Recipe: Apple Strudel Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 large apples
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

topping

• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease muffin pan with non-stick spray/butter or use muffin cups.
2. Wash both apples. Peel and chop one apple into chunks roughly 1/2 inch. Peel and coarsely shred the remaining apple with a cheese grater. Place apples in a medium bowl. Add 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp nutmeg to the apples. Mix well and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, beat together softened butter, white sugar and eggs. Add vanilla and mix well.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix well.
6. Spoon into muffin cups.

     7. In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients. Sprinkle evenly onto unbaked muffins. 

     8. Bake for 20 mins at 375°F. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack or plate.

Recipe: Easy Granola

Ingredients:

1 cup almonds
1 cup walnuts
Desired amount of soy nuts/ dehydrated cranberries, banana chips, other dried fruits (I used 1 cup of each)
2-3 cups old fashioned oats
2tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice
1 c packed brown sugar
1/2-1 tsp salt (optional)
honey to clump - desired amount (I used about 1 cup)


(Measurements above are approximate. Add according to your own taste.) Add dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Stir together well.

Spray baking pan(s) with cooking oil. Fill with granola, but leave enough room to stir without spilling. I had to use 2 large casserole pans. Add desired amount of honey to mixture, enough to dampen and clump granola. Stir well.


Bake at 350 in 15 min intervals, stirring often. Its done when it is a light toasted brown. Granola will harden upon cooling. Don't burn it! Makes about a gallon or so, depending on how much you use.

(My first batch was a little too toasted.)

Working in the back loops

Working in the back loops is a useful tactic when you want to create an item with a little bit of ribbing detail. Not only does this make your work look more interesting but it gives your item a lot of useful stretch and softness.


Where exactly is the back loop?
Once you know where to look, the back loop is super easy to identify and breeze to work in.

Look at the top of your row of crochet. There is a "<" shape at the top of each individual crochet. When you are holding your work as if you are working right to left, the back loop is the farthest leg of the loop from your body.

How to work it:

Working into the back loop is super easy. Insert your hook into the "<" shape, through the middle [in between each leg]. Push your hook under the back loop and work your crochet from there!

If you are working your crochets in the back loops, you will start to notice a subtle ribbing of your item. 

It's that simple!

If you have any questions, feel free to email me & ask!

How-to: Single Crochet

Difficulty: Beginner

The Single Crochet is the smallest of the 4 basic crochet stitches. Those will be covered later. As with all crochet projects, remember to work evenly. Keep your work firm, but not too tight. Doing this will make sure that your projects are even and consistent.

What you will need: Any type of yarn and hook will work for practice.

Instructions: Begin by chaining about 12 stitches.

Put your hook through the 2nd chain stitch from your hook.

Wrap your yarn around your hook and pull it through the first loop. You now have 2 loops around your hook.

Wrap yarn over the hook and pull through both loops.

Your finished Single Crochet should look like this:

A row of Single Crochets should look something like this:

Remember to keep medium tension and to work evenly!

How-to: Slip Stitch

Difficulty: Beginner

The Slip Stitch is used quite frequently because it is the most effective way to join work together, carry yarn to a different area, fasten stitches and reinforce edges without adding any height to your project. Its very simple and fast to do.

What you will need: Any type of yarn and hook will work for this practice.

Instructions: Start by chaining about 12 stitches. 

Put your hook through the 2nd chain from your hook.

Wrap your yarn over the hook.

Pull the yarn through the chain loop and the loop on your hook.

As you can see, a Slip Stitch gives the illusion of skipping stitches without adding any height. This comes in handy throughout a variety of projects and is definitely worth using. 

How-to: Build Your Chain

Difficulty: Beginner


Chaining is the most basic form of crochet. The size of your initial chain will determine the general size of your finished product. All of your crocheting for each project begins to build on the chain. This step is very easy, but also very important.

What you will need: Any type of yarn and any size crochet hook will work for this.

Instructions: Beginning your chain is as simple as making a slip knot! Start by placing the tail of your yarn in your hand and draping the rest of the yarn over your index finger.

Next, wrap your yarn around the top of your index finger loosely.

Pull your yarn through the circle you created around your index finger, like this:

Pull tight to create a loop.

Put your crochet hook through this loop and pull your yarn closed around the hook.

Now we are ready to begin chaining! Make sure you are aware of where your tail is and keep it out of the way. You will need to sew this tail in when your project is finished.

When I start a chain, I find that its easiest for me to hold on to the slip knot I made with the first loop.

With your crochet hook through your first loop, wrap the yarn around the hook and pull through the loop.

Repeat the last step until your chain is long enough for your project. Once you get going, it should look a little similar to a braid.

Now that you have built your chain, you are ready to begin your project!

Feel free to email me if you have any questions/suggestions or need some help.