Whenever I have someone over and I make these, they are always so impressed.  I have been known to sigh, throw some flour on my face and describe how much time and effort it took me in the kitchen.  Luckily my friends know me well enough and we always end up laughing.

These eclairs have a perfect little crunch on the outside, a super creamy filling inside and who can complain about them being dripped in chocolate?

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Chocolate Eclairs

With this recipe, there's no need to be afraid to make these yummy Chocolate Eclairs.

Course Dessert

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Author TGIF - This Grandma Is Fun

Ingredients

• Eclairs
  
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 eggs
  
• Filling
  
• 1 5.1 oz package Instant Vanilla Pudding
• 2 1/2 cups cold milk
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
  
• Chocolate icing
  
• 2 squares 1 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate
• 2 TBL butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 TBL hot water

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees
• Eclairs
  
• In a saucepan, combine the butter and water. Melt butter and bring to a rolling boil.
• Reduce heat and mix in flour and salt.
• Mix vigorously until the mixture leaves the side of the pan and forms a stiff ball.
• Remove from heat.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Spoon or pipe dough into 4 x 1/12 inch strips.
• Place on greased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 450 for 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake for 20 minutes longer or until golden brown.
• Let cool.
  
• Filling
  
• Combing pudding mix and milk and mix according to package instructions.
• In a separate bowl, whip the whipped cream until soft peaks form.
• Beat in sugar and vanilla.
• Fold into pudding mixture.
• Fill cooled shells. You may have some mixture leftover. I sometimes put this to mix into some fruit for a great fruit salad!
  
• Chocolate Icing
  
• Melt chocolate and butter in a sauce over low heat.
• Stir in sugar.
• Add hot water and stir until mixture is smooth and to desired consistency.
• Cool slightly.
• Pour over cooled eclairs.
• Chill until served.

With Easter fast approaching, these Chocolate Eclairs would be a great addition to a Sunday Brunch.  Just don’t forget to brush the flour from your face.

The post Chocolate Eclairs appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

If you’re like me, breakfast is the most unexciting part of the day. I pretty much eat the same old, same old: a bowl of cereal and a banana every day. That’s why Easter is an especially exciting day! The Resurrection, the Easter Bunny, and….. BRUNCH! If you’re as excited as I am for a break in boring old breakfast, check out these 21 scrumptious Easter brunch ideas! 

1. Stuffed Crescent Roll Carrots-The Easter Bunny is sure to love these crescent roll carrots from Pillsbury.

2. Savory Crepes with Cheese, Spinach, and a Fried Egg– The wonderful thing about crepes is that they can be either sweet or they can be savory, like this recipe from Amanda Fredrickson!

3. Easter Bunny Breakfast Bowls– Looking for something the kids will love? Check out our Bunny Breakfast Bowls!

4. Crescent Bacon Breakfast Ring– This recipe from Jo Cooks is exactly the type of recipe that gets me excited for brunch! Yum!

5. Peach & Honey Whipped Ricotta Crostini– Scrambled and Spiced‘s crostinis add such an elegant touch to brunch, don’t you think?

6. Spring Chick Egg Breakfast Sandwich– Forget the bunny! These little springtime chicks from Kids Activities are adorable!

7. Carrot Cake Pancakes with Cream Cheese Maple Syrup– Who says carrot cake is only dessert? Have it for breakfast with Imagelicous‘s recipe!

8. Parmesan Baked Hash Browns– It’s not brunch without hashbrowns and we found just the recipe for you at Delicious Table!

9. Blueberry Orange Beignets– A Latte Food

10. English Muffin Breakfast Pizza– Pizza- the Breakfast of Champions! Ok, but this one from Fox Valley Foodie is altered to include eggs, sausage, and its own special sauce, which makes it even tastier!

11. Oatmeal Cups with Yogurt and Fruit– Try this fresh take on yogurt parfaits from Domestically Speaking!

12. Easter Egg Pancakes– The Joys of Boys‘s recipe has inspired me to start hiding pancake eggs around the house instead of real ones. Great idea, right?!

