Slow Cooker Monkey Bread

February 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

If you enjoy this recipe, I’d sure love for you to “share” it on Facebook or “pin” it on Pinterest ~ just click the buttons above. Thanks so much for supporting PPP!

Crockpot Monkey Bread

Try out this yummy Slow Cooker Monkey Bread. Your family will love it. You can also try out this one, but either way I’m pretty sure you’ll have a happy bunch of monkeys on your hands. (And yes, I’m kinda sad that I’m giving up this one for Lent.)

 

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Slow Cooker Monkey Bread

Slow Cooker Monkey Bread

Ingredients

  • cooking spray
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 4 7.5 oz cans refrigerated biscuits (I get the inexpensive Pillsbury ones)
  • 1 1/2 cups apples (optional)
  • 1/2 cup butter melted
  • 1/3 cup apple juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Spray slow cooker with cooking spray.
  2. Mix together white and brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons on the bottom of the slow cooker.
  3. Cut biscuits into quarters (I use scissors) and coat with remaining cinnamon sugar mixture. (At our house we put the biscuits in a plastic bag and my kids shake until their heart’s content!)
  4. Add biscuits to slow cooker, pouring any extra sugar on top.
  5. Mix together butter, vanilla and apple juice, and pour over biscuits in slow cooker.
  6. Cook on low 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
  7. Let cool for fifteen minutes. Then turn over onto platter. (I was worried it wouldn't turn over, but they popped right out!)
  8. Cool for a few more minutes, then serve.
  9. Enjoy!
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If you’ve tried out a great slow cooker recipe I’d love the recipe. . . there are so many good ones, and since I’m planning to keep Mrs. Potts busy this month, I’d love to try out a few of your suggestions! Leave a comment to share your tips.  And if you’re looking for more slow cooker recipes, here are several more in the series:

 

 


Need a slow cooker to get started? Here are a few decent deals on Amazon:

Filed Under: 25 Day Series, 25 Days of Slow Cooking, Recipes, Slow Cooker, Snacks, Uncategorized

Raisin Bran Muffins

January 16, 2013 By 3 Comments

 

This recipe for Raisin Bran Muffins just might be my favorite muffin recipe ever, not because they’re the absolute yummiest ever (they’re pretty good, but will never quite compete with these Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins!) but because they’re so simple to make, fairly good-for-you, and the batter lasts in the refrigerator for 6 weeks.  My mother-in-law gave me the recipe, and I always pull in out in January to mix up a batch or two to easily have on hand on cold winter mornings. My husband also loves them as a treat at night, and I feel like a 1950?s happy housewife everytime I make them!

 

Here’s what you’ll need:

 

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Raisin Bran Muffins

Raisin Bran Muffins

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (I never use this because I can’t find it in my pantry!)
  • 1 cup oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 qt. buttermilk (if you don’t want to purchase buttermilk, just use 4 cups milk and add 4 teaspoons vinegar and let sit 10 minutes to sour milk)
  • 1 15 oz. package Raisin Bran

Instructions

  1. Sift dry ingredients.
  2. Add oil, eggs and buttermilk to dry ingredients (don’t mix too long – just until dry stuff gets wet).
  3. Add raisin bran.
  4. Mix in large bowl; fill muffin cups 1/2 – 2/3 full.
  5. Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes (closer to 15). Batter will be thick.
  6. Keeps in refrigerator for up to six weeks. Enjoy!
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To help keep life simple, keep them in the fridge with directions nearby for those frosty mornings. So easy, and so nice to have a warmed up treated always ready to go during this time of year.

 Raisin Bran Muffin Recipe

Do you have a muffin recipe that you just love? I’d love to hear about it . . . we’re always looking for new ones to try around here!

