Copycat Arby's Apple Turnovers (2 ingredients)

This easy and very tasty recipe is all over the net. 

They are beautiful too - you'll be so proud of the end result!

They look professional!

ONLY 2 INGREDIENTS! 

(not counting frosting)

I had some puff pastry in the freezer that needed to be used, and we were BOTH SO happy with this special treat.

I love the $1 turnovers at Arby's...and these couldn't be easier to make yourself.

Would be great using peach or blueberry or your favorite pie filling!

The crust puffs up so nicely and is wonderfully flaky!

Perfect for a special treat any time of the year! 

COPYCAT ARBY'S APPLE TURNOVERS 

1 pkg. puff pastry sheets

1 can apple (or your favorite) pie filling

Thaw the puff pastry at room temperature for about 20 minutes. 

Preheat oven to 400. 

Unfold first sheet of pastry on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 12" square 

and cut into 4 6-inch squares. 

Open can of filling and with a knife chop the apples into smaller pieces..this just makes it easier in the long run.  (You can add a little cinnamon or nutmeg if preferred). 

Place 1/4 c. filling in the center of each square of puff pastry. Brush edge with water and fold over to form a triangle, sealing tight at the corners, but leaving a space on each side so it can 'breathe'. 

Place on baking sheet; bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. 

Cool on wire rack. 

Glaze: 

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 Tb. water

Stir together in bowl until smooth. Drizzle over cooled pastries.

OR...

place some ready-to-spread frosting in a ziploc bag...

cut the corners and drizzle. 

Linked to 
Meal Plan Monday
Weekend Potluck

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4 Fall Favorite D-I-Y recipes {Blast from the Past}

I've made these mixes for years...easy and frugal. 

​Homemade Pumpkin Pie & Apple Pie Spice Mixes

Three simple ingredients and you can make your own chocolate chips!! 

(Healthy ones!) 

Hot Chocolate Bars/Chips (Sugar Free)

Just a few added ingredients and everyone will think you're

in the baking business! *-*

How to Make a Cake Mix taste like a Bakery Cake

Got a little buttermilk?  Here's how to make more....freeze it for later.

DIY Perpetual Buttermilk

Flax Seed "Egg" (Replacement)

Isn't it frustrating when you need just one or two more eggs to complete the recipe you're planning to make??  And you need it NOW?

And I'm guessing there's plenty of baking going on during these cooler temps?

Have you ever tried a substitute for eggs when baking?

My clever daughter introduced me to this awesome 'trick' a number of years ago.

I added this idea to my first cookbook, "Recipes & Recollections". 

(details to purchase here - $12 & free S * H)

This is a very HEALTHY substitute as it adds Omega-3 fatty acids and lots of fiber, while eliminating cholesterol.  It's low in carbs and adds a pleasant nutty taste.

And I love that all those 'specks' disappear when baked into your food!

No one will be able to guess you did something different. 

I have made orange streusel loaves all summer to sell at my farmer's market stand.  The batter is VERY orange, but not one little speck shows up after it's baked, and I used this substitute every single time! 

I suggest substituting for no more than half the eggs called for in your recipe. 

I've been told you can do the very same thing with chia seeds, but I have yet to try that.  

This is how simple it is to make....

FLAX SEED 'EGG' REPLACEMENT 

Add 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal (seeds need to be ground)  with 3 tablespoons of warm water in a small bowl. Allow it to stand for about 5 minutes, stirring a couple of times. It will become thickened and that's how it works to 'bind' your ingredients together, just like an egg. 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

ALMOST LIKE MAGIC!  =) 

I love being able to Do-It-Yourself (MYself=) 

How to make a Cake Mix Taste like a Bakery Cake

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Homemade (Condensed) Cream of Chicken Soup

Always love being able to DIY (or Do It MYself!)

I often use canned soups...I'm not against that at all, but sometimes when you run out, it's great to be able to make your own.

This recipe is simple and doesn't have the 'additives' that store-purchased canned soups do. 

It seems like it makes more than 2 cans worth, but I simply divided it in half and it worked out fine for my recipes.  I just didn't add the extra liquid called for in the recipe I was using.  

I'm sure you can judge that for yourself. 

It worked great in my recipe for Easy Turkey Pot Pie.

I chose to add 2 tsp. chicken soup base and reduce the amount of salt,

but that's an option, so do whatever you prefer. 

You're Welcome! 

