Easy Beer Bread

When I was in sixth grade I had braces.  They were horribly painful and I looked like a huge nerd. My mother would drive me to my appointments and would sit and read magazines and books in the waiting area while my family elected that I endured dental torture. 


All of it was worth it in the end.  Not because my teeth are no longer crooked, but because one day my mom discovered a 3 ingredient recipe for beer bread.  It's easy, and so delicious. No kneading. No yeast packets. Just yum.

Carbs Anonymous anyone?

You'll Need:

3 cups of self rising flour
3 tablespoons of sugar
1 beer at room temperature (12 oz)
Note:  If you don't have self rising flour, just use all purpose and add 1 1/4 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt for each cup of flour. These are the rising ingredients you need!


Step-by-step:
1. Pour dry ingredients in bowl
2. Add beer

3. Stir
4. Pour into a greased pan

5. Bake for about 55 minutes at 375, stopping with about 10-20 minutes left to brush melted butter to the top

apologizes on the blurry photo!

This bread is hard on top, but so warm and soft inside!



-Domesticated Duchess with a little help from Dr. Craft's office and my mum :)

3 Minute Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug

This is fast, delicious and so easy a five year old can do it!  I love chocolate chip cookies and have a variety of recipes, (from traditional or extra moist to those with surprise!) but this is most definitely the easiest!


You'll need:

1 tablespoon of butter 
1 tablespoon of white sugar
1 tablespoon of packed brown sugar
3 drops of vanilla extract
1 dash of salt
1 egg yolk (not the egg white!)
scant 1/4 cup of flour (don't fill the cup all the way... just a bit less!)
2 tablespoons of chocolate chips!

Step-by-step:
1. Melt butter in a mug in the microwave

2. Add sugars, vanilla and salt.  Stir with the fork. 

3. Separate your egg and add only the yolk... stir!

4. Add flour, and stir again (now it will look like dough!)

5. Add chocolate chips and give a final stir!
6. Cook in microwave for 45-60 seconds - depending on the power of your microwave!



-DD

Chocolate Heaven

I am a firm believer in that there is no such thing as too much chocolate.  Much to my dismay, others don't feel that way.  Some people don't understand why you would put an oreo inside a chocolate chip cookie. 


For those of us who do understand chocolate, this is the recipe is made for us - Brownie on Oreo on Chocolate Chip Cookie bar.  Ya, you read that right.  It's basically Chocolate Heaven.

brownie, Oreo, chocolate chip cookie!

I was browsing TastyKitchen and found Gaby's brownie recipe, highlighted on the main page.  Thank you, Gaby, for this delicious dish and making me the coolest girl at the potluck :


 You'll need:

Chocolate Chip Layer

1 stick of butter

1/4 cup of brown sugar

3/4 cup of white sugar

1 egg

1 1/4 teaspoons of vanilla

1 1/4 cups of flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup of chocolate chips
Brownie Layer

10 tablespoons of butter
1 1/4 cups of white sugar
3/4 cup of dutch cocoa 
1/2 teaspoons of salt 
2 teaspoons of vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup of flour
1 package of double stuffed oreo cookies




Step-by-Step:


1. Prepare a 9x9 or 8x8 pan with tinfoil and greased with cooking spray.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Make the cookie layer first.  Cream together butter and sugars using a mixer.
3. Add the eggs and vanilla and smooth again.
4. Add the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and mix until completely smooth.

5. Stir in chocolate chips

6. Press onto the bottom of a 9x9 or 8x8 pan.

7. Add a layer of oreos on top of the cookies. One single layer will do, but try to add as many as you can without overlapping.

8. Next, make the brownie layer.  In a medium sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat.

9. Once sugar is melted, add sugar and cocoa.  Once mixed, remove from heat.
10. Add salt, vanilla and eggs and continue to wisk until well mixed.
11. Add flour and continue to mix.

