CrystalandComp.com

Dallas Mom Blogger sharing homeschooling solutions, activities for kids and resources for moms.

Apple Pie Cupcakes with Cinnamon Icing

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I am so ready for cooler weather and apple picking season. I love using up fresh fruits to create delicious ideas in the kitchen.

If you’re on the hunt for amazing apple recipes, this apple pie cupcake recipe is a crowd pleaser for sure. Oh, they smell just like fall when they are cooking.

Don’t fret, they are not hard to make at all. They come together quickly, even the homemade icing we top them with. And, those are fresh apples on top of that icing.

Ready for the recipe?

Here is everything you will need to make the cake, the topping and the icing.

Cake Ingredients

 

Apple Pie Topping Ingredients:

Cinnamon Icing Ingredients: 

1 cup butter, soft at room temp
2 1/2  cups powder sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
3-5 TBSP heavy whipping cream
1 large piping bag, fitted with a star tip


 

Cupcake Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Using a standing mixer, combine the cake mix, eggs, milk and butter and mix until well combined.


Add cupcake liners to you muffin pans. This will make approximately 22 cupcakes.


Scoop cupcake batter into the liners. Only fill them about three fourths of the way.

Bake in the oven for 21 minutes.

While the cupcakes are baking, let’s make the apple pie filling real quick.

 

Directions for Apple Pie Topping:

Using a medium pot, melt your butter.

Stir in the apples, sugar and cinnamon.

Mix in 1 cup of water until well combined and bring it to a low simmer

In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of water with the cornstarch, and whisk lightly until it’s smooth.

Add the cornstarch mixture to the apples and cook 1-2 minutes longer, until the mixture has thickened.

Set it aside and let it cool completely.

 

 

 

Cinnamon Icing Directions:

Using your standing mixer, combine all ingredients and mix on medium speed.

Mix until you see stiffed peaks.

Fill your frosting and scoop into piping bag.

 

Using the frosting, pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes. You want to make sure you keep the tip of the frosting flat so that the apple pie filling can sit on top of the frosting.

Scoop about 1-2 tbsp of the apple pie filling onto the top of the cupcakes.

Enjoy!

Large Family Meal Planning Week 250

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Have you determined your meal plan for this week?

With eight people in our home,  large family meal planning is a must for me.

This week I am cooking from my freezer as much as possible!

Large Family Meal Plan 

Chinese Takeout– I started the week off not prepared. I hate it when I do that but it happens to the best of us. We had company all weekend, which was amazing, but I did not do my meal planning on Sunday/Monday like I typically do. My husband said… just order takeout on Monday night. We like to order chicken fried rice and vegetable lo mien when we order out. What do you usually get?

Chicken Tortilla Soup– we made this Tuesday night and it was so good! It fed a crowd. My SIL came over with her four kids and there was plenty for everyone. For those who did not want soup, we turned it into nachos for them.

Chipotle Copy Cat Bowls using Cauliflower Lime Rice – I am going to make the cauliflower lime rice and then grill some chicken and top with salad toppings for a healthy bowl option. Super excited to try this!

One Pot Bolognese–  using last weeks leftover quick spaghetti sauce that I froze, I heated it up on the stove. While that was warming up I boiled a bag of orecchiette pasta. Once done I drained it and mixed it into the sauce and topped it with cheese. Served it with garlic bread- so yummy, super cheap and it came together so fast! I love using up things in my freezer- saves so much money and time!

(CARRY OVER FROM LAST WEEK) Chicken and Rice Casserole– making this on the grill. I am serious!! I have some chicken already shredded up in the freezer that was leftover from dinner a while back. I also have leftover Knorrs Broccoli Rice (I am NOT working with them) from the other night. I made four packets and it was way too much, so I froze the leftovers in a ziplock. (Have you ever tried this rice? I used to make it ALL THE TIME back in my 20’s when I first started cooking. I think it was Lipton brand back then…). I am going to mix the shredded chicken, the leftover rice mix and put it in a disposable metal pan. I will use a little chicken broth to think it up a bit, if needed. I am going to top with shredded cheese and cover in foil. I will put it on the grill and heat it up. I just cannot use the oven this time of year- it heats our house up way too much. What an easy way to use leftovers and think outside the box, right? I will serve this with salad and a side of strawberries and blueberries.

