Gingerbread Muffins

December 18, 2012 By 9 Comments

gingerbread muffins

Gingerbread is such a traditional holiday recipe.  From gingerbread men to a warm loaf of gingerbread there are so many varieties.  Rich in molasses and some of my favorite spices such as ground ginger and cloves, these gingerbread muffins are perfect for Christmas morning or to give as a gift in a basket filled with oranges and coffee beans.

Just the smell of these baking in the oven is worth the few minutes it takes to whip these up.  I also like the addition of fresh lemon zest to these gingerbread  muffins that makes the scent of this baking amazing.  

They are topped with a simple streusel topping and then drizzled with a lemon glaze that is used with the extra lemon leftover that was used for the lemon zest. 

You can go ahead and bake these now.  Freeze them and you are set to go with homemade gingerbread muffins to serve Christmas morning. 

For an evening treat enjoy one of these with some vanilla ice cream or  with a warm glass of milk sprinkled with a little cinnamon to end a winter day.

 gingerbread muffins

Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Stir in wet ingredients. 

gingerbread muffins

Pour into prepared muffin pan and sprinkle with streusel topping.  Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes. 

gingerbread muffins

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Gingerbread Muffins

Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/3 cup unsulphured molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • Zest from one small lemon
    • Streusel Topping
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Lemon Glaze
  • 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1/2 of one lemon)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line 12 cup muffin pan with liners and set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, ginger, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and cloves and mix until combined.
  3. In a medium bowl stir melted butter, milk, molasses, egg and lemon zest. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients while mixing on low speed. Mix until just combined.
  4. Pour into prepared muffins pan filling about 3/4 full.
    5. Streusel topping
  5. In a medium bowl combine melted butter, flour, sugar and cinnamon and mix until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of muffins bake for about 20-25 minutes until tester inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean. Let muffins cool in pan for a few minutes then remove and place on wire rack to cool completely.
    6. Lemon Glaze
  6. In a small bowl stir together confectioners sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle on top of muffins.
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Filed Under: baked good, holidays, muffins

2012 Holiday Gift Guide Part 2 + $50.00 Target Gift Card Giveaway

December 14, 2012 By 64 Comments

2012 Holiday Gift GuideIt’s the final stretch.  Only 10 more days until Christmas.  Who’s ready?

If you still have last minute shopping and parties to attend, I have a list of more of my holiday gift picks to share.  I have partenered with Apartment Guide to feature my 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.  Apartment Guide also provides a list of the 10 best housewarming gifts to ensure you are always on the party invite list.  Whether you’re living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide offers tips on how to decorate and host a holiday party to make your guests feel at home on the Apartment Guide blog.

My picks for this list are all great gifts and hostess gifts under $20.00!   I always love to stretch a dollar.  Here are some great gifts that won’t break the bank!

 

 

a.Bodum Double-Wall Travel French Press
Under $20
Take your freshly brewed french pressed coffee on the go.  Perfect for the coffee lover on your list.  Just add your favorite coffee grounds, fill with water and plunge.

b.OXO Pop Cookie Jar, 3-Quart
Under $17
This makes a practical hostess gift.  Instead of filling homemade cookies in a holiday tin or disposable bag, place them in this container tied with a ribbon.

c. Dibon Cava Brut Reserve
Under $15
This crisp and refreshing bubbly was recently recommended to me by my dentist who just happens to be a sommelier.  If you are looking to bring a bottle of wine to a holiday party or even to ring in the New Year this inexpensive brut is an excellent choice.

d. Tovolo Pancake Pen
Under $8
If you are staying with family or friends over the holidays bring the gift of breakfast with this pancake pen.  Place in a cute gift basket with pancake mix, pure maple syrup and some fresh oranges.

e. CucinaPro 270-01 Stovetop Espresso Machine, 1-Cup
Under $15
For the person on your holiday list that loves their morning jolt of espresso, give the gift of this stovetop espresso maker.  Add a bag of espresso beans to complete the gift.

