Gourmet Pecan Sticky Rolls

Have I mentioned that Jackson is obsessed with the show Good Eats?

It's hilarious!

When Brandon and I were staying with our friends in KC last month, we were introduced to Good Eats (I watched part of an episode in one of my college video production classes but that was the extent of GE viewing) and brought it back to CO with us.. anyway, we were watching an episode one night and Jax was entranced and has been fascinated by Alton Brown's shenanigans ever since.

Where am I going with this, you ask?

A few weeks ago, we watched an episode about cinnamon rolls and I realized that I hadn't had homemade cinnamon rolls in a long, long time. So I became overly ambitious and decided to make this recipe..

..it took seriously 2 1/2 hours to prepare (including letting the dough rise in the refrigerator for an hour) but it was SO. worth. it. I will be making these again and I highly recommend you do the same.

Recipe on All Recipes

10 Mother's Day Brunch Ideas

Sunday is Mother's Day!

This is the first year I won't be spending Mother's Day with my mom (we live in different states and it just didn't work out--but I get to celebrate with her next weekend!) but I do get to spend it with my fabulous MIL, Mamma Nancy!

Mother's Day is a time to celebrate mom by treating her like the queen she is--and what better way to do that than by making her a gourmet brunch? That's what Brandon and I plan to do for Mamma Nanc, so I have been looking up yummy recipes.

Here is my Top 10 List:

1.) Cinnamon Roll Waffles

Remember this amazing recipe? It's sinfully sweet and would pair great with sausage links and scrambled eggs.

(This recipe also lead to my first ever cooking video!)

2.) Brown Sugar French Toast

My favorite go-to brunch recipe; it's buttery, syrupy and totally yummy. Serve with fresh fruit. 

3.) Crockpot Breakfast Burritos

I am actually super proud of this recipe.. it's got everything: sausage, egg, black beans, tomatoes, peppers. Mmmmm. Just throw all of the ingredients in the crock pot the night before and assemble Sunday morning. 

4.) Prosecco Pear Puffs

No description needed for this deliciousness. 

5.) Brunch Bruschetta

This is such a light and healthy brunch--plus the presentation is gorgeous! 

6.) Currant Scones

If you know me, you know I LOVE anything tea related so I am all about these dainty scones. How perfect with these be with a little Earl Grey tea?

7.) Strawberry Pizza

Simple and elegant is my kind of recipe.

8.) Gluten Free Feta, Summer Fruit & Pistachio Pancakes 

Gluten free+pistachios+fruit=a lovely brunch.

9.) Nutella Buns

Umm, yes please.

10.) Cranberry Pomegranate Waffles

Because you can never go wrong with pomegranate. Or cranberries. Or waffles.

Hope this inspires you to whip up something special for your mamma this Sunday!

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Cinnamon Roll Waffles (& My Debut Cooking Video!)

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I filmed my first ever cooking video last week (word)!

I was given the opportunity to partner up with Fort Hays State University to do a series of cooking videos for freshmen featuring quick and simple recipes. Naturally, I had to share my recipe for cinnamon roll waffles!

So without further ado, here is the video (and yes, I noticed the hair sticking to my face the entire time..classy)!

 

Anngredients:

• 1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing 
• 1 cup powdered sugar 
• 3 tablespoons milk 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 

1. Heat waffle maker; spray with cooking spray. Remove cinnamon rolls from can; set icing aside.
2. For each waffle, place 1 cinnamon roll in center of waffle maker; close. Bake 3 to 4 minutes or until waffle is thoroughly cooked and golden brown.
3. Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir together reserved icing, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until glaze is smooth.
4. Serve glaze over hot waffles.  

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Kathe With an E, Crafty Confessions, Clean & Scentsible, Sassy Little Lady, Six Sisters Stuff,

Cinnamon Roll Waffles

Guess what..?

My mamma gave me a waffle maker for my wedding shower!

We've been on a breakfast for dinner kick at the Brandon/Annie household for the last three nights. On Monday night, Brandon made an amazing breakfast potato skillet and then last night he made biscuits and gravy. So to keep in the breakfast for dinner tradition, I decided to make cinnamon roll waffles that I found on Pinterest (where else?). 

These. Are. Money.

And soooo easy to make!!

