Zucchini Bread

We have been making Zucchini bread in my family since before I was born.  My Mamaw always made it during the holidays but I don't know why I don't make it all the time.  Don't let it scare you.  Yes, there is zucchini in it but you cannot taste it (for those of you who are not fans) and the bread is actually sweet.  We eat it for breakfast and my kiddos have no idea it has vegetables in it.  Hehe!  This is my Mamaw's recipe.  I made it recently for my sister's baby shower (here).  Sadly, I do not have a picture to show you but trust me, you will like it.

 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 c. sugar
1 c. finely shredded zucchini (with the peel on) Note:  Make sure you drain as much of the liquid as you can before you add it to the bowl.
1 egg
1/4 c. oil

Directions:

-  In a mixer combine all ingredients.
-  Pour into a greased loaf pan.
-  Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes.
-  Makes one loaf.

Almond Poppy Seed Bread

Almond Poppy seed is my absolute favorite breakfast bread of all time.  I love it so much and when I found this recipe on pinterest I thought I had dies and gone to heaven!  The original recipe is from here.  Make this bread right now!

Ingredients:

Bread:

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder

3 eggs

1 1/8 cups cooking oil

2 1/4 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups milk

1 1/2 T. poppy seeds

1 1/2 tsp almond extract

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp melted butter

 

Glaze:

1/4 cup orange juice

3/4 cup sugar (next time I make this I am going to use powdered sugar instead)

1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 tsp melted butter

Directions:

 

For the bread:

-  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

-  Mix all of the ingredients together.

-  Pour into greased and floured baking pans.

-  This recipe makes 2 large loaves.

-  Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes until golden brown and/or toothpick comes out clean.

For the Glaze:

-  Pour all ingredients into a small saucepan and let cook on stove on medium heat until sugar dissolves.

-  Remove bread from pans and pour glaze over warm bread.

-  Use knife or spatula to bring the glaze that has run off up and over the warm bread until it stays on.

Beer Bread

I got this recipe from my sister and I don't know why I don't make it more often.  It is the easiest bread you will ever make.  It is so buttery and salty and just so darn good!  It is perfect with soup or pasta!

Ingredients:

3 c. self-rising flour

1/4 c. sugar

1 bottle beer (I use bud light)

1 stick butter

Directions:

-  In a large bowl combine flour, sugar and beer.

-  Loosely press into an 8x8 greased baking dish.

-  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

-  Melt stick of butter in the microwave. 

-  Remove bread from oven and pour melted butter on top.

-  Return bread to oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

-  Cut bread into squares and serve hot!

Blueberry Bread

This bread was really good!  I served it for brunch along side this.  Try it...you'll like it!

Ingredients:

2/3 c. packed brown sugar

3/4 c. milk

1/2 c. canola oil

2 eggs

2 1/4 c. flour

1 c. rolled oats

3 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1 c. fresh blueberries

1 Tbsp. turbinado sugar

Directions:

-  With an electric mixer combine brown sugar, milk, oil, eggs.

-  Slowly add remaining ingredients except for blueberries.

-  Gently fold in blueberries.

-  Pour mixture into a greased loaf pan.

-  Sprinkle top with turbinado sugar.

-  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Pizza Biscuits

Ummm OK....these are amazing.  I will be making these for my kids birthday parties, appetizers for holiday parties, super bowl and any time in between!  They are so easy and so delicious!

Ingredients:

3/4 c. flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tbsp. garlic powder

1/2 tbsp. basil

pinch of salt

3/4 c. whole milk

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1 bag mini pepperonis

1 jar pizza sauce

Directions:

-  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan.

-  In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, garlic powder, basil and salt.

-  Whisk in the milk and egg.

-  Stir in mozzarella, Parmesan and pepperoni.

-  Let mixture stand for 10 minutes.

-  Stir the batter and divide among the mini-muffin cups.

-  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.

-  Serve with heated pizza sauce for dipping.

Strawberry Bread

It is a tradition in my family to have this strawberry bread at our Christmas Day brunch. It has been on the menu for as long as I can remember and it wouldn't be Christmas with out it. You won't believe how easy it is and how yummy it tastes!
Note: This makes 2 loaves

Ingredients:

3 c. flour
1 3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
16 oz. package frozen strawberries, thawed, reserve juices is you want to make an icing
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 c. vegetable oil

Directions:

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and baking soda.
- Stir in strawberries, eggs and oil.
- Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- If you would like to make an icing combine reserved juice and powdered sugar until you get a drizzle type consistency.
- Once bread has cooled, remove from pan and drizzle with icing.

Countdown to Thanksgiving - Monkey Bread

My mom makes a non-traditional version of Monkey Bread. I am sure you have seen it or had it and it is sweet. My mom makes a plain version that melts in your mouth. It is our version of dinner rolls on Thanksgiving! I don't have a picture of it but trust me you will like it!

Ingredients:

2 pkg. dry yeast
1 c. warm water
1 egg
4 tbls. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. cooled melted butter
3 1/2 c. flour
1 c. melted butter

Directions:

- In a large bowl dissolve yeast in warm water.
- Once dissolved add egg, sugar, salt and 1/2 cup cooled melted butter.
- Mix well.
- Stir in flour and beat well with a wooden spoon.
- Cover with a towel and let the dough rise in a warm place on your counter until the dough doubles in size.
- Roll dough out to 1/2" thickness.
- Cut dough in a lot of diamond shapes with a knife.
- Dip each piece in melted butter and arrange in a Tube pan.
- Cover and let it rise in a warm place on your counter until it doubles in size.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

Banana Muffins

This recipe is from my mom. She has made this banana bread for years! I love it because I always have the ingredients in my fridge and pantry and it is a simple recipe. You can make this recipe for muffins or as a loaf. I like to change it up!Ingredients:

3 bananas
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 c. flour
1/4 c. melted butter
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Directions:

- In a bowl, mash bananas and set aside.
- Mix all remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
- Stir in mashed bananas and mix well.
- Spoon into muffin tin.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. {if you make it as a loaf bake for 1 hour}

Cheese Muffins

This is another recipe I got from my friend Jessica (you will probably see her name on this blog a lot). Let me tell you how awesome these cheese biscuits are.....well, I can't. You are just going to have to make them to understand the goodness.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. Flour

1 1/2 tblsp. Sugar

1 tblsp. Baking powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

3 c. Shredded Colby-Jack cheese

1 c. Milk

1 Egg

1/4 c. butter, melted

Directions:

- In a medium bowl whisk together all dry ingredients.

- Stir in all 3 cups of cheese.

- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, butter and milk together.

- Poor wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir.

- Bake in greased muffin tins at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Even Cole likes them....and he doesn't like anything right now!

Greek Bread

I got inspiration for this bread from a little pizza place we like named Palio's. They have bread there called Greek bread. It's made on pizza dough with their homemade pesto, cheese, spinach, tomatoes and a little olive oil. I had this the other night for dinner and decided to try and make my own version of it. I used things I already had in the fridge and pantry and I probably would have added some purple onion if I had had one at the time. So here it is....my version of Greek bread.

Ingredients:

Sliced Sourdough

Pesto Sauce

Spinach Leaves

Sliced tomatoes

Crumbled Feta

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Directions:

- Place bread on a baking sheet.

- Spread pesto on bread.

- Layer with spinach, tomatoes, feta and mozzarella.

- Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.