Homemade Caramel Sauce

Homemade Caramel Sauce:

 

 

You will need:

1 cup of sugar

2 TBS. Corn Syrup

2 TBS. Water

1/8 tsp. Lemon Juice

1/2 cup heavy cream (for best results, heat the cream before adding it in the mixture)

1 TBS. unsalted butter

 

 

Here's What You Do:

Stir the sugar, corn syrup, water, and lemon juice together in a 2 cup measuring cup or medium sized microwave safe bowl.

 

Microwave the mixture just until it starts to take on a "caramel like" color (it usually takes between 4 and 8 minutes depending on your microwave. But watch it very closely because you need to be extra careful not to leave it in too long.  It doesn't have to be too dark because it will continue to darken and take on the caramel color as it sits to cool.

 

Once you remove it from the microwave (remember it will not look nearly dark enough but trust me it will start to take on it's color!)  Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it has darkened significantly.

 

At this time you can heat up your 1/2 cup of cream (do not boil) and add to your mixture.  Stir to incorporate the ingredients then add in your butter until it is incorporated.

 

Allow to cool before tasting because this stuff, although very tempting, is hot, hot, hot and will burn you!

 

Once it's cooled you can place it in a jar/container of your choice and refridgerate for up to a few weeks.

 

 

This syrup can be used to drizzle over ice cream, cakes, candies, or any way you like! So enjoy!!

 



Homemade Graham Cracker Pie Crust

Homemade Graham Cracker Pie Crust

 

 

Place approx. 24 graham crackers in a bag and crush.

 

Measure 1 1/2 cups of the crumbs into a standard sized pie plate

 

Add 1/4 cups of sugar and 6 TBS. melted, unsalted butter.

 

Mix together and press onto bottom and sides of the pie pan.

 

Bake for 8-10 minutes in a pre-heated 350 degree oven.

 

Then just pour in your pie filling and bake as instructed.

 

 

Enjoy!

Homemade Cheesecake

*Homemade Cheesecake*

 

You Will Need:

2  (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese*
2/3 cup of sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp. Vanilla flavoring


3 TBS. Sugar
8 oz. Sour Cream
1 tsp. Vanilla flavoring

Instructions:
Beat the cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar, 3 eggs, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla.  Once the mixture is combined pour into prepared pie crust. (you can use a store bought graham cracker crust or you can check out my recipe for a homemade graham cracker crust. It's super easy!)

Bake at 350 degrees for 22 to 25 minutes.
Turn oven off and remove cheesecake and allow to cool for five minutes.

Combine the 3 TBS. of sugar, sour cream, and 1 tsp vanilla (I also added a little powdered sugar too, just for a little more sweetness to the sour cream).

Once  sour cream mixture is combined spread over top of the warm cheesecake and place back into oven for 5 additional minutes.

Remove from oven, allow to cool for a bit, then refridgerate until set.  I like to let mine set for at least 3 or four hours .

And here you have it!  Enjoy!

 

This is the finished product.  I dusted it with a little cocoa  powder as a garnish then drizzled some homemade caramel sauce over it! Yum!!



Delicious Honey Whole Wheat Bread

Delicious Honey Whole Wheat Bread:

 

 

 

 

 

You Will Need:

 

2 packages (or 4 1/2 tsp. if you are using a jar of Yeast)

1/4 cup warm water

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup of butter

3 tsp. Salt

2 1/2 cups very warm water (not boiling)

4 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

2 3/4 to 3 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour

 

 

Instructions:

(They are detailed but super easy! You will be so glad you made it!)

 

 

Step 1: In a large bowl dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.

 

 

Step 2:  Add honey, butter, salt, 2 1/2 cups of the whole wheat flour, and 2 1/2 cups very warm water.

 

 

Step 3:

 

Beat with electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute, scraping sides of bowl frequently. Then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping sides of the bowl frequently. Then beat in remaining 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour.

 

 

Step 4:

With a spoon, stir in 2 1/4 to 3 1/4 cups of the all purpose flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

 

 

Step 5:

 

On a lightly floured surface , knead in the remaining 1/2 to 1 cup of All Purpose Flour.   Continue kneading 5 to 10 minutes or until the dough is smooth and "springy".

 

 

 

Step 6:

 

Grease a large bowl with butter/cooking spray/or vegetable shortening whichever you have on hand.

Place dough in in the bowl, turning dough to be sure it is greased on all sides.

Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes or until dough has doubled in size.

 

 

 

Step 7:

 

Generously grease 2 (8x4 or 9x5) loaf pans

Gently punch dough to deflate, then divide in half.

Shape dough into two loaves (I like to use a rolling pin to roll dough out, then roll it up tight, and pinch the seam and ends. This method helps to prevent air pockets or "tunnels" or holes inside the bread ) but you can use any method you like.

Once you have formed your loaves place them in the greased pans.

Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes or until doubled in size. (I usually let mine rise until the dough is just above the rim of the pan)

 

 

Step 8:

 

While dough is rising in pans, heat oven to 375 degrees.

Uncover dough once it has risen and bake for 30 minutes.

Once bread has baked for 30 minutes at 375 degrees, reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until loaves sound hollow when lightly thumped.

 

Remove from pans immediately and place on cooling racks, and as hard as it will be to wait, for best results when slicing, allow to cool completely (about 1 hour).

 

This is the finished product!

I like to brush some butter on mine while it is still hot. This makes for a softer crust. It also slices beautifully for perfect toast, french toast, sandwiches. It's just like store-bought except it's cheaper, healthier, and you can pronounce every ingredient in it and it is baked with L-O-V-E!

 

This is my son, Braxton enjoying a slice of Mommy's homemade bread! So it is also "toddler tasted and toddler approved!"

 

Enjoy and God Bless! 

Please feel free to comment or contact me with any questions, comments, or suggestions you may have! I would love to know how YOUR bread turns out!

 

 



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. 

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. *

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!!