In the Kitchen ~ Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Coffee Cake

This coffee cake is one of the best coffee cakes I've ever eaten.  The pecan, chocolate and sour cream made it delicious and different from the usual coffee cake.  I made this to take to Bible Study and it was a hit!  My Uncle ate 3 pieces!  I'll definitely be making it again!

Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Coffee Cake

1 package (12 oz) semi sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)

2 cups sugar, divided

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 2/3 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soada

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups sour cream

HEAT oven to 350F.  Grease 9X13 inch baking pan

MIX chocolate nuts, 2/3 cup of hte sugar and cinnamon, set aside.  Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder and sale; set aside.

BEAT butter remaining 1/13 cups sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

ADD flour mixture alternately with sour cream, beating after each addition until smooth.

SPOON 1/2 of the batter into prepared baking pan.  Top with 1/2 of the chocolate-nut mixture.  Repeat layers.

BAKE 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

COOL in pan on wire rack.

Enjoy!

Colletta

A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 5/5/20

Looking out my window:

As I write this Monday afternoon, the sun is shining and it is absolutely gorgeous outside.  I was sitting on my swing for a while this afternoon which is something I haven't been able to do for a couple days with all the rain we had!

I am thinking:

I am thinking that I am going to love reading on my Kindle Fire!  I've always been a paperback girl and never thought I'd switch to an ereader but I have to say I'm becoming a convert :)

I am thankful:

I am thankful that Kaylee is doing well with her new job.  She worked 3 days last week and will have a 5 day work week this week.  I'm also thankful that this is the last week of her semester at college.  She is looking forward to being done for the summer.  Then she will have to make some big decisions about what direction she wants to go in...

One of my favorite things:

One of my favorite things are lilacs!  They are getting ready to bloom here at my house.  We have a huge "bush" to the one side of the house with tons of blossoms.  I can't wait to smell them!

I am creating:

I am creating another granny square blanket using the following colors in Redheart Ombre and white.  I decided not to use the gray on this one.



I joined the first row and fully intend to join the rows as I complete them.  I don't want to have to spend a whole day tying in ends and joining squares like I did on the last afghan I made.

I have three rows done and crocheted together so far!

I am wearing:

I am wearing comfy clothes as I'm getting ready to get on the treadmill.

I am reading (read) /watching (watched) / listening to:

I downloaded this book for free on my Fire.  I'm almost halfway through with it and am really enjoying the regency era story.  L.G. Rollins is a new-to-me author but I have downloaded the entire trilogy :)

I am hoping:

I am hoping that Laken finishes out this last month of 7th Grade strongly.  So far this quarter she has all A's.  I'm also hoping that schools are able to open normally in the Fall.  Laken really misses the social aspect of school. 

I am learning:

I am learning to be more flexible and patient? you might even say. This has been a really hard couple months for us but I'm actually getting used to wearing a mask in public and thinking about staying away from other people.  At first, it seems really odd but any more it seems old hat.

In my kitchen:

In my kitchen on Saturday we made and  Apple Pie and a Fruit Medley Pie.  The Fruit Medley Pie was a combination of fruit we had leftover in the freezer so there were blueberries and raspberries and we threw in a handful of apples to boot!  I ate some of the Apple Pie and it was DELICIOUS!!!!  Probably the best Apple Pie I've ever eaten.  Mom and I did really good!

Shared Quote:

""The second is this:  'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  There is no commandment greater than these."

Mark 2:31

A moment from my day:

Our azaleas are also blossoming!  I wanted to get a close-up of one of the individual flowers to show what pretty bright pink they are but it is SO windy outside that it kept blurring.

Have a Blessed Day!

Colletta

Tuesday 4 ~ 2/25/20

Head over to Tuesday's Place for the questions and to visit everyone's answers!

1.  You're having a lovely dinner party for friends and family.  What will you serve for appetizers, main course and dessert?

We're a pretty informal bunch.  Appetizers would probably be cheese and crackers.  The main course would maybe be Lasagna and Garlic Bread.  The dessert is where it is at with Lemon Delight!

 2. Snow storm!    You've got house guests and you're all stuck inside for the night. What do you prepare for dinner.  Will you  watch a movie? Which?

