Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream cheese Frosting!

I made these for a birthday party & people raved about them.

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
4 cups (approx. 1 lb) carrots freshly shredded
2/3 cup nuts chopped (optional)

Makes:
About 2 1/2 dozen standard cupcakes or 8 Mini Tasty-Fill cakes. Each cupcake serves 1.
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line standard muffin pan with baking cups. In medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon and baking soda; mix well.

In large bowl, beat eggs with electric mixer until foamy; add oil in a thin stream and beat well. Add flour mixture to egg mixture; mix well. Fold in carrots and nuts. Spoon into baking cups.

Bake 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pan on cooling rack for 5-8 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely.

Do not use pre-shredded carrots.




Cream Cheese Frosting!!

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 to 3 teaspoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar

Whip all together until desired consistency. I used a star tip & piping bag to decorate my cupcakes, you could easily just slather the yummy frosting right on the cupcakes. I then sprinkled them with a little ground cinnamon. yuuuum!

Made from Scratch Orange Marmalade!

I made this in a bread Machine, do you have one? They are awesome & I am using mine to make more then just bread.
I have a kitchen Pro bread machine but this can be made in other machines.



3 Large oranges ( I used navel)
1 Lemon
1 cup Sugar
2 Tbsp powdered low-sugar fruit pectin


Directions:
Using a vegetable peeler, shave off the bright layer of the peel of one orange & the lemon. Chop Finely.
Remove remaining white peel from orange and lemon and discard. Peel remaining oranges and discard peels. Slice fruit into 1/2 inch pieces.
Combine the chopped peel, fruit, sugar and pectin in bread pan. Press stop to clear the display. press the select arrow to choose the desired setting. Pres start. When the display reads 0:00 press stop. Using hot pads, remove the bread pan. Pour jam into containers and cover. Refrigerate to set.

Makes about 3 cups.
Combine chopped peels

Sloppy Joes!

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 1 sandwich)
Ingredients
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
3/4 pound ground round
2 cups no-salt-added tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
12 (1 1/2-ounce) rolls, split
Preparation
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add first 3 ingredients; cook until beef is browned, stirring to crumble. Stir in tomato sauce and next 8 ingredients (tomato sauce through black pepper); reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spoon 1/4 cup beef mixture over bottom half of each bun. Cover with top halves.

Nutritional Information
Calories:202 (27% from fat)
Fat:6.2g (sat 2g,mono 2.9g,poly 0.7g)
Protein:10.2g
Carbohydrate:27g
Fiber:2.5g
Cholesterol:19mg
Iron:2.6mg
Sodium:392mg
Calcium:68mg
Jean Kressy, Cooking Light, JANUARY 2004

*I made these with Whole Wheat Rolls, they turned out delish!*

I Love Chocolate Icing!

*This is wiltons.com Chocolate buttercream icing*
Ingredients:
•1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
•1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
•3/4 cup cocoa or three 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate squares, melted
•1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
•4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
•3-4 tablespoons milk

Makes: About 3 cups of icing


instructions
Stiff Consistency: In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add cocoa and vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use. For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored 2 weeks. Rewhip before using.

Chocolate Mocha Icing: Substitute cold brewed strong coffee for milk in Chocolate Buttercream recipe.

Darker Chocolate Icing: Add an additional 1/4 cup cocoa (or one additional 1 oz. square unsweetened chocolate, melted) and 1 additional tablespoon milk to Chocolate Buttercream Icing.

For Thin (Spreading) Consistency Icing: Add 3-4 tablespoons light corn syrup, water or milk

Baked Ziti With Sausage!

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
1 pound mild Italian sausage, casings removed
2 (24 ounce) jars of your favorite Tomato sauce ( I used my own homemade sauce which made this taste 10x's better)
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil, divided
12 ounces ricotta cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
1 dash salt and pepper
1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2.Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat pasta sauce with 1 teaspoon basil until bubbling. In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
3.Spread bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with sauce. Layer 1/2 of the ziti, 1/2, the sausage, 1/2 of the ricotta, and 1/2 the mozzarella. Spoon half of the sauce over top. Repeat layers. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 teaspoons basil and Italian seasoning.
4.Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cake!

