~Feed Your Soul~

I have always said that if I hadn’t become a nurse, I would have been a baker.

Baking is a true passion of mine that has been with me for as long as I can remember. And it all started here, in this very house, with my Grandma H!

Nothing says “I love you” like fresh cookies out of the oven, or homemade bread or rolls with dinner.

Here I will be sharing some of my favorite staple recipes from my kitchen. They are easy, delicious and definitely kid/husband approved!

I want to let you in on a little secret… I don’t always measure! (I do when its important). Some recipes are better left to taste!

Homemade White Bread/Dinner Rolls

  • 2 cups warm water (roughly 110 degrees)

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1 1/2 tbsp active dry yeast

  • 1 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/4 cup oil

  • 5(ish) cups all purpose flour

Add sugar, water and yeast into a bowl, mix and let sit for 5 minutes. Add salt, oil and flour (one cup at a time). When mixing becomes too tough begin kneading to incorporate the rest of the flour. Knead until fully mixed, about 5-7 minutes, cover and set aside to rise in a well oiled bowl for 1 hour. After that time, punch dough down, divide in half for bread loaves or pull off and roll into balls for dinner rolls. Cover again and let sit for 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees

Bread 30-40min or until golden brown

Dinner Rolls 25min or until golden brown

Brown Oatmeal Bread

  • 2 1/3 cup boiling water

  • 1 cup old fashioned oats

  • 1/2 cup salted butter cubed

  • 1/3 cup molasses

  • 1 tbsp brown sugar

  • 2 tsp kosher salt

  • 2 tbsp active dry yeast

  • 6 cups flour

Combine boiling water, oats, butter, sugar and molasses, let sit for 15 minutes. Mix in salt and yeast, knead, place in a well oiled bowl for 1 hour to rise. Divide in half, place in 2 greased bread dishes, let rise for 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minor until golden brown

Granola Bars

  • 2 1/2 cups oats

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

  • 1 tsp vanilla

  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt

  • maple syrup

Coat oats in enough maple syrup so they are covered but not dripping. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 min. While oats are toasting, mix and melt honey, butter, sugar, vanilla and salt. Add oats to melted mix. Let mix cool for a few minutes before adding extras. Add your favorite treats, chocolate chips, M&M’s, coconut… mix and place in an 8x8 tray lined with parchment paper. Press mix into place and let cool for 2 hrs. Cut and enjoy!

Elderberry Syrup

Add elderberries and water to a pot and let simmer on the stove for 20-25 minutes. Strain and add liquid back to pot. Let it cool for 15 minutes before adding lemon juice, honey and ginger. Add more lemon juice/honey/ginger if desired. place in a mason jar and in the refrigerator. Drink daily for elderberry benefits.

Freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage.

*You can also use cinnamon and clove to add a different flavor to your syrup.

  • 4 cups elderberries

  • 3 cups water

  • juice of 1 lemon

  • 1/4 raw honey

  • fresh/ground ginger

Peanut Butter Blossoms

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

  • 1/2 cup peanut butter

  • 1/2 cup shortening

  • 1 egg

  • 1 tsp vanilla

  • 2 tbsp milk

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1 1/3 cup flour

  • Hershey kisses

Cream together sugars, shortening and peanut butter. Add egg, vanilla, milk, salt, baking soda, and flour. mix until combined. Scoop and roll in sugar. place on a greased baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 min.

Add Hershey kisses and enjoy!

Fruit Leather (fruit roll-ups)

  • 2 1/2 cups of your favorite berries. I used strawberries and blueberries for the picture above.

  • Juice of 1/2 a lemon

  • 1/4 cup raw honey

You can use either fresh or frozen berries. If you chose to use frozen berries, let them thaw first and drain out the juice.

Place ingredients into a food processor/blender and puree. Strain the mixture to remove seeds.

Pour mixture on a parchment lined baking sheet (I spray the parchment prior to pouring mixture out)

Spread evenly

Bake at 200 degrees for 4-5hours (depending on thickness of your mixture) or until your puree mix is no longer sticky. I try to rotate my pan halfway through the baking process.

Let cool, roll fruit leather with parchment paper then cut into individual strips. I usually get 15 out of a batch.

Enjoy!