Maple Syrup

Who knew that maple syrup was so incredibly fast and easy to make. Not to mention that it is delicious!! 

What you'll need:

1 cup hot hot water

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 T Maple flavoring

In a medium saucepan, combine water and both sugars. Stir constantly over high heat until boiling. Be VERY careful as this will boil over really easily at this point!

Reduce heat to medium-high and continue to stir constantly until all of the sugar has dissolved. Continue stirring mixture over medium to medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until mixture begins to thicken to a syrup consistency. Keep in mind that this mixture will further thicken when cool. *I tested mine by scooping a small amount into a glass dish and setting it in the freezer for 1-2 minutes* Remove from heat and stir in maple flavoring.Set pan in an ice bath and continue to stir mixture for 3-5 minutes to cool.

 

Serve over something yummy and enjoy!

4th of July Waffles

My kids just expect me to do something strange on every holiday now.My plan today was to make tiny red, white and blue pancakes and give them one of each. In the end I changed my mind and whipped up a batch of my Perfect Waffles and separated the batter into 3 bowls and colored one red (I actually used red velvet emultion)  and one blue. The kids loved this fun patriotic breakfast! When I was nearly done I mixed all of the batter back together and made 2 rounds of purple waffles. That was a whole new hit so my kids all wanted to hurry and eat the first waffles so that they could have a purple one. We also made up some swirly red, white and blue ones. These waffles are fun in every color. I actually created these on St. Patrick's Day and they were green. The possibilities are endless! Go create!

Perfect Waffles - Seriously!

I have searched and searched and SEARCHED for a waffle recipe that I love. There are plenty that I like (I mean it's hard to find a recipe that isn't at least okay, right?). This morning I made green waffles for my kids for St. Patty's day and I decided to do my own thing with the recipe. This makes a HUGE batch! (I have 5 kids ya know!) We even had leftovers. Most of you are probably going to want to cut this recipe in half.

Ingredients:
4 eggs
4 1/2 - 5 cups flour
3 1/2 cups milk (today I had 1% - this is rare for me)
14 T butter (3/4 c. + 2 T), melted
2T + 2t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
2T vanilla

Beat eggs until fluffy, add flour and milk alternately until well blended. Add melted butter and mix well. Add baking powder, salt and sugar. Mix well. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Pour mixture (according to waffle iron instructions) onto a hot waffle iron. Ta Da! Perfect waffles! Freeze any leftovers for a quick toaster breakfast.

*Chocolate Variation: Add 1/2 cup cocoa powder to the flour to make chocolate waffles. Top with whipped cream for a fun treat.




Don't forget to check out my fabulous makeup from Younique and don't forget to frost your lashes with 3d fiber lash mascara!

*Colored Variation: Add food coloring for a fun change of pace. My kids LOVE love LOVE it when I put a few drops of food coloring in the waffles/pancakes.