Little Wife in the Woods

Homemaking Where You Are At

Do you desire to create a homestead, be a homemaker, or develop a more natural lifestyle for your family? Do you have specific desires in your homemaking but feel like your current situation doesn’t allow all your dreams?

    (uhem, enter apartment life)

Well today’s tip is very simple. 

Do what you can where you’re at. 

Do you live in an apartment but desire to have a garden? Do what you can where you’re at. If you have one, use your balcony or patio space to grow herbs or small things that are easy to maintain in small spaces. Pick things that you will make use out of and get return for your time. Don’t have that? Use your indoor space and find what things you can grow in that environment. 

Maybe you’re renting a home and don’t have your own space where you can make the changes that reflect the desires you have for your home.

Look for ways you can make non-permanent changes that your landlord allows. This can be done through decorations, fresh flowers, candles, peel and stick tiles, wall decals, temporary wallpaper, even lighting. You would be surprised how changing the light bulbs in your home can change the whole atmosphere. I recommend the “daylight” kind. 

Read this post on how to make your home beautiful on a budget.

If you own your own space but don’t have the budget to do all you would like then find ways to transform things you already have. You can even check marketplace or online yardsale pages for some cheap items you can redo. When I desire something new that we don’t have the budget for I look around and see what I could sell or trade for those items. If I want new clothes I sell pieces of older clothing that I don’t wear anymore. You can even make things or offer a service to bring in funds for your home projects. Even small earnings add up. Do what you can where you’re at. 

The most important thing to remember is don’t get wrapped up in everyone else’s idea of homemaking.

It’s your home, not anyone else’s. You don’t have to follow a certain rule book. You dont have to have chickens, grow your own meat, sew all your clothes by hand, never buy anything store bought, make your own laundry soap, and live on 40 acres of land to be a good homemaker. It doesn’t make you any less if you don’t do ALL “the things”.

Do what makes sense for your family. Pick what your passions are for your home and change one thing at a time. If you try to do it all, it will be stressful and you won’t stick to it. Homemaking is all about making your home a safe and peaceful place, if it’s stressing you out doing it then you’re doing it wrong. Do what you can where you’re at. Don’t get wrapped up in what it feels like everyone else has and become complacent with what you have. Embrace and enjoy each stage of your home and find the joy in the little things you can change each day.

Written by Anna Bourdess

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Everyday From Scratch Kitchen Essentials

*Post contains affiliate links.

These are my kitchen essentials I use weekly in my from scratch kitchen! It can be hard to know what exactly you need getting started on your from scratch journey. I have tried to narrow it down to exactly what you need to start cooking from scratch.

I am by no means a perfect minimalist but having a small home I do try to keep things as minimal as possible. This can be difficult when you cook most of your food from scratch. In a world where there are gadgets and gizmos for everything cooking related try to think simply.

Do you actually need a biscuit cutter or could you use something else? What actually happens if you have to spend a few extra minutes dicing vegetables versus using a fancy dicing tool?

These are questions a from-scratch, real food making homemaker asks herself!

Our grandmothers did not need all these “things” and neither do we. It is completely possible to start making real food without needing everything society throws on a commercial.

That being said, there are some things that truly do make life so much easier! I have to believe that if my great grandma had access to a stand mixer back in the day she would have taken full advantage of this tool. I am in no way saying we should not make the best use of our time, just that we should know the skills to do without them.

That is why I have broken down this list of kitchen essentials into two categories: what is essential and what is convenient.

Items in the convenience category are beyond nice to have but if you are just starting out they are not necessities. You can totally make bread without a stand mixer! Learning how to cook from scratch is daunting enough without feeling overwhelmed in the budget department.

My Everyday From Scratch Kitchen Essentials

Here is a list of things I use frequently throughout the week in my kitchen.

1. Cast iron skillet.

This is a must for me! There are so many benefits of cast iron. I love that you can buy one piece and it will last generations. Such a money saver! (For a reel on how to season cast iron go check out @littlewifeinthewoods on Instagram.)

Practical Uses: Frying meat and veggies, baking pies, biscuits.

2. Bread Pans

One of the easiest ways to start your real food journey is to learn how to make your own bread! Starting with a loaf of fresh bread is so simple and a sure way to have you hooked on from scratch cooking. Whether you start with yeast bread or want to dive into sourdough you will need a good set of loaf pans. Only one is necessary but I highly recommend purchasing two since most recipes make two loaves. Having two is definitely more convenient!

The cheapest bread loaf pans are the metal ones at your local Walmart. However, I find that ceramic and glass are much better options! The dough rises faster and more evenly in glass vs. metal. Below are a few of my favorites!

