Cinnamon Sugar/John's Cinnamon Toast

The uses for cinnamon-sugar are endless. Keep a jar around and see what happens.

Yield: ½ cup of cinnamon sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

old jar

Blend well and pour into old jar. Refill as needed. Have the kids make a cute label.

Use for cinnamon toast (John’s below is the best), apple crisps and cobblers (see Grammy’s in this blog), and oatmeal. Save on packaging and preservatives and do not buy the little oatmeal packets; make a batch of precooked oats and water in the microwave and let the kids sprinkle the cinnamon sugar, add a little butter, and pour on a little milk.

John’s Cinnamon Toast

My dad was the breakfast and school lunch maker around my house. I'm not sure how my mother got away with sleeping in, but now that I'm a mother myself, I appreciate the boldness of it. Anyway, he made some fantastic breakfasts and one of his best was cinnamon toast. I didn’t realize how special it was until my husband commented on the method. If you sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar on after you have buttered and toasted the bread, then try this reverse method. I promise you will never go back.

Prepare broiler (or use toaster oven). Generously butter wheat bread slices (Ezekiel bread makes a surprisingly good substitute). Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Broil until butter is bubbly and a sugary crust has formed. I usually serve with scrambled eggs to provide some protein for the kids. But, for me, John’s cinnamon toast with a cup of coffee tops French pastry any day!

We didn’t call him Breakfast John for nothing!

Grammy's Cobbler

Our children know that it is only worth having peaches from the farmer's market or a store that features local, seasonal produce. Although this recipe is not particularly healthy, it is worth including for a few reasons. It is a family favorite of my husband's grandmother, and we make a version of it each summer on our family trip. Also, I am not a baker, and this is one of the easiest, most impressive desserts you will ever do for a crowd. During peach season we often treat just our family. I've tried healther versions with agave nectar and wheat flour but haven't developed a good substitute (YET)!

Burton's Grammy's Cobbler (Serves 6)

Ingridients
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup milk
1 stick butter or margarine, melted
2 1/2 cups berries or other fresh fruit (works best with blueberries, blackberries, peaches, or a mix)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a regular baking dish (2 QT) , mix dry ingredients, add milk and stir, pour melted butter over, put berries on top. Bake until golden brown on top, 40-60 minutes. I double recipe if for more than six people and then I cook for 1:15-30 minutes. Serve with ice cream, cream or "just for family" I just pour a little milk on each serving.

Warmed with a little milk or cream, this makes for an awesome breakfast treat!