f. Gingerbread Recipe Kitchen Towels
Under $5
Instead of wrapping presents with paper, for the perfect size gift use a kitchen towel like this Gingerbread Recipe Kitchen Towel.

g. Ergonomic Salad Hands
Under $15
Bringing a salad to a holiday party?  After the salad is tossed and served, leave these adorable salad hands for the hostess.  Perfect to use for salads or pasta.

h. Prodyne Fruit Infusion 93-Ounce Natural Fruit Flavor Pitcher
Under $18
Make natural flavored water with this infusion pitcher.  I own this pitcher and love it.  Gift the pitcher alone or if you are bringing this as a hostess gift, fill it with fresh fruit and crisp water ahead of time so everyone can enjoy a refreshing drink at the party.

i.Organize Now! A Week by Week Guide to Simplify Your Space and Life
Under $11
How many people do you know that are trying to get organized, especially after the holidays.  I am reading this book now and it is filled with amazing tips and ideas to help simplify your life.  It is a great gift for anyone on your holiday list that is trying to become more organized.  Gift this book in a basket with organizing labels (you can find a ton of printable labels online), a sharpie and either a memo board or dry erase board.

j. Hamilton Beach 51101R Single-Serve Blender with Travel Lid, Red
Under $20
For the person on your holiday list that loves smoothies, give the gift of a travel smoothie maker.  Just make and go for fresh smoothies everyday.

ApartmentGuide.com
Want to know what I like to give?  My friends at Apartment Guide are giving a $50.00 Target Gift Card to one lucky Mother Thyme reader!   If you’re ready for a whole new space or looking to move, Apartment Guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you search for the perfect apartment community.

Want your chance to win?  Enter in the giveaway box below!

Happy holidays and good luck!

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.

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More holiday ideas!
· How to Host a Holiday Dinner for Eight People Under $50
· How to Host a Holiday Cocktail Party

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Disclosure Statement:
Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partner with bloggers such as me to participate in blogger programs. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any products and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

This post contains affiliate links.  Prices indicated are subject to change without notice.

Filed Under: holiday gift guide, holidays, Shopping

Orange and Balsam Simmering Potpourri

December 10, 2012 By 5 Comments

orange and balsam simmering potpourri

It should come as no surprise when I mention I love the smell of the holidays.  I say it often, and recently mentioned that my house has the aroma of fresh citrus and balsam.  Unfortunately, we have artificial trees.  Yes trees, we have two in our home.  This year, I had to come to terms with leaving the silver and gold ornaments off the trees or they would have become toys for the twins.  So this year thanks to my daughter I now how a tree filled with her stuffed animals.  I cherish these moments.  I had my years of having the perfect tree with the perfect decorations.  What is more important now is keeping Christmas magical for my kids.  If that means Dora and Elmo on my tree instead, so be it. 

Since we don’t have real trees, I like to capture the smell of fresh balsam in other ways.  I don’t like to use a lot of candles, again because of my kids.  Plus I love the smell of natural scents.  The way I get my home to smell so lovely is making an orange and balsam simmering potpourri filled with fresh oranges, sprigs of balsam and rosemary.  I just love this combination it is so inviting and perfect for the holidays.  It perfumes the house so nicely, and naturally.

Obtaining this scent so easy to do and there really isn’t any method or amount, just your preference.  The water and pot will look pretty at first, but it will quickly get dark and the needles will fall off the stems.  That’s fine.  You can keep adding more.  And just keep enough water in the pot to keep it simmering on low to medium low. 

Simple, easy and smells amazing! 

orange and balsam simmering potpourri

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Orange and Balsam Simmering Potpourri

The combination of fresh orange slices, balsam, rosemary, cinnamon and cloves create a beautiful natural aroma for the holidays.

