This year, I'm really grateful that Brian and I are having a non-traditional Christmas. There will be no tinsel-topped trees casting their pine scented needles onto our carpet, no halls decked with boughs of holly, no gift swapping with relatives that we only see once a year, and frankly, don't care all that much for, and no pushing and shoving our way through the overcrowded shopping malls, dodging shoppers with cart rage and a vengeance for our ankles.
Instead, we'll be celebrating the Christmas holiday cuddled up with one another and with our fur babies. We'll listen to some of our favorite holiday music as we enjoy a quiet day at home, share a nice dinner, and dessert of some double chocolate cake with snow white frosting in honor of Jesus' birthday. We'll enjoy pulling out the gifts that we bought for one another during the Black Friday sales and laugh yet again about how pathetic it is that two grown adults have absolutely no self control or patience to wait until December 25th to exchange said gifts. We'll share Eskimo kisses and smiles as we thank God for the incredible blessings that he's given to us this year. Oh, and we'll be starting our day off right with these loaves of love. Warm, golden, gooey cinnamon and banana goodness. There's comfort in every bite, and if you pair it up with a fresh pot of coffee, a tall glass of milk, or some warm apple cider, you've got yourself the start of a perfectly glorious holiday brunch! Sit down by the fire and enjoy some of this love from my house to yours...
WHAT YOU\'LL NEED
- 1 large tube refrigerated homestyle biscuit dough (8 biscuits per tube)
- 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
- 2 medium sized ripened bananas, mashed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
HOW TO MAKE IT
Heat oven to 350 degrees F (325 convection)
Lightly grease the wells of a Pampered Chef stoneware mini loaf pan, a standard sized bread pan, or a 4-6 cup bundt pan. Set aside.
In a large zippered plastic bag, add 3 Tablespoons cinnamon and 3 Tablespoons white sugar. Cut 8 uncooked refrigerated biscuits into quarters, then place all 32 pieces into the plastic bag. Close zipper and shake to coat pieces of dough. Place 8 pieces of dough evenly into each of the 4 wells of the mini loaf pan, or space evenly across the bottom of the bread or bundt pan.
In a Small Batter Bowl or similar microwave safe bowl, melt butter and brown sugar for 45 seconds on high power. Stir until melted and combined Stir in 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract to combine. Pour evenly over the biscuit pieces.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until biscuits are lightly browned and sauce is bubbling.
Carefully remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing and serving.
If desired, drizzle with melted white chocolate or cream cheese frosting.
Notes
For more information on purchasing Pampered Chef cookware, visit my Facebook page
Now back to my story... please don't think that my 2012 was all fuzzy and warm. It was by no means a stellar year. In truth, it was far from it. There were serious illnesses and unemployment to battle. There were deaths of friends to grieve. There were major challenges and disagreements that harbored resentment and anger, and came perilously close to destroying our 5-year relationship. There was major unrest in our nation and in our world that caused many sleepless, fearful nights in this household. However, the trembling and fears were only temporary. We learned that negative things and people in our lives are only there as long as we give them the power to be there. We made a decision to end the negativity and remove the hurt that our hearts were filled with. The toxicity of life brought us to our knees with the knowledge and peace that there was a way of escape from our pain. That way of escape was born long ago, in a lowly stable. That tiny baby would become our Savior and King. He would eventually be known as our Wonderful Counselor, our ever present help in times of trouble. All we needed to do was to ask God to help believe in our hearts that He could and would help, and then turn our lives...the good, the bad, and the ugly, over to HIS care. In return, He promised us that in His timing, everything will work according to His plan. We just need to live in the moment and trust Him. (John 3:16) It's not easy to have faith in something that you cannot see. I know that from first hand experience. However, I also know that our faith in that loving God has helped Brian and I through some of the most challenging and painful times in our lives. The fact is that presents and trees and fancy gifts are wonderful ways to bring loved ones closer together during the holidays, but Brian and I would give up all of that and more, just to be closer to our King. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you, my sweet readers. I am SO grateful for the time we've spent together this year. May your holidays be peaceful, happy, and filled with all of the things that make your smile...
for over 3 months now. Each week has brought new sensations to my palate and wonderful foods to my plate. This week's recipe is one of my favorites to date. Seriously, lovelies... these are some of the best pancakes I've eaten in my life!
Bachelor Kitchen