Category Archives: Desserts

Pumpkin Bread (or cupcakes/muffins)

Posted on October 9, 2012 | Comments Off

This is my grandmother’s recipe for pumpkin bread. I’ve always loved it, and a few years back I finally asked my aunt for the recipe. A Facebook friend recently posted that she was looking for a pumpkin muffin recipe, so I decided to share this. In my opinion, this one works great. Make it as a loaf, cupcakes (just top with icing), or muffins (no icing).

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Libby’s Pumpkin
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 cups light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tblsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 3 cups flour

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Mix pumpkin, eggs, oil, and water in an electric mixer.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
  4. Pour into loaf (or muffin) pan and bake at 350 for 1 ¼ hours, then test with a toothpick to see if it’s done. For cupcakes/muffins start testing after about 20 minutes.

 

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Posted in Breads, Desserts, Recipes

Mandel Brot

Posted on November 16, 2011 | Comments Off

Mandel brot (bread) is basically Jewish biscotti. In fact, when Starbucks started selling their packaged biscotti, I said, “Huh? What? That’s mandel bread!” My grandmother (on my dad’s side) made amazing mandel bread, so I recently asked my aunt to dig up the recipe for me. I decided to try and make it for my  daughter’s International Potluck Luncheon at preschool. It turned out great – just like Grandma’s.

Ingredients:

  • ½ c butter (1 stick)
  • 1 c sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 t almond extract
  • 1 t vanilla extract
  • 2 c all purpose flour
  • 1 t baking powder
  • ½ c chopped almonds or walnuts

Directions:

  1. Cream butter & sugar.
  2. Add eggs and flavorings and mix well.
  3. Add flour, sifted with baking powder.
  4. Add nuts
  5. Grease cookie sheet.  Form dough into three or four loaves. The loaves don’t spread much during baking – they pretty much keep their shape.
  6. Bake at 350 for 30 min.
  7. Slice while hot and turn each slice on its side.
  8. Return to oven and bake 10 min. longer.

 

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Posted in Cookies, Desserts

M&M Pretzel Thingies

Posted on December 23, 2010 | Comments Off

I was going to make those barrettes today, I swear. But, as usual, life got in the way. I first discovered this yummy treat when a former co-worker’s wife made them and he brought them to work. Ever since, I’ve been making them every year for the family 4th of July bash. Because the family is so large, I do double the recipe, making half with milk chocolate, and half with white chocolate. They’re the perfect combo of sweet and salty.

This holiday season, I was tipped off that a nice coming in from out of town was wondering if I’d make these. Her mom told her it’s a July thing, but I made her a personal batch (in Christmas colors) that will go under the tree tomorrow night.

M&M Pretzel Thingies

M&M Pretzel Thingies

Ingredients

  • 1 large bag Milk Chocolate M&Ms
  • 1 bag Jewel/Shopper’s Value pretzel rings (I’ve only found these in the store brand)
  • 1 bag milk or white chocolate chips

Directions 

  1. Place a sheet of wax paper on two large cookie sheets. Spread pretzel rings flat, filling about one and a half sheets.
  2. Put about ¼-½ cup of chocolate chips in a pastry bag.
  3. Microwave at 30 second intervals, massaging bag inbetween, until chips are melted smooth.
  4. Squeeze melted chocolate into the rings. Do not overfill.
  5. Quickly add 3 M&Ms to the melted chocolate in each ring.
  6. Repeat for remaining rings chips.
  7. Refrigerate to set chocolate. Best kept refrigerated until serving.
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Posted in Desserts