Granola

Homemade Granola:

4c. old fashioned rolled oats
1/4 c. sunflower seeds (raw is best)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. honey (spray measuring cup w/ Pam first)
8 Tbs. melted butter
pinch of salt
1/2 c. raisins (optional)
1/2 c. dried apples, chopped (optional)
1/2 c. toasted coconut (optional)

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Line baking sheet w/ waxed paper or parchment paper.

In large bowl, combine oats, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt: set aside.

In a small bowl, combing honey and melted butter, pour over the mixture. Stir well; spread on baking sheet and bake for 45-50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. As it cools it will get crispy and stick together. When cool, break up the granola and add raisins (and whatever other dried fruit you would like). Store in an airtight container. Makes about 6 1/2 cups.

First Day of School Breakfast Bread

First Day of School Breakfast Bread
~one word.  yummy!  this is a great and fun breakfast for the first day of school.  it smells amazing and appley and is sweet and special...and simple!!~~

~3 8oz. tubes refrigerated biscuits, quartered
~1 c. sugar
~1 Tbs. cinnamon
~2 apples, cored, peeled and chopped
~1/2 c. chopped pecans (or omit for children)
~1/2 c. butter, melted
Toss quartered biscuits with remaining ingredients except for butter; fill a greased and floured Bundt pan with biscuit mixture.  Pour butter over top.  Bake @ 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  Let cool for 5 minutes; invert onto a serving platter.  Makes 10-12 servings. 

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls

~this batch didn't turn out very pretty.  i had to cram them in b/c i didn't have enough pans.  the dough will be very sticky...it's ok, just make sure you have your surface well oiled.  they will be super light and heavenly!!!!  oh, and i used a different icing recipe in this picture and it isn't nearly as thick and heavenly as this recipe.  this recipe is my favorite.  it. is. wonderful!!!!
Mix and Cool:

2 C. boiling Water

1/2 C. brown Sugar

1 C. butter or margarine

1/4 C. white sugar

I let this cool in my kitchen aid bowl in my sink filled with a little cold water and I stir it often.

Add in a bowl: 2 Tbsp yeast in 1/2 C. warm water wait until bubbly. Add a sprinkle of sugar to proof the yeast.

After your bowl of "sugar water" is cooled off enough add your yeast mixture to it and then add the following:

2 eggs slightly beaten

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

7 C. flour or more for a soft dough

Mix and cover.

Let raise.

Carefully put raised dough on Oiled or floured surface. It rolls out fast & easy when it's raised up. Roll out to 1/4" thick.

Brush dough with melted butter, and then sprinkle brown sugar all over it.

Next sprinkle cinnamon all over dough.

Roll up tight Cut into 2" rolls.

Place on a greased cookie sheet.

Cover with a towel and let raise really well.

Bake at 375 degrees for 18 minutes.

Makes 3 dozen rolls

Frosting:

3/4 C. Soft butter

3 C. Powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. Vanilla

Pinch of Salt

1-2 Tbsp. Milk

Mix well with electric mixer it should be thick and creamy

~these freeze great! just cook them and ice them and let them cool. cover and freeze. then on the morning you are ready to eat them put them into a preheated 250 degree oven for 15 minutes. de-lish!

Peanut Butter Granola

 

Stacey's Peanut Butter Granola

*we love granola around here, but were getting burnt out w/ our other recipe.  I found a recipe for peanut butter granola and changed it up to be relative healthy and our family fell in love w/ it!  Because of the peanut butter it makes a great bedtime snack too!*

~7 c. rolled oats

~6 Tbs. coconut oil (EXCELLENT stuff!)

~1 c. Sucanat (dehydrated cane juice)

~1/2 c. brown sugar (may substitute for 1/4 c. honey I do it either way depending on my mood)

~1 c. Peanut Butter

Measure out oats into a big bowl.  

Combing oil and peanut butter till melted.  Removed from heat and add sweeteners.  Stir to combine and pour over oats.  Stir to coat.

Cook in 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes (depending on how crunchy you like it) stirring every 5 minutes.

Serve w/ milk or yogurt....or plain like my kids :) 

Empty Tomb Rolls

Empty Tomb Rolls
~these are an Easter tradition must!  so fun and simple that the kids can do it!!!

-2 tubes crescent rolls
-16 large marshmallows
-1/2 c. sugar w/ 1 tsp. cinnamon
-2-3 Tbs melted butter
Separate the dough into 16 triangles.  Dip marshmallow in melted butter and then roll in the cinnamon/sugar mixture.  Place 1 marshmallow in the middle of each triangle. 
Bring up all of the sides of the crescent to completely cover the marshmallow, pinching all of the edges together so that none of the marshmallow shows.
Dip tops in cinnamon sugar and place on a cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

*The symbolism here is that marshmallow represents Jesus.  Have the children seal the "tomb" well.  When they are done there will be a big hollow space in the middle representing the empty tomb.

Sausage Balls

SAUSAGE BALLS
1 lb sausage
3 c. Bisquick
4 c. shredded cheddar

Combine bisquick and cheese and then incorporate sausage.  Mix until everything comes together. ( You'll know it's ready when your finger tips are frozen and your forearms are throbbing! )  Form into balls (I use my muffin scooper from Pampered Chef.  that way they are all the same size and cook evenly).  Place on greased baking sheet and cook at 375 degrees 18-20 minutes.  It's just the best proportions!!!  You'll LOVE them!

Baked Oatmeal

BAKED OATMEAL
-3 c. rolled oats
-3/4 c. sugar
-2 tsp. baking powder
-1 tsp. salt
-1 tsp. cinnamon
-1 c. milk
-1/2 c. melted butter
2 eggs
Mix ingredients and pour into a greased 8x8 baking dish.  (can refrigerate over night b/f cooking if it's for breakfast the next morning)
Bake @ 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
To serve, pour milk over top and mix.  Makes for yummy tummies on a cold morning or a great bedtime snack!