Practical uses: all loaf breads (banana, pumpkin, sandwich loaf)

3. Casserole dish

Another multi-functional must-have is a casserole dish! There are so many great meals you can make (and store!) in a casserole dish. I recommend getting one with a lid, again for convenience.

Practical uses: baked pasta dinners, casseroles, cobbler, brownies.

4. Basic sheet pan/baking set

If you are starting to bake a lot from scratch you would do well to purchase a baking set. It does not have to be fancy or expensive, just something basic to get you started. A good set should include a couple sizes of baking sheets, a muffin tin, and a pie plate.

5. Mixing Bowls

Another from-scratch kitchen essential is a good set of mixing bowls. Some sets come with four or five bowls, personally I find I can do just fine with two. I prefer using ceramic, stoneware, or glassware to plastic. They last longer and do not have all the nasty stuff!

6. Utensils (spoons, spatulas, etc.)

A basic utensil shopping trip is a necessity! Here is a shopping list of all the basics that will get you started…

  • Wire wisk
  • Two wooden spoons
  • tsp/tbsp measuring set
  • glass measuring cup set (photo/link below)
  • spatula

7. Emulsion blender

Another must have (that I did not realize was a must have) is an emulsion blender. This is an easy essential if you want to make your own mayo, or mix up whipped cream and coffee creamers! Mine has definitely been well worth the investment!

Convenience Items and Non-Essentials

Here are a few non-essential items I use in my kitchen for convenience…

(Click the highlighted items for links!)

Stand Mixer– definitely not necessary, but soooo helpful to have! I recommend learning the process of bread making completely by hand so you have the skill set but if you are making bread every few days investing in one of these will help you save quite a bit of time. Mine is a cheaper off-brand but works great!

Food Processor- A food processor is a great thing to have on hand for easily chopping lots of veggies for dinner dishes or making your own fresh salsa. It is worth the extra storage room for sure. The good news is you do not have to buy the most fancy or expensive one. I think ours came from Walmart and it has lasted several years now.

Crock pot- There has been a lot of controversy lately about crockpots and chemical leeching. I do not use ours very often but I have found it is nice to have on hand for busy times or for carrying food back and forth to church or other functions. Regardless of where you stand on the toxic burden of crock pots they are extremely helpful.

Dutch oven– Again, not completely necessary but as you begin to dive into things like sourdough, or even just to make a good soup (without a crockpot) you will find that a dutch oven is a great investment.

I hope this list has been helpful! What items would you add to the list of kitchen essentials? Comment below! If this post was helpful please hit the like button and share with a friend!

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Do You Have a Bible?

Do you have a Bible? Can you read it? Do you understand the words you are reading? These questions seem silly if you have grown up in the United States. We would answer, “Yes, I have a Bible. Of course, I can read. Yes, I know most of the words and their meanings.” However, these questions are common to ask here in Ghana. We are often approached by people begging for a whole Bible. Many could not read one if they had it: because of poverty their schooling was sporadic at best. Some have never even had the opportunity to go to school.

English is the required language in school, but it is their second language. Many learn to read (some finish school and still struggle), but they often don’t understand what they are reading. While Fante is their heart language, the only Bible in Fante has many mistakes. While a committee has been formed to give these people an accurate translation, most cannot read in their own language so they will have to rely on the few who can read Fante to hear the Word of God in their language.

I am saddened to realize that many here depend on pastors, who are not even saved themselves, to learn what God’s Word says.Unless they are reached by a born-again Christian who tells them the gospel, they will die believing false doctrine. Even when I witness, they are believing my word as I read the Bible and explain it to them. They cannot go search the scriptures as the Bereans did. To grow spiritually they will have to depend on the teaching of others.

So, I ask again…Do you have a Bible? Do you take the time to read it? Do you study it for yourself? Have you ever thanked the Lord for the privilege to have a good education?

You can read. You can look up words that you don’t understand. You have the ability to “study to show thyself approved unto God”.

Maybe you -like me at times- have taken these things for granted. I hope to challenge you to find a new appreciation for the Word of God. Read it. Study it. Love it. The Bible has the words of life; you don’t need a helper to learn more about God and His will. Why do you wait? Go get started right now!!

Written by Angela Ruckman

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Starting a From Scratch Kitchen and What You Need to Know Getting Started

*This post contains affiliate links.

While I have always had a love for all things home-made, I began my from scratch journey about a year ago. This entails trying to cook/bake as much food from-scratch as possible. It has been a huge game changer for my little family and I hope to start others thinking about how they can start their own from-scratch kitchens!

