Flashback Friday - Fabulous Muffins for Fall

WELCOME TO FLASHBACK FRIDAY! 

I've loved muffins for all my life...and I've loved baking

for almost that long too...hope you enjoy these tasty treats as you

warm up your kitchen in the cooler temps! 

Pumpkin Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling

With reduced sugar, these luscious treats will make you feel good about eating them! 

Oatmeal Raspberry Muffins with Choc Chips

These amazing and moist muffins are terrific for snacking. They are 
considered 5 Weight Watchers Freestyle Points too.  You won't be able to stop
eating just one...or even two! 

Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Muffins (3 ingredients - lowfat!)

Dark chocolate is good for you you know...and zucchini is too...
GO.FOR.IT! 

Dark Chocolate Zucchini Muffins with Ganache

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Contest-Winning Raspberry Cream Pie (No Bake)

WOW!  It sure is hard to believe summer is ending but alas...tis true, so...
 I wanted to give you one last NO BAKE dessert before jacket weather hits! 

This is a Taste of Home recipe so you know it's gonna be delicious. 

I normally reduce the sugar amount and made this sugar free using xylitol, and Sukrin powdered sugar. (sugar free)

It looks like this - I buy it at Amazon.  Yes, it's pricey, but some things are just worth splurging on, especially when it tastes as good as this does! 

I love that it doesn't have an after taste and works nicely in my desserts...

baked or unbaked. 

You can use fresh or frozen raspberries, so this is a tasty dessert to serve

all four seasons! 

Another change I made was that it called for orange liqueur...I used 1/2 tsp. of orange extract instead.  I noticed a little bit of 'zip' to the pie because of it too...soo good! 

Hope you enjoy this delightful pie as much as we did. 

CONTEST WINNING RASPBERRY CREAM PIE 

CRUST: 

1-1/2 c. crushed vanilla wafers (about 45 wafers)

(graham crackers work also) 

1/3 c. chopped pecans

2 Tb. sugar or sugar substitute

1/4 c. butter, melted

FILLING:

1 pkg. (8 ozs.) cream cheese, softened

2/3 c. powdered sugar 

(or sugar free substitute)

2 Tb. orange liqueur

(or 1/2 tsp. orange extract), or more to taste

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. heavy whipping cream, whipped ** (See TIP below)

TOPPING:  

3/4 c. sugar (or substitute)

3 (heaping) Tb. cornstarch

3 Tb. water

2-1/2 c. fresh or frozen raspberries, divided

In medium bowl, combine wafer crumbs, pecans, sugar and butter. Press onto bottom and sides of a greased 9" pie plate. 

In large bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, liqueur and vanilla until light and fluffy.  Fold in whipped cream; spread into crust.  Chill until ready to serve. 

In small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; stir in water and 1-1/2 c. raspberries.  Bring to a boil; stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate until chilled. 

Spread topping over the filling or dollop topping on each slice

when serving.  Garnish with remaining berries. 

It's a beautiful work of art! 

**TIP - For best results, chill glass bowl and mixer beaters for 5 - 10 minutes before whipping so you'll get more volume. 


You might also enjoy...

Easy Biscoff Cheesecake Pie

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie

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The Bryan Times - July 1, 2019 - Summertime Teaching Opportunities

​Happy 243rd Birthday, America!  May you all enjoy a safe and fun holiday week, no matter where you are in this great land we are blessed to call home. 

Summertime brings great opportunities for us to teach our children and grandchildren. I've always believed we're robbing our children of important life skills if we don't teach them to successfully do chores at home.  They want privileges?  Then teach them that responsibilities go along with that. 

I knew some wise young parents who, on each of their children's birthdays, would give them a new responsibility and a new privilege.  SMART!

Raspberry Sweeties

While it is sometimes easier just to do it yourself, take time to teach because children need to learn those skills that are important for a successful future. 

Kids can learn that life requires work. By loading the dishwasher, mowing the grass, or doing their laundry, "kids learn how the world works." 

To take the sting out of chores, set aside a time each week when the whole family does chores, Saturday morning from 8 to 9 for example. Then you don’t get into battles about when chores get done. Having the whole family do chores at the same time also helps. Your kid knows that every Saturday morning, this is what the family does.

And don't forget to add some fun in the mix.  Play upbeat music or a silly song. It can make a real difference in everyone's attitude. Vacuum or dust to the beat of the music and let the kids have a turn. 

Assign Chores By Age: Tasks that are clearly over your child’s head will make chore time dreadful for everyone. Don't forget to change up the chores from time to time. 

After dinner, do a "10-minute Tidy." Set a timer and have family members scatter through the house putting away the day's clutter.

Once chores are done, maybe the kids could have fun making some good snacks. Here's a few simple ideas to get them started. Kids will always be more willing to eat something they've helped create themselves. Spending time in the kitchen also teaches your kids about measuring as well as learning to do team work with other family members. 

GRAHAM CRACKER GOODIES 

1 tub (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 box (3.4 oz.) instant vanilla (or your favorite) pudding (4-serv. size)

30 graham cracker squares

sprinkles

In large bowl, combine whipped topping and dry pudding mix. Stir until pudding is completely combined. (It shouldn't be grainy.) Spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons of 'frosting' on a graham cracker square. Put second graham cracker square on top and squish it down just a little.(you'll want some of the filling to ooze out the sides just a bit because you need something for sprinkles to stick to). Dip each of the four sides in sprinkles. Place each 'sandwich' on a cookie sheet; freeze for about 2 hours (the hardest part is waiting!) Place all goodies in a freezer bag - the kids can 'grab and go', right from the freezer. 

RASPBERRY SWEETIES

Just wash and dry berries and put white or milk chocolate chips upside down in them. The kids will be so proud they made this sweet treat for you. 

