Azoresgal~Life on an Island

Christmas is in 14 days, and  life  around here has gotten crazy busy. Is it the  same for you at your home, are you making lists and checking them twice? There are so many lists, are there not? Shopping, cooking, gifts and my favorite one baking. Have you decided on what you are baking for your cookie trays this year, or perhaps even gift giving? Well let me introduce you to the Snickerdoodle,  with their cinnamon sugar coating and soft chewy middle  Made with simple pantry ingredients, these cookies come together easily! These are a great way to start off your holiday baking! Ingredients 1 cup butter, room temperature 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1 egg, plus 1 yolk 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 3/4 cup flour CINNAMON SUGAR MIXTURE 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon Instructions Preheat oven to 18...

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! I don´t know if you are cooking mexican tonight for dinner or not. If by chance you are, here is the perfect little dessert to end your meal with, Churros. They require very little ingredients to make, and come together quickly, but trust me, the end result is amazing! The cinnamon-sugar coating adds crunch and just the right amount of sweetness. If that weren't enough, the chocolate dipping sauce takes this dessert to the next level, a great combination of flavors. I promise if you make them, you won’t be disappointed! Churros 2 tablespoons  butter 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 1/4 cups water 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, sifted 2 large eggs vegetable or canola oil, for frying Cinnamon Sugar 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Whisk the sugar and cinnamon together in a wide, shallow bowl. Set aside. To make the churros: Combine the butter, sugar, salt, and water in a...

 This is such a great and easy way to make breakfast! I have been making these all week long, and it has been a great big hit, Mr.G has really enjoyed them. Truth be told, I have too, shocking I know, as there is no butter, cream or chocolate in the recipe! All kidding aside, breakfast is a very, very important start to your day, and hello can we talk about Chia seeds ??! So good for you ( google it ) and so amazing in this, they poof up in the milk, and make it nice and thick. I love that it's so quick to put together, the night before, pop them in the fridge and in the morning, you have no excuse not to have breakfast. I made some during the week with blueberries, but my favorite has been with sliced bananas , kinda sorta tastes like a bananas foster, well kinda sorta... wink...wink ! Go on give them a try, I promise you will like them ! Ingredients ⅔ cup oatmeal (150ml) 1 tbsp chia seeds 1 tbsp brown sugar/ maple syrup/ sweetner of choice 1 tsp cinnamon 3/4--...

This cinnamon bread wreath  has become a favourite in our home and it pretty much disappears as soon as it comes out of the oven. A wondeful treat – buttery, and cinnamon-y, that is easy peasy to make, I cheat and use store bought crescent dough ! It’s perfect served warm right out of the oven, makes your home smell amazing and the addition of an icing drizzle will make you swoon! 1 package crescent rolls 1//4 cup soft butter 1/4 cup sugar cinnamon Pre-heat oven 180º Open up the crescent roll dough, open and flatten it out, pressing the seams together. Spread some butter on the dough ( I use my hands). Next sprinkle with sugar, and then the cinnamon. Now, roll the dough just like you’re going to make cinnamon rolls. Next slice down the middle of the roll (the lenght of it) with a very sharp knife. You will have two long halves. Turn both halves of the dough with the cinnamon and sugar facing up. Now twist the two lengths of dough, like a rope,  and t...

Tis´ the season to drink eggnog ! I think you either love eggnog or hate it, I happen to enjoy it!.I like it cold though instead of warm. There are so many recipes out there for eggnog...dont´believe me...google it. This is one of my favorites..simple, easy and not fussy at all. I like to sprinkle mine with some cinnamon, want to make even richer add some whipped cream. Ingredients 2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 large eggs 3/4 rum or spiced rum or brandy or adjust to your liking Directions In a medium saucepan, bring the heavy cream, sugar, and nutmeg just to a simmer, do not boil. In a blender, blend the eggs on low speed for 1 minute. With the motor running, gradually add the hot cream mixture, and the vanilla. Blend until frothy, about 30 seconds more. Add the brandy and blend to combine. Serve warm.(or refrigerate and serve chilled). Sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon. recipe source

During dinner last night, Simon our 8 year old, out of the blue asks : "Mommy what are you baking for breakfast Christmas morning??" I couldn't help but laugh, and then asked him what he would like me to make. To which he quickly replied "you have to make those cinnamon rolls, you made last year " and then he added  "you should make them more often mommy" ! You know what Simon, you are right I should make them more often, and I think I should also share the recipe on the blog. Please don't be scared to make these, just be sure to give yourself plenty of time, I would suggest a lazy afternoon, when you are not in a rush. Homemade cinnamon rolls are easier to make than you think – I promise! Cinnamon Roll Dough: 1 cup milk. warm ½ cup + 1 TBS granulated sugar divided 1 TBS Active dry yeast/ 1 package 2 large eggs room temperature, beaten 6 TBS butter melted 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 4 to 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp se...

These are lovely ! Great flavors, apple and cinnamon, with a moist crumb. The crunchy topping, is oh so very delicious, and just adds to make this recipe a keeper ! Muffin : 1 and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour ¾ cup white sugar ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 egg 1/3 cup milk 1 large apple Topping : ½ cup brown sugar 1/3 cup quick cooking oats ¼ cup salted butter 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon Directions: 1) Preheat the oven to 200//400-degrees and prepare you muffin tin but greasing or using liners. 2) Make the topping first – in a small bowl, use a fork to combine the brown sugar, oats, butter and cinnamon. Set aside. 3) Peel, core, and dice the apple into small pieces. 4) In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients with a whisk.  In a small bowl, beat the egg and combine the oil and milk.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well. 5) Fold in the apples until just mixed, then spoon...