Fast Focaccia Bread

I found this recipe on a foody blog and it has become a fast favorite. It is crunchy, chewy and SOO easy!

It comes from the King Arthur Flour website.

Ingredients

1 1/2 C (12 ounces) Warm Water
3 Tbs (1 1/4 ounces) Olive oil (plus additional for drizzling)
1 ¼ tsp Salt
3 1/2 C (14 ¾ ounces) Unbleached All-Purpose Flour1
Tbs Instant Yeast (If don’t have instant use 2 Tbs of Active)
1 C Cheddar or Feta Cheese
Pizza seasoning, optional

Lightly grease a 9" x 13" pan (I’ve found glass works best), and then drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil in the bottom.

Dissolve the yeast in the water and wait 5 minutes. Combine the rest of the ingredients, excepting the cheese, into the proofed yeast, and beat at high speed with an electric mixer for 60 seconds. After the 60 seconds of beating, add the cheese and combine into the dough.

Scoop the sticky batter (yes, it is VERY sticky…you didn’t mess up) into the prepared pan, cover the pan, and let it rise at room temperature for 45-60 minutes, until it’s puffy.

While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 375°F.

After the dough has risen, gently poke the dough all over with your index finger. Drizzle the dough lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with pizza seasoning, Italian seasoning, or the dried herbs of your choice.

Bake the bread till it’s golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes.

Remove it from the oven, wait 5 minutes, then turn it out of the pan onto a rack. (This is an important step. If you leave the bread in the pan it will get soggy.) Serve warm or at room temperature.

Gingersnaps

What is more Christmasey than Gingersnaps! These are chewy and delicious. The lemon zest adds a nice citrus aftertaste.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
½ cup molasses
4 cups flour
½ tsp salt
2 tsp soda
2 tsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp cloves
2 Tbs Lemon Zest
1 tsp Lemon juice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F. Cream shortening and sugar together. Beat eggs on high for 3 minutes. Add molasses and sifted dry ingredients. Add lemon zest and lemon juice. Roll into 1 inch balls. Dip in sugar. Place on baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until dough just starts to crack on top of cookie.

Holiday Blocks (Set of 8)

This set is a great table or hearth decoration for any home. And, unbeatable for the price!

Price: $1.65 + shipping

Dimensions: 3-3/4 x 11-3/4 x 1-1/2

Manufactured from: Wood

Ho ho ho Ornaments (Set of 3)

Cute boxes that could serve as an accent or spray holders!

Price: $6.44 + shipping
Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 1-3/4
Manufactured From: Paper mache and wire.

Primitive Berry Garland

This spray could be for a tree, hearth or anything that needs that extra touch.

Price: $8.47 + shipping

Dimensions: 4 x 60 x 2

Manufactured from: Life like vine and berries

Jingle Bell Tree

This is the ultimate Charlie Brown Christmas tree but with a touch of comfort.

Price: $13.59 + shipping
Dimensions: 18 x 11-1/2 x 11-1/2 inches
Manufactured from: Wood, metal, and life like pine

Jingling Star Boxes (Set of 3)

This set is a great for an accent to any room, table or counter.

Price: $13.59 + shipping

Dimensions: 2-1/2 x 7-3/4 x 7-3/4 inches

Manufactured From: Paper mache and cloth

Primitive Berry Wreath

This beautiful wreath brings the old fashioned Christmas to any home.

Price: $15.73 + shipping

Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 3 inches

Manufactured from: Grapevine and berries

Jingle Bell Mantel Scarf

This great mantel scarf will make your house feel like Christmas at home.

Price: $20.74 + shipping
Dimensions: 46 x 17-1/2 inches
Manufactured from: Cloth and metal

Ho Ho Snow Garland

Festive garland that adds a vintage touch to any hearth, doorway, tree, or wall.

Price: $20.74 + shipping

Dimension: 3-1/2 x 82 x3/4 inches

Manufactured from: Wood, plastic and wire

Pumpkin Marbled Cheesecake Bites Recipe

Here is a recipe I recently created for a Relief Society social. Light, fluffy and very tasty.

Just remember, to cut calories out of cheesecake and make it more "healthful" (I mean honestly you'd call me a liar if I created a "healthy" cheesecake), use no or low fat cream cheese and low fat sour cream.

Ingredients

8 oz Ginger Snap Crumbs
4 Tbs Butter Melted
3 8oz Package of Cream Cheese
1 Can of Sweetened Condensed milk
4 eggs
1 8oz sour cream
1 Tbs Vanilla
1 C Pumpkin Puree
1 tsp Cinnamon
½ tsp Nutmeg
½ tsp Allspice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine Gingersnap crumbs and melted butter. Pat into Spring form pan or foil lined 9x13. Bake for 4 minutes and press down with a fork again. Set aside.

Beat Cream cheese till fluffy and gradually sweetened condensed milk. Beat in eggs and sour cream and then vanilla. Reserve 1 cup. Add 2/3 of the remaining batter onto crust. In the last 1/3 add the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Pour over plain cheesecake batter and spread around so batter is evenly distributed. Pour reserved 1 cup over pumpkin layer. Swirl with a knife to achieve a “marbled” look.

Bake for 60 min then cool.* Cut into 1 1/2 inch squares. Serve at room temperature or cooled.

*To avoid cracking allow to cool in oven, with temperature off, over night or for several hours.

Ghost on a Spring Garland

This cute Garland would be perfect as a wall hanging or hearth decoration. Your imagination is the limit!

Price: $1.45+ shipping
Product Dimension: 3 1/2 x 82 x 3/4

Appliqued Harvest Welcome Sign

This great garland is crafty and makes it look like you did it! Perfect. You can't beat the price!

Price: $6.44 + shipping

Dimensions: 6-5/8x 38 x 3/4 inches

Pumpkin Berry Welcome Slate

This festive sign is great for many months of the year. It is welcoming, warm and classic.

Price: $8.58 + shipping
Product Dimensions: 9-3/8 x 12-3/4x1/8 inches

Halloween Nesting Boxes (set of 4)

These great boxes can hold anything from candy, to pumpkins to decorations.

Price: $40.76 + shipping

Dimensions: (Largest) 6 7/8 x 11 3/4

Made from wood and metal