Tasty Tuesday--Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

It's funny how a 5 gallon bucket of apples makes you think about different ways you could use them. My family loves monkey bread, so I thought why not add some chopped apples in with all that yummy cinnamony goodness! I was right--this was a home run recipe! I followed my standard recipe that I got out of a Church cookbook (I received this as a bridal shower gift many years ago and I turn to it often--one of my favs!) and simply added chopped apples in the center!

Here it goes:

Take 3 cans of Pillsbury biscuits and cut them up into quarters. Mix together cinnamon and sugar in a large Ziploc bag. Drop a few biscuits into the cinnamon sugar mixture and coat them. Stack them into a well greased Bundt pan. When you've stacked about half of the biscuits, add a layer of chopped apples.

Top with the remaining biscuits. Melt butter and mix in brown sugar and cinnamon and pour over the biscuits. Bake for 35 minutes.

Let set 15 minutes and then invert onto your serving platter and DIG IN!

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients
 3 cans Pillsbury Biscuits
1/2 c sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 sticks butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 apples, chopped

Directions
Cut biscuits into quarters. Mix together cinnamon and sugar in a large Ziploc bag. Drop a few biscuits into the cinnamon sugar mixture and coat them. Stack them into a well greased Bundt pan. When you've stacked about half of the biscuits, add a layer of chopped apples.
Top with the remaining biscuits. Melt butter and mix in brown sugar and cinnamon and pour over the biscuits. Bake for 35 minutes. Let set 15 minutes and then invert onto your serving platter.

So what do you think? We loved it and I will definately make this again! I still have MORE apples to use up. Have any suggestions?

Cindy

Put a Cork In It!

Here is yet another fun idea for all of those corks I have! (If you can believe it, I have another craft idea that I am still working on with the rest of my corks!) I simply bought a big cylinder vase and filled it with some corks. Then I nestled a small votive candle holder and candle in the center and filled more corks around it. The pictures don't show the pretty glow it has when it is lit, but you can see that I've displayed it on my wine rack. I love the look and the soft glow it adds to the wine rack. What do you think?
 

 

What kind of crafting fun have you been up to lately?

Cindy

Tasty Tuesday--Creamy Tomato-Basil Pasta with Shrimp

This is a quick weeknight recipe that the whole family will love. You can put this on the table in 20 minutes--perfect for those busy school nights! I originally found this recipe off of the Kraft website, but I modified it to fit our tastes--you could totally do the same.  My daughter isn't a shrimp lover, but agreed that this was tasty! Hope your family enjoys it as much as we did!

Creamy Tomato-Basil Pasta with Shrimp

Crazyloucreations

Ingredients

3 cups pasta, uncooked

¼ c. light balsamic vinaigrette dressing

1 lb. uncooked, peeled, de-veined medium shrimp

1 c. fat-free reduced sodium chicken broth

½ tsp garlic powder and black pepper

4 oz Light Cream Cheese

2 c. grape tomatoes

½ c. shredded Parmesan cheese

8 fresh basil leaves, cut into strips

Directions

Cook pasta as directed.  Meanwhile, heat 2 T. dressing in large skillet on medium heat. Add shrimp; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Remove shrimp from skillet; cover to keep warm. Discard any drippings.

Add remaining dressing, broth and seasonings to skillet; cook 2 minutes or until heated through. Add cream cheese; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until melted. Stir in tomatoes; cook 1 minute.

Drain pasta. Add to ingredients in skillet. Stir in Parmesan and half the basil; top with shrimp and remaining basil.

Enjoy!

Cindy

Fall Fun! Orchard Visit!

We are blessed to live in the Midwest. We get to enjoy all four seasons. Fall is my favorite. Not only do we get warm days and cool nights or because we get to see the trees changing colors, but because our local Apple Orchard opens up! My husband and I both worked at the orchard during high school, so its close to our heart. Its a local attraction. Super busy on the weekends, so locals know to visit during the week. Our family enjoys visiting the orchard a few times a season. Their donuts are the best (when eaten while still warm of course!) especially with their cider which is pressed right on sight! Its a fun place to go (eat) with the kids. They have a animal barn with turkeys, cow, pigs, and goats. They have a maze and a little playground area for the kids to run around and play in. You can take a horse drawn wagon ride out into the orchard for a tour and usually you can go out and pick your own apples too. (this year the apple crop wasn't at its prime so they didn't open up pick-your-own) In the barn there are plenty of gifts and food items, along with fresh apple cider donuts, fresh apple cider and apples. If you are ever in the area, you must visit Edwards Apple Orchard. They are a sweet family with good ole country values. Here's a snap shot of our recent visit.

What are your family fall traditions? Do you go to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch? Share with me!
And since we are sharing, come visit me on Facebook or follow me on Instagram @crazyloucreations.

Thanks for reading!