Leftover Buffet- use ’em up!

What’s on your menu this week?

This week I am cooking so much out of my freezer I only had to order things like milk, cereal, eggs, bread, dog food, etc., for my Walmart.com order. If you have never tried Walmart’s grocery pickup, you are missing out. It is THE BEST time saver for busy moms.

 

Make Ahead Freezer Meals 

This coming Sunday we are assembling 7 freezer meals. These freezer meals make dinnertime beyond easy! We spend about an hour assembling them all, then toss them in the freezer. Then all you have to do is thaw and cook! Such a timesaver during back to school time.

Our August Freezer Meal Plan is what we are assembling on Sunday. Grab it ahead of time and order your groceries and then you can assemble with us over in the Get Dinner on the Table FB group.

 

Recipes that Won’t Heat the Kitchen 

It is still super hot here in Texas. Here are 21 recipes that are perfect freezer meals for when you it’s too hot to cook. All of these recipes are made in the slow cooker, on the grill or on the stove or electric skillet. Nothing that heats up the house!

 

 

 

The Most Amazing and Easy to Build Lego Ideas

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Do your kids love building with Legos? There are endless possibilities for building projects. My boys spend hours upon hours building some of the most articulate projects and using such great imaginative skills!

Want to give your kids new building projects? Check out these easy to build Lego ideas that every child will love! While you’re here, make sure you check out all of our activities for kids.

easy to build lego ideas

Easy to Build Lego Ideas

1. Lego Ducks Spring Lego Building Ideas For Kids– Little Bins For Little Hands

2. Two Ways to Build a Lego Catapult– Frugal Fun For Boys

3. Lego Leprechaun Trap– Brain Power Boy

4. Hex Bugs Lego Habitat– Little Bins For Little Hands

5. How to Build a Lego Table– Kids Activities Blog

6. Leprechaun Trap– Little Bins For Little Hands

7. Lego Candy Dispenser– Frugal Fun For Boys

8. Bridge Building– Frugal Fun For Boys

9. Building with Lego Candy– Kids Activities Blog

10. Easter Lego Designs– Brain Power Boy

11. Lego Ornament– A Mom With A Lesson Plan

12. Train Table to Lego Table– I Can Teach My Child

13. Lego Zip Line– Little Bins For Little Hands

14. Rocket Powered Lego Car– Frugal Fun For Boys

15. Building Reading Skills with Legos– Picklebums

16. Word Family Lego Buildings– I Can Teach My Child

17. Rubber Band Powered Lego Car– Frugal Fun For Boys

18. Lego Rainbow Build– Little Bins For Little Hands

19. Lego Instruction Book– Kids Activities Blog

20. Build a Lego Hat– A Mom With a Lesson Plan

21. Build and Design a Candy Lego Playground– Planet Smarty Pants

22. Lego Science: An Ice Excavation Experiment– Lemon Lime Adventures

23. Lego Inspired Retelling of The Very Hungry Caterpillar– The Educator’s Spin On It

24. Lego Race Track– Frugal Fun For Boys

 

build with legos

 

Which of these are your kids favorites? Aren’t you so excited to share all of these with your Lego loving friends?

luke lego costume

More Lego Ideas:

25 Perfectly Pumpkin Books For Kids

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Fall is nearly here. I can’t tell you how excited I am. I am ready for cooler weather, comfy sweaters, and comfort food!