My grandkids have really enjoyed this cooling fun treat. 

KID-FRIENDLY ICE CREAM IN A BAG

1 c. light cream (Try using half vanilla flavored creamer) MM!

3 Tb. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

qt. size ziplock freezer bag

2 gallon size ziploc freezer bags

crushed ice or cubes

rock salt

Mix first 3 ingredients together and pour into the qt. bag. Squeeze the air out and place it into a gallon bag (for safety sake). In the bottom of the second gallon bag, place some ice cubes and rock salt.  Place the other bags on top, then fill in the sides with more layers of ice and rock salt so that it is higher than the level of cream. Then let the kids toss the bags back and forth to each other, back and forth, and in about 10 minutes or so, they'll have ice cream.  Yield: 2 -3 servings 

Enjoy a wonderful summer! 

"I love how summer just wraps her arms around you like a warm blanket" - Kellie Elmore

Flashback Friday - Tasty Breakfast Dishes to begin your day

WELCOME TO FLASHBACK FRIDAY! 

Sharing some delicious breakfasts to help get you going...enjoy every tasty bite! 

These magnificent 'muffins' are soo delicious - good for you - and versatile.

Add what your family loves best to the beaten eggs....veggies, cheese, meat....great to have on hand for a protein boost any time of day.
Great to make ahead and reheat when you want. 

Mini Omelet Muffins

Nothing like 'dressing up' some canned cinnamon rolls for ease!  And fabulous taste too! Do try these soon - you'll be so glad you did!  You don't have to wait for a holiday to come along to try these.  Today would be perfect! 

Upside Down Cranberry Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

My oh my! With layers of scrambled eggs & sausage gravy, topped with biscuits, this dish is sure to please any hungry man (or woman) you need to feed!

Best Breakfast Casserole Ever

You just can't beat this awesome and tasty fruity dish!!

Made ahead...refrigerated overnight...what's not to LOVE????  
It makes me swooooonnn!  

Baked Waffles with Raspberry Cream Cheese

Leader Enterprise - July 25, 2018 - Cooling Beverages to help you "Chill"

Before I share some tasty drink recipes to help keep you cool while the temps are hot, I wanted to share a few random household tips and picnic ideas for your consideration.  I do hope both 'lineups' will help make your life easier as you make the most of the rest of your summer! 

- Slot the stick of a popsicle through a cupcake paper to prevent drips on little fingers.

- Store bed sheets inside their pillowcases for easy storage and access.

- A ball of aluminum foil makes a great glassware scrubber!

- Spoon fruit or veggie salads into mini mason jars - fun for summer picnics and easy to tuck into a picnic basket.

- If you're picnicking on the ground, a tray or two is nice for setting drinks on so they don't tip easily. 

- Place a few drops of essential oil on the inside of the cardboard tube of a toilet paper roll to make your bathroom smell wonderful.

- When setting out chilled salads or other cold foods at your picnic, consider placing the serving containers in a larger pan filled with ice to keep them cold. 

- To test baking powder for freshness, add 1/2 tsp. to 1/4 c. hot water; if it fizzes, it's good.

- Replace 1 TB. cornstarch with 2 TB. all-purpose flour as a thickener in recipes.   

COPYCAT ORANGE JULIUS

1 (6 ozs) can frozen orange juice concentrate, partially thawed

1 c. milk

1 c. water

1/3 c. sugar (or sugar substitute) 

1 tsp. vanilla extract

8 ice cubes 

Put all the ingredients into the blender. Process until blended and frothy. Pour-relax and enjoy every sip. Yield: 3-4 yummy servings 

ICED VANILLA COFFEE

1/3 c. double strength regular or decaf coffee, chilled

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

1 Tb. instant vanilla pudding, dry (optional)

1 pkt. Truvia or liquid stevia to taste

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. crushed ice 

Combine all ingredients in blender, blending on high until drink is smooth. Pour into a glass - top with light whipped cream if desired. Yield: 1 large drink

HEALTHY PEACH VANILLA MILKSHAKE  

1/2 c. peaches, frozen or fresh

1 heaping tsp. flaxseed meal, optional

1/2 c. (1%) milk (or almond milk)

1/4 c. plain or vanilla (Greek) yogurt  

1 tsp. vanilla (or almond) extract

1/2 c. water

1/2 c. crushed ice

1 pkt. Truvia (or sweetener to equal 2 tsps.) 

Place all ingredients in blender; blend until smooth and frothy. Add more liquid if needed. Yield: 2 servings.  

RASPBERRY LEMONADE SMOOTHIE 

3 pieces of ice, chunked

1/2 c. frozen raspberries

1/2-3/4 c. water

1-2 tsp. fresh lemon juice 

2 tsp. honey (or liquid stevia, to taste)

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Start with 1/2 c. water and add more after you've blended the smoothie to get the consistency you'd like. If you let the blender stand just a few minutes most of the seeds will drop to the bottom. Just stop pouring before you get to that part. Yield: 1 serving 

You could try using a combo of raspberries and blackberries for this amazing drink! 

EASY BLUEBERRY LEMONADE

3/4 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 4 or 5 lemons) 

7 c. water, divided

3/4 to 1 c. sugar 

1 c. fresh blueberries 

Over medium heat, stir 2 cups of water and sugar in a pan until sugar is dissolved. Add blueberries; allow to simmer for 6-7 minutes until they begin to break down and color the sugar water. Pour mixture through a strainer to remove blueberries. Allow to cool to room temperature. Add lemon juice and the remaining 5 c. water, stir well. Serve over ice and garnish by adding lemon slices and fresh blueberries. Yield: about 2 qts. 

You can't see a rainbow when you're looking down - Charlie Chaplin