{Cooking with Kids} Elephant Biscuits

My sister and her three sons recently came for a visit for a month.  My girls had lots of fun playing and swimming with their cousins but as you know keeping them entertained is a constant battle.  I saw this cute idea on a recent blog I found, The Real Thing with the Coake Family, and I knew this would be a hit with my kiddos.  We had lots of fun making these adorable elephant biscuits and almost as fun eating them.  We made these a couple of times with different types of canned biscuits.  The first time we made them I only had jumbo layered biscuits.  The second time we made them with smaller biscuits (the kind you get 4 cans in a pack).  The smaller biscuits worked a bit better.  

Enjoy!

Elephant Biscuits

by The Real Thing by the Coake Family

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Ingredients

• 1 can of 10 count biscuits (one elephant requires 2 biscuits)
• cinnamon sugar
• craisins or raisins

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven as suggested on the package instructions.
2. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.
3. Start with two biscuits.
4. Cut one of the biscuits into thirds leaving a long strip in the center. This will be the ears and trunk.
5. Place the first biscuit on the baking sheet.
6. Place the two rounded cut pieces on either side of the other biscuit forming the ears of the elephant.
7. Add the strip to the top of the biscuit to make the trunk.
8. Repeat with the remaining biscuits.
9. Sprinkle each head with cinnamon sugar.
10. Place two craisins/raisins on each biscuit for eyes.
11. Bake in the oven until golden brown.

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Linked To:

*My Sweet and Savory: Meatless Monday
*The Southern Institute: Creative Me
*Mrs Happy Homemaker: Makin' You Crave Monday
*Polish the Stars: Link Party
*DIY Home Sweet Home: More the Merrier
*Flour Me with Love: Mix It Up Monday
*Delightfully Dowling: Mangia Mondays
*Blessed with Grace: Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
*It's a Blog Party: Delicious Dishes
*Inside BruCrew Life: Trick or Treat Tuesday
*Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday
*A Little Nosh: Tastetastic Thursday
*Mom on Timeout: Taking A Timeout Thursday
*A Glimpse Inside: Catch a Glimpse
*Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hippo: Anything Goes
*I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop
*Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday
*Addicted to Recipes: Scrumptious Sunday
*Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sunday
*Everyday Mom's Meals: Church Supper

Recipe: Quick and Healthy Homemade Potato Chips

I recently had surgery and my recovery involved doing as little as possible for four weeks.  Not so easy to do with three active children in the middle of the school year.  My sweet mother volunteered to take care of all of us.  I know it has been a lot of work for her, but the selfish side of me has enjoyed all the pampering and home cooked meals. While searching for some quick and healthy snacks to make for the girls after school treat, she came across this recipe at Eating Well for Microwave Potato Chips.  Chips that are not deep fried and quick to make...yes please!  The original recipe called for Yukon gold or red potatoes, but my mother made hers with sweet potatoes, purple fingerling potatoes and Idaho potatoes.  Not only were they colorful but they were so tasty.

 

I am always looking for ways to make my children's lunches and snacks a bit more healthier and this is a great alternative to processed over chemicaled bagged chips.  

Thanks Mommy for finding such a great healthy recipe.  Enjoy!

Quick and Healthy Homemade Potato Chips

{adapted from the original recipe by Eating Well}

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Ingredients

• 1 1/3 pound potatoes, unpeeled and scrubbed
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Slice potatoes into very thin rounds.
2. Toss the slices in a medium bowl with olive and salt to coat evenly.
3. Coat a large micro-wave proof plate with cooking spray. Arrange some potato slices in a single layer on the plate.
4. Microwave, uncovered, on High until some slices start to brown, about 2 to 3 minutes (depending on the potato thickness and microwave power).
5. Turn the slices over and continue microwaving until they start to crisp and brown around the edges, another 2 to 4 minutes. Check frequently and rearrange slices as needed to prevent scorching.
6. Transfer the chips to another plate and allow to cool completely. The chips will crisp more as they cool.
7. Repeat with remaining slices.

