Author: Ayanna

Orange Sponge Loaf Cake

Orange Sponge Loaf Cake

This orange loaf cake is super delicious with the most amazing texture and will tantalize your taste buds. A must try!

Christmas Fruit Cake

Christmas Fruit Cake

This fruit cake can be served to the entire family as it contains no alcohol.

Christmas Cookies

Christmas Cookies

So the Christmas season is upon us, and cookies are one of the quick and easy recipes that people love to make over the holiday season. It’s fun and can involve the entire family. I love making cookies and cakes for the holidays, and for this cookie recipe, I used coconut oil to add a rich flavor that most people will love. Coconuts tend to enhance the flavor of any dish, and these cookies are no exception. As you bite into these flavorful cookies, you get that delicious coconut flavor that reminds you of the Tropics.

The most appealing thing about coconuts is their versatility, as you can use them in many different versions in multiple dishes. You can use the milk , oil or the water that is incredibly refreshing on a hot summer day. You can also use it unsweetened and shredded. However, if you decide to use coconuts, you will not regret it. It’s a slightly sweet, creamy milky flavor with a slight consistency similar to melted butter. You will undoubtedly enjoy these coconut flavored cookies.

I used less sugar than usual in these cookies as I decorated them with melted chocolate and modestly sweetened green, red, and white sprinkles. It’s essential to use less sugar when you can, especially if you have to add a very sweet decoration.

Christmas Cookie

How to get the rich coconut flavor?

To get the coconut flavor, I added coconut milk and extra virgin coconut oil. A tablespoon or two of milk when mixing your dough makes the cookies less stiff, and it will be less hard and crunchy when it’s done. The extra virgin coconut oil gives the rich coconut flavor to the cookies and a soft texture that you’ll love. The cookies mixture is similar to the way you will mix a cake. It looks similar at this stage as the process is similar, but the end result is different

Cookie Mixture
Cookie Mixture

As you add the dry ingredients, the mixture will become like a dough.

Cookie Dough
Cookie Dough

Once your dough is finished, you can wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Allowing the dough to chill will give you better-shaped cookies. You can use your cookie cutter after rolling out the cookies to cut in your desired shapes.

These cookies are tasty and the coconut flavor makes it even more delicious. Let’s go to the recipe.

Christmas Cookies 5

Christmas Cookies

Christmas Cookies
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 50 bite sizes
Calories 104 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • cup  unsalted butter  (room temperature)
  • 3/4  cup granulated sugar
  • 3 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1  egg  (large)
  • tablespoon coconut oil  (extra virgin)
  • 2  tablespoons coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon  baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon  salt
  • 1/4  teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1  cup  chocolate  melted
  • 2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 2-4 teaspoons milk
  • sprinkles to garnish (red, green and white)

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes.
  •  In a separate bowl, add one large egg, coconut oil, coconut milk, and vanilla extract. Using a hand whisk or hand mixer, beat egg mixture until thoroughly combined for about 1 minute.
  • Slowly add egg mixture to beaten butter and sugar. Add little by little and beat on medium speed as you add mixture each time. You may have to add a little up to five times. Adding a little at a time will ensure a smooth mixture without any curdle.
  • Sift flour, baking powder; add salt,and cinnamon and mix together in a bowl.
  • Add dry ingredients little by little and mix with a spatula. When all the drying ingredients are added, a dough will form. Then take your hands and form a ball with the dough.
    At this point, if you try to work with the dough as it is, it will be too soft for you to work with. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough will give you a firmer dough to work with that can be rolled out and shaped easily.
  • Meanwhile Grease baking sheets (2 – 3) and line with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
  • Remove the dough from the refrigerator, roll out the dough evenly (about 1/4-inch-thick) on a lightly floured surface. Alternately, you can roll it out between two large sheets of parchment paper. Then cut it into different shapes as you desire.
  • Once cut use the cookie cutter to lift the cookie onto the lined baking sheets. Place each cookie on the baking sheet leaving a couple of inches around each cookie. Bake until very lightly browned on the edges, about 15 minutes.
  • Remove the cookies from the oven and allow it to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Melt the chocolate* Chop the chocolate into small chunks and place them in a glass bowl. Put some water over low heat and allow the water to simmer. Place the chocolate over the simmering water and stir until the chocolate is very smooth. 
    You can decorate these with sprinkles, once you dip your cookies into the melted chocolate, this is when you would sprinkle your cookies. 
    Royal Icing* If you want white cookies, you may need to use white chocolate or royal icing. If you are using white chocolate, you can use the same dark chocolate method.
    If you wish to use icing then here's the steps.
    2 cups icing sugar (sifted). Add milk little by little until you get the desired consistency, between 2-4 teaspoons. You have to be careful not to add too much milk. Decorate your cookies with the icing and with modestly sweetened green, red, and white sprinkles.
    Place cookies in the refrigerator for a few minutes until chocolate and or icing hardens. Ready to serve!

