{the very BEST} Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

I found this recipe somewhere in the internet world a few years back.  I have been 100% addicted ever since.  It's a take on Great Harvest's Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread, and is honestly just as good as the real thing.  I often make it into muffins instead of bread just so we can share the wealth.  It bakes great either way.

the very BEST Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

2 1/2 c. white flour

1 c. whole wheat flour

3 c. sugar

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. salt

16 oz. cooked or canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

1 c. oil

4 eggs, beaten lightly

2/3 c. water

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 (9x5 inch) bread pans.

Mix flours, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a bowl; set aside.

Mix pumpkin, eggs, water, oil, and 2/3 c. water and stir into dry ingredients.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Place batter in prepaired pans.

Bake 60-70 minutes (only 30 for the small ones) until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

*The only thing I do differently is that I use a large can of the pumpkin instead of only 16 oz and I use the entire bag of chocolate chips instead of just half. You know, if you're not going to eat whole wheat bread you might as well get the most out of it that you can.

Grandma Johnson's Scones

I absolutely love breakfast foods (except eggs). My little sister once made these with a friend and then passed the recipe on to me.   I don't make them often, but they are a nice mix up for breakfast.  I have no idea who Grandma Johnson is, but she sure does make a mean scone!

Grandma Johnson's Scones
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1 egg
1 cup raisins (optional)*

Directions
In a small bowl, blend the sour cream and baking soda, and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt.
Cut in the butter.**
Stir the sour cream mixture and egg into the flour mixture until just moistened.
Mix in the raisins.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead briefly.
Roll or pat dough into a 3/4 inch thick round.
Cut into 12 wedges, and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.***
Bake 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown on the bottom.

* Per my sister's suggestion, I replaced the raisens with frozen blueberries.  You could really use anything that satisfies your taste buds.
**  Freeze the butter and grate it into the mixture with a cheese grater.  This helps to "cut in."
***  I like the idea of a round scone better than a triangle (who knows why?).  I use a circle cookie cutter or the mouth of a glass to form circles (and my 4 year old daughter loves to turn them into hearts with her own cookie cutter).

Pani Popo: Cheater's Choice

My husband isn't big on sweets, but he does love his Samoan Pani Popo. Pani Popo is a dessert dish in his native Samoa and as we were hosting a Samoan dinner last night I prepared this for dessert.

As I'm far from a slave to my kitchen I made Pani Popo in my Cheater's Choice style.  Normally you would prepare a batch of white bread dough and roll into 12 rolls.  Being the cheater that I am, I purchased frozen Rhode's Rolls.

Pani Popo

12 rolls (frozen or homemade)

1 can coconut milk

1 cup sugar

Lay 12 rolls to rise in greased 9x13 pan.

Just before baking, combine coconut milk and sugar.

Pour mixture over raw dough.

Bake 15-20 minutes at 350, until top of rolls are golden brown.

Serve up and enjoy this Samoan treat.

Happy New Year!

I looooooooooooooooove my mom's homemade cinnamon rolls.  What better way to eat your way into the New Year?

And because I'm in a giving mood I'll share the recipe.  The recipe for the actual cinnamon rolls makes 4 dozen.  I cheat now and use the bread maker on the dough setting- makes 12 rolls- perfect for my little family.

Mama Nyholm's Cinnamon Rolls

Mix together and set aside:

2 c warm water (like baby bath)
4 Tbs yeast
½ c. sugar

Mix together:
2 c warm milk
2 eggs
½ c. Crisco (softened)
1 Tbs salt

Mix yeast mixture with milk mixture
Add 7-10 c flour and knead
Let rise 1 hour (covered) or until double in size

Punch down and divide into 4 balls

Roll out into 8x10 inch rectangle
Smear butter, sugar, cinnamon
Roll LONG way (12-14) inches long)
Cut into 12 rolls and place on cookie sheet
Let rise 30-40 minutes
Bake 10-15 minutes, then glaze

Glaze (for 12 rolls):
1 c powdered sugar
1-2 Tbs water or milk
1 tsp butter (soft)
½ tsp vanilla
Mix all together