Carmel Apple Cake

Found the original recipe on mybakingaddiction.com and then adapted it for what I had at home. It was a hit and the husband said I should post it for you all to enjoy. Sorry there is no picture we ate it too fast. This is my adapted recipe go to the link to get the original.

Carmel Apple Cake

Cake:

1 butter pecan cake mix

1 pkg (4 serving size) vanilla pudding

1 cup water

4 eggs

1/3 cup oil

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

3 med granny smith apples peeled and coarsly chopped

Glaze:

20 carmels unwrapped

3 Tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 350*. Grease a 12 cup bundt cake pan. Beat all cake ingredients except apples on low to mix and then on high for 2 mins. Stir in the apples. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 50-60min or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 20 min and then turn out of pan and cool rest of the way. Melt carmels and milk in microwave until smooth. Let thicken slightly and then drizzle over cooled cake. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pancakes

What could be more fall like than pumpkins? Not much in my way of thinking. I found a recipe for pumpkin pancakes and made some for breakfast this morning. I was instantly wrapped up in a fall blanket. The warm spices used and of course the pumpkin pie like taste: Delicious. Whip up a batch and enjoy.

1 1/4 cup flour

2 Tbsp sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon, ginger and salt

1/8 tsp nutmeg

pinch of cloves

1 cup milk

1 egg

2 Tbsp melted butter

6 Tbsp pumpkin puree

Whisk dry ingredients together. In separate bowl mix the wet ingredients. Fold wet into dry. Cook up and enjoy.

Immitation Olive Garden Breadsticks

This is for my brother-in-law Roy. Enjoy.

Almost-Famous Breasticks

(from the food network magazine)

1 package active dry yeast

4 1/4 cup flour, plus more for dustin

2 Tbsp softened unsalted butter

2 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp salt

Topping:

3 Tbsp unsalted butter melted

1/2 tsp salt

1/8-1/4 tsp garlic powder

Pinch of dried oregano

Make the dough: Place 1/4 cup warm water in mixing bowl; sprinkle in the yeast and set aside until foamy. Add the flour, butter, sugar, salt, and 1 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp water; mix with the paddle attachment until a slightly sticky dough forms, 5 min. Knead the dough until smooth and soft, 3 min. Roll into a 2 foot long log; cut into 16 even pieces. Knead each piece slightly and form into a 7 inch breadstick. Arrange on parchment lined baking sheet 2 inches apart. Cover with cloth and rise till doubled about 45 min. Preheat the oven to 400*.

Make the topping: Brush breadsticks with 1 1/2 Tbsp butter and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt. Bake until lightly golden about 15 min. Meanwhile combine remaining salt with the garlic powder and oregano. Brush warm breadsticks with remaining butter and sprinkle with flavored salt. Enjoy.

Creamy Coconut Oatmeal with Dried Peaches

I found this recipe in the newspaper and love it. I did modify it because I wanted something quicker and easy. The original recipe called for making a pecan brittle with the coconut, but I just toasted both and used as a topping. Thought I would share it with my friends and family.

Creamy Coconut Oatmeal with Dried Peaches

1 cup steel cut oats

1 Tbsp sugar

salt

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup unsweetened dried shredded coconut

1/4 cup finely diced dried peaches

14 oz can coconut milk

Pour coconut milk in a 4 cup measuring cup and add water to make 4 cups. Pour into saucepan, add sugar and a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Add oatmeal and cook whisking occasionally until mixture starts to thicken. Reduce heat and simmer 25-30 min until oameal is tender. During last 5-10 min of cooking add the peaches so they become tender. Stir frequently at end so oatmeal doesn't stick. Serve with toasted pecans and shredded coconut.

* you can toast the oatmeal before cooking if you want

Dilly Bars

If you love chocolate and peanut butter together then these bars are for you. Unfortunately for my waistline I could eat an entire pan so I don't make them often, but they are delicious and easy to make. Recipe courtesy of my mom.

Dilly Bars

1/2 cup butter

6 oz chocolate chips

10 oz marshmallow

1 cup peanut butter

Melt and mix together either in large pan on stove or I use a big bowl in the microwave. Then add 2 cups of Rice Krispies and 2 cups salted peanuts. I'm not a huge nut fan so I omit the nuts and add more cereal.

Press in a 9X13" pan and cool.

Frosting

6 oz chocolate chips

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 cup powder sugar

In small saucepan melt the chips with the milk then add vanilla and powder sugar. Frost the bars. Cool. Eat. Enjoy.

Homemade Kettle Corn

Kettle Corn

2 bags of microwave popcorn popped

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon water

Pour popped popcorn into a large bowl set aside. In a saucepan melt the butter then add sugar and water. Boil for 2 minutes and pour over the popped popcorn. You can add variety to this with added food coloring or adding your favorite flavor just before pouring over the popcorn.