13. Mini Quiche– For any quiche fans out there, Culinary Hill has four different ways to prepare it!

14. Easter Bunny Cream Tart– Make the cutest little bunny treat around with this cream tart from Ku’uipo Vea.

15. Mini Avocado Toasts– The food of a generation! Find this fun recipe at Pizzazzerie.

16. Breakfast Bagel Bunnies– Looking for something simple that the kids will love? Try Handmade Charlotte‘s bagel bunnies!

17. Prosciutto Asparagus Puff Pastries– There’s no rules about these pastries from Fox and Briar only being for brunch right? I’m pretty sure this is something I could eat every day, all day…

18. Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls– What better way to celebrate Easter than with these yummy cinnamon rolls from That’s What Che Said?!

19. Creme Brulee French Toast– French toast- good. Creme brulee- awesome. Put them together and you have AMAZING. Find this recipe at Mom’s On the Clock.

20. Lemon Poppyseed Scones– I really can’t think of a better fit for a spring time brunch than these lemon poppyseed scones from Salt and Baker.

21. Easter Egg Breakfast Popsicle– It’s like having dessert for breakfast! Check it out at Eats Amazing!

Which of these scrumptious Easter brunch ideas did you like the best? Let us know!

The post 21 Scrumptious Easter Brunch Ideas appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

If you are like me and the thought of making cinnamon rolls scares you to death, then whip up this recipe! This is really easy, very fool proof and the result is so good you are not going to believe you made it with your own hands and in your own kitchen.

There’s also not a lot of waiting around for the dough to rise since I honestly don’t have a lot of patience to wait for things to be done.

But can we please go again and talk about the flavor? Because it’s really one of the most delicious things I’ve ever had. First, the filling is really full of cinnamon which in my opinion differentiates a good cinnamon roll from a bad one.

Second, the roll is flavorful, I mean just the roll alone without the filling is packed with flavor! Part of the reason is because we are using buttermilk instead of milk. It really makes a difference.

And finally, there’s the brown sugar part that adds another layer of caramel like flavor.

They are great as a breakfast or even as a dessert, but I personally love to serve them for brunch, and I consider them the best recipe to whip up if you have overnight guests.

They also keep really well in the freezer which means you can make them ahead of time (that includes the baking) and then pop them in the oven once you are ready to serve them. Can we just agree that buttermilk cinnamon rolls on demand seems like a dream come true?

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Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls

These are some of the easiest cinnamon rolls you'll ever make, and so tasty, too!

Servings 8

Author Michelle Dudas

Ingredients

• 3 Cups flour
• 1 Cup buttermilk
• ½ Cup sweet cream butter
• 1 Cup brown sugar
• 2 Tsps baking powder
• 2 Eggs
• ⅛ Cup ground hazelnut
• ¼ Cup melted butter
• 2 Tbsps ground cinnamon
• ¼ Ounce yeast

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• In a bowl mix the flour, buttermilk, butter, ½ cup sugar, baking powder, eggs, ground hazelnut, and yeast.
• Transfer to a flat surface and knead for 5 minutes.
• Transfer to a bow and let it rise for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl beat together the remaining sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon
• Sprinkle flour over a flat surface to avoid sticking and stretch the dough using a rolling pin.
• Brush the dough with the cinnamon sugar, roll, and cut it into slices
• Grease a circular baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• Place the rolls side by side and take to the oven for 30-35 minutes or until done.
• Remove from the oven, serve and enjoy.

If you liked this recipe for Butt, then you’ll definitely want to check some of my other recipes over at The Essential Baker and Thrifty DIY Diva! I believe that eating well doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and you most certainly don’t have to go out to eat to satisfy your cravings. I love making copycat versions of my favorite restaurant recipes at home and creating new ones, too! Be sure to follow me over at Pinterest and Facebook!

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Hey there! We’re Molly and Chelsea.

We are the best friend and food blogging duo behind Best and Bites who love to cook, bake and share it with the world. Some of our favorite things include shopping, eating (duh!),working out and pool days.

Everyone has a soft spot in their hearts for banana bread. Including us. And by soft spot we mean giant hole that can only be filled with warm and soft banana bread covered in melty Nutella straight from the oven.

