Apricot Bars

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

• 3/4 cup butter, softened

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 large egg, room temperature

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1-1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut

• 1/2 cup chopped almonds

• 1 jar (10 to 12 ounces) apricot preserves

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well. Fold in coconut and almonds.
2. Press two-thirds of dough onto the bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Spread with preserves; crumble remaining dough over preserves. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

*You can use any preserves. I also made it with Lemon pie filling.

Recipe adapted from Taste from Home

Pumpkin Bread with Frosting

Ingredients:

Bread:

• 3 1/3 cups All-purpose Flour
• 3 cups Sugar
• 2 tsp Baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp ground Cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground Nutmeg
• 1 15 oz can Pumpkin
• 1 cup Vegetable oil
• 4 Eggs
• 2/3 cups Water

Frosting:

• 6 ounces, weight Cream Cheese, softened
• 3 Tablespoons Butter, softened
• 2 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Directions:

Bread:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two 5/9/3 inch loaf pans with non-stick spray, set aside.
2. in a mixer combine pumpkin, oil, eggs, and water. Mix in dry ingredients. Mix until combined. Spoon into loaf pans.
3. Bake for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
4. Cool for 10 minutes and remove from pan to wire rack.

Frosting:

1. Place all ingredients in a small bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat until completely smooth. Spread on top of bread or use as a spread for each slice.

Easiest Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cake box mix (any will work, I used vanilla cake here)
• 1 can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie)

Directions:

1. Follow heating directions on the back of your cake box.
2. Combine cake mix with pumpkin 
3. Easiest to mix with hand mixer just until combined
4. Scoop into muffin tins
5. Bake, as instructed on back of cake box

*Using chocolate cake box is another favorite of ours

Coffee Cake Banana Bread

Coffee Cake Banana Bread

Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Makes: 2 Loaves

Ingredients:

Bread

• 3-4 medium or large bananas
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt

Crumb Topping

• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 6 Tbsp butter, cold

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Grease two 8x4 pans. (I did 1 8x4 pan and 1 regular size muffin tin pan)
2. In a small bowl, mash bananas, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. 
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Add in eggs and beat until mixed.
5. To the wet ingredients, sift in flour, baking soda, and salt.
6. Stir until just combined. Add in sour cream and stir.
7. Pour in mashed bananas, and mix until combined.

Crumb Topping:

1. Combine cinnamon, flour, and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter, and mix until the topping looks like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle coating evenly over the batter in both pans.
2. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs stuck to it.
3. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Move to a wire cooling rack.
4. Slice and enjoy!

~Mikaila

Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

Pumpkin Spice Cookies:

• 1/2 Cup Butter (1 stick)
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Cup Canned Pumpkin
• 2 Cups Flour (I used Old Mill Gluten Free)
• 4 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 2 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp Ginger
• 1 Cup Chopped Walnuts or Pecans (optional)

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 8 oz block of Cream Cheese
• 3 tsp Vanilla
• 4 Cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 tsp Cinnamon

Directions:

Pumpkin Spice Cookies:

Preheat Oven to 350°F

1. In a mixer cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs and pumpkin and mix well.
3. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and spices together and fold into cookie batter.
4. Mix until well blended.
5. Drop a spoonful of the cookies batter onto a cookie sheet.
6. Bake in a 350°F oven for approximately 15 minutes.
7. Allow to cool.
8. Frost with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla in a mixer until blended.
2. Add powder sugar a cup at a time and continue to mix until sugar is incorporated.
3. Finally, add cinnamon
4. Place frosting in large Ziplock bag, cut small portions of corner off of bag, and frost cookies.

Recipe Adapted from Two Sisters Crafting

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies - GF, Dairy Free, Egg Free

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup coconut milk (rice, or almond)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3/4 cup white rice flour
• 1/3 cup coconut flour
• 2 Tablespoons GF Starch
• 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (you can buy dairy free chocolate chips, the brand I've seen is Simple Joy)

Directions:

1. Mix together the sugar and oil.
2. Add the milk and vanilla and mix until combined
3. Mix together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Just mixing until you don't see flour. (don't over mix).
5. Add the chocolate chips.

Allow the dough to rest 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Bake cookies on a well greased cookie sheet or silicon mat. Bake 10 minutes or until desired doneness is reached. Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes before moving to wire rack. *This is to allow cookies to be firm enough to hold shape.

~Recipe adapted from Yammies Guten Freedom

Soft Sugar Cookies

Yields: 24 cookies
Cook Time: 15-18 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup (2 sticks) Salted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar, for rolling

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. set aside.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium size bowl. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, using an electric or stand mixer, cream together the butter, and granulated sugar until combined.
4. Add egg yolks and vanilla extract.
5. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined. DO NOT OVERMIX!
6. Using a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, scoop dough into balls about 2 Tablespoons each roll in sugar and place onto prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until tops of cookies start to crack. Let cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before moving them to a wire rack. Let cool completely on wire rack.

Note:

Storing: Cookies will stay fresh for up to 7 days in an airtight container, stored at room temperature.

