Sweet Potatoe Casserole

1 (16 oz) can sweet potatoes
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoon butter
1 Tablespoon OJ
2 pinches cinnamon
1 Tablespoon honey
Marshamallows for the top

Whip sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and butter (just like mashed potatoes).  Fold in OJ, cinnamon and honey.  Stir until combined.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until hot.  Add marshamallows and bake until lightly golden brown.

Original Rice Krispie Treats

4 Tbsp butter
5 cups miniature marshmallows - I just use the whole small bag
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat.  Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.  Remove from heat.

Add Rice Krispies cereal, stir until well coated.

Using a buttered spatula or waxed paper, press mixture evenly into a 13x9 pan coated with cooking spray.  Cut into 2 inch squares when cool.  Best if served the same day.

Brown and Serve Bowknot Grain Rolls

This recipe was in the coupon section of our paper and they sounded so good that I thought I would share.  I love making homemade bread so I do believe these will be fantastic!!!

7 1/2 - 8 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
4 teaspoons salt
2 envelopes Rapid Rise Yeast
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
Melted butter

Directions


Mix 3 cups flour, sugar, salt and undissolved yeast in a large mixer bowl. Combine milk, water and butter and heat until very warm (120° to 130°F). Add to flour mixture with eggs; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 2 cups flour. Beat at high speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.

Stir in enough additional flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cover; let dough rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 12 x 9-inch rectangle. Cut into 12 (1-inch) strips. Tie each strip into a loose knot. Place rolls on greased baking sheet (or parchment paper on baking sheets) about 2 inches apart. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover; let rise in a warm, draft-free place until almost doubled, about 30 to 45 minutes.

Bake in preheated 275°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until rolls just start to change color. Remove rolls to wire racks. Place cooled rolls in resealable plastic bags and freeze up to 1 month.

Place frozen rolls on ungreased baking sheet. Bake in preheated 400°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown. If desired, brush hot rolls with melted butter. Rolls are best served warm.

Caramel Crispix Mix

1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 1/2 T white corn syrup
6 cups crispix cereal
1 cup mixed nuts
1 cup stick pretzels

Melt butter, brown sugar and corn syrup and bring to a slow boil for two minutes.  Mix cereal, nuts and pretzels in greased 9x13 cake pan.  Pour liquid mixture over cereal and stir.  Bake at 250 degrees for 10 minutes, stir and bake another 10 minutes.  Pour out onto waxed paper and let cool.

Rhubarb Butter Crunch

This is one my friend's Tracy favorite rhubarb dessert.  The topping is SO good.

3 cups rhubarb
1 cup sugar
3 tsp flour
1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup butter

Combine rhubarb, sugar and 3 tsp flour. Place in greased 9x9 pan.  Combine brown sugar, 1 1/2 flour, oatmeal, and butter.  Sprinkle over top.  Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

Iowa Brownies

This recipe is really from Penzy spices.  It came from a reader who's releatives lived in Iowa.  Since we live in Iowa I figured what a better recipe to post than Iowa Brownies!

Brownies:

1 cup water
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3 Tbsp Cocoa Powder (Dutch is best)
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 Tbsp baking soda
8 oz sour cream
2 eggs

Frosting:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
4 Cups powdered sugar
3 Tbs Cocoa Powder (Dutch is best)
6 Tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter and COCOA POWDER. Cook over medium-high heat until boiling. Set aside to cool. In a mixing bowl, mix together the sour cream and eggs. Add the cooled cocoa mixture and mix well. Add the dry ingredients. Beat together until smooth. Pour into a greased 9x13 jelly roll pan. Do NOT flour the pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes. When done they won't be firm but more cake-like and will spring back when lightly touched. Let cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting: Cream the butter until fluffy and then add the powdered sugar cup by cup alternating with 2 TB. of milk and 1 TB. of cocoa until all of the ingredients are added and the mixture is smooth. Spread the frosting on the brownies after they have been cooled.

Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

I haven't made this but I have been looking for good Aioli sauce and this sounds about right.  I will report back.

