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I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Cinnamon Rolls December 01 2023
Ingredients for Bread Machine:
- 1 cup of Water
- 1 Egg
- 3 1/4 cup of Bread Flour (yellow bag usually)
- 1/4 cup of Granulated Sugar
- 3-4 Tablespoons of Butter
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoon of Rapid Rise Yeast (for bread machines)
Bread Machine Directions
My bread machine has a quick dough option it takes about 45 minutes to knead and mix and warm and knead it again or something like that, I usually walk away :). When it is done, I leave it in the bread machine for 15 more minutes and let it rise so that the yeast is more relaxed and easy to roll.
***Alternative: 1 frozen loaf of Rhodes bread, thawed and rolled out will do the same thing. :)
Cinnamon Filling Directions
In a bowl mix:
- 1 cube softened butter
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
Building the Cinnamon Rolls
- Plop the dough on a lightly dusted counter and roll it out about 18-24 inches long and 10-12 high. Spread the sugar/butter/cinnamon mix on the dough and roll it up. It should still be 18-24 inches long.
- Then cut the dough into 1 1/2 to 2-inch rolls. I use a steak knife or dental floss. You should get approximately 12 rolls.
- Place them in a 9x13 greased pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 45-60 minutes until they double in size.
- Then bake them at 350 degrees for about 20 to 25 minutes. Watch them closely towards the 20 minutes, they start to brown fast.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cube of softened Butter
- 1/2 cube of softened Cream Cheese (4 oz)
- 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla
- About 1/2 pound of Powdered Sugar (added in gradually while mixing)
Instructions
- Whip it until smooth and fluffy. It will lighten in color as you whip it.
- Apply a generous dollop of Cream Cheese Frosting on each warm Cinnamon Roll and enjoy! Straight out of the oven is our favorite. :)
*Tip: These Cinnamon Rolls are AMAZING with my Zesty Homemade Chili.
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Fool-Proof Fudge November 30 2023
Ingredients
- 3 cup (18 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
- dash salt
- 1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- LINE 8- or 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan.
- MELT chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and salt in heavy saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Spread evenly into prepared pan.
- CHILL 2 hours or until firm. Remove from pan by lifting edges of foil. Cut into squares.
- MICROWAVE METHOD
- COMBINE chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and salt in 1-quart glass measure. Cook on HIGH (100%) 3 minutes or until chips are melted, stirring after 1 1/2 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Proceed as above.
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Caramel Corn November 27 2023
- 2/3 cup of Popcorn popped and de-seeded (will make 24 cups)
- 9 Tablespoons of Corn Syrup
- 18 Tablespoons of Butter
- 2 ¼ cups of packed Brown Sugar
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Put in a saucepan, stir together and bring to a boil.
- Let boil for 5 minutes, keep an eye on it and continue to stir it.
- When 5 minutes is up, pull it off the stove and add vanilla and baking soda and stir (it will double in size).
- Add ¾ teaspoons of Vanilla and ¾ teaspoons of Baking Soda
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Homemade Donuts November 22 2023
Ingredients for Bread Machine
- 1 cup of Water
- 1 Egg
- 3 1/4 cup of Bread Flour (yellow bag usually)
- 1/4 cup of Granulated Sugar
- 3-4 Tablespoons of Butter
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoon of Rapid Rise Yeast (for bread machines)
Big Daddy Fryer or Medium, Heavy-Bottomed Pot on Stove
- Crisco or Vegetable Oil (We use a fryer so I use Crisco because it sets back up and can be reused a few times before it needs to be replaced.)
Bread Machine Directions
My bread machine has a quick dough option. It takes about 45 minutes to knead and mix and warm and knead it again or something like that. I usually walk away :). When it is done, I leave it in the bread machine for 15 more minutes and let it rise to make the yeast more relaxed and easy to roll.
***Alternative: 1 frozen loaf of Rhodes bread, thawed and rolled out will do the same thing. :)
Donut Instructions
- Plop the dough on a lightly dusted counter and roll it out to about 1/2" to 3/4". Using a donut cutter, or in a pinch, a large cup or the lid for a canning jar and a small cup about an inch in diameter to cut the center out. I often leave the center slightly attached. This helps it to hold more frosting when you are frosting them to eat. :)
- Place the cut out donut blanks on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. I also toss all the scraps on the sheet, my kiddos love the tidbits as much as the full donuts.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 45-60 minutes until they double in size.
