Whole Wheat Bread

Don't be afraid to make homemade bread!! This is really easy. Requires no kneading!! EASY!! Especially good right out of the oven with butter and honey or homemade raspberry jam!!

5 cups warm water
3 TB. yeast
1 TB. white sugar
2/3 cup powdered milk
1 TB. salt
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup yogurt
1/3 cup honey
2 TB. dough enhancer (Found in the baking aisles)
3/4 cup gluten (Found in the baking aisles)
5 cups whole wheat flour

In your mixer (like a Bosch, Kitchen Aid, etc,) use the whisk attachment, and mix for 3 mins. Change to the kneading bar attachment. Add an additional 6 - 6 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour. Mix 3 mins. more. You want the dough to clean the bowl. Meaning, dough should not cling to the sides.(I add just the additional 6 cups of flour and it always works for me.) Shape dough and place in 4 greased bread pans. Let rise for 1 hour. Bake at 350 for about 30 mins. (Depending on your bread pans. Some of mine actually take longer than others. )

French Bread

We cannot get enough of this bread!! Sometimes I even make it twice in 1 week. It is soft and just plain good. (Especially right out of the oven.) Goes great with soup!!

2 tablespoons yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup warm water

Mix together in a med. size bowl.

In a large bowl mix:
3 cups flour
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups warm water

Add to flour mixture:
1/3 cup vegetable oil and the yeast mixture. Add 3 more cups of flour. Mix well. Let rise for 1 hour, stir down every 10 minutes. Divide dough in half. Shape into 2 loafs. Make slits on top of dough using scissors. Let rise for about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 mins. When done brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, garlic seasonings, Italian seasonings etc...

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

These muffins are my kids absolute favorite! Everytime I make them I hear," These are the best!!" Of course, I sub applesauce for the oil to make them healthy. I have even subbed flax seed for the egg--no one even knew the difference!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/3 cups mashed ripe bananas
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil (Used applesauce)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients.
2. In a small bowl, combine bananas, oil and egg.
3. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
4. Fold in chocolate chips.
5. Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups three fourths full.
6. Bake at 350 deg F for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done.

Fast and Easy Pizza Dough

1 TB yeast
1 cup warm water
2 1/3 cups flour
2 TB veg oil
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in remaining ingredients and beat vigorously 20 strokes. Let rest 5 mins. Heat oven to 425. Grease large pizza pan. Spread dough in pan and add toppings. Bake on the lowest rack for 20 mins.

Cinna Sticks

Whenever we order pizza, we always need to order cinna sticks. (For the kids of course!) I found this recipe and it is so good. I never have to order cinna sticks again. They are fast and easy.

• 1 package prepared pizza crust (or your favorite recipe. See my Fast and easy pizza dough recipe!!)
• 1/4 cup melted margarine
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Icing

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 - 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Roll out pizza dough into a large rectangle.
3. Brush melted margarine over dough.
4. In a small bowl combine sugar, and cinnamon, mix well.
5. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture liberally over the pizza dough.
6. Slice the dough into either long sticks, or cut dough in half, and then slice into smaller sticks.
7. (The smaller sticks are easier to handle.) Place on an lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until done.
8. While the pizza sticks are cooking mix together the powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, and vanilla.
9. Mix until smooth.
10. You may need to add an extra teaspoon of milk.
11. Serve icing with sticks.

Sour Cream Banana Bread

This is the best banana bread recipe that I have ever tired. I replace the sour cream with vanilla yogurt to make it healthier. I also like a hint of cinnamon, so I add a tsp. This is so good hot out of the oven with butter on it!!

• 1/2 cup margarine or 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
  
• 1 cup mashed banana (about 3 bananas)
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (omit if you don't like nuts)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (I use vanilla yogurt)

Directions:

1. Grease 1 large loaf pan.
2. Cream margarine, sugar, eggs and vanilla.
3. Add dry ingredients, then bananas, nuts and sour cream.
4. Mix well.
5. Bake at 350 F for 1 hour.