Banana bread in general reminds me of brunch. We used to go to brunch on Sundays and they always included some sort of banana bread. With nuts, without nuts, with chocolate chips etc. But, never with Nutella.

Until now.

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread

You will fall in love with this recipe!

Quick side note: If you want to make this, you might want to plan ahead! It’s best when the bananas are very ripe and starting to turn brown. They mash beautifully and give this banana bread the perfect texture.

The bread gets so soft and moist because of the mushy bananas that go into them. It’s just the right amount of dense and light. It’s bursting with banana flavor and your taste buds will explode when you bite into a little pocked of Nutella in the middle.

We used a heavy hand when swirling in the Nutella. Because there’s no such thing as too much. We also nuked the Nutella in the microwave for about 20 seconds to soften it up. This helps as you dollop spoonfuls on top to swirl through the banana bread batter. If it’s straight out of the jar, it’s a little hard to get a gorgeous and even swirl.

This Nutella Swirled Banana Bread recipe has a double dose of Nutella. You pour half the banana bread batter in the bread loaf pan, swirl Nutella on top, fill the pan with the rest of the batter and repeat the swirling process. The Nutella on top gets melty and makes the banana bread look so pretty. And the swirls in the middle ooze with melty goodness when you bite into a slice.

Pure heaven, we tell you.

Print

Nutella Swirled Banana Bread

Servings 12

Ingredients

• 2 Cups of Flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ tsp. Salt
• 4 very ripe bananas mashed
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 Cup butter melted
• 1/2 Cup of Sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 Cup Nutella divided

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a standard sized loaf pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
• In large bowl, with a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat bananas, eggs, butter and sugar and extract. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined.
• Melt Nutell in microwave for approximately 30 seconds to soften slightly. Using 1/2 cup Nutella, dollop spoonfuls on top of batter, swirl with a knife. Pour the rest of the batter on top and repeat swirl process with the rest of the Nutella.
• Bake for 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted to center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes then remove to cool the rest on a backing rack.

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I love anything lemon.  My sweet mother who is in her late seventies loves anything lemon too.  I know that’s where I acquired my taste for lemon and it’s funny how we like the things that our mother likes.

The other day my daughter called me laughing because she had seen a See’s Candy store in the mall that she was at and was so excited to go in and get her favorite chocolate candy.

To her dismay when she got home, she realized that she had gotten MY favorite chocolate candy!  I love the Milk Chocolate Bordeaux and she loves those too, but likes the Brown Sugar chocolates just a little bit more.  So even though she might have been a little disappointed that she didn’t get a Brown Sugar, she still got a Bordeaux and was happy and called me to tell me that she was thinking about me.  Yes, the things our mothers like runs strong in us, doesn’t it?

I haven’t made these for my mother yet but I know that she would love them.  They are perfect little bite-sized bits of lemon heaven.  They really do feel like they are melting in your mouth and would be perfect for a brunch or a wedding shower.  So let’s get baking!

Print

Lemon Meltaways

Course Dessert

Servings 4 dozen

Author This Grandma Is Fun

Ingredients

Cookies

• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch yes you read that right
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup softened butter
• 2 tsp grated lemon peel
• 1 TBL lemon juice

Frosting

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 3 tsp grated lemon peel save 1 tsp for garnishing cookies
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

Cookies

• In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients until well mixed. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into an 8x1 inch roll. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for one hour.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. With a sharp knife, cut each half of dough into 1/4 inch slices. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until set. Cookies should not brown. Cool completely.

Frosting

• In small mixing bowl, combine all frosting ingredients. Beat at medium speed, scraping the bowl often, until fluffy. (1-2 minutes)
• Frost cooled cookies.
• If desired, garnish with extra grated lemon peel and sifted powdered sugar on top.

I’m thinking that I might make these again for my mom for Mother’s Day.  So now that you know what my mom likes, what does YOUR mom like?  I’d love to hear!

Happy Lemony Spring!

The post Lemon Meltaways appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

* We’re sharing our favorite links from last week’s party at the beginning of today’s party.  Check them out and then keep scrolling down for the link party.  Happy Weekend!

Thanks for participating in the Best Recipes and DIY Projects Party last week!  We’re thrilled to share some of our favorite links from last week’s link party with you.

