Cake Batter Rice Crispies

Summer has put a halt to any sort of baking with the oven. So it's all about the rice crispies. Not just plain crispies, though. I'm trying out a whole bunch of variations. So it begins...the Rice Crispy Series.

Melt 1/4 c. butter in a saucepan. Add one bag of mini marshmallows. Stir until smooth.

Add one cup funfetti cake mix or yellow cake mix. Mix in 6 cups rice crispies. Flatten in a cake pan.

Add sprinkles of any size and shape!!

Fruit Coffee Cake

Fruit Coffee Cake may sound like a weird mixture between fruit cake and coffee cake, but if the recipe is in the Better Homes and Gardens pink cookbook (which it is) it's going to be delicious (which is was).

Start by combining chopped fruit, such as apples, and water in medium saucepan. Bring to boil and simmer for 5 min. Add sugar and cornstarch and cook for another 2 min.

To make the buttermilk pour 1/2 T of vinegar into measuring cup. Add up to the 1/2 c. mark with whole milk. 

Combine egg and vanilla into measuring cup, as well.

In a medium sized bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking. Cut in cold butter so mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Create a well in the middle and pour in egg mixture. Stir until moistened.

Spread half of the batter in a 8x8x2 baking pan.

Pour fruit filling evenly over the batter.

Drop remaining batter in small mounds on top of the filling.

In a small bowl stir together 1/4 c flour and 1/4c. sugar. Cut in two T cold butter. Sprinkle over the unbaked coffee cake.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve cool and warm. Delicious when accompanied by vanilla ice cream!

Apple Cinnabon Bread

Cinnamon rolls made into bread loaves...what could possibly be better? I'll just say one thing about this delectable bread. I made two loaves. I told myself...I'll just have one piece. I ate 3/4 of an entire loaf. John ate the other 1/4. An entire loaf gone with one half hour of it exiting the oven. :) I had to force myself to wrap up the second loaf and freeze it for my parents to enjoy next weekend. Soft, gooey, irresistible. 

Mix 2 cups flour and one package rapid rise yeast in a medium bowl.

In a saucepan heat 1 cup milk, 3 T sugar, 3 T butter, and 3/4 t salt until warm, not hot.

Add milk mixture to flour mixture, along with two eggs and 1 1/2 cups apples, peeled and chopped. Stir and stir for at least 3 minutes. 

Add the rest of the flour, approx 3 more cups, and knead of a floured surface for 6 minutes.

Cover and let rise for one hour.

Divide dough and let rest for 10 minutes.

 Meanwhile, make filling by mixing together 1 cup shredded apple, 3/4 c brown sugar, 1 T cinnamon, 2 t lemon juice. Roll out into a rectangle shape. Spread 1 T butter on each rectangle and split the filling between the two.

Roll the short ends toward the center so they meet at the middle.

Place each loaf in a greased loaf pan. 

Spread egg wash (1 egg white plus 1 T water) over the dough and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Cover and let rise for another 30 min.

Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.

Sweet, crisp crust with a soft, light bread and a gooey and delicious middle. yum.

Who says end pieces are the worst?

Recipe

adapted from http://www.food.com/recipe/cinnamon-swirled-apple-bread-165164

5-5 1/2 cups bread flour

1 package rapid rise yeast

1 cup whole milk

3 Tbsp granulated sugar

3 Tbsp butter

3/4 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1 1/2 apples, peeled and chopped

1 cup shredded apples

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp cinnamon 

2 Tbsp butter

1 egg white

1 Tbsp water

coarse sugar

Mix 2 cups flour with package of yeast. Heat milk, butter, sugar, and salt until warm but not hot. Add milk mixture to flour mixture along with 2 eggs and 1 1/2 cups chopped apples. Stir for at least 3 minutes. Add the rest of the flour, approx. 3 more cups and knead dough on a floured surface for 6 minutes. Cover and let rise 1 hour.

Separate dough and let rest 10 minutes. Make the filling by mixing together shredded apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. 

Roll dough out into two rectangle shapes. Spread with 1 T butter each and divide the filling between the two. Roll the shorter end together, meeting at the middle. 

Place in a greased loaf pan. Brush with egg wash (1 egg white plus 1 Tbsp water) and sprinkle with coarse sugar. 

Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.