Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Cinnamon Buns

Warm and Toasty Cinnamon Buns


Ingredients:

3 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 package quick rising active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water 120-130 degrees
6 tablespoons softened butter, divided
1 egg at room temperature
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, divided
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 13x9 inch baking pan.  Place 2 cups of flour, granulated sugar, yeast and salt in a large mixing bowl.  Slowly stir in warm water.  Add 2 tablespoons butter and the egg beating until very smooth.  Add the rest of the flour slowly and stir until soft dough forms.  Place saran wrap over the top of the bowl and let dough rise for about 30 minutes or until doubled.  Flour a smooth surface and roll dough into a 15x12 inch rectangle.  Spread the rest of the butter on the dough.  In another bowl mix cinnamon and brown sugar together.  Sprinkle the mixture over the dough.  Roll dough up in tight roll starting on the 12 inch side.  Once dough is rolled tight cut into 12 slices.  Place each slice cut side down into the baking dish.  Cover and place on a wire rack over a large pan of hot water.  Let rise 30 minutes or until buns double in size.  Uncover and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until brown.  Cool 1 minute then loosen the edges and place on a serving plate.  To make the glaze mix confectioners sugar, vanilla and 2 tablespoons of milk in a bowl until smooth.  If there is not enough liquid you can add 1 more tablespoon of milk.  Glaze cinnamon bunns and serve warm.

Chocolate Sauce

Chocolate Drizzle Sauce    
 Ingredients:
Makes about 2 cups
1 cup cocoa
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Method:
Combine cocoa and sugar in a saucepan and whisk in water and corn syrup. Let mixture come to a full boil over medium heat and boil for approximately 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
Let the sauce cool down until it thickens, cover and store it in refrigerator until needed.
This sauce is absolutely delicious when spooned over ice-cream, used as a dipping sauce with strawberries or other fresh fruit.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Green Gift Ideas


Green Gift Ideas To Suit All Budgets And Tastes
 

Gifts are a huge part of Christmas and, as such, coming up with green gift ideas can have a huge impact on your carbon emissions every year. You really aren't limited in this area: there are literally hundreds of possible eco friendly gifts you could choose for family and friends this year.

Here are a few quick green gift ideas to get you started:

* When you buy wooden gifts, ensure that the wood is taken from a sustainable source,

* Gifts made from recycled waste materials (such as recycled metals or plastic) are a good choice,

* Avoid animal products if you can - feeding animals to be used for food or other products takes a huge amount of resources,

* When buying beauty products, opt for organic products wherever you can,

* Buy gifts that encourage people to grow food, such as a starter kit for kitchen herbs,

* Instead of cut flowers, choose potted flowers.

 Fair Trade Gifts

Buying fair trade is an ethical choice for Christmas gifts, and any other products you may usually buy. The fair trade system ensures that the producers of the products, all around the world, are treated fairly in their prices and business practices. Although fair trade gifts are not the same as eco friendly gifts, they are a great way to ensure you're doing something good with your money. Make sure you look for the fair trade logo when buying your products.

Baked Gifts

If you're short on cash or ideas, then why not bake some gifts for Christmas this year? If you choose organic, local ingredients then your cooking will not only be more eco friendly, it'll also be healthier for anyone who eats it. What's more, this is a fantastic personalized Christmas gift choice!

 Local Gifts

Whether you're buying food or other products, buying items that were produced locally can help to reduce the environmental impact. Not only this, but you'll be doing your part to help out businesses and individuals in your area.

The Gift Of Time

 Not all the gifts you can give have to be physical products. Why not give someone your time? Perhaps you know someone who needs help redecorating their home, or sorting out the weeds in their garden?

 You can also buy loved ones activities such as a day out, pampering in a day spa, a meal in a restaurant and much more. These green gift ideas don't need wrapping, but they provide something the recipient will never forget!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Snowmen Treats

These are too cute for words!! Nutterbutter Snowmen Treats!! I'm guessing it's just white chocolate coating, but I am sure you can use any white candy coating or yogurt coating ;)