Buttermik Rolls

I  found this recipe on the back of a Red Star Yeast Packet.  I love it!  These rolls are fluffy, savory, and just amazing.  Get your bread machine ready!

Buttermilk Rolls
1 c Buttermilk
1/4 c Water
1/4 Vegetable Oil
2 T Sugar
1 t Salt
1/2 t Baking Soda
3 c Flour
1 pkg Yeast

1. Bring all ingredients to room temperature.
2. Place ingredients in the Bread Machine in the order given making sure that the Yeast is the top layer.
3. Select Dough Cycle.  Do not use a delay timer, the Buttermilk could go bad.
4. When cycle is complete remove dough and press evenly into greased 9-inch square pan.

5. With a knife cut dough into 12 rolls cutting almost to the bottom of pan.

6.   Sprinkle top of dough lightly with flour. 

7. Cover; let rise in warm place until indentation remains after touching (about 20 to 30 minutes)
8. Bake in preheated 400°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brow. 
9. Remove from pan.
10. Break apart into rolls; serve warm.

Elizabeth's Way~
I always use cold Buttermilk, letting it warm up just seems wrong.
Instead of 12 rolls I only make 9.  They make the best sandwich rolls that way.
After the rolls have risen in the pan I dust off the flour and brush butter on the top.  It give the rolls a bakery gloss that just can't be beat.
Add a packet of Italian Dressing mix after the flour for a twist on this classic.  In fact you can add ranch or onion dip mix for 2 more different flavor combinations.  More often then not I add a dip mix.

Happy Baking!

Saturday Morning Muffins

I woke up this morning to the smell of fresh applesauce.  Mom and I spent 2 hours peeling, coring and chunking apples.  After a night in a roster oven they have been turned into applesauce.  The best part of fresh applesauce is fresh Muffins.  These muffins only have 2 ingredients and a joy to make.  Almost every kitchen keeps these ingredients in stock.

Applesauce Muffin
1 1/2 cups Applesauce
1 box Yellow or White Cake mix
Dash of Cinnamon (opt)
Dash of Cloves (opt)

Preheat oven to 350º F.
Line cupcake pan with with liners or grease pan.
Mix Applesauce, Cake mix and Spices together.
Fill cupcake pan.
Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Makes 1 dozen regular + 9 mini Muffins

Done! 

I always make mini muffins for the little guys around here.  They love them, partly because they can run and play while eating.  I like them to they are a perfect dessert with lunch.

Want to make different flavor?  Simply substitute any pureed fruit or veggie for the applesauce.  You may have to add up to another 1/2 cup of puree because of how dense the fruit is.  Same goes for the cake mix it can be substituted for chocolate, or spice.

Click here for the original recipe.

Breakfast Cake

I found this recipe on pintrest and it is amazing!  I've made this recipe 4 different ways.  Here is the original recipe from Alexandra's Kitchen.  Now here is my version.  I've made cherry, blackberry, and strawberry breakfast cakes.  With the Cherry Breakfast Cake I added about 1/2 tsp Almond Extract.  I'm sure this will work with an array of fruit.  Find a fruit in season and go crazy.  I like to use fresh ingredients as I'm sure we all do.  I have always made mine with fresh buttermilk.  I find that if you take the cream off of 1/2 gal of fresh raw milk it makes more then enough butter and buttermilk for this recipe.  Raise a few chickens for the fresh eggs and you can just imagine how delicious this can be!

Strawberry Breakfast Cake

Breakfast Cake
Serves 6-8
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
7/8 cup* + 1 tablespoon sugar**
1 egg, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour (set aside 1/4 cup of this to toss with the fruit)
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 cups fresh fruit
½ cup buttermilk

* 7/8 cup = 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons
** This 1 tablespoon is for sprinkling on top

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Cream butter with 7/8 cup of the sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Meanwhile, toss the cherries with ¼ cup of flour, then whisk together the remaining flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Add the flour mixture to the batter a little at a time, alternating with the buttermilk. Fold in the fruit.
4. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan (or something similar) with butter or coat with non-stick spray. Spread batter into pan. Sprinkle batter with remaining tablespoon of sugar. Bake for 35 minutes. Check with a toothpick to make sure it is done. If necessary, return pan to oven for a couple of more minutes. (Note: Baking for as long as 10 minutes more might be necessary.) Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

I always have to make 2 pans, we just go through it that fast.  I'm sure this would be a wonderful recipe to take to a new mom or someone recovering from surgery.  ~Elizabeth

Meals for New Moms

I never know what kind of food to bring when someone has a baby.  Forget me being able to think when there is an illness/surgery or funeral.  I've been on a mission to find meals that I am able to can or to freeze for such occasions.  So far I have nothing in my stock pile.  I'll update this post when I find a few favorites and keep posting as I find them.  If you have any suggestions for recipes let me know.

I do know that there should be some rules to bringing meals.  Here are some that I have found to be true.
1) Call and see if they need a meal.  With new moms normally the new grandma comes to visit for a few days/weeks.  I would wait in tell all other adults have left before bringing a meal.
2)While on the phone ask if there are any allergies or special diets that need followed.  We have a list of things that have to be avoided here at my house, make sure the family you are bringing food to doesn't have any special diet needs.
3)Bring the food over in throw away dishes.  Save your butter tubs, or any other plastic tub to take food to others in.  That way you don't have to stress about getting your good pie pan back and they don't have to worry about what belongs to who.
4) Take enough to feed their family for two meals.  That way dinner is taken care of but also lunch the next day.
5) Make something easy for breakfast.  Muffins are amazing, coffee cake, etc.  Something grab and go.