Notes

NOTES
Dark, Milk or White Chocolate: 1 cup of chocolate chunks are enough to dip your cookies. If you are using both dark and white chocolate you can use 1/2 cup each. If you are using more chocolate you may need an entire pack. (4.4 oz/124 grams) should be enough.
Chilling dough before baking: This will give you more crispy, well-shaped, and slightly stronger flavored cookies. If you have the time, it is better to chill the dough.  However, if you’re pressed for time, you can skip this step in the recipe: they will spread nicely on a lightly floured surface or between two parchment paper to roll out, and when placed in the oven, it will turn out soft and crispy anyway.
Storage: Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature, stored in an airtight container, for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Calories: 104kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 21mgPotassium: 26mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 123IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Easter Cupcakes

Easter Cupcakes

These Easter Cupcakes are super delicious and fun to make. Gather your kids and have some fun making cupcakes for the Easter Holidays!

30 Minutes Saucy Ground Beef and Noodles Recipe

30 Minutes Saucy Ground Beef and Noodles Recipe

This is a simply delicious ground beef and noodles recipe that you can whip up in a short time. It’s easy to prepare if you are tired after a busy day. All you will need to whip up this tasty dinner is ground beef and 

Easy Chicken Cranberry Salad

Easy Chicken Cranberry Salad

This Chicken Cranberry Salad is an excellent choice for everyone but may be of particular interest to weight watchers and those who are health conscious. It’s January and a lot of people may be on a lighter diet. This is my go to salad when I’m eating on the lighter side. It is not only quick and easy to make but also very delicious. You can whip up this salad in a short time and be on your way.

I am creating quick and easy-to-make meals for the busy family and those who have more exciting things to do with their time. I am also a firm believer in healthy eating, so salads are my favorite

Chicken Cranberry Salad does not need a lot of ingredients. Most of the ingredients are everyday vegetables you purchase all the time. So gather your ingredients, and let’s whip this up quickly. You will need:

  • Lettuce
  • Carrots
  • Cucumbers
  • Tomatoes
  • Corn
  • Red Onions
  • Grilled Chicken diced
  • Dried Cranberries

How to make Chicken Salad?

The first thing you would need to do is get your boneless chicken breast (without skin) and cut them into small cube like sizes. Coat the chicken evenly with seasonings. Set aside to marinate for about 5-10 minutes.

Chop the lettuce, cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes, and shredded carrots. Mix to distribute vegetables evenly in the bowl. Place in the refrigerator to chill.

Ingredients-for-chicken-cranberry-salad
Ingredients-for-chicken-cranberry-salad

Meanwhile, heat a skillet or pan on medium to high heat. Add one tablespoon vegetable oil to the heated pan, let heat for about 30 more seconds. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and turn on each side until golden brown and cooked thoroughly. Set aside.

In a small bowl, add extra virgin olive oil, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, and chopped thyme. Whisk together and set aside. This honey lemon dressing was inspired by Melissa Rubel Jacobson of https://www.foodandwine.com/

Take vegetables from the refrigerator, pour half of the dressing over salad and mix from bottom up with your salad spoon and fork to evenly distribute. Place chicken cubes in your salad . Pour the other half of the dressing over salad to make sure the chicken cubes are perfectly coated, sprinkle dried cranberries and serve chill.

