Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 vanilla bean, sliced and seeds scraped
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
5-6 cups confectioners sugar

Cream butter in mixing bowl. Add in vanilla bean seeds, salt, and milk. Slowly add in confectioners sugar. Mix to desired consistency.

Crock Pot Apple Crisp

Recipe from That's My Home
8 apples, peeled and sliced

1 ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

¼ tsp. allspice¼ tsp. nutmeg

¾ cup milk

2 tbsp. butter, softened

¾ cup sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1 ½ cups Bisquick, divided

1/3 cup brown sugar

3 tbsp. butter, cold

Toss apples in large bowl with cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Place apple mixture in lightly greased slow cooker.

Combine milk, softened butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and ½ cup of the Bisquick. Spoon over apples.

Combine the remaining Bisquick with the brown sugar. Cut cold butter into Bisquick mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture on top.

Cover and cook on low 6 to 7 hours or until apples are soft.

Caramelized Apple Grain Waffles

Adapted from Good Things Catered1/3 c. sugar
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
2 apples - peeled, cored, and diced
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/8 c. wheat germ
1/8 c. golden flax seed, finely ground
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs, well beaten
2/3 c. applesauce
1 1/2 c. milk

In medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cook sugar until it begins to melt. Reduce to simmer and cook until syrup turns pale amber color. Swirl in butter and vanilla and stir to dissolve any clumps of sugar. Add apples to the pan and stir to coat. Cover pan and cook on low heat about 5 minutes or until apples are soft. Uncover and continue cooking until syrup is slightly thick. Set aside and let apples cool.

In a large bowl whisk together dry ingredients. Add in eggs, applesauce, and milk; gently whisk. (The batter should have a pebbled look, similar to muffin batter) Fold in cooled apple mixture gently.

Spoon 1/2 c. of batter (or the amt recommended by waffle iron manufacturer) on hot iron. Bake until golden brown.

Apple Bread Pudding

7 cups soft bread cubes
4 cups apples, peeled and chopped
1 cup brown sugar
2-1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup margarine
1-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine bread, and apples. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup brown sugar, 2-1/2 cups milk, and 1/3 cup margarine. Cook and stir until margarine is melted. Pour over bread mixture in bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together cinnamon, vanilla, and eggs. Pour over bread mixture; stir.

Spread bread mixture evenly in pan.

Bake in preheated oven 40 to 50 minutes, or until center is set and apples are tender.

Broccoli Dip

1 package frozen chopped broccoli, cooked
8 oz velveeta, cubed
1 block cream cheese
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Combine above ingredients. Heat in crock pot until warm.

Pepperoni Crescent Rolls

1 can crescent rolls
16 slices pepperoni
Parmesan cheese

Divide crescent rolls into 8 triangles. Place two pepperoni pieces on each triangle. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Roll crescents. Bake according to directions on can.

Meaty Pasta Bake

1 box pasta, cooked & drained according to directions on box
1/2 cup pepperoni, chopped
1/2 cup bacon, crumbled
1 large jar pasta sauce
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray.

Combine pasta, pepperoni, bacon, pasta sauce, and Parmesan. Spread evenly in pan.

Top with cheese.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.

From Scratch Pancakes

Adapted from All Recipes

Pictures from top to bottom: Peanut Butter & Banana Pancakes for me, Mickey Mouse Pancakes for the kids, Bacon Pancakes for Andrew

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon vanilla

Combine above ingredients.

Cook pancakes for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked. Add fillings.

Turn and cook the other side.