So very good and very easy to make. Enjoy.

Strawberry Bread

I love making sweet breads and have found a recipe that I can alter to make up my own types of breads. I made this to take on the family reunion trip and it was awesome. Of course I had to taste it to make sure it came out all right and let me tell you it did. I just sliced off a piece and without adding butter took a bite. Oh my gosh! It tasted like I had added butter it was so creamy and yummy. I think it may have something to do with adding some whole wheat flour in place of some of the regular flour. I don't know but it was great.

1/4 cup butter

3/4 cup sour cream (any kind from fat free to full fat)

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup pureed strawberries

1 cup diced strawberries

2 eggs

2 cup flour (sub up to 1/2 cup whole wheat if you wish)

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp Torani Almond flavored syrup

Cream butter, sour cream and sugar. Add eggs, syrup and pureed strawberries. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in diced strawberries. Pour into a 9x5" loaf pan or two smaller ones. Bake at 350* for 50-65 min or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy as is or add butter or cream cheese.

Linked to eatathomecooks.com

Banana Bread

This has got to be the best ever banana bread recipe and you can make it light or full of fat your choice. This bread stays moist and good even after months of freezing. I so wish I could have eaten it yesterday fresh out of the oven, but I'm on a diet (lost 37 pounds so far this year!) and can't have any till I'm done. Oh well, the smell was worth the hunger it created within.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

1/4 cup softened butter

3/4 cup sour cream (any variety will do from fat free to full fat)

3/4 cup sugar

4 very ripe bananas

2 egg

2 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2-1 cup chocolate chips (I go with more), optional

Cream butter, sour cream and sugar. Mix in eggs and bananas. Mix in dry ingrediants. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into 1 or 2 greased and sugared loaf pans. Bake at 350*F for 50-60 min. Enjoy.

I can taste it even now just thinking about it.

Linked to eatathomecooks.com

Awesome Peanut Butter Cookies

I've had a request for this recipe so here it is.

Peanut Butter Cookies

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2cup peanut butter

1 egg

1 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp sugar for coating

1 Tbsp molasses (optional)

Mix butter and sugars together. Add peanut butter and mix well. Add egg (and molasses if using) and then dry ingredients. Roll mixture into balls and roll in sugar to coat. Place on greased cookie sheet. Do Not Flatten! This is what makes them so good. They stay chewy and yummy. Bake at 350*F for 10 minutes. Makes 3 dozen.

Doug found this recipe and made them for dinner a couple of weeks ago and has since made it at least 2 more times and once with the young men on mutual night. They don't last more than a few hours in our home. Hope you enjoy.

Creamy Peanut Butter Pie

I made this up last night for Family Home Evening treats. It was a great hit with everyone (kids and Doug included) telling me to write down the recipe. So here it is for you to try.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

1 prepared or homemade chocolate graham cracker crust

1 cup peanut butter

2/3 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 cup whipping cream

Mix together the peanut butter, sugar, and 1/2 cup cream. Slowly add rest of cream, whipping until it is fluffy and holds a peak. Spoon into crust. I topped it with shaved chocolate, but you could use whipped topping or mini reeses peanut butter cups.

Variation: Spread favorite jelly on crust before the peanut butter filling to make a PB&J pie.

Easy Cheesy Chicken Strips

My children have got to be the pickiest eaters in the world. However, we have finally gotten them to branch away from mac n' cheese to try other things most importantly meat. I have so many cookbooks that I never use that I thought I should start using them. This recipe comes from Betty Crocker Easy family dinners and my children loved it last night even asking for more. I know I was shocked. Good thing I was sitting down. Hope your families like it as much as mine.

Recipe:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders (if using breasts cut them into 1/2" strips)

2 cups cheese-flavored crackers, crushed

1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese

1 egg

barbeque sauce, ketchup, or ranch dressing if desired

Heat oven to 400*F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Mix crushed crackers and cheese (best to use a ziplock bag). Beat egg in a seperate bowl. Coat chicken with egg and then with crackers. Place in single layer on pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes until no longer pink. Enjoy!

Carrot Cake

Somebody liked dessert. Fruit Pizza...Yum!

Speaking of dessert here is a pic of our Easter dessert. Christopher insisted on a bunny cake and tradition in my family is carrot cake for Easter. So...I made a bunny out of a carrot cake. This is the most awesome carrot cake ever. Recipe follows the picture and comes from my Grandma.

Carrot Cake

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 cups carrots, grated
20 ounces crushed pineapple in juice, 1 large can
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups oil
1 1/2 cups nuts, optional
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups coconut

Mix all dry ingredients. Add egg, oil, pineapple, and vanilla. Stir until moist. Add rest of ingredients. Bake in a 9x13" greased and floured pan at 350* for 1 hour. Cool. Frost with cream cheese frosting. I add coconut to the frosting as well for this.