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Cranberry Upside Down Cake Recipe

December 5, 2011 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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You already know that I love cranberries! And this time of the year is just perfect for adding them into all kinds of recipes. The topping is made by simply baking cranberries placed in layer over sugar and spices at the bottom of the pan.As the cake bakes, sugar caramelizes, forming a rich syrup. You can add sweetened whip cream that will make a perfect combination to this lovely spicy dessert.  I am going to include this treat in my holiday menu for sure! Hope you like it too – Enjoy!

Cranberry Upside Down Cake:

Ingredients:

  • 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon of allspice
  • 1-3/4 – 2 cups of cranberries
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1-1/4 cups of flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 cup of milk

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350F with rack in the centre
  2. Rub the bottom and sides of an 8-inch round cake pan with about 2 tablespoons of butter
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of sugar with cinnamon and allspice
  4. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over bottom of pan
  5. Arrange cranberries in a single layer on top
  6. With an electric mixer, cream remaining 6 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 cup of sugar until light and fluffy
  7. Add egg and vanilla, beat until well combined
  8. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt
  9. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture to butter mixture in three batches, alternating with milk, until well combined
  10. Spoon batter over cranberries in pan and smooth top
  11. Place pan on a baking sheet and bake cake until toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean – 30-35 minutes
  12. Cool on a wire rack for about 20 minutes
  13. Run a knife around the edge and invert the cake onto a rimmed platter

Hope you will enjoy this recipe – please send me your comments anytime – your input is very welcomed and much appreciated!

 

 

 

 

 

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Apple Raisin Bread Pudding Recipe

December 1, 2011 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Let’s say you have bread in your kitchen that is a bit dry and a few apples in your fruit basket that are no longer the greatest for biting into; Here is what you can do and create a great tasting dessert for your family!

Apple Raisin Bread Pudding:

Ingredients:

  • 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter (4 melted, 2 cold, plus a bit more, softened for baking dish
  • 5 cups of milk
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1-12/ cups of sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons of grated orange zest
  • 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
  • About 1 lb. of bread, day old buns of baguette, torn into small pieces
  • 2-3 apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup of raisins

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together milk,. eggs, sugar, vanilla, orange zest, cinnamon and add bread
  4. Cover with plastic wrap and weigh down with another bowl
  5. Let stand until bread is soaked through – about 20 minutes
  6. Fold in apples, raisins and 4 tablespoons of melted butter
  7. Pour into prepared baking dish
  8. Dot top of the bread pudding with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cold butter
  9. Bake until pudding is set and lightly brown on top – about 50 minutes to 1 hour.
  10. Serve warm and it is great when you add vanilla ice cream or fresh whipping cream

 

Hope you will enjoy this recipe – please send me your comments, suggestions and experiences, your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated!

 

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How to make Old Fashioned Butter Cookies

November 29, 2011 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Here is why I like Butter Cookies (aside of the obvious fact that they are delicious!) – you can make different varieties of final shapes and finishes and it looks like you have baked a great selection. And it can be all done from one basic dough.

Here is the recipe:

Old Fashioned Butter Cookies:

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups of flour
  • 1 cup of confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 cup of col unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • Optional:
  • Egg wash: 1 large egg white beaten with 2 teaspoons of water
  • Decorating sugar and sprinkles

Directions:

  1. Place flour, sugar, butter and salt in a bowl of a food processor and process until mixture is the texture of course oatmeal. If you don’t have a food processor, you can do this with a fork
  2. In a small bowl, lightly beat egg yolks and vanilla and with motor running, add to food processor. If you are not using food processor, using electric mixer on a low speed will do the job as well.
  3. Process until dough forms
  4. Making cut out Sugar Cookies
  5. Divide dough in a half and form into two ½ inch thick discs
  6. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill until firm – about 1 hour
  7. Preheat oven to 350F
  8. On a piece of floured waxed paper, roll out one disc to a 3/16 inch thickness and chill again
  9. Repeat with the remaining dough
  10. Flouring cutters ads you are working along, cut dough into desired shapes and carefully transfer to baking sheets
  11. Re-chill rolled out dough it if gets difficult to work with
  12. If you plan to decorate your cookies, brush them with the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar or decorative sprinkles
  13. Bake cookies until edges are firm – not brown – 15-20 minutes
  14. Cool for couple of minutes on the baking sheets and cool completely on a rack
You can use a variety of cut out forms or if you have a cookies press, you can really get creative! Decorate with sprinkles, melted chocolate and create some very special memories this Christmas!
Hope you will enjoy making your Christmas cookies with this recipe – please send in your comments, suggestions and experiences, your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated!

