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The Porch Cafe and Books Images from Danville, Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The Porch Cafe and Books in Danville, Indiana is one of the few places little Indiana and family have ever entered that boasted a completely organic menu.

Everything was so fresh and delicious at this Danville, Indiana cafe. Keeping their menu short and sweet means that each and every homemade entree receives the proper attention!

Oh–and if you are a larger group, get a pitcher of tea to share. I can vouch for the goodness of the peach tea. I think I drank three full glasses of the stuff!

The Porch Cafe and Books Images from Danville, Indiana

The Porch Cafe and Books: Danville, Indiana

Find The Porch cafe and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

The Porch
2411 E Main Street
Danville, Indiana 46122
317.745.5792

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Best Cookie Recipes: S’Mores Cookies

Jessica Nunemaker — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Best Cookie Recipes: S'mores Cookies

There is nothing easier to make than a S’more–but these S’mores Cookies Recipe, though only slightly more work, don’t require a campfire!

Soft and chewy, they are incredible warm from the oven. It is impossible to only eat one (or two or four, whatev).

What could be more fun to bring to carry-ins or the annual neighborhood block party than these tasty little bites of childhood baked right in? Nothing!

S’Mores Cookies Recipe

Best Cookie Recipes: S

Rating: 51

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Yield: At Least 3 Dozen Cookies

Serving Size: 1

165

7 g

No campfire needed for this unique twist on a classic! Delicious!

Recipe is from Midwest Living/June 2012.

Ingredients

4 Cups Regular Rolled Oats
1 1/2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Graham Crackers, Finely Crushed
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Butter, Softened
1 Cup Brown Sugar, Packed
1/2 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1/4 Cup Milk
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
1 7-ounce Jar Marshmallow Creme
42 Milk Chocolate Kisses, Unwrapped and Ready to Go!

Instructions

Combine Oats, Flour, Graham Crackers Crumbs, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Cinnamon, and Salt. Set aside.
In large bowl of electric mixer, beat Butter for 30 seconds.
Add in Brown and Regular Sugars.
Beat in Eggs, Milk, and Vanilla Extract.
Beat in Flour, as much as you can, stirring in remaining flour with wooden spoon.
Chill, covered, for 1 to 4 hours.
Drop dough by rounded Tablespoonfuls 2" apart on lightly greased (or parchment lined) cookie sheets.
Bake Cookies in 375* oven for 8 minutes.
Using back of a teaspoon measuring spoon, make an indention in each cookie top as soon as you take them out of the oven!
Dab on 1 teaspoon Marshmallow Creme onto the center of each cookie.
Top with a Chocolate Candy Kiss, pointed side DOWN.
Return cookies to the oven and bake 2 or 3 minutes more or until edges are light brown.
Cool on the cookie sheet for a minute before moving to wire racks to finish cooling.

Notes

Yes, this uses 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla Extract. That is not a typo.

http://littleindiana.com/2012/05/best-cookie-recipes-smores-cookies-2/

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Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe

Jessica Nunemaker — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Best Cake Recipe: Chocolate Cupcakes

Though not as colorful as my Rainbow Cake Recipe, this Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe is a hit with grown-ups and kids–these are so moist and delicious!

I’ve been making this same recipe since I was 19 years old. Other cupcake recipes have come and gone, but none have compared to this one.

I always pair it with a Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. Yum!

Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe

Rating: 51

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 1 1/2 Cupcakes (I usually get around a dozen plus one or two)

Serving Size: 1 Cupcake

These delicious cupcakes are from The Complete Guide to Country Cooking, Reiman Publications, 1998.

I know a couple of Indiana town bookstores where you could probably look for a copy! It's one of my go-to cookbooks.

Ingredients

1 Cup Boiling Water
1 Cup Mayonnaise (real mayo, not a sub)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Baking Cocoa
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
Frosting

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine Water, Mayonnaise, and Vanilla Extract.
In a separate bowl, combine Flour, Sugar, Cocoa, and Baking Soda and add to the mix.
Beat until well mixed.
Fill greased or paper-lined cupcake cups 2/3 full.
Bake 350* for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick near the center comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes in pan, then remove to wire racks.
Frost when cool with your favorite frosting.
Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

These should be stored in the refrigerator.

http://littleindiana.com/2012/05/chocolate-cupcakes-recipe/

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Country Folks Pizza Images from Kouts, Indiana: That’s a Slice!

Jessica Nunemaker — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:00:48 +0000

Country Folks Pizza is amazing, amazing pizza! This is the small town mom and pop business at its best.

This Kouts, Indiana shop has walls plastered with thank you cards, notes, and drawings. From cheery thank-you’s to artwork from the younger bunch and local sporting and scouting troops, this pizza place has very deep roots indeed.