- Heat up the Big Daddy Fryer or a medium, heavy-bottomed pan with about 2-3 inches of oil to 375 F.
- Carefully lower 2-3 donuts into the oil and cook on one side for 1-2 minutes, or until golden. Then cook on the other side for 1 minute or less, until golden.
- Drain fried donuts on a wire rack set over a large tray or on paper towels.
- Once they have cooled, you can embellish them however you like.
I Like Big Buttons! Kiddos Favorite Frosting Options
- Granulated Sugar (Roll in)
- Chocolate Frosting
- Coconut Pecan Frosting (German Chocolate Cake Frosting)
- Cream Cheese Frosting with Sprinkles
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Tater Tot Casserole November 19 2023
My favorite Go-To Dinner/Breakfast/Brunch dish, 🥔 Tater Tot Casserole 🥔.
Ingredients:
- 30 ounces of Tater Tots (frozen)
- 16 ounces of Sour Cream
- 2 cans of Cream of Potato soup
- 1 cup of Shredded Cheese
- 16 ounces of Cubed Ham
- 1/2 cup of Bacon Bits
(Optional) Add during the last 5 minutes of baking:
- 1/2 cup to 1 cup of Shredded Cheese (Cook for 5 additional minutes to melt.)*
Directions:
- Mix soup and sour cream together in large bowl.
- Add tater tots until well mixed then add cubed ham, bacon bits, and shredded cheese.
- Place in greased 9x13 casserole dish and smooth out. Bake.
*Optional, sprinkle an additional 1/2 to 1 cup of shredded cheese on top in last 5 minutes of baking, if you like extra cheese. We do :).
Cook Time: Cook at 375 F until bubbly (about 40-50 minutes)
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: English Toffee November 17 2023
This is one of my Grandma's recipes and a favorite of my family.
Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped nuts (pecan or walnuts)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 6 oz chocolate chips (semi or milk chocolate)
Instructions
- Place ½ cup of chopped nuts in the bottom of an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet.
- Cook ¾ cup of brown sugar (packed) and ½ cup butter to 270 degrees for about 7 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour over nuts and smooth out.
- Sprinkle over toffee 6 oz of chocolate chips (or not).
- Cover at once with tin foil and wait for 2 minutes or until chips are soft.
- Then spread the melted chocolate out with a spatula.
- Let Cool.
- Break into pieces. Turn over on wax paper and strike with a heavy spoon or break with hands.
Keep refrigerated. (May freeze)
Makes - 1 lb. candy
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Peanut Butter Fudge November 14 2023
Ingredients
- 8 ounces unsalted butter, plus more for greasing pan
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
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- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pound powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine the butter and peanut butter in a 4-quart microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 2 minutes on high.
- Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes. (Use caution when removing this mixture from the microwave, it will be very hot.)
- Add the vanilla and powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon. The mixture will become hard to stir and lose its sheen.
- Spread into a buttered 8 by 8-inch pan lined with parchment paper. Fold the excess parchment paper so it covers the surface of the fudge and refrigerate until cool, about 2 hours.
- Cut into 1-inch pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Zesty Homemade Chili November 09 2023
This recipe gets rave reviews and is a hit whenever I make it. It is delicious, super easy to make, and made with supplies I keep in my pantry year-round.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. cooked Ground Beef
- 1 large Onion or Dried Onions
- 1 large Green Pepper (diced)
- 2 cans of Italian Recipe Stewed Tomatoes
- 1 can of Water from can above
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
- ¼ teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
- ½ teaspoon of Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon of Oregano
- 1 teaspoon of Ground Cumin
- 2 cloves of Garlic finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- 2 cans of Kidney Beans drained
- 1 can of Black Beans drained
Instructions
- If you have a pressure cooker:
- Layer ingredients as listed above except beans and cook until pressure cooker starts rocking, turn to medium heat and allow to rock for 5 MINUTES and let cool on own (about 20 minutes). Add beans stir and let sit for 5 minutes or so until beans warm through and serve.
- If you don’t have a pressure cooker:
- Put all ingredients in a large pot on the stovetop and simmer for at least 30 minutes to an hour until ingredients are cooked well and serve.
- If using a crockpot and allow to cook through.
Servings 6-8
*Garish with diced avocados, shredded cheese, a side of Doritos, if desired.