• 1/2 cup roasted red pepper, drained and patted dry
• 1 lemon
• 1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 small garlic clove, pressed
• 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning mix
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1. Finely chop red pepper.  Zest lemon to measure 1 teaspoon zest.  Juice lemon to measure 2 teaspoons juice.  Chop Parsley.  Combine red pepper, lemon zest, juice, parsley, mayonnaise, garlic, seasoning mix and black pepper; mix well.

Banana Split Brownie Pizza

This is another recipe from Pampered Chef that is so delicious.  I am not a huge pineapple fan on my brownie sundaes but in this dessert you really can't tell and it is just the right amount of pineapple.

1 package (21.5 oz) brownie mix plus ingredients to make brownies
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
2 Tbs sugar
2 bananas sliced
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1/2 cups nuts chopped
1/4 cup chocolate ice cream topping

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions.  Cut a circle of parchment paper to fit on round baking stone.  (need at least 15 inch round stone) Pour brownie mixture onto parchment paper; spread into approximate 14 inch circle.  (*Do not bake without parchment paper or batter will run off baking stone while baking).  Bake 15-18 minutes or until brownie is set.  Do not over bake.  Cool completely.  In bowl, mix cream cheese, pineapple and sugar until well blended.  Spread cream cheese mixture over brownie.  Slice bananas and strawberries.  Chop nuts.  Arrange fruit over cream cheese mixture; sprinkle with nuts.  Drizzle chocolate topping over pizza.  Refrigerate.  Cut into wedges.

Do not substitute wax paper for the parchment paper in this recipe or batter will run off baking stone.  To use Parchment paper, place baking stone on the parchment and draw around it. Cut out the shape and place it on the surface of the stoneware.  Unlike wax paper, parchment paper will not scorch or melt during baking. 

Banana Cream Supreme

This is one of my daughters favorite desserts. I used to be a Pampered Chef demonstrator and loved to make this dessert as it is so easy but oh so delicious.  Enjoy De Anna :0)

16 (2 1/2) graham cracker squares (approximately 1 1/4 cups crushed)
1/4 cup melted butter
3 Tbs spoon sugar
1 (12 oz) container cool whip
1 cup sour cream
1 package (3.4 oz) banana cream or vanilla instant pudding and pie filling
3 medium bananas (sliced)

Finely crush graham crackers in resealable plastic bag; place in bowl and add butter and sugar.  Mix well.  Press crumb mixture onto flat bottom of spring form pan.  In another bowl whisk together the cool whip and sour cream. Add pudding flavor and whisk until mixture is well blended and smooth.  Spread half of the filing over crust.  Slice bananas and arrange over filling.  Spread remaining filling over bananas.

If you don't want to make a graham cracker crust - you can make it even easier on yourself and just go buy a premade graham cracker crust.  Not as good but just about!!

Broccoli Salad

This is my sister in laws version of her broccoli salad.  I believe it is better than the original one that I had posted earlier.

3 heads Broccoli cut in small florets
1/2 lb Bacon crisp and crumbled
1 cup Craisins
1/2 cup chopped Almonds
small Onion chopped fine
8 oz shredded Cheddar Cheese

Mix together.

Dressing

1 1/2 cups Hellman's Mayo
3/4 cup sugar
3 Tbsp red wine vinegar

Mix together and refrigerate dressing over night.  Put on salad 2-3 hours before serving.

Grandma's coffee cake

Put in a bowl

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp Crisco
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla

Heat 1 1/2 cups milk - put hot milk over the ingredients in the bowl.  Add 1/2 cup water and let the mixture cool.

In another bowl put

• 1/2 cup water (lukewarm)
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 2 pkg yeast

1. Stir and let dissolve.
2. Add yeast mixture to the first mixture.
3. Add two eggs and beat well.
4. Add flour - start with 4 cups and add until desired consistency.  Let rise, then punch down and let rise again.  Divide in two and put in pans. 
5. Take 1 egg and 1 Tbsp sugar.  Best well, brush on the dough before adding topping.

Topping

1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp flour
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 Tbsp cinnamon

Mix together and put on top of coffee cake dough.

Bake 26 minutes at 350.

