Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Pumpkin Ginger Cupcakes
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant butterscotch pudding mix
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 24 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners. Whisk together the flour, pudding mix, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, cloves, and crystallized ginger in a bowl; set aside.
Beat the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla and pumpkin puree with the last egg. Stir in the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
I made these one boring Sunday afternoon last fall and they definitely spiced up the day:)! They are fantastic! I frosted them with cream cheese frosting. I didn't have a butterscotch pudding mix so I used a white chocolate pudding. I have never bought crystallized ginger so I omitted that and instead of 1/2 tsp. of ginger, I added 1 and a 1/2 tsp. of ginger. They were honestly some of the best cupcakes ever! The kids loved them!
Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar. Mix for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Store in the refrigerator after use.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Scalloped Potatoes
3/4 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
In a saucepan, melt the butter; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add broth, mayonnaise, salt and pepper; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thick and bubbly.
In a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish, layer half of the potatoes and onion. Pour half of the sauce over. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Repeat, ending with the cheese.
Cover and bake at 325 degrees for 2 hours or until tender.
Tip: You can make these potatoes without the cheese but being a cheese lover, I always add it. I also like it with more sauce so I either reduce the amount of potatoes or 1 1/2 times the sauce. You can also make this in the crock pot. It takes about 6-7 hours to cook. We love this recipe!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Pecan Pie (Easy and Delicious!)
1 c. sugar
1 c. white Karo syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped pecans
2 T. butter cut into chunks
Pour the pecans in the bottom of an unbaked pastry shell (9 in.). Mix the rest of the ingredients and pour on top of the pecans (the pecans will float to the top). Bake @ 350° for about 1 hour or until the center of the pie is set. Serve either warm with vanilla ice cream or cold.
Flaky Pie Crust
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco
1/2 cup real butter
6 T. ice water
Whisk flour and salt together in food processor. Add cold Crisco and butter and pulse until it resembles course crumbs. Add ice water all at once and mix until dough starts to come together. Dump mixture out onto counter and scoop dough together dividing into 3 equal pieces. Wrap each one in plastic wrap and chill for 30 min. Sprinkle counter with flour. Unwrap the dough ball and flatten with your hands a little. Then put a piece of wax paper over it and roll it out (rotating it to keep it somewhat round) to about an inch wider than your pie plate. Gently lift crust into pie plate and flute edges. Either bake immediately (400° for about 15 min. or until golden brown) or cover and refrigerate.
I put the room temp. Crisco in the freezer for about 15 minutes before using it and I also measure the water and then put it in the freezer until I need it. The secret to good pie crust is chilled butter/Crisco and ice cold water. Also, don't over work the dough.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Peppermint Bark Popcorn
1 lb Almond Bark
1 6oz box candy canes, crushed. (About 1-1 1/2 C total and Bob's are the best!)
2 tsp. peppermint extract
3/4 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
*one bag microwave popcorn has about 10 cups in it, so if you're air-popping, do about 20 cups.
Unwrapping the candy canes to crush them is the most labor intensive step of this easy treat, so you can do that ahead of time if you want too. I put my candy canes in a large zip-lock bag and have a whack with a heavy meat mallot.
To melt the almond bark, follow the instructions on the package. I just break it up and put it in a glass measuring cup and microwave on 1 min intervals until it's nice and smooth.
When your almond bark is melted, add the peppermint extract. Place your popcorn in a large bowl and pour the almond bark over it, then stir to combine. Then sprinkle the candy canes all over (okay, you can just dump it all in at once). Stir it up really well until the candy is evenly distributed. Pour the popcorn out onto a piece of waxed paper, parchment, or foil. Spread it out into an even layer and leave it alone!
While the popcorn is setting, place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until melted and smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the popcorn. You can use a fork, or put it in a zip-lock bag with the corner cut off. Leave it until the almond bark and the chocolate is hardened. If you need to hurry it up, do this whole process on lined cookie sheets you can pop in the fridge.