Ingredients

  • 4-5 cups water
  • 1 large orange
  • 6-7 sprigs of fresh balsam
  • 1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 6-8 whole cloves
  • 1-2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Fill a medium saucepan with 4-5 cups of water.
  2. Cut 6 slices (about half) and put in water along with sprigs of balsam, rosemary, cinnamon sticks, cloves and vanilla. Take the other half the orange and squeeze the juice into the pot then place in saucpan.
  3. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to simmer. And continue to simmer, adding water if necessary.

You can also add in orange slices and sprigs as the day goes on. By the end of the day my pot usually has almost 2 oranges simmering and 10 sprigs of balsam. I let the water level go down so the balsam sits on top the oranges that are emerged in the water. You should be able to get a few days of use out of this before you will need to replace it.

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Filed Under: DiY, holidays, Seasonal

Cowboy Cookies and Giveaway [Countdown to Christmas Cookies]

November 11, 2012 By 49 Comments

The Countdown to Christmas Cookies series is back!

For the next 6 weeks I will be featuring a cookie perfect for your holiday baking.  Last year I featured cookies such as Red Velvet Cookies, Rum Balls, and an all-time favorite Lofthouse Sugar Cookies.

This year I have another great lineup in store. So start baking now and freeze your cookies.  You’ll be happy you did when you need them during the holidays!

First up are these Cowboy Cookies.  A few weeks ago I featured a Brunch Pizza that was in the Taste of Home special edition Best Holiday Recipe.  One Mother Thyme reader was lucky to win a copy of these holiday publications.  If you didn’t win last time, I have some great news!  My friends at Taste of Home are giving another Mother Thyme reader a copy of these special edition holiday publications!

This recipe for Cowboy Cookies is featured in the Taste of Home Best Loved Cookies and Candies.  There are so many fabulous cookie recipes that I had Mr. Mother Thyme pick;  I think he made a good choice.  If you are a coconut, walnut, chocolate chip, oatmeal cookie lover, these are the cookies for you.

Last year I did Cowboy cookies in a jar as gifts. My thought is to do the same thing this year with this recipe. You will just need to cut the recipe in half to put in a one quart mason jar excluding the wet ingredients, of course. The recipient will just need to add butter, and egg and vanilla.

Whether you decide to turn this into a holiday gift or to make for a cookie exchange, these will be a perfect addition to your holiday cookie collection!

Want to win a copy of the Taste of Home Best Holiday Recipes and Best Loved Cookies and Candies?  Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on November 15, 2012 so enter now below!


ENTER HERE!
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Print
Cowboy Cookies

Yield: 4 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

  • 1 cup flaked coconut
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 12 ounces chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Spread coconut and nuts on a large baking sheet and bake for 6 minutes until toasted, stirring every few minutes. Set aside to cool.
  3. In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla.
  4. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt and gradually add to creamed mixture.
  5. Stir in toasted nuts, coconut, oats and chocolate chips.
  6. Drop tablespoon size balls onto greased baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until brown. Cool on wire racks.

Adapted from Taste of Home Best Loved Cookies and Candies 2012

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Filed Under: cookies, Countdown to Christmas Cookies, giveaway, holidays

Chocolate Avocado Pancakes

February 13, 2012 By 16 Comments

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Mornings are pretty routine.  The twins usually wake between seven and eight.  Once they are up the day begins starting by brewing some fresh coffee in the French press, getting the kids their breakfast and letting the dogs outside.  Once I have two happy and fed kids I clean up the kitchen and grab myself another much needed cup of coffee.   The day seems to fly by and before I know it I am doing the same thing all over again the next morning.   

I rotate a variety of breakfast dishes for the twins.  One day it might be hot oatmeal tossed with fresh berries like blueberries, strawberries and mashed bananas with cinnamon and honey;  the next would be a variety of pancake recipes I circulate through.  

Not long ago I was testing a recipe for Chocolate Avocado Cookies (recipe still to come) when I decided to give it a shot in pancakes.  The avocado really adds to the texture of these pancakes making them moist and delicious.  I have made these several times.  Usually when I make a batch of pancakes I get two days worth of breakfasts but for some reason when these are made they are eaten up with no leftovers.  Honestly I have found myself nibbling on these pancakes throughout the day, even cold.

