Apple Cinnamon Donuts

This post deserves some love, and I'll get a purty picture up when I have a chance, but it's MY FIRST RECIPE!  Like, mine, not modified from anyone elses! :)

I was looking for something fallish, and I love donuts/muffins as an easy grab for breakfast.  Pumpkin is really expensive here, and though I'm sure I'll cave and get some, or get one of their huge pumpkin like gourds to roast myself, apple cinnamon did the trick for a fall feel.

So here ya go- my first recipe!  These turned out so soft and moist, and I was pretty impressed with the subtle apple flavor.  There's a delicious apple aroma as they bake and the flavor didn't disappoint.

Apple Cinnamon Donuts

1/2 a cup of butter, softened
1/2 c coconut sugar (any sugar will do, but I prefer this to white refined)
1 egg
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 a cup of 100% apple juice (no sugar added)
1 whole apple, cored and grated (I didn't peel)

Preheat oven to 350 f/190 c.

1.  Mix flour, baking powder, and cinnamon in a medium sized bowl.
2. In a large bowl, blend the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, around 3 minutes.
3. Add the egg and beat an additional minute.
4.  Add in the flour a little at a time, alternating with the juice until fully encorporated.
5.  Mix in grated apple.
6.  I let my batter sit for 20-30 minutes.  The whole wheat flour is not as pulverized here, and I find it helps with the moistness of the batter.
7.  Fill greased mini donut tins (or mini muffin tins) 2/3 of the way full.  Bake for 15 minutes, until donuts are golden.  *Note:  I find filling a piping bag with batter and piping it in to be the easiest way to fill the pans.

This recipe yielded 36 mini donuts.

Banana Oatmeal Blender Muffins

Banana Oatmeal Blender Muffins:
http://www.wellplated.com/banana-oatmeal-muffins/

I didn't actually make any modifications.  I didn't use any mix-ins either.  If baby is under 1, you can use pure maple syrup instead of the honey.  I did use regular full fat yogurt vs greek, because we can't get greek here.  :)

Breakfast 6/15/15

Strawberry Coconut Waffles with Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Ingredients:

Waffles-
1 c whole wheat flour
2 tsp coconut sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 c chopped strawberries
1/4 c coconut milk (any milk will do)
1 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1/4 c strawberry jam (I used this one http://www.thenaturalnurturer.com/blog/2014/7/7/strawberry-chia-jam)
3 T unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)

Yogurt Sauce:
1/2 c full fat yogurt (Greek or regular)
3 tbsp strawberry jam
splash maple syrup

Directions:
Mix the flour, sugar, and baking powder together in a large bowl.  In another bowl combine milk, oil, vanilla, egg, coconut flakes, and jam, and stir till mixed.  Add strawberries.  Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add the wet, stirring until just mixed.  If too thick, add a few T more of milk until you reach your desired thickness.  Spoon about 1/4 C batter into your waffle iron (or use the scoop provided if yours is like mine).  Serve hot, dipped in yogurt sauce (to make sauce just mix everything together).  

3 meals: 6/9/15

Broccoli and Cheese Mini Egg Omelettes
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/03/broccoli-and-cheese-mini-egg-omelets-2.html

Modifications:  Honestly, it took way more egg than she said to use.  I tried to double it and get 18 muffins to have some to freeze, so I used 9 eggs, and I got 12 muffins.  I also would use a different cheese other than pecorino romano.  The babies didn't mind it, but I didn't like the taste/smell (same in the pasta dish for lunch).  You could use any combination of shredded cheese- 1 c for 12 muffins.  I used 3 whole heads of broccoli and had enough for this and the broccoli cheddar tots.

Cheesy Baked Pumpkin Pasta
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/11/cheesy-baked-pumpkin-pasta.html

Modifications:  Apparently my theme for today was Skinnytaste.  This also wasn't my fav, but I think it also had something to do with the pecorino romano.  You can use any shredded cheese here too.  I used a whole box of whole wheat pasta (around 13 oz I think), baked it in a 9x13, dried rosemary, and waaaaaaaaay more cheese than called for on top.  K liked this.  J wouldn't touch it.