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Linked To:
*Simply Sweet Home: Friday Favorites
*Bacon Time with The Hungry Hungry Hippo: Anything Goes
*It's A Hodgepodge Life: It's a Hodgepodge Friday
*Stuff and Nonsense: Friday's Unfolded
*Happy Hour Projects: Freestyle Friday
*Blissful and Domestic: Feature Friday
*Country Momma Cooks: Link and Greet
*The Sweet Details: Savory Sunday
*LambAround: Not Baad Sundays
*I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 
*Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday
*Simply Klassic Home: Simply Klassic Sunday
*Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sundays
*Everyday Mom's Meals: Church Supper
*Petite Hermine: Sunday Linky Party
*My Sweet and Savory: My Meatless Monday
*The Southern Institute: Creative Me
*Mrs Happy Homemaker: Make You Crave Monday
*It's a Keeper Thursday: Recipe Swap
*Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday

Recipe: Heart Shaped Tortilla Chips

One day as I was browsing (really obsessing) on Pinterest for some cute ideas for my kid's lunch on Valentine's Day, I came across these super cute and super easy heart shaped tortilla chips.  Cute...right?!  Better yet, they are not fried and chemicled up, they are baked in the oven.  I can't wait to surprise my girls with these heart chips!

Heart Shaped Tortilla Chips

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Ingredients

• Corn tortillas
• olive oil
• kosher salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lay tortillas out and use a heart shape cookie cutter to cut shapes.
3. Place on a cookie sheet.
4. Sprinkle tortillas with salt.
5. Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.

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Linked To:

*Simply Sweet Home: Friday Favorites
*Happy Hour Project: Freestyle Friday
*It's a Hodgepodge Life: Hodgepodge Friday
*A Little Nosh: Tastetastic Thursday
*Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hippo: Anything Goes
*Rattlebridge Farm: Foodie Friday
*Happy Hour Project: Share the Love Valentine Linky Party
*Country Momma Cooks: Link and Greet
*Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday
*Simply Klassic Home: Simply Klassic Sunday
*Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sunday

Holiday Projects: Valentine Peppermint Pops

Aren't these so cute?  I know that this idea has been around for years, but one afternoon my daughter and I wanted to do a project together, so this is what we decided to do.  We had a LOT of candy canes left over from the holidays (secretly I bought more than we needed with the hopes that I could make these this year).  It also helps that my husband LOVES candy canes so I had excuse to buy boxes and boxes of candy canes, especially when they went on super clearance after the holidays.  

This is a fun project.  The hardest part is peeling the wrappers off the candy canes.  We used mini candy canes because they made the perfect lollipop size, but I am sure you could use the bigger size.  This is a perfect project to do with your kids.  Have fun and enjoy!

Supplies Needed

Mini Candy Canes

White Bark/Candy Coating

Sprinkles

Lollipop Sticks

Line a baking sheet with wax paper.  Unwrap candy canes and place in a heart shape.  Melt bark/candy coating according to package directions.  I use a Ziploc bag to melt my coating.  Place the bark/candy coating in the bag, do not seal.  Place the bag in a mug and melt according to the package directions.  You can squeeze the bag to mix the coating.  Once it has been completely melted, snip a small opening in the corner of the bag.  Squeeze the coating into the open area of the heart (between the candy canes).  If the coating it a bit lumpy, use the end of the lollipop stick to even the surface out and stick the stick halfway up the heart and in between the bottom opening of the candy canes.  While the coating is "wet" add any sprinkles or decorations.  Allow the coating to cool completely before removing from the wax paper.

Linked To:

*Momnivore's Dilemma: Creative Juice
*The 36th Avenue: Share Awesomeness
*Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff
*Talking Dollar and Cents: Sweet Temptations
*Mom on Timeout: Taking a Timeout Thursday
*A Glimpse Inside: Catch a Glimpse
*A Creative Princess: It's A Party!
*Simply Sweet Home: Friday Favorites
*Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday
*Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sunday

Recipe: Nutella Swirl Banana Bread

Banana bread is a favorite at our house and this is the only way that I can eat bananas.  Just before Christmas, I bought one of these big bags of very ripe bananas for next to nothing so that I could make some banana bread for our friends and family for Christmas.  I have a recipe that has never let me down...super moist and delicious every time I make it!  I made a few loaves but really wanted to jazz up the next few batches.   Chocolate and banana just seems to go together and I though about adding some chocolate chips to the batter but then I had a light bulb moment....nutella!  I mean, who doesn't love that yummy goodness!  I decided to give it a try and let me tell you it was so good my family devoured the first loaf before it even had a chance to cool down.  It has just enough chocolate yum, but it is not so overly sweet that you can't enjoy the wonderfulness of a slice.  I think it is kind of pretty too!  It was well liked by all my family and friends and my children have already requested it several times.  

