Apple Dumplings

Apple Dumplings

Ingredients


Green Apple(Granny Smith ) - 2(peeled,cut into 4,cored)
1 can Sprite
1/2 tsp Cinnamon Powder
Pinch of Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Vanilla essence
3/4 cup brown sugar(dark or light)
5 tbs butter
1 can Pillsbury crescent dinner roll 8 oz


Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan with some butter
Peel, cut and core the apples
Unroll the dough separate it and roll the apples in each crescent roll

Take a saucepan melt the butter on medium flame,add the brown sugar,vanilla essence,nutmeg and cinnamon powder.This mixture should be grainy and lumpy!
Lay the individually wrapped apple crescent roll in the baking pan.
Now pour the mixture on top of the apples making sure you coat each one.
Finally pour the sprite around the edge of the pan I just used one small can  8 oz.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes....approximately.


Enjoy it warm with a dollop of vanilla Ice cream!!

Mango Loaf- Vegan and Nut free

Vegan and Nut free

 Mango Loaf

Ingredients


All purpose Flour - 2 cups
Baking Powder- 2 tsp
Salt- pinch
Sugar-2/3 cup
Vanilla Essence- 1 Tsp
Canola Oil -1/3 cup
Mango Pulp-1.5 Cups
Water - 2 tbs

Directions


To a bowl add the mango pulp,canola oil, vanilla essence whisk for a few minutes.To this add the sugar whisk till it all mixes in.

Add the flour,baking powder and salt.
You can add about 2 tbs of water to combine.

Do not over beat,making sure everything is whisked till you have a smooth batter.

Pour into a greased loaf pan bake at 350 Degree F for about 50 minute till a knife comes out clean.

Enjoy this vegan bread with a touch of  mango !Taste of home!!

Lemon bundt cake with a lemony vanilla drizzle

Lemon bundt cake

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
21/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
4 eggs
1 cup butter unsalted
3 tbls canola oil
1 tsp vanilla essence
1/4  tsp sea salt
Zest of two lemons
Juice of two lemons
1/4 cup or more of milk or half and half


Directions


Preheat oven to 350 degrees,butter and flour a bundt pan.

In a bowl whisk together the butter and sugar,cream till light and fluffy crack in the eggs one at a time add the zest,juice of lemon and the canola oil beat till the eggs gets incorporated.


Now add the flour which has already been whisked with baking powder and salt.

Mix both together at the lowest speed till everything is combined.Add in the milk or half and half beat till light...and combined.

Pour the batter into the bundt pan,bake for 40 minutest until a toothpick comes out clean in the center.

Enjoy this moist lemony bundt!

BANANA CRAN-NUT BREAD

BANANA CRAN-NUT BREAD

Best Banana Nut Bread Ever!!!!

Ingredients

3 Very Ripe Banana's mashed

2 cups Bread flour

1/2 cup Canola oil or 1 stick Butter

1/4 Cup Milk or a little more

2 Eggs beaten

1 cup Sugar

1 heaped tbs Brown Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla Essence

2 tsp Baking Powder

Pinch of Baking Soda(optional)

1/4 tsp Salt

Handful of Chopped Walnuts or Pecans

 Handful of Cranberries

Directions

• Cream Sugar,Oil or Butter,Eggs together.
• Add the mashed banana.
• Add the dry ingredients alternating with the milk beat till it all comes together.
• Add the Vanilla essence,beat and fold in the nuts and cranberry.
• Bake in a greased and floured pan at 350 degree F for 60 minutes approximately.

Coconut Mango CheeseCake

Tropical Delight-Coconut Mango Cheesecake

Ingredients

For the crust you will need

Graham Cracker Crumbs-11/2 cups
Butter -5 tbs
Sugar-5 tsp
Sweetened Coconut flakes -1/2 cup


For the Filling you will need

Cream Cheese about -18 oz
3/4 Cup Mango Pulp
Coconut Cream-1/2 cup
2 Tsp Corn Starch
3/4 C or less Sugar
3 Eggs Beaten
Pinch of salt
Vanilla Essence-1/2 tsp



For the topping you will need

Heavy Whipping Cream-1 cup
3 tbs mango pulp
3 tbs coconut milk
3-4 tsp Confectioner's sugar(according to your taste)

or just plain old

Cool whip (store bought)

Final Touch

Slices of Mango
Toasted Coconut flakes 1/4 cup


Direction

Step 1

• Melt the Butter
• Powder the Graham Cracker

In a mixing bowl add the graham cracker crumbs,butter,coconut flakes and sugar using a hand beater mix to combine.
Heat the oven 350 degrees.
Grease the spring foam pan and layer the crumb mixture press it down and up the sides.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes till a golden crust forms.
Cool and set it aside.