 

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Old Fashioned Cinnamon Loaf Recipe

November 28, 2011 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Incredibly delicious Cinnamon Loaf - fresh and warm, straight from the oven - talk about comfort food!

I am very happy to share this recipe with all of you – as my new friend Selina Joyce from Alberta, Canada shared it with me. Joyce enjoys visiting my website and was kind enough to take some time to send me a personal note,letting me know how much she enjoys what I do and telling me her story. I very quickly discovered that we have a lot in common – especially when it comes to creating special family moments and future heirlooms. Very much like Joyce, I have also created personal cookbooks – full of handwritten recipes and stories attached to them and gave them to my sons. Some of the recipes had to be literally re-created, since both my grandma and my mom cooked as you would say “from their heads” and I have learned to do the same. Joyce sent me this Cinnamon Loaf Recipe – it comes from her grandmother, who used to make it for her when she was a little girl. Grandma passed away at a beautiful age of 105-1/2 and I totally understand why this recipe became so special – the Cinnamon Loaf is not only delicious beyond belief – it also fills the house with incredibly comforting aroma of cinnamon and vanilla.

Thanks you Joyce – and we are all looking forward to more recipes from you!

Old Fashioned Cinnamon Loaf:

Ingredients:

  • ¼ Cup of Shortening or Butter (I used butter)
  • 1 Cup of Sugar
  • 2 Cups of Flour
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
  • ½ Teaspoon of Baking Soda
  • 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla
  • 1 Teaspoon of  Salt
  • 1 Cup Sour Milk (To sour fresh milk, just add a  tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice)
  • 3.4 cups of raisins (optional)
  • Vanilla Sugar (optional)

Topping Mix:

  • 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
  • 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
Mix in a small bowl
Directions:

As I always say - it is a great idea to prepare all your needed ingredients first - it really makes cooking or baking much easier - and you won't forget to add a thing!

Cream shortening or butter with sugar in a large mixing bowl
Add eggs, beating until fluffy.

Cream sugar and butter first, then add eggs and beat until fluffy - it only takes a few minutes

Mix your dry ingredients together in a separate bowl, then add them alternately with milk to creamed butter and sugar.

Mix until thoroughly blended.

Adding mixed dry ingredients alternatively with milk - I used wooden spoon, since I didn't want my raisins to get chopped up by electric mixer

Put half of the mixture into loaf pan that you have greased with butter and lightly floured to prevent sticking.

Sprinkle about 1/2 the topping over the batter.

I chose to use half of the cinnamon/brown sugar mix after putting the batter into baking pan and the other half on the top - you can do it either way

Add rest of the mixture on top and swirl through with a spoon or a butter knife.

Sprinkle with vanilla sugar if desired

I used glass loaf pan to be able to take picture showing the cinnamon mixture half way in the batter

Alternatively, you can put all the cinnamon.brown sugar in after the first half of batter, top with remaining batter and swirl with a spoon of butter knife. I chose to create a bit of a cinnamon.vanilla crust, that is why I topped the loaf with remaining topping.

Putting some of the cinnamon.brown sugar mix on top and adding vanilla sugar will create a delicious crust - but you can put all the mixture after first layer of batter and then just swirl with a spoon or a butter knife.

Bake at 350 F for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

In the oven - let the baking begin and let that wonderful aroma fill the house!

Cool for about 10-15 minutes in the pan, then invert onto a rack and cool

This is now definitely one of my favourite recipes!

This Cinnamon Loaf tastes incredible – especially when you serve it still warm !

 

Hope you enjoy this recipe and thank you again Joyce! I will be happy to post your recipe, please send me your favourites – your input is very welcomed and much appreciated!

 

 

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Cranberry Walnut Bread Recipe

November 22, 2011 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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I am really into cranberries this time of the year! This bread is very easy to put together and tastes great- buttered fresh out of the oven and equally great the next day. You can store it for about a week in an airtight container or freeze it for later use. And without a doubt – it will make a great addition to your holiday breakfast or brunch. Enjoy!

Cranberry Walnut Bread

  • 2 tablespoons of butter – room temperature
  • 2 cups of flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon of baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon of orange zest
  • 1 cup of fresh orange juice
  • 1 cup of fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup of chopped walnuts

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325F
  2. Butter and flour 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch loaf pan
  3. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and set aside
  4. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until creamed
  5. Add egg and beat well
  6. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until combined – dough will appear dry
  7. Reduce speed to low, add orange zest and orange juice
  8. Fold in cranberries and walnuts
  9. Spread batter in prepared pan and smooth top evenly
  10. Bake until toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean – 50 minutes to 1 hour – tent with foil if the top is browning too quickly
  11. Cool in pan for 10 minutes then invert onto a wire rack
  12. Cool completely before slicing
Hope you will enjoy this recipe -please send in your comments and experiences – your input is very welcomed and much appreciated!
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Unique and Handmade Gifts Like No Others

November 17, 2011 in Featured Articles by Hanna Trafford

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I just have to share this with all of you!

