Simple Yet Gourmet

Talk about a showstopper breakfast! This Nutella Star Bread is a Beauty! The Nutella and sweet bread layers make such a pretty pattern when the bread is twisted into points and the dusting of powdered sugar looks like a fresh dusting of snow.  Danny insisted it looked like a snowflake so that's what we call it :) Now of course this Star/Snowflake bread is not looks only.  I wouldn't be sharing it with you if it wasn't also delicious, and it is!  Picture this: Three thin layers of a sweet dough spread with Nutella and then topped with one last dough layer.  Yummy yummy.  Nutella is a star ingredient in this bread but it wasn't actually as sweet as I thought it would be.  Just sweet enough without being overpoweringly rich or decadent.   This Snowflake Bread was a hit with my family and even my kids ate an uncharacteristically large amount.  I'm a little embarrassed to admit that the four of us polished this off.  That being said, if you h...

This recipe is for my brother Aaron!  A couple of years ago he and his family came for Thanksgiving, and brought us some Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls from a local bakery.  After we devoured them he told me my next mission was do try and recreate them.  You would think that would be an easy task, right?  The answer is no!  I have looked for recipes that I thought might would, but they always fell short.  But this recipe, wow is all I can say.  Think using fresh raspberries and a small amount cornstarch to thicken the filling did the trick. I used fresh raspberries and put them in the freeze for about an hour to make them solid.  You ask, "Why freeze them?"  With them frozen, they hold their shape better and don't turn into soup in the roll.  The filling was tart and not so over the top sweet, which was a nice compliment to the sweet frosting on top.  If you don't like a cream cheese frosting, them make a quick glaze instead. Aaron, ...

Something about cool fall weather puts me in a baking mood. I just love mixing up something delicious to stick in the oven, savoring the fragrant aroma, then reaping the benefits of my labors. If I can do it with a glass of cold milk and a good book, even better :) But enough of that, try this bread, you will love it. Pears chunks, chopped pecans, cinnamon, and nutmeg, ..need I say more? Ok, I'll say a little more. I especially love the crispy crust!

I was really surprised to see I had never posted this recipe! I took a recipe that was not bad and made it perfect, at least in my opinion. This banana bread is moist inside, but with the brown sugar on top, crunchy on the outside. Sometimes I add mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the recipe just for something new, but you can make it plain as well. Good recipe to have as a staple in your recipe book!

As promised, here is my new treasure. Once October hits, I want to make anything with pumpkin or apples. This recipe is one that I will continue to make over and over again. They are fast, easy and yummy! I love the filling for these. Instead of melting out the bottom, it melts slowly and stays in the roll, perfect! Enjoy these melt in your mouth gems!!

Tis the season for pumpkins! I'm starting to see them at the grocery store, on my neighbors' porches, and have put up a few around my own home as well. But even more than looking at pumpkins, I love eating them in pumpkin bread! This bread will not only please your palate, your home will be filled with a wonderful fragrance, perfect for Fall ! Thanks to the pumpkin puree and vanilla yogurt, this bread is so moist and when topped with chopped pecans is a sweet bread classic. Eat it plain or try a slice topped with cream cheese. Either way it is sure to satisfy!

Tis the season for zucchini, and a lot of it! I finally found a recipe that I feel is worthy to pass along. This bread is extremely moist and full of flavor. I love mini chocolate chips with zucchini bread, so I added some to the recipe, which made the bread to die for. If you have extra zucchini I highly recommend you give this a try!