Broccoli and Cheese Tots
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2014/11/broccoli-and-cheese-tots.html

Modifications:  I've made these before and they're good!  I chop the broccoli pretty finely, use 2 whole eggs, full fat cheese, no salt & pepper.  

Breakfast: Oats, granola, and other randoms

5 minute pumpkin chia coconut granola:
http://www.superhealthykids.com/5-minute-pumpkin-chia-coconut-granola/

No modifications.

Pear and cheese pastry:

http://easytoddlermeals.com/2015/05/pear-and-cheese-pastry/

I used croissant rounds instead because they didn't have seamless dough.  Next time I'll make my own, but this was a good quick breakfast! No other modifications.

Overnight oats:

2/3 c oats, 2/3 c full fat yogurt (greek or regular)

Any add ins you'd like- we've done cinnamon, 1 banana sliced, and peanut butter in the morning

-strawberries and bananas

-blueberries and cinnamon

Annabel Karmel's Porridge with Apple, Pear, and Apricot:

http://www.annabelkarmel.com/recipes/porridge-apple-pear-and-apricot

No modifications.

Roasted Potato Gallette with Cheddar and Chives:

http://joythebaker.com/2014/03/roasted-potato-galette-with-cheddar-and-chives/

Modifications:  

I used a store bought pie crust (shhhh!).  Mrs. Dash original seasoning in place of the Old Bay.

Carrot Cake Oatmeal:

http://www.laurenslatest.com/carrot-cake-oatmeal-giveaway/

Modifications:  

I just used regular oats.  I subbed whole milk for the water (any milk will do).  I didn't use walnuts.

Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies:

http://www.perrysplate.com/2012/03/carrot-cake-breakfast-cookies-vegan.html

Modifications: 

Whole wheat flour instead of white, finely chop the walnuts, and no salt.  

Blueberry Breakfast Bars with homemade pectin-free Blueberry Preserves:

http://againstallgrain.com/2012/08/11/glutenfree-cereal-breakfast-bars/

http://againstallgrain.com/2012/05/23/homemade-blueberry-preserves-without-pectin/

Preserves Modifications:

Sub 1/4 c maple syrup for the honey.

Breakfast Bars Modifications:  

Mine were not gluten free because I couldn't find coconut flour, so-

INGREDIENTS:

• ¾ cup whole wheat flour
• ¾ cup oat flour (put oats in a blender and pulverize)
• 2 tsp finely ground flaxseed
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup coconut oil at room temperature
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla preserves
• 3/4 cup blueberry preserves
• 3 tbs water

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Warm the fruit preserves and water in a saucepan over medium-low heat while you prepare the dough.
2. Combine the flours, 2 tsp flaxseed, baking soda, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
3. Combine the coconut oil, maple syrup, eggs and vanilla extract in a large bowl and beat for 30 seconds on medium-high until creamy.
4. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients beating until well combined, about 1 minute.
5. Divide the dough into two parts and shape into logs (the size of a mini muffin pan). Wrap each log in parchment or wax paper.  Chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, remove the fruit preserves from the stove and cool to room temperature.
7. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Remove one log from the fridge. Cut the log into discs about 1/4 of an inch thick.
9. Place a disc in the bottom of each mini muffin cup.  Top with 1 tbsp of the preserves. Place a second disc on top.
10. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes.

Breakfast: Eggy things

Mini Crustless Spinach Quiches:
http://www.blwideas.com/mini-crustless-spinach-quiches/

No modifications.

Southern Living Breakfast Casserole:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/southern-living-magazines-breakfast-casserole/detail.aspx

Sub turkey sausage for regular, or make your own low sodium!

Cheesy spinach eggs:

Crack your eggs into a bowl and add a splash of milk- not too much though or the eggs will not get hard enough for baby to pick up.  Tear up a small handful of spinach, and add it to the eggs along with a small handful of cheese.  Melt a small amount of butter in your skillet (like 1/4-1/2 a tbsp), and set your temperature at medium high (I use 7 out of 10).  Let the butter melt and swirl it around in the pan.  Add your eggs.  Let cook almost like an omelet- where they are bubbling from underneath and the bottom layer is cooked solid.  Flip the eggs and scramble a bit, controlling how large you want the pieces to be.