After years of thinking about doing what I do best, I have finally launched Mama Knows product line – in my very own online store! I can hardly sleep now – it’s like having another child!

All the products have my personal name on them – all have been developed and well tested personally by me and I do believe they make incredible gifts!

Check out the Recipes in a Jar - absolutely perfect for trying them yourself and adding them to your gift list:

Good Old Fashioned Chili

Good Old Fashioned Chili in a Jar - complete with step by step instructions and attractively packaged in a re-usable jar - perfect gift idea!

Five different kinds of bean, my secret spice and seasoning mix in a separate pouch and the result? Awesome and huge pot of chili you can easily freeze for future use.

Also available in a gift bag!

Ready to use for yourself and your family and friends or add to your Christmas list for just about anyone - perfect gift like no other!

Friendship Soup

The name says it all - this good for you gift will make a huge pot of soup, ready to share with family and friends. You just have to add it to your Christmas gift list for all your friends!

One of my favourite soups – and I took my own recipe to create one that can be packaged in a jar or a bag and readily made with very little effort! Good for you ingredients include 2 different kinds of lentils, split peas, wite rice, brown and wild rice, 2 different pasta and of course – my very own secret mix of spices and seasonings. You will also get a recipe and step by step instructions folder – it’s just a perfect gift!

Friendship Soup is also available in a gift bag:

Perfect for all your friends on your Christmas Gift list or to use yourself and share it!

Old Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies

A definite favourite - this recipe has been in my family for ages - and I couldn't even tell you just how many cookies I have made! I am pretty sure you will not be disappointed if you give it a try or gift it to your family and friends

If I was to try to count just how many times and how many Chocolate Chip Cookies I have made using this recipe, I know I would end up and at least four-digit numbers! You really need to try these and add them to your Christmas Gift List!

Old Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies are also available in a gift bag package;

Definite favourite for anyone - try there or gift them - you will not be disappointed !

 

Best Ever Butter Tarts:

You will be able to make your own pastry and fill it with a wonderful butter tart filling, complete with raisins! Definite and delicious baked goodness!

I calls these The Best Ever Butter Tarts – I have made them thousands of time and always with no fail result! So I decided to share and created a recipe that can be packaged in a jar or a bag – and that is what you will get! Complete with recipe and step by step folder (pastry is really not difficult to make at all!) – there is no perfect gift like this one is!

And yes – it is also available in a gift bag package – check out my online store today!

Have a wonderful time browsing in my store – you will find not only the Recipes in a Jar line – you will also find handmade unique gifts – all designed and made by me! And keep checking it out and returning regularly- I have another line of products that will show up there within the next few days!

 

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Cornbread Pudding Recipe

November 17, 2011 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Cornbread pudding will make a great addition to any meal – especially if you are looking to add something to your holiday dinner menu. You can serve it topped with fruits or nuts and make a lovely dessert! Fro variation and to serve with your main course, I have added a recipe make with chives – Enjoy!

Cornbread Pudding

  1. Preheat oven to 300F with rack in the centre position
  2. In a large bowl, beat together 4 large eggs, 3 cups of half and half cream, ½ cup of maple syrup and ¼ teaspoon of salt
  3. Stir in about 1-1/2 lbs. of cornbread cut into 1 inch cubes (10-12 cups
  4. Let sit until cornbread has absorbed the liquid – about 5 minutes (the bread will break down to small pieces)
  5. Pour mixture into 8 inch square baking dish, flatten and smooth top with a spatula
  6. Bake until toothpick inserted into centre comes out clean – 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes
  7. Serve with more maple syrup and cream if desired or top with fresh fruits and cream

 

Corn Pudding with Chives

Ingredients:

  • 3 packages ( 10 oz.each) of frozen corn, thawed
  • 3 cups of milk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup of sugar
  • ½ cup of flour
  • ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
  • Coarse salt
  • ¼ cup of sliced fresh chives

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. In a blender, puree half the corn with 2 cups of milk, until almost smooth
  3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs with sugar, flour, nutmeg and 2 teaspoons of slat
  4. Whisk in puree corn mixture, along with remaining corn and 1 cup of milk\Pour mixture into 9 x 13 inch baking dish and sprinkle with chives
  5. Bake until golden brown around edges and very loosely set – about 40-45 minutes
  6. Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving

Hope you enjoy these recipes – please send in your comments – your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated!