Ingredients:
•2 cups (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips divided
•3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
•1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
•3 eggs
•2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
•2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
•1 teaspoon baking soda
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1 1/2 cups water

instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray pan with vegetable pan spray. Melt 1 cup chocolate chips and butter together either in microwave oven or on top of range over low heat. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Pour into electric mixer bowl. Add sugar; beat until well blended. Beat in eggs, one at time. Add vanilla. Stir in 1/2 cup flour, baking soda and salt; mix well. Add remaining flour and water; mix until smooth. Put remaining chocolate chips into batter & stir. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 40-45 minutes or until cake tests done. Place pan on cooling rack.

Peppercorn Chicken!

Ingredients
6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 packet peppercorn gravy mix
1 onion, sliced into thin rings
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white or red wine

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
2.Place cleaned chicken breasts in a 9 x 13 inch glass baking dish or casserole dish. Arrange the sliced onion pieces evenly on top of the chicken pieces. Scoop the mushroom soup onto the chicken and onions. Mix the peppercorn gravy with water & Wine pour it over the soup, onions and chicken.
3.Cover the dish and bake for 1 hour, stirring the chicken and mixture after 30 minutes.

Pumpkin Bars!

Ingredients
Bars:
4 eggs
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
15-ounce can pumpkin
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Icing:
8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.


Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.


To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.

Elegant Pork Roast with Cherries & Apricots!

1 (4 pound) boneless pork loin roast
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups apple juice, divided
1 cup Dried cherries
1 cup dried apricots
3/4 cup red wine
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions
1.Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2.Place the roast in a shallow roasting pan. Mix together the mustard and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar; spread over the roast.
3.Roast for 3 hours in the preheated oven, basting with 1/4 cup of apple juice every 30 minutes. Roast is done when the internal temperature reads 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
4.During the last half hour the roast is cooking, combine the cherries, apricots, red wine, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup of the juices from the roasting pan, and cloves in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
5.When the roast is done, Slice & serve the cherries/apricot sauce on the side.

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup!

3 large red onions, sliced thin
3 large sweet white onions, sliced thin
1 stick of butter
1 tbsp salt
2/3 c. dry white wine (or sherry)
4 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp. thyme
7 c. homemade beef stock
*I cut up some Italian bread, toasted it & stuck it into the soup before putting the cheese on top.*
salt to taste

What you do:

Put the onions in the crock pot with the 1 tbsp salt and 1 stick of butter. Set on high for 6 hours. Stir occasionally.
Once the onions are totally caramelized, you can either: a) add the remaining ingredients to the crock pot on high and cook for another 2-4 hours or if you’re strapped for time b) put the caramelized onions in a large soup pot, put in rest of ingredients, bring to a boil, then simmer for an hour.
Put some in an oven-safe soup crock and cover with 1-2 slices of provolone.
Stick in a broiler for a couple minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly brown on the edges

*Thank you so Sarah for sharing the recipe with me, soooo good*

Bacon Pie!!

12 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (4 oz)
1/3 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1 1/2 cups milk
3 eggs
1/8 teaspoon pepper



1.Heat oven to 400°F. Grease 9-inch glass pie plate. Sprinkle bacon, cheese and onion into pie plate.
2.In medium bowl, beat remaining ingredients until blended; pour into pie plate.
3.Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

( For easy cooking of bacon, cover cookie sheet with foil. Place bacon on. Put broiler on low & cook bacon until done. This was so easy, i think 6-8 minutes. turning half way through. & easy clean up with just tossing the foil.)

Slow Cooker Chicken Stronganoff!

Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
1/8 cup margarine
1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
Directions
1.Put chicken, margarine and dressing mix in slow cooker; mix together and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.
2.Add cream cheese and soup, mix together and cook on high for another 1/2 hour or until heated through and warm.

Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins!!

Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
1.In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and shortening until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; mix well. Combine dry ingredients. Gradually add to creamed mixture; mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each greased or paper-lined mini-muffin cup. Bake at 375 degrees F for 10-13 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
Makes 2 1/2 dozen Mini's

Mac & Cheese....yuuuuummmuy!

