Cinnamon Bites

I didn't get this recipe from the internet or from a book...I made it up. And I don't know what to call it. It's not really a cinnamon roll or baked cinnamon doughnuts. I guess it's more like monkey bread or pull apart bread (only you don't pull it apart). I don't know so I will just call them cinnamon bites.

1 can Grands biscuits
1/4 cup butter (melted) or use spray butter
1/2 cup sugar
3 tsp cinnamon
ICING:
2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbs milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Cut each biscuit into fourths (an 8pk of biscuits makes 32 bite size pieces). Mix cinnamon and sugar together. Dip each biscuit piece into melted butter and than roll in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Place about an inch apart on a cookie sheet and bake according to  the directions on the can or at 350 for about 10 minutes.
While the cinnamon bites are cooling mix 2 cups confectioners sugar and the milk (1 tablespoon at a time) until you get a desired thickness. Than add the vanilla. Mix and pour over the cinnamon bites.

Chocolate Pudding

I never knew chocolate pudding was so easy to make. I am was always buying those little pudding cups but they just aren't big enough to fulfill that hankrin you get for puddin'. Here is an easy recipe I found on Pinterest and it's do die for!

Ingredients:
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup corn starch
1/8 cup cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups milk

Combine all of the dry ingredients into a sauce pan. Slowly mix in the milk and heat on med/high. Stir, stir, stir until it thickens. Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract. Cool in the fridge. That's it...the hardest part is waiting for it to cool.

Strawberry Lemonade

I just love frozen strawberry lemonades from McDonald's. Before we moved we had a McD's in walking distance from our house. It was the perfect combination. I got my exercise walking to McD's and my strawberry lemonade fix everyday...it was my motivation. So just imagine my disappointment when we moved to a town that doesn't even have a McD's! I started having major withdraws, I had to do something so I went to the grocery store only to find out they don't carry strawberry syrup. So I Googled a recipe and this is what I found.

Strawberry syrup:
2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix strawberries and sugar in a sauce pan. Stirring occasionally, cook on med/high heat until it begins to thicken (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and puree half of it (or mash it with a potato masher). Place it back in with the remainder and cool in the fridge.

Lemonade:
1 cup real lemon juice
1 cup sugar
add enough water to make 2 quarts
Mix in desired amount of strawberry syrup and enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Mousse

Recently I've been experimenting with coconut milk in my recipes after reading about it's health benefits. I came across this chocolate mousse recipe on Pinterest. That particular Pinterester (is that a word?) also uses this recipe as a cupcake frosting...mmmm. I haven't tried it on a cupcake yet but I will!

Ingredients:
1 can coconut milk
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Use a can of coconut milk that has been sitting (untouched) in your cabinet for a day or two ( you need the milk to separate from the water in the can). Open the can and place it in the fridge over night (this causes the milk to thicken at the top of the can). Scoop out the thick coconut milk into a bowl (save the coconut water for another recipe). Add the cocoa powder, powdered sugar and vanilla extract and blend until it's the consistency of mousse. Top with chocolate chips and enjoy!

Note: It is very important not to shake the can. If the coconut milk did not separate and you decide to use it anyway than it will be more like pudding and less like mousse. And you will probably want to add more sugar.

The first time I made this it turned out wonderful and delicious but the second time I made it the milk did not separate. It could have been because I came strait from the grocery store and put the can in the fridge and it thickened before it had time to separate. Or because I used a different brand and some manufacturers use a thickening agent to keep the milk from separating in the can. I made the recipe anyway and to be honest I did not like it as much. The next time I get a can that does not separate I think I will skip the mousse and make a banana and coconut milk smoothie.

I bet you could use a can of coconut cream instead of the coconut milk (if you have tried it let me know). Did you try this recipe? Did your mousse turn out ok? Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Hot Chocolate

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup hot water

1 cup heavy cream

3 cups milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Combine dry ingredients in a 2 quart sauce pan. Add the hot water and mix over med/high heat. Stir until it begins to boil. Slowly add the milk and cream and heat for about 2 minutes longer (do not let it boil after adding the milk). Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract.

Note: If you do not want to use heavy cream than leave it out and replace it with milk.

topped with cool whip and a mini candy cane

Cookie Dough

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk

Put all of the ingredients in your mixer and mix it on low. It tastes best after it has been in the fridge for at least an hour.

NOTE: This recipe is not meant to be baked!