French Toast Cupcakes with Maple Bacon Buttercream

French toast is a go-to breakfast item for me, especially topped with bacon, and with a side of maple syrup. Now just imagine a cupcake that has all these three ingredients listed above within it. Dream come true? I think so. I know I have been adding or topping some of my latest recipes with bacon, BUT COME ON...WHO DOESN'T LOVE BACON??!! I just don't get it. Anyway, if you are interested in making these delicious mouthwatering cupcakes, take a look below!

*Makes: 18 cupcakes 

Ingredients

For cupcakes:

• 3 cups (400g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (400g)  granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks or 230g) butter, softened 
• 1 cup (240g) sour cream
• 4 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp vanilla

For streusel:

• 1/4 cup (60g) dark brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup (60g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (70g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 5 tablespoons cold butter, cut into chunks

For maple bacon buttercream:

• 1 cup (2 sticks or 230g) butter, softened
• 4 cups (500g) powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup (100g) maple syrup
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 6 slices of bacon, cut into small pieces

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

Apple Streusel Muffins

Here's another one of my "experiments" from last week. I decided to use up my about-to-go-bad apples and make some Apple Streusel Muffins. They turned out way better than I imagined (just like the chocolate & pear muffins) and they made my kitchen smell divine for hours and hours, even before I put them in the oven. If you love the taste and smell of apples & cinnamon, give these ones a try!

*Makes: 17 muffins

Ingredients

For muffins:

• 2 cups (260g) plain flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (70g) softened butter
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups (240g) peeled and diced apples
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

For topping:

• 1/3 cup (80g) dark brown sugar
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 nutmeg
• 1 tbsp butter, soft or melted

Cinnamon Sugar Maple Bacon Donuts (Gourdough's Copycat)

Ever since Gourdough's opened in Austin, Texas, I fell in love with their crazy delicious donuts. They had one that my fiance always got called the "Flying Pig" which consisted of a donut with maple icing and bacon on top (topped with even more maple icing). This is what I decided to attempt to make at home yesterday and they turned out amazing. If I can do it out of my own home, anyone can. Raise your hand if you love donuts like me! If so, give these a try, and make your way to Gourdough's if you are ever in Austin.

*Makes: 7 donuts

Donuts:

• 2 tablespoons water, warmed
• 2 tsp instant yeast
• 3/4 cup (180ml) milk, warmed
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 3/4 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• vegetable oil, for frying

Maple glaze:

• 2 tablespoons milk (give or take)
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup 
• 2 cups (260g) powdered sugar

Cinnamon sugar bacon:

• 7 pieces of bacon (you can use more if you would like, this is all I had)
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp cinnamon 

Puff Pastry Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers

Palmiers are such a simple little treat to have with your coffee or morning tea. I've always wondered how they were made, and after doing some research, it is rather quite easy. The common and most traditional way to eat them is with granulated sugar, but I am obsessed with cinnamon sugar anything, so I decided to make my Palmiers with cinnamon sugar (and loads of it)! Check out the easy recipe so that you too, can enjoy these sweet treats. 

*Makes: 24 palmiers

Ingredients

• 1 block (500g) of puff pastry (you can also just use a sheet which is 320g)
• 1 cup of granulated sugar (190g)
• cinnamon (10g)
• flour (for counter top surface; only if needed)

Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Sugar Apple Pies

I have never made a pie in my life and I thought today was the day I would give it a try. I know that everyone prefers miniature size over regular size (I know I do), so I decided to make mini apple pies using my muffin pan. I added a few ingredients that I thought would go well with the apples, and I also tried making different pie tops! Check out this fun, all day baking in the kitchen, recipe. Enjoy!

*Makes: 12 mini pies

Ingredients

For gluten free pie crust:

• 2 1/4 cups (320g) gluten free plain flour
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your blend already contains it)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup (60g) confectioner’s sugar 
• 10 tablespoons (140g) butter, chopped and chilled
• 1/2 cup (125ml), iced water (don’t count ice cubes in the volume measurement)

Apple filling:

• 3 apples, peeled and chopped
• 3 tbsp lemon juice (to keep apples from turning brown)
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) dark brown sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tbsp ground cloves
• 2 tbsp maple syrup 
• pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp gluten free plain flour
• 1 tsp vanilla 

Gluten Free Mini Cinnamon Roll Cookies

I've been craving cinnamon rolls for a while now and then it struck me. Cinnamon roll cookies! Plenty of people have done these before, but what about Gluten Free? And miniature? These mini cookies have everything a cinnamon roll has, even that warm sugary icing poured on top. They are easy to take to work, to school, or to just have at home for you to munch on! Take a look.

*Makes: 20 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 ounces (85g) cream cheese 
• 1/3 (70g) cup  sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups gluten-free plain flour
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon for sprinkling
• 2 tablespoon granulated sugar for sprinkling 

For icing

• 2 ounces (55g) cream cheese, softened
• 7 tablespoons of butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons of milk
• 1 1/2 cups (200g) of powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt