozen floret broccoli (microwaved for 10 minutes.) or use cooked fresh florets 1 head

1 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken or turkey breast

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Topping
1 (16 ounce) box chicken stuffing mix
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1/4 cup warm water
1/2 cup  sharp cheddar cheese for the top

Cook broccoli for 10 minutes in the microwave, drain.
Mix eggs,soup, mayonnaise ,garlic powder in a bowl, set aside.
 
In another microwave safe bowl, melt the stick of butter in a bowl with water then stir in stuffing mix.

Assemble:
In a 2 quart greased baking dish, add the broccoli that's semi cooked mixture and cheese .
Add over the top the stuffing mixture and more cheese.
Bake at 350 degree preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes until cheese is bubbling.

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe

I 'm really not a fan of grocery shopping at all and I always seem to forget something while I am there ( not good at making lists either) Condensed milk is
This is an ingredient I use a lot to make flan, cookies and candy. It's pretty pricey too!
 I use it often so and just make it myself.
Check out on how easy this is and much more economical!

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe

1 cup boiling water
2 cups sugar
2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
6 tablespoons real butter (not margarine) softened

Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender for at least 1 minute then refrigerate overnight.  Use in any recipes that this milk is used in. Use  within 3 weeks. 

Here are some great recipes to try with condensed milk in it! See the links below have fun!

More recipes using condensed milk:

coconut poke cake
coconut flan
caramel banana flan
condensed milk pound cake
pumpkin cheesecake bars
Irish Cream Liqueur
chocolate pecan pie
frozen peanut butter cheese pie
peanut butter chocolate brownies
Amaretto hot fudge sauce
nutella pudding
that skinny chicks mounds bars
Layered  chocolate coconut cookies

For more tips like this one check out this page of tips and tricks for baking!  CLICK HERE 

Homemade Wonton Wrapper Recipe

Whether you make Egg Rolls, Filled Desserts or Appetizers with his wonton dough, it's a versatile dough that will do it all! Check out the easy ingredients for the dough then let your imagination of fillings run wild! Enjoy!

Homemade Wonton Wrappers

1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 tablespoons water

Mix well in a bowl.  Knead on a floured board for 2 or 3 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes. Roll paper thin and cut into squares or fluted edges with a pastry cutter. The squares are around 3 inches. You will need to cut  7 inches for egg rolls wrappers.

I use this dough for many appetizers. Also great for using for desserts.

Shrimp and Crab Rangoon Recipe

15 wonton wrappers
9 peeled and deveined shrimp chopped (boiled or precooked)
1/4 cup chopped crab meat fresh or canned ( you can use the crab sticks I prefer not to since they get soggy)
4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
salt, pepper to taste
pinch of cayenne pepper

Topping:
egg whites beaten or milk
melted butter if baking

Mix all together in a bowl. Using a wrapper, place a good amount (1 heaping teaspoon ) in the center of the wonton. Fold all four ends to the top joining together and sealing the edges like a flower with egg whites or milk. You can also just make triangles the same way.
Either deep fry in hot oil or bake on parchment paper on 400 degree oven. Note: if baking brush with butter first.


Here are some of my recipes:

Nutella Turnovers
Strawberry Filled (shown in the photo above)
Wonton Cups

Brown Sugar Recipe and Tip

With all the holiday baking coming up, I thought you may enjoy this little tip.  You many remember the many baking tips from last year
(if not click here for baking tips)

I don't know how many times I've started a recipe and run out of brown sugar. 

Keep a bottle of molasses on hand and sugar and you will never have to run to the store again!

Light Brown Sugar 
2 tablespoons of molasses
1 cup sugar
Place in a zip lock bag and shake until evenly mixed store in the same bag!

Dark Brown Sugar
3 tablespoons molasses
1 cup sugar
Place in a zip lock bag and shake until evenly mixed store in the same bag!

 TIP TRICK: 

Now for a tip trick! If the mixture of either one should ever get hard, place 1 or 2 slices of regular bread in the bag overnight. In the morning it will be soft and pourable again! Works like a charm!

For more tips like this one check out this page of tips and tricks for baking!  CLICK HERE 

Fresh Pumpkin Pie Recipe

My mom used the same recipe for years and I just follow hers every year as it's my favorite. I always found that the less spice you use makes the pumpkin stand out in flavor. You can adapt to your families taste add more or less of spices that you prefer. 
Here is her recipe.

