the Imperfectly Happy home

Tiffany Davis

Cast Iron Gingerbread Recipe

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This easy gingerbread recipe is baked in an 8-inch cast iron skillet. The cast iron creates a warm, rustic, vintage dessert that brings back warm memories and a nod to the upcoming fall season. This easy to make gingerbread has been a family favorite for many years. I’d put this in a classic recipe category for sure!

You’ll never want a grocery store gingerbread after you make this recipe!

I love cooking in my cast iron skillets – I’ve actually written about it a few times:

Warm Rustic Cast Iron Gingerbread Recipe

Cast Iron Gingerbread Recipe

Why cook in cast iron?

Cooking this gingerbread in a cast iron skillet gives it a crispier outside while leaving the gingerbread warm and moist on the inside. Invest in some good Lodge Cast Iron – you won’t regret it! This recipe is made with a 8 inch skillet.

6 More Traditional Gingerbread Recipes

Vintage Recipes

I love old fashioned, or vintage recipes. I’ve been cooking these type of recipes for more than a decade. I have collected and used so many recipes, and I share them here on the blog too.

Is Gingerbread Only for Christmas?

I don’t think so! In fact gingerbread just smells like fall to me. Maybe its the cinnamon that makes me think of that season. But gingerbread is definitely NOT just for Christmas or any holiday. Make this cast iron gingerbread recipe any ‘old time you want!

Can I Make Muffins with This Recipe?

Absolutely! I should make 6 large or 12 average sized muffins. You could use Lodge’s Mini Cake Pan if you wanted to stick with using cast iron for this recipe.

How Do I Serve Gingerbread?

Serve your homemade gingerbread with whipped cream.

You can serve this gingerbread recipe in a variety of ways. Top it with some homemade whipped cream (try making your own with N2O charged dispenser).

Or try it topped with your own vanilla ice cream. See 31 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes for ideas!

But my favorite way to eat gingerbread is warm, right out of the oven, topped with real butter and a big mug of hot coffee!

Gingerbread Recipe Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups flour sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup molasses
  • 2/3 cup hot water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons real vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg

Gingerbread Recipe Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Gather your ingredients
  3. Prepare cast iron skillet by rubbing with butter and sprinkling with flour.
  4. In a medium bowl combine your dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cinnamon.
  5. In separate bowl combine: softened butter, brown sugar , molasses and hot water.
  6. Mix until butter is almost melted.
  7. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the wet ingredients.
  8. Slowly combine the wet and dry ingredients until batter is free of lumps .
  9. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
  10. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
  11. Let cool and cut into 12 equal slices.
  12. Serve with fresh whipped cream and berries. Or try it topped with some homemade vanilla ice cream.

Below you’ll find a fully printable version of this cast iron gingerbread recipe with pictures to help you.

Print

Easy Cast Iron Gingerbread Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 12
Author Tiffany Davis

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups flour sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup molasses
  • 2/3 cup hot water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons real vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  2. Gather your ingredients.

  3. Prepare cast iron skillet by rubbing with butter and sprinkling with flour.

  4. In a medium bowl combine your dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cinnamon.

  5. In separate bowl combine: softened butter, brown sugar , molasses and hot water.

  6. Mix until butter is almost melted.

  7. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the wet ingredients.

  8. Slowly combine the wet and dry ingredients until batter is free of lumps.

  9. Pour batter into prepared skillet.

  10. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

  11. Let cool and cut into 12 equal slices.

  12. Serve with fresh whipped cream and berries. Or try it topped with some homemade vanilla ice cream.

How do you plan to use this gingerbread recipe?

What to Stock Up on in July

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What to stock up on in July. This is my huge list of everything you’ll want to buy in the month of July. Shopping in July for your pantry, seasonal items, what’s on clearance and so much more. Let’s go shopping!

What to Stock Up on Each Month:

This stock up series or shopping by sale cycles started in November 2018. Make sure you go back and save each of the months so you can be prepared all year long.

What to buy in the month of July - stockpiling and savings.

I will be creating shopping lists for every month of the year until I have them completed. You will always know what to stock up on by each month. I strive to have the most comprehensive list for you!

Make sure to read the tips first, especially if this is your first stockpile / sale cycle shopping month!

What to Stock Up on in July

This What to Stock Up On series is so much more than a guide to groceries. I have included bigger ticket items like appliances, grills and other seasonal sale items as well. Some great deals can only be found once or twice a year.

