Lemon-Thyme Tea Bread

My parents are big tea drinkers. I thought it would be fun to have a tea bread to serve them during their last visit. They both liked this. This recipe is from an issue of Taste of Home.

Prep: 20 min.
Bake: 40 min. plus cooling
Yield: 1 loaf

3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme OR 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

Glaze:
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine milk and thyme. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-2 minutes or until it bubbles; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with reserved milk mixture. Stir in lemon juice and lemon peel.

Pour into a greased 9x5x3 loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

In a small bowl, combine glaze ingredients until smooth; drizzle over bread.

Apple Bread

I went apple-picking back in October and this is one of the items I made. This recipe is from "Cooking With Sisters," a cookbook my sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, put together. This recipe had been sent in by an alumni from DePauw University.

1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups sugar
2 cups apples, shredded
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups flour
3/4 cup oil
3 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix together sour cream, sugar, oil, eggs, and spices. Add apples and flour. Pour into 2 greased and floured loaf pans. Sprinkle each loaf with 2 tablespoons melted butter, then with a mix made up of 1/2 sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (divide between the 2 pans). Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes.

Pizza Dough

I got this recipe from a co-worker. It's easy and tasty.

1 package dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons oil
2 1/2 cups flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water and stir in sugar, salt, oil, and flour. Knead vigorously (I put it in my KitchenAid mixer with the dough hook attachment).

Allow to rest for 5 minutes. Sperad on pizza pan, add sauce and desired toppings.

Bake 20-25 minutes at 450.