Biscuits & Cherries

Quick update:

2 Recipes I have recently tested out in my home kitchen that I want to share with you. 

Great Grandma's Pioneer Trail Biscuits: One is for the most simple biscuit recipe I have ever come across and frankly, one of the best! I love it. Make it exactly as it says, with the butter Crisco as recommended by the author. (Thought I will say when it came to baking them I smeared down my pan with butter before placing the biscuits on it and then brushed the top with melted butter before baking.)

Let's Get Ready To Crumble: Two is for an amazingly tart Cherry Crumble that my family devoured in no time flat. I made it exactly as the recipe called and it baked up perfectly. I won't be making any changes or suggestions to this recipe. It is just perfect, for my tastes, as is. Even my most picky eater devoured an entire bowl full happily and he hates all things tart! 

And that about covers it! Enjoy them as much as I have! make sure to check out the rest of my Sweetly Approved recipes over on Pinterest! Sweetly Approved Board!

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Soft Pretzels At Home!

Yeah, been a while since I posted a recipe or much of anything but here we are. Things are still hectic but did these for the kids today and figured I would share the yummy goodness! This recipe was not originally mine but has been tweaked a little to better fit my personal tastes. It is a very simple recipe and now you can create those wonderful large soft pretzels you get at the mall or the fair at home anytime you want! I hope you enjoy them as much as my family does!

Recipe:

• 6 Teaspoon Yeast (or 3 squares. I prefer quick rising to cut down on time.)
• 15 Ounces Warm Water (110-120 F)
• 1 1/2 Teaspoon Granulated Sugar
• 6-8 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
• 2 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 1/2 Tablespoon Oil
• Crisco
• 1/2 Cup Baking Soda
• 4 Cups Hot Water
• Kosher Salt

Directions:

1. In a bowl combine your yeast, 1 1/2 teaspoon sugar and water. Mix until everything is dissolved and let stand 10 minutes or until bubbly and creamy. 
2. In a large mixing bowl sift together the remaining sugar, the salt and 4 cups of the flour. 
3. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the yeast mix and oil. 
4. Mix until well combined, adding more flour as needed until it pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
5. Turn out onto a lightly floured counter and kneed until smooth and "elasticy". This will take 7-10 minutes. If you are using a dough hook on your mixer it will take probably 5. Form into a ball. 
6. Take a large bowl and grease down with crisco.
7. Place dough ball in the bowl, flip over and make sure it is fully coated.
8. Cover and let rise until double in size. 
9. Preheat over to 450F.
10. Dissolve the baking soda into the hot water and set aside. 
11. Divide up dough into 24 equal pieces and roll out into long "strings" around 2-3 feet long. 
12. Twist into a pretzel shape.
13. Dip into the baking soda wash. (This is a step NOT to skip, it is a must!)
14. Place on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment. 
15. Sprinkle with Kosher Salt.
16. Bake for 7-8 Minutes.
17. Remove and cool for a few minutes.
18. Serve and Enjoy!!!!!!

Cinnamon Bites

Chocolate Chip With Icing

Now, if you would like a twist here are a couple!

1. Instead of spending all the time making pretzel shapes just cut up the dough and make pretzel sticks or pretzel bites. 

2. Omit the salt and sprinkle with a cinnamon-sugar mix before tossing into the oven for a sweet treat.

3. After the dough has risen, fold into chocolate chips. After baking drizzle with icing!

4. Wrap precooked hot dogs in the dough and bake! Awesome on the go meal!

5. This dough works great for Deep Dish Pizza or even making Calzones!

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