Ingredients

Kosher salt ( I use sea salt)
Vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 quart milk (4 cups)
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted or salted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups) *see note below*
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices) could also use Panko.
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish or greased 13'9

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the bread crumbs are browned on the top.

NOTE: Gruyere cheese can be pricey, I really think you could use a mild cheddar instead of Gruyere or do half Gruyere & half of a mild Cheddar. I will have to make it with a mild Cheddar & re post. but for now this is my tip*

Also this can feed a crowd, you can definitely half this a smaller party or put in separate containers before putting top on & freeze for another time.

Cracker Crusted Pork Chops!

Ingredients
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ( I used tastefully Simples Garlic Garlic)
1/2 teaspoon onion powder ( I used Tastefully Simples Onion Onion)
1 1/2 envelopes of crushed crackers of your choice ( I used saltines & keebler wheat crackers)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 thin cut pork chops ( I used 8 thicker cut boneless pork chops)

Directions
1.Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
2.In a shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk eggs with garlic powder and onion powder. Place cracker crumbs on a separate plate. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dip pork chops into the egg, then press in the cracker crumbs to coat. Fry in the hot oil for 2 to 3 minutes per side, just until golden brown. Remove to a baking sheet. ( cover tray with foil & spray with cooking spray, easy clean up)
3.Bake for 30/45 minutes in the preheated oven, turning once.thicker chops take longer then the thin. You can also use a meat thermometer 160*F for internal temp.

*These came out delish, I served with a honey mustard sauce & everyone loved them.*

Whiskey Truffles!

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2/3 cup gingersnap cookie, crushed
3 tablespoons whiskey
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/3 cup 10x sugar

1 Melt chocolate and butter in heavy saucepan over low heat. 2 Stirring until smooth. 3 Mix in crushed cookies and whiskey. 4 Pour into a bowl, cover and chill about 45 minutes. 5 Line a cookie sheet with foil and drop truffle mixture by tablespoon, spacing apart Freeze 15 minutes. 6 Sift cocoa and 1/3 cup sugar together. 7 Roll each truffle in the sugar. 8 Place in air tight container and refrigerate. 9 Can be made up to a week before serving. 10 Let stand at room temp for 15 minutes before serving.

Double Drizzle pecan Cookies!

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups chopped pecans, toasted

CARAMEL DRIZZLE:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE:
1 ounce semisweet chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
Directions
In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Shape dough into 1-in. balls; roll in pecans. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets; flatten slightly. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
In a small saucepan, bring brown sugar and cream to a boil. Remove from the heat; whisk in confectioners' sugar. Immediately drizzle over cookies.
In a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container. Yield: about 3-1/2 dozen.

Roast Pork with Apple Onion Gravy!

Ingredients
1 (3 pound) boneless pork loin roast
1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped peeled apple
1 small onion, chopped
1 (10.5 ounce) can Campbell's® Golden Pork Gravy
Directions
1.Season the pork with the lemon pepper. Place the pork into a roasting pan. Roast at 325 degrees F for 1 hour 45 minutes or until the pork is cooked through. Remove the pork to a cutting board. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
2.Heat the oil in the roasting pan over medium-high heat. Add the apple and onion and cook until tender, stirring occasionally. Add the gravy and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Serve the gravy with the pork.

White Chocolate Macadamia nut!

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1 (6.5 ounce) jar macadamia nuts, chopped
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2.In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt, stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, stir in the white chocolate and nuts. Drop cookies by heaping teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.
3.Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. When cool, store in an airtight container.

Fudge Filled Sandies!

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Additional confectioners' sugar

FILLING:
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon shortening
Directions
•In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light
and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and pecans; gradually add
to creamed mixture and mix well.

•Roll into 1-in. balls. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the
center of each.

•Bake at 325° for 18-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Roll
warm cookies in additional confectioners' sugar; cool on wire racks.


•In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Stir in the
corn syrup, water and shortening. Spoon or pipe into cooled cookies.
Yield: 4 dozen.