Royal Rhubarb Cake

2 1/3 cups flour
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup soft butter
1 cup sour cream
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups rhubarb, cut in 1/2 inch pieces
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, salt and soda.  Add brown sugar, butter, sour cream, egg and vanilla.  Beat until well mixed.  Fold in rhubarb.  Turn into a buttered 9 x 13 pan.  Combine white sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the top.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 50-55 minutes or until done.  Cool in pan.  Serve warm topped with whipped cream.

Cheese Dip

This recipe tastes a LOT like the Con Queso at Carlo's O Kellys.  Watch out cause it is good!!!

1 lb velveeta
4 oz sour cream
1 Cup salsa (I do get this from Carlo's O Kelly's)

Melt velveeta, add sour cream and stir in salsa.  Serve warm with tortilla chips!!!

Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is my husbands absolute favorite cake.  I love that it is so moist and easy. 

Ingredients

2 c sugar
1 1/4 c oil
4 large eggs
2 c flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
3 c grated carrots
1 c chopped walnuts

FROSTING

12 oz powdered sugar
2 3oz cream cheese room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp milk

1.In large bowl, beat sugar and oil. Add eggs and beat well.
2.Sift together flour, soda, cinnamon, and salt into egg mixture; mix well; fold in carrots and nuts.
3.Place batter in greased 9x13 pan; bake for 45 minutes in a 350 oven.
4. FROSTING: Beat together powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, butter and milk; spread on cooled carrot cake.

Monkey Squares

This recipe came from "The Girl Who Ate Everything" who borrowed from TheWelcomeMat.  I haven't tried this recipe but am going to try it and take them to my mom who is in a nursing home.  She loves banana bread so I think this will be a nice change. 

1 ½ cups sugar

1 cup sour cream
½ cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 ¾ cups (3 or 4) ripe bananas, mashed
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour 10x15 jelly roll pan. Beat first four ingredients until creamy. Blend in bananas and vanilla one minute. Add dry ingredients and blend one minute. Stir in nuts and spread in pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Cool and frost with Browned Butter Frosting (recipe below).

Banana bread option: instead of spreading into jelly roll pan, this recipe will make about two regular loaves of banana bread, or about four small loaves. Regular loaves bake about 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Small loaves will bake about 25 minutes on 350.

Browned Butter Frosting

½ cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
about 3 tablespoons milk or half and half

Heat butter in saucepan over medium heat past the melting point until it boiling, and a delicate brown. Remove from the heat and immediately add the remaining ingredients. This should be thicker than a glaze and thinner than frosting. Using a spatula smooth over the top of the Monkey Squares immediately. The frosting will be easier to spread once it's on the warm bread.

Stuffed Mushrooms

I have not made these but they sound so good.  I will report back once I have tried these!

Pull stems out of mushroom caps

Chop stems, green top onions, add a little wine, salt and pepper.  1 tsp Italian spice, pinch of oregano.  Cook all together. 

1 lb spicy sausage, cook and drained.  Add to above mixture, than add 1/2 Pepperidge Farm bread crumbs or stuffing mix. 

Fill mushroom caps.  Bake 20  minutes at 350.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese on top and serve warm.

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

This recipe came from Betty Crocker's website.  These are so easy and so good.  My husband has forbid me to make these cause he always wants to eat the whole pan.

Brownie Box

1 box (1lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker Original Supreme Brownie Mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box

Filling

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk

Topping

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter

Heat oven to 350.  Grease bottom of 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray. 
In medium bowl, stir brownie mix according to box directions.  Spread in pan.  Bake 28 - 30 minutes or until toothpick  inserted comes out clean.  Cool completely, about an hour.
In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.  Spread mixture evenly over brownie base.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovered on high 30-60 seconds; stir until smooth.  Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling.  Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set.  For brownies, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows.

Corn A Rooney

I am really not for sure of the name of this recipe but this is what my daughter always called it.  I got this from my boss Cheryl who is an awesome cook.  When we can, the office always requests her to make this. Cause it is SO good.

1 can whole kernel corn, not drained
1 can creamed corn
1 stick butter, melted
1 cup dry macaroni
1 cup Velveeta, cubed

Stir all ingredients together.  Spray casserole dish.  Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.  Stir after 15 minutes.

