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 

Make Your Own Brown Sugar Recipe

How many times you want to make that recipe and out of brown sugar? Well here is the simple solution. You just need two ingredients. Mix in a bowl, store in an airtight container!

To keep it soft add an apple slice or piece of bread to the container, it's amazing that neither gets moldy! If you prefer to use a terra cotta clay disk, its around $7.00 at a baking shop. That will do the trick on preserving the brown sugar from getting hard as a rock just add it to the container.

Make Your Own Brown Sugar Recipe

Light Brown
2 tablespoons molasses
1 cup white sugar

Dark Brown
3 tablespoons molasses
1 cup white sugar

Homemade Baking Powder Recipe

Did you know the kind of baking powder you buy in the store has aluminum in it and if you have a sensitivity to it then it is something you should be eliminating right ? Well this is not hard to put together. I leave mine in a glass jar and keep it on hand by making only 1/2 cup at a time. Happy baking!

Homemade Baking Powder Recipe
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons baking soda
4 tablespoons cream of tarter
Mix together and store in an airtight jar or in airtight plastic container.

Don't forget to do the test on it when you keep it a long period of time or better yet date it!
TEST TIP:  If you need to check and see if your powder is still actively working at maximum capacity do this: add a half teaspoon to 1/2 cup hot water and if it bubbles it's still active. 

Just Add Water Baked Pancake Mix Recipe

I don't like standing over a hot stove especially in summer. These can be the perfect solution for your camping needs as well. The mix is easy to put together, lasts around a year I keep mine in the refrigerator but you can store in the pantry. I make four good size pie tins baked out of this mix or for each batch mixed around 8 pancakes. Then by adding fruit to the top with some cinnamon, sugar and butter you have the perfect baked pancake in the oven or grill! Of course cooked meats can be added to for the complete breakfast.
Note: for those of you wanting to really cut time just buy the complete mixes at the supermarket. Follow package instructions making the batter a little thinner with adding 3 tablespoons more water than recipe calls for. Proceed to bake and use topping suggestions with instructions below.

Just Add Water Baked Pancake Mix Recipe

2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups cake flour
1 cup powdered milk
3/4 cup instant malted milk powder
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup butter powder
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons egg powder
3/4 cup buttermilk powder

Garnish suggestions:

Sliced fresh apples, blueberries, sliced peaches or pitted sliced cherries
cinnamon
sugar
butter
Mix all dry ingredients into a large container or use a freezer ziplock bag and shake all together.

Topping:
maple syrup
Cooked pork sausages, bacon or ham slices

Disposable pie tins
Cooking spray

When ready to make your pancake add 2 1/4 cups dry mix with around 3/4 cup water or more I like it thinner batter. Depending on the altitudes you may need a little more water. 

Pour into greased pie tins. Top with fruit if using then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, dot with butter.

Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees until browned on top around 20 minutes.

If using the outdoor grill,  place tin and batter on low heat with the grill cover down for 10 to 15 minutes. 

Easy Orange, Lemon, Lime Zest and Freezing Fresh Herbs Make Your Own Recipe

Fresher, fabulous zest you can make that lasts for  months!

I use alot of fresh herbs and fresh fruit zest in my recipes. I just wanted to share this method with my viewers. I not only love the freshness in the zest here,  the smell while you making this is a breath of fresh air in your home as well!

Here's the easiest way to make this perfect addition to many of your fabulous meals your making with orange, lemon, lime or actually any herbs as well.

Directions:
Wash your fruit or herbs first. Dry them off.
Take a hand grater and grate the fruit making sure you don't go into the whites of the citrus, this is the bitter part.
Then make your piles of zest, place on wax paper or a freezer proof plate.
Freeze the zest for three weeks. This will dry it out. It is now ready to place in a glass container. Keep in a dry cool dark place in the cupboard or refrigerator. This lasts up to 6 months. Do not get this into sunlight the zest will fade although is still flavorful, it won't look nice.

Mint, basil, parsley, dill, thyme oregano all freeze well~

Herbs
You can follow the same method for all green herbs, however, I freeze it after washing and throw the herbs into freezer bags and freeze until needed.. You can  also freeze the herbs  in ice water in ice cube trays and just use a cube in your stews, soups etc. Leave it in the freezer until needed. I don't dry and bottle the herbs...

Nothing better than fresh from the freezer when it's winter time!

Hope this has been an informative and helpful way to use that citrus up and preserve herbs, your going to use more of it now that you aren't paying so much for these wonderful additions to your cookies, cakes and entree's. Enjoy!