 

 

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Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Topping Recipe

November 15, 2011 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Here is a recipe that I haven’t tried yet, but when I read it, it really looks like one I definitely am going to give a try to. Why don’t you do that as well and let me know what you thought – sharing is what this is all about :-)

Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Topping

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup plus ½ cup of packed light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon of salt
  • ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
  • ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon of heavy cream
  • 1 pie crust
  • 3 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 cup of pecans, broken into pieces

Directions:

  1. In  a larger saucepan, cover sweet potatoes with water.
  2. Bring to a boil, cook until tender – about 15 minutes
  3. Drain and puree in a food processor until completely smooth
  4. Let cool completely
  5. To make the filling:
  6. Preheat oven to 375F
  7. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, 1/3 cup of brown sugar and maple syrup until smooth
  8. Add sweet potato puree, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ¾ cup of cream
  9. Whisk until completely smooth
  10. Pour into pie crust
  11. Bake pie on a lowest rack in the oven, until filling is set – about 50 minutes
  12. If crust browns too quickly, tent edges with foil
  13. Transfer pie to a rack to cool
  14. Make pecan topping:
  15. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat
  16. Add remaining ½ cup light brown sugar and pecans
  17. Cook, stirring, until sugar is incorporated  and the mixture is smooth – about 3 minutes
  18. Stir in remaining tablespoon of cream and let cool for couple of minutes
  19. Pour mixture over the pie
  20. With a butter knife or spatula, spread mixture over pie
  21. Cool until topping has hardened – about 30 minutes

Serve cooled and top with whipped topping or vanilla ice cream

Enjoy this recipe and please let me know how it worked out for you – your comments are very welcomed and much appreciated!


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Pumpkin Spice Cake with Honey Frosting Recipe

November 10, 2011 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Remember that adding raisins will add to the wonderful taste of this cake!

I don’t know if it is the spices or the delicious Honey Frosting, that make this cake:” oh soooo good!” – but I do know that it is worth the effort in your kitchen. Hope you enjoy the recipe and remember – your comments, suggestions and experiences are always welcomed and very much appreciated!

 

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Honey Frosting

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup of unsalted butter, melted (plus a bit more for the pan)
  • 2-1/2 cups of flour
  • 2 teaspoons of baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice or 1-1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon, ¾ teaspoon of ginger, ½ teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon of allspice and 1/8 teaspoon of cloves)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1-1/2 cups of sugar
  • 1 can – 15 oz. Of pumpkin puree

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Butter 9 inch square cake pan
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk flour with baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice
  4. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, butter and pumpkin puree until combined
  5. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and mix gently until smooth
  6. Turn batter into prepared pan and smooth top
  7. Bake until toothpick inserted into the centre of cake comes out clean – 45-50 minutes
  8. Cook cake 10 minutes in pan, then turn out of pan and cool completely, right side up on a rack
  9. Spread top of cake with Honey Frosting and cut into squares to serve

To make Honey Frosting:

In a medium bowl, whisk ½ cup of very soft unsalted butter, 8 oz, of cream cheese and 1/4 cup of honey until smooth

 

Enjoy!

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Caramel Pecan Apple Pie Recipe

October 24, 2011 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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I just found this recipe and remembered that I wanted to try it out some time ago already. It apparently comes from Virginia and it just has to taste great! Caramel with pecans and apples – you literally cannot go wrong! If that is something that appeals to you, here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 7 cups of sliced tart apples
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup of chopped pecans
  • 1/3 cup of packed brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar
  • 4-12 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup of caramel ice cream topping (room temperature)
  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
  • 3 tablespoon of melted butter

Topping:

3/4 cup of flour

  • 2/3 cup of chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup of sugar
  • 6 tablespoons of cold butter
  • 1/4 cup of caramel ice cream topping - at room temperature

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl. toss together apples with lemon juice and vanilla
  2. Combine the pecans, sugars, cinnamon and cornstarch, add it to apple mixture and toss to coat.
  3. Pour caramel topping over bottom of pastry shell, top with apple mixture and drizzle with butter.
  4. In a small bowl. combine the flour, pecans and sugar.
  5. Cut in butter, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
  6. Sprinkle over filling
  7. Bake at 350F for 55-60 minutes, until filling is bubbly and topping is browned.
  8. Immediately drizzle with caramel topping
  9. Cool on a wire rack

 

Hope you will enjoy this recipe – please send in your comments, suggestions and experiences, your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated!

 

 

 

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