Step 2

• Bring the Cream Cheese to room temperature. 

In a mixing bowl add the cream cheese blend it well using a mixer,now add the mango pulp,corn starch,sugar,salt,vanilla essence blend it till smooth.Slowly add the beaten eggs and continue beating till it gets fluffy.Now add the coconut cream and beat till it all  comes together.

Place the spring foam pan with the cooled crust into a glass pan or any baking tray add the creamed filling into it.Pour 2 cups of water into a glass pan.

Now bake for 60 minutes approximately or until the filling has set.

Allow it to cool, I refrigerated it overnight

Step 3

Toast the Coconut flakes on the stove top using a non stick pan making sure it does not burn.

Step 4 

In a mixing bowl add the whipping cream,sugar and beat it till it is nice and fluffy till soft peaks are formed
it takes about 7 minutes using a hand beater,add to it some mango pulp and coconut cream beat again.
Spread over the chilled cheesecake and top lavishly with toasted coconut flakes.

Perfect Munchkins

MUNCHKINS-Just Made Perfect

INGREDIENTS

All purpose flour-3 cups
Milk- 3/4 cup
Butter -1/2 stick
Sugar -1/2 cup
Castor Sugar for dusting
Yeast-1 tsp
Eggs-2
Pinch of Nutmeg
Pinch of salt
Oil to Deep fry

Method

• Measure the flour in a mixing bowl add a pinch of salt and nutmeg,keep it aside
• In a saucepan  measure out the milk add the butter to it bring it to boil,stir in the sugar.
• Completely cool it to room temperature add the measured teaspoon of yeast,give it a stir add in the beaten eggs.
• Now add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients,with a wooden spatula mix the dough then transfer to a working surface and knead the dough till soft transfer back to the bowl, cover and set it aside for an hour.
• The dough should double. release any air puffed inside,make lime size rounds, deep fry them in oil till golden brown.

Finally dust some powdered sugar over some or eat some plain or dust some Cinnamon sugar powder to the rest.

Thanks to Nisa I saved a trip going to Dunkin Donuts this morning !!!


Recipe Courtesy: Nisahomey's "Cooking is Easy "

Walnut Zucchini Bundt Cake

Walnut Zucchini Bundt Cake

Ingredients

Flour-2 cups
Eggs-2
Oil-1/2 cup or Butter 2 tbs and the rest oil to make half cup
Sugar -1 cup
Baking Powder-2 tsp
Zucchini-1 whole shredded
Walnuts-1/2 cup Chopped
Pure Vanilla Essence-1 tsp
Pinch of Salt
Nutmeg Powder-1/4 tsp
Sour Cream -1 tbs

Directions

• Mix the Sugar,Oil,Sour Cream and Eggs
• Beat at low speed and cream it 
• Add the Shredded Zucchini followed by the dry ingredients 
• Beat for a couple of minutes using a mixer add a pinch of Salt,Nutmeg powder and essence
• Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
• Bake for 35-40 minutes in a Bundt pan or a loaf pan until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Coconut Cheesecake

 Coconut Cheesecake

Ingredients

For the crust u will need

Graham cracker Crumbs 11/2 cups
Butter 5 tbs
Sugar 5 tsp
Sweetened Coconut 1/2 cup


For the filling you will need

3 packages Cream cheese 6 oz each
1 cup  Coconut milk
2 tsp Corn starch
3/4 cup Sugar
3 Eggs beaten
Pinch of salt
Vanilla Essence -1/4 tsp

For the Whipped Topping you will need

Heavy Whipping cream 1 cup
3 -4 tsp Confectioners Sugar
3 tbs Coconut Milk

Final touches
1/2 cup Toasted Coconut flakes


Directions 

Step 1

Powder the Graham crackers
Melt the butter
In a mixing bowl combine the graham crumbs,coconut flakes,sugar mix  to combine add the butter using a hand mixer blend it well.
Heat oven to 350 degrees,
Grease the spring foam pan and  layer the crumb mixture and press it down and up the sides. .
Bake at 350 for 15 minutes till a golden crust forms.
Cool and set it aside.

Step 2

In  a mixing bowl add the cream cheese blend it well using a mixer,now add the corn starch,sugar,salt and vanilla essence blend it till smooth..Slowly add the beaten eggs and continue beating till it gets fluffy.
Now add the coconut milk and beat till it all comes together.

