Baumgartner Cooking

katie's dessert

2011-02-14T22:44:00.000-08:00

**This is like three desserts in one; brownies, marshmallows and peanut butter/chocolate rice krispie treats. YUM!

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
6 Tbs. baking cocoa
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
1 7oz. jar marshmallow creme
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups (12 oz.) chocolate chips
3 cups rice krispies

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar; add eggs and beat well. Stir in cocoa, flour, vanilla and salt. Spread in a 9x13 pan and bake for 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven (do NOT overcook the brownies); let cool. Spread marshmallow creme over cooled brownies. In a medium saucepan, melt peanut butter and chocolate chips, stirring constantly on low heat. Remove from heat and stir in rice krispies; spread over marshmallow layer. Chill before cutting and store in the refrigerator. (These taste best cold, straight from the fridge.)

From: Katie Curtis

S'mores Pie

2010-12-26T12:05:00.000-08:00

**This was a little too much chocolate for me; next time I am going to make half the amount of chocolate filling.
**I accidentally added the vanilla during the boiling process of the marshmallow topping, but it turned out fine.

Graham Cracker Crust
5 Tbs melted butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 Tbs sugar
1/8 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350. Stir together all ingredients and press evenly on bottom and up sides of pie plate. Bake until crisp, 12-15 minutes; cool on a rack until room temperature.

Chocolate Cream Filling
7 oz bittersweet chocolate (no more than 70% cacao, not unsweetened)
1 cup heavy cream
1 egg, at room temperature
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350. Finely chop chocolate; put in bowl. Bring cream just to a boil; pour on top of chocolate and let sit one minute. Gently whisk mixture until chocolate is melted. Gently whisk in egg and pinch of salt until combined; pour into graham cracker pie crust. Cover pie edges with pie shield or tin foil and bake about 25 minutes, or until pie center is softly set. Cool pie to room temperature.

Marshmallow Topping
1 tsp unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup cold water, separated
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp vanilla

Sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup cold water in kitchenaid bowl and let stand until softened, about one minute. Boil together remaining 1/4 cup water, sugar, corn syrup and salt over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then boil until candy thermometer registers 260 (soft ball). Begin beating water and gelatin mixture on medium speed; slowly pour in hot syrup (avoid beaters and side of bowl as it will harden). When all of the syrup is incorporated, increase speed to high, beating until mixture is thick and has tripled in volume, about 5 minutes. Add vanilla and beat until combined. Then spoon marshmallow on top of pie. Chill uncovered one hour, then cover with greased tin foil and chill 3 more hours.

Preheat broiler. Put pie on baking sheet (use pie shield or tinfoil for the edges) and place under broiler, rotating as necessary, until marshmallow topping is golden brown.

Cool pie on rack for 10 minutes. Slice pie with large, heavy knife dipped in hot water; dry knife with towel before cutting each slice.

From here

Pasta Salad

2010-10-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

So mom bought some festive ravioli and I had to plan a dish around it - I'm quite proud of what I came up with! This is the most creative license I've ever taken while cooking...which obviously I don't do a lot. I essentially took the tomato dressing recipe from here and then just added in other ingredients that I liked, and it turned out really yummy! Aside from the sun-dried tomatoes and olive oil measurements, the others measurements can easily be adjusted for likes/preferences. Add/take away ingredients as wanted.

1 large package small ravioli or tortellini
1 large jar sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil
1 cup olive oil
1 heaping Tbs. minced garlic
basil
3/4 cup toasted pine nuts
2-3 broccoli crowns
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese + extra

Boil pasta according to directions; drain, rinse under cold water, and let cool. Using a food processor (or a blender), pulse together tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and basil. Refrigerate while preparing the other ingredients. Toast pine nuts; cool. Steam broccoli for about 5 minutes (so it's still somewhat firm); cool. In a large bowl, toss together pasta, tomato dressing, pine nuts, broccoli and cheese. Sprinkle extra cheese over top, refrigerate and serve chilled.

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

2010-09-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

Roll Dough:
1/4 cup warm water
1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) yeast
1/3 cup warm milk
1 large egg, beaten
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 Tbs melted butter
3 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (I didn't have, so I didn't use)

Filling:
1 stick butter
2/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon each of allspice and ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves

Cream Cheese Frosting:
4 ounces cream cheese
1 stick butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon lemon juice (I didn't have, so I just used milk instead)
2-3 cups powdered sugar

Combine yeast and warm water; let activate. Add 2 cups flour and remaining dough ingredients. Beat for 2 minutes. Gradually add remaining flour until it's stiff enough to knead. Knead dough until smooth and elastic (either by hand or using the dough hook on Kitchen Aid). Keep dough in bowl and let rise for 1 hour, or until double.