With Mother’s Day coming up, we were looking for some yummy recipes to spoil the moms in our lives.  These will definitely achieve that goal!  Try one of these delicious ideas for serving Mom breakfast in bed.

Baked Chocolate Donuts with Peanut Butter Glaze from The Golding Girl

Paleo Blueberry Muffins from Almost Supermom

Bourbon Maple Bacon from This Cookin’ Dad

Cottage Cheese Pancakes from Munchkin Time

Cranberry Pecan Teacake Bars from Mama Plus One

Tropical Yogurt Dip from Atta Girl Says

Now, let’s get this party started!

 Happy Weekend, everyone! We’re delighted that you came to our party. The link-up is live and ready for you to share your recipes, DIY projects and crafts, just make sure you follow these guidelines:

1. When you link up, you are giving us permission to feature your project and pictures on our blogs and social media with a link back to you.
2. We’ll feature our favorite projects from this weekend’s party at the beginning of next week’s link party.
3. Weekly favorites will also be pinned to our Link Party Favorites Board on Pinterest!
4. Add a text link back to the host blog.
5. You can link up any post you’ve created during this past week.
6. We’re excited about your handmade items, but this link party is limited to blog posts only. Please don’t linkup your Etsy shop.
7. Share the love and comment on two or more of the other projects that are linked up. We all love comments!

This party starts every Friday at 5 P.M. MST, and keeps going until the following Tuesday evening. Feel free to invite others to join in the fun!

Thanks for participating! Your Hosts,

Ruthie from Cooking With Ruthie, Jeni from Bakerette, Mandy from Mandy’s Recipe Box, Dan and Chris from Live Dan 330, and Deb, Tracy, and Sherri from Made From Pinterest

The post Best Recipes & DIY Projects Link Party #95 appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

In fact, s’mores have become such a favorite that this flavor combo has become popular away from the campfire, as well.  In the last couple of years, we’ve seen s’mores come into their own with dessert and breakfast variations that are downright gourmet!  Today, we’ve rounded up a few of those variations from around the web to share with you.  A few!  Who are we kidding?  You could eat s’mores everyday for a MONTH if you wanted to!  Click on the links and pictures below to go to the blogs where we found these yummy 33 S’mores Inspired Recipes.

S’mores Lasagna from Beyond Frosting

S’mores Donuts from Buns in My Oven

Smore’s Pot De Creme from Bakin’ Bit

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Fluff Chocolate Dipped Frozen S’mores from The First Year Blog

S’mores Stuffed Pizzokies from Handle the Heat

S’moreos from Cakespy

S’mores Cupcakes from Homemade by Holman

Deep Fried S’mores from Sugarhero!

S’mores Popcorn from Nest of Posies

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie S’mores from Crazy for Crust

S’mores Truffles from High Heels & Grills

Flaky S’mores Pizza Triangles from I Wash You Dry

S’more Cheesecakes from Shugary Sweets

Scone S’mores from Baked Perfection

S’more Milkshake from Bombshell Bling

Panini S’mores from Bitter Sweet

S’mores Ice Cream from Spache the Spatula

Banana S’mores Protein Pancakes from Kiss My Broccoli

S’mores Macaroons from Blahnik Baker

S’mores Creme Brulee from Sugar Plum

Triple Chocolate S’mores Bark from A Kitchen Addiction

S’mores Bars from Gimme Some Oven

S’more Stuffed French Toast from B’s in the Kitchen

S’mores Tart from The Boastful Baker

Campfire Cookies from Fahrenheit 350

S’mores on a Stick from Dip It In Chocolate

Mini Smore’s Pies from Lil’ Luna

S’mores Rice Krispy Treats from Glorious Treats

Indoor S’mores from Dessert for Two

S’more Nachos from Spice is Nice

Chocolate S’mores Pancakes from Chocolate and Carrots

S’mores Banana Bread from Made From Pinterest

Nutella Crepe S’mores from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Do these s’more recipes make you long for a crackling fire?  If you are heading out with the tent and sleeping bags anytime soon and need some great campfire recipes, try some of our favorites:

Campfire Eclairs  |  Onion Bombs  |  Campfire Banana Boats

We’re sharing this post with:

Living Well Spending Less

The post S’mores Galore! 33 S’mores Inspired Recipes appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

Yummy breakfast recipes caught our eyes this week.  It’s always fun to host a brunch party, right?  You’ll definitely want to pin these recipes for the next brunch you host.  And since school days are right around the corner, we’ve included some super healthy options in the lineup that you can use to start the morning off right for your family.  Enjoy these 13 Breakfast & Brunch Recipes.

