Strawberry Cream Cheese Croissants

 I found this recipe on Pinterest and had to try it. It turns out that it was so good that I had to include this on our blog! I had some leftover dinner roll dough and used that as my bread and it tasted great.  You've got to try this. I also used fresh pureed strawberries instead of the jam and it was fantastic!~BJ 
picture by Rumbly In My Tumbly

Strawberry Cream Cheese Croissants
recipe found on Pinterest


Ingredients:

1 package of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls- or homemade rolls
1/4 cup of homemade strawberry jam- or fresh pureed strawberries
4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg + 1 tsp of water for egg wash

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla. Cream until there are no lumps.

Unroll each crescent roll. On the fattest part of the triangle place 1 tsp on cream cheese mixture and one tsp of jam. Roll into a croissant shape.

Whisk together egg and water for egg wash and brush over each croissant.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until croissants are golden brown and inside is no longer doughy. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin is sooo good for you. It helps with your complexion, it gives your skin a healthy glow. Who doesn't love pumpkin? ~BJ

Pumpkin Pancakes
recipe by Allrecipes

1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 Tbs. oil
2 Tbs. vinegar
2 cups flour (you could use whole wheat flour)
3 Tbs. brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground allspice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. salt

In a bow, mix together milk, pumpkin, egg, oil, and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a a separate bowl. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.  Heat griddle or frying pan. Pour 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides. Serve with whipped cream and maple syrup.

Apple Pie Oatmeal

 Perfect for a cold morning. You don't need to add anything after this is done cooking. It is full of flavor.~BJ


Apple Pie Oatmeal
original recipe by BJ

3 apples, peeled and diced
4 cups water
2 cups oatmeal (I used instant)
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp. cinnamon

Boil the water then add diced apples. Add cinnamon and bring to a boil. Then add oats, return to a boil then lower to a simmer. Simmer for a few minutes then add sugar and butter. Stir until combined and serve warm.

Apple Pancakes

My sisters...you have to try this one! It is SO good!~BJ

Apple Pancakes

recipe by Patricia Call

2 eggs
2 cups milk
4 TBS sugar
2 cups floud
1 1/2 cups apple, grated
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon

Beat eggs then add the rest of the ingredients. Ladle onto a HOT griddle and serve with Apple Syrup.
Variation: if you don't have fresh apples I've used Apple Pie Filling and I almost prefer it!

Apple Syrup

1 cup sugar
 2 TBS cornstartch
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 TBS lemon juice
2 cups apple juice
1/4 cup butter

Melt in saucepan on the stove. Bring to a boil for a minute then add butter last. Ready to serve!

Ham and Egg Cups

Here is an elegant way to serve breakfast. This is so simple! You can add whatever you want into your eggs. This is so versatile. ~BJ

Ham and Egg Cups

sliced ham
eggs
feta cheese (or any kind)
spinach
cottage cheese (optional)
salsa (optional)
basil (optional)

Take out a muffin pan. Spray with non-stick spray. Line each cup with a slice of ham. In a bowl, combine eggs with cheese and additional toppings.  It is about one egg per muffin cup. Pour about 1/3 cup of egg mixture into each ham cup. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until egg is set in center. Do NOT overcook.

Cinnamon Toast

This one is an oldie but a goodie. Remember when Mom would make us Cinnamon Toast for breakfast and we thought we won the lottery?! Well, my kids LOVE this sweet toast too! It is requested all too often. Notice the plate of sliced oranges to help add to the nutritional value of this quick breakfast. Ha. ~BJ

Cinnamon Toast

toasted bread

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/3 cup sugar

butter

Butter the toast. Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a bowl. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the warm toast. Eat with a glass of milk. Enjoy!

Happy Face Pancake

My kids LOVE to be served the HAPPY FACE pancake. It brightens their day and they are sure to tell everyone about what they had for breakfast! ~BJ

HAPPY FACE Pancake

1 extra large pancake

chocolate chip eyes

whipped cream hair

bacon mouth

a drizzle of syrup

strawberry nose

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Another grandma Matheny special. My family polished this off within a few hours. But you know me, I can't resist tryin to "healthify" a recipe, so I have included two versions. It makes an outstounding dessert or breakfast treat (with a cold glass of milk).~Christine

Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Grease and flour bundt pan:

Mix Together:
1 cup butter (I did half unsweetened applesauce)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream (I used buttermilk)

Add:
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

Mix and fold into batter:
2 cups of cake flour (if you don't have cake flour, remove 4 Tbl.)
1 tsp baking powder

Pour half of the batter into pan.

Mix the following and sprinkle half the mixture over batter:
1/2 cup nuts, chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbl. brown sugar

Pour remaining batter into pan and sprinkle with other half of cinnamon mixture. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes.

Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole

Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
Recipe from Our Best Bites

6-8 slices white bread*
about 1/4 C softened butter (just for buttering the bread slices)
4 C grated colby jack cheese
12 oz pork sausage, browned and drained if necessary
1 4 oz can green chiles, or a 7 oz can if you love 'em
6 eggs
2 C milk
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dry mustard

Start by removing the crusts from your bread and lightly buttering one side.
  Place bread butter side down in a 9x13 baking dish. I usually need 6 pieces of bread, plus 1 cut in half to finish up the bottom row. You just want the bottom of the pan covered with no big gaps.Grate your cheese and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the bread. And yes, you're reading the recipe correctly, 4 cups baby! Spread the browned sausage on top of that, and top with the green chiles.In a medium sized mixing bowl whisk eggs. Add milk and then seasonings and whisk to combine well. Slowly stir the egg mixture while you pour it evenly on top of the assembled casserole. Cover well and place in the refrigerator overnight.

In the morning preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Pop the casserole in there and bake (uncovered) for 50-60 minutes. You'll want the center to be set and the outside edges to be golden brown. It will be puffy and beautiful like this (oh and your house will smell amazing!)

Pasta Momma

I was watching the Food Network and all the superstars were telling everyone what the Best Thing They Ever Ate was. This one jumped out at me and I had to recreate it. It is so easy and a new breakfast item.~BJ

Pasta Momma
recipe created by BarbaraJo

1 box of spaghetti
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese or Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. basil
2 TBS. olive oil
1 TBS butter
8 eggs
1/2 cup milk
salt and pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder

In a bowl whisk the eggs, milk, garlic, basil, cheese and salt and pepper. Boil pasta as per instructions. Drain and place in a hot skillet with butter and oil. Add the egg mixture to the pasta. Stir around until eggs are cooked and cheese is melted. Serve Hot.

Grandma Matheny's Bran Muffins

Sorry, I know the skull ornament is odd, but my kids eat more when the food is decorated. I made these one night when I needed my "sweet bread" fix. I am also a sucker for anything that calls for buttermilk. These are awesome for breakfast or snack with a cold glass of milk. You really can never go wrong with a recipe from grandma Matheny too.

2 cups All Bran cereal
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup soft butter
2 eggs
2 cups of buttermilk
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup each of nuts/raisins (optional)

 Combine the cereal and boiling water and let stand for a few minutes. Add the butter, eggs, buttermilk. When mixed, add the mixed dry ingredients. Add nuts and raisins if desired.  Fill lined muffins tins half full. The remaining batter can be covered and refridgerated. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve with a little slab of butter and honey. Enjoy!

Simple Pumpkin Muffins

Simple. Tasty. Kids love 'em. Perfect for the Fall. I got this recipe from OurBestBites. ~BJ

Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

2 spice cake mixes (Duncan Hines, although not pictured, is the best for this recipe)

1 30-oz. can pumpkin

1 12-oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

 

Combine all the ingredients and bake at 350 for 20-22 minutes. 

Creamed Egg on Toast

This is a Benson Family Favorite. I used to request this dish every birthday. I love this for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I can remember Granny Walker preparing this for us while we sat at her kitchen counter after having cousin sleepovers. ~BJ

Creamed Egg on Toast

1 stick of butter
1/2 cup flour
milk
salt and pepper
5 hard boiled eggs
several pieces of toast
bacon (optional)

While eggs are boiling you can prepare the cream sauce. In a sauce pan melt the butter and stir in the flour. Cook for a minute. Slowly add milk, while stirring consistently, until you reach desired consistency. Add plenty of salt and pepper to taste. Prepare toast. Chop egg whites and add to the cream sauce. Pour sauce over warm toast. Grate egg yolks on top of toast. Crumble bacon on top (optional).

Oat Toast

OK so I'm the one sister that hasn't put on a recipe yet...so finally I'm going to contribute. Don't let the looks of this recipe get to you. Being a starving college student, this little pick me up is a quick, cheap delicious thing to make when you don't have a lot of time in the morning. All you need is:
1-2 slices of bread (preferably whole wheat)
Honey
Creamy Peanut Butter
Old Fashion oats (NOT quick oats, or oatmeal)
Toast your bread, spread on some peanut butter, drizzle on the desired amount of honey, then sprinkle on a handful of oats. (You could also slice up some bananas and throw those on too) Give this a try. Its simple, cheap and delicious.
-Janelle

Funnel Cake French Toast

This french toast is to die for! I have found the perfect combination! French toast...and Funnel cake. They serve this at one of my favorite restaurants (RIPE). I have recreated this dish and it will not disappoint.

•  vegetable oil for frying
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• sliced bread (even better with potato bread)

Directions

1. In a deep-fryer, or heavy skillet, heat oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, beat milk and eggs together. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Stir into the egg mixture until smooth.
3. Dip sliced bread into batter and gently drop into hot oil. Fry until golden brown and carefully flip. 
4. Serve warm with whipped cream, fresh berries and maple syrup.

