coconut biscotti

September 9, 2015

Coconut Biscotti

Biscotti is one of my all time favorite coffee companions…yet not something I enjoy nearly often enough. For some reason I had this idea that making biscotti in my own kitchen would be complicated. Well let me tell you I could not have been more wrong, wrong, wrong.

This stuff is a cinch to make. And now that I know this I am ready to make more. Lots more.

But first, let’s talk about this yummy coconut version.

Coconut BiscottiBiscotti is made by baking twice. Once in loaf form and again after it’s been sliced. Sounds slightly fussy but I promise it could not be simpler. Just make sure you use a serrated knife for cleaner slices.

Coconut BiscottiBaking the slices ensure that golden exterior we know and love about biscotti. Every bite is full of crunch while the interior is light as air. This texture combo makes for the ideal coffee dunker. A quick dip and you have yourself a slightly softened yet still crunchy mouthful of goodness.

Coconut Biscotti Coconut BiscottiI topped my biscotti with some shredded coconut simply to make it obvious there was indeed coconut in there. You could press some coconut into the top of your rectangles before baking to achieve a similar (and less messy) effect.

Coconut BiscottiSky is definitely the limit when it comes to these dunk-able cookies. You could melt yourself some chocolate and drizzle over your biscotti (or dip one end into the chocolate). Nuts would also make a lovely addition. I chose to keep mine simple this time around..and goodness I can’t wait for the morning time and my next date with coffee and biscotti.

Enjoy!

brandyjsig

 

 

coconut biscotti
 
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Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: 16
Ingredients
  • 6tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¾cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2cups all purpose flour
  • 1tsp baking powder
  • 1tsp coconut flavoring
  • ½cup sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until pale in color and fluffy (about 5 minutes). Add eggs one at a time and beat until just combined. Add flour and baking powder and mix at low speed until combined. Lastly, add coconut flavoring and coconut - mix until just combined.
  3. Place dough on baking sheer and divide in half. Form each half into a 3" by 10" rectangle (does not need to be perfect).
  4. Bake for 25 minutes. Allow to cool for 5minutes and then slice each loaf by 1" sections. Lay slices on their side on baking sheet and put back into oven for 8 to 10 minutes (should begin to brown). Flip slices over and bake again for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely and enjoy with a cup of coffee. Biscotti will keep in an airtight container for about 2 weeks.

recipe from Shugary Sweets

Coconut Biscotti
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labor day weekend

September 8, 2015

Labor Day weekend…it’s like you get one more chance with summer so you better make it count. We did. And if we could we would do it all over again..

Labor Day WeekendIt wasn’t all that long ago I wondered if we would ever be a family more of 2 and a dog making memories on the island. What a thrill it is to be visiting this special place with our kids today. And to know that Jettie will forever have some sort of moments from Kelleys stored away is simply the best. Hopefully Bingham will retain just as many someday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful last fling with summer. (Even if it is still hotter than the hindges of you know where outside.)

xo,

brandyjsig

 

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fair time

September 4, 2015

Awe….the fair. Where the smell of fried food and animal poop intermingle as if they were meant to be. Where questionable rides thrill children and tweens much braver than I. And where $5 can buy you a turn at a game with the winnings being a choice of Disney inspired paraphernalia or a plastic sword (aka a weapon for your child, hence your home).

There really isn’t anything like a good ole’ county fair. Back in the day this annual week would have me pretty excited. The wonderment has lost it’s luster a tad over the years but it sure is fun to watch the kids partake in this traditional event.

