Fresh Cranberry and Banana Muffins

I'm not sure what's going on with blogger today but my print is all off. So Sorry .....I've messed with it and can't seem to get it all the same size.

Recently I bought some fresh cranberries not really knowing what I was going to do with them, but I think I was going to make a pork dish and look they turned into a dessert instead. I will still do a pork dish very soon. Promise. These are really good and the cranberries do not overpower the taste. I would guess that if you want more of a cranberry flavor you can increase the cranberry and decrease the banana. These come out very moist and are good for dessert or for breakfast. You can also sprinkle a bit of sugar on top before baking and they will give them yet another flavor.
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Ingredients:

2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

1-2/3 cups sugar, divided

1 cup water

1/3 cup shortening

2 eggs

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup mashed ripe banana (2 to 3 medium)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

In a small saucepan, bring cranberries, 1 cup sugar and water to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes or until berries begin to pop. I chopped mine first in a processor then cooked them. Drain and set aside. In a large bowl, cream shortening and remaining sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In microwave cook banans for about 1 1/2 minutes to release all those good flavors. Mash. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with bananas. Fold in cranberry mixture and walnuts. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Makes 14 regular muffins 7 large muffins.

Hope you'll try these, they are worth the effort. Have a great weekend and Remember to Always Find the Time to Do all the Things YOU love.

Donna

Cinnamon Rolls (overnight)

My oldest grandson came home this past weekend with three of his friends. He is a Marine and stationed currently in MO. about 4 hours from home. This was a long weekend for them so they were permitted to leave base. I made these cinnamon rolls for Sunday Morning so they could have a yummy treat, and BOY were they awesome. I made two different types, one tray with just the cinnamon and brown sugar inside and then made some with cinnamon, brown sugar, raisins and walnuts. The ones posted are the one with the raisin and the nuts. I also made a cream cheese glaze to put on top. These were Just HEAVENLY. I really like this recipe because you can make them and put them in the refrigerator until the next day and have wonderful warm yummies in the morning. I had made these while I was at my son's for Christmas.
This recipe is from www.Allrecipes.com
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Ingredients:

Ingredients

1 cup milk
1/3 cup butter
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/2 cup white sugar
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs

FILLING:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 + cup walnuts or pecans (put on as much as you want)\

Glaze:
4 oz. soft cream cheese
1 cup confectionery sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions

Heat the milk in a small saucepan or microwave until it bubbles . Add the butter and stir until melted; let cool until lukewarm.

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the milk mixture. Add the sugar, 3 cups of flour, salt and eggs; stir well to combine. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes or just finish it in your Mixer with dough hook. ( I hardly ever knead anything by hand anymore.....love, love, love my KA.

Lightly oil a large mixing bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 10x 14 inch rectangle. Lightly brush the far edge with water or melted butter. In a small bowl combine the cinnamon and 3/4 cup brown sugar and sprinkle over the rectangles. Then sprinkle the raisins and chopped nuts over the dough. Roll up the dough into a log and seal the seam.

Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces; place the pieces in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan, or 12 inch deep dish pizza pan. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to rise overnight.

The next morning, preheat oven to 375 degrees F

(190 degrees C). Take the rolls out of the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden. Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, butter and vanilla, mix until creamy with electric mixer. Spread on warm rolls. Enjoy

This is them just out of the oven and unglazed.

And one more shot.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day and Remember to find the time to DO all the things you love.
Donna

Christmas

This year for Christmas I was at my son's house in New Mexico. I try to switch each year so that way I get to have the holiday with each of my children and their wonderful families. I had such a terrific time and really hated to leave. The grandchildren grow so fast and change so much in a years time. We stayed on the go and there were a couple of times I just pooped out and had to sit and rest while my daughter in-law and granddaughter just trucked along shopping, Don't get me wrong it was great fun, I just couldn't keep up this year. Guess that means I'm getting old. HA!
I did some cooking while I was there and one night my granddaughter Lyndsey helped me make the soft bread sticks that I previously posted. Wow she did a marvelous job. Here are some pictures of her.
Look at the concentration on her face. Sticking your tongue out really does help.... I know, I do the same thing. LOL.
Now the rolling and twisting.


Time to butter and add cheese.
Into the oven...now the wait!
And the finished product. Didn't she do a GREAT job. Thanks Lyndsey for a Wonderful Memory and of course these will go in your scrapbook.


This is Jake my grandson on Christmas Day. Don't know why I didn't take a picture of him eating the wonderful bread sticks. I know he really enjoyed them!
Thanks for stopping by. Hope everyone had a Holiday Season filled with love, happiness and good Health. I know I sure did.
Donna