Are your kids loving the fact that the seasons are changing? Halloween is coming too! So many things to be excited about. Nothing says fall like Pumpkins. With everything from food to fun pumpkins are a huge part of fall. So now that the seasons are changing indulge in some good reading with your kids and explore the wonder of pumpkins this fall season. Here are 25 perfectly pumpkin books for kids.

1. Read the adventures of two mice in The Biggest Pumpkin Ever.

2. With more than enough pumpkins a hardship is turned into a celebration with Too Many Pumpkins.

3. Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin Picking Plan is a cute tale of Splat’s efforts to get a big pumpkin home.

4. Celebrate fall with the whole family and this wonderful book Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie.

5. The Roll-Away Pumpkin is a delightful story of a giant pumpkin that got away.

6. The whole family will love the sweet story of Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin.

7. The Pumpkin Patch Parable teaches kids how a farmer turns a pumpkin into a glorious site!

8. The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown is such a classic and a serious family favorite for fall!

9. The Very Best Pumpkin is a sweet story of how a boy helps a lonely pumpkin.

10. Read this sweet story of You Are My Little Pumpkin Pie to your adorable baby.

11. Your kids will love the lift that flap and soft textures of I Love You Little Pumpkin.

12. Pete the Cat and the Five Little Pumpkins is another wonderful adventure of Pete and his catchy stories.

13. Whoo’s That? Life the Flap Pumpkin Book is so much fun with flaps to lift and surprises underneath.

14. Big Pumpkin is seriously the biggest pumpkin and it can’t be moved!

15. The Biggest Pumpkin Ever is a great board book and it even has some tractor stuff too!

16. Marley is at it again when he sends a pumpkin rolling away in Marley and the Runaway Pumpkin.

17. The Ugly Pumpkin is a twist on the Ugly Duckling.

18. Pumpkin Soup is a great story of friendship, fun, and soup!

19. The Pumpkin Book explains all of the wonder of pumpkins in fall.

20. Rosco the Rascal Visits the Pumpkin Patch is a perfect autumn book and a great adventure for kids.

21. Pumpkin Patch Treasure is catchy with rhymes of a boy and his pumpkin find.

22. Goodnight Pumpkin is an awesome bedtime story even for beginning readers!

23. Your kids will love the silly humor of Perfect Pumpkin Pie and a man’s very hungry tummy!

24. Henry’s Big Pumpkin tells a great story of Henry’s efforts to grow a pumpkin and it is bigger than his house!

25. In The Mad Pumpkin a pumpkin is upset about being carved for Halloween.

Have a favorite pumpkin tale? Share your ideas!

Our Favorite Educational Packs 

26 Letter of the Week Crafts with Templates, Instructions and Supply Lists 

 

26 Hand Print Art Tutorials with Supply Lists  

 

Easiest Ever Homemade Pumpkin Spice Donuts

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When I was a kid it was a special treat when my mom would make her homemade donut recipes. It always happened on a weekend morning. Her standby version included canned biscuits and an indoor fryer.  We would drench them in cinnamon and sugar as soon as they came out of the oil.  They were amazing!

What if I told you it is super easy to make baked donuts at home? You are going to love these baked pumpkin spice donuts, which are perfect for this time of year.

Let me show you just how easy it is to make these at home. And while you’re here, make sure you check out all of our pumpkin spice recipes that are sure to hit the spot when it comes to your cravings!

First, gather up all of your ingredients. Remember, I don’t like recipes that call for off the wall ingredients. My goal is to always share wholesome and easy to make creations!

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 3/4 cup (plus 2 tbsp) flour
  • 1/2 cup canola
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar (plus an extra 1 cup for the topping)
  • 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon (plus 1 tsp for the topping) 
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

 

Directions:

Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350 degrees. I also like to spray my pan with cooking spray. Coconut cooking spray is one of my personal favorites.


Using a standing mixer, beat the pumpkin puree, oil, sugar and eggs until they are is well combined.


In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and each of the spices. Mix with a large spoon to combine everything well.

Next you want to slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.