Dinner would have to be something we had on hand so maybe spaghetti or grilled cheese and soup of some kind.  If we're stuck in the house then we probably wouldn't have cable (joys of country life) so we'd probably play a game of 500 Rummy or Monopoly.

3. We are going into New York City for the weekend. Where do you want to go?

I've been to New York City a few times but I've yet to see the Empire State Building or Ground Zero.

4. You are going to night school.  They offer courses in writing short stories, painting,   piano  or guitar lessons,simple home repairs,baking, and gardening.
Which do you pick  ( or make up one of your own)  and why?

I'd pick baking as that is something I love to do.  I'm a fairly decent baker already but I'd love to be able to decorate cupcakes and cakes.

Colletta

Wednesday Medley ~ 6/26/19

Come join Terri @ Your Friend From Florida every Wednesday.  She comes up with the questions and we answer them ;)

 

 

 

NATIONAL PARCHMENT DAY – Last Wednesday in June

Celebrate parchment and its many uses by clicking on the image.

NATIONAL PARCHMENT DAY

At the end of June, National Parchment Day arrives to bring innovation and convenience back to the kitchen.

Parchment infuses flavor, locks in moisture and preserves vital nutrients and has long been a part of the traditional French kitchen. Ever versatile, parchment conveniently transitions from skillet to oven and from the grill to table.  Its ability to be elegant as well as useful makes it one of the more effective tools in the kitchen.

Cooking “en papillote” enhances natural flavors, without the synthetic sprays and high-fat oils. Not only does culinary parchment simplify preparation and clean-up, but it’s also a much healthier and environmentally friendlier alternative to traditional cooking techniques. The French have cooked with parchment for centuries, perfecting taste and texture in every dish. It has long served as the secret to preparing wholesome, healthy meals.

With all these added benefits, it’s difficult to ignore what parchment brings to the kitchen and to the table.  Use a variety of parchment products to make composing delicious meals in the home kitchen a culinary success.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Turn your kitchen into a parchment test kitchen. Share your delicious results by using #NationalParchmentDay on social media.

HISTORY

National Parchment Day was submitted by PaperChef and declared by the Registrar of National Day Calendar in June 2016. With local food movements on the rise, PaperChef is encouraging all culinary enthusiasts – from professional chefs to home cooks – to explore foods that mirror the “farm to fork movement,” offering North Americans viable alternatives to their popular but non-compostable and non-recyclable counterparts, refusing to compromise on quality and integrity by manufacturing items that won’t live in landfills for centuries.

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Everything above this line is from the National Day Calendar.

1.  Who knew there was a day to celebrate parchment paper?!  Do you ever use parchment when you bake or cook? Tell us about your favorite way to use it, please

 

I had no idea there was a day to celebrate parchment paper either!  The only time I really use parchment paper is when I bake cookies.  It makes clean up so much easier!

 

2.  When Terri thinks of parchment paper, she usually thinks about special writing or artist papers. She loves using specialty papers for creating cards or other art projects. Tell us about a creative way you have used parchment paper other than to bake with!

Sorry!  I can't think of any creative way I've used parchment paper! 

 

3.  Terri used to be in the cake business and has piped many borders and roses and leaves and letters, etc., etc.  You can make a pastry bag from parchment paper!  Have you ever tried decorating a cake with a pastry bag and specialty tips?  Do you have a picture to share?  Don't be shy, now!

My youngest daughter, Laken, loves baking and asked for baking supplies for Christmas the past few years.  She has pasty bags and all kinds of tips.  She's working on her decorating skills and has definitely improved.  I have pictures but they must be on my phone...

 

4.  Tell us about something you baked or cooked in the past week or so that turned out great, parchment or no parchment.  Will you share the recipe?

At Camp Meeting last week we did so much cooking.  We offered breakfast, lunch and dinner to the campers.  We had baked pork chops one night that were delicious and beef stew another night.  A group of us ladies from Church also spent most of the day the Friday before Camp Meeting making 22 pies for dessert.  They were made of about 7-8 different fillings.  Pumpkin was my favorite!

