Gluten-Free Pancakes

I've been experimenting with my gluten-free pancakes and this is my favorite pancake mix. I mix the dry ingredients and store them in a glass jar. It's perfect for camping or just to have on hand. These pancakes also freeze well if you want to make them ahead and put them in the freezer. This is a great recipe for people that have an intolerance to gluten also. We warm our homemade syrup to pour over, here are our top favorites syrup recipes:
Simply Apple Cider Syrup 
Simply Homemade Pancake Syrup
Pancake Mix
3 c white rice flour
1/3 c almond flour
1/3 c powdered milk
1/3 c organic cane sugar (or sugar of your choice)
1 tsp sea salt
1 T baking powder
Whisk all of the dry ingredients together and place in a glass jar to use at a later time or mix in a bowl to use immediately. When you are ready to mix your batter, combine in a medium bowl:
1 cup pancake mix
1 egg
3/4 c water (you  may need more or less depending how thick you like your batter)
1 T coconut oil, you can use butter or oil of your choice
Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon or spatula. Don't overmix, it's ok if it's a little lumpy. Heat an electric griddle to 325F or pan on the stove, and pour batter (or use 1/4 c) for each pancake. When the bubbles appear on the pancake, they are ready to be turned (about 1 minute).
This makes between 6-8 pancakes if you use 1 cup of dry pancake mix.
Enjoy!
Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Cinnamon Pancakes

For some reason when we posted this recipe back in March, we had "technical difficulties" and it disappeared. We think we have the problem fixed, so in case you missed it before, here it is again. There are a few steps and a little messy, but they are definitely worth it - my official taste tester (husband) absolutely loved them! I used my own pancake recipe but you can use a box or your favorite pancake batter. This was the order I made my pancakes. My recipe made 8 pancakes. If you need gluten-free, you can go to this post, Gluten-Free Cinnamon Pancakes

First I prepared the cinnamon filling:

1/2 cup butter melted

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 T cinnamon

Mix together until smooth and pour into a baggie. It'll get thicker, just let it sit until you're ready for it.

Next I made the glaze:

4 T butter

2 ounces cream cheese (I used the reduced fat)

1 1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Heat the butter and cream cheese until melted (I used the microwave for 20 seconds). Whisk until smooth. Then whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Let this sit until the end.

 * Now preheat your oven to 200F to keep the pancakes warm until they are all done.

Next make your Pancakes

1 egg (slightly beaten)

2 T plain yogurt

3 T white or organic sugar

Mix these together then add:

1 1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

Then add:

1 1/4 cup milk

Mix everything (I use a wooden spoon) together and leave the batter just a little lumpy.

I use an electric griddle about 300F-325F degrees. Preheat your griddle. I used 1/3 cup of pancake batter for each pancake. Then cut a bottom corner off your baggie with the cinnamon filling. I made 3 pancakes at a time. As soon as your pancake batter is on the griddle, swirl your cinnamon filling around your pancake. Once you have bubbles over your pancakes, it's time to flip them. Now this is a little messy once you flip them because the filling may run out onto your griddle, don't panic, it'll be ok. Cook the pancakes about another minute or two on the other side with the filling. I put them a on a parchment covered cookie sheet and put them in the oven to keep them warm. I had to use my spatula to clean off my griddle it was a little gooey from the cinnamon filling. You have to do this step after each batch of pancakes. You can see some in the left corner of the picture on the right.

Once your pancakes are all done, remove from oven. Now you are ready to drizzle your cream cheese glaze over the top of the pancakes. I just warmed my glaze in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Drizzle over the top of you pancakes and get ready for some awesome pancakes! These are truly yummy-licious!

We had 5 pancakes left over so I am freezing everything and saving it all for a night when I don't feel like cooking!

Love and peace,

~ Simply Tammi

Mix for Pancakes or Waffles

Pancakes are pretty much a staple at our house on the weekends and even some weeknights if we need a quick and easy meal.  If you don't have time to make them from scratch (see Tammi's earlier post  for Homemade or Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes), this is a basic pancake mix that can be stored and made as you need them... and is so much tastier than the box mixes!

Here's what you need for the mix:

• 9 c. flour
• 1 c. powdered milk
• 1c. sugar
• 4 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c baking powder

In a large bowl or container with a lid, mix all together, shake well and store.  This will make several batches.

To make pancakes:

• use 1 c. mix
• 1 egg
• 3/4 c. water (you can add more depending how thick or thin you want your pancakes)
• 1 1/2 T. oil

Makes about 10 pancakes, depending how big your pancakes are.  I usually double it and freeze some, then reheat them in the toaster.

I make it the same way for waffles, except I use my waffle iron instead of a griddle.  It's so nice to have it made up and ready for a quick meal.  The mix can also be stored in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag.

~Simply Angie

GLUTEN-FREE Cinnamon Pancakes

Natural Homemade Living

I wanted to adapt this recipe for those of you restricted to a gluten-free diet. I made these for my granddaughter on Sunday morning and they were awesome! I wanted to make the cinnamon roll pancakes but one of our granddaughters has Celiac Disease so I didn't want to make anything that she couldn't eat. So I experimented and revised my own pancake recipe from the original post. So you will need to substitute the all purpose flour with white rice flour. The texture is great and they taste just like the non gluten-free pancakes! This made 8 gluten-free pancakes.