Spinach Artichoke Egg Casserole:

http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/spinach-artichoke-egg-casserole/

No salt, and any kind of whole milk will do! :)

Breakfast: Muffins and Donuts

Pumpkin Apple Muffins:
http://weelicious.com/2010/10/18/pumpkin-apple-muffins/

Sub 1/4 c pure maple syrup for the honey if under one (I'm guessing you could cut the honey too from 1/2 a c).

Baked Blueberry Donuts:
http://www.spoonforkbacon.com/2013/05/baked-blueberry-doughnuts/

Sub 1/4 c coconut sugar for the 1/2 c white it calls for, use full fat Greek yogurt, and no glaze for babies.

Spinach Muffins:

http://weelicious.com/2012/01/04/spinach-cake-muffins/

Sub coconut sugar for white.

Banana Oaty Muffins:

http://bramblebites.blogspot.com/2015/01/banana-oaty-muffins.html

No substitutions.

Zucchini Muffins:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/kathies-zucchini-muffins

Modified:
1.  Peel and chop an apple.  Add enough water to cover the bottom of a pot, put the lid on, and cook on high for 10 minutes, or until soft. Meanwhile, shred 1 1/3 c zucchini (skin on, it was about 1 1/2 zucchinis).
2.  Mix 1 c whole wheat flour, 2/3 c all purpose flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 1/4 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp baking soda in a large boalw.
3.  In a smaller bowl mix shredded zucchini, 1/2 c milk (any kind, full fat), 2 tbsp coconut oil (melted), 1 tbsp pure maple syrup (these were not sweet, you might want to up this if you want sweeter), and 1 egg.
4.  Use a potato masher to mash apples into applesauce.  If not applesauce consistency, add a little water.  Once its applesauce like, mix with wet ingredients.
5.  Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and fold in the wet ingredients until fully mixed.  Pour into a greased muffin tin and bake at 400 f for 15 minutes.

If you want this to go faster- use 1/2 c premade applesauce.  Pineapple tidbits would be a nice addition as well.

Banana "donuts"

http://foodlets.com/2014/05/15/banana-muffins-a-recipe-from-the-family-cooks/

http://lunchingdaily.com/1-lunch-2-snacks/1-lunch-2-snacks-81/

Modified:

1.  Mash 4 ripe bananas (the riper the sweeter).  Mix with 1 (beaten) egg, 1/4 c melted coconut oil, and 1/4 c pure maple syrup.  

2.  Fold in 1 1/2 c whole wheat flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tsp baking soda.  

3.  Fill a greased mini donut or muffin pan.  Bake at 350 f for 15 minutes.  Let sit for 3-5 minutes, then flip onto a cooling rack to cool.  

Tip:  Put the dough into a piping bag or ziplock and cut off the end to fill the donut pan.

Breakfast foods- Pancakes, Fritters, Waffles, & French Toast

Pumpkin pancakes:
http://www.wholesometoddlerfood.com/toddlerbreakfast.htm#pancakesandwaffles

No modifications.

Fluffy pancakes:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fluffy-pancakes-2/

No modifications (could sub coconut sugar for the white sugar)

Whole wheat waffles:
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/07/23/recipe-whole-wheat-waffles/

Sub honey for maple syrup if under 1.

Lemon & Blueberry French Toast Bake:
http://realhousemoms.com/lemon-blueberry-french-toast-bake/

Topping is supposed to be brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.  Instead put 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar into a 1/3 cup measure and then fill the rest with unsweetened coconut flakes. Mix with the 2 tbsp flour and sprinkle over top.

Pea Fritters
http://mylovelylittlelunchbox.com/2013/07/01/pea-fritters/

No modifications

Fluffy eggless pancakes
http://www.cooks.com/recipe/en74g2vz/fluffy-eggless-pancakes.html

Sub coconut oil for veg oil if you have it.  Add chocolate chips for the grownups! :)

French Toast Roll-ups
http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2013/05/french-toast-roll-ups.html

Sprinkle with cinnamon only at the end- cut the sugar.

Sweet Potato and Apple Fritters
http://www.blwideas.com/sweet-potato-and-apple-fritters/

No substitutions.

Sweet Potato and Pea Pancakes
http://blwmamauk.blogspot.com/2015/03/recipe-sweet-potato-and-pea-pancakes.html

No substitutions.