Double Chocolate Waffles with Berry Sauce

 This is a great recipe to pull out for Conference weekend. It is another Best Bites favorite. They are also good with Mom's homemade syrup. ~BarbaraJo


Double Chocolate Waffles with Berry Sauce


2/3 C flour
1/3 C corn starch
1/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/8 t cinnamon
6 T granulated sugar
1 C milk
1/3 C vegetable oil
1 egg
1 1/2 t vanilla
1/2 C mini chocolate chips

Berry Sauce & Topping
3 C berries*, diced if large
1/4 C raspberry jam (you could use strawberry if you prefer)
2 T hot tap water
optional: powdered sugar to taste

Sweetened whipped cream
cocoa powder for dusting


*You'll need about 3 cups of berries and you can use any combo you like. Since I'd have to sell my first born to pay for fresh raspberries and blackberries right now I decided to use a combo of fresh and frozen. I used 1 C of fresh strawberries and then 2 C of a frozen mix of blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries (thawed in the fridge before use). It worked great. If you need to, you can definitely use all frozen as well.


Start by making the berry sauce since it can sit while you make the waffle batter. Combine jam and warm water and whisk until combined. Add in the berries and gently stir until combined. Gently smash with a fork to break up larger berries an leave as chunky as you like.  Depending on the sweetness of the berries, you can add a little powdered sugar if you'd like. I don't add any; I think the jam adds plenty and I prefer it on the tart side to balance the sweetness of the waffles. However my husband likes it sweeter, so go with what you like! You might want to try the sauce on the waffles first and then just sprinkle powdered sugar on top if you'd like it sweeter.

Set berry sauce aside and make waffle batter.

Waffles:
Preheat a waffle iron.

Combine flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Use a whisk to combine.

In a separate bowl whisk together sugar, milk, oil, egg, and vanilla. Whisk for a minute so it gets a little frothy.

Slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry a little at a time, whisking to combine. Just stir until they're combined and don't over-mix. Stir in the chocolate chips. This is a pretty thin batter, so don't be expecting something that looks like a pancake batter. It's supposed to be thin.

Lightly butter waffle iron. I have one with non-stick finish and I actually don't grease mine at all. You may not need to. Place batter in and cook according to your iron.

Momma Udall's German Pancakes Yum Yum

Louisa is the last child left at home and she devoured these in one sitting.  Pretty good for a picky eater!  These are easy to make and oh so good--I like mine with my famous buttermilk syrup or lemon juice and brown sugar and butter. 

6 eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup flour

dash of salt

4 tbls butter

Put your butter in a 9x12 pan and place in a cold oven and then pre heat to 350 degrees.  While that is heating up, make the pancakes by whisking the eggs, add the milk and flour and salt.  Pour into hot 9x12 and bake for 20-30 minutes until it puffs up and is golden brown. 

Laurel's Famous Buttermilk Syrup

(You can easily double this recipe)

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup real butter

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp corn syrup

1/2 cup real buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

Bring everything together in a sauce pan and gently boil for a few minutes and then add the vanilla.  It is so fun to watch the froth from the baking soda.  Serve hot over my German pancakes or over freshly picked peaches or over vanilla bean ice cream.

Crepes

My dad served is mission in Paris so he brought home a skill of making crepes. We enjoyed them on special occasions growing up, and now that we've all moved out of the house we get to look forward to having crepes every time we visit.  These are a sweet crepe and you can fill them with whatever your heart's desire. This is a staple in the Matheny family for breakfast! This could also be turned into a dessert crepe.- BarbaraJo


 Crepes

1 cup flour
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1/3 cup oil
1 TBS sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla


Combine all ingredients until there are no lumps and you have a smooth batter. Heat a small skillet to medium-high. Grease skillet and pour 1/3 cup of batter onto HOT skillet. Rotate skillet so batter is evenly distributed. Flip after a few seconds.

Fill with fresh whipped cream, strawberries, powdered sugar, roll like a burrito and enjoy. Also good with brown sugar and butter, or honey, or jam. For dessert you could fill with ice cream and hot fudge or caramel.

Cinnamon Sugar Scones

I love to bake at night once the kids are in bed. I made this last night and accidentally almost ate half of it. It tasted great with a little bit of butter and cold glass of milk. However, I had a little bite the next day and realized that this is enjoyed the most while its still warm!- Christine

Cinnamon Sugar Scones

4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 teaspoon  of salt
6 Tbs softened butter
1 Tbs. poppy seeds (optional)
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 egg lightly beaten
2 Tbs butter, melted
cinnamon sugar mixture for the top coat

*In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in the butter until resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in poppy seeds if desired. Combine buttermilk and egg. Add to the crumb mixture. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 5-6 times. Divide dough in half, shape in two balls. Place on a greased baking sheet. Pat into 6 inch round loafs. Take a knife and cut a cross on each loaf. Brush with melted butter and drizzle with cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes or until brown. Slice into wedges and serve warm.

Amazing French Toast

I must admit that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I usually opt for something sweet. I love this recipe because you don't have to stand over the stove and flip. This even comes with the syrup-ie topping with it! AMAZING!- BarbaraJo

Amazing French Toast

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1 TBS. corn syrup
1 loaf of bread (I personally don't like to use French bread for this recipe because I cannot stand soggy French Toast)
5 eggs
2 cups milk
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

In a bowl mix the butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Spread over the bottom of a cookie sheet. Place bread slices over the sugar mixture. Beat eggs, milk, vanilla, and spices then pour over bread evenly. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Serve with fresh whipped cream.