Cake Fridays

Peanut Butter Coffee Cake with Chocolate Crumb Topping...does it get any better than that?!

I adore this cake and know you will too!  Peanut butter and chocolate is one of my favorite flavor combinations.  This cake is not too sweet due to the chocolate crumb topping and does not have an overly strong peanut butter flavor like most peanut butter cakes do.  It is perfection in a slice.

Here is the recipe.    

Pumpkin Gingerbread

No butter or oil necessary to make this bread moist and delicious!  I took the blogger's advice and left out the stick of butter and boy am I glad I did.  It tastes a lot like my all time favorite bread: ginger studded molasses bread (look it up on my blog if you haven't made it yet, it's the bomb).

Another reason why I love baking with canned pumpkin and molasses...together, they make anything taste like fall with no extra fat involved.  Make this bread for your loved ones and watch them giggle with delight. I like to sandwich two pieces together with cookie butter spread in between.  Absolute heaven.  I will be making this bread often, along with my ginger studded molasses bread :)

FYI: I did not add raisins and used canned pumpkin puree.  My loaf baked for 40 minutes.

Here is the recipe.  

Perfect End of Year Teacher's Gift!

This is a straight forward, foolproof recipe any baker can make and any teacher would enjoy!

I made this bread for my daughter's teachers and they loved it!  The recipe makes two hearty loaves brimming with cinnamon and sugar.  Treat your child's teacher this time of year and make him or her something sweet.  You could even make a flavored butter to go along with it so he or she can have toasted buttery bread for breakfast or a snack :)

Here is the recipe.  

Southern Cookies to Cherish

Southern tea cakes are a new concept for me.  I've lived in North Carolina for almost 9 years now and can honestly say that Southern cooking is my favorite.  The pulled pork, the corn muffins, the black eyed peas and collard greens, the vinegar based sauces, and don't even get me started on the grits! My mouth is watering just thinking about a good Southern meal.  So when I saw this recipe that highlights a dear Southern dessert, I knew I had to give it a try.  It is my new favorite cookie recipe, hands down.  

Here is why I love these cookies so much.  They taste like chewy little cakes with a slight crisp on the bottom.  They have so much personality and simplicity.  With only a few ingredients, they all come together to form the perfect pillow of perfection.

I completely adore these cookies.  I always have just two cookies, but I make an exception with these. Both nights we've had these for dessert I've downed three.  I know, it sounds crazy but for me, that's saying something.  The vanilla flavor radiates throughout and to guild the lily, I added mini chocolate chips to half the batter.  I think I like them plain better than with chocolate chips but it's a close race.

These would make the ultimate whoopie pie sandwich or black and white cookie, according to my husband. Slather half of a cookie with white frosting and half with chocolate and viola!  Or sandwich two together with ice cream or French vanilla whipped topping.  The possibilities are endless.  I even considered slathering the bottoms with hazelnut spread.  I just love these cookies and could go on and on about them...

FYI: Mine baked for 15 minutes.

Bake them today!

Here is the recipe.  

Oatmeal Mondays

These granola bites made with oats, shredded coconut, honey, vanilla extract, chia seeds, peanut butter (and don't forget the mini chocolate chips!) went so fast that I didn't have the chance to take a picture of them!  My kids LOVED them!  I bet your family will devour them too :)

Here is the recipe.

Baked Pumpkin Butter Cream Cheese French Toast

This breakfast bake will have everyone jumping out of bed in the morning.  A quick and easy dish is just what this tired mother ordered!  

Ingredients and Instructions:

12-count Kroger honey dinner rolls, cubed

Set aside.

3/4 C almond milk
1/2 C Trader Joe's pumpkin butter
3 eggs

Whisk vigorously in 2 C glass pitcher.  Set aside.

3 oz light cream cheese, cubed

Set aside.

Now that you have all of the ingredients ready, let's start building this most delicious breakfast.  Grease an 8x8 glass baking dish and place 1/2 of the dinner rolls on the bottom.  Pour half of the pumpkin butter mixture over top. Evenly place the cream cheese cubes over that.  Now repeat with another layer of rolls and pour the remaining pumpkin butter mixture over top.  Be sure to saturate all of the bread with the liquid. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight.  When you want to bake it, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  It should take about 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the middle is set.  Makes 6 servings.  Enjoy :)

Cake Fridays

Spiced Pear Cake...need I say more?!  I made this for Mother's Day and it was a great way to celebrate spring!  The kids loved their mini bundt cakes with whipped cream right in the center.  Fun and festive with the perfect amount of spice, these are delicate treats everyone will enjoy :)

FYI: I halved the recipe and baked mine in a greased mini bundt pan.  I got 9 mini bundts out of the batter. They baked for about 20 minutes.  I omitted the glaze.  

Here is the recipe.