Blessed

I am very lucky to work with some very good people.  A lot of them are great cooks themselves.  We often have pot lucks and share some great recipes.  So I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do. 

Lucky You Mint Pie

1 cup (6 ounces) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels
1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk,
1 tablespoon butter
1 prepared 9-inch (6 ounces) chocolate crumb crust
1 pkg. (3.4 ounces) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 to 4 drops green food coloring (optional)
1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
Additional Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels, fresh mint sprigs (optional)

1.MICROWAVE 1 cup morsels and 1/3 cup evaporated milk in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 45 seconds; stir until smooth. Stir in butter; pour into crust. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until cool to the touch.

2.MEANWHILE, BEAT remaining evaporated milk, pudding mix, water, peppermint extract and 3 drops food coloring in medium bowl until combined. Gently stir in 2 cups whipped topping and additional drop of food coloring, if desired. Spoon over chocolate layer.

3.REFRIGERATE for 2 hours or until set. Sprinkle with additional morsels. Spoon remaining whipped topping in center of pie. Garnish with fresh mint.

Spicy Cajun Sauce

I haven't tried this so if you do try it let me know how it is, or once I have it I will report back.

1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1/4 cup honey
3-4 tsp hot sauce, to taste
3 tsp Cajun seasoning blend, or to taste
1 tsp salt

To make sauce, in a large bowl whisk together mayonnaise, honey, hot sauce, Cajun seasoning and 1 teaspoon of the salt.

Oatmeal Cake

I don't like coconut but I LOVE this recipe.  This is the most moist cake you will ever eat.

Cake:
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease and flour a 9x13 pan.  To prepare cake, pour 1 1/4 cups boiling water over oats in a small bowl.  Let stand 20 minutes.  Cream butter and sugars with a mixer.  Add oats; mix well.  Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.  Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.  Add to oat mixture; mix well.  Pour into pan.  bake 30 to 35 minutes, until browned.  Preheat boiler.

Topping:
1/2 cup butter softened
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

To prepare topping, combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; mix well.  Spread evenly over warm cake.  Place cake under broiler 2 inches from heat source.  Broil until lightly browned, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack.

Chex Muddy Buddies

9 cups Rice or Corn Chex
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.  In 1 quart bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minutes; stir.  Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.  Pour into 2 gallon resealable food storage plastic bag.  Add powdered sugar.  Seal bag; shake until well coated.  Spread on waxed paper to cool.  Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

HO HO Cupcakes

• 1 milk chocolate cake mix

Bake as directed on the box for cupcakes.

Filling:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup Crisco
• 1 stick butter
• dash salt
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2/3 cup evaporated milk (5 oz)

1. Beat this together until fluffy and pipe into cupcake from the top.
2. Warm one can milk chocolate frosting and spread on top of each cupcake to cover up the hole from the filling.
3. Cool and enjoy.

Chocolate Dips

This recipe comes from a friend that doesn't cook much but when she does - OH it is so good!!!

1 stick butter (melted)
2 cups chunky peanut butter
1 lb powdered sugar
3 cups of  Rice Krispies
1 6 oz bag of milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup of paraffin (wax)

Mix together butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar and Rice Krispies.   Form into small firm balls.  Melt chocolate and paraffin.  (I melt the paraffin by it's self than when it is melted, I add it to the melted chocolate chips)  I also melt the chocolate  chips in a double boiler so it doesn't scorch.  Dip balls in melted chocolate chips and place on wax paper till cool.

Queso Dip

• 2 lb package Velveeta
• 16 oz sour cream
• 2 cup's Carlo's O'Kelly's Salsa

1. I usually put this is in the crockpot on low and just let it all melt together.  So very simple and so GOOD.  Serve with tortilla chips.

M & M Bars

I really am not for sure where this recipe came from.  I believe it came from a good friends mom who used to do a lot of baking.  Over the years we have changed the name but I still call them M & M bars as I just love me some M & M's.