Chocolate Raspberry Sandwich Spritz Cookies!

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup seedless raspberry jam
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
Chocolate sprinkles

Directions
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, salt and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Using a cookie press fitted with a ribbon disk, form dough into long strips on ungreased baking sheets. Cut each strip into 2-in. pieces (do not separate). Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cut again if necessary. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Spread the bottom of half of the cookies with jam; top with remaining cookies. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Place chocolate sprinkles in a bowl. Dip each end of cookies in melted chocolate, then in sprinkles. Place on waxed paper; let stand until firm. Yield: 2 dozen.

Peanut Butter Balls!!

1/2 lb. butter, softened
1 lb. peanut putter (approximately 2 cups)
1 1/2 boxes (5 1/2 cups) powdered sugar
1/2 stick of paraffin wax (gulf wax)
12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips

1) Mix butter, Peanut butter & 10x sugar till mixed (it will be dry)
2) Form mix into balls, pt toothpicks into each ball. Freeze balls 1 hour.
3) Melt 1/2 stick of paraffin wax & 12 oz chocolate chips in a double broiler.
4)Dip each ball & put on wax paper lined cookie sheet.
Refrigerate. Remove toothpicks.

Cream of Broccoli Soup!

Ingredients
•4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
•1 1/2 pounds fresh broccoli
•1 large onion, chopped
•1 carrot, chopped
•Salt and freshly ground black pepper
•3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
•4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
•1/2 cup cream
•Homemade Croutons, recipe follows
Directions
Melt 4 tablespoons butter in heavy medium pot over medium-high heat. Add broccoli, onion, carrot, salt and pepper and saute until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, until the flour reaches a blonde color. Add stock and bring to boil.

Simmer uncovered until broccoli is tender, about 15 minutes. Pour in cream. With an immersion blender, puree the soup. Add salt and pepper, to taste, and then replace the lid back on the pot. Serve hot with Homemade Croutons.


Homemade Croutons:
•Day old French bread
•Olive oil
•Salt and freshly ground black pepper
•1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut bread into cubes and place in a large bowl. Drizzle cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Mix well.

Spread seasoned bread onto a sheet pan and bake for about 15 minutes.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Baked French Toast Casserole!

*This is Paula deens recipe sooooo good.*

Prep Time:20 minInactive Prep Time:8 hr 0 minCook Time:40 minLevel:
EasyServes:
6 to 8 servings. Ingredients
•1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
•8 large eggs
•2 cups half-and-half
•1 cup milk
•2 tablespoons granulated sugar
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
•Dash salt
•Praline Topping, recipe follows
•Maple syrup
Directions
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.


Praline Topping:
•1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
•1 cup packed light brown sugar
•1 cup chopped pecans
•2 tablespoons light corn syrup
•1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.


.

Crispy Cheese Potato's!

6 Cups thinly sliced potato's
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp butter melted
1 4oz pkg shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs or panko bread crumbs

1) pre-heat oven to 425*F
2) Par boil sliced & peeled potato's
3) Grease a 13x9 baking dish
4) after straining potato's toss them and salt together. Arrange potato's in an even layer in dish.
5) drizzle butter over potato's
6) Sprinkle cheese and then bread crumbs over potato's
7)Bake 20 minutes or until fork tender & cheese is melted.
(makes 10 servings)

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake!!

Ingredients
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground cloves
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2.In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time. Remove 1 cup of batter and spread into bottom of crust; set aside.
3.Add pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to the remaining batter and stir gently until well blended. Carefully spread over the batter in the crust.
4.Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until center is almost set. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Serve whipped topping on side or decorate pie with it.

(this was AMAZING! it went so fast at the dinner party I had, everyone loved it)Oh & It's super easy, no one believed I made it from scratch.

Easy Slow cooker Chicken!

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix (good seasons Italian)
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed mushroom soup
1 (8 ounce) container chive and onion cream cheese ( I took regular cream cheese & mixed in my own onion & chives *use fresh or dried*)
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Directions
1.Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, and stir in the salad dressing mix, mushroom soup, cream cheese, and wine until the sauce mixture is hot, smooth and well combined. Place the chicken breasts into the bottom of a slow cooker, and pour the sauce mixture over the chicken. Cover and cook on Low setting until chicken is tender, about 6 hours

* You can put 6 chicken breasts in, there will be plenty of gravy to go over noodles or rice*

Creamy Cabbage and Apples!