But maybe one of the funniest things I’ve seen has been the motto of this Indiana town pizza joint. “Have you had a hot piece lately?” Now that’s just clever and definitely memorable–just like the Country Folks Pizza itself.

Country Folks Pizza Images from Kouts, Indiana

Country Folks Pizza: Kouts, Indiana Menu

Country Folks Pizza: Kouts, Indiana Tomato Cheese Bread

Country Folks Pizza: Kouts, Indiana

Find Country Folks Pizza images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Country Folks Pizza
401 Main Street
Kouts, Indiana 46347
219.766.3877

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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Muffin Recipes: Pineapple Upside Down Muffins

Jessica Nunemaker — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins Recipe

With leftover crushed pineapple in the fridge begging to be used, I turned to this Pineapple Upside Down Muffins Recipe.

Just like Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, these muffins cool and are flipped over–making a very nice presentation.

Top with a cherry and make them extra pretty! We didn’t wait for these to cool, but dug right in. Yum!

Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins Recipe

Rating: 51

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Yield: 12 Muffins

Serving Size: 1 Muffin

Very different muffin--and very good!

Measure the buttermilk into a large measuring cup, then add in the egg melted butter to that to minimize clean-up.

I think it would also be cute to top with a cherry.

Ingredients

1/4 Cup Butter, Melted
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
8 0z Crushed Pineapple, Drained
1 1/2 Cups Flour
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Eggs, Beaten
1 Cup Buttermilk
2 Tablespoons Butter, Melted

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375*.
Grease muffin tins. Set aside.
Spoon melted butter evenly into tins (approximately 1 teaspoon-sized spoonful).
Sprinkle Brown Sugar over the top.
Spoon Pineapple over top of Brown Sugar.
Set aside.
In a bowl, combine remaining dry ingredients.
Make a well in the center.
In another bowl whisk together Eggs, Buttermilk, and Butter.
Add quickly to flour mixture. Combine. Do not over-mix.
Spoon batter to tops of muffin tins.
Bake 18 - 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool. Remove from pans.
Serve Pineapple side up.

Notes

From The 250 Best Muffin Recipes by Esther Brody. I know a few small town bookstores where you can try to find this one. It's great!

http://littleindiana.com/2012/05/pineapple-upside-down-muffins-recipe/

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little Indiana iPhone and iPad Application Published

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

little Indiana is thrilled to announce that the iPhone and iPad application is ready and waiting on iTunes!

While the in-article Google maps are helpful, I wanted more. My favorite feature (and the one that took me forever to do) is the smart mapping.

little Indiana iPhone App

Let your phone pinpoint your exact location–and show you all the mom and pop businesses that I have personally visited that are right around you!

Toggle between three choices: Stay, Play, and Eat.

Stay equals lodging like Indiana bed and breakfasts or inns that I have personally visited. Eat are the restaurants, bakeries, candy stores, etc. where I’ve eaten. Play is everything else from attractions like Holiday World to old Pioneer Cemeteries to Indiana bridges.

Get more info about a particular place directly from the mapping screen. See any of my suggestions, like a house specialty or little-known tip, and read the original article on little Indiana.

More than Mapping

While the mapping function will make you wonder how you ever lived without it, there are other features!

In case you hadn’t noticed, the little Indiana Facebook Fan Page is pretty busy and full of conversation–and is now easy to access right from the little Indiana App. Twitter, too.

You will also find the most recent articles listed for little Indiana and little Indiana Businesses. Have something to say? Post it on the “Fan Wall” right within the App!

If you are lucky, in the future you may even come across a special deal just for little Indiana readers.

Labor of Love

Since little Indiana frequently travels and updates–so too will this app! You’ll discover updates to reflect the most recent articles on little Indiana once a week.

That means there will always be something new to discover and explore. This is little Indiana’s 500th post don’t'cha know! But you wouldn’t expect any less now, would you?

Don’t miss a moment. Subscribe to little Indiana and receive instant updates to stay on top of everything “little.”

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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Yum Yum Shoppe Images from North Liberty, Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:00:57 +0000

When little Indiana and hubby stepped inside of the Yum Yum Shoppe in North Liberty, Indiana, we were immediately asked, “Can I ask why you were taking pictures outside?”

Apparently folks just like to take photos of this North Liberty, Indiana shop’s exterior and she had always wondered why–and finally had a chance to ask!

While I had a pretty good reason (so I could share it with all of you), doesn’t it just make you wonder about everyone else? There is only one little Indiana!

