Apple Fritter Quick Bread

I enjoy making quick breads because they are, well, quick!  No yeast or rising.  Simply mix together and bake.  I've been seeing this recipe for apple fritter bread online and decided to try my hand at it.  It makes for a perfect afternoon snack or as the finishing touch to a meal.

Apple Fritter Quick Bread


Ingredients:
Brown Sugar Mixture:
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Batter:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup milk
2 medium sized apples, peeled and chopped

Glaze:
1/3 cup icing sugar
1 tbsp. milk

Directions:
1.   Preheat oven to 350F.
2.   Combine brown sugar topping mixture and set aside.
3.   For batter, mix butter and white sugar until fluffy.
4.   Add eggs, one at a time.
5.   Add vanilla.
6.   Combine flour and baking powder and add to creamed mixture.
7.   Stir in milk.
8.   Prepare a 9" x 5" loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper.
9.   Pour half the batter into pan.
10.  Add half the apples and sprinkle with half the brown sugar mixture.  Pat lightly into batter.
11.  Pour remaining batter over apple/sugar mixture.
12.  Add the rest of apples and sprinkle with the rest of brown sugar mixture.
13.  Using a knife, swirl apple/brown sugar mixture into batter.
14.  Bake at 350F for about 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean.
15.  Allow to cool for 10 minutes and then lift parchment lined loaf out of pan.
16.  Combine glaze by mixing icing sugar with milk.  Drizzle over top of loaf.

Coconut Cream Cupcakes

I love coconut and cupcakes so this recipe is a win-win for me!  It starts with a light vanilla cake topped with sweet, creamy coconut flavoured icing and sprinkled with toasted coconut.  A great treat for any occasion!

Coconut Cream Cupcakes

Ingredients:
Cupcake
1 1/4 cups cake & pastry flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. coconut extract

Directions:
1.  Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
2.  Beat eggs, add sugar, oil, vanilla and coconut extract.
3. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture alternatively with buttermilk.
4.  Bake for 12-14 minutes at 350F.
Yield: 12-13 cupcakes

Frosting
1 cup margarine (or butter)
2 1/2 cups icing sugar
1/2-1 tsp. coconut extract

Directions:
1.  Using hand mixer, whip margarine or butter till fluffy (2-3 minutes).
2.  Add icing sugar and coconut extract (add more or less extract depending on your flavour preference).
3.  Pipe frosting onto cupcake using a large round icing tip.

Top with toasted coconut.
(I toast my own coconut by placing about 1/2 cup of flaked coconut in a hot frying pan.  I constantly stir the coconut until it is light brown in colour).

DERMA-E Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask

DERMA-E is a new brand for me.  I have heard of it before but never given any of their products a try until I was selected to test this charcoal face mask for Social Nature.  This is a dual action mask.  It is first a detox mask that purges pores of toxins and then gently exfoliates with apricot seed powder to reveal softer more radiant skin.  This mask boasts that it is gluten free, soy free, GMO free, vegan and cruelty free.

I have tried a number of face masks over the years and this mask is easily one of my favourites. The mask is dark grey in colour as it is a charcoal mask. It has an earthly smell but is not unpleasant. The mask is gritty in texture but applies smoothly to the face. I did find that after cleansing my face and applying this mask that I experienced a bit of a tingling sensation.  I don't have sensitive skin but if you do, you may experience more of a reaction.  The tingling sensation did dissipate as the mask dried.

What I love about this mask is how quickly it dries on the face. Some masks take so long to dry, like 20 minutes. This mask is completely dry in about 5 minutes. It hardens on the face but is not overly tight feeling. After the mask dried, I moistened my fingertips with water and massaged the mask into my skin before rinsing clean. The gritty texture allows for a thorough exfoliation.

In recent months, I have been using this mask as an overnight spot treatment for pimples.  I simply dab a bit of the mask onto any active pimples.  I feel it helps to dry them up faster with this method.

Overall, I am very pleased with this dual function mask. I loved the mask and then the second part of exfoliation. I have oily skin and I feel that my skin got a deep cleaning with this product. My skin felt so incredibly soft and smooth after using this mask. I particularly love how quick the process of using this mask is and the short drying time. As a result, I can easily incorporate it into my face care routine a few times a week.



I received this product free of charge to test from Social Nature in exchange for my honest opinion.

White Chocolate Cranberry Scones

I posted this recipe a few years ago on my blog but during these dull days of winter these scones would be the perfect pick me up with a cup of hot tea.  Enjoy!