When chocolate is hardened, use your hands to break up popcorn into chunks
Toss in a bowl, a jar, a cute package, or in your mouth :)
Monster Munch {Halloween Popcorn Mix}
- 1 package Almond Bark (1 lb)
- 12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernals)
- 1 C candy corn
- 1 C dry roasted, salted peanuts
- 1/2 C Reeces Pieces
Pop popcorn and place in a large bowl. Much larger than you think you need. The largest you have. It will make mixing easier! Pour peanuts, candy corn, and reeces pieces on top.
Take a large knife and break up almond bark. Melt according to package directions. I just chop it up a little and microwave it in intervals until smooth and melted. Pour over popcorn mixture.
Stir until everything is well coated and then spread out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil. Let sit until completely dry and then break up into clumps.
This makes a big batch so it's great for packing up into cute bags and sharing!
Goblin Grub {Chewy Chex Cereal Mix}
6 1/2 c. Rice Chex
4 1/2 c. Golden Grahams
1 c. sliced almonds
2 c. coconut
3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) real butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. light Karo syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
In a VERY LARGE bowl, combine cereal, almonds, and coconut. Set aside.In a large saucepan, combine butter, Karo syrup, and sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook for three minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. While the mixture is still hot, pour over the cereal mixture
- stir well so the candy mixture coats the cereal.
- You can either serve this in a large bowl it out into treat bags and tie with a ribbon
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Razz.Ma.Tazz Bars
3 c. Nestle White chocolate chips (divided)
3 large eggs
3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. flour
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. almond extract
3/4 c. seedless raspberry jam
1/4 c. toasted sliced almonds (optional)
Preheat oven to 325°. Grease and sugar 9x13 inch pan.
Melt butter in medium sized glass bowl for 1 minute. Stir. Add 1 1/2 c. white chips. Let stand. Do not stir.
Beat eggs in large bowl until foamy. Add sugar and beat until light lemon colored... about 5 minutes. Stir in butter/white chip mixture. Add flour, salt and almond extract. Mix at low speed until combined. Spread 2/3 batter into pan. (I can't ever get it to spread so I just drop by spoonfuls evenly on bottom. You can spread it out a little bit after it has been in the oven if you need to). Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the edged start to brown. Remove from oven to a wire rack. Heat jam in microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir and spread on warm crust. Add remaining 1 1/2 c. white chips into remaining 1/3 batter and drop by spoonfuls onto jam. Sprinkle with almonds if desired. Return to oven and bake an additional 25-30 minutes or until edges are browned. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.
Note... The first time I made these, I was sure I had some seedless raspberry jam but I didn't! So I made them with my homemade Black/Raspberry Peach jam and they were fantastic!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Chocolate Pudding Cake
3/4 c. sugar
2 T. cocoa
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. milk
2 T. oil
1 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. cocoa
1 3/4 c. hot water
Mix first 5 ingredients, then add milk and oil. Pour in a 9x9 square pan. Then mix brown sugar and cocoa and sprinkle over mixture. Pour hot water over whole pan. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Fajita Pizza
1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/8- to 1/4-inch strips
1/2 medium bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 small onion
1/2 cup salsa
1 1/2 cups Bisquick
1/3 cup very hot water
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)
1 Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 450°F. Spray 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray.
2. Heat 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; rotate skillet to coat bottom and side. Cook chicken in oil 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in bell pepper and onion. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender and chicken is no longer pink in center; remove from heat. Stir in salsa; set aside.
3. Stir Bisquick mix and very hot water in small bowl until soft dough forms; beat vigorously 20 strokes. Press dough in pizza pan, using fingers dipped in Bisquick mix; pinch edge to form 1/2-inch rim. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the cheese over crust. Top with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese.
4. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until crust is brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serves 6 at 290 calories per serving!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Red Lobster Cheese Garlic Biscuits
2/3 c. milk
1/2 c. shredded cheese
1/4 c. margarine, melted
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
Heat oven to 450 degrees. Combine Bisquick, milk, and cheese until a soft dough forms. Beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Combine margarine and garlic powder. Brush over warm biscuits before removing from cookie sheet. Makes about 10 biscuits.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Mozzerella Sticks
Mix:
1 c. Bisquick
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 c. milk
1 egg
Freeze string cheese 1 hour before. Dip in Batter. Fry 8-10 minutes in 2 inches of oil.
Zucchini Bread
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil (I use 1 cup of applesauce...loads less calories!)
