Sophie in the Kitchen: Vanilla

Showing posts with label Vanilla. Show all posts

Monday, November 25, 2013

Homemade Vanilla Extract

I had no idea I could make my own vanilla extract! This Homemade Vanilla Extract would make a perfect gift for the holidays and it is so easy to make too. I did some online research and it seems that there is no reason to use fancy alcohol so a mid-range will do. I estimate 3 vanilla beans per cup of alcohol so if you have a larger jar, you may adjust accordingly. The vanilla beans smell so good and I read that you can make vanilla scented sugar. Just place a vanilla bean in a jar of sugar and that's it! How easy is that? Enjoy!

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup alcohol (vodka, rum or bourbon)

3 vanilla beans

Directions

Split vanilla beans using a small paring knife.

Place vanilla beans in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.

Pour your alcohol of choice into the jar with vanilla beans.

Push vanilla beans down so they are submerged.

Seal the jar and store in a cool, dark place (i.e. back of cupboard) for at least 1 month.

Shake jar once a week.

Notes: The vanilla extract will keep for up to 1 year at room temperature. You can top jar off with enough alcohol to keep vanilla beans submerged. Replace vanilla beans as they start to lose their flavor (about every 3 to 6 months).

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Slow Cooker Berry Bread Pudding

I took a chance during Hurricane Sandy to make a slow cooker meal on Monday! Luckily I never lost power and I was able to make this slow cooker berry bread pudding. I really liked this bread pudding but it was a little bit watery when I made it. Next time I will probably use a little less milk and see how it turns out. This is such a simple recipe and perfect when you don't want to bake something. I have eaten this berry bread pudding for dessert and even breakfast already. It's delicious! Happy Halloween everyone!

Slow Cooker Berry Bread Pudding

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 package of Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (I used King’s brand, 12 count.)

2 ½ - 3 cups vanilla soy milk (You may use regular milk.)

4 eggs

¼ cup butter, melted

½ cup sugar

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon vanilla

2 ½ - 3 cups berries (I used diced strawberries and blueberries.)

Directions

Tear sweet rolls into bite size cubes; I tore each sweet roll into 4 pieces.

Spray slow cooker with non stick cooking spray. Place half the cube rolls into the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with half the berries.

In a large bowl, whisk together butter, soymilk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.

Pour half the mixture over the bread cubes and berries. Press bread down to ensure the mixture is being absorbed by the bread.

Layer with remaining bread cubes and berries. Pour remaining mixture on top. Press bread down gently. (Optional – sprinkle some additional sugar on top.)

Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Turn on high for the last 30 minutes and leave the lid cracked up to let the steam escape.

It will be done when a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

I cannot get enough of pumpkin these days, and I have already made pumpkin cupcakes. Since I made banana bread earlier, I adapted the recipe for this pumpkin chocolate chip bread. This bread is moist, delicious and full of pumpkiny goodness! Is pumpkiny even a word? LOL This pumpkin chocolate chip bread is perfect for breakfast and I had a slice today with my morning latte. I also shared the bread with some of my coworkers and everyone enjoyed it. It is nice that I get to share my baked goods at work because I should not be eating it all myself!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

¾ cup pumpkin

4 tablespoons butter, melted (I microwave in a bowl for about 45 seconds.)

½ cup white sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of salt

1 ½ cup flour

½ cup chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together baking soda, salt, flour and cinnamon.

In another bowl, combine pumpkin, butter, sugars, egg and vanilla.

Combine the wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into greased loaf pan. Bake for one hour or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Monday, October 1, 2012

One Bowl Banana Bread

This one bowl banana bread recipe is my go-to recipe for years now. It is so easy to make and turns out delicious each time. Cleanup is a breeze since you only need to use one bowl and I just mix everything by hand. I honestly don't even remember where I got this recipe from but I still have it written on a piece of note paper that I keep in my recipes box. I have used this same recipe to make muffins too, you would just reduce the bake time to about 15 to 20 minutes. Enjoy!

One Bowl Banana Bread

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1/3 cup butter, melted (I microwave in a bowl for about 45 seconds.)

¾ cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

1 ½ cup flour

½ cup chocolate chips (Optional but I almost always add it in!)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, mash peeled bananas with a fork.

Mix in butter, sugar, egg and vanilla.

Next, add in baking soda, salt and flour.

Stir in chocolate chips if adding.

Pour batter into greased loaf pan. Bake for one hour or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Eggless Waffles

Easy like Sunday morning...with Eggless Waffles! I finally received my waffle plates for my Cuisinart Griddler. I have been wanting to make my own waffles for awhile now and I finally caved in and bought the waffle plates. Its actually great since I don't need another appliance to make waffles, I just have to switch out the plates. I was finally ready to make waffles but then realized I had no eggs. Major fail on my part! I realized I didn't get to go to the farmers market last Tuesday due to torrential rain and I usually buy my eggs from an Amish farmer. So instead I did some online research and realized there were plenty of recipes for waffles with no eggs. These Eggless Waffles turned out great and I couldn't even taste a difference.

Eggless Waffles

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons sugar

2 cups milk (I used organic lowfat 1% milk.)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 tablespoons melted butter

Optional Ingredients

2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips (I added this to half the batter.)

Directions

In a bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients - flour, baking powder and sugar.

Add in the remaining ingredients - milk, vegetable oil, water, vanilla and melted butter.

Whisk together until batter is mixed, it will be slightly lumpy. (Optional ingredient, add in chocolate chips last.)

Spray waffle maker with non-stick spray. Once heated and ready, I used a ¼ measuring cup of batter for each waffle. Let cook for about 3 to 4 minutes depending on your waffle maker instructions.

Serve warm with butter and/or maple syrup.

Mmm.....I love Sunday morning waffles!

Buddy likes to sleep in on Sundays...or everyday!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Slow Cooker Blueberry Cobbler

I saw Money Saving Mom's recipe for a Crockpot Blueberry Cobbler and I knew I had to make it! I already had 2 pounds of blueberries to use up so this was perfect. It was super simple to make and came out perfect. It took me about 2 1/2 hours to bake (or cook) in my slow cooker. This made about 6 servings. I did wish I had some vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to serve with this but it still tasted great on its own. You could eat this for dessert or maybe a decadent breakfast :) Enjoy!