Place the spring foam pan with the cooled crust  into a glass pan or any baking tray add the creamed filling into it.
Pour 2 cups approx of hot water into the glass pan.Now bake for 60 minutes approximately or until you see the filling has set.

Allow to cool i refrigerated it overnight and make the topping after 10 hours.

Step 3

I toasted the coconut and almond on the stove top in a pan and cooled it to room temperature.
Step 4

In a bowl add the whipping cream and sugar and beat it till it is nice and fluffy till soft peaks have formed it takes about 5 minutes or more with a hand mixer .Add 2-3 tbs of coconut milk or cream beat again.

Spread over the cheesecake and topped lavishly with crunchy almond and coconut.

Kesar Pista Kulfi

Kesar Pista Kulfi

Ingredients

Sweetened Condensed Milk- 14 oz
Heavy whipping Cream-16 oz
Evaporated Milk-12 oz
Cool whip Topping 12 oz(1.5 containers)
Saffron(kesar)-1 big pinch
2 hand full pistachios crushed
Sugar- 1 tsp

Method

Grind the sugar and saffron using a mortar and pestle.
Coarse grind the pistachios.
In a blender add the first four ingredients and blend to a smooth mixture now add the pistachios,sugar,saffron  mix together pour into individual Popsicle mold set it for about 4 -6 hours.Yummy delicious kulfi is ready to lick..smack!!! 

Quick Mango and Coconut Milk Cup Cakes

mango and coconut milk cup cakes

Ingredients

Mango Pulp- 1/2 cup
All Purpose Flour- 2 cups
Sugar-3/4 cup
Baking powder- 2 tsp
Oil -1/2 cup
Coconut Milk- 1/2 cup
Shredded coconut -1 tbs
Pinch of Salt


Whisk the oil,sugar and pulp into a creamy paste
Mix the flour,salt and baking powder in another bowl.
Add some coconut milk and the flour alternate it till the flour is used up.
Just whisk it until it all comes together.

Preheat oven to 350 F,line the muffin pan and spoon the batter into it ,bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Mango Loaf Cake -No Dairy,No Eggs!!

Mango Loaf Cake - Can be made vegan by substituting honey for maple syrup.

Ingredients

All purpose flour- 2 cups
Sugar-3/4th cup
Honey or Maple Syrup - 2 tbs
Baking powder- 2 tsp
Olive oil-1/2 cup
Mango pulp -1/2 cup
Coconut milk-1/2 cup or more

Easy Method

Whisk the oil,sugar and pulp into a creamy paste.
Add the baking powder ,followed by the all purpose flour alternating with the coconut milk.
Whisk till it all comes together into a smooth creamy batter don't over beat it spoon into a loaf pan.
Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes or till a stick comes out clean.
Moist and yummy to the crumb!!

OPTIONAL

Use some cranberries and slivered almonds instead of mango pulp.
Use Vanilla essence and make it a plain cake.
Use some chocolate chip. 

Mango Coconut Cream Icecream

Mango Coconut Cream Ice cream

Ingredients

Mango pulp -30 oz can or you can make your own using fresh over ripened mangoes(3)
Condensed Milk-14 oz can
Coconut Cream -13.5 oz can or milk taken from freshly grated coconut 1 cup 
Whipped Topping(Cool whip)-8 oz
Ripe Mango diced into small pieces -1/2 cup(optional)

Method

In a Mixing bowl add the pulp,condensed milk,whipped topping and coconut cream .
Using a  hand mixer blend till smooth.
Pour in a airtight container freeze for 2 hours.
Take it out and mix the diced mango pieces stir and return to the freezer  for another few hours(approx 3 hours).

Yummy tropical melt in the mouth Ice cream is ready....

Walnut Coffee Cake lightened with Agave Nectar

Coffee Cake lightened with Agave Nectar

I enjoyed baking this evening tried some low sugar coffee cake made with agave nectar.You can bake using a mixture of all purpose flour and  wheat flour...good combination to get some extra fiber!

Ingredients
2 Cups Flour(1 Wheat & 1 All purpose)3 Eggs1 stick Butter or use 1/2 cup oil and 2 tbs apple sauce1/2 cup Sugar1/4 cup Agave Nectar1/2 cup Milk or a little more2 tsp Baking powderPinch of Salt1 tsp Vanilla essencePinch of Nutmeg 1/2 cup WalnutsOil to spray the pan

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees ,spray the  pan liberally dust with some flour.