**Tip: This Chili is AMAZING with my Homemade Cinnamon Rolls.
***Tip: I often make a double batch of it, so that I have 2 meals worth.
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Snicker Caramel Apple Salad November 09 2023
A great dessert salad that combines so many amazing flavors and textures!
Ingredients
-
6 regular size Snickers Candy Bars
-
4 medium apples (I use Granny Smiths. The tanginess is a good contrast to the sweetness of everything else.)
-
1 (5.1 oz.) package Vanilla Instant Pudding (dry, do not prepare)
-
1/2 cup milk (optional, half the time I skipped this part and just mixed the dry pudding into the cool whip)
-
1 (16 oz.) tub cool whip (thawed to room temperature)
-
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
Instructions
-
Whisk vanilla pudding packet, 1/2 cup milk (optional) and cool whip together until well combined.
-
Chop up apples and Snickers into bite size pieces.
-
Stir chopped apples and Snickers into pudding mixture.
-
Place in a large bowl and drizzle with caramel ice cream topping.
-
Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Or eat right away if you are impatient like me. :)
Favorite Christmas Candy: English Toffee @ ILikeBigButtons.com December 14 2021
ENGLISH TOFFEE CANDY
Ingredients:
* ½ cup chopped nuts (pecan or walnuts)
* ¾ cup brown sugar
* ½ cup butter
* 6 oz chocolate chips (semi or milk chocolate)
Instructions:
1. Place ½ cup of chopped nuts in the bottom of an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet.
2. Cook ¾ cup of brown sugar (packed) and ½ cup butter to 270 degrees for about 7 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Pour over nuts and smooth out.
4. Sprinkle over toffee 6 oz of chocolate chips (or not).
5. Cover at once with tin foil and wait for 2 minutes or until chips are soft.
6. Then spread the melted chocolate out with a spatula.
7. Let Cool.
8. Break into pieces. Turn over on wax paper and strike with a heavy spoon or break with hands.
Keep refrigerated. (May freeze)
Makes - 1 lb. candy
Favorite I Like Big Buttons! Christmas Candy: English Toffee December 23 2020
ENGLISH TOFFEE CANDY
Ingredients:
* ½ cup chopped nuts (pecan or walnuts)
* ¾ cup brown sugar
* ½ cup butter
* 6 oz chocolate chips (semi or milk chocolate)
Instructions:
1. Place ½ cup of chopped nuts in the bottom of an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet.
2. Cook ¾ cup of brown sugar (packed) and ½ cup butter to 270 degrees for about 7 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Pour over nuts and smooth out.
4. Sprinkle over toffee 6 oz of chocolate chips (or not).
5. Cover at once with tin foil and wait for 2 minutes or until chips are soft.
6. Then spread the melted chocolate out with a spatula.
7. Let Cool.
8. Break into pieces. Turn over on wax paper and strike with a heavy spoon or break with hands.
Keep refrigerated. (May freeze)
Makes - 1 lb. candy
Christmas Crafting 2 In My Kitchen @ ILikeBigButtons.com December 20 2018
#3 Foolproof Fudge
Super quick and tastes amazing with almost no effort - my two favorite baking requirements! 😀
I make multiple batches of this recipe. This year I made Mint Chocolate Fudge and Milk Chocolate Fudge.
Christmas Crafting In My Kitchen @ ILikeBigButtons.com December 18 2018
This week I am spending time crafting in my kitchen. 😊 One of my kiddos favorite tradition is a few days before Christmas we visit all our neighbors with treats and wish them "Happy Jesus' Birthday!"
We spend upwards of 20-30 minutes at each house. 😂 Our cookie run often takes a few evenings to complete. Not the swiftest, but a wonderful time where we get to really talk with our neighbors and enjoy them in more than passing.
This year I thought I would share my favorite easy, but tasty Christmas treats.
- ½ cup chopped nuts (pecan or walnuts)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 6oz chocolate chips (semi or milk chocolate)
Directions:
- Place ½ cup of chopped nuts in bottom of tin foil lined cookie sheet. Cook ¾ cup of brown sugar (packed) and ½ cup butter to 270 degrees about 7 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over nuts and smooth out.
- Sprinkle over toffee 6 oz of chocolate chips (or not).
- Cover at once with tin foil and wait for 2 minutes or until chips are soft. Then spread the chocolate out with a spatula.
- Let Cool. Break into pieces (turn over on wax paper and strike with a heavy spoon or break with hands)
Keep refrigerated. (May freeze)