Individual Pear Galettes

Well hello there! It has been a long 7 months since my last submission. I thought it was about time I jump back on the blog bandwagon because I really did it enjoy it. It's a place where I can share what I am doing from day to day in the kitchen and hopefully encourage others to do the same. The recipe that I am posting is a combination adapted from two different sources. I made individual pear galettes using +Food52's recipe and I used my favorite dough recipe (link will be at the bottom for both). I changed a couple things with each recipe but for the most part they are solid recipes. Right now galettes are my favorite thing to make. You can chunk a bunch of fruit or veggies or even meat in your crust and fold it all up....and bam! It's magic; magic that is addictive. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the recipe & my return. Happy baking! 

*Makes: 4 individual galettes

Ingredients 

For crust: 

• 2 Tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tablespoons ice-cold water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup yellow corn meal
• 1 teaspoon soft brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 7 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed

For filling:

• 3 medium pears, ripe but still firm
• 3 tbsp soft brown sugar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 cup pear jam
• 1 egg, for egg wash
• 2 tbsp soft brown sugar, to finish

For pear jam: 

• 2 medium pears
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp caster sugar

Homemade Mini Poppy Seed Bagels

Bagels and cream cheese will always be one of my favorite breakfast items. I haven't had a bagel in a really long time, so I decided to make some of my own! Wait a minute before you get excited though. These were NOT easy to make. They took hours and hours and the dough is unlike any other. AND you not only have to bake these guys, but BOIL them too?! Well, regardless, it was well worth it because now I am chomping on some mini bagels and they were made in my very own kitchen. Take a look if you want to make your own too!

*Makes: 15 mini bagels, give or take

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups (520g) strong bread flour
• 2 1/2 tsp instant dry yeast
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups (360ml) hot water
• 1 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar (for the boiling water)
• 1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water (for toppings only)
• Poppy seeds, or other preferred topping

Sweet & Sticky Honey Buns

I remember being stuck at school waiting for drivers-ed to start or after practice waiting for my mom to pick me up. I used to always have those after school munchies, so I would head over to the vending machine and grab me a snack or two. More times than not I would choose the pre-packaged Hostess Honey Bun and boy was it good. Now, thanks to Martha Stewart, I was able to make some sweet and sticky honey buns from my very own kitchen and let me tell you, they are WAY better. I changed a few things in the recipe so check it out! 

*Makes: 9 honey buns in 1 dough ball (there are 3 balls all together)

Ingredients

For dough:

• 2 tbsp active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup (80ml) warm water
• 1 cup (250ml) milk, room temperature
• 2 sticks (230g) butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup (120g) clear honey 
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla 
• 5 to 6 cups (650-780g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• Vegetable oil, for bowl

For filling and topping:

• 1 stick (110g) butter
• 1/2 cup (170g) clear honey, plus more for brushing and drizzling
• 1/2 cup (170g) golden syrup
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) Philadelphia cream cheese
• 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Mini Pound Cakes!

I had the urge to make pound cake and I hadn't used peanut butter or my chocolate chips in a while (since I have been super "healthy" using fruit) so I decided to make these mini pound cakes! They were super easy to make and easy enough for my fiance to take to work, considering the portions were perfect (you can eat the mini cake in two bites!). I drizzled peanut butter and chocolate on top and it just hit the spot with a cold glass of milk. And, I always like to heat my treat in the microwave for 10 seconds to make it a but warm. Perfect! Take a look!

*Makes: 60 mini pound cakes, give or take

Ingredients

For pound cake:

• 3 cups (400g) all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 sticks (230g) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (60g) brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup (260g) creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup (250ml) milk
• 1 cup (180g) bittersweet chocolate chips

For peanut butter glaze:

• 1/3 cup (50g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 tablespoons peanut butter
• 3-4 tablespoons milk

Ooey Gooey Monkey Bread Muffins (From Scratch!)

I have been wanting to make monkey bread for quite some time now and I finally got around to doing it. Usually people make monkey bread in a loaf pan or a bundt cake pan but I love making individual sized portions so I took the muffin tin route. These remind me of a cross between a cinnamon roll and cake. They are so soft, full of cinnamon, and perfect straight out of the oven when they are warm. I ate way too many of these so I suggest you give them a try!