Why You Should Consider Cooking From Scratch

Let’s begin with the reasons you should consider starting a from-scratch journey of your own:

1. The health benefits are limitless!

This is one of the main reasons I began trying to cook as much homemade food as possible, even down to the ingredients. If you hang out here you know that my husband has ulcerative colitis. In 2022 he made the decision to come off all medication and control his UC completely by diet. Because of this we have to be very careful about the things he is eating.

You might not have a serious illness, but I challenge you to research the connection between cancers/other diseases and the things in your diet. All the dyes, sugars, and chemicals being pumped into our bodies on a daily basis for the sake of convenience is sickening.

Choosing to cook from scratch gives you an empowering sense of doing the best thing for your family.

2. Cooking from scratch is often much more cost effective.

The cost of cooking your own food, real food, is often much cheaper than the processed food at the store. In some cases this might seem like a stretch. For example, you can buy a box of macaroni and cheese for $2 but by the time you purchase all the ingredients for homemade macaroni and cheese you’re looking at $5.

This goes back to health benefits. What matters most to you? Knowing that your family is eating a meal that is free from things that would harm their bodies or that $2 box of dyes and preservatives?

Another thing to consider is that the money you are saving on from scratch foods like breads, sauces, and meats is so much more than that $3 you “lost” on the mac and cheese. It all has a way of evening out.

3. Cooking from scratch is enjoyable.

Simply put, cooking your own food from scratch is just fun!

Maybe this is not true for all at the beginning but I have never heard of someone who stuck with it and had regrets! Feeding your family real food brings such a sense of satisfaction. Knowing how to make your own food gives a feeling of empowerment. You’ll never know unless you try!

Where to Begin on your From-Scratch Journey

Have I convinced you yet?!

I hope so! It is so worth it.

Choosing to start making, eating, and enjoying real food can be exciting- and overwhelming! I remember thinking, “Where should I even start?” I wanted to do it all! Go off the deep end, buy a cow to make my own cheese, grow a massive vegetable garden.

The truth is we can’t “do it all”. Not without becoming extremely overwhelmed in the process. Some of us do not live on big acreage. We can not afford a cow. We do not have the skillsets quite yet to just go diving in to all the things. And that is okay!

You can only do your best, not someone else’s.

So where can you begin?

Start with one thing at a time. Pick one thing or food group that you want to master then go from there. For me this was all bread/baked products. I had a basic knowledge in bread making so I started with something I had a bit of a handle on. By the next few months I had completely eliminated store-bought tortillas, sandwich bread, and dinner rolls. A few more months and I had sourdough (click here to learn how to make your own sourdough starter- the easy way) figured out!

It is such a snowball effect. Just start with one thing, then do the next thing!

A few ideas on where to start:

  1. Bread/baked goods
  2. Eliminate frozen meals (TV dinners) and make your own dinner from scratch.
  3. Eliminate canned veggies and only buy fresh.
  4. Eliminate everything with dyes in your pantry/diet.

What a From Scratch Kitchen Looks Like

Everyone’s journey is different. What works for my little family may not be as productive for yours. Basically, a from scratch journey just means that you, as the homemaker, are choosing to do your best to feed your family well. This is a skill that you develop and grow the more you learn!

For me personally, my from scratch journey began with eliminating as much toxic, fake foods from our diet that I could. This involves the following:

  • Eating out much less.
  • Removing things with preservatives when able.
  • Making our own food, not frozen junk.
  • Baking all of our bread and baked goods.
  • Growing our own veggies in the summer and fall.
  • Never feeding my baby canned babyhood from the store.
  • Making pasta from scratch or buying it from a reliable brand free of junk!
  • Preserving as much of my own food as possible.

And I’m still on the journey!

This does not mean that we never eat out, or buy that frozen pizza when I just need a little break. However, it is no longer a way of life. It is rare little moments here and there.

You will never relieve the entire toxic burden on your family. (After all- you can’t remove pollution from the air!) As a Christian I do not believe God ever wants us to live in fear of these things either.

We can start somewhere. We can fix the things that are within our control. Mama, you can choose to feed your babies real food!

I would love to help you start your own from-scratch kitchen! Comment below how you plan to begin (or how you have already started!). Be looking for next week’s post on everything you need to start your own from-scratch kitchen.

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Fifteen Ways to Save Money on Groceries in 2025

*This post contains affiliate links.

Are you trying to stay on a grocery budget but failing every month?

I think we’ve all been in that boat, especially in recent months. I am definitely no expert but I have been able to come up with a few ways that keep our budget happy while still feeding my family quality meals. I’d love to hear if your ideas in the comments! Let’s help each other out!

