Pancakes!

I grew up thinking that Bisquick was what you needed to have in order to make pancakes.

And then I had breakfast at my sister-in-law's house.

My Sissy is the Queen of Big Breakfast. Not kidding. She can whip up waffles, eggs, sausage, bacon, homemade syrup (yep), and her infamous pancakes in record time without breaking a sweat. Trust me, you want an invitation to her house for breakfast.

Several weeks ago, we decided that breakfast-for-dinner was on the menu, and I pulled out Sissy's pancake recipe. It just so happened I had soy milk in the house. Since my Pumpkin is allergic to dairy and doesn't actually ask for soy milk to drink, I had not been keeping it in the house regularly. Well ... that has changed.

Sissy's Out of this World Pancakes

1 over-filled cup of flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg
1 cup milk (unflavored soy milk is a perfect dairy substitute)
Dash vanilla
3 shakes of cinnamon

Mix the ingredients together. (ps, the Pampered Chef Classic Batter Bowl I used above really is perfect for this!)

Pour onto a heated griddle pan.

 Once the bubbles start to pop and the edges begin to dull, flip.

Transfer to plates, top with butter (or soy margarine) and syrup, and ...

... enjoy, my loves!

xx JN

Forgive the quality of the pics taken on the go with my Blackberry

'Tis the Gift to be Gifting: Peanut Blossoms

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Cannot make enough of these little treats this week: pleasing co-workers, friends, family and fashionistas all week long. Super easy recipe with uber-incredible results! Box in 1/2 lb. boxes (typically will hold 6-cookies per box) and tie with holiday-inspired raffia or ribbon bows. (I love the 1/2 lb. boxes with the clear opening so you can see how adorable they are!) This specific recipe has been in my family since I was a wee-one.

Peanut Blossoms

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 large egg

1 teaspoon good vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup granulated sugar, set aside

48 milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter in a large bowl or stand mixer. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy (about 1-2 mins). Add egg, vanilla, and salt; continue beating until well mixed (1-2 mins). Add flour and baking soda. Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until well mixed (1 to 2 mins).

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. (Trust me, just when you think your dough ball is too small, it’s probably just perfect!) Roll each ball in the 1/4 cup sugar. Place 2-inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. 

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until very lightly golden brown. Immediately press 1 unwrapped chocolate kiss in the center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets, cool completely on wire racks.

Makes 4 dozen cookies ... and creates as many happy faces!

xx JN