Misc. Saturday

Hope you all have checked out the new Hair Page!  There are some REALLY fun ones on there!
<-----  Also two new polls to the side!  Let me know what your opinion is!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jordan

Graham Cracker Dip

What You'll Need:

8 oz. softened cream cheese

1/2 c. softened butter

1/4 t. vanilla extract

3/4 c. confectioners sugar

2 T. brown sugar

3/4 c. mini chocolate chips

3/4 c. finely chopped pecans (optional)

In the mixing bowl beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla til fluffy.  Gradually add sugars; beat until just combined.  Stir in choc. chips.  Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.  (You don't have to refrigerate.... we couldn't wait so we just ate it right away!)

Optional- Place cream cheese mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap; shape into a ball.  Refrigerate at least 1 hour.  Just before serving roll cheese ball in pecans.  Serve with graham crackers!

Emily P.

Recipe Thursday

When we lived in OK there was someone there that made an AWSOME Mississippi Mud.

Now that we are further north hardly anyone knows what a Mississippi Mud Cake is!

Well, if you don't know here is a recipe from Bethany to try!

Take it from me, you'll be glad you did! ;)

Jordan

Bethany M.

Mississppi Mud Cake

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup butter

1 (4 ounce) semisweet chocolate baking bar, chopped

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 (10.5 ounce) bag miniature marshmallows

Chocolate Frosting

Place pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted. Microwave 1 cup butter and semisweet chocolate in a large microwave-safe glass bowl at High 1 minute of until melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Whisk sugar and next 5 ingredients into chocolate mixture. Pour batter into a greased 15 x 10 x 1-inch jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle evenly with miniature marshmallows; bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Drizzle warm cake with chocolate frosting, and sprinkle with toasted pecans.

Chocolate Frosting:

1/2 cup butter

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/3 cup milk

1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Stir together the first 3 ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes or until slightly thickened; remove from heat. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until smooth.

Recipe Thursday

This sounds AWSOME!!!! Count me in to ANYTHING with Oreo's in it! Yum!!!

Jordan

Oreo Delight!

What you need:
1 stick butter
2 12oz containers of cool whip
1 pack oreo cookies
1 box instant chocolate pudding
1 8 oz cream cheese

Make it:
Melt butter in bottom of dish. Crush oreo's. Put all but 1 cup of oreo's in dish. Mix (w/ electric mixer) 1 cool whip with room temperature cream cheese. Spread mixture on top of oreos. Mix pudding as directed, then spread on top. Put in refrigerator for 1 hour, then put cool whip on top. Top it off with oreos.

Rebecca B, IL

Recipe Thursday

Banana Boats

You need

chocolate chips

mini marshmallows

bananas

Do NOT peel the banana!

Cut two slits on the small curve of the banana and one on the top so you have a flap of peel.

Cut out a slice of the banana (and eat it)and fill the inside with the chips and marshmallows.

Fold the flap of peel back over so it looks like a regular banana.

You might have to smoosh the marshmallows.

Stick in a pan in the oven about 350 degrees and bake till the banana peel is black.

Take them out, open up, and eat with a spoon.

Tracy T. MN

Misc. Saturday

Here is a REALLY fun recipe!
(Sorry!  She sent yummy looking pics. in with but for some reason they won't load up!)

Jordan

   Make choc chip cookie dough (we used a pouch since we had one & didn't have much time).  The pouch said it would make 3 doz cookies & this only made 6 so it uses alot more dough.
Place a scoop of dough on top of Oreo cookie & a scoop on the bottom. 
With your hands form it all the way around the cookie. 
These are BIG! 
Bake at 325...I do not remember exactly how long they took, but it was quite a bit longer than normal.  Around 13 min. maybe.  I actually turned off the oven & just let them sit in there while it was still warm for a bit.  The bottoms were set & the tops were a bit soft still MMMmmmm!  The place where I saw this online they made their own dough & used Double Stuff Oreos.  We had some candy cane ones left from Christmas & we thought they were really good with the mint flavor.
Enjoy!
-Janae H. IL-

Easter Recipe

Hi girls!  Not going to St. Louis this weekend after all so just tomorrow and Fri. will be gone!

Here is an ADORABLE cup cake cake that would be perfect for the Easter table!

Hope you will also check out the other links below!  There are some super cute stuff!

Jordan

Springy Cup Cake Cake

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Sunny-Flower-Cake

Easter Stuff..

Hi all!  Sorry I don't really have any Easter stuff so here are some fun recipes and crafts to check out!

Our church is going to a Youth Conference this Thurs. and Fri. and there is a chance our family will be going to st. Louis for Easter so after tomorrow I will not be posting til Mon.!