*Makes: 18 muffins

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 2 cups (480ml) of milk
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3-3 1/2 cups (450g) all purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 package yeast (1/4 oz or 2 1/4 tsp)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 4 tbsp butter, melted

For glaze:

• 1 1/2 cup (220g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
• pinch of salt

Krispy Kreme Copycat Donuts (Made From Scratch)

Who doesn't love Krispy Kreme Donuts? I remember when they had just opened one in San Antonio, Texas. We lived out in Spring Branch, but my mom would sometimes drive there to order a few dozen so I could be that "cool" girl that brought Krispy Kreme donuts to class. Oh man, those were the days. To think you can just make them in your own kitchen! These are so amazing fresh, so try and eat them the day you make them. Check out the recipe below! 

*Makes: 60+ donuts

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 2 cups (480ml) milk
• 1/2 cup (120g) butter
• 2/3 cup (140g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp yeast
• 4 eggs (beaten)
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 5 cups (650g) self raising flour

For the glaze:

• 3 cups (400g) icing sugar, sifted
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup (120ml) cold water

Homemade Chocodiles (Chocolate Covered Twinkies)

If you were born in the U.S. before 2012 (when Twinkies went out of business), then you remember buying that beautiful red, white, and blue box filled with the infamous 10 Twinkies, and then gobbling them down before mom or dad noticed. Now, Chocodiles are another story. A CHOCOLATE COVERED TWINKIE?!? You had me at "Chocolate covered Twinkie. Who wouldn't want a chocolate covered twinkie?? Well I am a little late posting this, but with the holidays back to back and the parents visiting, I haven't been on much. I made these Chocodiles a couple weeks back and they were just to die for (I mean if you love chocolate and love Twinkies, and they're homemade!) Go ahead and give them a try!

*Makes: 9 chocodiles

Ingredients:

For the sponge cake:

• 2 cups (260g) flour
• 1 cup (250ml) milk, at room temperature
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 8 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

For filling:

• 1/2 cup (110g) marshmallow fluff
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup (70g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For chocolate glaze:

• 10 oz. (300g) chocolate (milk & dark mixed)
• 1/2 cup (120g) double cream

Homemade Tootsie Rolls

Every memory I have of tootsie rolls takes me back to Halloween. Whenever I was a kid, and we would go trick-or-treating, people would almost throw candy at us. I remember getting home and emptying out our bags. The majority of the candy was tootsie rolls. Why? Maybe because they are the cheapest and smallest? Or is it because everyone enjoys a tootsie roll from time to time? I am not quite sure, but, I thought to myself "let's give them a try". So, I did! Here is the recipe for the simple and easy tootsie roll, have fun!

*Makes: Roughly 50 pieces 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (170g) golden syrup (or honey)
• 1/3 cup (50g) cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange flavoring 
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar, sifted
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/4 cups (160g) instant non-fat dry milk powder, sifted

Homemade Mini Sweet Potato Chicken Pot Pies

Chicken Pot Pies are the perfect meal for when Fall & Winter arrive and it's super chilly outside. I had never made Chicken Pot Pie previously to last night, and considering it took FOREVER to make, it was probably my favorite/best tasting dinner I've made thus far. Yes, it did take quite some time to make, but it was nice being in the kitchen for hours, having some alone time. These Mini Chicken Pot Pies are to die for, and I've added some other ingredients that make the traditional pot pie with peas and carrots, just plain boring. Check it out!

*Makes: 4 pot pies

Ingredients

For crust:

• 2 1/4 cups (300g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks (230g) of cold butter, cut into pieces
• 6-10 tablespoons ice cold water

For filling:

• 1 pound (450g) or 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 cup (150g) of chopped carrots
• 2 baby broccoli heads (or 1 normal sized head would work)
• 1 sweet potato, peeled, chopped
• 1/3 (50g) cup of butter
• 1/3 cup (5 tbsp) of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 cup (250ml) of water 
• 2 chicken stocks
• 1/2 (125ml) cup of milk

Homemade Mini Soft Salted Pretzels

What do pretzels remind you of? They remind me of so many wonderful places, including the movie theater, the German Market, and now my kitchen. These are much simpler to make than you think and even more delicious once they are done. I have already eaten two while typing this (don't tell my fiance!) If you are a pretzel lover like me, then you should definitely give these bad boys a try, and try not eating them all like me, too. They will only take you about 20 minutes to make the dough and then 15 minutes to cook in the oven. Go ahead, knock your socks off!