12. Pour the brownie batter on top of the oreo layer and make sure it is even on top 
13. Bake for 35 minutes.  Add 5 minutes to cook time if a toothpick comes out dry
14.  Two serving options options:  Serve immediately (melted, messy and amazing) with icecream in a bowl or cool overnight and serve like a regular brownie (and very portable).  

Enjoy! (And kiss your waistline goodbye!)


-DD

National Pi Day: Skinny Strawberry Pie

Today is national Pi Day.  Not Pie day, but Pi day - as in the 3.1415926.... In honor of my 6th grade math teacher, Mrs. G, here is a delicious pie recipe.  It is great for those who love strawberries and sweets, but want to watch their calories!  It's a very easy no bake, and is just as delicious as the skinny peanut butter pie but with less calories!

You'll Need

1 container of light cool dessert topping
1 package of fat free sugar free jello
1 cup of water (1/2 cup HOT, 1/2 ice cold)
Graham cracker crust
1 1/2 cups of chopped strawberries




Step-by-step:
1. Pour jello in bowl and mix with half cup of hot water.  Stir.  Then add 1/2 cup of cold water.

2. Mix entire package of light cool dessert topping until well mixed

3. Leave in fridge to thicken for 30 minutes
4. Chop strawberries and then add to jello mix.

5. Pour into graham cracker crust, and leave 4 hours in fridge.

Makes 10 slices, about 130 calories each!


Enjoy!

Cool Kitchen Tool

One of my favorite kitchen tools I bought last April at the William Sonoma Outlet.  It's small and to be honest not necessary, but it is one of those conveniences that I hardly remember how I lived without it!


...drumroll please...


The tool is the Egg Perfect Timer!  Please hold your laughter.  I use hard-boiled eggs in a lot of my salads I pack for lunch for a great way to add protein.  This is one of the best tools I've bought under $6.

This little tool allows me to boil eggs without keeping a buzzing timer, or honestly paying almost no attention at all.  I just look at the meter every so often and it just knows if my eggs are hard-boiled, soft-boiled or in between!

So it's silly, but I think everyone has a favorite tool that may not be necessary.  What's yours?


-DD

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream cheese is one of my favorite ingredients.  I use it in my chicken and cheese rice bake, pumpkin bars with cream cheese icing, spinach dip and so any more.  When I found a recipe that used cream cheese to make chocolate chip cookies extra moist, I was in love.

Even my hubs who is not the biggest fan of chocolate (his only quality I overlook.. joking!) said they were delicious!  This recipe is unique because there are no eggs as it was originally created for a child with food allergies... thank you Baking Blonde for this yummy recipe!




You'll need:

5-6 oz of cream cheese
1 1/2 sticks of butter (softened, NOT melted!)
1 cup of brown sugar 
1/2 cup of white sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups + 3 tablespoons of flour
2 cups of chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate)




Step-by-step:
1. Preheat the oven to 325.  Prep you cookie sheet by lining with parchment paper
2. Cream together butter, cream cheese and sugars until light and fluffy.  Add vanilla and blend together more.

3. Add the dry ingredients, slowly, until well mixed.  I always add my flour in 1/2 cup incriments or smaller.
4. Stir in chocolate chips

5. Place a large scoop on the cookie sheet and slightly flatten using a spoon (this mixture is messy and sticky, so you probably don't want to use your hand unless you don't mind washing your hands 10 times)

6. Bake 12 minutes

7. Enjoy!

-Domesticated Duchess

Ben's Bakery: Apple & Sweet Potato Puppy Treats

If you've read my blog you've probably read all about my little perfect golden retriever, Ben.   :)

My handsome pup is turning SIX! For his birthday I decided to make some more puppy treats since he has love the peanut butter pumpkin puppy treats ever so much, and are a regular stable in the Domesticated Duchess house!

isn't he the cutest? :)

You'll need:

1 large apple (any kind works)
3/4 cup of mashed sweet potato (avoid the kind in syrup and sugar!)
3 tablespoons of water
1/2 cup of cornmeal
2 cups of whole wheat flour


