Buckeyes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups confectioners' sugar
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners' sugar. The dough will look dry. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.

Press a toothpick into the top of each ball (to be used later as the handle for dipping) and chill in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.

While peanutbutter is in freezer melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir frequently until smooth.

Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate holding onto the toothpick. Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes. Put back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until serving.

Comments:
These are a very common holiday treat. Some tips, put the peanutbutter mixture in the fridge before rolling into balls to firm up the mixture a bit. Also, I used about 2 cups of peanut butter. 1/2 cup of that was regular crunch as I ran out of creamy. It still turned out fine. I wouldn't suggest extra crunchy unles you really wants the peanuts in it. Also, I used 4 cups of confectioners sugar and then added a little at a time after that until I got the consistency I needed for rolling the balls. It was probably just over 5 cups.

90 Minute Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup margarine, softened
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
1 egg
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Directions:

Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in margarine; stir until melted. Let cool until lukewarm.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/4 cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt; mix well. Add water, egg and the milk mixture; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has just pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes.
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, softened margarine.
Roll out dough into a 12x9 inch rectangle. Spread dough with margarine/sugar mixture. Sprinkle with raisins if desired. Roll up dough and pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal size rolls and place cut side up in 12 lightly greased 9x13 pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until browned. Serve warm

Comments:
For smooth cutting use dental floss. Put thread under roll then cross at top and pull. It will cut through the dough keeping the round shape. Also, Mine made about 24 rolls on this recipe as I cut them a little thinner and then let rise for double the time so they would be light and fluffy. Serve as is or drizzle a cream cheese frosting on top. These are definitely a hit for us. We'll probably never buy canned ones again.

Golden Fish Sticks

Ingredients:
For tartar sauce (optional):
2 1/2 tablespoons regular or low-fat mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

For fish:
2 1/2 cups cornflakes
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, melted
3/4 pound white fish fillets (such as orange roughy), cut crosswise into 3/4-inch-wide strips (about 1 filet per person)

Directions:
Position rack in top third of oven and preheat to 450° F. Mix mayonnaise, relish and 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice in small bowl. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.

Grind cornflakes in processor until coarse crumbs form (or just squish in bag with your hands...). Transfer to bowl; mix in lemon peel. Mix butter and 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice in small bowl. Season fish with salt and pepper. Brush with lemon butter, then dip into cornflake mixture, coating completely. Arrange fish on baking sheet. Sprinkle with any remaining cornflake mixture. Bake fish until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Serve with sauce.

Creme Brulee French Toast

Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 loaf challah bread (egg bread)
5 large eggs
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon Grand Marnier (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:
In a small heavy saucepan melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup over medium heat, stirring, until smooth. Pour into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Cut 6-8 (1-inch thick) slices from center portion of bread and trim crusts. Arrange bread slices in one layer in baking dish, squeezing them slightly to fit. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla, Grand Marnier and salt until combined well and pour evenly over bread. Chill bread mixture, covered, at least 8 hours and up to one day. Preheat oven to 350-degrees and bring bread to room temperature. Bake bread mixture, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden, 35 to 40 minutes.

Comments:
This is great to have for breakfast on holidays because you have to make it the night before. Then in the morning all you have to do is bake it!

Anniversary Chicken

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup teriyaki basting sauce
1/2 cup Ranch-style salad dressing
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
3 green onions, chopped
1/2 (3 ounce) can bacon bits
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts, and saute 4 to 5 minutes each side, until lightly browned.
Place browned chicken breasts in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Brush with teriyaki sauce, then spoon on salad dressing. Sprinkle with cheese, green onions and bacon bits.
Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Diet Soda Cake

Ingredients:
1 package cake mix
10-12 oz diet soda

Directions:
Mix cake mix and soda and bake until toothpick comes clean when inserted in middle.

Topping:Low-fat topping:
Fat Free cool-whip LF topping for chocolate cake: FF cool whip mixed w/ cocoa.

Comments:
Use a dark drink w/ a dark cake (ie Diet Coke/Pepsi w/ chocolate cake) and a light drink w/ a light cake (ie Diet Sprite w/ yellow, lemon, pineapple cake) If making a pineapple cake, you can add crushed pineapple if desired. If making a lemon cake, you can add lemon juice if desired.
this is definitely a healthier option that traditional cake mix directions as you cut out the oil/eggs. When mixing add about 3/4 of the can, mix, and then add additional soda till you get the consistency you want.