Jordan

Truffle Eggs

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Truffle-Eggs?pmcode=ILDDV03T&_mid=1583132&_rid=1583132.558202.165408

Chocolate Covered Eggs

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Chocolate-Covered-Eggs

Easter Bunny Bread

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Easter-Bunny-Bread

Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Easter-Recipes/Naturally-Dyed-Easter-Eggs

Egg Painting Brushes

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Easter-Recipes/How-to-Make-Your-Own-Egg-Painting-Brushes

Silk Tie Easter Eggs

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Easter-Recipes/How-to-Make-Silk-Tie-Easter-Eggs

How To Fold Bunny Napkins

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Centerpieces/How-to-Fold-a-Bunny-Napkin

Gerbera Daisy Centerpiece

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Centerpieces/Gerbera-Daisy-Centerpieces

Yellow Daffodil Centerpiece

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Centerpieces/Yellow-Daffodils

Egg Place Cards

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Centerpieces/Easter-Place-Cards

Bird Nest Centerpiece

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Centerpieces/Bird-Nest-Centerpiece

Hope you enjoy!  :D  These are REALLY cute!

Sweet Desserts Week

Here's one more yummy looking dessert to end the week!

Jordan

Fruity Oatmeal Bars

We made these last night for my stamp party, but I used peach spreadable fruit & didn't add the water cuz it was a bit thin

They were very good & easy.

• 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix
• 2-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 jar (12 ounces) seedless raspberry preserves
• 1 tablespoon water

• In a large bowl, combine the dry cake mix, oats and butter until crumbly. Press 3 cups of the crumb mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
• In a small bowl, stir preserves and water until blended. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture. Bake for 25-28 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

  Yield: 2 dozen.

Janae H. IL

Sweet Desserts Week

Here are two fun desserts to make.  I'm sorry I haven't had any "real" pictures on my posts this week!  I was planning on having some but I've been sick all week with something or other.  :( 

But anyway, these are really simple and really good!  Hope you'll try them!  :D

Jordan

Edible Cups

2 c. Chocolate Chips

Fruit

Ice Cream

Aluminum Cupcake Holders

Melt chips in the microwave for 1-2 min. or until melted.

Thoroughly spread chocolate on the inside of cupcake holders.

Put holders in freezer til frozen.  Approx. 1-2 hours.

Pull paper off of frozen chocolate.

Fill with fruit or ice cream and serve immediately!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This one is quick to throw together right after lunch to satisfy a sweet tooth!

Quick S'mores

Mini Marshmallows

Chocolate Chips

Graham Crackers

Break graham crackers in 1/2 and arrange on baking sheet.

Place marshmallows and chips on top until desired sweetness!  ;D

Place in oven and broil 1-2 min. or til chips are melted and marshmallows are lightly browned.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

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What do you all think about the new look?  Could you leave me a comment and let me know your opinion?   I'm not sure if I'm satisfied or not so let me know what you think!

Sweet Desserts Week

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Yep, I'm wearing my green for the day so you can't pinch me!  Hope you have a fun day!

"If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God."
-St. Patrick-
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Here are two scrumptious looking recipes from Samantha! WITH how to make your own homemade oat flour!! :D Take a peek!

Jordan

This is a really easy and delicious cake for spring and summer. It can be made the day ahead of your event, too, which is nice!

Jello Poke Cake

1 box white cake mix

1 box strawberry flavored jello*whipping cream or whipped topping ( the real stuff is the best, though!)

Make cake as package directs. Once cake has cooled, poke holes approx 1/2 -1 inch apart using a skewer or large fork. Make jello as package directs. Pour over cooled cake. At this point you can either top it with the whipped topping, or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, then add whipped topping before serving.

* Your favorite jello flavor can be substituted here. Some ideas would be lime, orange, cherry, or lemon.If using lemon or lime jello, lemon pudding can be substituted for the whipped topping.

*********************

I ran out of regular flour once, so I substituted some homemade oat flour for the flour I missing. The end result was a slightly chewier and very yummy cookie! These are some of my favorites to make (and eat!).

Delicious M&M Cookies

1 c. flour

3/4 cup homemade oat flour*

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. butter

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup white sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

2 T. milk
M&M's, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips

Sift together dry ingredients. Set aside. Cream together the wet ingredients, then slowly add in the dry ingredients. At this point you can add chopped nuts and M&M's. You can use regular or mini M&M's. I usually don't measure the M&M's, so just add as many or as few as you like. You can also use chocolate chips.Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly brown. The cookie may still look a little under-done in the middle, but that is okay. Let them sit on the pan and cool for 1-2 minutes before cooling on a rack.
Makes about 3 dozen.