Ingredients
1 teaspoon olive oil
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon white sugar, or to taste
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 head green cabbage, cored and chopped
2 large Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and thickly sliced
1/2 cup chicken stock, or as needed
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 pinch nutmeg
1/2 cup sour cream
Directions
1.Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Add the bacon and cook and stir until most of the fat is rendered, and the bacon is lightly browned but still slightly limp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a small bowl; do not drain. Pour off any excess bacon fat in the pan, according to your taste.
2.Stir the onion into the pot, season with salt and pepper, and cook and stir over medium-high heat until onion is translucent. Sprinkle in the sugar, then stir in the vinegar-stand back or you'll get a nose full! Scrape up the delicious brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the cabbage, stirring well to combine.
3.Cook, uncovered, until cabbage is reduced and starts to soften, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in apples, stock, and coriander seeds. Cover, reduce heat to medium low, and cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more stock as needed, and continue cooking until the cabbage is soft, but not falling apart.
4.Just before serving, remove the cover and stir in the bacon with its juices. Cook over medium-high heat until any remaining liquid is reduced to a syrup and the mixture is piping hot, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in nutmeg, and fold in the sour cream. Your digestive tract will thank you.

Ham & Potato Soup!!

Ingredients
3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/3 cup diced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup diced cooked ham
3 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
Directions
1.Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.
2.In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
3.Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.

Banana Cake with Whipped Cream cheese frosting!

Ingredients
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup sour milk
1 cup mashed bananas
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
Directions
1.In a large bowl, mix together butter or margarine, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Set aside.
2.In another bowl, sift together flour, salt, soda, and baking powder. Add these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Add sour milk and bananas to the batter. Beat together well.
3.Line two 9 inch round cake pans, or one 9 x 13 inch pan with wax paper; the pans can be greased and floured instead, if desired. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 17 to 20 minutes for the layered cakes, or for 25 to 40 minutes for the sheet cake.

Whipped Cream Frosting!!
Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Directions
1.In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar salt and vanilla until smooth. In a small bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into the cream cheese mixture.

Cauliflower Casserole!

Ingredients
1 head cauliflower, separated into florets
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup crushed corn flakes or (rice crispies)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
paprika (optional)
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 2 quart baking dish.
2.Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the cauliflower, and steam until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
3.Combine sour cream, Cheddar cheese, corn flakes, bell peppers, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the cauliflower, and transfer to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and paprika over the top of the dish.
4.Bake uncovered until heated through, 30 to 35 minutes

Kielbasa & Cabbage!

6 slices bacon
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 onion, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
3 teaspoons caraway seed
1 large head cabbage, cut into small wedges
1 pound Polish kielbasa


Directions
1.In a large skillet, fry bacon over medium high heat until browned, turning once. Remove bacon from pan, reserving drippings, and place on paper towels.
2.Stir water, sugar, onions, garlic, red pepper flakes, seasoned salt, and caraway seeds into drippings. Add cabbage, and gently stir. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes.
3.Add kielbasa to the pan. Cook, covered, for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Crumble bacon over top, and serve hot

Cornbread & Rice Stuffing!

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups chicken stock +
1 box wild rice
4 tablespoons butter
2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
2 cups diced celery
1 cup chopped onion
1 apple peeled & chopped
4 cups corn bread stuffing mix (Prepared to directions on box or bag)
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
Directions
1.In a medium sized saucepan combine the chicken stock and the wild rice. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer until rice is tender.
2.In a large skillet melt the butter. Add the mushrooms, celery and onion. Cook until the vegetables are soft, add apple.
3. Cook stuffing according to box
4.In a large bowl mix the cornbread stuffing and poultry seasoning. Add the rice and the vegetables & apple and mix well. Use to stuff turkey or bake on its own. More chicken stock can be added if stuffing is dry.

