Mini Peach & Blueberry Upside Down Cakes

I was watching 'The Great British Bake-off' (season 3) and they were making upside down cakes. They were able to choose whatever combination they desired and it had me thinking. I have never made nor tasted an upside down cake! I had just purchased some blueberries (to make blueberry compote which would then be used to pour all over pancakes) and peaches, so I decided to make mini peach and blueberry upside down cakes made using ramekins! These were seriously so good and I can't wait to try different fruits and ingredients in the future. Give it a shot!

*Makes: 12 mini cakes

Ingredients

• 9 tbsp butter, divided
• 3/4 cup (170g) dark brown sugar
• 6 medium peaches, peeled
• 9 tbsp ground ginger or ginger powder
• 1 1/2 cup (200g) all purpose flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cup (360g) buttermilk, room temperature
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 24 blueberries, 2 for each cake (or more if you want!)
• Powdered sugar for dusting on tops

Sweet & Sticky Cinnabon Copycat Cinnamon Rolls

I have been meaning to make cinnamon rolls from scratch for some time now and I finally got around to doing it. They may take ALL DAY LONG, and you may get a little dirty, but the outcome is SO worth it. Taking your first bite of that warm and gooey cinnamon roll that you just spent hours creating, is probably the best taste ever, no really. Give it a go yourself and see what I'm talking about! 

*Makes: 9-12 cinnamon rolls

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast 
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup (60g) buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup (80g) canola or vegetable oil
• 4 1/2-5 cups (580-650g) all purpose flour

For the filling:

• 1/2 cup (120g) butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups (280g) packed dark brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp cornflour (or cornstarch)

For the frosting:

• 3 oz. (90g) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup (60g) butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1/2 tbsp golden syrup (or corn syrup)
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 1/4 cups (160g) powdered sugar

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

Mimosa Cupcakes

Who doesn't love a mimosa on a Sunday morning? If I am going to drink anything, especially during the day, it is going to be a mimosa. So why not make mimosa cupcakes?! Sounds perfect to me. These cupcakes are easy to make and surprisingly super tasty. My finace brought them to work and everyone flocked to them. No one could actually pin point what the secret ingredient was, though (my fiance technically brought alcohol to work, shhhh). The orange works really well with the Bucks Fizz, and simply within a cupcake. Give these a try!

*Makes: 18 cupcakes 

Ingredients

For cupcakes:

• 2 3/4 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup (150g) unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups (300ml) bucks fizz (or 3/4 cup champagne & 1/2 cup orange juice)
• zest from 1-2 oranges

For mimosa cream cheese frosting:

• 1 1/2 cups (440g) butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (340g) cream cheese, softened
• 3-4 cups (400-530g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 3-4 tbsp bucks fizz (or 2 tsp orange juice & 2 tbsp champagne)
• an orange cut up into slices

Voodoo Style Krispy Kreme Copycat Donuts

Ever since I heard about Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, I have been wanting to go there just for their unbelievably mouth-watering donuts. Obviously being across the pond, I figured I wouldn't have a chance to go there any time soon. So, I decided to recreate some of their donuts in my very own kitchen. I made Krispy Kreme copycat donuts again, but I added some Cookie Crisp, chocolate Cheerios, Coco Pops, and Froot Loops on top. If this sounds like your kind of donut, then check out the recipe below!

*Makes: 50 donuts, depending on size of cookie cutter used

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

For cereal toppings (you can use any cereal you desire): 

• 1 handful of Cookie Crisp
• 1 handful of chocolate Cheerios
• 1 handful of Coco Pops
• 1 handful of Froot Loops 

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

Chocolate Chip Banana Biscotti Dipped in Dark Chocolate

Baking biscotti is something that I have always wanted to do, but ended up putting it on the back burner. I had a couple leftover bananas that were going bad and so I decided to make some chocolate chip banana biscotti (that sounds lovely doesn't it?) Biscotti intimidated me previously because I thought in order to make these delicious snacks, that you had to be a pro. Nope! It is simply baking the "cookie" twice! That's all it is. Check out these delicious chocolate chip banana biscotti with step by step instructions (and pictures!)

*Makes: 22-24 pieces

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (120g) butter
• 1-2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups (400g) all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup (175g) semisweet chocolate chips 

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

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)