Mini Pies

I saw some little bite size pies at Starbucks, and thought - well I can make those...

I didn't have a recipe and had to wing it a bit, so I will try and give you as much details as I can so you can try it to! I took the pastry recipe from the Scandinavian pies, rolled it out and cut with a small wine glass. For the filling I diced up about 6 small apples and that was to much - 4 probably would work. I sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon until the apple looked coated, and added 2 tbs of minute tapioca for thickening. 

Once the tops were one (the wine glass was a bit big for this part, but I had nothing else to use) I brushed egg wash on the top and sprinkled with sugar, baked at 350 until they looked cooked ( I forgot to set a time but I think it was about 30-40 minutes)

Next time I want to cut out cute shapes int he top like the Starbucks ones, and try a blueberry filing :)

Spring Forward

Happy Monday! This weekend was the dreaded spring forward time change and it's killing me! Luckily this week is March Break so we are able to be a little lazy and take time to adjust.

How was your weekend? Ours was low key, coming off a pretty busy week, Clifford and Kate were away, so it was just me and the two littlest. We were homebodies and got in some baking and pasta making. I was obsessed with making the mini pies that were featured on Skunkboy Creatures, mine were a bit bigger, not nearly as pretty - but totally delicious!

Hope you all have a great week - gearing up to the drink fest that is this Saturday :)

> Jessi

Homemade Donuts

Last week we had Family Day. My sister in law came down and we all went out for lunch and then came home to make donuts with the kids - and with the kids I mean, Lily played with flour and Maya only wanted to help with cutting them out!

Here is the recipe (it is an old family one), they look a little flat, but they still tasted just like old fashion donuts!

Ingredients

2 eggs

1/2 tsp nutmeg

3/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup milk

1-1/2 tsp vanilla

2-3/4 cups flour

4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt
1/4 cup oil

with mixer combine eggs, nutmeg, sugar, oil. Stir in milk & vanilla. Add flour, baking powder & salt and beat until batter is well blended (will look crumbly-ish). Form ball and chill for 2 hours. Heat oil to 375 degrees ( I use my deep fryer at the french fry setting) separate into 2 balls and roll out at 1/2" thickness. Cut out 3 at a time (if you don't have a donut cutter, use a glass and bottle cap). With a flat spatula carefully put them in the oil. They will sink at first and then float to the top, when the underside is browned, turn it over and allow the other side to brown. Remove and place on paper towel to drain

> Jessi

Winter Warmer's Recipe Swap

This season I took part in Fiona & Annika's winter warmer recipe swap.

I received my recipe card in the mail on Friday, from Laura. Look how much work she put into it! I know my kids will love this recipe and I love getting a little peek into other's traditions :)

I hope my recipe card is making it's way across the ocean ok :)

 

> Jessi

Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Maya loves to help bake and cook, so I took a little break from my crazy work week (a downside to working from home, is you can't leave it at the office!) 

We made these super easy and delicious cookies I found on pinterest , and they turned out great :)

> Jessi

Guest Post > Pumpkin Recipe

Hello followers of Sparrows and Arrows. I’m so excited to be your guest post blogger today! Over on live.eat.smile. it’s the season for cooler weather, fun fall outfits (boots and scarves!) and finally being able to turn your oven on (those of you who don’t have air conditioning will understand!).

I had a ton of fun doing just that a few weekends ago. I cut the chill in the air with a warm sweater and cranking my oven for the entire afternoon!

So my question to you all is: what do you do with all that leftover pumpkin seeds and pumpkin meat leftover from decorating your houses? I asked that question last year after gutting and carving three pumpkins. I came up with these two tasty recipes with the help of the internet!

I LOVE granola! I love it for breakfast or for snack. Nothing beats some plain yogurt, fresh or frozen berries and some crunchy granola. Here’s a fun nut free version, but you can always add (or subtract) whatever your taste buds desire.

Everyone knows about pumpkin pie, but have you ever ventured from the usual? What about pumpkin cupcakes or muffins? Pumpkin pudding, soup or perhaps pumpkin cheesecake? I tried the cake with AMAZING results. My favourite part? Using ground up pumpkin seeds in the crust! I used a coffee grinder to get the toasted seeds to the same consistency as the graham cracker crumbs.

I hope you all have fun experimenting in your kitchen this season!

Emilie

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Thanks Emilie! She brought this into work (we share an office) and it was delicious!

 

Apple Pie

Not the prettiest pie ever :P  But that crust was extra flakey!!!

I made some substitutions to this recipe.  Used brown instead of white sugar and used corn starch instead of flour in the filling,  delish!

> Cassie

Award Wining!

I wasn't able to get very good pics, but here are the carrot cupcakes I made for our work competition (the only thing I changed about this recipie is adding a 1/3 cup of apple sauce)

Not bad for a last minute never made before baking attempt, and low and behold I won! This was nice after getting zero votes in September's apple pie contest lol... and no I didn't realize you could vote for yourself.

> Jessi

cupcakes

Today Maya and I made cupcakes with cream cheese frosting :)

> Jessi

Peanut Butter Cups

I am not the greatest baker - so anything no bake I figure I can probably handle! I decided to attempt this peanut butter cup recipe - and they turned out awesome - although I think I will go with a milk chocolate next time and not the semi-sweet.

- Jessi