Easy, delicious crumb cake

When I decided that I wanted to make Easter brunch for my family with Tim I knew that I wanted to stick to breakfast foods.  I also knew that I wanted to find a simple dessert to balance all the intense, rich flavors of the other dishes.  What I decided to make was crumb cake.  If anyone has every working with crumb cake before you know it's unlike anything else.  It's a thick, dough-like batter that is difficult to spread and work with.  Having never had experience making it before I got frustrated and left most of the spreading, crumb making and cake baking to Tim, but the recipe is mine!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons canola oil, plus more for 9x12 pan
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• Confectioners' sugar for dusting
• 2 tablespoons sour cream

Directions:

• Preheat oven and spray baking pan with canola oil, set aside
• Mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, baking powder and salt
• In a second bowl, whisk together egg, sour cream, milk, canola oil and vanilla
• Mix dry and wet ingredients together gradually
• Spread batter into prepared pan and set aside
• In another bowl, mix together remaining 2 1/2 cups flour, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Pour melted butter over mixture and toss until crumbs form.  Sprinkle over batter
• Bake in oven for 10-20 minutes or until a fork comes out clean
• When cooled, dust with confectioners' sugar

Cinnamon bun casserole

This cinnamon bun casserole was among many of the dishes that Tim and I cooked for my family Saturday morning.  This one seemed to be the fan favorite!

Ingredients:

• Baking spray for your 11x7 pan
• 2 cans of cinnamon rolls with icing
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• Maple syrup (if you want, it's delicious without it)

Directions:

• Heat your oven to 375 degrees and spray your pan
• Open both cans of rolls and begin pulling the rolls apart to make smaller pieces, place in dish
• In a bowl, mix together eggs, cream, cinnamon and vanilla
• Gently pour this mixture over the pieces so that they are almost covered
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  I took mine out just at the 20 because I found that it cooked very quick, so keep an eye on them so that they do not burn
• Heat the icing in a microwavable bowl for 20 seconds and pour over casserole when you are ready to serve!

Enjoy! 

Happy Easter!

We hope everyone has a very blessed Easter!  Tim and I are with our respective families today but yesterday we cooked brunch for my family (recipe's to follow) and we went to Easter Vigil and had dessert with his!  During mass I got so excited watching the people receive full communion. I can't wait for next Sunday!

Enjoy your day's :)

-Ashley&Tim

Tie-dye Easter eggs!

Growing up I always thought people made their Easter eggs the way my family did.  As I got older, to my surprise, that wasn't the case.  I believe this tradition began with my grandfather along with a few other Easter favorites.  This year we had Tim and Steff (Ryan's girlfriend) over to do eggs and we had a blast.  We always compete to see who has the best egg and this year Ryan won without a doubt (his egg is the last picture.)  

If anyone is looking to change up how they do their Easter eggs, I've listed directions below!

Enjoy and Happy Easter!  I am off to cook Easter Eve brunch!

Directions:

• Purchase Paas Easter Egg Kit and follow the directions for vibrant colors on the back of the package
• Add a tablespoon of oil or more if you feel it is needed
• In between colors, wipe off with a paper towel!

So easy!

Delicious Blueberry Muffins

Is anyone planning on cooking brunch for Easter?  Whether you are or aren't this easy-to-make muffins can be changed to your liking (chocolate, strawberries, bananas, etc...) What I've created is an simple muffin base that can change depending on the day you want to eat them!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 milk (I always add a splash more but you really have to eye this one.  Don't let them get to watery, but don't let them be too dry)
• 1/2 tsp  vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups chopped blueberries (or something else if you'd prefer that)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray muffin pan to set aside.  You can either cook these in cupcake holders or without, it doesn't matter
• Mix butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl.  Add in egg and beat.
• Add flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl and mix.  Add in your milk and then vanilla.
• Gently stir in your choice of fruit (or chocolate)
• Sprinkle some sugar on top!
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean!

Enjoy!