Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake

Another favorite around here, especially because I use a cake mix in place of making it from scratch...fantastic to make up the day before & enjoy on a rushed morning or to take in to work, sunday school, or church to share.

One vanilla cake mix, prepared as directed before putting into baking pan
1 c firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 c flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c butter
1 c Granny Smith apples, chopped (I peel them too)

Grease and flour a fluted tube pan (or plain if that is what you have).
Pour half of the cake batter into the pan.
Top with half of the crumb mixture (to make the crumb mixture, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon...cut in butter till crumbly, then stir in chopped up apple)
Top crumb mixture with remaining batter followed by the remainder of the crumb mixture.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour
Remove from oven, cool 5 min in pan before inverting on a plate to serve.
Let cool completely before slicing.

Fudgy Mocha Toffee Brownies

One should always have several fantastic brownie recipes within reach for those moments when you just need some chocolate!

2 Tbs instant coffee granules                                    1/2 c unsweetened cocoa
1/4 c hot water                                                        1 tsp baking powder
1/4 c butter                                                             1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c semi sweet chocolate chips                             1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c flour                                                            2 lg eggs
1 1/3 c sugar                                                          1/4 c toffee chips

Preheat oven to 350
Spray bottom of 9" square pan
Combine coffee & hot water, stir till granules dissolve
Combine butter & choco. chips, melt till smooth
Combine flour through salt with a whisk
Combine, butter mixture, coffee mixture, vanilla & eggs in med. bowl with a whisk
Add in flour mixture just until moist
Spread evenly into the 9" square pan
Sprinkle with toffee chips
Bake at 350 for 20-22 minutes
Cool on wire rack...but not too cool because everyone knows a warm brownie is the BEST brownie!

Mint Mocha latte

Coffee lovers unite...couldn't help myself.  If you are like me, some good coffee can go a long way to making life bareable!  I get tired of spending my lifes savings on a cup of starbucks...so i figured out how to make some at home.  If you like the mix of peppermint, coffee, & mocha...you are in luck!

You can pick up the peppermint syrup at the grocery store, or at starbucks...they sell those big ole bottles.  You can also pick up a canister of their "mocha powder"...its worth it.

if you have an espresso machine that can foam your milk, you are all set...do your double shot espresso, stir in 1 heaping T mocha powder till dissolved, then add 1 T peppermint syrup...steam your milk, put it all together & you're done!

if you don't have an espresso machine...

brew your choice of coffee...put about an ounce in the cup, add in a heaping tablespoon of mocha powder, stir well to make a lovely mocha syrup.  add in 1 T peppermint syrup.  In a small saucepan, add in 1 cup milk of choice, heat stirring w/small whisk till hot & foamy, pour into cup...finish off w/remainder of coffee.

you can adjust the peppermint if you need more or less to your taste.

yes, it really is that simple.  saves spending 5.00 on one cup too!  Lovely way to start or end a day.