Punch down dough and roll out into long rectange on a floured surface. Combine filling ingredients and spread over dough. Roll dough into a log the long way. Slice the log into 12 slices. Place into either greased 9x13 pan or two greased round cake pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

For frosting, beat all ingredients except powdered sugar until smooth and combined. Beat in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, until desired consistency.

From here

Pesto

2010-09-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

4 cloves fresh garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
2 cups firmly packed basil leaves (thick stems removed)
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
1-2 Tbs. grated romano cheese (optional)
scant 1/2 tsp. salt

Place the garlic cloves and olive oil in blender. Top with the basil leaves and pine nuts. Cover and puree the mixture until basil has become thoroughly chopped. Add the cheeses and salt and continue to blend until the mixture is almost completely smooth.

Scrape into desired container and refrigerate (for up to 3 weeks) or freeze.

Twice Baked Potatoes

2010-09-01T12:31:00.000-07:00

Wash potatoes, poke at bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 45-60 minutes.

Let potatoes cool slightly; cut off the top 1/3 of each potato. Scoop the insides of potatoes into a bowl (keep the skins). Mash cheese (3 Tbs. per potato), milk (2 Tbs. per potato), salt and pepper (to taste) to potatoes (while potatoes are still warm).

Put mashed potatoes back into potato skins. Place in baking dish, sprinkle cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

From Diana Baumgartner

Chicken Kiev

2010-09-01T12:19:00.001-07:00

8 chicken breast halves
3 Tbs. butter
3 Tbs. grated cheddar cheese (or more)
2 tsp. minced onion
8 thin slices ham
8 slices muenster or swiss cheese
1/4 cup melted butter
1 cup crushed cheddar crackers

Pound each chicken breast until flat. Brush with melted butter. Top each chicken breast with onion, salt, ham, grated cheddar and sliced muenster. Roll up chicken, dip in melted butter and roll in cracker crumbs.

Place chicken on baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

From Jan Baumgartner

Dutch Babies

2010-09-01T12:17:00.001-07:00

Melt 1/3 cup butter in 9x13" baking dish.

Combine:
4 eggs
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1 Tsb. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

Pour batter into baking dish; bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

From Amy Baumgartner

No Bake Cookies

2010-09-01T12:13:00.000-07:00

2 cups sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup milk
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter

Bring ingredients to a boil on the stove; add:
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups oatmeal

Drop spoonfulls on wax paper or tinfoil; cool completely.

From Lisa Bohman

Nancy J's Sugar Cookies

2010-09-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Beat together above ingredients; mix in:

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Chill 1 hour. Roll out dough and cut into shapes.

Bake at 400 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet for 6-8 minutes.

From Nancy Johnson

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-09-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

3 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup margerine, melted
1/2 cup Crisco
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup chocolate chips

Combine margerine, crisco, eggs, vanilla and sugars. Combine baking soda with salta nd 1 1/4 cup flour. Mix into wet ingredients. Add last 2 cups of flour one at a time while mixing. (I add a few extra Tbs. of flour)

Bake at 375 degrees for 13 minutes.

From Amy Baumgartner

Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake

2010-08-31T21:14:00.000-07:00

2 cups flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups applesauce

Mix 1st four ingredients. Add oil; mix. Add eggs; mix. Add applesauce; mix.

Pour batter into a 9x13" pan. Sprinkle 3/4cup-1cup brown sugar over top. Sprinkle 3/4 chocolate chips over brown sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

From Jan Baumgartner

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-08-31T21:10:00.000-07:00

Cream together:
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
16 oz. canned pumpkin
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup Crisco

Add:
4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
dash nutmeg (optional)

Add dry ingredients slowly to wet ingredients until well combined. Add up to a 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips; mix.

Drop by teaspoonfulls onto an ungreased baking stone or sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Reese's Peanut Butter Squares

2010-08-31T21:07:00.000-07:00

1 envelope crushed graham crackers
3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup butter, melted
2 cups chocolate chips (preferably milk chocolate)

Combine melted butter with graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter and powdered sugar. Mix together and pat into 9x13" pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips onto mixture. Place in oven at 250 degrees until chocolate can be spread. Take out of oven and spread chocolate to cover pan. Let cool; cut into bars.

Veda's Rolls

2010-08-31T21:03:00.000-07:00

Melt 1 cup butter with 1 cup milk. Mix 1 pkg (2 1/4 tsp) and 1 Tablespoon sugar with 1/4 cup water in another bowl. After the yeast has activated, add the cooled milk mixture, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tsp salt. Add 4 cups flour.

