Day 270

I was in the mood for a chocolate cake donut, and thought that I needed to try to find a recipe for some baked ones.  I found this recipe, and the family loved it.  I even substituted applesauce for the butter.  Pretty yummy!


BAKED CHOCOLATE CAKE DONUTS

FOR THE DONUTS:

• 2 cup flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp milk
• 2 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp butter, melted

FOR THE FROSTING:

• 1 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1 Tbsp milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp corn syrup
• 1 oz bittersweet chocolate
• 1 oz semi sweet chocolate morsels
• 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

For the donuts, mix dry ingredients in bowl. Beat in the eggs, milk, vanilla and butter. Beat until well blended.

Spray donut pan with cooking spray. Fill each donut cup about 3/4 full (I use a ziploc with the corner snipped to do this neatly). Fills about 8-10 donuts.

Bake donuts in 325 degree oven for about 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, remove from pan.

While cooling, make chocolate glaze. In small saucepan on medium low heat, mix together the cream, milk, butter, vanilla and corn syrup. When butter is completely melted, turn heat to low and add in the chocolate. Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar.

Dip each donut into the glaze, allow to cool. (optional- sprinkle with toppings). Allow chocolate to set (about 15 minutes). Enjoy!

Day 269

Here is my future BYU soccer player!

Day 268

Today is our 24th wedding anniversary!  We had the best day. We went to lunch at La Hacienda, then we just hung around the house for a while.  PF Changs was our dinner destination, and then we drove to Heber to see thePianoGuys in concert.  It was the best day, and I got to spend it with my best friend.  I am so lucky to have him in my life, and I am so grateful for him everyday!

Day 267

We went to Oktoberfest at Snowbird today.  It is our annual trek to celebrate our anniversary.  We had a great time eating pretzels, and watching the entertainment.  It is absolutely beautiful in the canyons at this time of year!

Day 266

Provo Canyon is at it's seasonal best. I had forgotten how beautiful this canyon is!

Day 265

Cassidy and I found Beckham a Halloween costume today at Target.  It is hilarious!!

Day 264

Today Keaton decorated a Utah shaped cake to resemble a map of the state with mountains, plateaus, rivers, lakes and national parks.  This is one of the most fun days of the fourth grade! Awesome job Keaton!

Day 263

Man, we got married at the most beautiful time of year!  It is definitely FALL:)

Day 262

I found the rock that I want to eventually add to our house.  Or I could just take this house…...

Day 261

Our neighbors contribution to the BYU vs UTAH football rivalry:) Lights on their tennis court fence.

Day 260

Tonight was Meet the REAL Salt Lake players night at Rio Tinto stadium.  Kevin and Keaton went, and Keaton was on cloud nine!  His favorite player is Fabian Espindola who shares the same jersey number with Keaton.  When Kevin went to take the picture, the "help" told him "No Pictures"!  Espindola waved him away and leaned forward to take the picture with Keaton.  As they were leaving, Keaton saw Espindola leaving, and asked for one more picture.  I am not sure whether Espindola knows that by spending that little extra time has earned him a FAN for life.  Keaton came home so happy!  I love soccer!

Day 259

I visited the Sweet Tooth Fairy bakery today, and brought these cupcakes home for the kids. The coconut one was to die for!

Day 258

LION HOUSE DINNER ROLLS

2 cups warm water (110 to 115 degrees)
2 tablespoons dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1 egg
2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder (instant or non-instant)
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter or 1/3 cup shortening
5 -5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or 5 -5 1/2 cups bread flour
Directions:

1
In large bowl of electric mixer, combine water and milk powder, stir until dissolved.
2
Add yeast, then sugar, salt, butter, egg, and 2 cups flour.
3
Mix on low speed of mixer until ingredients are wet, then 2 minutes at medium speed.
4
Add 2 cups more flour; mix on low speed until ingredients are wet, then for 2 minutes as medium speed. (Dough will be getting stiff and remaining flour may need to be mixed in by hand).
5
Add about ½ cup flour and mix again, by hand or mixer.
6
Dough should be soft, not overly sticky, and not stiff.
7
(It is not necessary to use the entire amount of flour.)
8
Scrape dough off sides of bowl and pour about 1 T.vegetable oil all around the sides of the bowl so it is covered with oil.
9
Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in warm place until double in size.
10
(My note here- I just sprayed a clean large bowl with vegetable spray and put my ball of dough in there, turning to cover the dough with the vegetable spray.).
11
After dough has risen, sprinkle cutting board or counter with flour and place dough on floured surface.
12
Roll out and cut rolls in desired shape and size.
13
Place on greased (or parchment lined) baking pans.
14
Let rise in warm place until rolls are double in size (about 1 to 1 ½ hours).
15
Bake at 375 for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned.
16
Brush with melted butter while hot.


Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/lion-house-dinner-rolls-103547?oc=linkback

Day 257

This is where Gabrielle spends the better part of her day.  Timberline Middle School is a really nice middle school with great teachers.  My kids have really enjoyed their time there.

Day 256

Today was Westfield's walk to school day.  We parked the Pilot at Burgess Park, and walked the rest of the way.  What a cute boy and puppy walking together!

Day 255

My son, the soccer stud!

Day 254

Another beautiful summer sky.  I will miss this come winter time!

Day 253

We love our hummingbirds!  They are so fun to watch, and it is so funny how possessive they become about their food!

Day 252

A beautiful salad in a beautiful bowl!

Day 251

I baked pumpkin donut holes today.  Yep, pretty much delish! I got the recipe from Two Peas and their Pod. I will definitely make these again.  I will sprinkle powdered sugar or make a glaze for them instead of the cinnamon sugar.  Definitely too buttery!

Baked Pumpkin Donut Holes

Yield: 24 donut holes (mini muffins)

Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

ingredients:

For the Donuts:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoons ground cloves
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup milk

For the Coating:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

directions:

1. Preheat oven 350°F. Spray a 24-cup mini muffin tin with baking spray and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. In a separate, large bowl whisk together oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin and milk until smooth. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.

3. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

4. While the muffins bake, melt butter in one bowl and combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in another bowl. Remove muffins from oven and cool for 2 minutes. Dip each muffin in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar to coat. Serve muffins warm or at room temperature.

Day 250

I am debating whether this purse needs to be mine:) It is all leather, and for $138 it may need to be mine.

Day 249

Our good friend Sergio is moving back to Utah from California, and he and his dad stayed with us for the weekend.  His dad is the sweetest man who won the hearts of my kids and my puppy:)  Here he is holding Beckham.