Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

The perfect fall treat.  

APPLE PIE CINNAMON ROLLS

(makes 18)

Roll Ingredients:

*1/2 cup very warm water (not hot)

*1 tablespoon granutlated sugar

*2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

*1/4 cup butter, melted

*1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding

*1 cup very warm milk (not hot)

*1 large egg, romm temperature 

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*4 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)

Apple Filling Ingredients:

*1 tablespoon butter

*1/2 cup apple cider (or water)

*4 apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced, (I like to use 2 different types of apples)

*1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Filling Ingredients:

*1/3 cup granulated sugar

*1/3 cup brown sugar

*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

*1 teaspoon apple pie spice 

*4 tablespoons butter, softened

*zest from 1/2 small orange (optional)

Frosting Ingredients:

*1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

*1/4 cup butter, softened

*1 cup powdered sugar

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*2 teaspoons heavy cream (or whole milk)

Roll Directions:

~In a large mixing bowl, add 1/2 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and 2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast, stirring it slightly.

~Allow to proof or bubble, about 10 minutes.

~Add in 1/4 cup melted butter (cooled slightly),  1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding, 1 cup warm water, 1 large egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 4 cups bread flour, mix until it starts to come together.

~Uncle a dough hook (or by hand), knead dough for 6-8 minutes with dough hook or 10 minutes by hand or until dough is soft and elastic.

~Place in a large greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a clean damp towel.

~Place in a draft free area for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, or uni dough is doubled in size.

~Place dough onto a lightly floured surface, cover with a clean towel for 10 minutes.

Apple Filling Directions (do this while the dough is rising):

~In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, add 4 sliced and peeled apples, 1 tablespoon butter, and 1/2 cup apple cider, 

~Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer to 10 minutes.

~Place a colander over a bowl.

~Drain apples for at least one hour (while the dough is rising).

Filling Ingredients:

~In a small bowl, whisk 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon and apple pie spice together until well combined.

Let's Put It Together:

~Place dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out into a 17 x10 inch rectangle.

~Spread 4 tablespoons softened butter over dough.

~Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over top of the butter

~Mix 1 tablespoon flour into cooked, drained, and cooled apples.

~Spread cooked and cooled apples evenly over dough.

~Sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar mixture over top of the apples.

~Sprinkle zest for 1/2 orange on top (optional)

~Roll up dough a little tight, beginning with the long side.

~Grease 2  9x13 inch baking pans.

~Slice dough into 18  1-inch slices and place in prepared pan.

~Cover with a clean damp cloth and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Bake for 20 minutes, or until done.

Frosting Directions:

~In a medium bowl, beat 4 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2 teaspoons heavy cream, until smooth.

~Spread over warm rolls.

Philly Steak & Cheese Casserole

 A quick and filling supper.   It's definitely a comfort food.

PHILLY STEAK & CHEESE CASSEROLE

(serves 6-8)

Ingredients:

*1 (8 ounce) package uncooked macaroni 

*2 cups beef stock

*2 cups water

*2 tablespoons butter

*1 tablespoon vegetable oil

*1 large green bell pepper, chopped

*1 small red bell pepper, chopped

*1 medium onion, chopped

*3 garlic cloves, minced

*1 1/2 pounds of thinly sliced steak, cut into bite-size pieces 

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper 

*1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 

*1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cut into cubes

*4 ounces Swiss cheese

*8 ounces provolone cheese

Directions:

~Bring 2 cups beef stock and 2 cups water to a boil.

~Once boiling add 8 ounces macaroni anchovies cook until pasta is tender.

~Drain liquid into a heatproof container (you want about 1 cup)

~Set pasta aside.

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Cut 1 1/2 thinly sliced steak into bite size pieces.

~Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

~In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

~Add 1 chopped green bell pepper, 1 chopped red bell pepper, and 1 medium chopped onion.

~Cook until peppers and onions are softened.

~Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for one more minute, stirring continuously.

~Season steak with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.

~Add steak and cook until browned.

~Add 1 (8 ounce) package of cut up room temperature cream cheese and stir until melted.

~Add in 1 cup of reserved beef stock/water, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and cooked pasta.

~Stir in Swiss cheese until melted.

~Place mixture into prepared baking dish.

~Cover the top with 8 ounce provolone cheese.

~Cover with aluminum foil.

~Bake for 25-30 minutes, (remove foil for the last 10 minutes).

~Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Mac & Cheese Soup

 If you like Mac & Cheese, you will love this.

MAC & CHEESE SOUP

(8 servings)

Ingredients:

*8 slices bacon, chopped

*1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped small

*1/4 cup all-purpose flour

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

*4 cups chicken stock 

*1 teaspoon paprika (sometimes I use smoked paprika)

*1/2 cup whole milk

*1/2 cup heavy cream (can use whole milk)

*2 cups cooked macaroni (that's about 1 cup dry)

*1 (8 ounce) package Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes

*1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 

*1 (12 ounce bag) mixed veggies (I use corn, peas, carrots and green bean mixture)

*croutons for topping (optional)

*hot sauce (optional)

Directions:

~In a medium pot, over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy.

~Remove bacon and set aside.

~Remove all but about 3 tablespoons of bacon grease (doesn't need to be exact).

~Whisk in 1/4 cup flour, whisking for 1-2 minutes.

~Stir in 4 cups chicken stock, 1/2 cup whole milk, and 1/2 cup heavy cream.

~Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon paprika.

~Stir until mixture is slightly thickened.

~Stir in 8 ounces cubed Velvetta cheese and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until cheese is melted.

~Add in 2 cups cooked macaroni, cooked bacon, 1 (12 ounce) bag of mixed veggies.

~Allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes or until veggies are hot.

~Ladle soup into bowls, drizzle soup hot sauce on it (optional) and top with croutons (optional). 

Cherry Dump Cake

 Any dump cake is so quick and easy to make.   

CHERRY DUMP CAKE

(serves 12)

Ingredients:

*2 (21 ounce) cans cherry pie filling

*1 ( 15.25 ounce) box of cherry chip cake

*1/2 cup butter, melted

*1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spread 2 (21 ounce) cans of cherry pie filling into the bottom of  9x13 inch baking dish.

~Sprinkle 1 (15.25 ounce) box of cherry chip cake mix evenly over top of the cherry pie filling.

~Drizzle 1/2 cup melted butter evenly over cake mixture.

~Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans over top of mixture.

~Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes (cherry pie filling will be bubbly and topping a golden brown).

~Cool completely and serve.