Shopping Sale Cycles – What You Need to Know!

When it comes to stocking up in July, or really any month, it is understanding a store’s sale cycle. What is a sale cycle? I’m so glad you asked! A sale cycle is how stores generally rotate discounted items by areas of interest in a particular month. Generally the sales are retails-wide, meaning all stores will have similar items on sale. I have taken the time to do the research for you, so you’re prepared each month to shop.

What Does it Mean to Stock Up?

For me, stocking up means to “over-buy” items, that I will use all year long, while they are at the deepest discount. I’d say a supply of 3 months or more would be optimal (if your budget allows). Then you are shopping your pantry / garage / attic when you need said item/s instead of paying top dollar at the store.

How Do I Know if it is a Stock Up Price?

Well this will differ from item to item of course; especially when talking grocery vs big ticket. As a general rule I’m looking to save 50% or more for buying multiples for my stockpile.

How Can I Stockpile Without Going Broke?

No matter how great the deals are you NEVER want to put anything on a credit card; that defeats the purpose of saving money. Look for ways you can cut or reduce spending in other areas (like going out for coffee), so you can make a budget for stockpiling. Even with as little as $10 – $20 a week you can start saving up for these amazing sales.

Does Stocking Up Require Coupons?

Absolutely not! I’ll be honest, I am not a huge fan of coupons anymore (see 5 Reasons I Quit Using Coupons ). I find most of the time I’ll buy products that I don’t really use or need because I have a coupon. However if you happen to have a coupon that deepens the discount on the list, use it!
.

The Stock Up in July List

Seasonal Produce on Sale in July

BBQ Items to Stock Up on in July

Watch for even deeper discounts AFTER the 4th of July (in the US that is).

  • Hamburgers
  • Hot Dogs
  • Buns
  • Steaks
  • Ribs
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Mayonnaise
  • Relishes
  • Pickles
  • Paper goods like plates, cups and napkins.
  • Charcoal

Other Grocery Items to Stock Up on in July

  • Ice Cream
  • Popsicles
  • Powdered Milk

Stock Up in July on Camping & Beach Items

  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray
  • Camping Gear
  • Pool Items like towels, flip flops, noodles, etc will start to be discounted to make room for fall items.

School Supplies to Buy in July

Stores are gearing up for everyone going back to school so you’ll see school supply sections starting with deep discounts. I have a whole article on this topic! See: Back To School Sales.

  • Binders / Folders
  • Notebooks
  • Rulers
  • Pens, Pencils, Erasers
  • Glues
  • Staplers and Staples
  • Crayons, Markers and Colored Pencils
  • Loose leaf paper
  • Construction paper
  • Backpacks
  • Lunch Boxes

Consider buying extra to donate to local church that give supplies to kids in need. Also school supplies can make great stocking stuffers, gifts and are wonderful to include in boxes for Operation Christmas Child!

July Sales – Patriotic Items

  • Fireworks (after the 4th of July)
  • American Flag themed items

Amazon Prime Days in July

Every year Amazon has a 2-day sales event, called Amazon Prime Days. In 2019 these are set for July 15th and 16th. This is like a summer version of Black Friday! Check out the Prime Day Guide for more information!

I share deals BOTH DAYS on my Facebook Page.

So there you have it; everything to stock up on in July. I hope you are able to find these great deals in your area. And don’t forget to set a reminder for the Amazon Prime Days (great tip to start shopping for Christmas!).

What will you be shopping for in the month of July?

Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

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Homemade ice cream is a mixture of cream and/or milk, sugar, sometimes eggs and always a little home cooked magic! Sure you can buy just about any flavor of ice cream at your local grocery store; but there is something truly special about homemade ice cream. Not only the fresh rich flavors, but I love to customize it with my favorite mixtures of nuts or berries or both. I know the kids love cookies and cream ice cream or pieces of fudge mixed in.

31 homemade ice cream recipes

Now that summer is in full swing these homemade ice cream recipes will be a real treat. Try making some for your 4th of July celebration or bbq too!

Ice Cream Making Supplies:

  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Cutting Board and Knife (especially for fruit based ice creams)
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Blender or Food Processor
  • Freezer Containers – make sure they are made to be in the freezer, like these.
  • Consider investing in a Waffle Cone & Bowl maker!

