Heart Shaped Cinnamon Roll

Posted by Lori:

I wanted to post this before Valentine's Day, but I couldn't get it to turn out right until a few days ago.  This Heart Shaped Cinnamon Roll can be made using your favorite cinnamon roll recipe, as long as the filling is fairly dry.  As I attempted it a few weeks ago, I was using the recipe I had posted before, but instead of a pretty heart shape, I kept getting an ugly blob shape!  Still tasty, but not too pretty!

Years ago, in Home Economics class (my favorite class in school!), I was part of a group that was to make one of these Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls.  I've never tried it since then and I've never seen a recipe for one, either.  It's really fairly simple to make - especially if you start with frozen bread dough!  The syrup mixture that seeped out is most likely because I used brown sugar.  Next time, if making the heart shape, I may use white sugar.

Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls (Serves 6-8)

Begin with one pound frozen bread dough.  Allow to thaw.

 (I purchased Rhodes brand.  It is sold in 1 lb. loaves - pack of 3 or pack of 5.)

On a lightly floured surface, roll into about a 10 x 15 inch rectangle for a longer heart shape or a square shape for a wider heart shape.

Melt 1 Tablespoon butter.  Spread over dough.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup brown or white sugar over the butter.

 Sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon.

Roll dough tightly, lengthwise, stretching some to make it tighter.

Continue to roll until it is one long, rolled rope.

Bring ends together and press together to seal well.

Flip folded dough so that the folded middle is not up and down, but is now side to side (does that make sense??? I couldn't figure out how to say it!  Hope the picture shows what I mean!). Place dough on greased pan - at least 10 x 15 inch size for the 10 x 15 inch rolled dough.  Larger pan, if needed.

With the end of the folded dough rope AWAY from you, cut with scissors down the middle of the dough.  As you cut, the dough will fall out to the side, which will create the heart.

Cut down towards the end, but stop within one inch (I stopped about 2 inches from end, but will do 1 inch next time.) from the end.  Spread the two sides apart to form a "v" shape.

Allow dough to rise until doubled.  I did this quickly in a low, warm oven (about 180 degrees for 30 minutes).

Bake heart in preheated 350 degree oven for 12 -15 minutes, or until lightly golden on top.

Allow to cool 15 minutes or more, then drizzle with icing.

ICING:

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

In small bowl, mix together butter and powdered sugar. (I used an electric mixer.)

Add milk and vanilla and beat on low until smooth.  Drizzle over heart shaped cinnamon roll.

This post is linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday.

Pin It Now!

Mexican Corn Bread and Ground Meat

Posted by Donna:


This is a very, very old recipe that was given to me by my aunt. I can't remember the last time I fixed this; but, knowing whose recipe it belonged to lets me know how good it is and that I need to make it again.

3/4 cup cornmeal
2 beaten eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp. soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 large can cream style corn
1/2 cup bacon drippings

Mix this together and set aside.

Lightly brown 1 pound ground beef and drain.

Grease an 8x8 baking dish or pan ( or iron skillet). Sprinkle the greased dish with corn meal. Pour half of the batter into the baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 pound grated cheddar cheese over the batter; then add the meat, grated onion, and 1 small can chopped green chilies. Cover with the remaining batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

All you need now is a green salad as a side dish and you're set to go.


Pin It Now!

Chicken Lasagna for a Group (Serves 24)

Posted by Lori:

Yesterday I posted Beef Lasagna for a Large Group and today, here is the Chicken Lasagna for a large group.  With this recipe, I used the same large Hefty brand disposable baking pan.  The measurements were 19 1/2 inches x 11 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches.  The chicken lasagna never sets up quite as pretty as the beef lasagna does.  I've tried decreasing the liquids some, but it makes it too dry.  SOOOOO, I've opted for a flatter, but better tasting lasagna.  No one seems to mind!

Chicken Lasagna for a Group (Serves 24)

2 bags (sold in 2.5 or 3 pound bags) frozen chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins
2 cans Family Size (26 ounce) Cream of Chicken soup
6 ounce bag shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoons salt
2 lb. bag Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (you may not use it all)
16 lasagna noodles (uncooked)

Place chicken in large stock pot. Cover with water.  Boil chicken breasts in large stock pot over medium-high heat.  Cook until meat is no longer pink.  Drain water. Chop or shred chicken into small pieces and return chicken to stock pot.  Combine soup, chicken broth, Parmesan Cheese, evaporated milk, garlic powder, and salt.  Simmer until cheese melts.  Layer 8 lasagna noodles on bottom of disposable pan.  Pour half of chicken mixture over noodles.  Sprinkle on about half of Colby-Monterey Jack cheese.  Repeat layers:  noodles, chicken mixture, and Colby-Monterey Jack cheese. Cover and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.  If frozen, allow at least 24 hours to thaw in the refrigerator.  Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree oven for 45 - 60 minutes, or until cheese begins to brown around edges.
Pin It Now!

