April Cooking, Baking, and Crafting Thread

inthewoods23 · April 2021

Post your yummy delights and projects!

inthewoods23 · April 2021

Just here to share the greatest pastry of all time - cinnamon rolls! Made gluten and dairy free ☺️

https://www.mamaknowsglutenfree.com/gluten-free-cinnamon-rolls/

I made this recipe with the suggested frosting the first time but that called for 3 cups of powdered sugar so it was almost too sweet! This time I went with the icing which only calls for 2 cups of powdered sugar and that is a lot more manageable in the sweetness department.

keikilove · April 2021

@inthewoods23 Those look amazing!!! Thank you for sharing the recipe link!

You know I rarely participate in this thread but you’ve inspired me to share my own plans for cinnamon rolls this weekend:

😄

[Deleted User] · April 2021

Cookie baking extravaganza is still going strong.

I sent DH out for cornstarch though for my egg-free royal icing recipe 😬 Whoops! I posted the mini egg cookies already in randoms, but since then, I also made old fashioned PB blossoms, and sprinkle covered chocolate blossoms, (which are actually supposed to be a Valentine's recipe, I made in February and decided would be fun to make again for Easter!).

Here's what we have completed so far!

<div class="Spoiler"><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/h5/8fc5818j94uc.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/9o/79jf1r52amb4.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/0x/e6c7xo0oc0rn.jpg"></div>
Chocolate Sprinkle Blossom Cookies
<div class="Spoiler">https://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2013/01/chocolate-valentine-kiss-cookies.html?m=1

I recommend the longer jimmy type sprinkles, or the flat little round circles. The little ball ones end up being kind of crunchy? If you don't cut them with jimmies, imho. This time I had a bit of a fiasco with the little egg candies mixed into the sprinkles. I think the ones touching the pan must have gotten hot enough to melt, because there was a bit of a hot sugar halo around many of them that made them tricky to get out of the pan without destroying. Plus if you stick them back in the oven for a minute with the kisses on (like in the PB cookies as well) they are super easy to damage by just the slightest tap, so make sure you have plenty of room to leave cool, undisturbed.</div>
Mini Egg Easter Cookies
<div class="Spoiler">https://www.aheadofthyme.com/mini-egg-easter-cookies/

I think these are going to be a real crowd pleaser! They were just too yummy (and crazy easy) so I whipped up a second batch to go around. I recommend reserving about 48 pieces (from the standard 10oz bag) so you have two pieces per cookie to place on top, <i>then</i> halve the balance of the bag, which should be about 1/2c. I was overly generous the first time with my 1/2 c and started running out of whole ones, so some only got one on top. This time I reserved extra so... 🤷 I'm sure someone will eat them eventually!!!</div>
Old Fashioned PB Blossoms Cookies
<div class="Spoiler">https://www.theseoldcookbooks.com/old-fashioned-peanut-blossoms/
<span>
I have never used the same recipe for these twice! Lol Hoping to settle on a tried and true so I can make them the same way every time. This one has you put them back in the oven for a minute with the kisses in place, which I like. BUT - the kisses stay melty 4FR. Like way longer than you think. So you would need to have enough cooling space to just leave them alone and not touch the tops till they are completely cooled.</span></div>

laura-kay · April 2021

I made chocolate peanut butter eggs today to bring to our family gathering tomorrow...yum!

[Deleted User] · April 2021

Ooh! That sounds delectable! Recipe? @laura-kay

This one is a first for me... They still need to cool and be glazed. But omg. Fresh out of the oven, I'm so happy I decided to *finally* try making the poppyseed roll cake!

<div class=" Spoiler"><img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/jg/ebvh019c5gly.jpg" alt="">
My knife wasn't really sharp enough to make my slits nicely, so that may take a little practice, getting the depth just right, and consistent (and possibly going ahead and stealing a clean razorblade from somewhere in the house next time). But boy, oh boy. 😋 I probably should have turned them in the oven partway through, but I was kind of distracted and I forgot. 🤷</div>

laura-kay · April 2021

That looks delicious! My husband’s family has a nut roll recipe that is similar. It’s even better after wrapping it in plastic wrap and leaving it overnight - gets a nice chew to it.

The recipe still needs some adaptation of some sort. My parents are vegan - so I tried to adapt a vegan peanut butter cookie batter since it tastes like peanut butter egg filling when raw lol. The ending recipe is yummy, though not as firm as I’d like it to be. I’ll be working with it more before it is truly ready for recipe sharing.

In the meantime, the basic recipe is in the spoiler

Vegan Peanut Butter Eggs
* 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
* 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1 tsp vanilla
* 1/2 cup AP flour (to make raw flour safe to eat - you can microwave it in 15 second intervals for a minute, stirring in between)
* Bar of dark chocolate

Mix all ingredients.
Refrigerate until firm
Melt chocolate bar and stir until smooth
Shape quickly and dip in chocolate (don’t make them too big)
Put chocolate covered eggs on parchment paper to harden - if you can put it in a casserole dish, that will help to put it in the refrigerator to store
Keep refrigerated until ready to eat.

Like I said...recipe in progress. Adapting to a vegan recipe isn’t always easy.

laura-kay · April 2021

This is the vegan peanut butter cookies I made - and they definitely are good with the current recipe - I couldn’t even tell they were vegan.

https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-peanut-butter-cookies/

[Deleted User] · April 2021

@laura-kay That is so thoughtful of you to go out of your way to make special treats they can enjoy!