I love the combination of chocolate and cinnamon so I toss in a handful or so of cinnamon baking chip morsels into these pancakes which add another element to these already tasty pancakes.  

Thankfully my kids like avocado.  They love guacamole, they enjoy Avocado Pasta and I toss avocados it into smoothies.  Avocados are packed full of good and delicious nutrients so I am happy I can incorporate it into their meals when I can.  

These are delightful pancakes and for fun I use a cookie cutter to cut them into shapes.  Since it is close to Valentine’s Day I choose to make them into hearts.  Perfect for breakfast in bed.


Chocolate Avocado Pancakes

Ingredients
1/2 all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 large egg
1 ripe avocado, mashed
1/3 cup cinnamon baking chip morsels (optional)

Directions
In a large bowl mix together flours, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Make a well in the center and add in milk, egg and avocado.  Stir together until smooth.  Fold in cinnamon chips or chocolate chips (optional).

Preheat a large greased skillet over medium heat.  Pour in desired amount of batter and swirl to make round.  Flip pancakes when pin size bubbles begin to form.  

Use cookie cutter if desired to shape pancakes.

Filed Under: breakfast, holidays, pancakes

Valentine’s Day Lofthouse Style Sugar Cookies

February 8, 2012 By 8 Comments

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I couldn’t resist sharing these again.  When something is this good it bears repeating.

During my Countdown to Christmas Series last year I featured these adorable little cookies for the holidays.   Needless to say they were extremely popular on the site.  Since then I received many emails and comments about these delicious cookies.  Many have asked about making cut outs.  In the original recipe they were made into simple round cookies.  In this recipe although the ingredients are the same I share how they are rolled out and cut into cute little shapes, like these Valentine’s Day hearts.  

I am excited to be the weekly Time at Home contributor for Mothertime Marketplace.  Click HERE to head over to Mothertime Marketplace to catch all the details on this Valentine sweet.  



Filed Under: cookies, holidays

Homemade Marshmallows

February 1, 2012 By 17 Comments

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Have you ever had homemade marshmallows?  

If you have you know how amazing they are and if you haven’t you are in for a treat.

Making marshmallows can seem like a daunting task however rest assured making a batch of homemade marshmallows is a lot easier than it may seem, trust me!  


A homemade marshmallow is like little bites of sugary cloud puffs; light, fluffy and fresh.  I thought these would be the perfect little treat for Valentine’s Day.  After the marshmallow is set, cut them using a heart shaped cookie cutter (I explain below on some tips for helping keep its shape).  Once you have them cut you can dip them in chocolate,  roll in coconut flakes (yum), sift cocoa powder over them or just simply place in a little treat bag along with a jar of homemade hot chocolate.  How “sweet” is that?

For these little marshmallow treats, after I cut them into hearts, I added lollipop sticks to some of them to make these marshmallow pops.  I also just tucked some of the hearts in cupcake liners.  Place these in a cute little basket and you have the perfect little Valentine sweet; or for any occasion.  

Below I have a step by step recipe along with a few tips to make the process easier if you would like to try making these yourself.  


Enjoy!


Homemade Marshmallows

Ingredients
1 cup confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons plus 2 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin (like Knox- works out to be about 4 envelopes)
1/2 cup cold water
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup hot water (about 115 degrees F)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Step 1:  Oil a 9″x13″x2″ rectangle metal baking pan and dust bottom and sides with confectioners sugar.  Set aside.

Step 2:  Pour cold water into large bowl that will be used with the stand or electric mixer.  Sprinkle gelatin over water and let sit to softened.

Step 3:  In a 3 quart saucepan cook sugar, corn syrup, hot water and salt on low heat and stir until sugar is dissolved.  *Note- you really want to make sure sugar is dissolved well.  If not, it may burn quicker in next step.  Let it dissolve nice and slow.  If there is any residual sugar left that hasn’t dissolved you may end up with it burning.  

