Apple Cinnamon Cake Buddies!

My roommate and I have had some frozen concentrate apple juice in our freezer for a while. I'm not a big fan of apple juice so we were discussing one night what we could use it for. I suggested putting it in a cake of some sort. We decided oatmeal cake would be best and in further talking thought maybe putting apple slices in it would be good too. I discussed it with my mom and another friend as well and between everyone I formed something that turned out pretty awesome and much better then I had expected!

This was not a vegan recipe as I didn't really have time to figure out and test different things to use as an egg substitute. The next batch I think I'm going to just try and use applesauce in place of the eggs and see how it goes.

For the batter:

1 1/4c apple juice concentrate
1c quick oats
Mix together and set aside

beat
1/2c butter(I used vegan margarine)
1c white sugar
1c brown sugar
add:
2tsp vanilla
2eggs

add oat/apple juice mixture.

after that is mixed well add
1 1/2c flour
1tsp baking soda or powder (whichever is fine)
1/2tsp cinnamon
1/4tsp nutmeg

Pour in to lined cupcake sheets.

For the apples in the center I made 'apple pie' apples. I cut up my apple in smallish pieces, lightly coated them in flour... added some brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, a little melted butter and mixed together.



Put a single slice in the center of each cupcake. Bake at 350 for 40min or until done. I would check on them sooner then that.

Pecan Topping:
mix together
3TBS melted butter
1/2c brown sugar
approx 1/2c chopped pecans
touch of cinnamon

After your your cupcake/muffins come out of the oven top them with the pecan mixture. Let cool and serve!

I have a few friends that don't like nuts so for those I just topped them with the same mixture minus the pecans.

Vegan Pancakes!

What?! A new post? Yes! Finally I have managed to do some original cooking in the kitchen. It wasn't much, but it was original none the less, so yay for that!

I have tried vegan pancakes a few times, they seem to be hit and miss. Today was a hit and I thought I would share. :)

I looked at a few simple recipes and decided to combine a few and make my own based on how my basic non vegan recipe looks.

Vegan Pancakes

1c flour
2tbs baking powder
1/2tsp salt
2 tbs sugar

1c soy milk
2tbs vegetable oil
1tbs vanilla
1 egg replacer (mixed before adding)

Mix all your dry ingredients together then add your liquids. Whisk together until smooth... Cook and enjoy!

The batter seemed a little thick, but they puffed up quite nicely and turned out really well. :)

Pumpkin Pancakes!!

Have you ever noticed that you really only find pumpkin stuff from just before Thanksgiving through New Years then it all just disappears again until the next holiday season?

It makes me sad, because personally I think pumpkin stuff is amazing!! :D I was hanging out with a friend last night, she had pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting! It was sooo yummy!!

For some reason it made me remember that a few years ago I stumbled on a pumpkin pancake recipe that needs to be shared!

I haven't made them in a long time, so there hasn't been an attempt to veganize them, but really I don't think it would be to hard.

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

Mix:
2 c flour
4tsp baking powder
1tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp each nutmeg & allspice (I just use nutmeg cuz I never have allspice)
3/4 c sugar

Mix:
1 1/2 c canned pumpkin
3 eggs
1c milk
3/4 c vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla

Honestly I'm not one for using two bowls and mixing stuff separately. It takes to much time and makes an extra dirty dish I don't want to clean. You can decide what you'd like to do though.

Anyway, the recipe says it serves about 6. I have no idea. I just make a ton then keep them in my fridge for a few days. :)

Super yummy though!

Cinnamon Rolls & Bread! (2 recipes!!)

I've had an off few days and have been on the verge of tears for some unknown reason. I blame the hormone pills that my doctor put me on last week. Anyway... Spending time in the kitchen always helps my off moods... sad, angry, stressed... time in the kitchen always makes it better. :)

I made myself pasta and a pink sauce for dinner then chilled for a bit and decided to lock myself in my kitchen with some upbeat music and make some cinnamon buns. I called my mom to ask her advice on a sugary topping for it and in the process ended up getting my grandma's bread recipe from her. I had no intentions of making bread tonight too, but in the end decided I'd be awake so why not. :)

Sadly I only got half the info I needed for the bread so I had to kind of wing it and hope it turned out right.

The rolls turned out really well! The best part... They are vegan friendly!


(they are a gooey mess on the bottom!! :D)

Combine
1c lukewarm milk (I used vanilla soy milk)
1 package dry yeast.

Let stand for 5min. Stir. Add

2TBs soft butter
1Tbs sugar
1teas salt

Mix in gradually 2 1/2c-3 1/4c flour until dough is just firm enough to handle.
I kneaded it a bit and let it rise for about 40min before I punched it down and rolled it out. Spread butter over the flat dough and sprinkle with a cinnamon sugar mixture. (I also sprinkled brown sugar over it)

Butter the pan you're going to bake them in then pour in some cream or milk to cover the bottom and sprinkle with brown sugar, mix it together and add your sliced rolls. Let rise before putting in the oven.

Bake at 375 for 25min. Enjoy!


Well the bread baked much faster then it was supposed to but I'm glad because I am ready for bed!



Its a really heavy bread, but I'm not surprised considering my grandma was raised on a farm. It turned out really well!

1 package dry yeast
between 5 3/4c-6 1/4c flour
2 1/4 c milk (I used vanilla soy milk because that is what I had)
2 Tbs sugar
2 teas salt
1 Tbs shortening

combine the yeast & half the flour
warm the milk, shortening and sugar enough to melt the shortening then combine with the flour/yeast. Mix it together then combine the rest of the flour and the salt.

knead and let rise in bowl until it doubles in size then punch down and shape into pans. Let it rise a bit before putting in the oven.

Bake at 400 between 45-60min.

Amazing Banana Bread!

This is a recipe I got from my grandma years and years ago! It is the only really good banana bread I have ever had. It's really dense and moist and just all around amazing! My only complaint... it is time consuming, but in all honesty... When is bread not time consuming unless you put it in a bread maker? Try this recipe... I promise you will love it!

Banana Bread

2 eggs
1/2c shortening
1 1/2c sugar
1 1/4 c mashed banana
1/4c buttermilk
2c flour
1tsp baking soda
1/2tsp salt
1tsp vanilla


I like to add walnuts, chocolate chips or sometimes blueberries or dried cranberry's to the mixture. Not all together of course, but it should make at least 2 loafs so I tend to make one just plain then add something to the second half of the batter

bake at 350 for an hour or more

It'll start getting really dark on top before its done, just cover it with foil and it will be fine. :) I hope it works out for you! I love love love this recipe!