Let sit on the counter overnight (or for several hours). Roll the dough out into a circle (you may need to add more flour). Cut into 16" wedges and roll into crescent rolls. Let rise several hours.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

For cinnamon rolls:
Roll dough into a rectangle. Cover with butter, sugar and cinnamon. Roll up into log; cut into circles. Continue as follows above.

From Veda Leavitt

Tarts

2010-08-31T21:01:00.001-07:00

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour

Combine ingredients; form dough to tart shells. Bake at 350-375 degrees on bottom shelf 5-10 minutes or until golden brown.

From Jan Baumgartner

Teddy Bear Cookies

2010-08-31T20:46:00.000-07:00

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate, melted (I've also just used cocoa powder)

Heat oven to 375. Combine sugar, butter, egg and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder and salt.

Divide dough in half; combine half of dough with baking chocolate. (Or add a little bit of cocoa
until dough becomes chocolate-looking.)

For each teddy bear, form a portion of either color dough into a large ball for a body, a medium ball for a head, four small balls for arms/legs, two smaller balls for ears, and one small ball for nose. If desired, add additional balls for eyes and mouth. Repeat with remaining dough, making either vanilla or chocolate bears or mixing the doughs to make two-toned bears. (Flatten balls as you assemble the bears.)

Bake for 7-8 minutes or until body is set. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet and cool completely.

From here

Butterfinger Cookies

2010-08-31T20:43:00.000-07:00

1 1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
3/4 cup sugar
2 small butterfinger bars, cut into small pieces

Cream butter and sugar together; beat in eggs. Sift dry ingredients, sprinkle over small pieces of butterfigers (or lightly toss) and combine with wet mixture. Chill.

Drop by teaspoonfulls on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 12 minutes.

From Nancy Johnson

Let Them Eat Cake!

2010-07-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

For five weeks I hosted "Cake Night," where I would bake a cake and people would come eat it. Here are the cakes (and links to the recipes):

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Mom's Birthday Cake

Graham Streusel Coffee Cake

(So I made this cake twice; at first I attempted to make it into rounds so it would look better, but it just crumbled and didn't work. So I barely had the second one baked in time...and only got an after picture, but it doesn't matter because it wasn't a pretty cake anyway. But it sure tasted good!)

Rainbow Cake

Spinach and Proscuitto Grilled Cheese

2010-07-12T17:04:00.000-07:00

I saw Giada make this on the Food Network so I decided to try it. But I didn't follow the directions exactly since I didn't have a food processor on hand, and I had proscuitto not pancetta. I also halved the recipe. Take a look at the link if you want the original recipe.

4 pieces proscuitto
4 Tbs. butter (can probably use less)
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. oil
1 cup packed chopped baby spinach
bread

Bake proscuitto at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes, until crispy and brown. Remove from oven and place proscuitto on paper towel to drain and cool.

Combine softened butter, cheese, oil, and spinach. Spread mixture onto a slice of bread - top with one slice of crumbled proscuitto. Top with another piece of bread. Grill on panini grill/press (I just used my George Foreman) until cheeses are melted.

Makes approximately four sandwiches.

From here

Martha's Mac and Cheese

2010-06-01T19:05:00.000-07:00

Diana found this recipe and we made it this weekend - it was quite yummy! The website says that it was adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe. We found that it made double the amount of sauce that we needed, so we might try halving it next time.

8 Tbs unsalted butter, plus more for casserole
6 slices white bread, crust removed, torn into 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces
5 1/2 cups whole milk (we used skim and it still turned out yummy)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp coarse salt (we used regular table salt), plus more for water
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (left out because we didn't have any - again, turned out fine)
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
4 1/2 cups (about 18oz) grated sharp white cheddar cheese (ours was sharp yellow cheddar)
2 cups (about 8oz) grated Gruyere cheese
1 lb elbow macaroni

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish (we used a 9x13 pan); set aside. Place the bread in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 Tbs butter. Pour the melted butter into the bowl with the bread, and toss. Set the breadcrumbs aside.

Warm the milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt the remaining 6 Tbs. butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When the butter bubbles, add the flour. Cook, whisking, 1 minute.

While whisking slowly pour in the hot milk, a little at a time to keep mixture smooth. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick, 10-12 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar cheese, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere; set the cheese sauce aside.

Cover a large pot of salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook the macaroni until the outside of the pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone, 3-5 minutes. Transfer the macaroni to a colander and drain well. Stir the macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.

Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere, and the breadcrumbs on top. Bake until golden brown, about 30-35 minutes. Transfer the dish to a wire rack for 5 minutes; serve.

From here

German Baked Eggs

2010-05-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

I got this recipe from Trudy, a co-worker of mine, who made it for a breakfast function. I tried some and it was delicious, so I asked her for the recipe! She said "I use slightly less butter in the casserole dish than the recipe says...but the butter helps it get golden brown on top."

1 lb. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
12 eggs
1/2 cup melted butter, put into 9"x13" pan
2 cups small-curd cottage cheese
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder

Slightly beat eggs, then add flour and remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until a knife comes out clean in center. Eggs should be firm and lightly brown on top.

**In discussing this recipe with another co-worker, she suggested adding maybe some meat or vegetables. I haven't tried it, but I'm sure it would be good!

Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-05-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

At the suggestion of those that commented on this recipe, the tip to make a good, soft cookie doesn't depend on butter or margarine; it is the extra egg yolk and you're supposed to refrigerate the dough for approximately an hour before baking. It worked pretty well! I also liked this recipe because you melt the butter; it's always difficult/annoying to me to try to soften the butter or wait for it to soften to the right consistency.

2 cups all-purpose flour (I added about 1/2 cup more)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (I used margarine)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 Tbs vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (I used about 1 1/2 cups)

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
2. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt
3. Cream together melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk until light and creamy. Mix in sifted ingredients until just well blended. Stir in chocolate chips by hand.
4. Drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time onto greased cookie sheet (I used an ice cream scoop). Cookies should be about 3 inches apart.
5. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until edges are lightly toasted (Mine took about 20-25 minutes). Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

**Other reviews I read said that these cookies were very forgiving and you could stick them back in the oven to bake more after they cooled (in case they weren't done). I had to do that with one of my batches, and they turned out fine!

From here

Chinese Chicken Wraps

2010-05-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

Feeds 6-8 people
1 large lettuce (we use 1/ 1/2) washed and separated (set aside)
4 chicken breasts (crock pot with teriyaki sauce 2-3 hours on high, 4-6 on low) then shred
6 green onions finely chopped
1 1/2 C slivered almonds
2 Tbl. sesame seeds (toasted optional)
2 pkg ramen noddles crumbled
1 large can mandarin oranges

Dressing:
1/4 vinegar (cider or white)
1/4 cup oil
2 Tb. sugar
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp pepper
Mix in small serving bowl

In large bowl mix chicken, nuts, seeds, noodles, onions, and oranges

To serve: spoon chicken mixture onto lettuce leaf, top with a little dressing, wrap and eat...yum!

Homemade Brownies

2010-04-27T16:06:00.000-07:00

My co-worker Anna Marie brought these to the staff meeting last week, and they were quite yummy, so I asked her for the recipe. She said it was her mother's recipe and that they were "blue ribbon" brownies. Yum!

Melt over hot water:
4 squares unsweetened chocolate
2/3 cup wesson oil
Beat in:
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
Sift together and stir in:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Bake 30-35 minutes in a 9x13 pan at 350 degrees.

Strawberry Shortcake

2010-04-26T14:24:00.000-07:00

I had this at my friend Beth's birthday party and it was the best shortcake I've ever had!!!

3 c sugar
1/2 lb butter
1/2 c shortening
5 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
3 c flour
3/4 c evaporated milk
1/4 c water
3 tsp almond extract

Cream sugar, butter and shortening. Add eggs and salt. Cream well. Add remaining ingredients.

Pour into a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 40 minutes.

When cake has cooled, top with cool whip and sliced strawberries.

Bran Muffins

2010-04-24T20:05:00.000-07:00

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups wheat bran
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
6 tablespoons molasses
2 cups buttermilk
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease muffin pans or line with paper cups.
In a large bowl, combine all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, wheat bran, salt and baking soda. Add molasses, buttermilk, egg and butter; stir just to moisten. Scoop batter into prepared muffin pans. Cups should be 2/3 to 3/4 full.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

From here

Cheesy Potatoes

2010-04-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

2 oz bag of frozen shredded hash browns
2 (10 3/4 oz) cans Cream of Chicken Soup
2 cups Sour Cream
1 1/2 cup grated Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup melted butter or margarine
1/2 c. chopped onion

In a saucepan sautee onions in butter until onions are translucent. Add cream of chicken soup, sour cream and cheese; heat until melted. Grease 9x13 or casserole dish. Alternate layers of hash browns and soup mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