2 1/4 cups white sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup chopped walnuts
Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans or 1 bunt pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.
Soft Pretzels
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/8 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup bread flour
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast, brown sugar and salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Stir in flour, and knead dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. (I use my kitchen aid to knead it...much easier!) Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover, and let rise for one hour.
Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in an 8 inch square pan.
After dough has risen, cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 3 foot rope, pencil thin or thinner.
When forming the ropes, roll each one to about half the length you want, then set it aside while you roll the rest. By the time you get back to the first rope, it will have rested enough to roll further. Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solution. Place on parchment covered cookie sheets, and let rise 15 to 20 minutes. Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with coarse salt, garlic salt or cinnamon sugar.
Easy Brownies from Scratch
3/4 cup butter
2 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
Microwave chocolate and butter or margarine in large bowl at HIGH for 2 minutes or until butter or margarine is melted.
Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour. Spread in greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake for 35 minutes.
Peanut Butter Pie
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
15 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Mix the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and peanut butter together until smooth. Fold in 1/2 of the whipped topping. Spoon the mixture into the graham cracker crust.
Place the remaining whipped topping over the top of the peanut butter mixture and garnish with the peanut butter cups. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight before serving.
No-Bake Chocolate Oat Bars
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
Grease a 9x9 inch square pan.
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Mix in the oats. Cook over low heat 2 to 3 minutes, or until ingredients are well blended. Press half of mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Reserve the other half for topping.
Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture over the crust in the pan, and spread evenly with a knife or the back of a spoon.
Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer, pressing in gently. Cover, and refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Bring to room temperature before cutting into bars.
Apricot Bars
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 3/4 sticks (regular, salted) butter, cut into pieces
1 10-12 ounce jar Apricot Preserves
Mix all ingredients except Apricot Preserves. Press one half of the mixture into a buttered 8″ square (or small rectangular) pan. Spread with a 10-12 ounce jar of apricot preserves. Sprinkle second half of mixture over the top and pat lightly. Bake at 350 for 30 - 40 minutes or until light brown. Let cool completely, then cut into squares.
Apricot Jam
1/4 cup lemon juice
6 cups sugar
Sterilize your canning jars by boiling for 10 minutes in a hot water canner. You will need 5 pint jars or 10 half-pints.
Combine all ingredients in a large stock pot. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Once mixture reaches a rolling boil, continue to boil it for 30 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking.
Remove from heat and fill jars, leaving 1/4 head space. Wipe rims clean and put the 2-piece metal canning lids in place. Process in boiling water canner for 10 minutes.
Apricot Leather
2 cups pitted and diced fresh apricots
1/2 cup white sugar
Preheat the oven to 150 degrees F (165 degrees C), or the lowest setting you have.
Combine the lemon juice, apricots and sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth.
Cover an 11x17 inch pan or cookie sheet with a layer of plastic wrap. Pour the pureed fruit onto the plastic and spread evenly to within 1 inch of the edge.
Bake for 4 to 6 hours in the preheated oven, using a spoon or a pair of tongs to keep the door slightly ajar, or until the puree has dried and is no longer sticky. Once dry, you can cut it into strips and store in an airtight container.
Apricot Bread
1/2 c. shortening
2 tsp. vanilla
1 T. milk
2 eggs
2 c. flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 c. nuts (optional)
2 c. pureed apricots
Cream shortening and sugar. Add apricots, eggs, vanilla & Milk. Beat well. Add dry ingredients and nuts. Mix until creamy.
Bake at 350 for 1 Hour in a greased and floured loaf pan. Makes one large loaf.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Jalapeno Jelly
2 c. cider vinegar, divided
6 c. sugar
6 oz. liquid pectin (the entire box, use both packs)
Puree peppers in food processor or blender with 1 cup of the cider vinegar until smooth. Do not strain. Combine puree with remaining vinegar and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add liquid pectin and continue a hard boil for 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Pour immediately into sterilized jars and cap with sterilized lids. I don't do the hot water bath but Ball recommends that you do. If using a hot water bath, then process jelly for 15 minutes. Refrigerate any jars that don't seal within 12 hours.Makes approx. 6 (8 oz.) jars. Serve jelly on crackers with cream cheese.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Peanut Butter Squares
1 c. corn syrup
1 c. sugar
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
6-7 c. corn flakes
Melt margarine in a saucepan. Add corn syrup and sugar. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until peanut butter is dissolved. Pour over corn flakes. Stir until corn flakes are well coated. Press into 9x13 inch buttered pan. For thicker squares, use 9x9 inch pan. Cool and cut into squares.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Country White Bread
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry
yeast (each packet contains 2 1/4 tsp.)