Fresh Pumpkin Pie Recipe

15 ounces of freshly made pumpkin ( get the instructions here) of course you can use canned if you prefer
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or more to taste
3/4 cup mixture of brown and white sugar
pinch of salt
pinch of ginger and cloves
2 eggs 
12 ounce can of evaporated milk
2 regular depth pie crusts homemade click highlighted link for recipe or use frozen shells

Beat all together and pour into two regular depth pie crusts. Bake at 350 degrees until pie is set in the middle around 40 minutes. Cool, refrigerate. Top with freshly whipped cream.

Note: these pie freeze well raw and cooked still frozen or baked first then freeze and thawed in the refrigerator.

More Pumpkin Recipes:

Roasted Pumpkin Puree
Slow cooker Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin Pistachio Biscotti
Pumpkin Whip Dip Recipe
Glazed Pumpkin Spiced Breakfast Scones
Pumpkin Spice  Rum Cookies
Pumpkin Mini Turnovers
Baked Mini Pumpkin Donuts
French Pumpkin Mini Muffin Puffs
 Italian Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin Smoothie
Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies
Pumpkin Soup
Tex Mex Pumpkin Corn Muffins
Pumpkin  and Sausage Bow Tie Pasta
Pumpkin Rum Shortcake with Caramel
Pumpkin Drop Cookies
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Crockpot Pumpkin Spiced Latte
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Amaretto Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Roasted Pumpkin Puree
Savory Pumpkin Cheddar Scones
Pumpkin Pie
Easy Pumpkin Cheese Pie
Best Ever Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream
Pumpkin Fritters
Baked Pumpkin Pecan Donuts

Banana Cranberry Chocolate Chip Bread Recipe

A festive bread with dried cranberry, chocolate and nuts. Perfect for gift giving and the holiday table. The combination of flavors really kicks up the plain banana bread traditional loaf,
plus it's so pretty to serve with fall colors.

Banana Cranberry Chocolate Chip Bread Recipe



2 1/2 cups of flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
In another bowl beat well:
1 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups mashed bananas
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
4 eggs
1/2 cup toasted almonds
1/2 cup dried cranberries or fresh ( if you don't like cranberries use maraschino cherries chopped or yellow raisins)
1/2 cup chocolate chips white or semi sweet

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mix till all are incorporated. Pour into well greased loaf pans or make muffins. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes or until brown and middle is dry when tested with a toothpick.

 NOTE: It depends on the pan size you use. I like to make smaller ones for the Holiday. The bigger full size pans  can take up to an hour to bake.

Broccoli Cheese Casserole Recipe

A great side dish for any meal. We always have this on the menu for Thanksgiving but make it all year long! 
Broccoli, cheese and stuffing, can't get a better side dish than this!

Broccoli  Cheese  Casserole

2-10 ounces frozen chopped broccoli microwaved for 10 minutes.

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Topping
1 (16 ounce) box chicken stuffing mix
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup cheddar

Cook broccoli for 10 minutes in the microwave, drain.
Mix eggs, soup, mayonnaise ,garlic powder in a bowl,set aside.
Melt the stick of butter in a bowl in microwave, add stove top stuffing mix.
Assemble:
In a 2 quart baking dish, mix the broccoli that's semi cooked in the bowl with egg mixture.

Add one cup of shredded cheddar over the top along with the stuffing mix.
Optional: Add 1 cup of cooked chicken cubes in with the broccoli.

Pumpkin Recipe Ideas

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Biscotti



White Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars



Slow Cooker Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin Latte in a Crockpot

Pumpkin Cheese Cake Mix Bars

Give these out for gifts or treats!  These are filled with chocolate fudge.

Baked Pumpkin Rice Pudding

I love pumpkin seeds but these have an addicting flavor!
Give them a try, they are easy and a healthy snack for you too!
Click here for the RECIPE

                                                                   Pumpkin Scones

PUMPKIN FAVORITES

Pumpkin Pistachio Biscotti
Pumpkin Whip Dip Recipe
Glazed Pumpkin Spiced Breakfast Scones
Pumpkin Spice  Rum Cookies
Pumpkin Mini Turnovers
Baked Mini Pumpkin Donuts
French Pumpkin Mini Muffin Puffs
 Italian Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin Smoothie
Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies
Pumpkin Soup
Tex Mex Pumpkin Corn Muffins
Pumpkin  and Sausage Bow Tie Pasta
Pumpkin Rum Shortcake with Caramel
Pumpkin Drop Cookies
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Crockpot Pumpkin Spiced Latte
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Amaretto Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Roasted Pumpkin Puree
Savory Pumpkin Cheddar Scones
Pumpkin Pie
Easy Pumpkin Cheese Pie
Best Ever Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream
Pumpkin Fritters
Baked Pumpkin Pecan Donuts