5.  The last Wednesday in June!!  How can that be? Has your June flown by or have you been able to enjoy each day and make it slow down for you?

June has absolutely flown by!  We've had something going on every week and I've only just been getting back into an "at home" mode and I love it.  Here's to some nice relaxing days in July!

 

6.  Tell us something about your week so far, if you will.

I'm loving finally having some down time to read, crochet and get some walks in.

 

Colletta

 

P.S.  I hope you can stop by my ETSY SHOP!

Thankful Thursday ~ 2/21/19

~Valentine's Day goodies from the hubby!  The hubby and I had our Valentine's Date the Saturday before Valentine's Day but first thing Valentine's Day morning he gave me a card and Reese Cups :)  He knows the way to my heart :)

~Cupcakes and Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars!  Laken has been baking up a storm lately.  On Valentine's Day, after she got home from school, she baked Strawberry Cupcakes and decorated them for us.  Monday evening, she baked Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars.  She wants to make cupcakes again Friday evening.  In case you haven't guessed she wants to own a bakery when she grows up.  Either that or be a meteorologist :)

~My Gym Buddy!  Never in a million years would I have dreamed that my gym buddy would be my very own DAUGHTER!  How can I be old enough to have a daughter who is almost 18 years old?  I was just 18 years old yesterday, wasn't I?  Anyway, Kaylee and I have been hitting the gym (Planet Fitness) 3 times a week on our days "off".  She is kicking my butt :)


~The hubby's new haircut!  The hubby has the thickest head of hair I've ever seen on a man.  I was "long" overdue for a buzz but we just didn't have the opportunity or take the time.  Finally, after I told it was starting to look like Darth Vader's helmet, he made it a point to get the buzzers out for me and put the chair in the bathroom.  I buzzed it with a No.2 guard and then took the guard off to trim the nape.  He forgot the guard was off and tried to clean up a few stray hairs!  Needless to say, his whole head had to be gone over without a guard.  It is SUPER short!  P.S. Don't tell him I posted a picture of him napping with his blankie :)

~Snow days and Thundersnow!  Thursday school was cancelled due to the weather.  Not only did it snow and sleet, we had Thundersnow!  It was a bit startling!  The kids had fun hanging out in the Family Room ripping and running :)

What are you thankful for today?

Colletta



Tea Time ~ Homecoming and Cream Puff Cake ~ 9/30/16

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

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~It is Homecoming Week in our small town!  Go Hornets!!!!! :)

~Monday was picture day for the girls!  It was so nice to see them both dressed in something other than a t-shirt and jeans :)

~I think I'm over my reading slump!  It took a murder mystery to do it :)

~My Mom and I made Cream Puff Cake for our weekly baking session together!  Love my Mom and Cream Puff Cake :)

~Today is the last day of September!  I get to turn the calendar tomorrow :)  (It is the little things that make me smile :)

 

What made you smile this week?

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up with Friendship Friday, Friday Fragments, Five on Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , High Five for Friday , Diary of a Real Housewife and Love Made My Home.

 

In the Kitchen ~ Peanut Butter Coffee Cake ~ 4/23/15

This recipe came from a cookbook called "America's Favorites:  Bake Sale".  I was looking for something to bake, had all the ingredients on hand, so win win!  Not to mention yummy!

Peanut Butter Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar, divided
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
3/4 cup creamy Peanut Butter, divided
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup Crisco or all-vegetable shortening
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup milk
Powdered sugar icing (optional)

Preheat oven to 375F.

Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 cup peanut butter and melted butter until crumbly, set aside.

 

 

Cream remaining 1/2 cup peanut butter and shortening.  Slowly beat in remain 1 cup brown sugar.  Add eggs, 1 at a time until fluffy.

Combine remaining 2 cups flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; mix well.  Add flour mixture alternatively with milk to creamed mixture, beating after each addition.

Spread batter in greased 13X9X2 inch baking pan.  Top with reserved crumbly mixture.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.  Cool completely.

Drizzle with icing, if desired.

This coffee cake was really good.  I think if I make it again, I will double the crumb mixture topping.  It was what really made the cake. 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up to:  Full Plate Thursday, Inspritation2 , Creative Ways, Grace at Home, Create It Thursday, Your Turn to Shine,   Project Stash and Home Sweet Home, Share Your Cup.