Now it’s time to pour the batter into the donut pans. Remember, you only want to fill them about  3/4 of the way full.

Bake them in the oven for 24 minutes.

Once they are done remove them from the oven and let them cool. I like to cool them in a rack for about 5-10 minutes before I remove them from the donut wells. You still want them to be a bit warm, so the sugar topping will stick, but not too warm to handle.


Now let’s mix together the topping really quick.

In a large ziplock bag, add 1 cup of sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon.

Add a 1-2 donuts to the bag at a time and shake, shake, shake until they are well coated with sugar.

Remove from bag and place the coated donuts directly onto the cooling racks to finish cooling.

Devour!!

More Homemade Donut Recipes 

Homemade donut recipes are so much easier to create at home than you might think! This is a list of some of our favorites!

 

More Pumpkin Spice Recipes

These pumpkin spice recipes are to die for!! Go crazy and make them all!

Easy Italian Recipes

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I am a huge pasta fan. When someone says they want to eat Italian, I know they are speaking my love language. Italian flavors are something that are seriously underestimated and sometimes thought of as being totally complicated. It doesn’t have to be difficult to get an amazingly easy Italian recipe on your dinner table.

Looking for an easy and quick dinner ideas that your kids will eat? These are top notch when it comes to pasta dishes and will feed a crowd! Any one of these 30 easy Italian recipes will make your night!

Easy Italian Recipes 

1. This Italian Crockpot Chicken is one that your whole family will love and it is super easy too! Crystal & Co

2. Comfort food all in one scrumptious bowl with this Meatball Lasagna Soup done in just 30 minutes. Homemade for Elle

3. There is nothing like this delicious Sour Cream Noodle Bake that blows ordinary spaghetti out of the water. Crystal & Co

4. Kick up pizza night with savory Eggplant Pizzas! Yum! Our Small Hours

5. Italian Sausage Pasta is simple, flavorful, and quick to assemble! Crystal & Co

6. This Super Easy Pasta Pesto makes a wonderful dish that everyone will devour. Daisies & Pie

7. Make this One Pot Italian Chicken and Veggies for dinner tonight! A one pot wonder! Crystal & Co

8. Check out this classic take on Chicken Marsala made in the skillet. The Weary Chef

9. Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni should be on your dinner plate tonight, and so easy to accomplish! Extreme Couponing Mom

10. This recipe for Italian Cheesy Stuffed Prosciutto seems fancy but it is easy and absolutely delish! Beauty and The Foodie

11. This Italian Cheesy Stuffed Prosciutto is garnished with fresh basil and the flavors are divine. Suburbia Unwrapped

12. Dinner done in no time with Crockpot Cheesy Ravioli that your whole family will rave over. Crystal & Co

13. Whip up this Hearty Italian Baked Ziti that is loaded with Italian goodness and a perfect pasta dish. Ann’s Entitled Life

14. This Balsamic Caprese Pasta Salad is a wonderful take on a light Italian inspired pasta dish. Salt & Lavender

15. If you are short on time and need something quick this 4 Ingredient Ravioli and Meatball Casserole is it. Life Is Sweeter by Design

16. Try out this recipe for Italian Meatballs that is seriously the best ever! Crystal & Co

17. Use this Homemade Mascarpone Cheese as a spread and it is made with only 2 ingredients. Living Sweet Moments

18. This Homemade Creamy Baked Pancetta Macaroni is easy and fast and loaded with cheesy goodness. An Italian In My Kitchen

19. Top all your favorite Italian dishes with Italian Gremolata. This Old Gal

20. Yum! This recipe for Chicken Parmesan is amazing and such a classic. Melanie Cooks

21. You have to try this wonderful recipe for Homemade Pizza Dough that will make your pizza night! Recipes From a Pantry