Freezing: Roll the dough into balls and place them in an airtight container. You can freeze the cookie dough for up to 2 months. To bake, place frozen cookie dough balls onto prepared baking sheet and bake 16-18 minutes.

~Recipe from Deliciously Sprinkled

Double Chocolate Biscotti

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup dark cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet Chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fehreinheit
2. Cream butter and sugar together, add in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add in vanilla.
3. In a seperate bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add flour mixture to butter mixture in thirds, making sure all dry ingredients are incorporated before adding more. Fold in chocolate chips.
4. Shape dough into a 12 x 4 inch log and place on a well greased baking pan (or use parchment paper or silicon mat) Bake for 30 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut loaf into 3/4 inch slices and place back on baking sheet, cut side down. Bake again for 8 minutes then turn cookies over and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Completely cool cookies on a rack then store in an airtight container.

~Recipe adapted from chocolatechocolateandmore.com

Fresh Plum Cake

Yields: 12 Servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, divided
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar + 1 tablespoon
• 2 extra large eggs (or 2 large +1 egg white)
• 6-8 plums (mine were huge so I used 4)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place a sheet of parchment over the bottom disk of an 8-9 inch spring-form pan. Fasten the ring around the disk with parchment paper secured in between. Cut off the excess paper. Grease the sides of the pan.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.
3. In the electric mixer, cream 1 cup of sugar with the butter. Add the eggs one at a time. Slowly add the flour mixture. Scrape the bowl and mix again.
4. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Slice the plum into eights. 
5. Place the plum slices around the top of the cake in a pretty pattern. Make sure they are close together. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice over the plums. Bake for 45-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Make SURE not to over bake! Cool for 15 minutes in the pan, and another 10 minutes out of the pan before serving.

*Try with summer peaches, nectarines or apricots!

~Recipe via A Spicy Perspective

Lemon Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 10 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup + 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp lemon zest (from about 2 medium lemons)
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 tsp lemon extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together butter, sugar and lemon zest until pale and fluffy (occasionally scrape down bowl throughout entire mixing process if not using a paddle attachment that constantly scrapes bowl). Mix in egg then blend in egg yolk. Add lemon juice, lemon extract, vanilla extract and optional yellow food coloring and mix until combined. With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
3. Pour powdered sugar into a small bowl. Scoop dough out about 1 1/2 Tbsp at a time and shape into a ball, then drop in powdered sugar and roll to evenly coat. Transfer to a parchment paper or selicon lined baking sheet, repeat with remaining dough and space cookies 2-inches apart on baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven 10-13 minutes. Cool on baking sheet several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.

Recipe from cookingclassy.com

Peanut Butter Cookies (Flour-less)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. 
3. Make walnut sized bowls of the dough (about a Tablespoon measure) and place on lined baking sheet.
4. Cook for 9 minutes.
5. Press each cookie down with fork and bake 1 minute longer.
6. Let cook slightly on baking sheet before moving to a cooling rack.

~Recipe from Jana

Spritz Cookies

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

Ingredients:

1 cup room temperature butter

1 cup sugar

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

1 tsp almond extract

Directions:

Combine butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add egg, almond extract, salt and flour. Mix until combined. Put dough in cookie press and place on non-stick baking sheet directly. First batch will take 6 minutes, subsequent batches will take 5 minutes. 

*I wipe down sheet pan with a paper towel between batches so that the cookies will stick to the sheet pan better, coming out of the press.

**I separate the dough into three bowls and mix in red food coloring to one bowl and green food coloring to one of the others, leaving one of the bowls the original white color. I add small increments of each of the colors to the cookie press, filling the press completely. Outcome is shown in picture above.

~Recipe from my mother-in-law (Nora)

Chocolate Truffle Cookies with Sea Salt

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Baking Chips, for melting into the cookie dough
• 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Baking Chips, for mixing into the prepared cookie dough
• 2 Tablespoons coarse sea salt, or as needed

Directions:

1. In a heatproof bowl over a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter until smooth. Turn off the stove and let chocolate sit over warm water.
2. Combine flour, baking powder and salt and mix to combine. In another bowl, mix together sugar and eggs, combine throughly with whisk and slowly add the warm chocolate mixture. Stir to combine. Add vanilla extract and mox. Stir in flour mixture. Cool for a few minutes (if batter is warm, chocolate chips will melt). Stir in chocolate chips. Chill for 10-15 minutes.
3. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Scoop rounded tablespoons of batter and place on baking tray. Sprinkle each cookie lightly with a pinch of sea salt. Baking at 350°F for approximately 7-8 minutes until the outside looks slightly cracked. Be very careful not to over bake cookies because they will continue to bake as they cool once removed from the oven. Cookies should be soft and gooey in the center.