Place in oven safe dish & bake for 30 minutes at 350*F (heated through)

Pot Roast in Foil!

Ingredients
3 pounds bottom round
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup (or celry soup will work)
1 packet dry onion soup mix
2 tablespoons water
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
2.Place a piece of foil, about 30 inches long, into the bottom of a 9x13 inch roasting pan. Place the roast on the foil in the pan.
3.In a separate small bowl, combine the mushroom soup with the onion soup mix. Mix well and pour over the roast. Sprinkle with the water. Fold foil over and seal all edges.
4.Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 4 hours just as good)

*This turned out Amazing, I made with mashed potatoes. My family loved it & it was extremely easy.*

Ham & Egg Puff Casserole!

Part One:
ingredients
2 cups cooked chopped Ham
8 oz shredded Cheddar cheese
16 slices of white bread crust removed
9x13 Pyrex dish (sprayed with cooking spray)
Butter
Place buttered slices of bread butter side down in a 9x13 dish
spread ham & cheese on top of bread
top with remaining bread butter side down

part 2:
Blend
6 eggs
3 cups of milk
1/4 tsp pepper
Pour over bread

Top with tomato's or buttered cornflakes.
Bake 1 hour at 350* or until done.

*Thank you Carly for this recipie, my family loved it*

Zucchini Bread!

3 eggs beaten till frothy
2 cups sugar,beat into eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 TBSP vanilla
*Add sugar to eggs beat until thick & lemon colored Then add....
2 cups of sifted flour
1 TBSP cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts ( optional)
2 cups coarsely grated zucchini

Fold in 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional) & two cups of coarsely grated zucchini (do not peel)
Pour into 2 greased & floured loaf pans and bake 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool in pans for 1o minutes then remove & cool on wire racks.

*You can freeze the loaves once they are cooked, when defrosted they taste as good as when they are first baked.*

Broccoli Casserole!

Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 onion, chopped
1 large head of broccoli steamed Or you can use 2 (10 ounce) packages chopped frozen broccoli, thawed
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
12 buttery round crackers, crushed fine
2 tablespoons butter

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion until golden.
3.In a 2 quart casserole dish, mix together onion, broccoli, soup, cheese, mayonnaise, eggs,pepper, and lemon juice. Sprinkle crushed crackers over top and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
4.Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 45 minutes, until heated through and browned on top.
*Feeds 8 ppl*

Amazing Butter Cream Icing!

Ingredients:
•1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
•1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine softened
•2 tbsp vanilla extract  ( I use my homemade vanilla)
•4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
•2 tablespoons milk
Makes: About 3 cups of icing.


(Medium Consistency)
In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.

For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored 2 weeks. Re whip before using.

For thin (spreading) consistency icing, add 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, water or milk.

Sugar Cookies & Icing!

Ingredients:
•1 cup unsalted butter, softened
•1 egg
•1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
•1 tbsp vanilla extract
•2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
•2 teaspoons baking powder
•1 teaspoon salt

Makes: About 3 dozen cookies.
instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F. In mixing bowl, cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extract. Mix flour, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Do not chill dough. Divide dough into 2 balls. On a floured surface, roll each ball into a circle approximately 12 in. wide and 1/8 in. thick. Dip cookie cutter in flour before each use. Bake cookies on uncreased cookie sheet 6-7 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned


ICING RECIPE!

Ingredients
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons milk
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract
assorted food coloring

Directions
1.In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup.
2.Divide into separate bowls, and add food colorings to each to desired intensity. Dip cookies, or paint them with a brush.


(I made these for my sons 1st birthday party & they were a huge hit. They weren't too crunchy & the icing wasn't overly sweet. These would have been great as a take home goodie bag. Overall these weren't hard to make at all. I used a mini chocolate chip for the duckies eyes & got the cookie cutter off amazon. It was a Wilton chick cutter, it was perfect for duckies.)

Herb & Cream Biscuits!

