Posted in Baked goods, Baking, breakfast, Brunch, coffee, cookies, Food

Biscotti

This simple recipe is a total winner! The hint of anise gives it that classic, traditional biscotti flavor—but you can easily make it your own.  Skip the anise and try variations like dried cranberries + almond extract, chocolate chips + vanilla, or bright lemon with fresh zest.

Perfect with a cozy cup of coffee or tea!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon anise extract, or 3 drops anise oil
  • 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Line a cookie with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, combine sugar, oil, eggs, and anise extract until well-blended. Mix in flour and baking powder to form a heavy dough. Gently knead, if necessary.
  3. Divide dough into two equal pieces. Form each piece into a log slightly less than the length of your cookie sheet. Place the logs side-by-side on the prepared pan.  Using a rolling pin, gently roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness.
  4. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 10-15 minutes.
  5. Using a good serrated knife, gently slice each log crosswise into 1/2” slices. Place slices cut-sides up back on the cookie sheet.  Bake until lightly toasted and golden brown, 5-6 minutes per side.
  6. Cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.
2 dough logs ready for baking
Golden baked logs
Slices are baked to perfection
Posted in breakfast, Brunch, coffee, Food, Gifts, holidays

Sugar Cookie Coffee Creamer

Sugar Cookie Coffee Creamer

This is a fun idea for an inexpensive homemade gift. Make a batch to share with family and friends this holiday season. 

Sugar Cookie Coffee Creamer

  • 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 3/4 cup half and half
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp butter extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract

Whisk all ingredients together.  Pour into air-tight decorative jars or containers. Label containers with directions to “keep refrigerated”. Store refrigerated for up to 7 days. Recipe makes enough for 5 – 4 ounce bottles.

Posted in Baked goods, Baking, Bread, breakfast, Brunch, Cake, Food

Blueberry – Pineapple Coffee Cake

It’s blueberry picking time and this is my new favorite recipe. Super moist and delicious…. I hope you give it a try!

COFFEE CAKE

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
2⁄3 cup oil
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, well-drained


BLUEBERRY TOPPING

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1⁄2 cup pecans, chopped
1⁄2 cup brown sugar, packed
1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13×9” baking pan; set aside. In medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; set aside.
In large bowl, stir together sugar, brown sugar, oil and eggs. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, stirring after addition. Fold in pineapple. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
For blueberry topping: Stir together all ingredients; sprinkle evenly over batter.
Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.
Cool in pan on wire rack for 45 minutes.

Optional: Drizzle a glaze over the top of coffee cake after completely cooled.