Healthy cooking tips, recipes, food facts and more from a Registered Dietitian!
F. – Breads -
Special Breads
Nov 5th
I was recently asked for some good homemade sweet breads for the Christmas season. Special breads make wonderful gifts and can also provide a healthier alternative to many of the unhealthy selections we find over the holidays. So, I set out to find some new and old favorite recipes to prepare for Christmas time at my home, including the delicious Praline Apple Bread in today’s newsletter. If you have a spare day here and there before Christmas, think about going ahead and making some small loaves of specialty breads to share with friends over Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most breads will freeze very well for you to pull out when the time comes – you’ll be surprised at how often your preparations can bless someone!
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Loading ...Praline Apple Bread
Nov 4th
I recently found this delicious bread recipe in Southern Living Magazine. I immediately fell in love when I looked at the recipe but was totally blown away at how delicious this bread was once I made it. I was sure to make my bread with light sour cream but you could always make the bread using at least half Splenda as well to cut down on the sugars.
1 cup chopped pecans, divided
1 (8-ounce) container reduced fat sour cream
1 cup granulated sugar (or 1/2 cup sugar + 1/2 cup Splenda)
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups finely chopped, peeled Granny Smith apples (about 3/4 pound)
1/3 cup light butter
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast 1/2 cup pecans on greased baking sheet for about 6-8 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes during cooking time.
Beat sour cream, sugar, eggs, and vanilla at low speed with an electric mixer for two minutes or until blended. Beat in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until blended. Stir in apples and toasted pecans. Spoon into greased and floured loaf pan (9X5-inch). Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Lightly press pecans into batter.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50-65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, shielding with aluminum foil after 50 minutes to prevent over-browning. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack.
For topping (optional): Bring light butter and brown sugar to a boil in a 1 quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and spoon over top of bread; let cool completely.
To freeze, thaw bread completely, wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Yummy Christmas Treat – Pecan Pie Muffins
Dec 26th
A Cooking with Ellen Christmas Splurge
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 all purpose flour
2 eggs
2/3 real butter, melted
1 cup pecans, chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a bowl with a wooden spoon. Pour into greased mini-muffin pan, filling each 2/3 full. Bake 12 to 15 minutes.
Yield 2 1/2 to 3 dozen muffins
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...My Favorite Breads
Dec 11th
Applesauce Muffins
Apple-Yogurt Muffins
Banana Nut Bread
Cranberry Pumpkin Bread
Ever-Ready Bran Muffins
French Bread
Italian Bread
Peanut Butter Muffins
Spiced Plum Bread
Yogurt Herb Bread
30-Minute Hot Rolls
(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Applesauce Muffins
Nov 26th
Today’s recipe comes from a friend of mine, Mrs. Loretta Baker, from Maben, Mississippi. These muffins looked so good, I thought I would send them on now in case you were looking for something yummy to cook on Thanksgiving morning. Be watching for the Holiday Specials newsletter on Friday, where I will send her Peanut Butter Muffin recipe.
1 cup softened butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons vanilla
1 (16-ounce) can applesauce
2 teaspoons soda
4 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground allspice
Cream sugar and butter; add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Sift flour, cinnamon, and allspice into a separate bowl.
Heat applesauce; remove from heat and add soda. Add applesauce and flour alternately to butter and sugar, mixing well after each addition.
Place batter in greased muffin pans and bake for 15-20 minutes in 350 degree preheated oven. When done, roll in powdered sugar. This batter will keep in the refrigerator for several days.
Makes 7 dozen miniature muffins.
p.s. If you want to make these a little lighter, try substituting light butter and 4 egg whites for the regular butter and 2 whole eggs.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