Enjoy!

Nutella Swirl Banana Bread

by Wende Rickett/The Rickett Chronicles

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups banana (about 4 medium), mashed
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2/3 nutella, divided

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Add bananas and vanilla, beat well.
6. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
7. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients mixing until just combined. Do not over mix.
8. Spoon half the batter into the pan.
9. With a spoon, dollop 1/3 cup nutella over the entire surface of the batter.
10. Spoon the rest of the batter into the pan.
11. Dollop 1/3 cup nutella over the surface of the batter.
12. With a knife, insert into the batter and gently swirl the batter and the nutella.
13. Place pan in the oven and bake 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
14. Remove from oven to a wire rack and cool about 15 to 20 minutes.
15. Remove from pan and cool completely.

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Linked To:

*It's A Keeper: It's A Keeper Thursday

*Talking Dollar and Cents: Sweet Temptations
*Momnivore's Dilemma: Creative Juice 
*Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday
*Something Swanky: Sweet Treats Thursday
*A Creative Princess: It's A Party!
*The 36th Avenue: Party Time
*Mom on Timeout: Taking a Timeout Thursday
*Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff
*Simply Sweet Home: Friday Favorites
*Alli-n-Sons: Sweet Tooth Friday
*Ekat's Kitchen: Friday Potluck
*Stuff and Nonsense: Friday Unfolded
*Designs by Gollum: Foodie Friday
*Just Winging It: Show Your Stuff 
*Country Momma Cooks: Link & Greet Party
*Six Sisters' Stuff: Strut Your Stuff Saturday
*Blessed with Grace: Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
*Welcome to Bacon Time at the Hungry Hungry Hippo: Anything Goes
*Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sunday

Recipe: Cranberry-Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

I was recently invited to a finger foods recipe party...my favorite kind of party!  I love appetizers, snacks, finger foods, chips and dip...whatever you want to call it, this is my food group.  I have some favorite recipes, but I wanted to do something different so I did some searching.  I came across this recipe at Mel's Kitchen Cafe and knew immediately that this was the recipe I was looking for.  I was right!  The dip was a success at the party and at home.  
The tart cranberries, spicy jalapeno and the cilantro all mixed to make the most perfect topper to cream cheese.  I mixed up the cranberry mixture in the morning and let it sit in my refrigerator for 6 hours.  I stirred it every now and then to make sure all the delicious goodness was well mixed.  An hour or so before serving, I whipped my cream cheese to a lighter texture and spread it in my serving tray.  I then poured the cranberry mixture on top.  One thing I should have done because I was transporting, was to pour off some of the liquid.  It made it a bit more messier and sticky.  After the party, I had a little leftover and stored in the refrigerator for a treat the next day.  It was even better!   

I have a family party coming up and this recipe just might make an appearance there as well.  It is just that good!

Enjoy!

Cranberry-Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

(slightly adapted from the original recipe by Mel's Kitchen Cafe)

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Ingredients

12 ounces fresh cranberries
5-6 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely diced
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 (8 ounces each) packages cream cheese, softened
Chips/Crackers, for serving

Directions
Pulse the cranberries in a food processor or blender until coarsely chopped. Add the green onions, cilantro, jalapeno, sugar, cumin, lemon juice and salt and pulse until the ingredients are well combined and very finely chopped. Transfer the mixture to a covered bowl and refrigerate for 4 hours (or overnight) so the flavors have time to develop and the cranberries lose a bit of their tartness.


When ready to serve, beat the cream cheese in a mixing bowl until light and creamy. Spread the cream cheese in an even layer on a serving plate or 9-inch pie dish. Top with the cranberry-jalapeno mixture, spreading evenly over the top of the cream cheese.