White Chocolate Cranberry Scones

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup cold butter or margarine
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions:
1.  Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
2.  Cut in butter or margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3.  Stir in buttermilk.
4.  Add chips and cranberries.
5.  Turn onto floured surface and pat into approximately one inch height thickness.  Cut scones with a circular biscuit cutter.
6.  Bake at 400F for about 15 minutes.

'Tis the Season

'Tis the season for...making wreaths!  This is a wreath that my sister made with branches, pinecones and berries she found outside on our property.  She did a great job!  It adorns the wall by our front door.  Warmest wishes to all this holiday season.

Vichy Normaderm Routine for Acne Prone Skin

I was sent these Vichy Normaderm products to test on my acne prone skin.  Acne has been something I have battled for over 25 years!  I thought as I got older it would significantly improve.  I have tried everything from over the counter treatments to prescription pills and creams.  I even gave Proactiv a try with no effect.  While my acne has become more manageable, I still suffer from pesky breakouts.  I was happy to give these products a whirl, because why not, it can't hurt after all the products I've tried over the years!

Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel

This cleansing gel contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid and LHA. Together these ingredients work to remove excess oil on the skin, minimize the look of large pores, reduce acne scars and fight pimples and blackheads.

My Thoughts
I have used many anti acne cleansers over the years. This Vichy Normaderm cleanser rates up near the top of my favourite cleansers. The scent was fresh and clean. It lathers well which is an absolute must for me in a cleanser. The texture was perfect--not too runny and not too thick. I appreciated the pump dispenser as it made for a quick and easy way to dispense the product. I used this product in the morning. My skin is quite oily after waking up in the morning and this cleanser cut right through the oil to leave me with normal feeling skin. I noticed that after using this cleanser my skin feel soft and smooth. 


Normaderm Purifying Pore Tightening Lotion

This product contains the same active ingredients as the cleanser: salicylic acid, glycolic acid and LHA.  This product is like a toner that is applied to the skin after cleansing and is not rinsed off.  This toner mattifies the skin leaving it shine free, tightens pores, and fights breakouts with its antibacterial action.

My Thoughts
I always use some sort of toner/astringent after cleansing my face. I used this product after cleansing with the Vichy Normaderm cleanser. The product easily dispenses onto a cotton ball. To me this toner has a floral scent which is very pleasant considering the medicinal ingredients in it. I have found that while using this toner my pores look smaller than usual. I am very pleased about that!  I also find that it makes my skin look matte and keeps the oily shine away. My skin also feels softer and smoother. I'm pleased with the positive effects I have seen from this toner.


Normaderm Corrective Anti Acne Treatment

This product is a moisturizer but oh so much more than just a moisturizer.  It contains salicyclic acid + LHA to unclog pores and eliminate acne causing bacteria.  It also has Phe Resorcinol which helps to reduce the appearance of acne scars.  Finally it has Air Licium which helps to reduce oil production and minimize large pores.  

My Thoughts
I loved the pump dispenser as it makes it easy to pump out just the right amount of product.  It is also a more sterile way of dispensing the product as my fingers won't contaminate the product as it would in a jar.  The lotion has a fresh clean scent to it.  The texture is perfect--not too runny or too thick.  I used this lotion as the final step in my routine, after the cleanser and toner.  I found that the lotion takes a little extra time to absorb into my skin compared to other moisturizers.  It definitely does tighten my pores and make my skin look matte.  I do tend to get shiny skin within a couple of hours of washing my face and this lotion kept my skin matte a little longer than usual.  I also found that while applying my foundation with a brush, there was a little drag after I had used this lotion.  My brush didn't glide over my skin as smoothly as it usually does.  This is not a big issue and I have gotten use to it.  I do have multiple acne scars and some new scars from recent breakouts.  With this lotion I found that the new scars were less intense in colour but it had no effect on the older scars.   

Overall, I am happy to add this trio of products to my acne fighting routine.  While I continued to develop pimples while using these products, the pimples were smaller than usual and healed up much more quickly.  They were also less likely to leave a scar.  I am so happy with the results that I have swapped out the products I was using for these Vichy Normaderm products.

Do you suffer from acne?  Have you tried the Normaderm line of products from Vichy?




I received these products free of charge for review purposes.  #trywithtopbox  #freesample #freeproduct

Garden Goodies

The garden is still producing an abundance!  Lots of peppers, beans, cucumbers and tomatoes.  Even a cantaloupe!  It has been a good season despite its late start.