Pineapple Zucchini Bread

The another day I was craving something sweet and healthy and perfect to eat at anytime of the day. We had zucchini from the farmer's market and pineapple in stock. Baking ingredients are always on hand so I decided to make something different than our traditional zucchini bread recipe and used the Taste of Home's Makeover Pineapple Zucchini Bread recipe* as a reference. And a little bit later I baked:

Pineapple Zucchini Bread

Pineapple + Zucchini = Great source of fruits and veggies found in this yummy bread recipe. Serve fresh from the oven or give as a gift! 

Serves: 4 mini loaf pans

Prep Time: 15 min

Total Time: 50 min

Ingredients 

• 1 1/2 c sugar
• 1 c unsweetened applesauce
• 3 egg whites
• 2 t vanilla extract
• 3 c all purpose flour
• 2 t ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 t baking powder
• 1 t salt
• 1 t ground nutmeg
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 2 c zucchini, shredded (about 2 medium)
• 1 can (8 oz.) unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained
• 1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional)

Baking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease mini loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray. 
2. In a large bowl, beat sugar, applesauce, egg whites, and vanilla until well blended. gradually beat dry mixture into sugar mixture until blended. 
3. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
4. Combine the dry mixture with the wet mixture until well blended. Stir in zucchini, pineapple, and walnuts (optional).
5. Pour the bread batter into your prepared loaf pans.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

*Websites Cited

"Makeover Pineapple Zucchini Bread Recipe." Taste of Home. RDA Enthusiast Brands, n.d. Web. 22 Sep 2013. <http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Makeover-Pineapple-Zucchini-Bread>.

Tropical Key Lime Pie Tarts

Here's another recipe using Duncan Hines products. I entered this one into the Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Spring Bake Contest. I created a sweet treat using one of Duncan Hines' new Frosting Creations limited-edition flavor mixes and one of Duncan Hines' cake mixes. For this recipe, I chose to use the Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Key Lime Pie Flavor Mix with the Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Yellow Cake Mix.

Tropical Key Lime Pie Tarts

Take a sweet vacation to the Florida Keys when trying these delicious, bite-sized key lime tarts!

Cook Time: 12 min

Total Time: 30 min

Serves: 40 mini tropical tarts

Ingredients

• 1 c water
• 1/3 c vegetable oil
• 1 c graham cracker crumbs
• 1 pkg. Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Yellow Cake Mix
• 1 can Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Frosting Starter
• 1 packet Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Key Lime Pie Flavor Mix
• ½ c graham cracker crumbs (for garnish)

Baking Instructions 

 

1.    Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix water, vegetable oil, graham cracker crumbs, and cake mix in a large bowl.

2.    Pour batter into mini muffin pans for the tarts, filling them no more than two-thirds full.

3.    Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until toothpick inserted into tart comes out clean. Let cool completely.

4.    Scoop ¼ can of Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Frosting Starter and set aside. Pour packet of Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Key Lime Pie Flavor Mix into remaining ¾ can of Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Frosting Starter. Stir until evenly blended.

5.    Transfer the Key Lime Pie frosting you just created to a piping bag with a round decorating tip.

6.    Pipe a swirl of Key Lime Pie frosting over each tart. Top with a dab of the Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Frosting Starter (set aside before) and a pinch of graham cracker crumbs.

7.    Enjoy!

S'mores Pops

I was not able to go camping this year, but I still wanted to enjoy some of the yummy recipes made by the fire. Easy to make and take anywhere.

S'mores Pops

Your favorite campfire snack made into a delectable, sweet treat on a stick.

Prep Time: 10 min

Total Time: 30 min

Yields: 20 servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 6 c mini marshmallows (or 1 1/2 packages of regular marshmallows 10 oz. size)
• 1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 4 graham cracker sheets, broken into bite-sized pieces
• 20 popsicle sticks
• Ribbon
• Small plastic bags

Baking Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add 4 c of marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Add graham cracker pieces and remaining marshmallows to the melted mixture. Stir until well coated. Lastly, mix in chocolate chips.
3. Using a large spoon (coated with nonstick cooking spray) take a scoop of the s'mores mixture and mold around a popsicle stick.
4. Place each s'mores pop into a small plastic bag and tie together with a ribbon.

*Note: For best results, use fresh marshmallows.You can also substitute Golden Grahams cereal for the graham crackers for your S'mores Pops. These are great for any occasion: bake sales, birthday favors, etc...

Low-Fat Zucchini Bread

We usually have a garden in our backyard every year with a surplus of zucchini. However, this year with the weather, we have not had the best fruits and veggies to pick. My grandma went to the farmer's market and brought back some zucchini for us. And the story ends with me in the kitchen and some freshly, baked zucchini bread to eat. Adapted from several zucchini recipes including this Food.com recipe.*

Low-Fat Zucchini Bread

Yummy bread made with fresh zucchini from the garden. And the secret ingredient: applesauce!

