Cinnamon Yogurt Muffins with an Almond Streusel Topping

Cinnamon Yogurt Muffins with an Almond Streusel Topping

Prepare the streusel topping first by combining 2/3 finely chopped almonds with 1/3 c packed brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 2 tbsp melted butter.  Mix well and place in freezer while preparing the muffin batter.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and prepare a 12 muffin tin pan.  In a large bowl whisk 4 tbsp butter that has been melted and cooled, 2/3 c sugar, 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla and 1 c plain yogurt.

Stir in 2 c flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp cinnamon and a pinch of salt.

Fill each muffin tin with batter and sprinkle the chilled streusel on top, lightly pressing the crumbs in so they adhere to the batter.  Bake for 18 minutes and let cool.

White and Milk Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

White and Milk Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Preheat your oven to 350* and prepare a bundt pan for baking.

In a mixer, cream 1 1/2 c sugar with 12 tbsp butter until it is fluffy.  Add 3 eggs, 1 egg at a time.  When mixed, add 1 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1 1/4 c yogurt.  

In a separate bowl sift together 2 1/2 c flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda and a pinch of salt.  

While having the mixer on a low speed, add the flour mixture to the batter until combined.  

 Evenly spoon half the batter into the bundt pan.  Top with half your streusal mixture which is a combination of 1/3 c packed brown sugar, 2/3 c flour, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 4 tbsp cold butter cut into pieces crumbled together.

Once half the batter has been topped with half the streusal as well, sprinkle milk and white chocolate chips on top- enough to your liking.

Repeat with remaining batter, streusal and chips.

Bake for 60 minutes and let cool to enjoy!

Eggnog and Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies

Eggnog and Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies

Stir together 1 c sugar, 1 c softened butter, 1/2 c milk, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp eggnog extract.

Stir in 3 1/2 c flour, 1 tsp baking powder and pinch of salt.  Mix in until dough is formed.  

Divide the dough in half and add red food coloring to one portion of the dough.  Cover both portions and refrigerate for 3-4 hours until firm.

Heat your oven 375* and place 5 candy canes in a ziploc bag to crush while the dough sits out for a few moments.

Roll both portions of dough into about 4 inch ropes on a floured surface.  One all the dough has been prepared into their ropes, lightly twist one of each and curve the tops onto a cookie sheet to create the shape of a candy cane.  Repeat until all the dough has been formed.

Bake 10 minutes and immediately after removing from the oven top with crushed candy cane- as the cookies cool, the candy will harden and adhere to the candy cane cookies.

Cool compeletely and enjoy!

Blueberry Yogurt Crumb Cake

Blueberry Yogurt Crumb Cake

Preheat oven to 350* and prepare a 9 x13 pan.

In a small bowl make your topping- mix together 1 c sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1/4 c flour and a pinch of salt.

In another bowl whisk 2 c flour and 1 tsp baking soda- set aside.

In a large bowl- or if you have a stand mixer, cream together 1/2 c butter, 1 c brown sugar and 1/2 sugar on high for a few minutes.  

Whisk together 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla and 1 c plain non-fat yogurt in a small bowl.  Add this to the butter mixture in two parts to be sure each part is incorporated before adding the next.  

Add the flour mixture to the batter and mix for about another minute.

In the pan, pour half the batter - top with 1/2 c blueberries and half the topping mixture.  Repeat with batter,  another 1/2 c blueberries and the remaining topping.

Bake for about 45-50 minutes- until the center of the cake is set.

Cool and enjoy!

Honey Glazed Ham with Swiss and Gruyere Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

Honey Glazed Ham with Swiss and Gruyere Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

Most years my Dad is given a ham at work and my parents share it with myself and my siblings.  Our portion arrived yesterday and what goes better with ham than scalloped potatoes?

I tried a new recipe that was super tasty so here it goes ... be prepared for a long baking time, but it is worth it!!

Preheat the oven to 350*.  Prepare a 9 x13 pan so the potatoes don't stick.  After slicing 2 lbs of russet potatoes into 1/8" slices, lay 1/3 of the potatoes in the pan.  Season the potatoes with pepper and layer 1/2 c diced onions and 1/2 c of swiss/gruyere cheese.  Add a few slices of chopped, cooked turkey bacon with 1 tbsp fresh parsley and 1 tbsp fresh chives.  

Repeat this process again beginning with the potato slices and follow the stated order above.  Finish with the remaining potato slices.  Pour 2 1/2 c fat free half and half over the potatoes and cover with foil to bake for about an hour.

After the hour of baking, remove the foil and bake another 40 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the moisture is absorbed.

With about 15 baking time remaining for the potatoes, place the ham in a pan with a bit of honey to carmelize and cook through.  

Serve and enjoy!