22. Sneak in the veggies and all the flavors in Homemade Marinara that is totally drool worthy. Trisha Dishes

23. Divine!  Make this Roasted Garlic Three Cheese Manicotti tonight! Small Town Woman

24. There are zero complications with this delicious take on Bacon Carbonara. My Gorgeous Recipes

25. This recipe for Tomato Basil Bruschetta is something to rave over and simple to make. Foodal

26. Bring together the comforts of 2 foods into one dish with Pizza Spaghetti Bake. Pint Sized Treasures

27. You won’t be able to get enough of these Stuffed Eggplant Rolls Wrapped in Bacon that are all too savory with no guilt! Low Carb Yum

28. Check out the spicy and oh so tasty flavor combinations of this easy Shrimp Fra Diavolo. Marsala Herb

29. These Spinach Ricotta Puffs are the perfect irresistible Italian appetizer! Her Happy Heart

30. This Spaghetti Aglio Olio Peperoncino is fragrant, quick, and has an amazing kick! The Baking Fairy

 

What is your favorite go-to Italian meal? We would love to know!

 

Make Ahead Freezer Meals 

If dinnertime is a struggle for you, check out our freezer meal plans. These are changing the way I get dinner on the table for my family. Here is one of our monthly freezer meal menus, complete with shopping list, recipes and assembly instructions.

These 21 freezer meals are perfect for hot months. All of the recipes are assembled and frozen then when you’re ready to cook they are prepared on the grill, in the slow cooker or on the stove top and help you beat the heat!  Recipes, assembly and shopping lists are included in this instant download!

 

 

Large Family Meal Planning Week 249

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We spent all of last week traveling and eating with family out of town, but this week we are back on the large family meal planning train!

Each week I share with you what I am feeding my large family of eight. We have six children at home from teen all the way down to a toddler. All of our kiddos at home are boys… so they basically eat us out of house and home.

Not only do I meal plan, but I keep my freezer full with make ahead freezer meals. Each month we share new downloadable recipes over on Get Dinner on the Table. You should check them out!

Here is what’s on our menu for this week. It’s still super hot here in North Texas, so we are using the slow cooker, Instant Pot and grill as much as possible!

 

 

Garlic Mustard Grilled Chicken– literally, I pulled what I had out of my freezer and pantry. I had chicken breasts in the freezer so I put 7 of them into a gallon size ziplock bag. I added 4 T of whole grain dejon mustard, 2 T of olive oil, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1/3 cup of honey, some Mrs. Dash and some dried onions. Marinate it all in the bag for 4-6 hours. My chicken was frozen so I did this on the counter, but if your chicken is already thawed you can marinate in the fridge. I am serving this with steamed broccoli and salad.

One Pot Spanish Rice– I LOVE this meal. It is so good. It is a meatless meal and so thrifty. It cooks all in one pot and leaves minimal cleanup. I don’t make this enough… needs to be on my meal plan once a month!

Quick Spaghetti– this is my go to! Every single child in my house will eat it without complaining at all. For the kids I will use traditional spaghetti noodles. For myself (and possibly the husband) I will be using these frozen veggie spiral noodles. I am in LOVE! Have you ever tried them? I am NOT working with Green Giant… just FYI. Looks like they have a coupon on their site for these noodles as well. I also have about 3 cups of leftover sauce from the last time

Chicken and Rice Casserole– making this on the grill. I am serious!! I have some chicken already shredded up in the freezer that was leftover from dinner a while back. I also have leftover Knorrs Broccoli Rice (I am NOT working with them) from the other night. I made four packets and it was way too much, so I froze the leftovers in a ziplock. (Have you ever tried this rice? I used to make it ALL THE TIME back in my 20’s when I first started cooking. I think it was Lipton brand back then…). I am going to mix the shredded chicken, the leftover rice mix and put it in a disposable metal pan. I will use a little chicken broth to think it up a bit, if needed. I am going to top with shredded cheese and cover in foil. I will put it on the grill and heat it up. I just cannot use the oven this time of year- it heats our house up way too much. What an easy way to use leftovers and think outside the box, right? I will serve this with salad and a side of strawberries and blueberries.