Ways to Save Money Using Coupons

Using coupons are a great way to save money on groceries, but only if you are doing it correctly. Here are a couple examples of using coupons in the wrong way…

How NOT to use coupons

  • Using coupons on things you do not need. Just because it is a good deal does not mean you actually need to buy all the things! If you find a great deal on a certain brand of toothpaste but you hate that toothpaste you have actually wasted money instead of saving.
  • Not understanding the terms and conditions of the coupon. We have all done it. You plan, clip, and even remember to bring the coupon with you. You are prepared to save LOTS of money! Then you get your receipt back. Turns out that coupon you thought was going to save you the dollars had “special terms” somewhere in all that fine-print writing!
  • Using coupons that sound like a great deal but it is all just a big marketing scam. Nothing is free. It is very important to know the prices (or at least a rough estimate) of the things you are buying to make sure you are getting the best deal. These companies know what they are doing when they offer “huge deals”, make sure you do your research!

All that being said, I still think coupons are great! Kroger, Food Lion, and other places in my area offer great discounts in the form of virtual coupons weekly. It is definitely worth the extra couple minutes I spend to save a few dollars here and there.

Another great way to save money using coupons is to stock up on things you know you will use when they are on sale. Always take into consideration your storage space, expiration dates, etc. but taking advantage of deals on products your family uses often is a great way to save money. Example: your local grocery store is having a great sale on toilet paper and you also have a coupon you can use to save even more money then now is the perfect time to stock the family up on tp!

Save Money by Making Your Own Cleaning Supplies

One way I save my family money on the grocery budget is making about ninety percent of our household cleaning supplies. All you need is vinegar, baking soda, and your favorite essential oils! With just these basic products you can create all-natural, junk free products.

For all-purpose cleaner mix 1/4 white vinegar to 3/4 water. You can add some essential oil for scent (my favorite is lemon!)

Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

Making your own laundry detergent saves big time! I make our laundry detergent by the five gallon bucket. For our little family of three, this recipe lasts us five-six months. You can check out that recipe here!

Thrive Market

Due to some health issues and personal preference, my husband and I eat a lot of organic, sugar free, and clean products. It can be hard to do this on a budget. A few years ago I discovered Thrive Market and it has totally changed our grocery game!

Thrive Market is a ship-to-your-door company that offers clean, organic grocery products and more! They offer exclusive deals weekly and shipping is free on orders of $49+. Get access to thousands of clean label products like pantry staples, cleaning supplies, and clean beauty items at affordable prices. Use my link to get $60 in FREE groceries on your first order! Click here to shop!

Fetch

Another great resource I use is the Fetch App! Fetch partners with brands to give you points for purchases. Simply shop and scan your receipts for points. As points accumulate you can redeem for gift cards to restaurants, stores, etc.

Every receipt you scan is worth twenty-five points. Receipts with partnered brand items will receive bonus points! Plus, the app is free! (Use code UFT8PN when you download and you will receive 500 bonus points.)

Make your own bread and baked goods from-scratch.

Learning to make your own bread and baked goods from-scratch will save you lots of money. It is also loads healthier!

I make all of our baked goods ranging from sandwich bread, rolls, and desserts. This sounds overwhelming if you have not done it but it is really quite simple- and so rewarding! Although you can make great things without it, sourdough is one of the easiest, cheapest ways to begin learning. It does not have to be complicated. You can learn how to make your own sourdough starter the easy way here.

Shop meat sales

Another great way to save money on groceries is to only purchase meats that are on sale. Look into what your local grocery stores are offering for the week and plan your meals around the meat deals. You may need to broaden your cooking skills for this but make it a fun challenge to try out some new things!

Plan your meals around the weekly deals.

This goes along with the previous tip, but planning your entire meals around what you can find on sale is so helpful when it comes to saving money on groceries. This is a great way to find new recipes your family loves!

Grow your own fruits and vegetables.

Learning to grow your own fruits and vegetables can save lots of money during the summer/fall months. Choosing things your family eats a lot of and are easy to grow also gives peace of mind that you are gettin the best quality. If it is your first time trying begin with plants that are easy to care for and that your family will eat the most of. (I recommend everyone start with a few tomato plants, peppers, or squash/zucchini.)

Find places locally that offer deals on nearly or slightly expired food.

This one may not be for everyone but there are stores near me that offer foods that are a close to the expiration date or just slightly past it for huge markdowns. You can find expensive, name-brand foods for much cheaper this way. Just know that you will need to eat these foods a little quicker than your other grocery items.

Sam’s or Costco membership

For larger families I am told that a Sam’s or Costco membership saves them a lot of money on the grocery bill. Personally, I am not at a place where it would benefit my family but if you have a lot of kiddos, or you are a sports family that goes through a lot of snacks they tell me it is totally worth it.

ALDI meat prices

If you have an ALDI near you- you need to be shopping there! In my area ALDI not only has great prices on produce, diapers, et they also have the BEST deals on meat (and the best quality!). A family pack of chicken breasts is around $1.99/lb. That is regular price! Ground beef is also much cheaper than other stores.