Beef Lasagna for a Group (Serves 48)

Posted by Lori:

I mentioned on my devotional blog a few days ago about making large lasagnas for the youth group this past Sunday night.  Today I thought I would share this recipe with you.  It is a lot like the beef lasagna I've posted before, but a little bit different and in larger quantities, of course.  You actually could get more servings with smaller cut pieces, but hey, I was feeding teenagers - lots and lots of teenagers - so 24 servings per pan was great!  I used two 19 1/2 inch x 11 1/2 inch x 3 1/2 inch foil disposable baking pans- Hefty brand.  They are really sturdy, but still need some support on the bottom due to the heaviness of the lasagna. I'll post the large group recipe for Chicken Lasagna tomorrow night.

Beef Lasagna for a Group (48 Servings)

32 lasagna noodles (2 - 1 pound boxes)
10 pounds hamburger
5 - 10 1/2 ounce cans of spaghetti sauce
5 packages thick and zesty spaghetti sauce mix
5 tablespoons onion powder
5 tablespoons garlic powder
1 cup apple cider vinegar
3 - 24 ounce containers small curd cottage cheese
2 - 6 ounce packages grated Parmesean cheese
2 - 2 pound packages grated Mozzerella cheese
Salt/Pepper to taste

In large pot, brown hamburger meat over medium-high heat.  Drain browned meat on paper towels and return to pot.  Add cans of spaghetti sauce, spaghetti sauce mixes, onion and garlic powders, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper, to taste.  Simmer on medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring often.  Layer 8 uncooked lasagna noodles in bottoms of both baking pans.  Top noodles with 1/4 of meat mixture, followed by 1 1/2 containers of cottage cheese, then half of one package of Parmesean cheese, and then about half of one package Mozzerella cheese.  Repeat all layers, except for cottage cheese:  8 uncooked noodles, 1/4 of meat mixture, 1/2 package of Parmesean cheese, and the other half package of Mozzerella cheese (or as desired).

Refrigerate lasagna until ready to bake.  Because the noodles are not cooked, it is best to prepare it in advance then cook later - even the next day or two.  Lasagnas may be frozen as well.  Allow at least 24 hours to thaw in refrigerator before baking.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 60 minutes, or until cheese begins to lightly brown around the edges.
Pin It Now!

Barbeque Ranch Dip

Posted by Lori:

Last week, when I made the Barbeque Chicken Quesadillas, I made this Barbeque Ranch Dip to go along with it.  Unfortunately, it just didn't "go" with it, you know what I mean?  It didn't do anything for the quesadillas.  In fact, they didn't need anything extra do go with them, they were great on their own.  But, what about the dip, then?  I had bought a new variety of Tostito chips.  It was some kind of black bean and garlic version.  WOW!  They were soooooo good with this dip and it all went together with the barbeque and ranch theme of food we had going on that evening.

It's fun trying new products and finding a way to use them.  It's even better if it tastes delicious!

Barbeque Ranch Dip

1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons barbeque sauce
2 teaspoons Ranch seasoning mix (I bought a large container of it at Sam's but the little packets of dip/dressing mix will work just fine.)
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (if desired)
(If I could have found it in the cabinet, I would have added a dash of cumin to this, too.)
Mix all ingredients together.  Store in airtight container in the refrigerator.
Pin It Now!

Homemade Baking Mix (like Bisquick)

Posted by Lori:
Have you ever needed Bisquick for a recipe, but didn't have any in the pantry? Homemade Baking Mix is quick, easy, and can be used in all of your favorite Bisquick recipes. I'm fairly certain it would be a lot cheaper than the brand name baking mix, too.

Homemade Baking Mix
10 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons salt
2 cups shortening

Combine all ingredients, except shortening, in large bowl. With pastry blender or fork, but in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Store in airtight container, up to 6 months. Use as you would any other baking mix. Makes 12 1/2 cups.
Pin It Now!

Valentine's Day Recipes

Posted by Lori:

Valentine's Day is a fun day to make special treats and meals for your loved ones.  Our family usually does a special breakfast because the rest of the day is busy with school and school activities.

Here are a few ideas for your special day:

Strawberry Topped Waffles
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pie
Strawberry Angel Food Cake
Strawberry Smoothie
Strawberries and Cream Twinkie Cake
Very Berry Breakfast Parfait
Rice Krispie Treat Kisses
Strawberry Soda Cake
Chocolate Valentine Cookies

What special treats are you making for Valentine's Day?


Pin It Now!