Do I Need an Ice Cream Maker?

You may be very surprised how easy it is to make ice cream at home. I have found that investing in a good ice cream maker has made it an even more enjoyable process. I now prefer my fully automatic ice cream maker but there are more budget friendly options as well.

31 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

Classic Ice Cream Recipes

Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream – by The Crafting Chicks
Here is a classic ice cream flavor to get you started; easy to make and simply delicious! Homemade vanilla ice cream is the perfect base for adding in flavors too!

The Best Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream – by Ever After in the Woods
A family favorite! A simple, classic, homemade chocolate ice cream.

Old Fashioned Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe – by Self Proclaimed Foodie
Nothing says summer, to me, like a bowl of fresh strawberry ice cream.

Homemade Peppermint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream– by Let’s Dish
Mini chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candy add some holiday flavor and flare to classic vanilla ice cream.

Homemade Neapolitan Ice Cream – by Pioneer Woman
The ultimate 3-in-1 ice cream is the chocolate, vanilla, strawberry combination of a simple Neapolitan ice cream. This one is out of this world good!

Sweet Cream Ice Cream (Cold Stone Copycat) – by Reality Daydream
Homemade Ice Cream is a summer staple! This sweet cream recipe tastes exactly like the Cold Stone sweet cream ice cream favorite we’ve all grown to love!

Thin Mint Ice Cream – by A Pretty Happy Home
Inspired by classic girl scout cookies!

Nutty Ice Cream Recipes

Butter Pecan Ice Cream – by Simple Recipes
Homemade butter pecan ice cream, made with a custard base, browned butter, and toasted pecans.

Maple Walnut Ice Cream– by All Day I Dream About Food
This homemade maple ice cream recipe is Keto, sugar-free, and absolutely amazing.

Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream– by Recipe Girl
A smooth and creamy peanut butter ice cream recipe with chunks of chocolate peanut butter cups mixed in.

Nutella Swirl Ice Cream – by House of Nash
Everyone’s favorite chocolate hazelnut spread makes an appearance in this Nutella Swirl Ice Cream!

Fruity Ice Cream Recipes

Homemade Mango Ice Cream– by Sandhya’s Kitchen
This mango ice cream combines just three ingredients together to bring together creamy delicious flavors.

Raspberry White Chocolate Ice Cream – by Searching for Spice
This white chocolate raspberry ice cream recipe is so good made in the ice cream maker. It’s easy to make and very popular with kids and adults.

Apple Pie Ice Cream – by Serious Eats
All the flavor of an apple pie without the hassle of making a crust or turning on the oven.

Peach Ice Cream – by Sustainable Cooks
Like a bowl full of summer, the Ultimate Homemade Peach Ice Cream recipe will blow your mind with flavor.

Lemon Ice Cream – by Grits and Pinecones
This homemade silky smooth and lemony ice cream is just the thing to help you cool off on a hot summer day!

Sugar-Free Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream– by Happy Kitchen
Easy sugar free blueberry cheesecake ice cream is a delicious dessert made from just 5 ingredients! This recipe can be used without an ice cream maker.

Fun Ice Cream Recipes with Mix-Ins

Oreo Ice Cream – by Sweetest Menu
Easy cookies and cream ice cream made with just four ingredients!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream – by Mavis Butterfield
Pumpkin? Check. Cheesecake? Check. Ice Cream? Check. I can’t wrap my brain around all of the deliciousness packed into one recipe.

Homemade Coffee Ice Cream – by Baked by an Introvert
This Homemade Coffee Ice Cream is made just like old-fashioned ice cream! It starts with a custard that is blended with heavy cream and churned in an ice cream maker for a sensationally smooth and creamy dessert.

Brownie Fudge Swirl Ice Cream – by Life Made Simple
For extreme chocolate lovers only! This rich, decadent brownie fudge swirl ice cream is loaded with brownie chunks and swirled with hot fudge!

Coconut Ice Cream – by Keto Cooking Christian
A smooth, creamy and refreshing coconut ice cream made with coconut milk, extract, shredded coconut with a hint of lime zest! Keto-Friendly!

Honey Butter Shortbread Ice Cream – by Pampered Chef
Melted butter and honey are swirled into homemade ice cream with crunchy shortbread cookies mixed in.