Cindy

Wine Cork Art Piece

I am not a wine drinker, but my kitchen has the wine/vineyard theme. I just love the look. A few years ago I was shopping in Galena (fun girls trip!) and I saw a wine cork bulletin board and had an idea. I had an old barn wood framed cork board that I no longer used because it didn't match my new kitchen decor. This would be perfect to use! So, I asked friends to gather up their wine corks and as soon as had enough, I began the repurposed cork board.
I used E6000 glue and lined up the wine corks the way I wanted. Looking back, I could have done more of a pattern, but I still like the way it turned out. Once everything is in place and glued down. Let dry and set a couple of days before you use it (or in my case, hang it up to display).
When it was finished, I decided not to use it as a cork board, but as a simple art piece for my wine/vineyard themed kitchen. I love it. I'm actually thinking about staining the barn wood, but I don't want to ruin it!
What do you think?

Tasty Tuesday--Melt In Your Mouth Blueberry Pancakes

I love recipes and I love cookbooks. I have way too many. I have a pantry shelf full of them. One of my favorite types of cookbooks to get my hands on are community cookbooks.  You find amazing recipes passed on through generations or family favorites in those books. Our Bank Cookbook (Recipes You Can Bank On) is where I found this recipe. I just added the blueberries to my recipe.

Get all your ingredients together because this recipe comes together quickly!

I love how they puff up when you flip them over!! These pancakes are fluffy and delicious!

We served the pancakes with grapes and bacon!

 
















The recipe makes a lot of pancakes, but freeze well, too! Here's the recipe for you to print:

 This recipe would also be good without blueberries (I've done that before!) or with mini chocolate chips! Oh, and if you are interested in purchasing the Recipes You Can Bank On Cookbook, you can contact Harvard Savings Bank at 815-943-5261. Cookbooks sell for $10 each and the proceeds go directly to the Harvard Food Pantry. They have a Holiday Sale going on right now as well: Buy one, get one 1/2 off! Perfect for gift giving!

Enjoy your pancakes!

Cindy

Recycled Wine Bottle Craft

I've seen all over Pinterest things that crafters have done with wine bottles. Well, add me to that list. I've seen them cut the wine bottles (not ready for that yet!), ombre wine bottles, modge podge wine bottles, mosaic tiled wine bottles and plenty more. I decided you simply paint mine and add letters to build a word for my fall mantle. It was simple and took only minutes to complete (not counting the drying time of course). So, if you're a wine drinker, this is a simple project for you to complete!

I needed four wine bottles for my word: FALL
Black spray paint
Glitter Chip Board Letters (you could use vinyl, stickers, etc.)

Make sure the bottles are clean. I let them soak in soapy water, scrapped off the labels (they came right off) and then air dry. When I was ready to paint, I wiped them down quickly with some rubbing alcohol and let that dry (it only took a minute).
Spray the bottles with even strokes and let dry.
Apply the chip board letters with craft glue and allow to dry.
Done. Now, they are ready to display. I put mine on my mantel with wheat grass fillers that I picked up last year on clearance at Gordman's. I love the look!

Happy Fall! Stay tuned for my wine cork art piece!

Cindy

The Witch Is In

Did I mention how much I love Halloween? Well, I came across this on Pinterest (here is where it took me) and knew I had to recreate it myself. But I couldn't find pool noodles anywhere! And then luck would have it that a Dollar Store was going out of business (really???) and they had two pool noodles! Yeah me!
This decoration was really simple to put together and every time I look at it, it makes me laugh! The only thing I want to add to it is a sign that says "The Witch Is In"...then it would be perfect.
Supplies you need:
1 pool noodle (Dollar Store)
1 pair of long socks (Dollar Store)
1 Black Caldron (Target was the only place I found it)
1 bag of forest moss (Dollar Store)
heavy object, I used a brick
newspaper
dowels
old black shoes
stick broom

I stuffed the foot part of the sock with newspaper and shoved a small dowel in there to keep it straight. Next put the pool noodle in the sock and put another dowel in the noodle (this keeps it standing straight up and adds support). Repeat with the other sock/noodle.
Then, for more stability (its really windy where I live and I knew I needed to have the most support possible) I stuck the noodles into a beer mug that were on either side on the bottom of the caldron. In the middle of the caldron, I placed a brick.

Next, fill it with more newspaper and top it off with the moss. Add the shoes and you're done. This project was just shy of $10 and I think its super cute!

Thanks for stopping in!

Cindy

http://www.tipjunkie.com/all-crafts/handmade-projects/homemade-projects-1023/

 

Halloween Treat! Blood Shot Eyes!

I love Halloween ( well, it is my birthday!)! But seriously, I love the creepy things and the fun creative ideas out there! And who doesn't love the costumes?!? I found this idea a few years ago in a Halloween cookbook, but tore the recipe out so I'm not sure of the exact resource. It's easy to put together and fun to eat! I bagged up a few, added a cute little tag and gave to some friends when we went to a pumpkin picking bonfire on Sunday. Try them out this Halloween!

What you need:
1 package of plain donut holes
1 tub of vanilla frosting
1 tube of mini m-n-m's
1 tube of red writing gel

Prepare a baking sheet or working surface with wax paper. Put about 1/2 of the vanilla frosting in a bowl and microwave it for 15-25 seconds until it is smooth and thin. Dip the donut hole in the frosting (I used a toothpick to do this step), and place on the wax paper.