From Jan Baumgartner

Break the Fast Miracle Bars

2010-03-07T19:35:00.000-08:00

2 C oats
1 ¾ C brown sugar
1 ½ C flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ t baking soda
1 C margarine or butter, softened
½ C chopped nuts (I usually never add these)
2 C chocolate chips (I think the Nestle Toll House ‘mini’ ones work perfectly)
1 egg
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 C creamy peanut butter

Mix oats, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and softened butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs (I use a pastry cutter or 2 knives)

For topping stir together 1 ¾ C of crumb mixture, nuts, and chocolate chips. Set aside.
For crust stir egg into remaining crumb mixture. Press into bottom of an ungreased 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking pan (I just use a 9 x 13 inch pan). Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes

For filling, stir together sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter. Pour over partially baked crust and then sprinkle the topping mixture on top. Bake for 12-15 minutes more.

These taste DELICIOUS fresh from the oven, but only if you’re OK ‘scooping’ into a bowl, eating with a fork, and don’t care about beauty/presentation. If you’re actually serving these to someone else this is what you do (and while time consuming it’s totally worth it!):
• Let the pan cool completely and cut into bars or squares.
• Remove from the pan with a spatula and place separately onto a sheet of waxed paper so that the bars are not touching each other.
• Cover with a kitchen towel or another sheet of waxed paper and let sit overnight (or all day). This allows the bars to ‘solidify’ so that they won’t fall apart when eaten.

From Diana

Anne Sherry's Sugar Topped Muffins

2010-01-30T14:26:00.000-08:00

1 C flour (1/2 white and 1/2 whole wheat) I always just use white flour
1 C rolled oats
3/4 C brown sugar
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 egg
3/4 C milk
1/2 C chopped nuts I never add nuts
1/3 C oil

Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients. Mix both together. Sprinkle each muffin with cinnamon and sugar before baking.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12-18 minutes.

From Kim Greenfield

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

2010-01-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

4 pieces (squares) semi-sweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 whole eggs
2 whole egg yolks
6 Tbs flour
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 Tbs sugar

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray 4 custard cups with cooking spray and place on cookie sheet.

Microwave chocolate and butter in bowl about 1 minute, until butter is melted. Whisk until chocolate is also melted.

Stir in sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour.

Divide between cups.

Bake 13-14 minutes until sides are firm and center is soft. Let stand 1 minute.

Combine sugar and heavy cream until stiff.

Invert cakes on dishes and top with whipped cream.

From here

Mashed Potatoes

2010-01-01T19:59:00.001-08:00

**This seems simple and obvious, but I just wanted to put this on here so my posterity would know how my mother made mashed potatoes.

Peel and dice potatoes; boil until tender. Mash in kitchenaid blender with whisk attachment; add enough milk to make it creamy.

From: Jan Baumgartner

Quincy's Potatoes

2010-01-01T19:56:00.000-08:00

6 potatoes
1 cup sour cream
3 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mozerella cheese
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Boil potatoes.

Beat in all ingredients (cheddar being the last).

Put in casserole dish and bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

(Can be prepared ahead of time, refrigerated and reheated.)

From: Kim Greenfield('s friend Quincy)

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

2009-12-27T15:30:00.000-08:00

This is quite possibly the best cake I've ever made/eaten!
**It made a ton of filling, so I would only make half of the recommended amount. I also only chilled it for a couple of hours, not overnight.
**I used normal store-bought peanut butter and it was fine.
**I reduced the amount of cream cheese in the frosting to 8oz.
**I also just used two round cake pans instead of three - it increased the baking time by about 30 minutes.

Filling
2 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
12 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/2 cup old-fashioned (natural) chunky peanut butter
Cake
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup old-fashioned (natural) chunky peanut butter
1 pound golden brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
Frosting
1 1/2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar, divided
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
Butterfinger candy bars, coarsely chopped

For filling:
Bring cream and sugar to simmer in saucepan, whisking to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; let stand 1 minute. Whisk until smooth. Whisk in peanut butter. Chill uncovered overnight.
For cake:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottoms with parchment paper. Sift first 4 ingredients into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and peanut butter in large bowl until blended. Beat in sugar. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla. At low speed, beat in flour mixture in 4 additions alternately with buttermilk in 3 additions.
Divide batter among pans and spread evenly. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cakes 5 minutes. Turn out onto racks; peel off parchment. Cool cakes completely.
For frosting:
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese, 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Whisk whipping cream and 3/4 cup powdered sugar in bowl until mixture holds medium-firm peaks. Fold into cream cheese mixture in 3 additions; chill until firm but spreadable, about 1 hour.
Place 1 cake layer, bottom side up, on 9-inch tart pan bottom. Spread with half of filling. Place another layer, bottom side up, on work surface. Spread with remaining filling; place atop first layer. Top with remaining cake layer, bottom side up.
Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome; chill. Let stand at room temperature 2 hours before continuing.) Press candy onto top of cake.

