Christmas Gingerbread Pancakes!

These are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit! I know that ginger is sometimes a bit "spicy" for kids, but when they are covered in yummy maple syrup the balance is wonderful.

The basic pancake batter recipe comes from The Joy of Cooking.  From the number of recipes I have tried over the last few years this is the one I always come back to for a no-fail fluffy, light and tastey pancake. 

I serve these with just plain maple syrup (we smuggled some bottles back from Canada in the fall) and crispy bacon.  The sweetness of the syrup combined with the saltyness of the bacon perfectly compliments the ginger and cinnamon in the pancakes.  Of course, you could add  more ginger if you wanted...totally up to you!

Pancake batter (from Joy of Cooking)

*makes about 15 medium sized pancakes

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

3 Tbsp white sugar

1 3/4 tsp baking powder

2 eggs

3 Tbsp melted butter

1 1/4 cup milk

*1 tsp ground ginger

*1 tsp cinnamon

In a small bowl mix all dry ingredients together.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together eggs and milk, slowly mix in dry ingredients.

Mix in melted butter

Melt a little bit of butter in skillet and pour small amounts of batter into skillet....and you know the rest!

Enjoy xo

applesauce pancakes with apple cider syrup

these are delicious and addictive. such a yummy breakfast for a cold morning.

ingredients::

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup melted butter

combine all ingredients and mix well. drop in dollops on hot skillet. flip and top with butter while warm.

for syrup::
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups apple cider
1 cup brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks

in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. when the butter stops foaming, add the apple cider, brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks. bring to a boil, stirring. continue cooking over medium heat, stirring frequently, until reduced by half to about 1 to 1 1/4 cups. this will take about 15 minutes. the syrup will thicken as it cools. Remove cinnamon sticks and serve with pancakes.


enjoy!

Nearly Dead Apple Cake

I am really excited to be contributing to this fabbo blog and thought that I would share a NON-Christmas recipe first because I am totally in Christmas overload at the moment and couldn't handle the sight of more cloves, cinnamon, ginger, orange yule-tideness. 

This cake is pretty simple to make and stays moist out on a cake plate under a dome for a good while (if I actually lasts that long)! It is a great way to use up those apples lurking in the back of the crisper drawer, hence NEARLY DEAD APPLE cake.  The recipe is a family favourite of mine, my Italian Grandmother inherited it from an old Jewish lady whose house she used to clean.  This is a good, dense, moist, rustic cake. 

Ingredients:

(for apple layer)

4 apples, cored and thiny sliced

1/3 cup white sugar

1 Tbsp cinnamon

(for cake batter)

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

zest of one orange

1 1/2 cup white sugar

3 eggs

2/3 cup vegetable oil

3 Tbsp orange juice

2 tsp vanilla

***Grease and line a springform pan*** (I use a 8" pan, my mum uses a 9" springform tube pan)

PRE HEAT OVEN to 375 f / 190C

-Peel, core and thiny slice apples

-toss apples with sugar and cinnamon

-set aside

-In a small bowl mix together flour, baking powder and salt

-In a large bowl mix orange peel and sugar, add eggs, vegetable oil, orange juice and vanilla, mix to combine.

-Add flour mixture, fold in slowly (don't over mix)

-Pour 1/2 of mixture into base of pan

-Layer apples over top

-Spread leftover batter over apple layer (might not cover completely, that's ok)

Bake middle rack of oven for 1 hour (or until tester comes out clean)

***Let cool completely before taking out of pan***

Enjoy xo

Scones

I love me a good scone. Here are two recipes to try - easy and SOO yummy!

Maple Oatmeal Scones

1 1/4 c flour
3/4 - 1 c oats
1/8 c sugar
2 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
5 T chilled, unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 c maple syrup
6 T milk
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 c pecans, optional

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Blend flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter with a mixer. Add milk, egg, maple syrup. Stir until just mixed and add pecans. Shape and bake for 11 min

Cranberry & White chocolate scones

1 3/4 c flour
1/4 c sugar
2 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
5 T chilled, unsalted butter, cut into pieces
6 T half and half (I use milk and add another 1/2 T butter)
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 c cranberries
1/2 c white chocolate chips

Directions are the same as above. It's important to not over mix the dough and to not bake too long...when they are overdone they are dry and not as good. I barely let mine brown before I take them out.

Try them!

Mom's yummy (and EASY!) cinnamon rolls!

Sorry there is no picture, but I was just craving these so decided to post them. My mom has been making cinnamon rolls during the holiday's for as long as I can remember. I get mad if she tries another recipe because there is no need...these are AMAZING! I haven't tried it, but it would probably also be good with a cream cheese frosting as opposed to a simple glaze (which my mom always uses). ENJOY!

Cinnamon Rolls (Julie Walker)

2 c scalded milk
2 pkgs yeast
3/4 c butter, melted
1/2 t salt
1 c sugar
2 eggs, beaten
5 c flour
1/2 c brown sugar
2 T cinnamon

Pour scalded milk over sugar, let cool. Add yeast & 1 c flour. Add eggs, 1/2 c butter, salt, and remaining flour. Stir until mixed. Let rise. Roll out into rectangle. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread w/ remaining melted butter and top with sugar mixture. Roll up long ways, cut into 1/2 - 1 inch pieces (easy with dental floss!) and place on greased baking sheets. Let rise again. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Lolly pop chocolate chip cookies

This cookie recipe is amazing! It tastes very bakery, and it makes tons. I just roll the extra dough into a log inside wax paper and freeze it. Then the next time you want cookies you can just slice and bake that!

1 1/2 c packed light brown sugar
1 1/3 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 c butter
1 c shortening
5 eggs
6 1/2 c flour
24 oz chocolate chips

Cream together the sugars, salt, soda, butter, and shortening. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Add flour, mixing after each cup. Add chocolate. Drop the dough using a small cookie scoop into paper lined cookie sheets. Bake at 360 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool on cooling rack. Makes about 7 dozen!

To do the lolly pops:
Scoop dough in same tablespoon scoop, put a lolly pop stick in the dough, push the dough down a bit and round the edges. Then let your kids sprinkle them! Just make sure to push the sprinkles down in the dough enough that it will stick. Then bake as usual! They are really fun to dip in milk :)

Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes with Orange Maple Butter

i found this recipe on Bakerellas blog. these pancakes are so filling and yummy. a great way to start the day.


First, make the Orange Maple Butter. (I did this the night before.)
You'll need:1 stick softened butter
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Combine all three in a small bowl with a rubber spatula.
Spoon the mixture on a piece of wax paper.
Roll and re-shape back into a stick of butter.
Twist the ends to secure the wax paper and refrigerate.

In the morning.
Blueberry Cornmeal PANCAKES!
You'll need:1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar, plus two tsp for blueberries
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup milk
3 Tbsp butter, melted and cooled
1 egg lightly beaten
2 cups blueberries
Extra butter for coating griddle
Maple Syrup
(Makes about 16)
Whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt and soda in a large bowl. Set aside.
Whisk together buttermilk, milk, butter and egg in medium bowl.
Add milk mixture to dry ingredients and whisk together just until combined.

Toss blueberries in a small bowl with 2 tsp sugar.
Heat a griddle over medium heat. Take extra butter and run over surface of griddle. Repeat as necessary throughout process. Pour batter on griddle 1/4 cup at a time.
Add some of the sugared blueberries to each pancake.
Cook for about 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook for 2 more min.
When done, top with Orange Maple Butter, Pour over Syrup, and eat!