HOMEMADE CONDENSED CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP 

2-1/2 c. chicken broth

1-1/2 c. (2%) milk

3/4 c. all purpose flour

1 Tb. seasoning mix

(or use 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. black pepper

and 3/4 to 1 tsp. salt
a dash of paprika &
1/2 tsp. dried parsley, optional)

2 tsp. chicken soup base, optional

In large saucepan, combine broth with 1/2 c. milk; bring to low boil. Reduce heat to medium low. 

In small bowl, combine flour and seasonings. Add remaining milk (1 cup). Whisk until smooth. 

Add flour mixture to broth mixture in pan; whisk constantly as mixture simmers and thickens. It will take about 10 minutes. 

Use in your favorite recipe or store in fridge for up to a week. 

Yield: equivalent to 2 cans cream of chicken soup 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

You might like using this soup in these recipes...

(Just don't add the extra liquid called for in the recipe)

Creamy Zucchini & Carrot Soup

Easy Crockpot Meatballs

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HOW TO MAKE A CAKE MIX TASTE LIKE A BAKERY CAKE

It really IS the simple things in life that matter most.

You know...like taking shortcuts and having great results! ;-}

This is a simple 'recipe' for improving the taste of a boxed mix.

Try it, you'll like it. 

HOW TO MAKE CAKE MIX TASTE HOMEMADE 

Look at the directions on the cake mix.
Add one more egg (or add 2 if you want it to be very rich).
Use melted butter instead of oil (and double the amount).
Use whole milk instead of water.
 Mix well and bake for the time recommended on the box.

Linked to Weekend Potluck
         Full Plate Thursday
  Lou Lou Girls

You might also like these other 'homemade' recipes...

Homemade Laminate Floor Cleaner (Way Wonderful!)

Homemade Vanilla Wafers

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Homemade Laminate Floor Cleaner

Yep, just 3 simple ingredients and water and you can make your own laminate floor cleaner that will WOW everyone! 

When we sold our house a few months ago, the realtor and purchaser both begged to know what I used on my laminate floor because it had such an awesome shine.  I think it was a real selling point!! 

Needless to say, they both wrote down the recipe! 

It nearly brought me to my knees to have to pay high dollar for my laminate floor cleaner ($13 - Are you kidding me???), so you can imagine the thrill it was to find a homemade recipe....especially one that worked so nicely! (And cost about $1!)

HOMEMADE LAMINATE FLOOR CLEANER

1 cup water

1 cup rubbing alcohol

1 cup white vinegar

1 Tb. liquid dish soap

1 qt. spray bottle 

Mix together and put into a spray bottle.  Use as you would purchased cleaner - spray and mop.....and enjoy the $$ savings!!

You may have to buff it up a bit, but we found just walking on it with our socks did the 'trick'....

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Homemade Ice Packs (2 Simple Ingredients)

Homemade Catalina Dressing

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

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Homemade French Fried Onions

I had decided to make green bean casserole for our Christmas meal with our kids and families.

I searched and searched for that can of French fried onions that I knew I had...somewhere.

(It's hard to know just where every thing is after you've moved, you know?)

Well, what I found was a SMALL can...and I wanted a large one.

Knowing I had just purchased a 3# bag of onions, I went to good ole Google to see how hard it might be to make my own.

I couldn't resist - a very simple process and I HAD to try it.

Now I rarely ever fry anything, but if this process was going to give me what I wanted from the can, then I figured I would splurge.

Easy enough!  And we all thought they tasted GREAT!
And NO preservatives!!

If you decide to explore google, there are options...you can bake them, or even make them gluten free! 

This recipe was just what I wanted, and it didn't take long to prepare as I needed them within a couple of hours of making the casserole.  (And wanted the mess cleaned up before our meal too). 

I only used 1 onion and it was plenty for my need. 

HOMEMADE FRENCH FRIED ONIONS 

2 lg. onions, sliced into very thin rings

(I used a mandoline type slicer)

2 c. milk or buttermilk

2 c. all purpose flour

salt & pepper

oil for frying 

Soak onion slices in milk for 5 - 30 minutes.

Heat oil in large skillet or deep fryer. (You'll want it at least 1/2" deep) 

I used tongs to remove a handful of onions from the milk and drop them into the flour; toss to coat. Fry in batches, stirring as needed. Drain on paper towels. They'll crisp up very quickly.  Crumble when cool and use in green bean casserole or to coat chicken....or just to enjoy plain.  MMM! 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

1. You might also like these do-it-yourself recipes...

Homemade Ice Packs

(2 basic ingredients)

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Homemade Cinnamon Syrup (for Coffee, Cider, Ice Cream, Sweet Potatoes, Pancakes)

Oh my goodness!  If you like cinnamon at all, you MUST try this very simple syrup.