Grilled Pizza– I have four pizzas in my freezer from our June freezer meal assembly. Two cheese and two pepperoni. If you’ve never done this before, now is the time to try it!!

Leftover Buffet- use ’em up!

What’s on your menu?

How to Make Grocery Shopping Painless for Busy Moms

One things that is my saving grace for meal planning every week is ordering my groceries online. I literally open a window with my grocery list and a window for Walmart.

  • I can see exactly how much I am spending and take anything off the list before I check out if I feel like I am going over budget.
  • It keeps me from impulse shopping and adding unneeded junk to the basket, like cookies and candy.
  • No totting kids into the store for buying groceries ever again!
  • Order, pay online, drive up, they load your groceries and you go home! I do not even need to get out of the car! (Except to come home and put them away. lol)

If you use my link to place your first order, you get $10 off and so do I!

Try Freezer Meal Cooking

Make ahead meals have literally changed dinnertime at my house. Our August Freezer Meal Plan is in the shop. Head over and see all of the recipes that are included.

 

Meal Planning Must Have’s 

These are all of the things I love that help me get dinner on the table each week.

 

 

 

Maple Glazed Pumpkin Bread

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There is a bakery not far from me that makes and sells homemade pumpkin bread.

It’s amazing.

I’ve never had anything like it before.

I love to buy it this time of year and give it as gift.

But it got me thinking, I bet I could make this at home.

And what if we added a glaze to the top?

A maple glaze.

And so we created this…. I think you will love it as much as we do.

(Make sure you check out all of our pumpkin spice recipes while you’re here!)

First, gather up all of your ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup sweet cream butter, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 C flour

Maple Glaze

  • 1 1/2 cup powder sugar
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup whole milk

Directions

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Grab a loaf pan and spray it with cooking spray. Set it aside.


 

I love to use my standing mixer for this, but you can use a hand held instead if you want. Combine all the bread ingredients and mix well on medium speed until well combined.

Pour the batter into your loaf pan.

Pop it in the oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. When it is done a toothpick or butter knife should come out clean when you poke it in the middle.

Let the bread cool for 30 minutes before removing from the pan and placing it onto a wire rack. Otherwise it might break as you try to take it out. I would set the cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet.

Now, let’s make the glaze.

Grab a large mixing bowl or use your standing mixer again. Combine the the powdered sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and milk.


 

Pour the glaze onto the bread and allow it to drip onto the cookie sheet.

Let the glaze set for an hour… then devour!

 

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Print
Maple Glazed Pumpkin Bread
: 
: 
: 
: 10-12 slices
 
The perfect homemade pumpkin bread with a maple glaze topping.
Ingredients
  • Ingredients:
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup sweet cream butter, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1½ C flour
  • Maple Glaze
  • 1½ cup powder sugar
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup whole milk
Instructions
  1. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grab a loaf pan and spray it with cooking spray. Set it aside.
  3. I love to use my standing mixer for this, but you can use a hand held instead if you want. Combine all the bread ingredients and mix well on medium speed until well combined.
  4. Pour the batter into your loaf pan.
  5. Pop it in the oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. When it is done a toothpick or butter knife should come out clean when you poke it in the middle.
  6. Let the bread cool for 30 minutes before removing from the pan and placing it onto a wire rack. Otherwise it might break as you try to take it out. I would set the cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet.
  7. Now, let's make the glaze.
  8. Grab a large mixing bowl or use your standing mixer again. Combine the the powdered sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and milk.
  9. Pour the glaze onto the bread and allow it to drip onto the cookie sheet.
  10. Let the glaze set for an hour... then devour!
Wordpress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe

 

Ultimate Gift Idea List for a First Birthday

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Are you preparing for a first birthday?

The first birthday is always so much fun and so exciting. It is a huge milestone for the little one but mom you can say you survived the first year!

