Posts in Bakery
Molasses Cookies
Molasses Cookies

Sentimental favorites are definitely related to people and foods we loved in childhood! Molasses cookies aren’t something I grew up on. My former mother-in-law was raised in The Depression, and lived with rationing due to World War 2. Having lived on a farm in the early days, she learned thrift from her mom, and shared a particular memory about molasses cookies. Her mom saved chicken fat and rendered it to use in place of “oleo” or butter when baking molasses cookies. Only one egg and one cup of sugar, and less butter make this frugal recipe delicious! Sorghum can also be substituted for molasses, but it’s sweeter, so use less sugar.

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Bakery, Giftable, Homey RecipesCindy KlineComment
Zucchini Banana Bread
Zucchini Banana Bread

It’s summer, so zucchini is everywhere! I’ve shared plenty of recipes and can’t get enough of it. Every year, our garden is the exception to the rule of overabundance of zucchini. I love the kidding around about leaving zucchini on a neighbor’s porch… I sure wish someone would! If the garden disappoints, I run the roads for free and cheap zucchini. Sometimes, I get a monster for 30 cents!

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Bakery, Comfort Food, GiftableCindy KlineComment
Ricotta Fruit Strudel
Ricotta Fruit Strudel

I wanted a simple but fancy looking kind of strudel-ish, sorta Danish-ish coffee cake for a Mother’s Day treat, and I started looking quite a bit ahead for things I might “practice” on before the big day. I am that annoying cook/baker who usually has puff pastry in the freezer, ricotta in the fridge, and Demerara sugar in the cupboard. I will have frozen fruit, if not fresh, waiting for a recipe, as well.

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Bakery, Breakfast, Dessert, Comfort Food, Quick and easyCindy KlineComment
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls

My family will mostly be together for Christmas at my house this year! In honor of the vegans, I will use plant-based ingredients to replace dairy in this recipe, shared by my daughter.

Honey and I often enjoy cinnamon rolls on weekends, but we try to keep the batches small. Not this time! I will double this, because I want at least a 13x9” pan of them. I usually use yeast, so this is a bit out of my comfort zone!

I’m used to rolling, then cutting, not the other way around, too. Either way, yum! We’re going to have these on Christmas morning, I may make ahead!

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Bakery, Breakfast, Vegan, Holiday RecipeCindy KlineComment
Pumpkin Muffins
Pumpkin Muffins

A "Paleo" diet is supposed to resemble what our human ancestors ate thousands of years ago during the paleolithic period, also known as the Stone Age. There are many versions of the paleo diet. Still, the foods are generally less processed, avoiding sugars, sugary empty calorie drinks, all grains, most dairy cow products, artificial sweeteners and colors, legumes, industrial seed oils including canola, margarine, shortening like Crisco, etc.

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Bakery, Breakfast, Healthy RecipesRenee MatthewsComment
Strawberry Scones (gluten-free)
Strawberry Scones (gluten-free)

June 2022 marks some milestone dates. I will be turning 60, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England will celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. The Platinum Jubilee marks the 70th anniversary of The Queen's accession to the throne, way back in 1952, before I was even born. This is the first time any British monarch has reached this historic milestone. When she was merely 25 years old, Princess Elizabeth became queen and just turned 95 on April 21st.

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Bakery, Gluten FreeRenee MatthewsComment
Cookie Cake
Cookie Cake

Oh, heavens, it’s after the holidays and we’re probably cookie’d out! I’m trying to be…but I’m not sure if that’s possible. I had two of my childcare guys (they graduated, but we had a special gathering for them) over to celebrate their December and January birthdays. They are cookie monsters for sure, and not as big fans of frosting as their little sisters!

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Bakery, Comfort Food, Dessert, GiftableCindy KlineComment
Raspberry Bundt Cake
Raspberry Bundt Cake

In the morning before Joyopolis Hostess Laurie Copeland and her beloved, John, came to visit, I was out in the yard picking raspberries. We had an abundance, so I went into the kitchen and threw this together. Once Laurie and John were here, I threw together the frosting, and let Laurie and my husband Ray (aka Honey) do the honors of frosting the cake. They laid it on thickly, and it was wonderful.

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Bakery, Dessert, Gluten FreeCindy Kline Comment
Pumpkin Muffins (Gluten Free)
Pumpkin Muffins (Gluten Free)

It's October, and it is an all-things-pumpkin kind of month. I hope you enjoy these yummy pumpkin muffins I've been making for eight years since my gluten-free imposed diet. Removing gluten from the diet is a mandatory requirement for those with Celiac. (Well, that is if you want to guard your health and prevent further medical diagnosis.) And many other people would improve their health and benefit from this restriction as well—those with autoimmune disease, PCOS, eczema, IBS, arthritis, and more. Gluten is inflammatory to many people. "The first step to healing is inflammation control." Dr. Kendal Stewart MD. If you have inflammation issues, try a gluten-free diet and see if it corrects your situation. Need more help? Visit my website and set up a complimentary consultation.

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Bakery, Gluten Free, Healthy RecipesRenee MatthewsComment
Gramma's Cookies
Gramma's Cookies

It is indelibly etched in my memory, so far back, I can’t remember a beginning — making cookies with my Gramma Meli. She wore her white hair pinned at her nape, with a hairnet over it. Her body, wonderful for climbing onto and snuggling into, smelled of Dove soap and clean sweat. I loved her with all my heart.

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Bakery, Dessert, GiftableCindy KlineComment
Cake Mix Cookies
Cake Mix Cookies

While shopping at an Amish “Bent and Dent” store, I discovered a bulk box of chocolate cake mix. I grabbed it, thinking I’d make quick cupcakes for the daycare kids. However, I discovered the recipe on the box for cake mix cookies and found it to be even easier. It’s also better for managing serving size, and reducing the need for frosting. The cookies are moist and delicious.

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Bakery, Dessert, Homey RecipesCindy KlineComment
Crescent Danish
Crescent Danish

I pretend to be organized. I do it very well. If I didn’t have a husband to follow behind me; closing cupboard doors, finishing loads of laundry I start, and smiling when I tell him about my dreams for new projects he’ll end up finishing, I’d probably be forced to acknowledge a house full of opened cupboard doors, mildewed laundry, and a bunch of unfinished projects. He’s the helpmate God promised.

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Bakery, Breakfast, Comfort Food, Homey RecipesCindy KlineComment
Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

My daughter called on a Saturday, asking if I wanted a visit. She lives 3 hours away, in Chicago. Of course, I was delighted! We had been out all day…a Celebration of Life in the morning, Pottery Class next, and then, out for an early dinner.

We’d just gotten home and were starting Saturday chores at 6 PM. Vacuuming, bathrooms, collecting laundry—check, check, check. The thing she sprung on me next was a complete surprise: she was bringing a gentleman friend!

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Bakery, DessertCindy KlineComment
No Grain Bread
No Grain Bread

Sometimes a gluten-free and grain-free diet is used to help heal the G.I. tract. Removing gluten and other grains can allow the immune system to calm down and decrease inflammation in the gut. It really is a whole foods type meal plan, which is full of yummy food choices. But what do you do when you want some bread?

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Bread, Bakery, Healthy RecipesRenee Matthews Comments