 

Looking for more muffin recipes to try? Here are  a few more favorites:

Filed Under: Recipes, Snacks, Uncategorized

Jack O Lantern Quesadillas

October 24, 2012 By 1 Comment

Jack O Lantern Quesadillas

This has been one of those way-too-behind kind of weeks at our house, so when there wasn’t enough time for planning a real meal, these cute Jack-O-Lantern Quesadillas came to the rescue. If you’re looking for a fun busy weeknight meal this week, this one’s for you. :)

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Jack O Lantern Quesadillas

Ingredients

  • Shredded Cheese
  • Soft Tacos

Instructions

  1. Cut Jack O Lantern face out of taco shell.
  2. Add oil to a skillet on stove, place one regular taco shell in skillet, 3-4 tablespoons cheese, then top with Jack O Lantern shell.
  3. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the bottom is lightly golden, then transfer to baking sheet.
  4. Complete process for any other quesadillas that you're making.
  5. Once baking sheet is full, put in oven under broiler for a few minutes until cheese is bubbly on top.
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And here are the deals that match up with this right now at a few of our favorite stores:

  • Taco Bell Home Originals Dinner BOGO $2.99 at Publix (may be cheaper to buy the kit than just purchasing taco shells by themselves)
  • Kroger has soft taco shells this week for $1.65/12 pack (can’t remember which brand, but it was the best price I could find!)

Thanks to I Heart Publix for the coupon matchups, and check out $5 Dinner Mom for more bargain meal deals!  If you need a little more menu inspiration, go HERE. 

Filed Under: Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes, Snacks

Fall Popcorn Ring Recipe

October 16, 2012 By 6 Comments

If you enjoy this recipe, I’d sure love for you to “like” it on Facebook or “pin” it on Pinterest ~ just click the buttons above. Thanks so much for supporting PPP!

Fall Popcorn Ring Recipe

My friend Nikki shared this yummy Fall Popcorn Ring recipe last year using seasonal colored M&Ms for each holiday, and it’s one of my favorite snacks to share during the holidays!  And since Publix has the Kraft Caramels on sale Buy One Get One Free in the new ad starting tomorrow, I figured it was time to share this one again.   Thanks so much for sending over the recipe Nikki . . . it’s one of our favorites and I’m hoping to make it again over the weekend! :)

 

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Fall Popcorn Ring

Ingredients

  • 10-12 cups popped popcorn (2 standard bags plain white microwave popcorn works--remove old maids)
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 20 pieces caramel Kraft Traditional Caramels BOGO $2.70
  • 1 bag (16 oz) mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup M&Ms
  • 1 1/2 cups peanuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Unwrap caramels and soften in the microwave (about 45-60 seconds).
  2. Add butter and marshmallows, and melt together (30 seconds at a time, 3-4 times), mix well.
  3. Pour over the popcorn and mix.
  4. Add M&Ms and peanuts.
  5. Add to an angel food cake pan (lightly coated with butter if it's not a non-stick span), then press firmly.
  6. Let sit for 30-60 minutes. Remove from cake pan and top with a few more M&Ms to make it look fluffed up for fall. :)
  7. Enjoy!
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Be sure to check out the new Recipe Gallery for more recipe ideas! Thanks to I Heart Publix for the coupon matchups, and visit $5 Dinner Mom for more bargain meal deals.  If you need a little more menu inspiration, check out the Recipe Index. 

 

 

Filed Under: Desserts, Recipes, Snacks, Uncategorized

Lightened Up Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

September 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

 

I saw this recipe over on Pinterest, and thought it looked a little too easy not to least try. . . plus it’s *almost* good for you! While these aren’t the yummiest muffins I’ve ever eaten in my life, they’re packed with fiber, and my daughter (who’s recently become the pickiest eater on the planet . . .) absolutely loved them.

 

To me they tasted a lot like the inside of a Snackwell’s Chocolate cookie, but if you’re looking for a lightened up sweet treat they’ll definitely hit the spot!  The pumpkin flavor isn’t too strong, and adding the chocolate chips (which I forgot to include the in the picture . . .) really made them a great afternoon snack.

 

 

Lightened Up Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

adapted from Food.com

Ingredients

  1. small can pumpkin puree
  2. 1 devil’s food cake mix
  3. 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

  1. Use mixer to blend cake mix and pumpkin together. I added the pumpkin slowly, adding about 1/4 of the can until it was thoroughly combined.
  2. Stir in chocolate chips.
  3. Bake in muffin cups at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!