 

Tea Time ~ 5/23/14

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

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~ There is still time to sign up for the Favorite Color Swap.  I'd love for you to join in the fun!

~Sunday afternoon was full of crafting and baking.  It was so relaxing and fun to create new things!

Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents

Recipe coming soon!

~Our lilacs were in full bloom this week.  I loved walking through the neighborhood and smelling their sweet fragrance.

~The weather has been so lovely.  I wrote in my Weigh-in Wednesday post that I walked 19 miles this week!  Some of those miles were in the evenings with the family.

~Laken had a t-ball game last night.  I love watching these littles play!

~ It is a 3 day weekend!!!!  Let's celebrate :)

What made you smile this week?

Linking up with Friendship Friday, High Five for Friday, Friday Fragments, Five on Friday, Heart Filled Friday, and Coffee Date.

I'd love for you to come Like my Facebook Page!  Pretty please?

Cook-Booking ~ Easy Oatmeal Cake

Putting the cookbooks on my shelf to good use!

The first cookbook I'm going to be sharing recipes from is very special to me.  When I got married, my Mom made me a little notecard-sized binder of our favorite family recipes.  These are my go-to recipes for everything from cakes and cookies to potpie noodles.

To start off this feature and get myself back into baking, I made one of my family's very favorite cakes, Easy Oatmeal Cake.  It is quick and easy and the toping is hot so no waiting for the cake to cool is required.  In fact, this cake is best right out of the oven and because it has oatmeal, no guilt about eating this first thing in the morning!

Easy Oatmeal Cake

Cake:

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1 cup quick oats

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 egg whites (save yolks)

1 whole egg

1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 350 and grease a 9X13 cake pan.

Pour water over oats in a bowl.  Stir.  Add shortening, eggs, sugars and vanilla.  Mix well.  Add dry ingredients.

Pour into pan and bake for approx 25 minutes.

Topping:

1 stick butter

1 cup brown sugar

2 egg yolks

1/4 cup milk

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Oatmeal

Melt butter in a suacepan.  Add remaining sugar, eggs and milk.  Mix well.  Add amount of oatmeal desired.  (I like my topping thick with oatmeal.  My aunt uses a good bit less.  I actually double the topping recipe because it is so yummy!)  Spread over baked cake.

Eat while hot, warm, or cold.  It doesn't matter.  It is delicious no matter what!

Family Notes:

This is a great cake for someone who isn't really a "sweets person" like my cousin, Steph.  This is her favorite and is her birthday request every year.

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So, let me know if you give this "Family Favorite" a try and what you think!

Enjoy!

Linking to:  Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

                    Tuesdays at the Table

Snowy Mountain of Andes Mints

I decided to bake a cake for Sunday night "Coffee Break" last week.

This is a yellow layer cake with fluffy icing. I sprinkled Andes Bits on top.

It was soooo good. My icing turned out exceptionally well and little chocolatey mint pieces on top turned it into a completely different creation than it would have been otherwise.

Now I'm thinking about those bits that are still in my baking cupboard. Give me strength!

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

I was inspired by Steph over at Somewhat Simple to try these cinnamon rolls today.

Here is a direct link to the recipe.

*Note: Change the rising time from 1 hour to 3 hours as Steph suggests. Mine did the same thing so it must have been an error.*

I made a double batch because I'm going to take them to Prayer Meeting/Bible Study tonight. After our prayer and lesson, we are having a little New Year's Celebration.

I haven't tasted one yet, but from the looks and smell of them I think they'll be great.

Baking Cookies With the Hubby

My dear hubby broke his foot falling from his tree stand while hunting.

He is now so bored, that I got him to make cookies with me.

We have been married for almost 10 years and this is a first. I just had to document it.

We made Orange Dream Cookies. I got the recipe from Ducks In A Row.

I put a little orange food coloring in just to give it more of a dreamcicle color. They were a hit.

Believe me. When hubby actually says that he likes something, it must be good.

BTW, I absolutely love my Pampered Chef scoop and cooling racks.