I dipped about 3 donut holes, stopped and put 1 m-n-m eye in the center of the donut hole before the frosting had time to set. Continue until all donuts have been dipped and eyes have been placed.
Next, put in the frig or freezer for about 10 minutes to allow the frosting to firm up. Then snip off the end of the red gel (I cut mine too far done and it was a thicker line than I wanted, but oh well!) and drizzle on the blood shot eye look.

Package them up to give to your neighbors or friends!

Happy Haunting!

Cindy

Tasty Tuesday--Caramel Drizzled Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I mentioned awhile ago (here) that I wanted to recreate a cookie I ate at Mary's Market. It was their "cookie of the month." Well, the day I tackled this recreation it was a chilly outside which is perfect for baking!
First, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar.

 

Then combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a separate bowl.  Add to the creamed mixture. Stir in oats and chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoons on parchment paper lined sheets and bake 8-12 mintues. Allow to cool before you drizzle with caramel.

Don't let look heavenly? Oh, they were so good! Soft, chewy and yummy! Click here for the printable recipe. 
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies with Caramel Drizzle
by crazyloucreations.blogspot.com

Yield: About 30 cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
2 ¾ cup quick cooking oats
1 cup chocolate chips
caramel bits

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugars until fluffy, about 3 minutes. (I used my Kitchen Aid Mixer, but you could use an electric mixer)
2. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add in vanilla. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Mix the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray. Use a medium scoop (1 ½ Tbls) and drop on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
4. Bake 8-12 minutes. Allow cookies to cool about 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to wire rack (or waxed paper) to cool completely.
5. Follow instructions to melt caramel bits. I use about ½ cup. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Let set before storing.

Have a great Tuesday!

Cindy

Dollar Store Candle Holders

I love cheap, DIY projects! I saw this idea many moons ago. I've had the supplies forever and finally got around to doing this! It's an easy project and looks great with some scatters I recently found at the Target Dollar Section (yes, I like that section--they have so many cute things!). I've already had a few compliments on them!
I bought the supplies at The Dollar Tree so each candle holder only cost $2 to put together.

Candlestick
Glass Jar
E-6000 Glue

Clean the jar and candlestick, remove and stickers and let dry. Attach some glue on the top of the candlestick and carefully place the jar on top being careful to center it. Put a heavy book on top of the jar and allow the glue to dry. 
Next, find something to fill it with and a place to put it in your home! I'm thinking a bunch of these on a table filled with candy would be fun for a party.  
Here are mine, all pretty for fall!

Have a great week!

Cindy

$3 Fall Yarn Wreath

For those of you that follow me on Facebook, you saw this wreath before. I was trying to decide if I needed to add more to it. 

And, I took your advice. Here is the end result:

Here is what it took to make this cute little wreath:
1 foam wreath form--Target Dollar Section
1 Sunflower Stem--Target Dollar Section
1 Fall Berry Spray--Target Dollar Section
Coordinating Yarn--already had in my craft closet (if it wasn't in my craft closet, it would probably be a $6 wreath, because yarn runs about $2-3 at Michael's or JoAnn's)

Now, it took maybe a half hour to put this altogether. Start by hot gluing the end piece of the yarn to the wreath form. Start wrapping the yarn around the wreath, scrunching it up as you go. When it is completely covered, tie a knot and hot glue it. Add the flower and spray with hot glue and that's it! Super simple, super cute and perfect on my mantle mirror for the fall season!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cindy 
Linked up:
Bloom Designs 

Crock Pot Apple Crisp

I love fall and the smells that come from the kitchen! Nothing beats a fall day when it ends with some delicious apple crisp. I have an easy recipe for you to enjoy! I usually bake apple crisp in the oven, but came across this recipe so I gave it a try.

I find it best to get out everything you need first, it makes the prep time go more smoothly. 
Combine the brown sugar, quick oats and flour together. Cut in the butter to make crumbs. Next, combine the apples with half of the crumbs, mixing to coat the apples. Pour the apples into the greased crock pot. Mix the water, sugar and cinnamon together and pour over apples. Top with the remaining crumbs, set on HIGH and enjoy 3 hours later!

 

  

Are you drooling yet? My family really enjoyed this and the house smelled amazing! Try it yourself, just click the link for the recipe. Print the recipe. 
Crock Pot Apple Crisp
crazyloucreations.blogspot.com
adapted from eatathomecooks

Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup quick oats
½ cup flour
¼ cup butter
4 cups peeled, sliced apples
¾ cup water
½ cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Directions
Stir brown sugar, oats and flour until combined. Cut in the butter with pastry blender to make soft crumbs (you can also use a fork).
Combine the apples and half of the crumb mixture. Pour apples into a well greased crock pot. Stir water, sugar and cinnamon together and pour over apples. Top with remaining crumb mixture.
Put lid on crock pot and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours. Open and let rest 10 minutes before serving--this allows the liquid to thicken.

Cindy
Linking up at these amazing blogs:
Bloom Designs
Mandy's Recipe Box's "Totally Tasty Tuesdays!"