Gina's Herb Cream Biscuits
Recipe courtesy The Neelys

.Prep Time:15 minInactive Prep Time:--Cook Time:18 minLevel:
EasyServes:
10 biscuits.Ingredients
•2 cups all-purpose flour
•1 tablespoon granulated sugar
•2 teaspoons baking powder
•1 teaspoon garlic powder
•1 teaspoon salt
•1 tablespoon chopped chives
•1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves
•1 1/2 cups heavy cream, at room temperature, plus 1 tablespoon
•1 egg
•Kosher salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.

Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, garlic powder and salt in a medium bowl.

Stir in 1 1/2 cups of cream and the herbs and mix with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together. Remove the dough to the countertop and knead briefly until it is smooth and uniform in appearance. Pat the dough out to a 1-inch thickness. Use a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter dipped in flour to punch out dough rounds. Push the leftover dough together cut out more rounds. Arrange the biscuits on the parchment lined sheet tray.

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of cream and the egg. Brush the tops of the biscuits with the egg wash and sprinkle with kosher salt. Put immediately into the oven and bake for 18 minutes. Transfer the biscuits from the oven to a serving platter and serve.

Tastes Like My Moms ColeSlaw!

1 small head cabbage, shredded or diced

3 medium carrots, shredded or diced

1 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp celry seed


1.In a large bowl, combine cabbage and carrots. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sugar,vinegar, pepper & celry seed. Pour over cabbage mixture and toss to coat.put in fridge and let sit for at least 2 hours.

( I took a recipie & added a few things to change it up. Well apparently I hit it out of the park. My step dad loved it & said it tasted like what his mom ust to make.)

Polish Cabbage Noodles!

Ingredients
1 medium head shredded cabbage
1/2 cup chopped onion (red, vidalia or yellow)
1/2 cup butter
1(16 ounce) package wide egg noodles ( i used whole wheat egg noodles)
salt to taste ground black pepper to taste

Directions
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water.
Meanwhile, heat butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Saute cabbage and onions until tender.
Drain pasta, and return to the pot. Add cabbage and onion mixture to the noodles, and toss. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

* I did make this & it was very good. My camera is broken so I wasn't able to take a picture*

Chocolate Cherry Cake!

1 pkg cherry gelatin (3 oz)

1 pkg Chocolate cake mix ( I use devils food)


Topping:

16 oz cool whip

1 pkg chocolate instant pudding mix (3 oz)

cold milk


Dissolve gelatin in 3/4 c boiling water. Add 1/2 c cold water; set aside at room temperature. Mix and bake cake as directed in a 9x13 inch pan. Cook cake 20-25 minutes. Poke deep holes through top of warm cake (still in pan) with meat fork or toothpick. Space holes about one inch apart. With a cup, slowly pour gelatin mixture into holes. Refrigerate cake while preparing topping.


Topping:

In a chilled, deep bowl, blend and whip topping mix, instant pudding and cold milk (add a tbs at a time until desired consistency) *I usually use about 2-3 tbs) until stiff (3-8 minutes). Immediately frost cake. Cake must be stored in refrigerator and served chilled.

Key Lime Cake!

Original Recipe Yield 1 - 9x13 inch cake
Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix
1 (3 ounce) package instant lemon pudding mix
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
5 tablespoons key lime juice
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons key lime juice
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9x13 inch cake pan or one 10 inch bundt pan.
2.In a large bowl stir together; lemon cake mix, lemon instant pudding, water, oil, eggs, and 5 tablespoons key lime juice, mixing well. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3.Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Pour key lime glaze over cake while still warm.
4.To Make Glaze: Mix together the confectioner's sugar and 3 tablespoons of the key lime juice (or more if necessary), spoon glaze over warm cake.

Chicken with Stove top!

Recipe
•1 pkg (6 oz) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken (make according to box)
•1-1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
•1 can (10-3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup (or other cream soup)
•1/3 cup Breakstone’s or Knudsen Sour Cream (i sometimes use a 1/4 cup of white wine instead)
•1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed, drained (this is optional)
1.Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare stuffing mix as directed on package; set aside.
2.Mix chicken, soup, sour cream and vegetables in 13x9-inch baking dish; top with the stuffing.
3.Bake 30 min or until chicken is cooked through