From here

Creamy Basil Chicken Soup

2009-12-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 whole Carrot, Peeled And Shredded
12 loaves Basil, Chopped, Or 2 Tablespoons Dried
¼ cups Diced Onion
32 ounces, fluid Chicken Broth
4 pieces Chicken Breasts, Trimmed Of Fat
8 ounces, weight Cream Cheese, Melted
1 pint Heavy Cream Or Half-and-Half
2 cups Cooked Noodles Or Rice
1 container Fresh Grated Parmesan, To Garnish

In a skillet, stir fry carrots, basil, and onions in extra virgin olive oil until onions are faintly brown and aromatic.

In a soup pot or crock pot, add veggies, chicken broth and chicken.

On the stovetop, bring soup to a full boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, until chicken is cooked. Or, in a crock pot, cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

Just before serving, melt cream cheese in the microwave or on the stovetop until melted all the way through, and mix well into the broth with cream or half-and-half.

Serve soup over 1/2 cup cooked rice or noodles in the bottom of the bowl.

Garnish with fresh Parmesan and serve with extra bread on the side for dipping!

**I used fresh basil and it was delicious! I doubt dried would taste that good.
**We added a roux at the end to make the soup thicker.
**Next time I would add more carrots.

From here

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

2009-10-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

Dough
1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup margarine, melted
4 1/2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Filling
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, softened

Frosting
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk in a large bowl. Mix in the sugar, margarine, salt, and eggs. Add flour and mix well. Knead the dough into a large ball, using your hands dusted lightly with flour. Put in a bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

After the dough has doubled in size turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.

Roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. Spread dough with 1/3 cup butter and sprinkle evenly with sugar/cinnamon mixture. Roll up dough and cut into 12 rolls. Place rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Bake rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Spread frosting on warm rolls before serving.

**While kneading the dough yourself offers some sort of accomplishment, I have found that using the dough hook on my kitchenaid does a fine job as well...and is faster...and easier.

From here

Cheese Soup

2009-09-09T21:31:00.000-07:00

1/2 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup butter or margerine
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 quart milk, heated
1 quart chicken stock, heated
3/4 cup diced carrots, cooked
3/4 cup diced celery, cooked
1 cup (+) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
chopped parsley
crumbled bacon

Saute onion in melted butter until transparent but not brown (5 to 10 minutes). Add flour, cornstarch, paprika, salt and pepper. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. Add milk and chicken stock and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Puree cooked vegetables. Add them to milk mixture. Taste to correct seasonings. Just before serving, stir in shredded cheese. Garnish with parsley and bacon. Amount of vegetable may be increased if thicker soup is desired.

From Jan Baumgartner

Pasta with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

2009-09-07T11:09:00.000-07:00

(This is from the Pioneer Woman's website [link below]. You'd think it would be a spicy dish, but it's actually more of a sweet sauce. I like to use it with cheese tortellini.)

3 red bell peppers
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1/2 medium onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup heavy cream
Flat leaf parsley, finely minced
Fresh Parmesan, shaved or grated
1/2 to 1 pound pasta: orecchiette, penne, fusilli, etc.

Roast red peppers, then place in a Ziploc bag to allow to sweat. Peel the charred skins from the peppers, then removed seeds. Set aside.
Lightly toast pine nuts in a skillet. Set aside.
Puree peppers with pine nuts. Set aside.
Cook pasta according to package directions.
In a skillet or pot over medium heat, drizzle in olive oil. Add diced onions and garlic and cook until soft. Pour in pepper puree and stir together. Add plenty of salt.
Pour in cream and stir to combine. Taste and add more salt, if necessary. Add cooked pasta, then stir together.
Place pasta into a bowl, top with chopped parsley and plenty of shaved Parmesan.

From here

Fruit Salad

2009-09-06T14:40:00.000-07:00

Strawberries
Grapes
Bananas
Apples
Kiwi
Peach Yogurt

Cut up fruit and toss together with peach yogurt.

