Syrups & Toppings
Apple Syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar |
2 tablespoons cornstarch |
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice |
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg |
1-3/4 cups apple juice |
In a 2-quart saucepan, combine brown sugar, cornstarch, allspice, and nutmeg. Whisk in apple juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until bubbly and syrup starts to thicken. Makes 1-3/4 cups.
Maple Syrup
1 cup water |
1 cup sugar |
1 cup brown sugar |
2 teaspoons maple extract |
In a 2-quart saucepan, combine water and sugars. Bring to a boil. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in extract. Makes 1 cup.
Buttermilk Syrup
1 cup sugar |
1/4 cup butter or margarine |
1/2 cup buttermilk |
1 tablespoon light corn syrup |
1/2 teaspoon baking soda |
1/2 teaspoon vanilla |
In a 2-quart saucepan, combine sugar, butter, buttermilk, syrup, and baking soda. Bring to a boil. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Allow syrup to cool for 5 minutes. Makes 1 cup.
Cinnamon Syrup
1 cup light corn syrup |
1-1/2 cups sugar |
1/2 cup water |
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon |
1 cup evaporated milk |
In a 2-quart saucepan, combine syrup, sugar, water, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Let stand for 2 minutes and stir in milk. Makes 2 cups.
Mixed-Berry Syrup
1 cup sugar |
1-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch |
3/4 cup water |
1-1/2 cups frozen mixed berries |
In a 2-quart saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water. Add berries. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until syrup begins to thicken. Makes 2-1/2 cups.
Orange Sauce
1/2 cup sugar |
1 tablespoon cornstarch |
pinch salt |
3/4 cup water |
1 tablespoon butter or margarine |
1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed |
In a 1-quart saucepan, stir together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk in water and butter and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add juice and bring syrup back to a boil, stirring until it thickens. Makes 1-1/2 cups.
Maple Cream Topping
1 cup pure maple syrup |
1/2 cup whipping cream |
2 tablespoons butter or margarine |
In a 2-quart saucepan, combine syrup, cream, and butter. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and continue to cook at a boil for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly to assure that it doesnt boil over. Makes 1-1/2 cups.
Praline Syrup
1 cup dark corn syrup |
3 tablespoons brown sugar |
1/4 cup water |
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans |
1/2 teaspoon vanilla |
In a 2-quart saucepan, combine syrup, brown sugar, and water. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in pecans and vanilla. Makes 1-1/2 cups.
Raspberry Syrup
1 cup fresh raspberries |
1/3 cup water |
3 tablespoons sugar |
1 tablespoon cornstarch |
1 teaspoon lemon juice |
In a 2-quart saucepan, add berries and water. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cornstarch. Sprinkle sugar mixture over raspberries in pan. Stir in lemon juice. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until syrup comes to a boil and thickens. Remove from heat. Makes 1-1/4 cups.
Coconut Syrup
1 cup milk |
2 tablespoons butter or margarine |
4 drops coconut extract |
3/4 cup sugar |
1 tablespoon cornstarch |
1/8 teaspoon salt |
1/2 teaspoon vanilla |
In a 2-quart saucepan, heat milk, butter, and coconut extract until butter melts. In a 1-quart bowl, stir together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Slowly stir sugar mixture into milk mixture. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Store leftover syrup in the refrigerator. Makes 1-1/4 cups.
Blueberry Sauce
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries |
7 tablespoons water, divided |
3/4 cup orange juice |
1/2 cup sugar |
2 tablespoons and 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch |
1/4 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract |
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon |
In a 2-quart saucepan, combine berries, 3 tablespoons water, juice, and sugar. Stir occasionally and gently until sauce comes to a boil. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and remaining water. Gently stir cornstarch mixture into berries. Simmer for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in extract and cinnamon. Makes 2 cups.
Appetizers & Entertaining
Piled-High Vegetable Ranch Pizza
2-3/4 cups pancake mix |
2/3 cup very hot water |
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened |
1 container (6 ounces) non-fat Greek plain yogurt |
1/2 envelope (1.125 ounces) ranch salad dressing mix |
carrots, cucumber, red bell pepper, broccoli, tomatoes, and/or green onions, sliced or diced |
1 can (2.25 ounces) sliced black olives, drained |
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a 2-quart bowl, combine pancake mix and water until dough forms. Use hands to work pancake mix completely into the dough. Spread dough into a 9 x 13-inch pan prepared with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 15 minutes. Allow crust to completely cool.
In a 2-quart bowl, mix together cream cheese and yogurt until smooth. Stir in dressing mix. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over cooled crust. Top with desired amount of vegetables. Evenly distribute olives and cheese over pizza. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 15 servings.
Cheesy Jalapeno Pancake Bites
2 cups pancake mix |
1-1/4 cups water |
1/2 cup ranch salad dressing |
1 can (4 ounces) diced jalapeno peppers, drained |
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese |
salsa |
ranch salad dressing |
Heat an electric griddle to 350 degrees and prepare with nonstick cooking spray.
In a 2-quart bowl, combine pancake mix, water, and ranch dressing. Stir in jalapenos and cheese. Using a 2 tablespoon-size cookie scoop, drop batter evenly spaced over top of griddle. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes and flip to cook on the other side. Cook until second side is golden brown. Serve each pancake bite warm with a spoonful of salsa and a drizzle of dressing over the top. Makes 30 bites.