Cake Batter Ice Cream – by Like Mother, Like Daughter
Cake batter ice cream is a delicious creamy ice cream treat that tastes just like cake batter! It’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just for a delicious treat!

No Churn Cinnamon Ice Cream – by Kitchen Swagger
Super creamy, egg-free, cinnamon ice cream that comes together in 15 minutes (plus freezing), without and ice cream machine.

Salted Caramel Ice Cream – by Life Currents
Homemade ice cream may be a bit of work, but it’s well worth the time and energy. Salted Caramel no longer has to be only a topping!

Churro Ice Cream – by Butternut Bakery
Easy no churn ice cream with baked churros, dulce de leche, homemade cinnamon ice cream and Mexican vanilla.

Green Tea Ice Cream – by Mildly Meandering
An easy summer dessert made with only 4 ingredients! This refreshing recipe is inspired by Japanese flavors and it’s so easy to make!

Moose Tracks Ice Cream – by Farm Girl Gourmet
A recipe for Homemade Moose Tracks Ice Cream. So easy to make and just as delicious as store bought, or better!

Kahlua and Cherry Ice Cream – by The Flavor Bender
You wouldn’t believe how addictively delicious this ice cream is, and that’s before you even get to the Kahula! Take it to the NEXT level and make your own Coffee Liqueur at home, see my recipe for homemade Kahula.

Smores Ice Cream – by Meatloaf and Melodrama
No-Churn Chocolate S’mores Ice Cream is loaded with graham crackers, chocolate chunks and mini marshmallows. You don’t need an ice cream maker to enjoy this easy summer treat!

Homemade ice cream has been loved and cherished throughout generations! Find your favorite from this list and create some new memories making and sharing ice cream with your family. These recipes are easy, delicious and fun to recreate. Enjoy!

Home Economic Skills to Teach Your Kids

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Running a household is not that easy. It’s more than just keeping a home nice and tidy. Learning how to cook, clean, and be a domestic engineer of sorts requires skill and patience. You should not be doing it all on your own, however. Even the youngest children can help with cooking, cleaning, and other household chores. Here are five home economic skills to teach your kids that will set them up for a lifetime of success in and outside your home.

Home Economic Skills to Teach Your Kids

5 Home Economic Skills
to Teach Your Kids

Cooking

Teaching your kids simple cooking skills like measurements and proportions, safe food preparation, and following recipes are essential for young people to know to survive on their own (eventually) and stay healthy. I like to think of the home economic skills they learn growing up not only as things that benefit our household but will serve them well moving forward.

Simple recipes using ground beef, vegetables, and chicken will help your children learn how to make food from scratch. Cooking with fresh ingredients is healthy and will save you money!

Also See: The Importance of Cooking from Scratch

Meal Planning

To go along with cooking, it’s important to teach your children how to plan for meals. Teach them how to use a tool like Real Plans or sit down with them and plan out breakfast, lunch, and dinner on paper or in a planner. Meal prepping one day a week can help you and your family save time. Preparing the ingredients, freezing meals when necessary, and having the proportions correct will help your children get involved and your meal times run smoothly.

Budgeting

Money may not seem like a relevant topic for young people not contributing to the household finances, but it’s never too early to help your children understand how to save and what to spend money on. Being self-sufficient and living off what we have at home is helpful, but it’s good to let the kids know that everything isn’t “free”. There are utilities and household expenses to pay. Without revealing your whole financial status, you can start by teaching your kids ways to make money and help them set up their own budget.

It is also essential that kids learn how to balance a checkbook! I know checks are not used as often today as in the past but balancing your accounts is still very important. Programs like Quicken are fantastic and there are also phone apps that can been very helpful.

Also See: Budget Saving Tips for Groceries

Laundry

Having your children be responsible for their own laundry can be helpful in running your household efficiently and giving them an added responsibility. Teach them how to use the washer, separate colors, and use proper cycles as well as which clothes to machine dry, lay flat, and hang dry. Since we teach our children vintage skills, doing laundry by hand is something I have insisted that my children know. It’s a great skill to have to prepare in case gas or electricity is not available, and it saves money!