2 cups oatmeal (quick)
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 cup M & M's plain
1 cup chocolate chips semi sweet
1 cup toffee chips

Combine oats, flour, nuts, sugar, soda and salt.  Mix well, add butter, mix until dry ingredients are moistened and mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Reserve 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture.  Press remaining mixture into bottom of greased jellyroll pan.  Bake 12 minutes at 350 degrees.  Combine condensed milk and peanut butter in small bowl mixing until well blended.  Spread over partially baked crust.  Combine reserved crumb mixture and candies.  Sprinkle evenly over condensed milk, mixture, pressing in lightly.  Continue baking 15-17 minutes at 350 degrees.

Banana Bread

5 large bananas
4 eggs - well beaten
1 cup butter
2 cup white sugar
3 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt

May add nuts, if desired... I used 1/2 cup walnuts for the one loaf.

Beat bananas to liquid, add beaten eggs.

In separate bowl, cream butter gradually adding sugar and beat until fluffy.  Add banana and egg mixture to this and mix well. 

In another bowl, combine flour, soda and salt and add to #2 mixture beating well. 

Pour into 2 well greased large sized loaf pans.

Bake at 300 for 1 1/4 hours until toothpick comes out clean.

Veggie Pizza

Crust:

• 2 tubes crescent rolls

Spray cookie sheet and spread dough in a pan like a pizza crust.  Bake at 400 for 7-8 minutes or until light golden brown.  Let cool.

Spread:

• 1 8oz cream cheese - room temperature
• 1/3 cup miracle whip
• 1/2 tsp dill weed
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp ranch

Mix well spread on cooled crust

Add anything you want for toppings:

• carrots
• cucumbers
• celery
• green pepper
• red pepper
• shredded cheese
• radish
• broccoli
• cauliflower

I cut each of the vegetables into small bites and add to pizza.

Monkey Bread

16 frozen white dinner rolls
3 oz butterscotch cook and serve jello
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp cinnamon

Spray bundt pan.  Place frozen rolls in pan.  Put pudding mix, brown sugar, cinnamon in a small bowl.  Scatter over the dough.  Melt butter and pour over top.  Let rise at room temperature overnight.  In the morning, cook at 350° for 30 minutes.  Allow to cool for 5 minutes.   Turn pan onto a serving platter to serve.  Serve by pulling apart in chunks.

Peanut Butter Frosting

My grandma Lucie used to make the best peanut butter frosting.  I would love to go to her house and eat chocolate cake with fresh peanut butter frosting.  Oh the memories.  This is not her recipe as she just threw the ingredients together and never measured, but it is pretty close.   That is why her frosting  was so good cause it was made with love.

1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup butter - softened to room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
3 Tbsp milk - as needed
2 cups powdered sugar

Place the butter and peanut butter into a medium bowl, and beat with an electric mixer.  Gradually  mix in the sugar, vanilla, salt and when it starts to get thick, incorporate milk one tablespoon at a time until all of the sugar is mixed in and the frosting is thick and spreadable.  Beat for at least 3 minutes for it to get good and fluffy.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad or Dessert??

This is Mariah's absolutely favorite salad or dessert.  Not really for sure what to call this.  We can never agree if it is a salad or dessert so you can make it and decide.  It has the sweet and the salty that always goes well together!!

1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
4 1/2 Tbsp sugar
3/4 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar
2 8 oz cream cheese - room temperature
1 12 oz cool whip - room temperature
1 6 oz strawberry jello
2 cups boiling water
16 oz frozen strawberries

Preheat oven to 350. Mix together the pretzels, 4 1/2 tablespoons sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Bake for 10 minutes or lightly toasted. Set aside to cool completely.
In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread evenly over the cooled crust. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.
In a medium bowl, stir together the gelatin mix and boiling water. Mix in frozen strawberries, and stir until thawed. Pour over cream cheese mixture in pan. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 1 hour.

Adams Dip

This is my nephews favorite tortilla dip.  I really don't know the name of it so I am naming it after him!

1 cup salsa
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz cream cheese softened
1 cup sour cream

Mix all together and serve with tortilla chips.

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 oz cream cheese - softened to room temperature
1 stick butter - softened to room temperature
1 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
2 cups powdered sugar

Beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, add milk, vanilla and salt.  Mix until incorporated.  Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until smooth.