I managed to finish the Easter egg sugar cookies and carrot cake cupcakes! It was a different royal icing recipe I used this year, so I might have to go back and find the one from last year. This one was really running away on me, and I really didn't think I had thinned it out that much? But anyway, they will still taste delicious. Lol<div class="Spoiler"><img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/e1/dnmw141vkyp4.jpg" alt=""><img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/6r/3672cl4obht7.jpg" alt=""></div>

[Deleted User] · April 2021

I'm not necessarily a connesseur or anything, but this chimichurri recipe was everything I needed it to be.
<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/q4/27tc1u5ojfmc.gif" alt="">

https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/traditional-chimichurri

laura-kay · April 2021

Banana chocolate chip muffins 😋

acleverusername · April 2021

A simple on Mediterranean diet breakfast! I have a dislike-hate relationship with all sorts of onions because my mom hates them and never cooked with onions growing up but I’m determined not to do the same thing.

[Deleted User] · April 2021

That looks so yummy! @acleverusername green onions are nice, and red onions, too! I like them super finely chopped for garnish, or in super thin rings, with my mandolin. Protip:. You can also quickly blanche your onions to take a lot of the bite out. I will even just put them in a strainer and run under hot water a few seconds? Or you can set the strainer in a bowl of hot water while you do other things. I never knew to do that growing up, but now whenever I don't, DH totally notices. 🤦

acleverusername · April 2021

Awesome pro-tip @BusinessWife!

acleverusername · April 2021

Spent the day meal prepping and listening to Egg Whisperer podcasts... that’s my ultimate relaxation jam.

https://leelalicious.com/pumpkin-breakfast-cookies/ - breakfast for a few days this week. They look and smell delicious but haven’t tried one yet.

https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/lemony-lentil-soup/ - sooooooo good. I had this for dinner and had to have 2 bowls!

Blueberry overnight steel cut oats with hemp - haven’t tried this one yet either. No recipe to share as it came from my IVF prep meal plan.

laura-kay · April 2021

Today I’m planning on making a special dinner for my husband. I’ve been so crazy lately with work that I’ve been a bit lax at nice home cooked dinners in the past few weeks!

I’ll be making seared halibut with a chive oil and beurre fondue sauce, over a butternut squash risotto.

laura-kay · April 2021

[Deleted User] · April 2021

Oh my! 😍 @laura-kay I can't tell what looks more scrumptious, the dinner, or <i>those plates!?
<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/kc/5g9r3fk5e2am.gif" alt="">
</i>

acleverusername · April 2021

@laura-kay recipe please!

laura-kay · April 2021

The plates are part of my China set that I got at my bridal shower - it’s the design I wanted - and dishwasher safe to boot!

I only have 2 place settings of that variety though, so it’s for me and my hubby only. For larger groups, I use my mom’s bone China that she gave me! (I love beautiful table settings)

laura-kay · April 2021

@acleverusername Grabbing the recipes and will post!

laura-kay · April 2021

Fish and sauces are adapted from this base recipe:

https://www.freshseafood.com/blogs/world-famous-recipes/pan-seared-slow-roasted-halibut

I cut it down to two filets, halved the beurre montè and used lemon instead of grapefruit / orange, and halved the amount of the chive oil.

Here is the base recipe for a the butternut squash saffron risotto:

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/butternut-squash-risotto-recipe-1937364

I loosely followed that recipe. I halved it, used onions instead of shallots since that is what I had on hand, and vegetable broth instead of chicken and no pancetta (I’m pescatarian).

It was delicious!

boymama2018 · April 2021

@laura-kay wow that looks delish! I can't seem to cook fish well at home for some reason, no matter how many times I try (other than shrimp). I am eating super clean but it gets boring with the same ole proteins and veggies all the time lol. Eggs are my other alternative.

laura-kay · April 2021

Today I went to Michael’s and bought some thick yarn and circular knitting needles so I can start a blanket. As of now I am planning for a small throw size. Maybe I’ll be blessed with a pregnancy some month down the line and I could turn it into a baby blanket? For now though it is a stress release

and something cozy for me and my hubby.

boymama2018 · April 2021

This is not a recipe, but I feel compelled to share. My gyn is really into integrative medicine and natural ways to aide your health. She swears up and down by gut health, especially when TTC. Anyways, I started adding saurkraut (a really good quality one) to my work from home salads and wow, game changer! It makes them a bit less boring and is actually really good! Highly recommend.

[Deleted User] · April 2021

@boymama2018 I do this too! Good to know it's actually healthy for you. I have been doing shots of this probiotic drink too, that's basically like taking a swig of sauerkraut juice lol

laura-kay · April 2021

I’ll leave that to you both....sauerkraut just turns my stomach! I should like it considering I’m Pennsylvania Dutch but I’ve always hated it.

boymama2018 · April 2021

@BusinessWife Yes! So good for you. Full of probiotics. I take probiotic vitamins, usually have greek yogurt in the morning and have kraut in my salad almost every day. I feel like it makes my salads less boring haha.

@laura-kay I get it, I can see having an aversion to it. It does smell kind of funny. I prefer it cold now. But I am a fan of all pickled/fermented things for some reason.

rachelredhead · April 2021

I volunteered to make dessert for a homeless encampment in town but my first batch of treats didn’t turn out great. I made s’mores treats and I should have used less butter and should have crushed the Golden Grahams a bit, I think. So basically I have a pan of floppy s’mores treats that I will definitely be picking at all weekend. Oh well! I made monster peanut butter bars and will make sugar cookie bars tomorrow for the volunteer stuff and DH is pretty pumped the s’mores treats were a fail.

And since we’re having folks over for burgers on Saturday, maybe I’ll just pretend I made this dessert for them! 🤷‍♀️😂 They don’t need to know I think it’s a fail.

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