Sister Ballard's Famous Cinnamon Rolls

Sister Ballard has ALWAYS been known throughout the ward for her famous cinnamon rolls.  These were always the item EVERYONE would talk about and try to outbid one another at all of the ward auctions. Her recipe really makes the BEST cinnamon rolls... not too gooey, not too dry and perfectly sweet!

Roll Dough Ingredients:

1 T sugar

1-2 pkgs dry yeast or 1 T bulk yeast 

2 T warm water

1/2 C margarine or butter

1/2 C sugar

2 large eggs

1 t salt

1 C very warm water

4 C flour

Directions:

Add sugar and yeast to water.  Stir with plastic or wood spoon to dissolve yeast.  Let stand.

Cream together margarine or butter, sugar, eggs and salt.  Beat well.

Add 1 C very warm water to the yeast mixture.  

Mix in 4 C of flour, beat in mixer and put in bowl.  Cover to rise.

Let rise until doubled in bulk about 1-2 hours (this can be refrigerated, cover with a damp cloth until ready to use).

To make Cinnamon Rolls:

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  

Roll out dough into an oblong shape.

Spread with butter and brown sugar, sprinkle with cinnamon and add raisins if desired.

Roll into a roll and slice about 1-1 1/2 inch slices.

Place in greased pan and allow to rise about 1/2 hour.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until brown.

Frost hot out of the oven.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

6 oz cream cheese, softened

1/3 C butter, softened

1 t vanilla

2-2 1/2 C powdered sugar

Blend all ingredients together with a mixer.

Pome-Granola-Vanana Parfait

This has been one of my favorite breakfast meals the last couple weeks. My sister Christie has been in town and we got talking about our favorite things from Trader Joe's. One day I went to visit with her and she told me how yummy this meal was! Since then I have been hooked! I am not huge into eating breakfast, but do know just how important it is for your body. I try to make the most of what I intake and make sure that everything has a good amount of nutritional value! All of the ingredients I got from Trader Joe's (my FAVORITE grocery store) and it all tastes DELICIOUS!!! My hubby, and two boys prefer this over cereal any day! This meal is packed with nutrients and gives my body its energy boost! It is easy to customize the parfait to your liking by just adding your favorite berries (fresh or frozen) and use what you have on hand. I like to make a couple of these to keep in my fridge for when I am craving a sweet snack! :) This is seriously SO GOOD!!! Enjoy! Sorry about the picture....I wasn't planning on sharing this until the very last minute!

Ingredients:

Vanana Yogurt (its a vanilla-banana blend)

Vanilla Almond Granola

Pomegranate Arils (you can find these packaged, all-ready-to-eat)

Directions:

Spoon some yogurt on the bottom of a serving dish

Sprinkle some granola over

Layer some more yogurt

Again, sprinkle more granola and top with some pomegranate arils

Jennifer's Hot Artichoke Dip

This recipe is one that my sister Jen is known for in our family.  She makes this on special occasions and it ALWAYS disappears fast!  It is super EASY and takes only minutes just to whip up and pop in the oven.  This definitely is packed full of fat and calories but is so worth it!  Sorry I didn't get a better picture.  I was so hungry and didn't have the patience to actually try to take a good enough picture for this post!

Ingredients:

1 (14oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 C mayo

1 C Parmesan cheese

1 clove garlic, minced

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all ingredients and pour into an 8x8 baking dish.

Bake for 20-25 minutes and serve warm with tortilla chips, toasted bread, pita bites, etc.

Yummy Wraps

Below are some great ways to enjoy a healthy, light lunch! Thanks to my sisters Stephanie and Christie for sharing them with me! Stephanie's tastes delicious for picnics out by the pool and are so refreshing. Christie's is such a great and yummy way to get your protein and fruit, plus it has peanut butter on it...my favorite! Mmmmm! Enjoy!

*if you don't have a Trader Joes near you, you can just use your favorite tortilla, pita, or flat our bread, but I think that the Lavash Bread from Trader Joes is the BEST!