Grocery pickup

This little hack has saved us I do not even know how much money. When you order grocery pickup from places like Walmart, ALDI, Kroger, etc. you are removing the possibility of adding items to your cart that are unplanned for. We have all been in the store when we are hungry. Everything looks good! You get home and realize you have spent $200….on random food items that do not even make complete meals.

Ordering pick up reduces the unnecessary amount of groceries by a LOT. It also is a huge time saver! Mom of littles tip: schedule your pickups during nap time so babies can sleep through the errand running. Grab yourself a coffee. It is actually quite relaxing!

Chickens

I hesitated to add this one because the initial cost is somewhat high. However, I still think chickens are a great investment. You do not have to have a large space or fifty of them. Start with about five or six, this will be a relatively cheap feed bill and depending on the breed you could get up to 4-6 eggs daily.

Craigslist and different groups on Facebook are the best place to find chickens cheaply. Look for laying hens that are around one year old. As for housing them, to begin you only need a small area with a roof and a place for laying eggs.

I hope this has been helpful! I know not all the tips will apply to everyone but start with one step at a time and see if this can make a difference in your grocery budget. If this post was helpful would you consider hitting the like button? Thanks for being here!

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Quick and Easy Pancake Recipe

This pancake recipe makes from-scratch, super fluffy pancakes in quick and easy steps! Add in whatever mix-ins/toppings you prefer. This is sure to be your new go-to for a simple breakfast (or late-night snack!).

For those who have not been following along, I am currently twenty-six weeks pregnant with baby girl number two. Can I just say, pancakes have been MY LIFE lately! Last night at 10:30 I got an itch for some fluffy pancakes drenched in butter and syrup. I have never had a craving I could not ignore…until then! so yes, I made pancakes…at 10:30pm…and I’m not sorry!

I shared that story to say, this pancake recipe is that simple. Whenever you need them (or want them!) you can whip up a batch in minutes.

My Favorite Pancake Recipe Add-ons

I have done just about every variety of these pancakes possible! That is why it is perfect for all kinds of random cravings. I have also used it for what I have on hand. Here are a few of my favorites…

  • Blueberry pancakes: Add 1/2 cup of fresh, washed blueberries to the recipe.
  • Apple Cinnamon pancakes: Mix 1/2 cup diced apples with 2 tbsp brown sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon. Add ingredients to original pancake recipe.
  • Strawberry Chocolate Chip pancakes: Make original pancakes. While still warm add chocolate chips and sliced strawberries. Top with whipped cream.
  • Chocolate chip pancakes: Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to original recipe.

Tips for Using Add-ons

When using add-ons you may need to adjust a few things such as…

  • Cook-time

I have noticed that the bulkier add-ons, such as blueberries, sometimes make it harder to cook the batter evenly. The batter around the blueberries tends to be slower to cook. Add about a minute per side to the original recipe.

  • Amount of pancakes

You will end up with 2-3 more pancakes depending on what you add in. (Not a big deal in my opinion!)

Storing Pancakes

To store pancake batter: Place batter in an airtight container. When ready to use remove from refrigerator . Add 1/4 cup hot water to batter. Cook as instructed in recipe. (The purpose of adding the water is to thin out the batter. After sitting in the refrigerator the batter tends to thicken a bit too much.)

To store pancakes: If no fruit add-ons were used, simply store in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for up to five days. If fruit was used, store in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Easy Fluffy Pancake Recipe

This pancake recipe makes from-scratch, super fluffy pancakes in quick and easy steps! Add in whatever mix-ins/toppings you prefer. This is sure to be your new go-to for a simple breakfast!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Breakfast, dinner, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Servings 6 medium size pancakes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

Instructions
 

  • Combine melted butter, egg, milk, honey, and vanilla.
  • In a separate bowl mix, or one at a time add baking powder, salt, and flour.
  • OPTIONAL: Add other desired ingredients- fruit, chocolate chips, etc.
  • Heat up cast iron skillet or griddle on low heat. Melt butter on hot surface. (When butter starts to sizzle the surface is hot enough.)
  • Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop drop batter onto skillet.
  • Wait for batter to form bubbles. When the bubbles start to pop your pancake is ready to be flipped. (About 2-3 minutes). Flip Pancake. Cook addition 2-3 min. Remove from heat. Enjoy!
Keyword blueberry pancakes, breakfast, easy breakfast, easy pancakes, fluffy pancakes, pancake, pancakes, pancakes from-scratch, peach pancakes, quick pancakes, small batch pancakes, strawberry pancakes, sugar free pancakes
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Quick and Easy Triple Chocolate Brownies From Scratch

