Mini Apple Pies

I made miniature apple pies - using the same method that I used to make the cherry pies. Except that I decided to put a full crust  on top of the apple pie - so I put two slits in the top crust and used a fork to seal the edges.

Once the pies have cooled - remove them from the muffin tin and carefully peel the foil away from the pie.

This makes a really nice presentation for a dessert table or bake sale.

Close up of my mini pies. Notice how my crust came out golden brown.

Dessert for tonight. I will serve with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Pink and White Animal Crackers

Today I made some homemade pink and white chocolate covered animal crackers.

I used the Trader Joe's brand of organic Animal Crackers. I am a sucker for all things "organic" especially when I am going to cover my organic item with chocolate and sprinkles.

You will need some white chocolate melts.

And some pink candy melts.

And some rainbow nonpareils. I bought everything I needed at Michael's craft store.

I put the animal crackers on some parchment paper and started dipping and sprinkling.

Once the chocolate has set - you can cut away the excess.

The pink is my favorite.

Once everything is dry you can package them in little bags and tie with ribbon. This would be really cute to make for a baby shower. And if the baby is a boy you could do blue and white animal crackers. I also think this would be a fun lunch box treat.

I put a big bowl of my homemade animal crackers on my kitchen island - how long do you think they will last?

Miniature Hershey Bar Craft

You will need some pretzel bags, scrapbook paper, tape, ribbon and some Hershey's Miniatures.

You could also use Hershey Nuggets.

The first step is to use a wrapper as a pattern to cut the scrapbook paper.

Once you have the scrapbook paper cut to the right size - just wrap the paper around the miniature candy bar and secure with a small piece of tape. You could also use wrapping paper if you don't have any scrapbook paper.

Each pretzel bag fits six candy bars - you need to leave room at the top for a coordinating ribbon.

This is a great way to use up wrapping paper or scrapbook paper scraps.

Make the pretzel bags into little patterns. You could also add a little tag at the top of the bag.

I love the polk dot ribbon at the top of this bag - it adds an extra layer of pattern.

This is an easy project that you can use for party favors or a craft project that kids could make for Mother's Day or a teacher gift. You can also make them in different holiday themes and colors. Scrapbook and wrapping paper colors and themes are endless!

I plan on using these candy bar bags as hostess and thank you gifts.

Oven Baked Zucchini Chips

This is a super easy recipe and a great side dish or appetizer. If you have zucchini in your garden this is a great recipe! Your kids will even enjoy these "chips."

Ingredients:

1 cup Italian seasoned Panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup milk
3 - 4 small zucchini cut into 1/4 inch slices
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a large oven proof wire rack with cooking spray and set it on top of a baking sheet.

Whisk together breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.

Now wash the zucchini and cut into rounds.

Then dip the zucchini in the milk and then into the breadcrumb mixture and set on top of the wire rack.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the zucchini are golden brown.

Serve while still warm with ranch dressing. I have a homemade ranch dressing recipe that the I will try to post in the next few weeks. Remind me if I forget - okay?

Now wasn't this recipe easy?

More Mini Donuts

Oops! I did it again! I made more mini donuts. I can't stop experimenting with color combinations. And I must admit - I am LOVING the yellow! Why are the donuts in container with a bow? It's because I must give them away - because my family can not possibly eat all the donuts that I make!

I used yellow jimmies and yellow sugar to decorate this batch.

Oh - I also forgot to tell you that I made some plain donuts and some of the donuts were infused with a dash of lemon extract and some grated lemon peel.

Next week - in between beach days I am going to try a different recipe and actually fry the donuts in oil and sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar. Hopefully they will be yummy and I will post the recipe and photos.

Let me know if you start making donuts!

Mini Cherry Pies

Today I made some Mini Cherry Pies - they are so easy to make.

I will give you some super easy tips and you only need two ingredients. A box with two pie crusts rolled up like Pillsbury and a can of cherry pie filling.

First line each muffin tin with foil so that the foil overlaps the muffin cup. You will use this foil as a handle to take the mini pie out of the muffin tin.

I am sorry that the above photo is so lame - but hopefully you get the idea.

Roll out one of the pie crusts and cut circles out with a cookie cutter or a glass that is a little larger than the muffin tin. Then roll out the next pie crust and continue cutting the circles.

Once the circles are cut out - press them into each muffin tin.

With the extra crust - cut out some mini stars.

Now fill each muffin tin with a few spoonfuls of cherry pie filling and place the cut out stars on top of the filling.

I bake the pies for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Once the pies have cooled, use the foil to remove the pies. Then carefully remove the foil.

These are the perfect size! However, I have made these in the mini muffin tins which are really bite size. If you want you could find a smaller circle and cut little tops for the pie.

I hope you try to make these - they are so easy to make! Two ingredients! And just a few easy steps.

I've Moved On to Full Size Donuts

Don't these look just like Hostess donuts?

I used the recipe that came on the back of the donut pan and I must admit that I was not thrilled with the results. I felt they were a little dry. I looked up some reviews on the internet and other people have actually used a cake mix instead of the actual donut recipe.

Here is the recipe:

2 cups cake flour, sifted
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter, melted

In a large mixing bowl, sift together cake flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg and salt. Add buttermilk, eggs and butter. Beat until the ingredients are just combined. Fill each donut cup about 2/3 full.

Then bake for 7 to 10 minutes. I only baked for 7 minutes. Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes.

Once your donuts have cooled - put them one at a time in a ziplock bag filled with powdered sugar and shake vigorously.

Since my donuts were so dry - I split them in half and added lemon curd between the layered. This helped moisten the donuts.

I am going to experiment with some other recipes and I will keep you posted.