Sunday, December 30, 2012

DIY: Fabric Softener

Homemade Fabric Softener:



Ingredients:

6 - cups Hot Water
3 - cups White Distilled Vinegar
2 - cups Hair Conditioner (any brand)
1 - Empty Gallon Container
 
Directions:
In large (microwave safe) bowl, mix the vinegar and hair conditioner together

Place the whole bowl in the microwave and heat for a minute or two.
This will ensure the ingredients will blend together more easily.
 Remove from microwave and stir.

Add hot water and mix to make sure everything is blended.
Pour mixture into a one gallon container and store in laundry room.

Use the same amount you normally use in a rinse cycle (approx 1/2 cup).

Note: Add to fabric dispenser department, downy ball or directly in the second rinse cycle. Before each use give the bottle a good shake to mix it up. 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Super Moist Succulent Brownies

* This Is The BEST homemade brownie recipe I have found so far! Please give this one a try and I'd love to hear your feedback to find out how they turn out! *

You Will Need:
1 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 TBS. Cocoa
1 tsp. Salt
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla

Mix all ingredients together.
Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes *
I like to dust mine with a little powdered sugar as soon as they come out of the oven. My kids love it, but that's totally optional.
Allow to cool before cutting, then ENJOY!

* If you like a more chewy, gooey kind of brownie (like me), you will want to take them out  just before they are completely done, they will finish cooking once you take them out of the oven. If you like a more "cake-like" brownie then you can cook them the whole 30 minutes. *



Friday, December 14, 2012

Homemade White Bread

Homemade White Bread
 
*makes two loaves*
 
You Will Need:
3 cups lukewarm water
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 Tbs. yeast (or one packet if you are using packets, I buy the jars because I use a lot! LOL)
1/3 cup oil
1 Tablespoon salt
6-7 cups all purpose flour (you may need extra to flour hands or utensils during kneading and to acheive desired consistency)
 
Here's What You Do:
(Don't get nervous! It's a lot of steps but it's super easy!)
 
In a large mixing bowl dissolve yeast in warm water and sugar.

 Let sit for 10 minutes.
Add oil
Add the dry ingredients starting with 6 cups of flour.
Mix all together
Knead the dough until everything is incorporated.  Dough will be
smooth, elastic, slightly sticky, and will pull away from the bowl.
Cover the bowl of dough with a damp dish towel or plastic wrap and let it rise
for 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size.


Punch the dough down and divide into two loaves.
Put your dough into two greased bread/loaf pans.

Then cover with a damp towel until the dough has
risen approx. an inch or two above the pan.
(about an hour)
Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.
The bread will be hard on top and sound hollow when thumped.
Baste the tops of the loaves with butter to soften the crust, allow to cool
just a bit, then slice and serve.
***Note: This recipe is delicious as it is but you can also change it up and make it
a more "Italian Herb Bread" by adding some Garlic, Italian Seasoning, and Basil. Just add your
desired seasoning during the steps when you're adding your other dry ingredients!***
You can also freeze this dough and bread for later use . 
 
Please feel free to ask any questions or let me know how your bread turns out when you try it!
Come back to visit The Happy Homemaker!!