Salsa Corn Dip

Ingredients:
1 pkg. cream cheese, cut into cubes
1 pkg. Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix
1 cup Old El Paso Thick 'n Chunky Salsa
1 can Green Giant Mexicorn Whole Kernel Corn, Red and Green Peppers

Directions:
1. In microwave-safe 1 1/2-quart casserole, combine all ingredients; mix well. Cover.
2. Microwave on HIGH for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir well. Microwave on HIGH for 2 to 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted.
3. Stir before serving. Serve with corn chips.

Cream Cheese Brownies

Ingredients
4 (1 ounce) squares German sweet chocolate
5 tablespoons butter
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Melt chocolate with 3 tablespoons of the butter over very low heat. Stir constantly until smooth. Set aside to cool.

Cream remaining 2 tablespoons butter with cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar. Cream until light and fluffy. Blend into this 1 of the eggs, 1 tablespoon flour and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside.

Now beat the remaining 2 eggs until light and fluffy. Gradually beat into them 3/4 cup sugar. Continue beating until thickened. Stir in the baking powder, salt and 1/2 cup flour. Add to this the cooled chocolate mixture. Blend well. Stir in the nuts and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Spread half of the chocolate batter into an 8x8 inch greased baking pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the top. Then drop the remaining chocolate batter by tablespoons over the top of the cream cheese mixture. Swirl through batter layers with a spatula for a marbled effect.

Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in the pan. Cut into squares or bars.

Tuna Patties

Ingredients:
2 (6 ounce) cans tuna, drained and flaked
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix tuna, egg, bread crumbs and garlic. Blend soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, ketchup, sesame oil, and pepper into the mixture. Form the mixture into about 6 patties approximately 1 inch thick.
Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Fry each patty about 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown.

Comments:
These are quick and easy. Good with a bit of tartar sauce or put on a sandwhich with a bit of cheese.

Kid Made Ice Cream

Ingredients:
Ice Cubes
1/2 cup kosher salt
1 cup half and half
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 resealable sandwich bag
1 gallon size resealable bag

Directions:
Fill the Large half full of ice. Add the salt.In the small bag, mix half and half, sugar, and vanilla. Seal tightly.Place small bag inside large bagWrap a dish towel around the big bag and shake until ice cream thickens (about 5 minutes)Wipe the salt off the small bag and scoop into a bowl.

Watermelon Popsicles

Ingredients:
2-3 cups watermelon
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 c. Sugar to taste or as needed depending on sweetness of watermelon.
(i used 1 1/2 tbsp. agave nectar which is a natural sweetener and mixes well with liquids)

Directions:
Blend all together in a blender. If you use the sugar you may want to melt it first in a saucepan with the water, then add to blender with watermelon & lemon juice. If you have a sweet ripe watermelon, you may not need very much sugar at all.Pour into popsicle molds, freeze and enjoy!

Cheeseburger Macaroni

Ingredients:
1lb. ground beef
2-1/4 cups water
1/2 cup catsup
1 tsp. Mustard (optional) I used a Honey mustard which gave it a bit of a sweet taste
2 cups (8 oz.) elbow macaroni
3/4 lb. (12 oz.) VELVEETA cheese cut up

Directions:
Brown meat in large skillet; drain.Add water, catsup and mustard. Bring to boil. Stir in macaroni. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until macaroni is tender.Add VELVEETA; stir until melted.

Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
3/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup shortening (or margarine)
1/3 cup molasses
2 large eggs
1 package of butterscotch chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour, baking soda and spices in a bowl.

Beat sugar, shortening, molasses, and eggs in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in flour mixture until well blended. (It's thick, so using a mixer is a lifesaver!) If mixture looks a bit dry (mine did) add a splash of milk. Stir in butterscotch chips.

Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes.