From Laura Kirk

Broccoli Chicken Crepes

2009-06-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

12 crepes
2 c. cooked chicken
1 (10 oz.) pkg. broccoli
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 c. Swiss cheese
1 1/2 c. milk
Paprika

Cook broccoli and set aside. Melt butter. Blend in flour, salt, and nutmeg. Add milk, cook and stir until thick and bubbly, 2 minutes. Add Swiss cheese and cook until melted. Set aside. Combine chicken, broccoli, and 1 cup cheese sauce. Spoon 1/4 cup filling along center of unbrowned side of crepes. Roll and place seam in pan. Pour remaining cheese sauce over and sprinkle with paprika. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

**I didn't have any swiss cheese so I used shredded parmesan cheese instead and it was quite tastsy.

From here

Crepes

2009-06-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

2 eggs
1 cup milk
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil

In a blender combine eggs, milk, flour, salt and oil. Process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brush with oil. Pour 1/4 cup of crepe batter into pan, tilting to completely coat the surface of the pan. Cook 2 to 5 minutes, turning once, until golden. Repeat with remaining batter.

From here

Cheese and Herb Stuffed Chicken

2009-01-01T19:00:00.000-08:00

2 whole medium chicken breasts (1 1/2 lbs) skinned, boned and halved
5 oz pkg Boursin cheese, garlic and herbs, softened
1 T flour
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup snipped parsley
1/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
2 T margerine
2 T grated parmesan

Place each chicken breast half boned side up between 2 pieces of clear plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat mallet, pound lightly to form 5 1/2" square.

In a small bowl beat cheese and flour until smooth. Stir in carrot, walnut and half of the parsley. Place 1/4 cheese mixture on each chicken half. Fold in two sides and roll up chicken jelly-roll style. Press edges to seal.

Combine parsley, bread crumbs and parmesan.

Brush chicken with melted butter, roll in coating. Place seam side down on wire rack in 8x8x2 dish. Sprinkle with remaining coating mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes until golden brown.

Manicotti

2009-01-01T18:56:00.000-08:00

1 large can 15 oz tomato sauce
1 pkg manicotti shells

Mix together:
1/2 lb ground beef
2 T chopped parsley
1 tsp minced onion
1/4 tsp whole oregano
1 cup cottage cheese
2 cloves garlic
2 cups jack cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan

Pour 1/2 can tomato sauce and a little water into a 2 qt shallow baking dish. Stuff shells. Place in dish and cover with remaining sauce. Cover with foil . Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Remove foil and cover with cheese. Return to oven for 10 more minutes.

From Jan Baumgartner

Lasagna

2009-01-01T18:52:00.000-08:00

Meat Sauce
1 lb ham or sausage - brown and drain
1 clove minced garlic
1 T basil
1 tsp salt
1 lb can tomato paste

Combine and simmer 30 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally

Cook noodles

Cheese Filling
3 cups cottage cheese, uncreamed
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup cheddar cheese
2 T parsley
2 unbeaten eggs
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

1 lb mozzerella grated cheese

Layer
1/2 noodles
1/2 cheese mixture
1/2 mozzerella cheese
1/2 meat sauce
repeat

(it doesn't say but I assume you'd bake it in the oven...325-350 until bubbly???)

Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

From Jan Baumgartner

Meat and Vegetable Balls

2009-01-01T18:48:00.000-08:00

1 lb ground meat
2 eggs
4 grated carrots
4 T gr. celery
1 T minced onion
1/4 cup bread crumbs

Mix and shape into approximately 15 small balls. Brown and simmer with 1 can tomato soup and 1 can water.

From Mary Williams

Banana Bread

2009-01-01T18:44:00.000-08:00

5 large ripe bananas
4 eggs
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
1 cup walnuts (optional)
4 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

Beat bananas to a liquid, add eggs. Cream together shortening and sugar. Add banana/egg mixture. Add walnuts. Pour into 2 well-greased loaf tins.

Bake at 250 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

From Olive Fagg

Finnish Pulla

2008-12-30T22:26:00.000-08:00

1Tb dry yeast
1/2 C warm water
2 C milk
1 C sugar
1 tsp salt
1 Tb cardemumma
4 eggs, beaten
9 C bread flour
1/2 c butter

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, sugar, salt, cardemumma, eggs and two cups flour to make batter. Beat until smooth. Add three more cups of flour and beat until smooth and glossy. Add butter and stir well. beat until dough is glossy. Stir in remaining flour until dough forms a stiff ball.

Turn out onto floured surface and let rest for 15 min. Knead until smooth and elastic. Put into greased bowl and allow to rise in warm place until double. Punch down and again rise until double. *

Turn out and divide into three parts. Further divide each of these into three parts. Make long strips of equal length and twist these into a braid. Tuck ends under. Put braids onto a lightly greased cookie sheet and let rise 20 min. Glaze the loaves by brushing with beaten egg and if desired, crushed sugar and/or almonds. Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 30 minutes. Should be light and golden brown. Do not overbake or it will be too dry.

