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

Mango Banana Bread From Scratch

Every time I think of my mom and then think of baking, I am always reminded of her infamous banana bread. She uses the same recipe that my grandmother uses and it is always the best thing I've ever put in my mouth (besides a burger or macaroni and cheese). I have been experimenting with recipes, like I've mentioned in my last posts, and once again I did so with this one. I had purchased a ton of fruit from the grocery store and I happened to buy four humongous mangoes. I saw online that mango banana bread is quite common but all the recipes I came across, they left their mango pieces whole, where as I pureed mine. Here is my Mango Banana Bread recipe. Check it out!

*Makes: 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (120g) butter
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar, sifted
• 2 eggs
• 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup (240g) sour cream 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 tsp baking soda
• 2 1/4 cups (300g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (170g) chopped fresh mangoes

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 Jumbo Size Tagalongs (Girl Scout Cookie Copycat)

I have been interested in making tons of "copycat" cookies and baked goods recently. I mean who wants to buy them at the store when you can make them from your own home? I have already made thin mints (which turned out great), nutter butters (again, great), and yesterday I made Keebler fudge stripe cookies (which were probably my favorite...wait I say that about everything...). Today I decided to stick with one of my favorite Girl Scout Cookies. A simple cookie with peanut butter and chocolate. Doesn't that sound like heaven? I was once a Girl Scout and I remember eating so many boxes of cookies rather than selling them (don't tell my mom). I wanted to re-live my childhood in my kitchen today. I decided to make these gluten free for those who have a sensitivity. Check them out. Oh, and these guys are huge!

*Makes: 24 cookies (depending on size)

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups (320g) gluten free plain flour
• 1 tbsp xanthan gum
• 16 tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (70g) powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cup (220g) milk & dark chocolate, chopped
• 8 tbsp peanut butter (at least)
• 4 tsp powdered sugar, sifted 

Gluten Free Keebler Copycat Fudge Stripe Cookies

Keebler Fudge Stripe Cookies are my dad's favorite cookies in the whole world. I remember staying up late watching TV with him and he would go grab them out of the fridge (because anything chocolate is always better cold rather than at room temperature) and we would devour the entire package. It was kind of like my dad and I were bonding. Yes, my dad and I bonded over sports and cookies, so what? Anyway, I decided to make my very own fudge stripe cookies, gluten free style. Overall, it took me a little over 3 hours for them to be complete (and in my mouth), and it was worth it (I got some stuff done while waiting, don't worry). You should definitely give these a try, gluten free or not. Go!

*Makes: about 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups (300g) gluten free plain flour
• 1 tbsp xanthan gum
• 16 tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (70g) powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cup (220g) milk & dark chocolate, chopped

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 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