Monday, October 28, 2013

Rum Raisin Cinnamon Scones



For the month of October, we were challenged to make scones by Jaida from Sweet Beginnings! I'm a big fan of starbucks cinnamon chip scones so I immediately decided to try to make something like that and they turned out fantastic.  However my husband requested scones with raisins so I combined two recipes to make one awesome scone, rum raisin cinnamon scone! And it turned out delicious!!

Scones:

2 cups flour
3 tbsp brown sugar
2tbsp white sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, cold
2/3 cup whole milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp rum
1 egg
1/2 cup raisins

Filling:

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp heavy cream, and some more for brushing

Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp heavy cream
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp corn syrup




1. Mix all dry ingredients for scones together in a large bowl.  Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or two forks until the mixture resembles course crumbs.

2. Add in extracts, milk, egg, and rum. Mix well. Gently fold in raisins. Pour mixture onto a large piece of wax paper to form a rectangle (about 5 by 10 inches).

3. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and heavy cream in a small bowl for filling. Spread across the top of half the scone dough.

4. Using the wax paper, fold the dough in half by putting the dry scone dough over the side with filling. Press dough down sealing in the filling and stretching the dough out into a large 12 by 6 inches rectangle.

5. Using a sharp knife dipped in flour, cut the rectangle into 8 squares and then cut each square diagonally to make 16 triangle scones.

6. Place on parchment lined baking sheet and brush with cream. Bake on 400 degrees for 13-16 mins.

7. While scones cool, make icing by combining all ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle icing over scones and let it set.

Sources: Adapted from Stella B's Kitchen and Created by Diane


Saturday, October 26, 2013

Cinnamon Sugar Topped Banana Raisin Muffins


My husband refuses to eat breakfast in the kitchen like a normal human being, unless it's the weekend. It could have something to do with his crazy long commute. I guess waffles and syrup in the car could lead to some sticky situations...

So therefore I need to have all portable, easy to grab and eat while driving type foods for his breakfast. It does limit many of the classic breakfast foods. Since he's a huge fan of banana bread, I decided to try this muffin variation on classic banana raisin bread, which usually gets sliced and put into individual baggies. It's definitely easier to pop in your mouth while holding a steering wheel. My husband also really loved the cinnamon sugar crusty tops. Hope this makes your breakfast commute a lil easier!


Muffins:

3 Bananas, well-ripened
1 cup of sugar
1/3 cup corn oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cup raisins
2 cups water (for soaking raisins)
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Topping:
3 tbsp butter
3 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar

1. Heat 2 cups of water in microwave or stove top. Add in raisins and set aside to plump.

2. Mash bananas in a large bowl and add all other ingredients.

3. Remove raisins from water and pat dry. Gently fold raisins into batter.

4. Fill muffin tins, lined with wrappers or greased with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

5. Melt butter in microwave.  Pour sugar and cinnamon into a separate small bowl.

6. Dip the cooled muffins into the butter and then immediately into cinnamon sugar. Eat hot or cold, either way they are great!


Apple Cinnamon Sangria

Check out this delicious drink full of autumn flavors that I made for a birthday brunch. It is both sweet and full of cinnamon flavor which is perfect combo for the lovely fall weather and colored leaves! It's featured on Jersey Bites along with other fall and Halloween themed treats! 
Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Bachlorette Party Cookies

 
 
I had the pleasure to make some treats for a sweet friend of mine's bachlorette party last weekend. We had a great time getting pampered and massaged, then having a fantastic Italian dinner, a limo ride, and dancing to end the night. For such an occasion as this, I thought lingerie cookies would be perfect! Best wishes to my lovely Krista and her future husband!