Serves: 3 mini loaf pans

Prep Time: 10 min

Total Time: 45 min

Ingredients 

• 1 1/2 c all purpose flour

• 3/4 c sugar

• 1/4 t baking soda

• 1/2 t baking powder

• 1/4 t salt

• 1 1/2 t ground cinnamon

• 2 large eggs

• 2 1/4 c zucchini, shredded (about 2 medium)

• 1/4 applesauce

• 1  1/2 t vanilla extract

Baking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9” x 13” pan with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare cake batter as directed on package.
2. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
3. Mix the eggs, zucchini, applesauce, and vanilla in another bowl.
4. Combine the wet mixture with the dry mixture. Stir until well blended.
5. Pour the bread batter into your prepared loaf pans.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

*Websites Cited

"Low Fat Healthy Zucchini Bread." Food.com. Scripps Networks, 04 Jun 2009. Web. 13 Aug 2013. <http://www.food.com/recipe/low-fat-healthy-zucchini-bread-375809>.

Berried Treasure Treats

 

Here's another recipe I entered into the Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Spring Bake Contest. I had to create a sweet treat using one of Duncan Hines' new Frosting Creations limited-edition flavor mixes and one of Duncan Hines' cake mixes. For this recipe, I chose to use the Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Fruit Punch Flavor Mix because this recipe is a fruity combination of several kinds of berries that taste great together. 

Berried Treasure Treats 

“X” marks the spot when trying these golden dessert bars made with whipped cream topping, “berried treasure” and vanilla pudding. 

Serves: 24 berried treasure treats

Ingredients 

• 1 pkg. Duncan Hines® Classic Yellow Cake Mix

• 3 large eggs 

• 1/3 cup vegetable oil

• 1 cup water 

• 1 can Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Frosting Starter

• 1 packet Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Fruit Punch Flavor Mix 

• 1 (21-oz.) can Comstock® or Wilderness® Berry Medley Fruit Filling

• 2 packages (1.5 oz each) fat-free vanilla instant pudding 

• 5 cups cold milk

• 1 (16 oz.) container light whipped cream topping, thawed 

Baking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9” x 13” pan with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare cake batter as directed on package.
2. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean.
3. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes before frosting.
4. Pour packet of Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Fruit Punch Flavor Mix into can of Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Frosting Starter. Stir until evenly blended.
5. Spread the Fruit Punch frosting over cake. Top with the berry fruit filling, evenly spreading it over the frosting layer. Refrigerate while making pudding.
6. Beat pudding mixes and 5 cups milk with electric mixer on low to medium speed for 2 to 4 minutes. Pour pudding mixture over berries topping.
7. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Spread with thawed whipped cream topping just before serving. 
   
   Tip:  Slice fresh strawberries or garnish dessert with fresh blueberries just before serving.

Pink Lemonade Pops

Earlier this spring, I entered the Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Spring Bake Contest. I had to create a sweet treat using one of Duncan Hines' new Frosting Creations limited-edition flavor mixes and one of Duncan Hines' cake mixes. For this recipe, I chose to use the Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Pink Lemonade Flavor Mix because I love pink frosting with sprinkles and I thought it would go great with my yummy Rice Krispies idea. So I created these Pink Lemonade Pops. 


Pink Lemonade Pops

No luck in finding a nearby lemonade stand? Try these Pink Lemonade Pops instead for a refreshing taste and perfect twist on a summertime treat.

Serves: 20 pink lemonade pops

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 4 cups of miniature marshmallows or 1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular-sized marshmallows
• 6 cups crisp rice cereal
• ½ cup Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Yellow Cake Mix
• 1 can Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Frosting Starter
• 1 packet Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Pink Lemonade Flavor Mix
• ½ cup mini lemon drops or lemon flavored candy
• ½ cup strawberry flavored bite-sized candy or fruit chews
• Rainbow sprinkles
• 20 wooden popsicle sticks

Baking Instructions 

1. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. 
2. Stir in one tablespoon of cake mix at a time, until the entire ½ cup has been added.
3. Add crisp rice cereal and lemon and strawberry candies to the marshmallow-cake mix mixture. Stir until well coated.
4. Using a buttered spatula evenly press the marshmallow mixture into a 9” by 13” pan coated with cooking spray.
5. Cool for 5 to10 minutes. Cut into 20 lemon bars. Push one stick into the bottom of each bar.
6. Pour packet of Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Pink Lemonade Flavor Mix into can of Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Frosting Starter. Stir until evenly blended.
7. Frost the bottom half of each lemon bar with Pink Lemonade frosting and add sprinkles.
8. Place decorated lemon bar pops onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate until frosting is set.
9. Serve the pink lemonade pops the same day.

Baking Tip:  For best results, use fresh marshmallows.

Cereal Krispie Treats

While I was away at college, I ate the typical dorm food and snacks. Cereal for breakfast was the usual. But what else could I make with cereal?....Cereal Krispie Treats!

Cereal Krispie Treats

Simple and yummy snack to make using your favorite cereal and marshmallows.

Prep Time: 10 min

Total Time: 30 min

Yields: 20 servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 4 c mini marshmallows (or 1 package of regular marshmallows 10 oz.)
• 4-6 c of your favorite cereal (# of cups depends on the cereal, ex. 6 c Rice Krispies)

Baking Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Add your cereal to the marshmallows. Stir until well coated.
3. Using a spatula (coated with nonstick cooking spray) evenly press cereal mixture into 9 x 13-in pan also coated with cooking spray.
4. Let cereal treats cool for 5-10 min. Cut into 20 squares.
5. To store, place in an airtight container, up to 3 days. 

*Note: For best results, use fresh marshmallows.You can also try mixing two or three cereals together for your Cereal Krispie Treats. These are great for any occasion: bake sales, birthday favors, etc...