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

Chex Lemon Buddies

Here is a simple and yummy snack idea I got from tasteofhome.com.  It's a lemony refreshing version of People Puppy Chow (made with peanut butter and chocolate chips).

What you will need:

• 9 c Rice Chex (this is exactly a 12.8 oz box)
• 1 1/4 c white baking chips
• 1/4 c butter or margarine
• 4 t grated lemon peel
• 2T fresh lemon juice
• 2 C powdered sugar

In large bowl measure cereal and set aside.  In a microwavable bowl, microwave chips, butter, lemon peel and juice uncovered on High for 1 minute, or until it can be stirred smooth.  Pour mixture over cereal and stir until coated evenly.  You can either put the powdered sugar in a resealable 2 gall. bag and shake it, or just pour it over the mixture and stir it until it's all covered.  I never have much luck with the bag so I just coated it in the bowl.  Spread out until cool then store in airtight container.
Enjoy!

UPDATE 8/29/12: It seems I left out one of the important ingredients before...it has been updated with the white baking chips

~Simply Angie

Shabby Chic Chandelier

Do you ever have a little DIY project on your mind that you just can't let go of? It happens to me all of the time. I really like the stuff I have but I have a few things that I can't leave alone. My latest DIY project was the chandelier in my dining room. This chandelier was a hand-me-down from my parents and I have always loved it, but I could see room for improvement - haha! My favorite projects are those that don't take much time or money.  I especially love the items that have been in our family over the years. For some reason, I am most creative when my husband is at work! So yesterday, I got out my cream color acrylic paint and my stencil brush (harder bristles) and started dry brushing the darker parts of my chandelier. Dry brushing is so simple, just put some paint in a bowl, dip your brush in and brush a few strokes on a paper towel. You are now ready to dry brush.
In less than 20 minutes, and for no cost at all...my chandelier was transformed into my new, old, shabby chic chandelier. I have more plans for it, but that will be another day. For now, I love love it!

Before

After - love my new, old shabby chic chandelier!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Organizing the Kitchen

Since Angie and I spend so much time in our kitchens they have to be organized. We have found great little organizing products under $5.00 that work great for kitchen organization. I love holiday entertaining and I've accumulated a little collection of holiday serving platters. I used to keep them in my pantry but I decided since I didn't use them on an everyday basis, they could be stored in the cabinet above my refrigerator. We both found simple little organizers that allow your items to stand. I used mine to store holiday platters so they take less space in a cabinet. So while on my kitchen stool, I also decided to reorganize the entire space. It's now being used for my extra holiday entertaining extras such as my holiday salt and pepper shakers, punch bowl and ladle.

The pans and cookie sheets are stored on a rack normally used for filing. I turned one on end to hold my plates. I found them in an office supply store on clearance!



Love and Peace
~Simply Tammi and Angie