*Makes: 14 pretzels

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/2 cups (375ml) warm water 
• 1 packet (2 and 1/4 teaspoons) active instant yeast 
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 4 1/4 cups (550g) all-purpose flour (plus more for kneading)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 large egg, beaten
• course sea salt for sprinkling
• granulated sugar for sprinkling

Easy Homemade Nestle Crunch Bars

I love chocolate and I love Rice Krispies. Luckily, Nestle created Crunch bars which contain both ingredients! If it only contains 2 ingredients, why can't these be made by the consumer? Well, they can. These bars were probably the easiest treats I have made since I started experimenting in the kitchen. What's better than saving money and making things out of your own kitchen? Nothing! I love knowing what is in the foods that I eat, and if you do too, go ahead and whip these right up! 

*Makes: 12 large bars or 36 mini bars

Ingredients

• 24 oz (680g) of chocolate (I used about 480g of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 200g of milk chocolate)
• 4 cups (100g) Rice Krispies ( I added double the amount of krispies because I wanted them extra crunchy)
• 1/2 cup (100g) of white chocolate to spread on top (optional)

Homemade Nutella Peanut Butter Cups

Americans love their Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. And so do I! I decided to make my peanut butter cups a little more suitable for my taste buds and instead of using chocolate, I used Nutella (I love Nutella and probably use it too much). So these cups are gluten free Nutella peanut butter cups made straight out of my kitchen. These are so easy (yet a little messy) and super fun to make. Give them a shot!

*Makes: 27 cups

Ingredients

• 1 cup (260g) creamy peanut butter
• 1 package (about 300g) of gluten free digestives, chopped
• 1/2 cup and 4 tsps (70g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp table salt
• About 36 oz. (900g) of Nutella (I know, it's a ton)

Gluten Free Homemade Mini Pop Tarts

I have been wanting to make pop tarts for quite some time now, but thought it would be more difficult with gluten free flour. I was wrong! It was quite simple. Lately, (since making my last two desserts) my favorite part of the whole process is the last bit where you get to put your final touches on your creation (decorating, duh!). The same goes for this recipe. Once the pop tarts have cooled, that is when the show really starts. Hope you enjoy this one as much as I did (and hopefully you don't eat them all too!)

*Makes: 15 pop-tarts

Ingredients

For dough:

• 2 1/2 cups (350g) plain gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum 
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup (150g) sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 8 tablespoons (120g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (125ml) milk, at room temperature

To assemble dough:

• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons of water
• brush

For fillings:

1. Brown sugar

• 5 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
• 5 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2. Nutella
3. Raspberry jam
4. Any other filling you'd like to use

For glaze:

• 3/4 cup (85g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 4 teaspoons milk, plus more as needed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

*Or you can just use milk and powdered sugar for a cinnamon-free glaze.

Gluten Free Homemade Bacon Cheez-it Crackers

My dad is a cheez-it lover, so growing up, of course I loved them just as much as him. There is nothing better than making something out of your own kitchen, and it tasting just as good (if not better), than the store-bought brand. These cheesy crackers are not only gluten and wheat free, but are made with bits of bacon. YES, BACON!

*Makes: About 60-80 cheez-its (depending on size)

Ingredients

• 1 cup (130g) of gluten free plain flour
• 1/2 tsp of xanthan gum
• 8 oz total, 3 1/2 oz grated cheddar cheese (100g) & 4 1/2 oz shredded mozzarella cheese (160g)
• 1/2 cup (110g) of salted butter cut into chunks
• 2 tbs of ice water
• 1/8 tsp of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of hot paprika
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 4 pieces of bacon, chopped up