I added it to my iced coffee while it was still warm...just couldn't wait for it to cool.

It's so tasty - with no preservatives! 

I so love Samantha at Five Heart Home.  I make many of her tasty recipes.  And I love that she does a lot of 'natural' recipes...for clean eating/living.

This one is fabulous and I do hope you'll make it soon.  It only takes a few minutes, but the flavor will last a long time...and then you'll be ready to make more. 

Try it on ice cream, waffles, pancakes, hot cider, but be sure to add it to your coffee...hot or cold.  I can't wait to try it in my oatmeal!

It would be SUCH a great gift to give...and to receive.  Place it in jar tied with a ribbon, placing in a basket with some hot cider packets, a gallon of cider or a pkg. of coffee...pancake mix...oh the ideas are endless! 

I used Watkins Cinnamon - in my humble opinion, it can't be beat for top flavor. 

HOMEMADE CINNAMON SYRUP

1 c. brown sugar

1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 c. water

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 

In medium saucepan (make sure you have enough room for the sauce to bubble up without boiling over), combine brown sugar and cinnamon. (so the cinnamon won't clump up). Then add water. Whisk until sugar is dissolved and the mixture comes to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer and whisk for 5 minutes more or until syrup begins to thicken.  (It will thicken more as it cools). 

Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.  Pour into a clean glass jar or covered container, allowing to cool before you seal or refrigerate. 

Keeps in fridge up to one month. (If you're like me, it'll be gone long before the month is up!=)

Stir into coffee or apple cider.  Pour over ice cream, pancakes and waffles, apple pie and even sweet potatoes!!!! 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

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Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice & Apple Pie Spice

 I haven't purchased pumpkin pie spice in years...this works great and you probably have all the ingredients on hand...

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN PIE SPICE

Large batch: 

Combine 1 TB.cinnamon with 1-1/2 tsp. ginger, 3/4 tsp. nutmeg, 3/4 tsp.allspice and 1/4 tsp. cloves. Use as you would store-purchased.

Small batch: (equals 1 tsp.)

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/8 tsp. allspice

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

few dashes of cloves 

I don't use apple pie spice as much, but it's really good.  I love cardamom!!

Use this in any apple recipe, or substitute pumpkin pie spice. 

APPLE PIE SPICE

 1 tsp. cinnamon 

1/2 tsp.nutmeg 

1/4 tsp. cardamom

In a small jar add all ingredients. Place lid on jar and shake to combine. Add or decrease preferred ingredients to suit your personal tastes.

 I have a page at my blog with a longer list of baking substitutions...the tab is named Helpful Ideas..
check it out for simple substitutes like...

DIY Baking Powder
DIY Self-Rising Flour
DIY Powdered Sugar
DIY Sweetened Condensed Milk
DIY Corn Syrup
DIY Mustard

​Substitute for Molasses 

or Eggs 

Linked to Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Lou Lou Girls  
Weekend Potluck  

Homemade Catalina Dressing

I wanted to make my own catalina salad dressing to use in a recipe...to be shared soon, so I googled it and this is what I found.  I REALLY love my red dressings...hubby does not, so this works great for me. 

Glad I found it at Life in a Shoe (A family of 12)

It's simple and delicious! The things I did to adapt the recipe: not add all the salt...seemed like a lot...I used xylitol to make it sugar free....loved it! 

(Yes, I know there's sugar in the ketchup, but the result here is still very low sugar)...and I added a little bit of fresh grated onion, reducing the amount of onion powder.  Do whatever you think is best for your family. 

YAY! You'll never have to run out of catalina again!! 

Be watching for Tuesday's post, using this tasty dressing in a crockpot recipe! 

HOMEMADE CATALINA DRESSING 

1/2 c. sugar

(I used xylitol)

2 tsp. salt

                                              (I used 1 tsp.) 

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. onion powder

(I reduced onion powder and added a little bit of fresh grated onion)

1/2 c. vinegar

2/3 c. ketchup

1/2 c. (olive) oil

Place everything in a jar; shake well. (or use an immersion blender); store in the refrigerator.  

Linked to Weekend Potluck

Crockpot Catalina Chicken

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