Refrigerate for up to an hour before serving. Serve with crackers or tortilla chips.

Linked To:
*The Sweet Details: Savory Sunday
*I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop
*Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday
*Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sundays
*Petite Hermine: Sunday Linky Party 
*Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
*11th Heaven's Homemaker Haven: Homemaker Monday 
*Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker: Your Recipe, My Kitchen 
*DIY Home Sweet Home: More the Merrier Monday 
*Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms: Melt in Your Mouth Monday 
*Delightfully Dowling: Mangia Monday 
*Marvelously Messy: A Marvelous Mess
*Keeping it Simple: Motivate Me Monday
*The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up 
*Blessed with Grace: Tempt My Tummy Tuesday 
*It's A Blog Party: Delicious Dishes
*Mandy's Recipe Box: Totally Tasty Tuesday
*33 Shades of Green: Tasty Tuesdays 
*Chef in Training: Tuesday Talent Show
*From Mess Hall to Bistro: Made From Scratch Tuesday 
*Permanent Posies: Tuesday's Tasty Tidbit
*Sugar and Dots: What I Whipped Up Wednesday 
*This Chick Cooks: These Chicks Cooked
*Turning the Clock Back: What's Cooking Wednesday 
*Around My Family Table: Turning the Table Thursday   

Recipe: Santa's Hat Mix

A couple of weeks ago, I was researching completely wasting time on Pinterest, and came across a pin for Santa Hat Pretzels.  They are super cute and thought it would be a great treat to make up for our teachers.  I thought it would be even better if I added them into a snack mix.  I was right, not only are the pretzels easy to make and tasty by themselves, but adding them to a mix makes them even better. 

I did make a slight change to the recipe.  The first couple of pretzels I dipped just didn't look right.  So I dipped them twice.  The first time I allowed the chocolate to set.  After the second dip into the chocolate, I immediately dipped each pretzel into the sanding sugar. As for the mix, you can add whatever you like.  I think red and green candies would be nice...maybe some craisins...whatever rings your jingle bell!  Always add any candies after the mix has been coated in chocolate.  I made two batches of the snack mix because I wanted a good pretzel to snack mix ratio.

Enjoy!

 

Santa's Hat Mix

(slightly adapted pretzel recipe by Free-n-Fun Christmas)

(original mix recipe by Wende Rickett/The Rickett Chronicles)

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Santa Hat Pretzels

Ingredients

mini pretzel twists

white chocolate almond bark

red sanding sugar

mini marshmallows

Directions

Melt bark according to package directions.  Dip each pretzel halfway in the chocolate and lay on waxed lined baking sheet.  Place baking sheet in refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to allow chocolate to set.  Remove baking sheet from refrigerator.  Dip each pretzel, one at a time, again in the bark and then immediately into the red sanding sugar allowing a little of the white chocolate to show.  Place back on the tray.  Once you have finished dipping each pretzel, place the baking sheet back into refrigerator for another 10 to 15 minutes.  While the baking sheet is in the refrigerator, cut each mini marshmallows in half.  Remove tray from refrigerator.  Using the chocolate as "glue," dip a marshmallow into the bark and then place on pretzel.  Allow the chocolate to set before adding to the mix.

Santa's Hat Mix

Ingredients

3 cups Rice Chex cereal

1 to 1 1/2 cups roasted peanuts

3/4 to 1 cup mini marshmallows

1/4 to 1/2 cup red hot cinnamon candies

2 tbsp red sanding sugar

Santa Hat pretzels

7 ounces (half bag) candy coating

Directions

Melt half of the candy coating according to package directions.  I microwaved the candy coating in a glass bowl for one minutes and let it sit inside the microwave for another minute.  Add sanding sugar to candy coating, and stir until smooth.  On a wax lined baking sheet, add cereal, peanuts and marshmallows. Drizzle candy coating onto cereal mix.  Put the cereal mix in a large bowl and gently stir until everything is coated.  Spread the mix back onto the lined baking sheet and spread out.  Allow to dry for at least 30 minutes.  Once dry, break apart the clumps and add to a serving bowl.  Add pretzels and cinnamon candies and gently mix with your hands.