~recipe from allrecipes.com

Cinnamon-Rhubarb Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sour cream 
• 8 Tablespoons butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1-1/2 cups 1/4-inch-diced rhubarb
• 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. Grease and line muffin tin.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt and whisk to blend.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, melted butter, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Lightly stir the sour cream mixture into the dry ingredients with a spatula until the batter just comes together; do not overmix. Gently stir in the diced rhubarb. The batter will be thick.
4. Divide the batter among the muffin cups, using the back of a spoon or a small spatula to settle the batter into the cups. The batter should mound a bit higher than the tops of the cups.
5. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon and mix well. Sprinkle a generous 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over each muffin.
6. Bake the muffins until they're golden brown, spring back most of the way when gently pressed, and pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm.

~Recipe from bakersdaughter.typepad.com

Zucchini Brownies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

1. Mix dry ingredients, then add the wet ingrednients. Stir until well mixed.
2. Spread in a greased 9x13" pan.
3. Bake with milk chocolate frosting (recipe below).

Frosting ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup milk (more or less depending on consistency)
• 1 cup powder sugar (more or less depending on consistency)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Frosting directions:

1. Mix all frosting ingredients together, adding more or less milk and powder sugar to get a creamy consistency.
2. Top brownies when they have cooled, so the frosting doesn't just thin out and melt off.

~recipe adapted from thecraftingchicks.com

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Prep: 15 min.
Cook: 45 min

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 3 cups diced rhubarb
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup rolled oats

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F
2. In a large bowl, mix white sugar, 3 Tablespoons flour, strawberries, and rhubarb. Place the mixture in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, brown sugar, butter, and oats until crumbly. You may want to use a pastry blender for this. Crumble on top of the rhubarb and strawberry mixture.
4. Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until crisp and lightly browned.

~Recipe from Nora via allrecipes.com

Lemon Zucchini Bread with Lemon Glaze

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cups canola oil
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice (1/2 lemon)
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup grated zucchini
• Glaze ingredients:
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoon lemon juice (1/2 lemon)

Directions:

1. Mix flour, salt and baking powder in a medium bowl and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs. Then add oil and sugar until well blended. Add lemon juice, buttermilk, lemon zest to this mixture and blend all together.
3. Fold in zucchini until it is mixed well.
4. Add dry mixture to the wet mixture and blend all together until well combined.
5. Pour batter into grease 9x5 loaf pan.
6. Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes.
7. While still warm, make glaze and spoon over the bread. Let the glaze set up before cutting and serving.

~Recipe adapted from lilluna.com

Black Bean Brownies

Total Time: 50 min
Prep: 15 min
Inactive: 15 min
Cook: 20 min

Ingredients:

• Butter, for greasing pan
• 3/4 cooked black beans
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil, or olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee or espresso
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, divided
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 by 9-inch square baking pan.
2. In a blender, puree the beans with the oil. 
3. Add the eggs, cocoa sugar, coffee, and vanilla.
4. Melt half the chocolate chips and add to the blender. Blend on medium-high until smooth.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the blender and pulse until just incorporated.
6. Stir in the remaining chocolate chips. Pour into the prepared pan.
7. Bake until the surface looks somewhat matte around the edges and still a bit shiny in the middle, about 20 minutes.
8. Let cool at least 15 minutes before cutting and removing from the pan.
9. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve.

~Recipe by Melissa d'Arabian from foodnetwork.com

American Triffle

Ingredients:

• 1 package vanilla pudding, prepared according to package
• 1 (16 oz) package blueberries
• 1 (16 oz) package strawberries, sliced (leave one whole with green removed)
• 1 pint whipping cream, whipped with powder sugar & vanilla extract
• 1 angel food cake, cut into bite size pieces

Directions:

You can layer the ingredients how ever you would like, but my layers are as follows:

1. pudding
2. angel food cake
3. whip cream
4. strawberries
5. angel food cake
6. pudding
7. whip cream
8. blueberries
9. angel food cake
10. pudding 
11. whip cream
12. strawberries
13. blueberries
14. the rest of the whip cream
15. strawberry star with a few randomly placed blueberries

*How to make whip cream: Place whipping cream in a metal or glass bowl. Whip until soft peaks, then add powder sugar and vanilla extract, to taste. Whip to stiff peaks and enjoy! (It will whip faster if you place the bowl and whisk in the freezer prior to whipping the cream.

~Recipe from Mikaila

Lemon Almond Bread

Ingredients:

• For the bread:
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 Tablespoons lemon zest
• 3/4 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• For the lemon glaze:
• 1 cup powder sugar
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons almond extract
• 3 Tablespoons sliced almonds, for garnishing loaf

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. In a small bowl, combine sugar and lemon zest. Rub together with your fingers until fragrant. Whisk into the flour mixture. Set aside.
3. In a separate medium bowl, combine the almond milk, oil, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla, and almond extract.
4. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir until combined. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
5. Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Place the loaf on a cooling rack and cool for 15 minutes. Loosen the sides of the bread with a knife. Carefully remove loaf from pan. Let cool completely on wire rack.
6. While the bread is cooling, make the lemon glaze. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice, and almond extract. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle the glaze on the lemon almond bread. Sprinkle sliced almond over the bread. Cut and serve.

~Recipe from twopeasandtheirpod.com