Blueberry Zucchini Bread with Kefir from Upstate Ramblings

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Pastry Puffs from Tastes of Lizzy T

Low Sugar Coffee Cake from Life In My Empty Nest

Prosciutto Wrapped Melon from The Coconut Head’s Survival Guide

Pumpkin Cinnamon Waffles from A Mom’s Take

Quick Kefir Pancakes from Munchkin Time

Rice Cooker Hard Boiled Eggs from Frugal in Florida

Slow Cooker Pancakes from The Sassy Slow Cooker

Strawberries and Cream Scones from Simply Suzanne’s

Streusel Topped Banana Bread from This Silly Girl’s Life

Whole Grain Blueberry Muffins from Practically Poppy

Ooey Gooey Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls from Almost Supermom

Morning Glory Whole Wheat Pancakes from Food Faith Fitness
 Thanks again for sharing your projects and recipes with us during Super Saturday #54!  We hope you were as inspired by these featured links as we were.   Please come back  for our next Super Saturday Link Party, starting at 7 P.M. EST on Friday night!  And keep an eye on your social media over the weekend, too.  We like to showcase links that catch our eye during the party via Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.  You might see your links featured there!

The post Share It Thursday #54 appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

For our features today, we thought we’d help out anyone who needs ideas for Mother’s Day this weekend.  In other words, leave this page open on your husband’s and/or older child’s computer.  (You’re welcome.)   Here are some terrific last minute ideas you can use for brunch and gifts on Mother’s Day.

For Brunch (or Breakfast in Bed):

Lemon Pull Apart Sweet Rolls from The First Year Blog

Asparagus, Goat Cheese, and Pearl Onion Quiche from Frugal Mom Eh!

Sugar Free Banana French Toast Bake from Life In My Empty Nest

Cinnamon Peach Flan from True Blue Baking

Cinnamon Chip Scones from Tastes of Lizzy T

Gifts You Can Make For Mom:

DIY Moss Wreath from Simply Suzanne’s

Washi Tape Candles from Titi Crafty

DIY Custom Framed Art from Live Love Liz

“Cornishware” Ruffled Shopping Bag from Sum of Their Stories

Gold Glittery Mason Jars from Sprout’s House

Leather Handle Box from Learning, Creating, Living

Gold Dipped Plant Pots from Homey Oh My

We hope you were as inspired by these featured links as we were!   Please come back  for our next Super Saturday Link Party, starting at 7 P.M. EST on Friday night!  And keep an eye on your social media over the weekend, too.  We like to showcase links that catch our eye during the party via Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.  You might see your link featured there!

The post Share It Thursday from Super Saturday #42 appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

 Have you guessed the two ingredients yet? I gave you a hint with the fruit I chose.

1 banana, 2 eggs!

That’s it folks. Just zip them up in the blender and cook like a pancake or crepe. Low cal, gluten free, and packed with protein, these are breakfast dynamos.
These pancakes rock!

Print

2 Ingredient Pancakes

Author adapted by Made From Pinterest

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 ripe banana

Instructions

• Blend 2 eggs and 1 ripe banana in a blender until smooth. Cook like a pancake or crepe. Top with favorite topping and enjoy a healthy breakfast.

For another healthy breakfast idea try:

Bell Pepper Sautéed Eggs

We are sharing this yummy recipe with:  Chef In Training,  Mandy’s Recipe Box,  Inside BruCrew Life,  Hun What’s For Dinner, A Bowl Full Of Lemons,Savvy Southern Style, Life With The Crust Cut Off, The Taylor House, Someday Crafts, The Recipe  Critic, Lamberts Lately

The post 2 Ingredient Pancakes appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.