Linked To:
*Ali-n-Son: Sweet Tooth Friday
*Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hippo: Anything Goes
*EKat's Kitchen: Friday Potluck
*Stuff and Nonsense: Fridays Unfolded
*Designs by Gollum: Foodie Friday
*Six Sister's Stuff: Strut Your Stuff Saturday 
*Sweet as Sugar Cookies: Sweets for a Saturday
*Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday 
*Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sundays 
*Petite Hermine: Sunday Linky Party
*Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday 
*11th Heaven's Homemaker Haven: Homemaker Monday
*Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker: Your Recipe, My Kitchen  
*DIY Home Sweet Home Project: More the Merrier Monday
*Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms: Melt in Your Mouth Monday 
*Marvelously Messy: A Marvelous Mess 
*Keeping it Simple: Motivate Me Monday
*Sumo's Sweet Stuff: Market Yourself Monday 
*Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Monday 
*Here's to Handy Andy: A Pinterestng Party
*Skip to My Lou: Made by You Monday
*The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up 
*Blessed with Grace: Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
*It's A Blog Party: Delicious Dishes
*Mandy's Recipe Box: Totally Tasty Tuesday 
*33 Shades of Green: Tasty Tuesdays 
*Crazy for Crust: Crazy Sweet Tuesdays 
*Chef in Training: Tuesday Talent Show
*From Mess Hall to Bistro: Made From Scratch Tuesday 
*Permanent Posies: Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits
*Sugar and Dots: What I Whipped Up Wednesday 
*This Chick Cooks: These Chicks Cooked 
*Turning the Clock Back: What's Cooking Wednesday
*Raising Homemakers: Homemaking Link-Up 
*Around My Family Table: Turning the Table Thursday 
*Ivy and Elephants: A Very Ivy and Elephant's Christmas
*The 36th Avenue: Give Me Sugar and Party Time
*Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday 

Recipe: Streusel Topped Pumpkin Spice Muffins {Revisited and Updated}

I am in the process of updating the pictures of my older recipes.  While I do not claim to be very good at taking photos, I am trying and learning.  And, let's be honest, anything is better than what they were!

We love all things muffin in our house.  My family loves them for breakfast, with their lunches, snacks...you name it.  These muffins are one of are very favorites (I think I say that about all the muffins I make) especially during the fall months.  When they are baking, not only does my house warm up from the oven, but the most delightfully warm scent fills the air.  These are super easy to make because they require three ingredients for the muffins...spice cake mix, canned pumpkin and water.  You can add the streusel topping, which takes these over the top, or you can leave them "naked."  

The recipe can be found here with newly updated pictures.

Enjoy!


Linked To:
*Alli n Sons: Sweet Tooth Friday
*Six Sister's Stuff: Strut Your Stuff Saturday
*Sweet as Sugar Cookies: Sweets for a Saturday 
*Be Different, Act Normal: Show and Tell Saturday
*A Well Seasoned Life: Sweet Indulgences Sunday 
*LambAround: Not Baad Sundays 
*Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday 
*J&M's Eye Candy: Strut Your Stuff Sunday 
*Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sundays 
*Petite Hermine: Sunday Linky Party
*My Sweet and Savory: Meatless Monday
*Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
*11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven: Homemaker Monday
*Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker: Your Recipe, My Kitchen
*Talking Dollar and Cents: Muffin Monday 
*DIY Home Sweet Home: More the Merrier 
*Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms: Melt in Your Mouth Monday
*Delightfully Dowling: Mangia Monday
*A Southern Fairytale: Mouthwatering Monday 
*Marvelously Messy: A Marvelous Mess  
*The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up
   

Recipe: Cinnamon Biscuit Balls

With three busy girls and a busy family life, I am always looking for quick recipes that I can make to change up our snacks and breakfasts.  My girls love to eat muffins and biscuits so I when I came across this recipe on Karly's blog, Buns in My Oven, I thought it would be a great alternative...and it was!  Not only was it delicious but it was super easy to make because it is made with a baking mix and only required a few ingredients.  My girls loved them and I was happy to have a homemade treat to put in their lunches.  Next time I make them, I will try dipping them in caramel sauce as Karly suggests.

Enjoy!