Prepare the cinnamon filling:

1/2 cup butter melted

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 T cinnamon

Mix together until smooth and pour into a baggie. It'll get thicker, just let it sit until you're ready for it.

Make the glaze:

4 T butter

2 ounces cream cheese (I used the reduced fat)

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Heat the butter and cream cheese until melted (I used the microwave for 20 seconds). Whisk until smooth and add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Let this sit until the end.

 * Preheat your oven to 200F to keep the pancakes warm until they are all done.

Now make your pancakes

1 egg (slightly beaten)

2 T plain yogurt or 2 T softened butter

3 T white or organic sugar

Mix these together then add:

1 1/2 cup white rice flour (gluten-free)

2 tsp baking powder

Then add:

1 1/4 cup milk

Mix everything (I use a wooden spoon) together and leave the batter just a little lumpy.

I use an electric griddle about 300F-325F degrees. Preheat your griddle. I used 1/3 cup of pancake batter for each pancake. Then cut a bottom corner off your baggie with the cinnamon filling. As soon as your pancake batter is on the griddle, swirl your cinnamon filling around your pancake. Once you have bubbles over your pancakes, it's time to flip them. Now this is a little messy once you flip them because the filling may run out onto your griddle, don't panic, it'll be ok. Cook the pancakes about another two minutes on the other side with the filling. I put them a on a parchment covered cookie sheet and put them in the oven to keep them warm. Here is the recipe for the Cinnamon Pancakes, (not Gluten Free.

Enjoy your gluten-free cinnamon roll pancakes!

 Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Homemade Waffle Mix

My husband got a waffle maker for Christmas this year, he loves waffles! It's handy if you make your mix ahead of time then you have it on hand. I store mine in a Ball jar in the refrigerator until we are ready to make waffles.
Waffle Mix
3 c all-purpose flour
2 T baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 c sugar
Whisk ingredients together and store in an airtight container until you want waffles.
Add these ingredients to make waffles:
2 eggs
1/2 c buttermilk or milk of your choice
4 T melted butter
Mix with 1 1/2 cups of waffle mix. Whisk until batter is smooth. Preheat your waffle maker and pour about 1/3 cup of waffle batter into your waffle maker. It took mine about 3 minutes to cook. Makes 4 waffles.
You can add about 1/4 cup chocolate chips, blueberries, or your favorite before you cook your waffles.
We used homemade syrups, found here Simply Apple Cider Syrup and Simply Homemade Pancake Syrup   to pour over our waffles. Enjoy!
Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Here is another one of my "go to" recipes when I am running short on time and everybody is hungry and
waiting to eat! I usually make it for supper but it also good for breakfast. Sometimes I make a double batch for leftovers.
Here's what you need:

• 1 pound ground Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage (you can use 1 pound of meat of your choice)
• minced onion (optional)
• 1/2 c baking mix, (like Bisquick) or you can make your own pancake mix
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup shredded cheddar

Heat oven to 375, grease a 9 inch pie plate or 8x8 square pan. If you double the recipe you can use 9x13 pan. A single batch makes about 6 pieces. I don't always double the meat, I just spread it out more in the baking dish.
Brown meat and onion, drain, spread in baking dish and sprinkle with 1/2 cheese.
In a bowl combine the following: baking mix, eggs and milk
Pour mixture onto the meat/cheese add the rest of the cheese on top
Bake, uncovered about 25-30 minutes, until a knife inserted comes out clean.

~Simply Angie

Edible Gifts Guide Part 1

We put together 20 of our favorite homemade food gift ideas and their links all in one post to help make it a little easier this holiday season to find that perfect homemade gift for someone special on your list. Some made it to the list of our Popular Posts and the rest we gathered from throughout the year. You can still do a search on the blog for more ideas that didn't make the list!
We hope you have as much fun making them as we did!

 Cinnamon Butter served with Simply Sweet Rolls

1. Simply Homemade Marshmallows
2. Simply Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
3. Simply Homemade Apple Cider Syrup
4. Simply Homemade Apple Cinnamon Granola
5. Simply Homemade 5 Ingredient Caramel Sauce
6. Simply Homemade Brownie Mix
7. Simply Homemade Apple Cider Jelly
8. Simply Homemade Vanilla Extract
9. Simply Homemade Holiday Vanilla Rum Extract
10. Simply Homemade Flavored Sugars
11. Simply Homemade Pancake Mix
12. Simply Homemade Scones
13. Simply Homemade Cherry Lollipops
14. Simply Homemade Lemon Buddies Chex
15. Simply Homemade Cake Batter Chex
16. Simply Homemade Cake Batter Truffles
17. Simply Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
18. Simply Homemade Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies
19. Simply Homemade Yummy Gummys
20. Simply Homemade Vanilla Biscotti

Share some of your favorite gift ideas with us in the comments below, or feel free to link up with us to share your ideas!

