Make It With A Cakemix's Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cupcakes

This wasn't my favorite thing, but my boys really liked it.  I gave it a 7, and the boys gave it a 9, and Aaron gave it an 8.  This was super easy, as it uses a cake mix, but the frosting was really delicious, and this was a fun idea.  I made a few changes from the recipe, because we didn't want fruit in this.  Also, the frosting has to be piped from a wide tip, since sometimes you can get little bits of cereal in your frosting unless you sift it.  Each cupcake is 345 calories, and here's what to do:

Cake:
1 box butter pecan cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 c melted butter, cooled
1 c buttermilk
2 t vanilla
1 c cinnamon baking chips

Frosting:
1/2 c Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, finely crushed
1 c butter, softened
2 T milk
1 t vanilla
1/2 t cinnamon
4 c (or a little less) powdered sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 and line your cupcake pans.  Combine the eggs, butter, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth.  Stir in the cake mix and cinnamon chips.  Fill muffin liners and bake for about 17 minutes or so.  Let cool.
Beat the butter for 2 minutes, then add in the cereal, milk, vanilla and cinnamon.  Then add in the powdered sugar.  Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

Cinnamon Waffles

These were some great waffles!  I liked the little difference the cinnamon made, and although if I make it again, I would add more cinnamon because I felt like there wasn't enough, it was still a fun change.  Owen felt like there was too much cinnamon, and so did Aaron, so who knows :).  Each waffles was 138 calories, and the recipe made 14 waffles for us.  Aaron gave it a 7, because of the cinnamon, Owen and I gave them a 9, and Noah gave it a perfect 10.  Jonah seemed to really like them as well :).  Anyway, I followed the recipe exactly, so go to the link and try them out!

Cinnamon Streusel Baked Donuts

Cinnamon Streusel Baked Donuts

We had Cinnamon Streusel Baked Donuts for breakfast the other morning, and they were a treat.  I love how they were slightly salty, slightly sweet, and really moist.  Aaron said he'd never had a donut like it, and I agree.  The kids and I really enjoyed them, Owen and Noah gave them a perfect 10, I gave them a 9, and Aaron gave them an 8.  The recipe made 6 donuts, and the calories/donut were 255.  I substituted applesauce for part of the oil, but otherwise followed the recipe exactly.  Here it is:

1/3 c sugar
2 whole eggs
1/4 c vegetable oil (I used 2 T oil, 2 T unsweetened applesauce)
2 T plain yogurt
1/2 t vanilla
1 c flour
1 t baking powder
1/4 t salt

1/4 c brown sugar
2 T oats
1 T butter
1/2 t cinnamon
1/8 t salt

Preheat the oven to 375 and grease/spray your donut pan.
Whisk together the sugar, eggs, oil, applesauce, yogurt and vanilla until smooth.  Gently fold in the flour, baking powder and salt.  Distribute the batter evenly in the donut pan.
Toss all the last ingredients in the food processor, then top the donuts by pressing the streusel into the top of the batter.  Bake for 9-10 minutes (I did it for 9), then let cool for 5 minutes.  Serve

Ricotta Cinnamon and Sugar Danish

We had a yummy Danish called Ricotta Cinnamon and Sugar Danish, recipe found here, and we really enjoyed it.  The boys and I cut the recipe in half, since we were the only ones eating it, but we ended up eating all of it.  Owen and I gave it a 9, and Noah gave it a perfect 10.  I didn't love the orange, I think when I make it again I will try a different flavor with it, but the boys thought it was wonderful :)  We had 6 servings and the calories per serving were 171.

2 T Ground Cinnamon
2 T White Granulated Sugar
Dash of Salt
1 1/2 t  Fresh Orange Zest
2 1/2 T Ricotta
1/2 box Frozen Puff Pastry, 14-17 Ounce Box
1 whole Large Egg, Beaten (I obviously didn't use all the egg, it was too much, but I still brushed the top with the egg)
3/4 c Confectioners Sugar
1 T Brewed Coffee, Room Temperature (or milk if you don't use coffee)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2. In a medium bowl, place cinnamon, sugar, salt and orange zest; mix until combined. Add the ricotta and using an electric mixer, mix until mixture is smooth. Alternatively, in case you don’t own a mixer, you can use a fork to combine everything together. It might take a little longer but will definitely work. Set aside.
3. Carefully unfold 1 sheet of puff pastry and roll it out slightly with a floured rolling pin until it’s about 1/8-inch in thickness. Since mine was a circle, I cut it into an 11″ x 8″ rectangle.
4. Slice 1-inch strips diagonally down both sides of the puff pastry, leaving the center uncut. Try to cut the same amount of strips on both sides. I had about 8 strips per side.
5. Add the ricotta filling, spreading it evenly down the center of the puff pastry. Fold in the bottom and top flaps. Braid the puff pastry, by folding the strips over the filing, alternating sides, until you’ve worked your way down the puff pastry. Using your knife, trim off any leftover strips or extra dough.
6. Transfer the danish to a parchment lined baking sheet, and brush the top with egg wash. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Then transfer baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until puffed up and golden brown.
7. While baking, mix confectioners’ sugar with the coffee in a small bowl. When the danish comes out of the oven, drizzle the top with the icing and serve warm. 

Oatmeal Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

We had some Oatmeal Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, and these were very good.  The boys gave them an 8, and I gave them a 9.  I thought the flavor, and the relative healthiness of the pancake made them something special.  I didn't make the glaze, these were sweet enough with out the extra sugar and calories, although I am sure they would be even better with it :).  I made 18 pancakes with this recipe, and each pancake was 131 calories.  The only tip I have is to make sure to not over cook this, the sugar carmelizes very quickly and if not watched closely these will burn.  Great breakfast or brunch!

Tomorrow we're having that lamb and risotto, I hope :)

Cinnamon Roll Pumpkin Bread

We had cinnamon roll pumpkin bread today, and it was a great recipe.  The only change I made was instead of maple flavoring and coffee, I added a little 100% maple syrup, about 1 teaspoon.  The calories for 1/8 of the bread were 260, and I gave it a 9, Noah gave it a 9, and Owen gave it an 8.  I love that this came together quickly, is not super sweet, and is moist and flavorful.  I'll make this again soon.
Tomorrow we're having iced hot chocolate.