Perfect Poppyseed Bread

I can hardly believe I have never posted this recipe before!!! 

It's definitely a FAMILY FAVORITE!

This quick bread is terrific for gift giving....recipients will love you forever! 

I got the recipe from an aunt many years ago and have made this every holiday season since.  It has almond extract which makes it so tasty.  If you don't care for almond extract, you can make it without, but I can't say how good it is because I've not ever done that. 

One of my brother-in-loves doesn't think it's Christmas until he gets his own loaf of poppyseed bread. 

I SO love the orange juice/almond extract glaze you pour over the top when it comes from the oven.  It not only adds flavor, but moistness too. 

Please...do yourself a favor...don't wait to make this tasty treat!!! 

PERFECT POPPYSEED BREAD 

1 c. vegetable oil + 2 Tb.

(I use half applesauce) 

3 eggs

1-3/4 c. white sugar

(that's reduced from the 2-1/4 c. in original recipe!)

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

1-1/2 tsp. almond extract

1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 c. all purpose flour

1-1/2 tsp. poppy seeds

(I always add a little more)

1-1/2 tsp. baking powder

1-1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 3 - 9" X 5" loaf pans or 5 - 4" X 2" mini loaf pans. 

In large bowl, combine oil (applesauce) & eggs and whisk until well blended and fluffy.  Add sugar; mix well. Stir in remaining bread ingredients until just blended. The batter will be very thin. Feel free to use your mixer if you want. 

Pour into prepared pans.  Bake large loaves for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Bake small loaves for 30 minutes.

(I try to check 5 minutes before time is up to ensure a moist bread). 

Remove bread from oven and immediately poke holes in top with a wooden pick or large fork. Pour glaze evenly over each loaf.  Let stand 15 minutes before removing from pans to a wire rack to cool completely. 

GLAZE: 

1 Tb. butter or margarine

3/4 c. white sugar

1/4 c. orange juice

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. almond extract

In small saucepan combine all ingredients and heat, over low, until sugar dissolves, stirring frequently. 

Linked to Whatcha Whipped up Wednesday
Ingredient Spotlight: Citrus
Weekend Potluck
  Meal Plan Monday

Homemade {Candy Cane} Hot Cocoa Mix

 I was not disappointed when I found this yummy drink mix at Pennies on a Platter. She also has a  Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix  there too.  OH MY! 

I decided I would adapt this recipe a bit and I added some dry powdered creamer.

You could use flavored - peppermint or marshmallow - for a flavor boost,

or none at all.  It's all up to you.

This makes a great gift. You could even put some in a bag and place inside a mug to give as a gift. I love having things like this handy to give as a hostess gift when we go to dinner somewhere. 

I also like the idea of giving the mix along with a box of candy canes to use as 'stirrers'. 

You could even use candy cane kisses instead of the white chocolate chips in this recipe.  I used the swirled white/chocolate chips in mine.  Lots of options here.

HOMEMADE {CANDY CANE} HOT COCOA MIX 

3 c. nonfat dry milk powder
2 c. powdered sugar
1-1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 c. powdered coffee creamer, optional
(sugar free...or flavored)
1-1/2 c. white chocolate chips
(or candy cane kisses)
1/4 tsp. salt

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.  Pour half the mixture into food processor and process until chocolate is finely ground.  Transfer to an airtight container, then repeat with remaining mix. Store in airtight container for up to 3 months. 

To make drink; mix 1/4 - 1/3 c. cocoa mix with 1 c. hot milk.  Enjoy!! 

Linked to Whatcha Whipped up Wednesday Weekend Potluck Meal Plan Monday

Amish Peanut Butter - oh my!

I am excited to share several yummy recipes this week ideal for gift giving! I love giving AND receiving homemade gifts - whether they're from the kitchen or not - because giving away our time and ourselves always says L-O-V-E! 

If you missed my post from yesterday....

Christmas Tips, Tricks & Recipes to Help Ease Holiday Stress

I hope you'll take time to read and glean some practical ideas...there are

some gift giving recipes there too. My daughter did an 'interview' with me a few years ago and I'm sharing once again...

Onto today's yummy recipe.....

We live in NW Ohio, close to Michigan and Indiana.  There are Amish folks within a few miles in both of those directions.  Very interesting people. We try not to gawk anytime we drive around their buggies on the road, but it's always fun to wave at each other as we travel along the same path...just in very different modes of transportation.  

We love going to Amish/Mennonite restaurants and when we do, they always have a jar of Amish peanut butter on the table for the homemade rolls. 

It's peanut butter mixed with marshmallow cream and a simple syrup and is oh so yummy...such a special treat.