When planning my kids first birthdays I struggled a little with gifts that I thought they would love. I mean after all they are only turning one so what could they really need or want, right? The struggle is real because at this point these little ones are just learning and exploring what is around them. I’ve been there and here are some of my go to ideas. They have not only been great choices for my own children, but other littles as we attend their birthday parties!

25 first birthday gift ideas

First Birthday Gift Ideas

1. This Chomp and Clack Alligator Push Toy is perfect for those first walkers and it is super sturdy and super fun!

2. Your little one will love this Snuggle Pod and Plush Doll that includes a sweet little bedtime book for reading at nighttime.

3. If you have a little girl this Melissa and Doug Pretty Purse has everything for a little girl on the go!

4. Your little one can entertain with music and sounds with this Mickey’s First Guitar.

5. This Jelly Bean Racer Ride On Toy is awesome for a one year old and it is squishy and brightly colored.

6. Board books are perfect for the littles and this First 100 Words Board Book is awesome for building first words.

7. Why not give them something they can really make music with! Check out this 4 Piece Baby Band that is so awesome for shaking things up!

8. They can pretend build with this Melissa and Doug Pounding Activity Bench that enhances fine motor development.

9. You can set up this 6 Foot Play Tunnel inside or outside and it is perfectly safe for babies being made of soft mesh material.

10. This Melissa and Doug Animal Box includes 20 magnetic animals and it a ton of fun for your baby.

11. At this point your baby is putting everything in their mouth so this Bendable Baby Banana Toothbrush is perfect for learning how to brush and teething.

12. This giant bag of Mega Blocks is great for fine motor development and there are tons of colors for building.

first birthday gift ideas

13. Give them some outside fun in the sun with this Play Splash Pad that hooks up easy to your water hose.

14. Check out this Fisher Price Bright Beats Dance & Move Beatbo that is full of fun musical beats and gets those little bodies excited with its dancing moves!

15. This Little Tykes Rocking Horse is perfect for indoor and outdoor play and the seat helps them stay sitting upright.

16. Encourage your baby’s social skills with this classic Fisher Price Chatter Telephone.

17. This Bathtime Octopus Hooplah has some amazing sorting fun and is great for fine motor development too!

18. This Little Tykes Little Shopper comes in several colors and is super sturdy for even the littlest of shoppers.

19. Sing along with this Twinkle Twinkle Owl and Star that is plush and a perfect bedtime addition.

20. Check out this Laugh & Learn Sorting Lunchbox that teaches baby letters, shapes, colors, and more!

21. This Melissa and Doug Matching Block Set is a soft set with lots of cool designs and shapes that builds on lots of skills.

22. If you are ready for summer this Inflatable Mushroom Baby Pool provides the best shade and fun option for your backyard.

23. The colored chimes on this Little Tykes Jungle Jamboree Xylophone will have your baby really excited for music fun!

24. This Hexagon Ball Pit is a great setup for indoors with a breathable design and so much safe entertainment for your one year old.

25. Get your baby this Little Tykes Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Chair that includes some awesome songs and tunes and it grows with your child.

Do you have a special toy in mind for baby’s first birthday? Share your thoughts!

More First Birthday Resources

games-activity-ideas-first-birthday-party.jpg

Games to Play at a First Birthday 

how to choose a first birthday party theme

First Birthday Party Themes 

how to plan a first birthday on a budget

How to Throw a First Birthday Party on a Budget 

Blueberry Sweet Rolls with Lemon Glaze

By 15 Comments

I love this time of year when all of the fresh fruits are in season. I love blueberry recipes that use fresh berries.

Blueberries are the perfect fruit to add to your homemade breakfast recipes. These blueberry sweet rolls with lemon glaze will hit the spot and you won’t believe how easy they are to make!

Let me show you.

First, gather up all of your ingredients. We have everything separated for the rolls and for the glaze.

