Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti

I also made this for the teacher breakfast. I figured one new recipe and one tried and true. The sausage balls were tried and true and now for the new! These were awesome. I found the recipe on joythebaker.com. I made gingerbread cinnamon chip biscotti this year for Christmas treats and they were awesome so when i saw this recipe i wanted to try it out. Cinnamon sugar is big in our house so i couldn't resist. I was not disappointed. Before they were finished baking we were eating the scraps from the ends after slicing! Yum! Pour a big glass of milk or mug of steamy hot coffee and dunk away!

Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

6 TBSP unsalted butter, room temp

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 tsp vanilla

For Topping:

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 beaten egg (for brushing biscotti before baking)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and arrange two baking racks in upper portion of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium bowl combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Also combine sugar and cinnamon for topping and set aside.

In large bowl of a stand mixer, fit with paddle, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Scrape down and beat in egg followed by egg yolk. Beat in vanilla.

Add all dry ingredients all at once. With mixer bring all the ingredients together until a somewhat stiff dough forms.

Divide the dough into two 9 inch long and 1 1/2 inch wide logs. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle very generously with cinnamon sugar. Bake the two sheets on the racks in oven for 20 minutes. Rotate the cookie sheets for even baking and bake for 20 more minutes until golden and firm to the touch.

Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Using serrated knife cut logs into 1/2 inch diagonal slices. Place biscotti cut side down on baking sheet and sprinkle with more cinnamon sugar. Bake again for 10 minutes.

Source: www.joythebaker.com

Sausage Balls

I signed up to provide food for the teacher book fair preview at my son's school. The first thing that came to mind was sausage balls. I have been making these for years. The recipe came to me from a cookbook that one of my friend's mom published. She decided to publish her cookbook Calling Home after her three daughters moved away and constantly called needing recipes. This cookbook has sooo many wonderful recipes and these sausage balls have become a staple in our house! Simple to make and yummy!

Sausage Balls

3 cups bisquick

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 pound sausage - I use Neeses.... there is none better!

1 tsp paprika

Mix by hand or using heavy duty stand mixer. I use the stand mixer and mix the cheese, bisquick, and paprika then add sausage.

Roll into 1 inch balls and bake at 400 for 10 to 12 minutes.

source: Karen J. Wade - Calling Home

Taco Soup

This recipe was given to me when I signed up to prepare a meal as part of teacher appreciation at my daughter's preschool. All of the volunteers were to prepare the soup and freeze half of it to send in for one of the teachers. In our house we serve it with Fritos Scoops, shredded cheddar and sour cream! I love it because you can basically "dump" everything in.

Taco Soup

2 cups water

2 (28oz) cans diced tomatoes

1 (15oz) can black beans - drained

1 (15oz) can great northern beans - drained

1 (15oz) can corn - drained

1 (4.5oz) can green chiles

1 pound ground beef

1 diced onion

1 package ranch dressing mix

1 package taco seasoning mix

Brown meat and onions, drain. Add all other ingredients and simmer. Serve with fritos, sour cream and shredded cheese.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

This recipe was shared with me from one of my friends who used to live in my neighborhood. My neighborhood and my friends in it are one of my most cherished things! I consider myself so lucky to have purchased a home in the 'hood. The inspiration for the title of the blog comes from the name of my neighborhood. Whenever we get together there is a lot of laughing, drinking and eating!

These muffins are so easy to throw together! They are favorites of my children!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 cup bread flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp salt

4 large eggs

2 cups sugar

1 15oz can pumpkin

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups (12oz bag) chocolate chips

Preheat oven at 350. Grease 24 muffin cups or line with paper cups.

Combine flour, soda, powder, spice and salt in medium bowl.

Combine eggs and sugar in large bowl. Add pumpkin and oil, mix well. Stir in flour mixture until moistened. Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon into muffin cups and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

thanks for sharing it with me Debbie!