Cranberry Orange Bread

This recipe is a great way to use up any leftover cranberries you might have in the freezer from Thanksgiving.

Did you know that you can freeze cranberries in the freezer for an entire year? It's a great idea to buy a ton of fresh cranberries since they are usually on sale. I bought mine at a "buy one get one free" sale.

The cranberries are beautiful in this bread! Oh and your house is going to smell amazing while you're baking this!

The bread also stayed moist and fresh for several days.

This recipe comes for allrecipes.com. I only changed a couple of things.

Ingredients:

2 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. grated orange zest
1 1/2 c. fresh cranberries (or frozen, don't defrost first)
1/2 c. pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)
1/4 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 large egg
3/4 c. orange juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a loaf pan.

2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in orange zest, cranberries, and pecans. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl cream butter, sugar, and egg until smooth.Stir in orange juice. Mix into flour mixture just until combined.

4. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour. Let sit in the pan for 10 minutes before removing. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Cool completely before cutting.

Eclairs

Eclairs are one of my favorite desserts but every time I've ever eaten them they were from a bakery. There is something scary about making your own... but there shouldn't be.

I found a recipe on allrecipes and decided to try this recipe out. It turned out awesome! I only changed a couple of things.

The eclairs themselves turned out flaky and light. They had a ton of little air pockets inside to hold the custard. The custard is a "cheat" custard since it starts with instant pudding but that's why it's great. It only took a couple of minutes to put together.

Yields 10 four inch eclairs

For the dough:

1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 c.)
1 c. water
1 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
4 large eggs

For the custard:

1 box instant vanilla pudding
1 1/2 c. cold milk
1 c. heavy cream
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

For the chocolate:

1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 tsp. shortening

Directions:

For the dough:

Preheat oven to 450.

In a medium saucepan bring water and butter to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add flour and salt. Stir vigorously  the mixture will begin to separate from the sides and will form into a ball.

Remove from heat. Add eggs in one at a time. Stir well after each addition. Spoon dough into a pastry bag fitted with a large tip. Pipe dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make the eclairs about 4 inches long. (I used a ziploc bag with one of the corners cut off)

Bake 15 minutes, reduce heat to 325 and bake for an additional 25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Split the eclairs with a serrated knife and fill with custard.

Dip the tops of the eclairs into the chocolate mixture. Allow to set before eating. You can place the eclairs uncovered into the freezer for 10 minutes.

For the custard:

In a medium bowl combine pudding mix and milk. Stir well, refrigerate 5 minutes or until set.

In a medium bowl beat heavy cream into stiff peaks. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla. Fold into prepared pudding.

For the chocolate:

In a microwave safe bowl combine chocolate and shortening. Microwave for 30 second increments until melted. Be careful not to burn.

Chocolate Nutella Buttercream Cupcakes

Chocolate Cupcakes
from Paula Deen

Ingredients:

2 1/4 c. flour
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. vegetable oil
1 c. strong brewed coffee, cooled
3 large eggs
8 oz. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line cupcake pan with liners.

2. In a large bowl: Mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. 

3. Add oil, coffee, and eggs. Beat on medium until well mixed. 

4. Add sour cream and vanilla and beat just until combined.

5. Fill cupcake cups 2/3rds full. Bake 16-18 minutes. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes then move to a rack to finish cooling.

6. Frost with yummy nutella buttercream frosting!

Nutella Buttercream Frosting
As seen on Kitchen Treaty.

Ingredients:

1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 c. powdered sugar
2/3rd c. Nutella (or hazelnut chocolate spread)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch kosher salt
2 Tbsp. heavy whipping cream

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl: Mix butter and powdered sugar until well combined. 

2. Add nutella. Mix well.

3. Mix in vanilla and salt. 

4. Mix in cream on medium speed until fluffier and lighter in color and texture. About 2 minutes. 

5. Spread on everything!