Angel Food Cake

Here is another wonderful recipe from Taste of Home.  We have chickens, so I get a lot of eggs.  I use the yolks to make the French Vanilla Ice Cream on my blog.  When I do that, I end up with a lot of egg whites.  So I use them egg whites to make this wonderful and easy cake.

Angel Food Cake

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups egg whites

1 1/2 cups sugar, divided

1 cup cake flour

1 1/4 tsp cream of tartar

1 1/4 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Sift 1/2 cup sugar and flour together twice; set aside.
2. Place oven rack in the lowest position. Preheat oven to 350°. Add cream of tartar, extracts and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold in flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time.
3. Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned and entire top appears dry. Immediately invert pan; cool completely, about 1 hour.
4. Run a knife around side and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate. 

Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread

This is a wonderful and easy bread that can be made for any occasion or for any reason.  I found this great recipe on Taste of Home.

Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups sugar - divided

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg

1/4 cup canola oil

3 tsp cinnamon

Glaze:

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1 1/2 - 2 tsp milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking soda and salt. Combine buttermilk, egg and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and remaining sugar.
2. Grease the bottom only of a 9x5-in. loaf pan. Pour half of the batter into pan; sprinkle with half the cinnamon-sugar. Carefully spread with remaining batter and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar; cut through batter with a knife to swirl.
3. Bake 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Combine confectioners' sugar and enough milk to reach desired consistency; drizzle over loaf.  (I cut my bread into slices and then drizzle the glaze on the cut slices.)

Vanilla Ice Cream

For Christmas my daughter purchased me a new Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer with the ice cream attachment.  Since then, I have been on a quest for delicious ice cream.  I found this one, and it is wonderful!  I make it all of the time.

Vanilla Ice Cream

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups half-and-half

8 egg yolks

1 cup sugar

2 1/2 cups whipping cream

4 teaspoons vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In medium saucepan mix the egg yolks and sugar until well blended and mixed.  Add the half-and-half and heat over medium heat until small bubbles form around edge and mixture is steamy, stirring constantly. Do not boil. 

2. Transfer half-and-half mixture into large bowl; stir in whipping cream, vanilla and salt. Cover and chill thoroughly, at least 8 hours. 

3. Assemble and engage the KitchenAid® Ice Cream Maker attachment. Turn to STIR Speed (Speed 1). Using a container with a spout, pour mixture into freeze bowl. Continue on STIR (Speed 1) for 15 to 20 minutes or until desired consistency is reached. Immediately transfer ice cream into serving dishes, or freeze in an airtight container. 

Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream Directions
1. In medium bowl, combine 2 cups chopped, fresh strawberries (or other fresh fruit) and 2 to 3 teaspoons sugar, if desired. 

2. Let stand while ice cream is processing. Add during last 3 to 5 minutes of freeze time.

Laundry Detergent

I just love this recipe.  It is easy to make, cheaper than other detergents and does a wonderful job on my family's clothes.

Laundry Detergent

Ingredients:

3 bars of Fels-Naptha

1 box of Borax

1 box of Super Washing Soda

1 Value Size Box of Baking Soda

Directions:

Grate the bars of Fels-Naptha and then mix all ingredients together.  I leave mine like this but you can run everything through the food processor to make the soap more fine.  I store mine in repurposed coffee cans.  

For each load, I use a little less than 1/4 cup.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have tried many recipes for chocolate chip cookies but this one from Hershey's is the absolute best.  I do not make smaller regular sized cookies, I make large jumbo cookies.  I do this for a few reasons, one they are fun to eat and two, I am not standing at the oven all day baking cookies.  :)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips or HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375°F.

2. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Add eggs; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if desired. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Coconut Oil Deodorant

I am very pleased with the outcome of this deodorant, and it is so easy.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup coconut oil - melted

10-20 drops of essential oils

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together.  

I do not use an old deodorant container, I pour mine into cupcake papers in a cupcake pan and allow it to harden.  I then just use the discs. 

Coconut Oil Toothpaste

I have spent a lot of time lately trying to get as many chemicals out of my life as much as possible.  So I have started on focusing on health and beauty aids.  Since I have begun using this toothpaste, I no longer have sensitive teeth which is something I have battled with for many years.  I make mine plain but you can add any essential oil for which ever flavor you desire.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut oi - slightly softened or melted
1/4 cup baking soda
Optional:  10-20 drops of essential oils

Directions:

Mix oil and baking soda together until smooth.  Add oils and mix well.  I keep mine in a small mason jar.  I also mix often as the mixture is cooling and starting to harden because the baking soda tends to fall to the bottom of the jar.