These from scratch triple chocolate brownies create the most gooey texture with a fudgy center and the perfect little crunch on top. The closest thing you will find to a store-bought thick mix! This dump and mix recipe can be made start to finish in just 30 minutes. Learn all about how to make them in this post…

triple chocolate brownies
9x9 pan brownies from scratch
fudge brownies from scratch

Tips for How to Get a Better From Scratch Brownie…

Getting “perfect” brownie texture can be tricky. Most people have two completely opposite ideas of what the perfect brownie texture is- either cake-y and thick or gooey and fudge-y. This recipe follows the more fudge-like opinion of the perfect brownie. Here are a few tips to achieve a better from scratch brownie either way you like them…

  1. For more fudge-like texture, add melted chocolate! Adding a melted chocolate bar to the brownie batter makes gives them that fudgy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Dark chocolate is my favorite to add because it is does not make them overly sweet.
  2. For thicker brownies, use a 9×9 pan instead of a 9×13. This will give you more brownies so if you are making for a crowd this would be best. However, for a nice thick brownie with a fudgy center, and a slightly crunchy top, 9×9 is the only way to go!
  3. If you prefer fluffy, cake-like brownies add 1/4 cup more flour, 2 tsp less butter, and 1 extra tsp of baking powder.
  4. For more chocolatey brownies, add chocolate chips. Add them to the batter, or the top, or both!

Want to make from scratch recipes with ingredients you can trust? Thrive Market is my one stop grocery store for all my organic, clean label pantry staples! They have thousands of products to choose from and hundred of trusted brands so you never have to question what is actually in your food. No chemicals, no preservatives, dyes, or junk! Use my link and get a free gift up to $60 when you sign up today.

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Cookware You Need for Better Brownies

While you can make brownies in just about any kind of cookware the results will vary depending on the type and size you use. I personally prefer to use glass pans because they do not leach any unwanted chemicals into my baked goods. Certain brands of ceramic (or ceramic coated cast iron) are also very trustworthy options I use. These also look better than the metal or tin pans and they last for generations!

Let’s talk about size for just a moment. I have previously mentioned that you can customize this recipe to your own preferences and liking. To do this you will need to select a size option for what best suits your tastebuds! Here is what I mean…

9×13 pan. The standard 9×13 pan makes a great batch of brownies and is best for a more cake-y texture. A 9×13 pan will also give you more brownies (about 12 total) which should be considered if they are being made for a large gathering, party, or big family.

9×9 pan. A 9×9 pan is going to give you those thick, fudge-y brownies. While it gives you a bit less in count it makes up for it in thickness. The 9×9 pan will give you about 9 brownies and is best for smaller batches. If you prefer fudge brownies and you want a larger quantity you can always double the recipe!

How to Customize this Triple Chocolate Brownie Recipe

This brownie recipe is for triple chocolate brownies but again, we are all about having it your way in this blog post! So maybe you prefer less richness and chocolate. That is perfectly customizable! Here’s how….

  • Basic brownies: Do not add melted chocolate or chocolate chips into the batter. Simply use the cocoa powder in the recipe to give you a lighter chocolatey taste.
  • For double chocolate brownies: Add the melted chocolate into the batter before baking (as instructed in the recipe) but do not add the chocolate chips. This will give you a sweet, double chocolate brownie.
  • For triple chocolate brownies: Add chocolate chips to the brownie mix before baking. You can also gently press extra chips in but do not mix them into the batter. This gives a very aesthetic look and great flavor. Now you have triple chocolate brownies!

Ingredients

Here is a list of everything you need to make these amazing triple chocolate brownies…

  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips

Ingredients for Chocolate Fudge

  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 4 oz semi-sweet bakers chocolate bar or chocolate chips

If you need any help with this brownie recipe I would love to answer your questions in the comments!

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Triple Chocolate Brownies Recipe

Fudgy, and delicious brownies with plenty of chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Servings 9 brownies

Equipment

  • 9×9 glass or ceramic pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips

Chocolate Fudge

  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 4 oz semi-sweet bakers chocolate bar or chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350℉
  • Cream melted butter, sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa powder together.
  • On medium-low heat melt 1 tbsp. butter then add 4 oz bakers chocolate bar (broken into pieces) or chocolate chips. Stir continuously until melted. Add to butter/sugar mixture.
  • Beat in two eggs and vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, combine baking powder, salt, and flour. Slowly add flour mixture to other ingredients and mix until well combined.
  • Add chocolate chips if desired.
  • Place brownie batter in a greased 9×9 pan (for thick and fudgy brownies) or a 9×13 (for larger amounts, slightly thinner brownies).
  • OPTIONAL: Gently press more chocolate chips on top.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Keyword brownie recipe, brownies, brownies from scratch, chocolatey brownies, dessert recipe, easy brownie recipe, easy brownies, easy dessert, fudgy brownies, gooey brownies, thick brownies
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Easy Sourdough Apple Cinnamon Muffin Recipe