Stephanie's Sandwich Wrap

Ingredients:

Trader Joe's Lavash Bread
Cream Cheese and Chive Cream Cheese (I usually just snip some fresh chives in some Light Cream Cheese and mix)
Peppered Turkey
Provolone Cheese
Romaine Lettuce
Red Pepper, sliced
Oregano
Pepper

Directions:
Take a piece of Lavash Bread and lay out onto counter
Spread a little Cream Cheese and Chive mixture onto the bread
Lay on a piece of turkey, and cheese
Add a crisp slice of romaine lettuce, and a couple slices of red pepper
Sprinkle some oregano and pepper
Wrap up and slice in half
Serve with some fresh fruit or a fruit smoothie for a complete meal

Christie's Apple and Peanut Butter Granola Wrap
*picture coming soon

Ingredients:

Piece of Whole Wheat Lavash Bread from Trader Joe's
Peanut Butter, your favorite kind
Gala Apple, sliced and cored
Granola, homemade or your favorite kind
Honey, optional

Directions:
Spread a layer of peanut butter onto the lavash bread
Place some apple slices on top
Sprinkle Granola
Drizzle with a little bit of honey
Roll up and slice in half

Shredded Beef Chimichangas

If you are like me and try to come up with ways to change up the usual Sunday roast dinner or use any leftover shredded meat, this recipe is for you! It is super easy, and fun to dress up! I had extra Homemade Flour Tortillas in the freezer, and whipped up some Guacamole to top it off! These are sure to give you a Mexican fix! :)

Ingredients:

Shredded Beef (cooked and seasoned)

Homemade Flour Tortillas (or whatever you have on hand)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Red onion (diced)

Guacamole

Sour Cream (optional)

Olives (optional)

Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce, or your favorite store bought kind (try Old El Paso's, they are my favorite when I do not have time for homemade)

Cheddar Cheese, shredded

Directions:

Heat oil in frying pan over medium-high heat. Place a tortilla on the counter and put a little bit of meat in the middle. Add some cheese and fold up. [I like to fold mine by folding in the sides and taking the bottom (closest to me) and rolling it to the top.] Gently place in the hot oil and wait until the bottom is browned, but not burnt. Carefully flip it over and fry till browned on the bottom. Take the chimichanga out of the oil and place on some napkins or paper towel to drain any excess oil. To assemble the toppings, pour some enchilada sauce over the tortilla, sprinkle some cheese, add some red onions and olives, and give a dollop of guacamole, and sour cream.

Original German Pancakes

This is a recipe that my hubby grew up on and today is a staple in our own home.  It is super SIMPLE and takes just seconds to whip up!  We actually make it at least once a week, usually Sunday mornings, and I LOVE it because I don't have to stand over a hot griddle making individual pancakes for everyone.  

Ingredients:

1/2 cube butter (1/4 C)

6 eggs

1 C flour

1 C milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Lightly spray a 9x13 dish with cooking spray.

Place butter in dish and place in oven to melt while oven is preheating.

In the meantime, whip rest of the ingredients up in a bowl.

Once oven is preheated, take dish out and pour egg mixture over melted butter.

Bake for 25 minutes or until sides are puffed up and browned.

Cut into squares and serve with additional butter, syrup and powdered sugar. 

All American Flag Cake

This cake recipe is super LIGHT, EASY and REFRESHING.  I love it because it is so SIMPLE to make and you can totally let your kids get involved with the decorating.  Sorry my picture shows only half of the cake!  My friend's birthday is actually on the 4th, and since our family is so small, I decided to make two square cakes, one for her and one for us, instead of one 9X13.

Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix

1 (8oz) container of  frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed

Blueberries

Strawberries, cut in half

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the cake mix according to package directions.

Pour in greased 9x13 pan.

Bake for 27-30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Allow to cool completely before decorating.

Decorate by spreading with whipped topping and making the stars portion with the blueberries and the stripes with the strawberries.... Have a HAPPY 4th!!!!