Chicken Cranberry Salad

Easy Chicken Cranberry Salad

Chicken Cranberry Salad
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 410 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients for Salad

  • 4 cups lettuce
  • 2 cups carrots shredded
  • 2 cups cucumber chopped
  • 1 cup tomatoes diced
  • 1 cup red onions chopped
  • 3/4 cup cranberries dried

Ingredients for Grilled Chicken Cubes

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to grill
  • 1 pound chicken breast boneless without skin
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon thyme fresh and finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary fresh and finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Ingredients for Honey Lemon Dressing

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme chopped

Instructions
 

  • Cut your boneless chicken breast (without skin), into small pieces (cube like sizes). Coat the chicken evenly with seasonings. Set aside to marinate for about 5-10 minutes.
  • Chop the lettuce, cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes, and shredded carrots. Mix to distribute vegetables evenly. Place in the refrigerator to chill.
  • Meanwhile, heat a skillet or pan on medium to high heat. Add your vegetable oil to the heated pan, let heat for about 30 more seconds. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and turn on each side until golden brown and cooked thoroughly. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, add extra virgin olive oil, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, and chopped thyme. Whisk together and set aside.
  • Take vegetables from the refrigerator, pour half of the dressing over salad and mix from bottom up with your salad spoon and fork to evenly distribute. Place chicken cubes in your salad . Pour the other half of the dressing over salad to make sure the chicken cubes are perfectly coated, sprinkle dried cranberries and serve chill.

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 27gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 771mgPotassium: 1021mgFiber: 6gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 11619IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Garlic Chicken in Sweet Chilli Sauce

Garlic Chicken in Sweet Chilli Sauce

This garlic chicken recipe is so tasty; you will be licking your finger with every bite. I wanted to try a few variations to garlic chicken since it’s one of my favorite baked meats. Garlic chicken is super delicious, but I wanted something different. So 

A trip to Chichén Itzá, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

A trip to Chichén Itzá, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

Chichen Itza was a Mayan city on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, that attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Rosemary Chicken

Rosemary Chicken

Rosemary chicken is a simple and delicious recipe that is quick and easy to make for lunch or dinner with your family. It takes just about 45 minutes, and you’ll have a meal ready and on the table.

How to make Rosemary Chicken?

You can use chicken breast, thigh, or drumstick. You can season your meat with salt and black pepper. However, using fresh herbs or green seasoning to marinate your meats always adds a spicy flavor.

If you are using green seasoning, use two tablespoons of fresh green seasoning. If you don’t have green herb, that is OK; rosemary has such a savory flavor that it will add a lovely taste of its own. After seasoning, sear the meat in a skillet to get a golden brown appearance. This method takes about 5 minutes. However, if you have less time, you can skip this step. Place your chicken in the oven in a mixture of fresh rosemary, garlic minced, lemon juice, melted butter, and chicken broth. Bake for 30 minutes at 400 ˚F. Depending on the thickness or size of the pieces, it can take a little longer.

Serve with your favorite side dish. Rosemary chicken is one of the tastiest meat dishes; you will certainly enjoy it!

Rosemary Chicken

Rosemary Chicken

Baked Rosemary Chicken
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 219 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lb chicken breast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons green seasoning optional
  • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons rosemary fresh, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons butter melted
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat oven to 400 ˚F, spray baking pan and season your chicken parts.
  • In a skillet or large pan, heat oil for about 2 minutes, add seasoned chicken, and cook for about 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
  • Mix the rosemary, butter, lemon juice, garlic, and chicken broth in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked. Baking time may vary depending on the thickness or size of your chicken breasts.
  • Spoon the sauce on the bottom of the baking dish over the chicken. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh rosemary sprigs.

Nutrition

Calories: 219kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 16gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 705mgPotassium: 199mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 137IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Baked Rosemary Chicken, Baked Chicken, Rosemary Chicken
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Mini Banana Bread

Mini Banana Bread

This banana bread is moist, delicious, and tender to the bite. Banana Bread is an all-time favorite, and I enjoy baking it every time. This time around, I decided to use my mini baking pans. It holds the same amount of mixture as in an