These sourdough apple cinnamon muffins are the perfect cross between healthy and delicious! They are made with honey instead of sugar, and the sourdough component brings a whole other level of health benefits. They have it all- moist, simple to make, and clean ingredients!

apple cinnamon muffin
apple cinnamon muffin
apple cinnamon muffin

Sourdough Starter

“but I don’t do sourdough…”

You can! Did you know that by taking only about five minutes out of your day for seven days you can have a thriving starter that can be used to make amazing recipes like this and so much more?

It is definitely possible! and sooo easy.

You can read all about how in this blog post.

We also have dehydrated sourdough starter in the Etsy shop! Dehydrated starter can be dehydrated and ready for use in just four days. It is already established so it shortcuts some of the tricky things with new, fresh starter.

Fermenting Apple Cinnamon Muffins

The fermentation step is completely optimal in this sourdough recipe. However, fermentation has several benefits that you may want to consider!

  • Fermentation helps break down the gluten for easier digestion. The fermentation process allows the gluten in the muffins to break down. This shortcuts the process of your body having to do all the work of breaking things down on its own. In fact, many people who have a gluten sensitivity intolerance find that they can eat sourdough because of the process of fermentation!
  • The probiotic content multiplies. When you allow the muffin batter to ferment the already exponential probiotic content increases even more! These probiotics are amazing for your gut health.
  • Light, airy muffins. Allowing the dough to ferment also creates those delicious sourdough bubbles that make sourdough everything it is!

To add the fermentation step to this apple cinnamon recipe simply allow the better to rest on the counter or in the refrigerator for up to twelve hours and as little as four. A great way to do this is to make the batter before bed and allow the fermenting to take place while you are sleeping. This way no time is lost in the fermenting process and you still receive all the benefits!

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Making Your Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Only Natural Sugar

This muffin recipe is designed specifically to be made with only natural sugar. For health reasons we bake, cook, and use mostly only natural forms of sugar such as honey, maple syrups, etc. Organic cane sugar is the only exception on our from scratch kitchen.

We have found that the way to achieve the best results is to mix up the forms of natural sugar into recipes. For example, mixing honey and maple syrup gives a very “sugar” like taste that you are used to in processed things we often eat today. Experimenting with all the different forms in different recipes can be so fun and help you find what is just right for the recipe you are trying to convert to a “natural sugar” recipe.

Switching to only natural sugar does not have to be boring! Things do not have to taste bland and your good choices do not have to leave your taste buds dissatisfied. Try this recipe and see if I am wrong!

Get this recipe for Sourdough Blueberry Muffins also made with only natural sugar!

Apple Cinnamon Muffin Ingredients

The ingredients for sourdough apple cinnamon muffins are simple and inexpensive. I highly recommend purchasing organic ingredients from Thrive Market! They are my one stop shop for affordable, natural ingredient groceries that I use for baking, snacking, toxin free cleaning, and more!

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  • sourdough starter- active or discard starter may be used for this recipe.
  • warm water
  • butter
  • honey
  • eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • baking powder
  • salt
  • cinnamon
  • unbleached all-purpose flour- bleached can be used with similar results but you will never find me recommending it.
  • apples- recipe calls for two, however you can adjust this to taste. Use one less for a bread-like muffin with fewer apple chunks or one more apple to make it more fruity.

Apple Cinnamon Muffin Storage

One of my favorite things about this recipe is the fact that they can be made and frozen for a quick snack later! Muffins can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Simple take out, thaw and heat if desired. You can also store the muffins in an airtight container for up to five days at room temperature or seven days in the refrigerator.

Let me know what you think about this recipe in the comments! If you have any questions I am always happy to answer. I hope you enjoy this recipe- don’t forget to share! Don’t forget to join the email list so you never miss a post.