2 cups warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water with a little of the sugar. Add rest of sugar, salt, eggs, oil and 3 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Divide in half and shape into loaves. Place in two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks.
I use my Bosch and double the recipe to make 4 loaves. This is the best bread recipe I have found so far that I can actually make! We love it!!! It also goes great with homemade strawberry freezer jam:)
Additional note: For a fairly quick loaf of homemade bread, divide recipe in half and add all ingredients in bread machine adding flour and dry yeast last and then put it on the dough cycle (about 1 hour). Remove the dough, shape it into a loaf and put it in a greased bread pan. Let rise in a warm place until it comes to just above the top of the pan (30-45 min.) and then bake in a 350° oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. In less than 2 hours and with very little work or clean-up you have a fresh, delicious loaf of home-made bread!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Quick and Easy Summer Pie
1 large size INSTANT vanilla pudding
1 16 oz. sour cream
1 small can crushed pineapple, do NOT drain
Combine above ingredients, top with Cool Whip and chill.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Ice Cream in a Bag
2 Tbs. Sugar
1 C half and half
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 Quart ziploc
mix first ingredients into plastic bag and seal.
Mix the next ingredients into the gallon ziploc and place the quart ziploc inside. Shake for 5 minutes and enjoy soft serve with any toppings you like.
1/2 C Kosher salt
Ice Cubes
1 Gallon ziplock
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Raspberry Ice Cream
4 cups milk
1 can evaporated milk
1 pint whipping cream
1 1/2 cups sugar
6 tbsp. lemon juice
Mix all ingredients and pour into ice cream canister. Freeze according to manufacturer's directions.
***I've used frozen strawberries and frozen blackberries as well and they taste just as good!***
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Cream Puffs
These are so sophisticated looking but they are really pretty easy to make. They never seem to last long around our house though... they are definitely a family favorite!2 cups cream
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter (1 cube)
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
In a large pot, bring water and butter to a rolling boil. Stir in flour, sugar and salt until the mixture forms a ball. Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl and let cool for approx. 10 minutes. Using a wooden spoon or stand mixer, add vanilla and beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto parchment covered baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated 425° oven, reduce temp. to 375° and bake an additional 15 minutes until golden brown. Turn oven off and crack the door and let them sit for 5-10 minutes. Centers should be dry. When the shells are cool, either split and fill them with the pudding mixture, or use a pastry bag to pipe the pudding into the shells. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate glaze before serving.
Note: I haven't ever had any problems with them collapsing but if you do, you can remove them from the oven after baking and poke with a toothpick to make sure the steam escapes. The easiest way to ensure uniform size is to use a cookie scoop. Our favorite filling is the White Chocolate pudding but they are also excellent with coconut cream, lemon or chocolate pudding. They freeze well also. Makes 30-35 small puffs.
They can also be used for chicken salad etc... just eleminate the sugar and the vanilla in the dough.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Grandma's Fruit Salad

1 sm. can pineapple tidbits drained
1 (14 oz.) can mandarin oranges drained
2-3 bananas
2-3 c. mini marshmallows
1 small pkg. instant coconut cream pudding
8 oz. cool whip thawed
Open cans of fruit and put in a stainer to drain liquid. Mix pudding according to directions on box and refrigerate for a few minutes. In a large bowl mix together fruit, sliced bananas and marshmallows. Remove pudding from fridge and stir in cool whip. Add pudding/cool whip mixture to fruit mixture and stir well. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use. It is best on the same day you make it.
Note: I got this recipe from my mom. We always had it at Thanksgiving and other occasions throughout the year. I remember requesting it one year for my birthday dinner. Brian requested it this year for our Easter dinner so I thought I should probably post the recipe! Enjoy!!!