• Separate the eggs in 2 Bowls

• Take a bowl cream the butter,egg yolks,agave nectar and sugar till nice and fluffy stir in milk and vanilla essence

• Combine the flour ,baking powder and a pinch of salt and nutmeg  fold in the fluffy butter mixture 

• Add the egg whites ,gently stir and pour into the greased pan

• Add chopped walnuts dusted with some flour liberally on the cake and bake approximately for 35- 45 minutes...or until a tooth pick comes out clean.

Magic Squares

Ingredients

2 cups graham wafer crumbs
1 cup condensed milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup un sweetened coconut flakes
1 cup walnuts crushed
1/2 cup Butter

Simple Method

Melt butter in the microwave for about 8 seconds.

In a square pan, mix graham wafer crumbs and melted butter to make a base.

Then pour condensed milk evenly over the base, add the chocolate chips, coconut, and walnuts on top.

Preheat oven to 350 F and than put in oven for about 15 minutes.

Take pan out and let it cool on counter for about 45 minutes, cut into squares and refrigerate.

Strawberry Yogurt Parfait

Ingredients

 3 (6 oz)container Lemon yogurt 
1 Tub Cool whip
1 can Mandarin oranges  
8 -10 Strawberries 
8 pecan shortbread cookies 

Prep work

• Crumble the shortbread cookies
• Slice the strawberries,drain oranges

Put the yogurt and cool whip in a bowl beat with an electric beater for approx 5 min until well blended and peaks form.

In a glass bowl or in individual parfait glasses put a layer of cookies,followed by the yogurt mixture top with fruits.

Continue to build the parfait,repeating the layers till all the ingredients are used.

Serve chilled this is a really yummy low calorie dessert!!Enjoy!

• Alter this recipe to add your favorite fresh fruits to get a different taste each time. 

Coffee Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
•  1/2 cup apple sauce

• handful semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cups nuts/walnuts/cashews/almonds 
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. 

Method

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and soda. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and 1 cup of sugar. Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Add the flour mixture and combine. Batter will be thick.
4. In a separate bowl, combine chocolate chips, 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
5. Spread half of the cake batter in prepared 9x13 inch pan. Sprinkle half of the chocolate chip mixture over the batter. Repeat with the remaining batter, and then the remaining chocolate chip mixture.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
7. Dust with some powdered sugar.

Homemade Vanilla Cake

Ingredients

All purpose Flour -3 cups(I sometimes add 1/2 wheat flour and 1/2 all purpose)
Sugar -2 cups
Eggs-5(separate the yolk)
Butter -2 sticks

Baking Powder-3 flat tsp
Salt-1 pinch
Vanilla Essence-1 tsp
Milk-1/3 cup or a little more

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees ,spray a 9/13 inch pan liberally dust with some flour.

Separate the eggs in 2 Bowls.

In a large bowl cream the butter,egg yolks and sugar till nice and fluffy.

Stir in Milk and Vanilla essence .

Beat the egg whites separate.

Combine the flour ,baking powder and a pinch of salt  fold in the fluffy butter mixture 

Add the egg whites ,gently stir and pour into the greased pan, smoothen the surface and bake approximately for 35- 45 minutes...or until a tooth pick comes out clean.

You can add some zucchini to it and it becomes a zucchini bread.
Add some walnuts to it and make a nutty cake!

Tres Leches Cake

Some Sweet Treat

Ingredients

All purpose Flour -2.5 cups
Sugar -2 cups
Eggs-5(separate the yolk)
Butter -2 sticks
Baking Powder-3 flat tsp
Salt-1 pinch
Vanilla Essence-1tsp
Milk-1/3 cup

Mix together pour after baking the cake

Condensed Milk-1 can
Evaporated Milk-1 can
Heavy cream or Whole Milk -1/2 cup

Icing

1  Tub whipped cream
3/4th can pineapple crushed
Cherries crushed or whole

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees ,spray a 9/13 inch pan liberally dust with some flour.

Separate the eggs in 2 Bowls

In a Bowl cream the butter,egg yolks and Sugar till nice and fluffy
Stir in Milk and Vanilla essence
Beat the egg whites separate
Combine the flour ,baking powder and a pinch of salt  fold in the fluffy butter mixture
Add the egg whites ,gently stir and pour into the greased pan, smoothen the surface and bake approximately for 35- 45 minutes...or until a tooth pick comes out clean.

After the cake cools pierce the cake with a fork ,mix all 3 the Condensed milk,evaporated milk and cream pour over the warm cake and chill for 30 minutes ..

Finally make the icing using the cool whip and crushed pineapple  spread over the surface of the cake ..decorate with some crushed cherries...Tres Leches is ready to be devoured.