Ingredients for the Rolls:

  • 1 box lemon cake mix
  • 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 1 tbsp canola oil
  • 3 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup sweet cream butter
  • 1 lb fresh blueberries, washed

Ingredients for Lemon Glaze:

  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 5 tbsp milk or heavy cream
  • 1½ tsp real vanilla extract
  • 1 large lemon, zest and juiced

Let’s start by making the sweet rolls first.

Grab a large mixing bowl and mix together the cake mix, flour, warm water, lemon zest and yeast.

Mix it until it is well combined.

Once combined place the dough onto a floured surface and knead it until the dough bounces back after touching it

Grab a large glass bowl and brush the inside with the oil.

Place the dough into the bowl and brush the top of it with some of the oil as well. This will keep the towel from sticking to it when you cover it.

Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow it to rest for one hour.

After an hour the dough should be double in size.

Place the dough on a floured surface and roll out to 1/8 inch.

Melt the butter in the microwave.

Brush the rolled out dough with the melted butter and evenly sprinkle it with sugar.

Spread the blueberries all over the rolled out dough.

Roll the dough into a long log, just like you do when you’re making cinnamon rolls.

Cut the dough into 1 1/2 inch thick rolls.

Place rolls into a baking dish and cover again for another hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Once oven is preheated, bake the rolls for 30 minutes.

Now it’s time to make the lemon glaze. You can do this while the rolls are baking.

I like to use my standing mixer for this.

Combine the powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, lemon zest and lemon juice together until it’s nice and creamy.

Once the sweet rolls are done baking, remove them from the oven.

Drizzle the glaze onto the rolls.

Allow the rolls to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Serve them up with some fresh blueberries.

They are the perfect homemade breakfast that everyone will enjoy.

5.0 from 6 reviews
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Blueberry Sweet Rolls with Lemon Glaze
: 
: breakfast
: 
: 
: 12-18
 
Blueberry recipes are some of my favorites. You will love these sweet rolls with lemon glaze!
Ingredients
  • Ingredients for the Rolls:
  • 1 box lemon cake mix
  • 2½ cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2½ tsp active dry yeast
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 1 tbsp canola oil
  • 3 tbsp lemon zest
  • ½ cup sweet cream butter
  • 1 lb fresh blueberries, washed
  • Ingredients for Lemon Glaze:
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 5 tbsp milk or heavy cream
  • 1½ tsp real vanilla extract
  • 1 large lemon, zest and juiced
Instructions
  1. Grab a large mixing bowl and mix together the cake mix, flour, warm water, lemon zest and yeast.
  2. Mix it until it is well combined.
  3. Once combined place the dough onto a floured surface and knead it until the dough bounces back after touching it
  4. Grab a large glass bowl and brush the inside with the oil.
  5. Place the dough into the bowl and brush the top of it with some of the oil as well. This will keep the towel from sticking to it when you cover it.
  6. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow it to rest for one hour.
  7. After an hour the dough should be double in size.
  8. Place the dough on a floured surface and roll out to ⅛ inch.
  9. Melt the butter in the microwave.
  10. Brush the rolled out dough with the melted butter and evenly sprinkle it with sugar.
  11. Spread the blueberries all over the rolled out dough.
  12. Roll the dough into a long log, just like you do when you're making cinnamon rolls.
  13. Cut the dough into 1½ inch thick rolls.
  14. Place rolls into a baking dish and cover again for another hour.
  15. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  16. Once oven is preheated, bake the rolls for 30 minutes.
  17. Now it's time to make the lemon glaze. You can do this while the rolls are baking.
  18. I like to use my standing mixer for this.
  19. Combine the powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, lemon zest and lemon juice together until it's nice and creamy.
  20. Once the sweet rolls are done baking, remove them from the oven.
  21. Drizzle the glaze onto the rolls.
  22. Allow the rolls to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes.
  23. Serve them up with some fresh blueberries.
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Crystal VanTassel