Yum Yum Shoppe Images from North Liberty, Indiana

Yum Yum Shoppe North Liberty, Indiana

Find The Yum Yum Shoppe and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Yum Yum Shoppe
139 North Main Street
North Liberty, Indiana 46554
574.656.3245

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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Best Cake Recipes: Carrot Cake

Jessica Nunemaker — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:00:50 +0000

Best Carrot Cake Recipe

For one of the best cake recipes, you need only turn to this moist and dense Carrot Cake Recipe.Kid #1 was responsible for putting such festive sprinkles on this one–but you can choose to decorate as you wish.

While you may think of Carrot Cake as a traditional Easter dessert, it’s a fabulous meal-ender year round!

Don’t be afraid of the pineapple or coconut in this recipe–it adds a lot of flavor and makes a wonderful cake. I would highly recommend that you include it! I do omit the walnuts, but to each their own.

Best Cake Recipes: Carrot Cake

Rating: 51

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 12 Slices (for one two-layer cake)

Serving Size: 1

662

38.2 grams

Delicious! This has become an Easter tradition in our house--and something that could easily be served year round, if you have fans of Carrot Cake in your house, too.

I found this recipe on Food.com.

Ingredients

2 Cups Flourlour
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
1 3/4 Cups Granulated Sugar
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
3 Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 Cups Carrots, Shredded
1 Cup Flaked Coconut
1 Cup Walnuts, Chopped (optional)
1 (8 Ounce) Can Crushed Pineapple, Drained
FROSTING
1 (8 Ounce) Package Cream Cheese, Softened
1/4 Cup Butter, Softened
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (to taste)

Instructions

Preheat Oven to 350*.
Grease and Flour two cake pans or one 13 xx 9 inch pans.
Combine Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt, and Cinnamon.
Mix in Sugar, Oil, Eggs, and Vanilla.
Stir in Coconuts, Carrots, Walnuts (if using), and Pineapple.
Bake for 45 minutes for a 9 x 13 pan, 30 - 35 minutes for the two cake pans.
Cool on rack.
Invert and frost when finished.
For Frosting:
Combine ingredients. Smooth over cake. Frosts one 9 x 13 cake or one two-layer cake.

Notes

Feel free to use your own Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe.

http://littleindiana.com/2012/04/best-cake-recipes-carrot-cake/

Photos are the Property of little Indiana. Do Not Use Without Permission.

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Steve’s Grill in DeMotte, Indiana: Family Dining Done Right

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Steve's Grill: DeMotte, Indiana

Steve’s Grill is the brand spankin’ new place to eat in DeMotte, Indiana.

Remember Mike’s Kitchen (the town staple for what seemed like decades)? And then Hometown Grill after that? Don’t worry–Steve’s Grill may have taken the location, but it introduces a great new feel and a fantastic homemade menu!

DeMotte, Indiana: Steve’s Grill

Large menus with a lot of variety make me nervous. It usually means “frozen” and that means it’s not going to be included on little Indiana. Going out to eat, well, I expect a little more!

However, our server at Steve’s Grill assured me that “nothing was frozen.” I instantly cheered and poured over the menu with a renewed sense of purpose.

Breakfast is served all day at Steve’s Grill (which I love!), but more than that you’ll find various entrees, sandwiches, salads, and then some. Changing specials round out the offerings.

Steve’s Grill Menu

Steve's Grill: DeMotte, Indiana

The special of the day while we were there may have been frog legs (not kidding) but I, very much a creature of habit, ordered a Reuben Sandwich.

Kid #1 got French Toast, Kid #2 wanted “Eggies!” and hubby settled on the Philly Style Steakburger–our server’s recommendation. He is a fan of a good Philly!

We all dug in. For starters? Those fries are good. Oh my. We were all pleased with our order. I am happy to say that this Indiana mom and pop restaurant did a very nice Reuben Sandwich.

Go There

Steve's Grill: DeMotte, Indiana Reuben Sandwich

It’s the new hot spot in this Indiana town! I’m pretty sure the whole town turned out for this one.

Save room for dessert. But, you know, this wouldn’t be little Indiana if I didn’t torture you by making you wait for the story on that!

Just don’t forget to tell ‘em that little Indiana sent you!

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Find Steve’s Grill images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Steve’s Grill
700 N Halleck Street
DeMotte, Indiana 46310
219.987.2431

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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Confection Delights Images from Danville, Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Creative chocolate is the specialty at Confection Delights in Danville, Indiana!

When was the last time you saw a Victorian shoe crafted out of solid white chocolate? Yeah, that’s definitely a different take on the usual box of chocolate. That’s just one example of the clever forms that chocolate takes at this Danville, Indiana business.

But don’t worry–Confection Delights has your favorite chocolates, too. A block away from the downtown, you can easily walk over. Chocoholics won’t want to miss this Indiana chocolate shop!

Danville, Indiana: Confection Delights Images

Danville, Indiana: Confection Delights

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Find Confection Delights and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Confection Delights
41 W Clinton Street
Danville, Indiana 46122
317.718.7060

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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