The Lightest Hamburger Buns You Will Ever Make!!!

I LOVE King Arthur Flour.  When I went on vacation to New England last year, we stopped by the store to check it out.  

Today I was planning on making burgers for my crew.  I found a recipe for hamburger buns on the website and just had to try them out.  They are SO light that I just about dropped them when I picked them up.  It would have been like a slapstick comedy episode, the girl picks up something light and flings it across the room because she expected a rock! Not only were they light...they were TASTY.

I did mine just a teeny bit different.  I didn't have instant yeast so I proofed the yeast with the water and sugar first and then added the other ingredients.

1 cup lukewarm water
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp yeast (1 packet)

I proofed in my stand mixer until bubbly and spongy looking. (about 5 minutes)

I then added:
2 tablespoons melted butter (cooled)
1 large egg (if you plan on using an egg wash for the tops to add seeds, save the egg white and add the extra yolk here)

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons salt

I used the paddle of my mixer until it was smooth and elastic.  It was a little bit sticky.  Sprinkling a little bit of flour on my board. I kneaded the bread for about 5 minutes.  The dough needs to be smooth.  I put it into an oiled bowl with a cover for about 90 minutes.  It was doubled in size.

Gently deflate the dough and divide into 8 pieces. (it depends on how big you want your rolls to be.  If you want BIG rolls divide it into 8).

Roll the dough into balls and flatten with your hand into circles.  Let the dough rise another hour or until they are puffy.

Preheat oven to 375.

Brush with egg wash (the reserved egg white and 1/4 cup water) beaten.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds or any other seeds you'd like.  If you don't want to add seeds you can brush melted butter on the tops.

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

Let cool before slicing and ENJOY!

Lazy Momma Cookies (or just too busy to bake)

Lazy Momma Cookies:

1 box yellow or white cake mix
2 eggs beaten
5 T melted butter
2 C M&M's or mini chocolate chips

Mix together, put in a greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 20 min!


adapted recipe from the awesome website I Am A Lazy Mom

Yummy Dark Bread

• 1 - 10 ounce brewed strong coffee (1 1/2 cups), cooled to room temperature
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup dark molasses
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 heaping tablespoons caraway seeds
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups bread flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

1. Place all ingredients in bread machine pan in order suggested by manufacture. Select dough cycle. 
2. When the machine indicates the end of the final rise, remove the dough.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Shape the dough into 2 round ovals on piece of parchment. Let rise until doubled in size.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until the loave sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Chocolate Buttermilk Scones

Ingredients:
3/4 cup cold buttermilk
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg


1 cup all purpose flour 
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder


1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp chilled butter (must be cold) cut into small pieces


3/4 cup chocolate chips
cooking spray


Directions:
     Preheat oven to 375°. Combine the first four ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.
     Combine flour, baking powder, salt, in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.
     Cut in chilled butter with a pastry blender, or you could use 2 knives, until the mixture resembles coarse meal. 
      Add milk mixture, stirring just until moist.
     Gently fold in chocolate chips.
     Place dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly four times with floured hands.    
     Form dough into an 9-inch circle onto baking sheet, about 3/4" thick. Using a knife, cut dough into 12 wedges all the way through.


Adapted from recipe at Skinnytaste.com

Apple Crumb Pie

There is nothing more patriotic than Apple Pie.  

My mom used to make the BEST apple pie.  Her crusts were amazing.

I never got the hang of crust making.  It is my kryptonite.  Some times it turns out PERFECT...other times not so much.  I've used *gasp* store bought pie crust and made some pretty stellar pies...but I miss homemade crust. 

So today I searched and found a basic pie crust. Ready?

• 1 cup all purpose flour
  1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  3 Tablespoons White Sugar
  1 teaspoon Salt
  2 Tablespoon milk
  1/2 cup melted butter, cooled

     Mix together the dry ingredients.  Slowly mix in the milk and then butter with a fork until dough forms a ball (I had to use the whole amount of butter because of the whole wheat flour.)

     I rolled out the dough gently with my rolling pin until it fit my pie pan. Since I made a "topping" for the pie, instead of a crust; I didn't make the crust go all the way up the sides of my pie pan.

I then chopped 5 medium apples. I was living the "high life" and actually bought 4 different kinds of apples to try!! I know...all fancy schmancy! But my genius is clouded by the fact that I didn't write down what kind they were.
     While fighting off hungry apple robbing children..I quicky cored, peeled and sliced the apples...all the while thinking to myself  "Man, I have to feed these kids more often!!"

Once you've made you apples pie worthy, mix the apples with:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Go ahead and put those beauties on top of your pie crust. (They are tasty little morsels)

For the Topping

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• a pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup butter melted and cooled

     Mix together the dry ingredients and slowly add the butter.

     Most of the time I cut in the butter to my toppings.  This recipe didn't do that. I was game so I went for it.  It made the topping more like a cobbler than a crisp.  Still very tasty!

I didn't "sprinkle" the topping...I had to spoon blobs of it all over.   It actually made the pie look pretty.  Again more like a cobbler than a crisp.

• Bake at 425 for 20 minutes with foil loosely over it.
• Remove foil and bake at 375 for another 20-25 minutes.

For the next time I make this!  Once I put the apples in the pan, I will put/dab small pats of butter over them before adding the crumble.  The pie itself was dry (meaning I didn't pick out the right kinds of apples).  When I served a piece warm to my hubby...I drizzled a little flavored coffee creamer over the top to give it a little more moisture.  He gobbled it up so it must have tasted pretty good.  I have not had a piece yet...but as soon as I post this...I will!!

Happy Baking!!

Mandy


I'm linking to these awesome linky parties: 

What I Made! at Creations by Kara
Linking Party at Passionately Artistic
What's Cooking Wednesday at The King's Court IV
Mrs. Fox's Sweet Party #27 at Mrs. Fox's Sweets

Please stop by and find a plethora of great ideas!!  DIY! Cooking! Tips of all kinds!

Maple Mustard Pork Chops

You will need:

• 8 thin sliced pork chops
• 1/3 cup dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• olive oil
• 1/3 cup panko crumbs

Directions:

• Mix mustard, syrup and sugar together until smooth.
• Put parchment paper in pan. Drizzle with olive oil.  Lay pork chops in pan, close but not touching.  Drizzle more olive oil over top. 
• Sprinkle salt and pepper over chops.  
• Pour on mustard sauce.  
• Sprinkle panko crumbs over the top.
• Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Check out the Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Mandy's Recipe Box "Totally Tasty Tuesday" Linky Parties!!  LOTS of delicious recipes!!