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apple cinnamon muffin
Print

Sourdough Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Delicious muffins sweetened with honey and made with sourdough starter!
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Keyword apple cinnamon muffins, dessert, easy dessert, easy muffins, easy recipes, easy sourdough, muffins, sourdough baking, sourdough muffins
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 16 muffins

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sourdough starter (can be active or discard)
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 large apples peeled and diced

Topping (optional-sugar free)

  • 1 cup oats
  • 3 tbsp honey

Topping (optional-non sugar free)

  • 1/4 cup organic cane sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350℉
  • Combine sourdough starter and warm water while you soften butter.
  • Mix starter/water mixture, butter, honey, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.
  • In a separate container mix baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and all-purpose flour.
  • Slowly add flour mixture to wet ingredients until everything has been mixed together. (If using a stand mixer you can just dump all the flour mixture in at once.)
  • Add in diced apples last.
  • Scoop muffin batter into a muffin pan (I like to use liners for easy clean up but if your pan is properly greased it is not necessary). Fill nearly to the top.
  • If you desire to top the muffins with sprinkle topping mixture of your choice on the the muffin batter.
    Sugar Free Topping: mix oats and honey together with a fork, then top before baking.
  • Bake on 350℉ for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Sourdough Honey Hamburger Buns Recipe

These sourdough honey hamburger buns are so soft and sweet! They are great for hamburgers, bbq sandwiches, and all the things. Plus they are so easy to make!

Want to Learn How to Make a Sourdough Starter?

You somehow made it to this page but you don’t sourdough? If you want to learn how to make your own sourdough starter I have a blog post all about this. By taking just five minutes a day for seven days you can have a thriving, forever sourdough starter. I have curated my instructions to be easy to understand and completely uncomplicated. If you are interested you can check out that blog post here.

Shaping Sourdough Hamburger Buns

The only minor tricky thing about this recipe is getting the perfect shape on your buns. (If you mess up don’t worry, they still taste delicious!)

The best way to get a good shape on these buns is to roll them into a ball and smash it down with your palm. This sounds simple and it is. However, sometimes during the rising process things can go a little sideways. You can fix this by simply making them flatter then you think they should be when shaping.

Press firmly with the palm of your hand until the buns are around 1/2-3/4 inch thick. This will seem almost “too flat” but as they rise they should be just right.

Storing Sourdough Hamburger Buns

Hamburger buns are best stored in a ziplock bag or airtight container. They are good for up to seven days at room temperature but are freshest up to day four. They can also be frozen and kept up to four months. To thaw, pull them out and place on a paper towel lined plate. This will help absorb the moisture as the buns defrost.

Sourdough Honey Hamburger Buns

Fluffy and sweet buns that are perfect for hamburgers, sandwiches, and more!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 day
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 10 buns

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup active, bubbly starter
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 egg
  • 3-3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions
 

  • Combine water and starter and let dissolve about two minutes.
  • Add butter, honey, salt, and egg. Mix in stand mixer or by hand.
  • Add two cups of flour. Mix until well incorporated (use a dough hook if you are using a stand mixer). Add flour half a cup at a time until you have added three cups. If the dough is still too wet or not leaving the sides of stand mixer bowl, add flour 1/4 a cup at a time until the dough is stiff.
  • Knead dough by hand or in mixer until smooth.
  • Ferment overnight or about 8-10 hours in the refrigerator.
  • Remove from refrigerator and allow to come down to room temperature. Divide dough into 10 equal parts then shape into buns. (Read post for more information on how to shape.)
    pumpkin bites
  • Let the buns rise in a warm place until doubled.
  • Bake on 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until buns brown on top.
Keyword bread, buns, easy sourdough, honey bun, sourdough, sourdough buns, sweet bun
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Am I a Blessing to My Home?

Written by Anna Bourdess

Let’s dive right into this one. 

Go to the book of Job and look at chapters one and two. The beginning of chapter one immediately begins speaking of Job and listing the favor and blessings of God upon his life. As my husband and I began studying the book of Job the other night very quickly The Lord brought a series of questions to my mind. 

The first of which is, if someone were to list my husbands blessings, could I even be included? 
This pricked my heart as I began self examining.
You’ll notice, it lists his home, his livestock, even the children that were born unto him. Yet, it never lists his wife. It says nothing of her, not even that he had one. 

Continuing on in my reading The Lord brought another series of convicting questions that triggered yet another round of self examination. If the Devil wanted to attack my home, would he even consider me a threat? Furthermore, would he consider afflicting me to attack my husband? Am I useful enough to my home in spiritual warfare that he would know he had to step over a praying wife and mother to harm my family?

Satan petitioned The Lord for the hedge to be dropped, once granted Satan began attacking every angle of Job’s life. He took his wealth, his livestock, his home, and finally takes the lives of his children. Yet still, never did Satan even attempt to destroy Job’s wife, not even to get to him. Once again, when Satan petitions for Job’s health, he never even considers his wife. 
Could it be that Satan knew she was already on his side? Did Satan see her as so weak spiritually that she would even aid in his attempt to destroy Job? 

I’ll end by repeating to you the same questions The Lord asked me: 

If someone decided to write down all of your husbands blessings, could you be listed?
If Satan wanted to attack your home, would you even be considered a threat to him?
Are you ready for spiritual warefare?

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