* Homemade Oat Flour: In a blender, blend regular old-fashioned oats until they make a coarse flour.This flour can be substituted for a lot of your flour if you are out of flour and need to make cookies. I haven't tried it with other recipes yet, though it might also work well in bread or muffin recipes.

Samantha H. IL.

Sweet Desserts Week

These are really quick, simple, and delicious!  Great for when you need a last minute dessert.

Jordan

Quick Turnovers

1 tube (8 ou.) crescant rolls

3/4 c. any kind of fruit pie filling

1/8 t. almond extract

1 T. milk

1 T. powder sugar

Unroll rolls and seperate into triangles.

Place on greased baking sheet.

Combine pie filling and almond extract.

Spoon by rounded tablespoons into middle of the triangles.

Fold the right point over to the left point and press down edges to seal.

Now, you can either brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar or you can ice after baking.

Bake at 400 for 12 - 14 min. or til golden brown.

Sweet Desserts Week

This is one of my FAVORITE desserts!!!!  It's chocolaty, creamy, with yummy brownie goodness mixed in!!!  Hope you all will try this one and enjoy!  :D

Brownie Toffee Trifle

1 Package Brownies

4 t. Instant Coffee Granules

1/4 c. Warm Water

1 3/4 c. Cold Milk

1 pack. (3.4 ou.) Vanilla Pudding Mix

2 c. Whipped Topping

Heath Candy Pieces

Prepare and bake brownies according to box directions.

Cool.

Cut into cubes.

Dissolve coffee granules in warm water.

In a mixing bowl, beat milk and pudding on low for 2 min.

Mix in coffee.

Fold in whipped topping.

In a 3 quart glass bowl, layer 1/2 of brownie cubes, then pudding, then sprinkle some heath.

Repeat layers.

Cover and refrigerate for at least and hour!

Yum!

Jordan

Sweet Desserts Week

Here is our first recipe of the week! This looks REALLY good! I had never had a pear pie before but a year ago our pear tree had so many pears we had to find something to do! So I made a pear pie (well, more like a crisp) and it was sooooo good! So I definately encourage you to try this one out!

Jordan

Crustless Pear Pie

4 C. sliced pears
1/2 C. sugar
3/4 C. flour
1/4 tsp.cinnamon
1/3 C br. sugar
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt
2 T chopped almonds

1/4 C cold butter

Combine pears with sugar and spices.

Transfer to a greased 9" pie pan.

Sprinkle with almonds.

Combine flour,br. sugar, baking powder.& salt.
Cut in butter until crumbly.

Sprinkle the flour mixture over the top of the pie.

Bake at 350 degrees F 40-45 min. or until golden.
Hope you enjoy!!!!

Rachel M. MN

Recipe Thursday

Here is a supper fun and tasty recipe I found last year when we had a lot of apples we had to use!  I had never had them before and they are SOOOO good!  We had them as a side for breakfast but you could have them with any meal or even for dessert!

Jordan

Apple Fritters

Ingredients:

1 Egg

2/3 c. Milk

1 t. Oil

1 c. Flour

2 T. Sugar

1 t. Baking Powder

Dash of Salt

5 Large Apples

--------------------------

1-1/2 c. Oil

1/4 c. Sugar

1/2 t. Cinnamon

Beat egg, milk, and oil.  In separate bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Stir into egg mixture until smooth, (the batter will be thick.)  Peel, core, and cut apples into 1/2 in. rings.

In a skillet or deep fryer heat oil to 375.  Then dip the apples into batter and fry, til golden brown.  Drain on paper towels.

Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over hot fritters.  Serve warm.

Yields:  About 2 Dozen

Enjoy!

Christmas Cookie Countdown

Here is another cookie recipe from my great grandmother.  She loved to bake cookies especially at Christmas time.  So at family gatherings there would always be several plates scattered throughout the house with her yummy treats.  This is one she always brought.
These were my favorite when I was a kid.  I'd always take the red hots off and eat them first and then eat the rest.  ;)  Christmas is such a good time for memories.
Hope you enjoy them!  :)

Christmas Wreath Cookies

4 T. butter
4 c. mini marshmallows
6 c. cornflakes
green food coloring
red hots

Melt butter in large pot.  Add marshmallows and stir til melted.  Add green food coloring until desired darkness.
Stir in corn flakes.  Mix until well coated.
Then spoon onto greased wax paper.  Place three red hots on wreaths before they cool so they will stick.

Here's another fun game I just couldn't pass up on sharing...


This is a great game for Christmas parties or family gatherings!
Give everyone a candy cane as they arrive.
Through out the night if someone hears someone else say the word 'Christmas' they get that persons candy cane.  The person with the most candy canes at the end of the party wins!

