Raisin’ The Bar

What better way to start a Monday then with a joke, right?

Q: Why did the raisin go out with the prune?
A: Because he couldn't find a date.

A raisin, for me at least, is a somewhat unattractive food. I mean, who like their food to be shriveled and an odd color? I was always told you eat with your eyes first, and raisins are one of those things I try not to. Raisins and myself also have somewhat of a come and go relationship. If I have a box in the pantry, no doubt I will use them. But if not, that’s ok too. But lately, things with Mr.Raisin and I have changed slightly. Our relationship has been taken to the next level because he decided to come over all covered in chocolate! And his brother, well he came dancing with cinnamon. So needless to say, the recipes featured today saved my shaky relationship, and now I am sure Mr.Raisin will be around for quite sometime!

Best Bread Machine Cinnamon-Raisin Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 c water
• 2 tbsp butter or margarine, softened
• 3 cups bread flour
• 3 Tbsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 1/2 tsp bread machine yeast
• 3/4 c raisins

Directions:

• Measure carefully, placing all ingredients except raisins in bread machine pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Add raisins at the Raisin/Nut signal or 5 to 10 minutes before last kneading cycle ends.
• Select Sweet or Basic/White cycle. Use Medium or Light crust color. Remove baked bread from pan and cool on wire rack.

Nutrition Information:

1 Slice: Calories 180 (Calories from Fat 20 ); Total Fat 2 g (Saturated Fat 1 g); Cholesterol 5 mg; Sodium 310 mg; Total Carbohydrate 38 g (Dietary Fiber 2 g); Protein 4 g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 0%; Iron 10 % Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch

This bread is truly the easiest and the best recipe I’ve found for cinnamon-raisin bread thus far!

Oatmeal Raisinet Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 package Betty Crocker oatmeal cookie mix + ingredients called for on package

• 9 oz chocolate covered raisins

Directions:

• Mix according to package directions.
• Once mixed, add in chocolate covered raisins and incorporate.
• Make 1 Tbsp size balls and place on nonstick cookie sheet, or use my new favorite find below.
• Bake according to package instructions.

 

Looking for a way to make your cookie baking more fun?

Like easy cleanup?

Need a way to keep cookies from running together when baking?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you will want to stick around for the debut of my new favorite kitchen helper.

Bulls Eye Baking Parchment

“Have a blast hitting the mark with your favorite cookie doughs and baked treats on our non-stick and food-safe baking parchment. Printed with a 'Bakers dozen' of bold bullseyes for easy placement, your recipes will hit the mark every time!”

Thanks to the ever-so-kind Richard over at We Bake it Fun, I was able to try these out, and what better way to try a new product and pair it with a new recipe!

So easy to hit the bulls eye!

Perfectly spaced and deliciously tasting cookies!

Have you heard about the bulls eye baking sheets?