Snickerdoodle Cupcakes
(these can be made into a cake too- whichever you prefer)
1 package plain white cake mix
1 cup whole milk
1 stick of butter, melted
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Frosting:
1 stick butter
3 3/4 cup confectioners sugar
3-4 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and flour & grease 2 9″ pans (for cakes) or line your cupcake tin. Place cake mix, milk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Blend for three minutes (stop to scrape once). Pour into pans and bake for 27-29 minutes (for cake) or 22-25 minutes (for cupcakes). Allow the cakes to cool completely.
Beat butter until fluffy for frosting. Add all other ingredients.
Note: I froze half of these (without frosting) to keep in our freezer for another occasion. They freeze very nicely!
Serve with olive oil for dipping!
Macaroni Grill Rosemary Bread
1 tablespoon yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons rosemary (fresh is best, but you can sub with dried)
2 tablespoons butter
Place yeast, sugar and water in large bowl or food processor and allow mixture to become bubbly. Mix in 1 T butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour. Add one tablespoon of the fresh chopped rosemary. Knead for about 10 minutes by hand or in food processor about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add more flour if necessary. Oil a bowl, put dough in it and cover with a towel. Punch down dough and divide in half. Let dough rest about 5 minutes. Spray baking pan or cookie sheet with cooking spray. Shape the dough into 2 small rounded oval loaves. Sprinkle remaining 1 Tablespoon of rosemary over the loaves and press lightly into the surface. Let loaves rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375° F. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Carefully remove from oven, brush with remaining butter (and salt if desired.).
I make this sauce in huge batches and divide it in containers for the freezer. It is easy (and no splattering) if you can prepare this in your slow cooker.
This is great for your pizzas, for making bagel & English muffin pizzas for the kids, or as a dipping sauce. Visit this entry for more details on streamlining that homemade pizza routine.
Easy Pizza Sauce
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 cloves garlic (I use the minced garlic in the jar)
3 tablespoons dried parsley flake
4 teaspoons dried onion flak
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 cups water
Place all of the ingredients in the slow cooker (This is ideal when making large batches). Cook on low for six to eight hours.