Jordan

Christmas Cookie Countdown

Cut-Out Gingerbread Cookies

These cookies have a secret ingredient- coffee!

2 3/4 c. flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. ginger
1/2 cinnamon

Combine above ingredients. Set aside

In another bowl, cream together ( in the order given)

1/2 cup ( 1 stick) butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup strong brewed coffee

Slowly add flour mixture to above mixture.

Chill for 2 hours. Roll out until 1/4" thick.
Use desired cookie cutters to make cookies.
Place cookies 1 inch apart on a greased or
parchment lined cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Let cool, then decorate! I like using red and green frosting and
cute Christmas sprinkles.

Enjoy! These make quite a few, but they are so
good that you will be glad for the extras!

Samantha H. IL

And here's a quick, fun Christmas game I heard of this week!

Pick two or three people out of the group as volunteers.  Give them each a piece of green construction paper.
Have them put there hands behind their back.
In a given time limit they have to try to tear their green construction paper into a Christmas tree behind their back!
It's not as easy as it sounds!  Try it out!

Jordan

Christmas Cookie Countdown

This looks like a good recipe for all you Chocolate mint fans out there!

Jordan

Crispy Mint Chocolate Cookies

2 1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. cornstarch
6 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 t. salt
1 c. sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/3 cup milk
1/2 t. vanilla
a little more than 3/4 t. peppermint extract

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder and salt.
In a large  bowl, cream together sugar and butter. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the milk
and extracts. Mixture will look curdled. Gradually add flour mixture until full incorporated.
Shape dough in to two logs, 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze at least 1-2 hours, until dough is very firm.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Slice dough in rounds no more than 1/4 inch thick- if they are to thick, the cookies won't be crisp. Place cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet. Place fairly close together, as the cookies don't spread much.
Bake for 13-15 minutes, checking often, as you don't want them to burn ( because they are so thin, this can happen easily if you aren't watching!)

Now for the coating. Melt 10 oz. of chocolate and 1 stick of butter in a double boiler, or a metal pan placed over a pot of boiling water. Don't get any water in the chocolate, though!
Once everything has melted you can add 1/8-1/4 t. peppermint extract to melted chocolate and butter.
Dip each cookie, turning with a fork or small tongs to coat both sides.
Transfer to parchment or wax paper to harden, at least 30 minutes.
You can decorate them with holiday sprinkles or  drizzle red or green colored frosting over them.

These taste best when they have been in the freezer for awhile. They are really good with mint or peppermint ice cream!

Samantha H. IL

Christmas Cookie Countdown

This is my families favorite Christmas time cookie.  It just wouldn't feel like Christmas without these ginger sweet cookies.

Ginger Snaps

2 c. Sugar

1 1/2 c. Oil

2 Eggs

1/2 c. Molasses

4 c. Flour

4 t. Baking Soda

1 T. Ginger

2 t. Cinnamon

1 t. Salt

In a bowl combine sugar and oil, add eggs, then molasses. 

In a separate bowl combine flour, soda, ginger, cinnamon, and salt.  Add to wet mixture and mix well. 

Roll dough into 2in. balls and roll in sugar.  Bake 350 for 10 - 12 min.
Makes about 3 dozen.

Jordan

Christmas Cookie Countdown

Today starts our Christmas Cookie Countdown!  And to start us out are these yummy looking shortbead!  Thanks for sending them in girls!

It's not too late to send in your favorite Christmas cookies!  Send to the e-mail address above with a pic. and your name and I'll be sure to post it this week!  :)

Jordan

 Here is one of our dad's favourite Christmas goodies.

                              

Traditional Shortbread

                           

1 1/3C. corn starch

1 1/3 C. powdered sugar

2/23 C. flour

 2 C. butter

 Sift together corn starch, powdered sugar, and flour with a wooden spoon, blend in butter until soft and smooth.Press into a 9 x13 pan Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 min. or until lightly browned.  These are nice and tender and buttery!

Elizabeth & Rachel M.   MN

Recipe Thursday

<-----  There's a new poll to the left!

My mom LOVES chocolate rice krispies.  So I whipped these up yesterday afternoon and they are REALLY yummy!

->>> Double Chocolate Krispies <<<-

Ingredients:

3 T. Butter

10 oz. Bag Marshmallows

6 c. Chocolate Rice Krispies

1/2 c. Mini Chocolate Chips

Sprinkles

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.  Add marshmallows, stir constantly until melted. 

Remove form heat.  Add cereal and stir til well blended.

Let cool for 1-2 min.  While waiting grease a 13x9 pan.

Mix chocolate chips in to rice krispies.  Press into 13x9.

Sprinkle top with sprinkles and chocolate chips.  Let cool completely, cut and serve!

Enjoy!

Jordan