Also See: Clothesline Drying Like a Boss! and DIY Laundry Detergent

Household Cleaning

Teaching your children to keep a house neat and tidy starts with modeling the behavior. It may help to set up a cleaning schedule and give your children a list of tasks to complete. Sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing counters, mopping floors, and doing dishes are just a few important tasks that make a household run smoothly. Every member of the household should be responsible for some chores, and keeping a clean house is a major part of these duties. Lastly, make sure your kids know how to properly make a bed. See: How to Make a Bed in 12 Steps

Other Home Economic Skills to Teach

  • Gardening to grow food
  • Sewing and mending
  • Basic car maintenance (or at the very least WHEN to have maintenance done)
  • Building a food pantry and canning
  • How to do yearly taxes
  • Manners

Children need to understand and practice vintage skills as much as adults need to model them. These five home economic skills to teach your kids are essential for any family, especially the modern homesteading family. Practice these skills at home with your own children.

Whatever home economic skills you decide to teach in your home, your kids will be ahead of the game and more prepared than most these days. Sadly home economics is rarely taught in the public school system and many parents are not teaching them either; but we still need them.

What home economic skills do you teach your children?

CBD Oil For Beginners

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CBD oil is a hot topic these days. The one thing that the internet is known for is its love of trends. We love to learn about the latest in fashion, child rearing, and house decoration. We scour blogs, and Youtube and Pinterest to absorb all of the information and incorporate it into our lives. More than we love any trend though, we love health trends. Anything that will help us concentrate, be in less pain and lose weight has our full attention. We are always on the lookout for the next big thing, whether it be a weight loss tea, essential oil or a supplement. With that said, let me introduce you to the next big thing: CBD oil. It is becoming more and more popular and has some health benefits you won’t want to ignore.  Here is your guide to CBD oil for beginners.

cbd oil for beginners

CBD Oil For Beginners

What Is CBD Oil?

When it comes to CBD oil, for beginners, you must become familiar with some new vocabulary. First, CBD stands for cannabidiol oil. This is a substance found in cannabis products along with its more familiar substance, THC. Unlike THC, the chemical properties in CBD products do not produce the high that you are accustomed to associating with cannabis products. That opens the use of CBD products up to people who are otherwise unable to try cannabis because the use of THC isn’t safe for them. CBD products come in many of the same forms we customarily see other cannabis products in, such as a liquid that can be vaped, a liquid that can be used sublingually (under the tongue), creams and lotions, and baked into edible products. This gives you a wide variety of ways to experience CBD for the first time.

Is CBD Oil legal to use?

In the majority of states, CBD use is legal. As always, you want to check the particular rules of your state to determine if the use of CBD s legal for you. The lack of THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana means that you don’t get high, making it an easier sell for lawmakers who are concerned about people abusing cannabis. That legality means you can purchase CBD without going through the process of approval for a medical marijuana card if your state has such a program available.

What does CBD Oil Do? Is it a scam?

There is still research being conducted to teach us more about how CBD oil works and what it can do for our long term, but here is the quick and dirty version. In your body, there is a system called the endocannabinoid system that helps to regulate systems in your body that control things like pain, or digestive issues, or anxiety. That system uses cannabinoids to improve function. High stress and illness can deplete those cannabinoid stores, and that is when issues with our bodies can begin. The use of CBD products restores the cannabinoids and seems to offer people relief from those issues. Anyone wanting to use CBD for a specific medical condition should make check with their physician.

What are the effects and health benefits of CBD Oil?

If you’re just learning about CBD oil for beginners, you might not know the wide range of symptoms that CBD can help to relieve. There are many ailments that CBD can cover, some that may surprise you. For instance, CBD is helpful if you suffer from the symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, or depression. It can also help with nausea from cancer treatment. Speaking of nausea, there are many people who use CBD to help with the pain and irritation of many digestive disorders. If you suffer from chronic pain, CBD can help to fight the inflammation that may be at the root of your pain.

What do I do next?

For starters, find out if it is legal in your state (click here for more information on the legalities of CBD per state). If you have a chronic condition that you’d like to try using CBD oil as treatment, you’ll want to consult your physician. Not all doctors are familiar so be prepared to bring in your own research! One of the most important things you should know when it comes to CBD oil for beginners is that you have to be concerned about quality. No two products are alike. Learn how to access the qualities and properties you need in a CBD product and proceed forward. You’re going to do great.

Recommended CBD Oil Products

When in comes to CBD oils and products, not all are created equal. I did a lot of research before deciding on Joy Organics, which I highly recommend.