It only takes a few minutes to make. I let mine sit out on the counter and gobble it up on toast. (Pumpkin spice swirl bread even!)  So you can make ahead for the holidays and have something on hand to give away. I suppose you could store it in the fridge, but make sure it's warm temperature when serving. 

So I was really! happy when I found this simple recipe at Lemons for Lulu and decided I was going to make some to give as gifts for Christmas.  It would be awesome, tucked in a basket along with apples or bananas, pretzels or maybe even homemade bread? (The Amish are SUPER at making delicious homemade breads and rolls!) 

Tanya at Lemons for Lulu made this as requested by her little girl for her birthday. Can you imagine a child asking for something like this?  I thought that was so sweet...she must REALLY like it huh?

I will confess: it's difficult to stop eating this fluffy treat by the spoonfuls!

AMISH PEANUT BUTTER 

1-3/4 c. brown sugar
(reduced from 2 c.)

1 c. water

2 Tb. corn syrup

1 tsp. maple syrup

2 c. peanut butter

1 - 16 ozs. marshmallow fluff 

In large saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, water, corn syrup and maple syrup.  Stir until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat; let cool to about 15 minutes. 

In a large bowl, combine peanut butter and marshmallow fluff. (I think it's easiest to stir it by hand (I used a curved rubber spatula)...it would be pretty thick for your mixer, unless you have one of those strong beautiful stand mixers). Add cooled sugar mixture gradually and stir until it's smooth and combined well. Pour into air tight containers. 

Depending on the size of your jars/containers, this would make enough for 2 - 4 gifts.  Recipe says it serves a total of 24. 

(I know it seems like it would make more, but when you're stirring that marshmallow fluff, the 'air' comes out and it gets 'smaller'.) 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

Linked to Whatcha Whipped up Wednesday Weekend Potluck Foodie Friends Friday Iron Chef Mom - Peanut Butter GBP Roundup - Peanut Butter Full Plate Thursday

Christmas Tips, Tricks & Recipes to Ease Holiday Stress

My Daughter, Deb, did an 'interview' with me about 4 years ago to share at her blog A Latte with the Queen Mommy ...I still use these tools to keep me sane through the holiday rush!  Hope you find some of these helpful for you too. 

Q: How do you prepare for your holiday activities?  What tools do you use to stay on top of everything?

Desk Calendar. I make notes on a desk calendar for any activities going on from day to day, including cookie baking, cookie exchanges, Christmas concerts, etc.

Pocket File Folder. I keep a pocket file folder in my recipe drawer marked “Holidays” and put my favorite recipes there.  That way I don’t have to dig through all my recipes to try to find a holiday favorite. I also use small photo albums (you know – the inexpensive ones from your local dollar stor) and place recipes from newspaper/magazines in them, and mark each of them with the kind of recipes they contain. I have one marked “Cookies” that I refer to often. Others are ‘desserts’ ’9″ X 13″ pan desserts’ ‘snacks and appetizers’, etc. etc. I stand these little albums on end so I can easily see the one I’m looking for and grab it at a moment’s notice.

Christmas Card Record. I keep a Christmas Card record book from year to year so I can make changes in addresses when needed (I include the year of change also), and I keep track of whom I send to and receive from. Most record books are good for 5-8 years. I keep a list of gifts I give to friends and customers from year to year so I will vary the kitchen ‘goodies’ I share with them and don’t repeat – unless it’s one of their favorites, which I record, also.

Q: What shortcuts and time savers do you rely on during your holiday preparations?

Since I try to make every minute count –  I keep things written out and just get up and do something while a commercial comes on TV or I find a few free moments, and I always make myself lists so I don't have to remember what I need to do next.

One thing I do CONSISTENTLY to keep things moving along in the kitchen, is keep hot sudsy water in the sink all the time I’m working there.  I can wash new dirty dishes when I have a minute in between things. It helps keep the counter cleared and dishes can dry (use HOT water to rinse) and you can put them away when you have another few minutes.

I often reprioritize throughout the month.  And I have to consider what REALLY needs to be done first – usually, according to the day of the week it needs to be ready. We gotta ‘keep the main thing, the main thing’….I always record comments on new recipes – ‘excellent’….’rubbery’ (just did that today with a sugar free cookie I tried =) If the recipe isn’t in a book, and I’m not wild about it, I usually throw it away and keep trying other new ones.

Q: What homemade gifts do you like to give? How do you package them?
Handmade gifts require some of your own personal time and effort.  They can show someone you care – even if you use an assembly line process to get things done.  I believe gifts from the heart are the very best kind - when we give part of ourselves....our time, the work of our hands and our thoughtfulness away.