~Simply Angie and Tammi

Using Everyday Items for Storage and Organizing

Welcome to our gallery of simple storage ideas!  We use glass containers for sugar, flour, oatmeal, pancake mix, granola or anything we use on a regular basis. Baskets are handy for dishtowels, recipe books, or magazines. Pitchers can be used for kitchen utensils. Ball jars are perfect for cupcake liners, straw holders and buttons. Vintage jars such as old sugar or syrup jars are great by the oven to keep toothpicks to check your baked goods. Pringles containers wrapped in contact paper make great pasta storage containers. Hope you get some tips and remember to share your simple storage ideas with us!
~ Simply Angie and Tammi

Apple Syrup

Yes, I have to admit I'm already thinking about the holidays. The weather changed overnight in the Midwest and I think winter is on the way. And I love, love, love getting all of my little gift lists together! Personally, when someone gives me a gift that is homemade, homegrown, or hand-crafted, I am thrilled! It's one of my favorite things! And let's face it, some people just seem to have everything!
Here are a couple of gift ideas for you. If you haven't tried our Simply Homemade Apple Cinnamon Granola, the time is now! This is the best granola ever! So get your jars and ribbons ready for granola, a jar of our Simply Pancake Mix, and top it off with a jar of apple cider syrup. Who wouldn't love that?
In case you don't know this, my sister is a genius! She found an awesome recipe for Apple Cider Syrup at foodinjars.com which I was thrilled with because I didn't have to go shopping for apple syrup, one of my new favorite things!
Ingredients:
1 gallon apple cider
3 cinnamon sticks
2 c white sugar
Pour apple cider and cinnamon sticks in a large kettle or pan. Boil the apple cider until it reduces down to about half, it took mine about an hour or so. Remove the cinnamon sticks and add the sugar. Start the boiling process again until your cider reaches 218F. This took another 35 minutes for mine but it can depend on your stove heat and also the type of kettle you are using.
After it reached the 218F temperature, I ladled it into my prepared half pint canning jars. Put the lids and rings on and gave them a hot water bath for 10 minutes in the canner. This syrup is delicious - it tastes like apples with a hint of cinnamon! My sister said she stirs in a small amount of cornstarch to her jar prior to serving if you like your syrup thicker. I prefer mine on the thin side.
Now I know for some of our very observant followers, the apple cider syrup looks like the apple cider jelly, so make sure you label your jars! I haven't gotten to that part yet - guess I better find some free labels somewhere! Enjoy! Total cost was $5.22 for 2 pint jars and 5 half-pint jars! I love that!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Cute Labeling for Jars

My little party planning group (sister and daughter) decided that we are going to use glass jars with chalkboard contact paper to display some of our food on our serving table. We are going to fill them with favorite candy treats and even fruit. After scouring the thrift stores, I couldn't find the jars I was looking for so I waited for them to go on sale. And the timing was perfect, they were on sale at at Pier 1 and Shopko. My sister uses these for every day use and they are so cute to display on your counter tops. My sister bought her jars at Target. She keeps her cereal, scones, pancake mix, biscotti, and cookies in them. All you need to do is cut your chalkboard contact paper to whatever size you want, label them, and pour your favorite food items in them. You can easily change the label when you want to fill them with something different. Try this for a party idea or for your every day storage needs.

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi and Angie

Blueberry Pancakes

Simply Homemade Blueberry Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce

I was so hungry for blueberry pancakes on Mother's Day, I decided to make my own Mother's Day brunch! My favorite blueberry pancake recipe is simple and delicious! For the finishing touch I like to use fresh blueberries to make my own blueberry syrup, our favorite recipe is here Simply Homemade Blueberry Syrup or Sauce. Don't forget a special treat at the end and top off your pancakes with a dollop of real whipped cream!

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

3 T organic cane sugar (or white sugar)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

Whisk these ingredients together in a medium bowl (I use a Pampered Chef batter bowl). Make a "well" in the middle of the ingredients so you can pour your liquid ingredients there. It's easier to mix that way.

Liquid ingredients:

2 eggs

1 c milk

1 c plain, Greek yogurt

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 c melted butter
1 cup fresh, washed blueberries 

Whisk the liquid ingredients in a small bowl, then pour them into the "well" of the dry ingredients. Stir together with a wooden spoon. Be careful not to over-stir, you only need to stir the batter until the most of the lumps are gone. Add 1 cup fresh blueberries and fold into the batter. You can add more milk if the batter is too thick, add a small amount at a time until you get the consistency you like.

Heat an electric griddle to 325F. I use a 1/4 measuring cup to measure my batter and pour it onto the griddle. It only takes about 45 seconds before you have to flip them, they will have bubbles in the batter and look a little dry on the top. Then flip the pancakes until done, about a minute or so.
This recipe makes 12 large pancakes, if you have leftovers, you can freeze them.

Blueberry pancakes ready to flip!

Heat your syrup and pour over your yummy blueberry pancakes! Don't forget the dollop! Enjoy!

Love and peace,

~ Simply Tammi