 

You may want to also try out these Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins if you have any bananas that need to get used up . . . they’re fantastic!  Need a little more recipe inspiration? Go HERE. 

Filed Under: Breakfast, Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes, Snacks

What Do You Do For Simple Breakfasts At Your House? (And Our Simple Breakfast Smoothie. . . )

August 15, 2012 By 14 Comments

 

 

 

My twelve year old decided to ban cereal this summer . . . and as a couponer you know that’s what I usually fix on those running-out-the-door mornings!  I’ve had the hardest time trying to figure out what to make him this year during school, so when he begged me try these out this morning I figured it was worth a shot.

 

He actually made it all by himself (hence the thrown together pics!), and loved it.  I’m excited to have something extra to add to our morning breakfast meals, and he was oh-so-happy to gobble it down. (And any time I can get two servings of fruit in him for breakfast I feel like a good mom!) ;)

 


Simple Weekday Smoothie (makes 3-4 servings)

 

Ingredients

  1. 1 banana Aldi has them for $.44/lb. this week
  2. 2 6 oz. banana yogurts
  3. 12 large strawberries I’m hoping to find a deal on these and then freeze them for the winter. . . they were $2.50 at Publix this morning!

Directions

  1. Clean and remove tops from strawberries.  Place in plastic bag and let freeze for at least an hour.
  2. Blend together strawberries, yogurt and banana
  3. Enjoy!

 

Now, how easy was that? ;)

 

 

What other ideas do you have for simple breakfasts during the school year?  I’d love to hear them, so please take a minute to share!

 

 

Filed Under: Breakfast, Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes, Snacks

Blueberry Scone Muffins

May 15, 2012 By 6 Comments

It’s been forever since I’ve made these Blueberry Muffins, but when I saw that Publix had blueberries on sale this week I knew it was time to add them to the menu plan!  They’re absolutely delicious, and taste a wee bit more like a scone than a muffin, which suits our family just fine.  If you really love blueberries, you’ll also want to try out this Blueberry Cobbler Recipe . . . yummmm!

Here’s how to stir up some fresh homemade muffins in your kitchen this week . . .

Blueberry Scone Muffins

Ingredients

  1. 2 cups fresh blueberries On Sale $2.99 at Publix in new ad starting tomorrow or $3.68 at Kroger this week; also check the prices at Aldi’s!
  2. 3 cups all-purpose flour
  3. 1 1/2 cup white sugar Use $0.75/1 Dixie Crystals Granulated Sugar printable, $0.50/1 Imperial Granulated Sugar printable, $0.50/1 Imperial Granulated Sugar printable
  4. 1 teaspoon salt
  5. 4 teaspoons baking powder Use $0.30/1 Argo Baking Powder printable
  6. 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  7. 1 egg
  8. 2/3 cup milk
  9. 1/2 cup white sugar
  10. 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  11. 1/4 cup butter, cubed
  12. 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 and line muffin cups or spray with cooking spray.
  2. Combine 3 cups flour, 1 1/2 cup sugar, salt and baking powder.
  3. Put 2/3 cup oil in measuring container, add egg and enough milk to fill to 2 cups.
  4. Add to dry ingredients, gently stir in blueberries.
  5. Divide batter into 24 muffin cups.

 

For Crumb Topping

  1. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon.
  2. Use pastry cutter (or two forks) to mix.
  3. Sprinkle on top of unbaked muffins.
  4. Bake at 400 for 20 – 25 minutes (mine took exactly 20), enjoy!

 

Recipe adapted from All Recipes.  Thanks to I Heart Publix for the coupon matchups, and check out $5 Dinner Mom for more bargain meal deals!  If you need a little more menu inspiration, go HERE. 