Cinnamon Biscuit Balls
(original recipe by Karly/Buns in My Oven)
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Ingredients
2 1/3 cups baking mix (ie Biquick)
1/2 cup milk
3 tbsp melted butter
4 tbsp sugar, divided
1 tsp cinnamon

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Mix half of the sugar and the cinnamon in a small bowl.  Mix remaining ingredients together until a soft dough forms.  Scoop dough by tablespoons and roll into a ball.  Roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and place on a greased baking sheet.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

NOTE:  You can mix the dough with a mixer, but I mixed mine by hand and found the dough to be really easy to mix.  



Linked To:
*Talking Dollar and Cents: Muffin Monday
*Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday
*A Well Seasoned Life: Sweet Indulgences Sunday 
*Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sundays 
*Everyday Mom's Meals: Church Supper 
*Petite Hermine: Sunday Linky Party 
*The DIY Home Sweet Home Project: More the Merrier 
*Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms: Melt in Your Mouth Monday 
*Delightfully Dowling: Mangia Mondays
*Marvelously Messy: A Marvelous Mess 
*Sumo's Sweet Stuff: Market Yourself Monday 
*33 Shades of Green: Tasty Tuesdays
*Reasons To Skip the Housework: Tuesday Time Out
*Mandy's Recipe Box: Totally Tasty Tuesday
*Permanent Posies: Tuesday Tasty Tidbits 
*It's A Blog Party: Delicious Dishes 
*Blessed With Grace: Tempt My Tummy Tuesday 
*Balancing Beauty &; Bedlam: Tasty Tuesday
*My Sweet and Savory: Let's Do Brunch
*Not So Homemade:  What's Cookin' Wednesday 
*Around My Family Table: Turning the Table Thursday
*Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff
*Something Swanky: Sweet Treats Thursday 
*Talking Dollar and Cents: Sweet Temptations 
*Alli n Son: Sweet Tooth Friday
*Sweet As Sugar Cookies: Sweets for a Saturday
*The Sweet Details: Savory Sunday 
 

Recipe: Mandarin Orange Muffins

 

My family loves muffins of all kinds.  One of our favorites is Monkey Muffins.  They are so good and nutritious when made with whole wheat flour.  As much as I love them, I was looking for something new and exciting to try.  I came across this recipe and was intrigued because my kids love mandarin oranges.  These muffins are super easy because they are made with a baking mix.  They are so soft and tender and the cinnamon sugar topping is a nice compliment to the oranges.  My kids and their friends devoured them in no time flat, especially my Abby.  She has asked me to make them again almost every day now.  They are her new favorite.  While they are not quite as healthy as our Monkey Muffins, they are very good and I might try to make them with a whole grain baking mix next time.


Enjoy! 

Mandarin Orange Muffins
(original recipe by Talking Dollar and Cents)
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Muffin

11/2 cups baking mix

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp allspice

1 egg, beaten

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup milk

1 11-oz can of mandarin oranges, drained and diced

Topping

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Coat muffin tins with non-stick spray.  To make the batter:  Combine baking mix, sugar, nutmeg and allspice in a large bowl.  In another smaller bowl, stir egg, butter, milk and mandarin oranges together. Stir the liquid ingredients into dry ingredients until just mixed.  Over mixing the batter will result in a tougher muffin.  Spoon batter into muffin tins filling each tin 3/4 full and making sure orange bits are evenly distributed.  Bake for 20-25 minutes.  To make the topping: Combine sugar and cinnamon in small bowl.  While muffins are still warm, brush the tops with the melted butter butter and sprinkle the sugar-cinnamon mixture across the top of the muffins.

Makes 10-12 muffins.

Linked To:
*Mangoes and Chutney: Fat Camp Friday
*Around My Family Table: Turning the Table Thursday
*Don't Waste Your Homemaking: Unwasted Homemaking 
*Talking Dollar and Cents: Muffin Monday 
*Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker: Your Recipe, My Kitchen 
*A Well-Seasoned Life: Sweet Indulgences Sunday
*11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven:  Homemaker Monday
*Sumos Sweet Stuff: Market Yourself Monday 
*Allie-n-Son: Sweet Tooth Friday