And now.. Cinnamon Roll Waffles (recipe from Pillsbury) 

Anngredients:

• 1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing 
• 1 cup powdered sugar 
• 3 tablespoons milk 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 

1. Heat waffle maker; spray with cooking spray. Remove cinnamon rolls from can; set icing aside.
2. For each waffle, place 1 cinnamon roll in center of waffle maker; close. Bake 3 to 4 minutes or until waffle is thoroughly cooked and golden brown.
3. Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir together reserved icing, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until glaze is smooth.
4. Serve glaze over hot waffles. 

Wouldn't this be perfect to make on Christmas morning?

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Crockpot Breakfast Burritos

Okay, not to sound too full of myself (okay, maybe a little) but.. I have created the easiest, most delicious breakfast burritos you will ever try. And the best part? You can throw all of the ingredients in a crock pot the night before and, voila, breakfast is ready when you wake up (minus the assembly)!

I can guarantee you that this is waayyyyy better than my last crock pot mishap. 

This recipe is perfect for overnight guests, holidays or for your Sunday morning breakfast!

Anngredients:

• 1 pound ground sausage
• 10 medium tortillas
• 1 can Rotel (including juice)–I used hot for a little extra kick, but you can choose your temp.
• 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 TBSP. jalapeno juice
• 1/4 cup jalapenos (optional)
• 4 eggs
• 4 TBSP. milk (for eggs)

1. Spray non-stick cooking spray on crockpot.
2. Add sausage to bottom of crockpot. Add Rotel, black beans, jalapeno juice and jalapenos over top.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
4. Scramble 4 eggs and milk (4 is how many I used–you may use more or less depending on how much you add to the burritos.
5. Heat each tortilla in microwave for 20 seconds (to soften and make easier to roll). Add spoonful of sausage mixture to tortilla with slotted spoon (there will be leftover juice from the Rotel –the slotted spoon helps strain it). Add spoonful of egg to tortilla and roll.

This is a versatile recipe, so you can easily add and substitute ingredients. I rolled all my burritos in aluminum foil (Chipotle style) and stuck them in the fridge for later. Enjoy!

 

Heavenly Brunch Cuisine

I would like to dedicate today's post to my dear friend, Heidi--and I will explain why..

A couple Sunday's ago, Heidi and I went out for brunch with a major hankering for pancakes. When we went to IHOP at 11am, we hadn't considered the post-church crowd that would be there. Long story short, the wait was ridiculous, so we ended up having chicken and noodles at a local chicken shack. Granted, the chicken and noodles were delicious.. but they just weren't pancakes.

The whole next week at work, we were talking about how badly we still wanted pancakes. So FINALLY, a week and a half later, we forced our friends to go to IHOP with us and eat pancakes. The pancakes were good, but it still didn't satisfy my craving. Fast forward to this morning--Heidi, a couple of our friends and I went shopping for costumes for an upcoming theme party and started talking, once again, about how hungry we were and how great pancakes sounded. We didn't act on the craving but it continued lingering with me.. so I got home, looked in the cabinets and discovered I had nothing to make pancakes with. Sigh.

However, I did find bread.. which is used in french toast...

So, Heidi, in a very round about way, you inspired me to make brown sugar french toast for lunch which is why this entry is dedicated to you (well, that and you're an awesome friend and my favorite person to get Sunday brunch with)!

Side Note: I have always hated making french toast because I loathe having to stand over the skillet while the bread cooks (which is the way my dad always did it). Come to find out, you can make it in the oven and it comes out softer and more moist. If you prefer to fry it or prefer a more crisp outside, bypass oven steps.

Tip: You can use regular milk, but I highly recommend Almond Milk. It's fewer calories (not that it really matters with french toast but still) and gives the toast better taste. 

Tip: Spray down cookie sheet with non-stick butter spray before setting in oven--otherwise THE BREAD WILL STICK!! Trust me, I learned this the hard way.

Anngredients:

• 6 pieces of whole wheat bread
• 1 cup Almond Milk
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 egg

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In bowl, combine milk, brown sugar, vanilla and egg. Mix well.
3. Dip both sides of bread into mixture and set on sprayed cookie sheet. 
4. Bake in oven for 8 minutes, then flip bread and cook additional 8 minutes on other side.
5. Serve with syrup, powdered sugar or fresh fruit.