Step 4:  Increase heat to medium and boil mixture without stirring until candy or digital thermometer reads 240 degrees F, about 12 minutes.  *Note, you do not want to stir the mixture, but you do want to keep an eye on it that the mixture does not start to brown and burn.

Step 5:  While sugar mixture is boiling,  place egg whites in a medium bowl and whisk until they just hold stiff peaks.  Set aside.

Step 6:  Once sugar mixture reaches 240 degrees F, remove from heat and pour over gelatin mixture.  Stir by hand or on low setting on mixture until gelatin is dissolved.  *I found mixing it by hand is better to know that all the gelatin that may be stuck on the bottom of bowl is mixed in.  

Step 7:  Using electric mixer or stand mixer beat mixture on high speed until thick, white and almost tripled in volume, about 6 minutes using a stand mixer and about 10 minutes using a handheld mixer.  *Watching the transformation is pretty cool here!

Step 8:  Turn speed to low and stir in egg white and vanilla extract just until combined.  

Step 9:  Pour mixture into prepared baking pan and sift 1/4 cup confectioners sugar on top.  Chill uncovered for at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.

Step 10:   Run a thin sharp knife around the edges of the pan and invert pan onto a large cutting board.  Lifting up 1 corner of the inverted pan, with fingers loosen marshmallow and let drop onto cutting board.  *After I ran a sharp knife around the edges I also used a spatula and gently helped push it up so when I turned the marshmallow over it came out.  You may want to do this only in the even it does not come out the first time.  

Step 11:  Cut marshmallow as desired.  Cut into large cubes or if using cookie cutter shapes, press cookie cutter firmly into marshmallow.  While cutter is in place, take a knife and run it around the edges of cookie cutter.  This will help the marshmallow to pop out easier.  

Step 12:  After marshmallow is cut into cubes or in shapes lightly toss in with confectioners sugar.  Tap off any access.  *I found after tossing it into confectioners sugar it was a little to much so I sifted confectioners sugar on top of them instead.  

Step 13:  To make chocolate dipped marshmallow,  use chocolate melts and melt as per the package instructions.  Let cool but not harden and dip marshmallows in as desired.  *I used chocolate melts that can be purchased at the craft store (AC Moore).  After chocolates are melted you don’t want to dip the marshmallow in right away or it will start melting the marshmallow, let cool slightly before dipping.  

Adapted from:  Epicurious

Shared on:  Jennifer Cooks {Fusion Fridays}
Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms {Melt in Your Mouth Monday}

A sweet for my sweet!
Filed Under: desserts, holidays

Egg Nog Blondies

December 16, 2011 By 13 Comments

If I wonder why my jeans are getting a litte snug it’s because of dangerously delicious Egg Nog Blondies.  

I’m feeling a little guilty for eating almost this entire batch, but trust me you want to give these a try.  I am trying to convince myself not too feel to bad because I used light egg nog;  like that really helps in the midst of chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and brown sugar.  In the end, these are worth every bite.  I’ll just tell my twins to run around a little more to help me burn off some more calories.   


Let’s talk a little about these perfect treats as to my lack of willpower when it comes to eating these, or any sweets for that matter.  I had got a bit of egg nog to have on as I do every holiday but also with the intentions to create a delicious dish or two since egg nog is such a traditional holiday beverage.  My Pumpkin Brownies/Blondies (or as I have named them, Pumpkies) were popular this fall.  I wanted to create a holiday blondie and this combination was turned out fantastic.  It has the perfect hint of egg nog, it’s not overpowering.  If you serve these to guests, they will be pleasantly surprised of the flavor since these don’t scream egg nog when you look at them.  These are good just plain, but with the addition of a white chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate and walnuts makes these a treat that will be hard to keep on hand.  


The texture is between a brownie and cake.  Its not as soft and light as cake, but it is not as hard and chewy as a brownie.   It is soft, moist and delicious.  The perfect dessert to serve for a holiday gathering!   


Enjoy!