Pumpkin Bars

This recipe came from a good friends mom.  I was never a big pumpkin eater, but let me tell you these are SO good.  Of course Betty always had a great cream cheese frosting to put on top.

2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 15 oz can pumpkin
1 cup oil
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
chopped nuts (optional)

Mix sugar, oil, eggs and pumpkin.  Mix in dry ingredients.  Mix and blend in nuts.  Bake in 10x15x1 pan.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Add cream cheese frosting.

Broccoli Salad

I don't care for broccoli but I do love this salad.

1 bunch or more cut up broccoli - peel and cut up - stem also
1 package bacon bits - or you can cook up a 1/2 lb bacon crumbled up
1 cup red grapes - cut in half
1 cup craisins
1 cup green onions - top and all cut up
1/3 cup silvered almonds or sunflower seeds

Dressing:

1 1/2 cup Hellmann's mayo
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

Still all together and chill.  Add dressing to salad right before serving

Grandpa Kuhlmann's Pancakes

These are absolutely the best pancakes.  This recipe has been handed down from generation to generation.  It isn't an Eich breakfast if these pancakes aren't served.

2 cups (heaping) flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
1 quart buttermilk (room temperature)
2 heaping Tbsps butter
2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp (heaping) baking soda

Mix all ingredients together in a big bowl.  Use 1/4 cup to spoon onto the griddle.  Cook until bubbles appear. Flip over.  When golden brown take off the griddle.

Stuffed Steak

I believe this is one of De Anna's favorite entrees. I really can't take the credit as it comes from the cookbook of The Machine Shed, Farm Style Cooking.

Stuffing:

• 2 tsp butter
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onions
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp garlic
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups breadcrumbs
• 1 c Swiss cheese, shredded

1. Saute all ingredients together except for bread crumbs and Swiss cheese. After sauteing, add breadcrumbs. Let cool. Then add Swiss cheese. Cut 4 thick steaks, cook to slightly under your desired doneness. Stuff by cutting a pocket in the middle of them and bake in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes. Top with sauce. Serves 4.

Cattleman Sauce:

• 1 T flour
• 1 T thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 T butter
• 1 T basil leaves
• 1/2 tsp Kitchen Bouquet
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 pt heavy cream

Combine butter and garlic in a small saucepan. Simmer for one minute. Add flour and blend well. Add all remaining ingredients and cook until reduced by one-fourth volume.

Note:
I don't stuff the steaks. I just serve the stuffing and sauce and let each person add their own.

Caramel Rolls

I got this recipe from my niece Kris.  This is a warning that these are rich but OH so DELICIOUS!!

2 packages Buttermilk Grand Biscuits in a tube (8 per package)

Place biscuits in a greased 9 x13 pan.  Only 15 will fit into pan.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

1 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1 cup vanilla ice cream

Put above ingredients into a sauce pan and cook on medium heat.  Stir constantly.  As soon as mixture begins to come to a boil, put over biscuits.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.  You may also sprinkle chopped pecans over the caramel if you wish. 

Once you remove from oven, turn upside down onto a platter or cookie sheet to serve.

Cheesy Potatoes

This is one of the most requested recipe from my kids.  They love cheesy potatoes.  In fact we made them for  my daughters wedding.  They were a big hit.  Hope you enjoy also!!



Ingredients:

1 bag shredded hash browns (thawed)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 stick butter melted
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups cheddar cheese
8 oz sour cream
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together except hash browns.  Stir well.  Add hash browns and stir all together.  Put into a greased 9 x 13 pan.  Cook at 350 for 45-60 minutes.  I usually stir about half way through cooking time.

Rice Krispie Treats - The Minnesota Way

1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1 pkg butterscotch chips

Melt peanut butter and butterscotch chips together. 

Add 6 cups of Rice Krispies.   Stir until combined. Press into 9 x 13 pan.   Refrigerate only till firm.

Melt one package milk chocolate chips.  Spread on top.  Refrigerate until firm.

The Beginning

I am starting this to document my two favorite things:  Cooking and Card Making.  This way my family and friends can come and check out either their favorite recipe or just look around at all the cards.