1st up the animals – was and always a favorite for me. Jettie seems to have inherited a little bit of this love. We also visited our friend Baylee’s cows. (I’m not going to tell you, nor did I tell Jettie what happens to those cows she is petting…) Bay had one of the best looking stalls in the barn, I have a feeling there’s a blue ribbon in her future.

fair_2015_1Next up rides. Scratch that, it’s a no go. The older Jettie gets the more she doesn’t trust the experience. We figured this would happen and that’s perfectly fine with us. She does enjoy the games though so we played a couple. Got some fries. And then were those people who had their child at the fair with no shoes. Oh Bing…

fair_2015_2It was quick trip – in all honesty we were mostly there for dinner. Which I ended eating nothing because I’m apparently getting old and my belly can’t take the grease anymore.  But I am grateful for the little bit of fair that we got this year.

Happy Labor Day Weekend Everyone!

xo,

brandyjsig

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diy spaghetti and meatballs costume

September 3, 2015

Halloween 2011 was the year of “Jettie Spaghetti.” A costume I’m not sure we will ever top…(but of course we will try):

DIY Spaghetti CostumeThe above image randomly shows up on my pinterest feed and various other “viral-esque” type link sites. I love that people adore her costume…and as a biased mother I’m not sure how anyone couldn’t.

What people may not realize is how ridiculously easy this costume is to make. You may be thinking “yeah right” but honest to goodness this is a simple one. It’s also low cost with high impact results. We still have people say to us “Hey, you’re the guys who dressed your baby up as a bowl of spaghetti!” (Yeah, that is us!)

Here is what you will need for your very own bowl of baby spaghetti and meatballs:

Main Costume:

  • cream colored hat
  • cream colored onesie (does not need to be plain – you can always turn inside-out like we did if there is type on the front.)
  • cream yarn – one of the big rolls.
  • velcro – only need the “rough, teeth” side
  • sewing machine with cream thread or hot glue gun

Meatballs and Dish:

1.Take one end of your yarn and start looping. We did this by simply securing the yarn in one hand and wrapping from hand to right behind elbow (arm will be bent at a 90° angle). Keep looping until you have about 1/4 of the yarn left (this will be used at the end).

DIY Spaghetti Costume2.Make the hat by attaching the “teeth” side only of velcro around the edge by sewing or hot gluing. Take some of your “spaghetti loops” and attach to top of hat by sewing or hot gluing. Use the velcro to arrange spaghetti around the hat. (When hat is placed on baby you can arrange more of the spaghetti so that it is not in front of baby’s face.)

DIY Spaghetti Costume3.Time to place your “spaghetti rows” on the onesie! Take spaghetti loop and sew or hot glue a row onto the waist section of the front of onesie. When you reach the end of onesie cut from main spaghetti loop and continue onto next step.

DIY Spaghetti Costume4.Repeat step 3 with smaller section in the middle of the onesie at the chest.

DIY Spaghetti Costume5.Repeat again except this time at the neckline.

DIY Spaghetti Costume6. When the front is finished do the same process on the back. (Or you could just do one row at the neckline if you wish – it is a Halloween costume after all.)

A closer look at a sewn version…my mom is a master seamstress. No exaggeration – she made this thing in less than 7 minutes. If you sew yours and it doesn’t look like this do not be discouraged. She is a freak of sewing nature that not even I understand. (But I do very much appreciate.)

DIY Spaghetti CostumeMy make-it-work onesie I scored that year:

DIY Spaghetti CostumeOnce your onesie is complete you can begin on the “accessories”:

  1. Paint balls completely red first (sponge brush works best). Allow to dry and then dab brown paint all over each ball. Allow to dry.
  2. Spray feeding tub with red spray paint. Allow to dry.
  3. Once everything is dry assemble the costume by placing blanket in the tub, dressing baby in spaghetti onesie and hat. Take extra “spaghetti” and place on top of blanket. Set baby in center of tub and randomly place “meatballs”. (They will stick to yarn on their own.)

The #1 thing to remember when it comes to this sort of DIY is this:  “It’s only a Halloween costume.” In other words, nothing has to be perfect. The sooner you let go of that notion the sooner you will have fun DIY-ing your kids costumes. And having fun is what Halloween is all about isn’t it?