Egg Nog Blondies

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup egg nog (light or regular)

1/3 cup chopped walnuts 

1/3 cup white chocolate chip morsels

1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels


Directions

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.  Spray an 8″x8″x2″ pan with cooking spray and set aside.


In a medium bowl sift flour, baking powder and nutmeg and set aside.  Using an electric mixer cream butter and sugar.  Stir in egg and egg nog until combined followed by flour mixture until blended.  Stir in chopped walnuts, white chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips.


Pour in to prepared baking pan and bake for 32-36 minutes until cake tester comes out clean.


Cool on wire rack before removing from pan and cutting.  


Don’t forget to enter the Wilton Donut Pan giveaway.  You have until 11:59pm on December 18, 2011 to enter.  Click HERE to be taken to the giveaway.  


Shared on-
Jane Deere {Fusion Fridays}
Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms {Melt in Your Mouth Monday}


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Filed Under: bake goods, baking, brownies, desserts, holidays

Baked Gingerbread Donuts

December 14, 2011 By 87 Comments

I have found my newest obsession;  a donut pan.  

I purchased this pan about a month ago at Bed Bath and Beyond and I have been anxious to put it to use.  I had some ideas of holiday donuts I wanted to try and I knew my first creation was going to be gingerbread.

These turned out fabulous!  If you love the flavor of gingerbread, you will absolutely love these.  It is simple to make and only took a few minutes to whip up the batter. Once your batter is made, pour  into the pan and in 8-9 minutes you have fresh donuts hot out of the oven.  Can it get any easier?


I prefer the texture and taste of these donuts versus the donuts made in oil.  These actually remind me of something like an Entenmann’s donut.

The best part of baking donuts?  You can freeze these!  Make a few batches and freeze them and you’ll have donuts on hand for a quick breakfast or to serve to your holiday guests.  If you do freeze these just freeze them without adding the topping.  When you are ready to thaw and serve, you can add the topping or even toss them in confectioners sugar.  

Tis the season for giving.  And since I am so fond of this fabulous donut pan I have one to giveaway! 
Contest is closed.  Thank you to all that entered. 
CONGRATULATIONS to #61 Marianne for winning!
I will be emailing you for shipping information.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Here are the rules-

To enter simply add your name and email address to the comment line below.
If you don’t put your email address, please check back on December 19, 2011 to see if you are the winner to contact me to claim your prize!

You can earn up to 7 additional entries by doing any of the following.  Leave a separate comment for each entry.  One entry per each of the following.  If you are already a fan on Facebook or follow @MotherThyme on Twitter please leave a comment line with valid email letting me know.  
1- What is your favorite kind of donut?
2- Subscribe to Mother Thyme RSS Feed  or email (or let me know if you are already a subscriber)
3- Grab my button and place somewhere on your site.    
4- Follow Mother Thyme on Twitter @MotherThyme.
5- Tweet this giveaway:  ”I just entered to win a Wilton donut pan #giveaway @MotherThyme”.
6- Share with your friends or fans on Facebook.  
7- Become a Fan of Mother Thyme on Facebook
Giveaway open to US residents only.
Entries can be submitted between December 14, 2011 and giveaway end at 11:59pmEST on December 18, 2011.  Any duplicate entries will be deleted.  Any entries received after giveaway closes will be deleted.   Only entries left on this post qualify for drawing.  
One winner will be selected at random.  Please leave a valid email address or contact information.  The winner will be contacted via email and have 72 hours to respond.  If winner does not respond within 72 hours a new winner will be selected.  
If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your email address the winner will be announced here on December 19, 2011.  If no contact information is given, the winner will have 72 hours to contact me to claim prize.  If winner does not contact me by 12:00pmEST on December 22, 2011 they will be forfeited.
Wilton is not affiliated with this giveaway.  This giveaway is sponsored by Mother Thyme.  