7 Layer Bars

Ingredients:
1 Stick Margarine melted in pan.
1 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
1 Cup Angel Flake Coconut
1 Can Burdens Condensed Milk
1/2 Package Hersey's Milk Chocolate Chips
1/2 Package Hersey's Butterscotch Chips
1 Cup Of Your Favorite Chopped Nuts

Directions:
Layer all ingredients in order listed in a 9x13 cake pan. Then bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until it starts to pull away from the side of the pan. Let cool and then cut into squares.

Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter (softened)
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 (sifted) cup all purpose flour

Directions:
In large bowl gradually combine all ingredients - beat until well mixed. Roll the dough into small balls. Place them on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Comments:
These would be good dipped in chocolate

Fool-Proof Fudge

Ingredients:
1 (12 ounce) bag chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup favorite chopped nuts
1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Directions:
Mix chocolate chips and sweeten condensed milk in large microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 5 minutes or until chips are melted. Stir in vanilla, nuts and marshmallows. Pour into wax paper lined 9x13 pan and chill for 2 hours until set

Crispy Peanutbutter Balls

Ingredients:
amounts may vary peanut butter
1 and 1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 cup marshmallows

Directions:
Put peanutbutter and rice crispy cereal into mixing bowl and stir together (but make sure you don't crush the rice crispies.) Melt marshmallows in microwave for about 20 seconds (if not melted, repeat.) Dump marshmallows into your peanutbutter and crispies and mix. Melt chocolate chips in microve for about 45 seconds. Mix but do not put in bowl with other mixture. Spoon out small amounts of peanut mixture and dip them in the melted chocolate until they are covered with the chocolate. Place on cookie sheet and when all mixture is gone, put cookie sheet in freezer for about 15 minutes. Then enjoy!

Comments:
These were so good!

Cookie Icing

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c confectioners sugar
1/4 c butter
1 tsp vanillas
mall amount of hot water

Directions:
beat the butter and vanilla together and then add the powdered sugar and mix. Then add the hot water by the teaspoon full until it is a good consistency for icing the cookies.

Comments:
You can add food coloring to the icing for different occasions. For multiple colors with 1 batch of cookies seperate the icing and color. I did red/green for christmas and just put 1/2 the ingredients in 2 bowls and mixed that way. Water was about 3 tsp. You want it to be smooth and creamy but not too thin or it will be runny.

Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
3 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 c. butter
1 1/2 c sugar
2 eggs

Directions:
Sift the dry ingredients together. Blend butter and sugar until they are light and creamy. Next beat in the eggs and vanilla. Add the flour mixture 1/3 at a time. Mixing until all the flour is blended in. Next roll the dough about 1/4 inch thick between parchment paper and cut with the cookie cutters. Pull the dough from between the cut-outs and place the cookies on a baking sheets and chill in the refrigerator. While those chill roll and cut the next batch. Once they are chilled then place them on the cookie sheet to bake at 350 for 15 minutes. The dough will hold the shape much better if it is chilled. Rolling between the parchment paper keeps it from sticking and needing excess flour.

Comments:
These are very yummy. The cooking time is only a suggestion as ovens will vary. Watch them and take them out as soon as the edges turn a light brown otherwise you will end up with a crispy cookie. I topped with the icing recipe found HERE.

Chicken Pot Pie

INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup lard (shortening)
6 tablespoons cold water

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
3 cups chicken broth
3 cups cooked chicken, chopped
3 carrot, finely chopped
3 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen carrots
2 tablespoons fresh garlic


DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Cut in lard until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water until mixture forms a ball. Divide dough in half and shape into balls. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Roll one ball out to fit a 9 inch pie plate. Place bottom crust in pie plate. Roll out top crust and set aside.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C.)

In large skillet cook chicken, carrots, celery, onion and garlic. Cook until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are becoming soft. Add peas and carrots. Cook until warm through.

In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Blend in flour, salt, pepper. Gradually stir in chicken broth. Cook, stirring constantly until smooth and thickened. Stir in chicken mixture. Mix well and pour into bottom pie crust. Cover with top crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown, and filling is bubbly.

Comments:
This was sooo good! The filling makes enough for 2 pans so I made 2 batches of the dough. Also on the pans I coated with egg white and then parmesan cheese on the inside and then egg white brushed on the top dough as well. Make sure to get the dough even when spread out and not too thick. We will definitely be makign this again in the future.