White Christmas Mix (Page 150 in my cookbook=) is a very yummy, easy and pretty holiday gift to give. Giving it in the holiday printed zipper-seal bags is nice because you can see how pretty the mix is. Even plain ziploc bags, decorated with curly ribbons is “fun and festive.”

Chocolate Pretzel Rings (page 152 in my cookbook)  are fun to make with kids, and make a LOT so giving them away by themselves or along with other goodies is nice. If you can keep from eating them all…

Fruited Oatmeal Mix (page 148) is a nice gift to give (the elderly love this too) – it’s warm and filling and is a healthier option, too! It can be bagged and tucked into a pretty tin or given in a pretty gift jar.

Q: How do you prepare for last minute party invitations or gift ideas?

I buy things (on sale) throughout the year – candles, books, calendars, Avon products, and a large shelf in a closet to store my gifts, so I can look through and see if I can find anything ‘fitting’ for the person I desire it for. And I always have something edible made up – even if it’s in the freezer.

  

When we organize our minds, we allow our hearts to stay focused on the true meaning of each holiday.  Enjoy this special time with your family and friends because spending meaningful & quality time with your loved ones will mean so much more than any gift you give them.

**RECIPES** (Great for Gift Giving)

WHITE CHRISTMAS MIX

1 lb. white chocolate (or vanilla almond bark)

Melt in double boiler or microwave according to directions

Mix together:

3 cups Rice Chex

3 cups Corn Chex (or combined – 6 cups crispix cereal)

3 cups Cheerios

2 cups mini pretzels

2 cups peanuts

1 lg. bag of M & M’s – plain or peanut (optional) (We love using the holiday mix)

Pour white chocolate over everything and mix well. Let dry and place into gift containers.Even using plain ziploc bags, decorated with curly ribbons is “fun and festive.”

CHOCOLATE PRETZEL RINGS

13 oz bag Rolos (or about 7 single rolls)

1 bag tiny twists pretzels

1 bag peanut M & M’s – (again, those holiday ones add a special touch)

Line cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper. Lay out pretzels, place one unwrapped rolo on top of Pretzel. Bake at 300 for 5 -6 minutes or until chocolate becomes shiny.

Take out of oven, place M&M on each one, pushing down on rolo so it adheres to pretzel.  Let cool for 10 minutes, then place entire sheet in fridge or cold room to set for at least 1 hour. This is so great because you can make few or many at a time. A cookie sheet full will make 70-90 treats. May also top with pecan halves instead of M & M’s.

FRUITED OATMEAL MIX

6 cups quick cooking oats

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped dried apples or dried banana chips or any dried diced fruit

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

3 tsps. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

(Yield: 7 cups of mix/two batches – each makes 7 servings of oatmeal)

Directions to include with gift:

For each serving:

1/2 cup fruited oatmeal mix

3/4 cup water

In a deep microwave-safe bowl, combine mix and water. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 45 seconds; stir. Cook 20-30 seconds longer or until bubbly. let stand for 1 – 2 minutes.

This can be a very healthy gift – I used splenda, splenda brown sugar, and reduced sodium salt….Delicious!

Candy Cane Snowball Cookies & Weekend Potluck #45

A WARM WELCOME TO WEEKEND POTLUCK! 

AND...

I love cookies all year long, but especially holiday cookies.

These wonderful melt-in-your-mouth snowballs have crushed candy canes inside and candy cane powder on top.  I made these for a cookie exchange last year. 

 MMM good! 

Candy Cane Snowball Cookies



As some of you know, my dear hubby had a heart cath this week.  He received
a stent in an artery that was 95% blocked!  God is MORE than WONDERFUL! We have SO much to be thankful for. I wanted to be sure to thank all of you who prayed and sent me notes of encouragement.  It means so much! 

Now, let's take a quick peek back at last week...

The recipe with the most clicks was ~

No Bake Biscoff Cookies by Sugar Cookies to Peterbilts

Recipes that caught our attention ~

Meatball Bubble Biscuits by Julie’s Eats & Treats

Peppermint Patty Bark by Lemons for Lulu

And, a personal favorite ~

Dark Chocolate Pie with a Holiday Twist by Kelli's Retro Kitchen Arts 




If you were featured this week, don't forget to snag the Featured Button above ...

Your hostesses ~

• The Better Baker ~ Marsha
• Sunflower Supper Club ~ Kim & Julie
• Life As a Lofthouse ~ Holly
• 4 Little Fergusons~ Tonya
• The Country Cook~ Brandie
• Meet Penny ~ Tabitha

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