Baked Gingerbread Donuts

Makes 8 full size baked donuts (using Wilton 6 cavity doughnut pan)

Ingredients
1 cup cake flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch of nutmeg
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon butter, melted and cool

For Glaze
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon water

For Crumb Topping
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon butter, room temperature

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray non stick cooking spray on donut pan.

In a large bowl sift cake flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.  Add in milk, sour cream, molasses, egg and butter and stir until just combined.  

Pour batter in to donut pan filling 2/3 full.  Bake for 8-10 minutes until baked through.  Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before removing from pan.  

For Topping-
In a small bowl stir together brown sugar and water, set aside.

In another small bowl mix brown sugar, flour and butter until crumbly.

Dip tops of donuts in to glaze.  Set on wire rack or wax paper.  Sprinkle with crumb topping before glaze dries.  

Store in an air tight container.


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Filed Under: bake goods, baking, breakfast, brunch, donuts, giveaway, holidays

Poached Pears in Red Wine

November 9, 2011 By 8 Comments



Are you hosting an intimate gathering or looking for an elegant dessert to serve to your guests?  Poached Pears in Red Wine is an simple and elegant dessert that will sure impress guests and be the perfect dish to end a enjoyable evening of conversation and laughter.  
With the holidays right around the corner, it is time at home entertaining, and enjoying time with family and friends.  If you have several gatherings you will be hosting, you want to make it as stress free as possible.   Here are a few things I do when preparing for a small gathering.


- Plan the menu ahead of time. 
- Know what foods your guests enjoy.   If you know there is a certain food someone loves, find a special recipe for a dish to create for them.  
- Set an intimate table filled with candles and fresh flowers.  Break out the good china and have the table set before guests arrive.  
- Have a little bar set up in an area where you guests can mingle before sitting at the table.  Even if you just pull out a table and tuck it in the corner of the room.  Dress it up with some candles, wine, wine glasses and make a signature cocktail that sets the theme for the evening that is also in line with the menu.  
- Make out the menu on your computer and print it out.  Find a frame and have it set in the bar area so your guests can see what you will be serving.  
- Have one or two appetizers ready to go before your guests arrive.  Serve them before everyone is seated at the table.  While guests are mingling and enjoying a few appetizers, this gives you time to add the final touches to the dinner.  Try the Pesto and Cream Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes as an appetizer.  Simple and delicious.  You don’t want to serve a lot of heavy appetizers before dinner.  
- Before guests arrive prepare an elegant salad of baby greens and spinach topped with your favorite cheese, pecans or walnuts, grapes or raspberries.  Plate them individually and drizzle with a homemade dressing like a raspberry walnut vinaigrette before serving to your guests.
- Serve a main course that can be made ahead of time or started before your guests arrive and cook in the oven.  Pull the entree from of the oven as guests are enjoying salads to let rest before serving.
- Nothing beats the end of an enjoyable evening than a delicious dessert of Poached Pears in Wine Sauce.  Serve with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream which is a wonder compliment to the red wine reduction that is infused with lemon, lemon zest, cinnamon and cloves.  


Poached Pears in Red Wine
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups red wine (I used Merlot)
1 cup sugar
2 strips of lemon rind
1 lemon, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
4 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
4 firm pears (I used Bosc)


Directions
Peel the pears and core the bottoms. Remove any flesh off the bottom of the pears if necessary if they won’t stand upright.  Set aside.
Wrap cloves and cinnamon sticks in cheesecloth and tie ends to close.  
In a large saucepan combine wine, sugar, lemon rind, lemon juice and cheesecloth bag and bring to boil over medium heat.  Reduce heat to low until sugar dissolves.
Lay pears in liquid and turn them to coat.  Poach them over low heat for approximately 30-45 minutes until pears are tender, turning occasionally.  Turn off heat and let pears cool in liquid before removing.  
Remove cheesecloth from liquid and turn heat to low.  Cook the remaining liquid until syrupy, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
Pour a portion of the red wine reduction over each pear and serve.  




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Jane Deere (Fusion Fridays)

Filed Under: desserts, entertaining, fall, fruit, holidays, pears