You'll need to
1. Preheat oven to 325
2. Peal apple and chop into tiny pieces or grate it!
3. Put sweet potato and water in mixer until smooth
4. Pour in apple chunks and blend
5. Add cornmeal and flour in slowly
6. Knead the dough a few times
7. Using a rolling pin, roll out and cut shapes

8. Bake for 35 minutes. 
9. Store in airtight container!

Stays fresh for about a week


-Domesticated D

Best Whip Cream

This may seem like a silly recipe, because it's so easy.... but  I'm posting this anyway in case you're a novice or are trying to find a perfect combination/ratio for whip cream.  I love a good heaping spoon of whip cream!  I love whip cream with fruit or on a nice hot cup of chocolate or coffee.

Whip cream on Crème Brûlée

You'll need:

1 cup of heavy whipping cream
4 teaspoons of sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla




Step-by-step:
1. Pour all three ingredients in a bowl
2. Blend using a stand or electric mixer until peaks form.
3. Garnish on your favorite foods!

-Domesticated Duchess


PS: I had to google Crème Brûlée, so I could copy and paste the accents :)

Skinny Dinner for Two

A dinner for two is nice because you don't get stuck with leftovers!  It can be romantic or practical.

Katie, my best friend, and I decided to make a healthy dinner for two!  We decided upon a three course meal: 

• Simple salad with light Caesar dressing
• Teriyaki Marinated Pork Chops with fresh asparagus
• Skinny Peanut Butter Pie - thanks to Gina at skinny taste for the recipe!

 The dessert is really not a dessert for two, but it is skinny and you will definitely want seconds because it is amazing and life changing.

Course 1: Salad 

Grab some salad and pick your favorite light dressing (I love Ken's Steakhouse Dressings, light caesar is amazing!).  Lightly toss. Add a sprinkle of croutons if desired.  

Course 2: Teriyaki Marinated Pork Chops with Fresh Asparagus 

You'll Need 

1/3 cup of water

1/3 cup of lower sodium soy sauce

2 1/2 tablespoons of brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon 

1 clove of garlic, grated

Pork chops

Step-by-step:

1. Mix the water, soy sauce, brown sugar, cinnamon and garlic in a bowl.  

2. Lay the pork chops flat in a small casserole dish.  Pour teriyaki marinade all over pork chops.

3. Allow to marinate for at least 2 hours, and as long as overnight

4. Put pork chops and all sauce on skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side (depending on how thick) until fully cooked.

You'll need:

Fresh Asparagus

A bit of olive oil

Dash of sea salt and pepper

Step-by-step:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Cut ends off of asparagus by bending them in half until they naturally break (this is best way to cut asparagus in half, according to Katie who is an expert cook!)

3. Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus and sprinkle sea salt and pepper to liking, toss

4. Cook for about 7 minutes if you prefer a crunch, 13 if you prefer a softer veggie

Course 3: Skinny Peanut Butter Pie

You'll Need 

5 Tablespoons of lower fat cream cheese

1/2 cup of powdered sugar

1/3 cup of reduced fat peanut butter

8 oz of cool whipped dessert (light)

Graham cracker pie (or make your own!)

Drizzle with caramel sauce

Step-by-step: 

1. Put cream cheese, peanut butter, and sugar and whipped dessert in a stand mixer until smooth.

2. Pour into graham cracker pie crust

3. Drizzle with caramel sauce

4. Cool for at least a few hours

5. Prepare to change your life forever

Hope you enjoy this Skinny three course meal! 

-Domesticated Duchess & Katie :)

Funfetti Cookies!

I loveeee funfetti!  It's my favorite type of cupcake, and I use it to make my Cake Batter Ice-cream. 

Funfetti Cookies & Milk!! 

You'll need:

1 box of funfetti cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup of oil
(frosting, if desired)


Step-by-step:
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees
2. In a large bowl combine all three ingredients

3. Shape into 1 inch balls on ungreased cookie sheets

4. Cook for 6 minutes 
5. Spread frosting over warm cookies! 


-Domesticated Duchess