A few more of Jettie Spaghetti’s first Halloween. As you can see we decorated a bit with wine, olive oil and checkered fabric. Also made a quick banner out of the colors of the Italian flag. Such simple things that tied everything together for a “wow” baby costume:

DIY Spaghetti CostumeThe only picture of the 3 of us from that year. I can’t help but smile looking at this. Definitely one of those “if I could I would” relive days.

DIY Spaghetti CostumeI love Halloween, specifically the costumes and I don’t want to miss any of yours! Tag #PPJHalloween on IG to share (can be past costumes as well) – I’ll be featuring some favorites along with a super fun giveaway (details to come)!

Happy Costuming!

brandyjsig

 

 

 

“http://prettyplainjanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/diy_baby_spaghetti_costume_pin.jpg”>DIY Spaghetti Costume
Posted in costumes, diy, halloween, Kids | Tagged | 16 Comments

donut muffins

September 2, 2015

Donut MuffinsNeed to make new friends? Stand in public places with these muffins. Piss everybody off at the office? Show up with a plate of these and no one will remember why they are mad at you. Need a recipe that will knock the socks off your Labor Day guests? These muffins are your answer.

In other words…make these muffins. Right now. (FYI, you’re going to need a lot of butter.)

Donut MuffinsWhat makes these little guys so good? Um..what doesn’t? The batter is simple and bakes into a muffin very reminiscent of a cake donut. Firm yet soft and full of nutmeg flavor. But the thing that seals the deal on being an amazeballs muffin recipe would be the sweet, cinnamony, almost crunchy exterior…which is achieved by a butter shower and a roll in some cinnamon sugar. If you think it sounds good just wait until you take a bite.

Muffin superiority.

Donut MuffinsHow did I discover such a wonder of the baking world? A show called The Best Thing I Ever Ate – “Snack” edition. Candace Nelson of Sprinkles recommended this treat from the Downtown Bakery & Creamery. It was love at first sight, and basic torture to watch her take a bite. I needed these in my life and was overjoyed to find the official recipe online. (Thank you internet.)

Donut Muffins Donut MuffinsYou can admit it…you want a bite. I don’t blame you.

Donut MuffinsSticky at first called these croi-nuts which I informed him makes zero sense. He then moved onto to do-fins,  and later muf-nuts. You can guess which name was his favorite. I’m too busy to call them anything because all I want to do is stuff them in my mouth.

You better be creaming some butter and sugar right now…

Enjoy!

brandyjsig

 

 

 

donut muffins
 
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Prep time
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Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • for muffins:
  • 12tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¾cup plus 2tbsp sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3cups all-purpose flour
  • 2½tsp baking powder
  • ¼tsp baking soda
  • ¾tsp salt
  • ½tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½cup plus ⅓cup milk
  • ⅛cup buttermilk
  • for dipping:
  • 8tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1cup sugar
  • 1tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Place rack in the middle and preheat oven 350°F. Grease and flour a 12 count regular muffin tin.
  2. To make muffin cream butter and sugar together in a stand mixer. Be sure to cream until pale, fluffy and you can almost not see the sugar granules. About 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time and mix until just blended.
  3. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg in a large bowl. Combine milk and buttermilk in another bowl. Starting with the dry, pour about ¼ of it into the creamed butter/sugar/eggs. Stir until just combined with wooden spoon. Then add ⅓ of the milk and stir until just combined. Repeat this until all dry and wet have been used - you will end with the wet. Batter will be super thick - always stir until just smooth. Be sure not to over mix. (Very important.)
  4. Scoop batter evenly into muffin tin - batter should fill to the top. I used a large ice cream scoop. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until muffins are firm to the touch. Take out of oven and allow to cool.
  5. Meanwhile melt butter for dipping in a small bowl. Combine sugar and cinnamon in another. Once muffins are just cool enough to handle take one and brush with butter, all the way around and then roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture until covered. Set aside and repeat with remaining muffins. Enjoy!

donut_muffins_pin
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