Filed Under: Breakfast, Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes, Snacks

After School Treat: S’more Banana Boats

April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

20120411-160432.jpg

Here’s just a simple fun recipe for banana boats that are a fun way to surprise your kiddos with an after-school treat! There’s not much to it (which is probably why I like them . . . ), and your kids will think you hung the moon. (Of course, they think that already, right?) ;)

 

S’more Banana Boats

Ingredients

  1. bananas
  2. marshmallows
  3. chocolate chips
  4. teddy grahams or goldfish grahams

 

 

Directions

  1.  Slice bananas in half lengthwise, taking care not to cut them all the way through.
  2. Add marshmallows, chocolate chips and Teddy Grahams or Goldfish Grahams.
  3. Bake in oven at 400 degrees for 5-6 minutes.  (You can also heat them on the grill, but I haven’t tried them that way before!)
  4. Enjoy!

 

Looking for more kid-friendly recipes? Try these out:

 

 

Do your kids have any favorite after-school surprise treats?  I’d love to hear about them!

 

 

 

Filed Under: Desserts, Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes, Snacks, Uncategorized

Easter Pretzel Treats

April 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Here are a couple of adorable Easter Pretzel ideas from The Sugar Buzz Pantry. What a cute treat for your egg hunt this weekend!

Photo Credit: The Sugar Buzz Pantry

Filed Under: Desserts, Recipes, Snacks

Easter Treat: Resurrection Rolls

April 3, 2012 By 12 Comments

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Back when my husband and I were first married, I made these Resurrection Rolls and we absolutely loved them.  Somewhere along the way though, I completely forgot about them until a PPP reader recently reminded me about them, so we of course had to try them out again. :)  They’re one of those great recipes that use up a few Pillsbury Crescent Rolls  (is it possible to mess up a Pillsbury Crescent Roll?  we did of course use the reduced fat variety . . .), and are just a fun treat to make each Easter.  My kids helped me make them last night, and promptly devoured a few almost the minute that I pulled them out of the oven.

 

So why are they called Resurrection Rolls?  Well, you use a marshmallow for the recipe, but when the sweet rolls bake up, the marshmallow disappears, so the “tomb” is found empty.  We had an interesting discussion about it last night, and this morning my sweet four (almost-five-tomorrow!) year old asked ~ “Momma, Why did Jesus have to die on that cross?” 

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Now, while there are definitely some spiritual lessons to be learned here, we also had to try out what would happen to a Peep because, well, we were just curious if it would work  as well as the marshmallow did! :)   Oh my heavens, that extra bit of sugar goodness made some seriously yummy rolls!  These are a great treat any time of year, and we made a double batch but have gobbled down just about every bite already. . . and hope you enjoy them too!

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Resurrection Rolls (we doubled the recipe)

Ingredients

  1. 1 package Crescent Rolls reduced fat are fine, On Sale $1.88 at Kroger or $2 at Publix, use $0.40/2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls or Grands! Sweet Rolls printable or from recent coupon inserts
  2. 8 large marshmallows  or Peeps :)
  3. 1/4 cup melted butter or margarine Kroger or Publix Butter $1.99, or I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter on sale $1.99 at Kroger, use $1.25/1 I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Product printable coupon
  4. 2 tbsp. cinnamon $1 at Aldi’s
  5. 2 tbsp. sugar

Directions

  1. Mix together cinnamon and sugar in small bowl.  In another bowl melt margarine.
  2. Dip marshmallow into butter, then into cinnamon sugar.
  3. Roll marshmallow in crescent roll, pinching together at the seams.
  4. Roll crescent roll in butter, then cinnamon sugar again.
  5. Bake in 400 degree oven for 12-14 minutes.
  6. Enjoy!
*Note – you may want to put some aluminum foil underneath these while they’re baking as the marshmallow goo tends to leak a bit.  (Don’t forget about the great deal on aluminum foil at Publix this week!)

 

 Do you have any special treats that you plan to make this Easter?  I’d love to hear what they are in the comments section. Thanks so much for reminding me about this recipe, Jennifer…. they’re so good!

 

 

Filed Under: Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes, Side Dishes, Snacks, Uncategorized
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