*I have skipped the second rise and instead allowed the dough to rise 2 1/2 to 3 times and it turned out fine.

From Kim's primary president who served her mission in Finland

Breakfast Casserole

2008-12-30T22:24:00.000-08:00

1 lb. sliced bacon, diced
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
6 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups small curd cottage cheese
1 1/4 cups shredded swiss cheese
Cook bacon and onion until bacon is crisp; drain.

In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; stir in bacon mixture. Transfer to a greased 9x13x2 inch baking dish.

Bake, uncovered at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until set and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

From Kim's friend Cindy's friend Laurie

Broccoli Bacon Quiche

2008-11-30T19:57:00.000-08:00

1 unbaked pie crust
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
1 1/2 cups broccoli
1/4 cup shredded or pieced bacon
Seasonings to taste

While steaming broccoli, place pie crust in 9" pie pan. Whisk together eggs and milk. Add spices/seasonings as desired. Place steamed broccoli in pie crust. Sprinkle shredded cheese and bacon on top of broccoli. Pour in egg/milk mixture. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until quiche is firm in middle.

**The measurements for cheese, broccoli and bacon are all estimates...add more/less for preference. Could substitute broccoli/bacon for any other vegetable(s)/meat(s) as desired.

Soft Caramels

2008-11-26T22:04:00.000-08:00

(they will melt in your mouth and won't stick to your teeth)

2 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 cups light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter

Butter a 9-inch square baking pan; set aside. In a 1-quart saucepan, combine cream and milk.
Place over low heat and let warm but do not allow to boil while cooking sugar.
In a 4-quart saucepan, combine corn syrup, water and sugar. Place over high heat and stir with a wooden spoon until well-mixed.
If sugar crystals are present, wash down sides of te pan with a wet pastry brush.

Clip on candy thermometer. Reduce heat to medium. Bring to a boil and cook to 250F (120C) or hard ball stage. stir in butter and warm cream-milk mixutre. Temperature will decrease. Stirring constantly, continue cooking over medium heat until thermometer reaches 244F (120C) or firm-ball stage. Pour into prepared pan. Cool overnight. Cut in 1 inch squares. Wrap in waxed paper of dip in tempered chocolate. Makes 81 pieces.

From Emily Veenendaal

30 Minute Caramels

2008-11-26T22:00:00.000-08:00

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1-1/2 cups light corn syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon salt

Butter a 9-inch square baking pan; set aside.
In a heavy 4-quart squcepan, combine milk, corn syrup, sugars, butter and salt.
Place over medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until mixture comes to a boil.
Clip on candy thermometer. Stirring constantly to prevent scorching, cook to 240F (115C) or soft-ball stage.
Pour into prepared pan.
Cool at room temperature until firm. Cut into 1-inch squares. Wrap in waxed paper or dip in tempered chocolate. Makes 81 pieces. Variation=add 1 cup nuts before pouring into cooling pan.

From Emily Veenendaal

Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies

2008-09-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cup flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

3 Tbs sugar
3 tsp cinnamon

Combine butter, sugar and eggs; mix well. Add dry ingredients. Chill dough for 10-15. Combine 3 Tbs sugar and 3 tsp cinnamon in bowl. Roll dough into balls and coat in sugar/cinnamon mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

From here

Orange Sherbet Salad

2008-08-03T23:32:00.000-07:00

1 pkg orange jello
1 cup boiling water
1 pint orange sherbet
1 can drained mandarin oranges
¾ cup crushed pineapple (undrained)

Dissolve jello in boiling water. Add sherbet and chill. When partially set, add oranges and pineapple. Mix and put in small flat pan to set or put in paper baking cups. Freeze.

From Jan Baumgartner

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie

2008-06-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup milk
1 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crusts

Beat together cream cheese and confectioners' sugar. Mix in peanut butter and milk. Beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.

Spoon into two 9 inch graham cracker pie shells; cover, and freeze until firm.

From allrecipes.com

Hamloaf

2008-05-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

1 lb ground ham
1 lb ground pork
2 eggs
1 cup bread crumbs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup cracker crumbs

Mix ingredients. Place in pan, spread over this mixture a topping made by mixing prepared mustard and brown sugar. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

From Jan Baumgartner

World's Greatest Apple Pie

2008-05-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

(see pie crust recipe)

6 or 7 tart apples + 1 tsp lemon juice
3/4 to 1 cup sugar
2 Tbs flour
1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon
dash of salt
dash of nutmeg

Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Mix with sliced apples. Put in 9" pie shell. Dot with butter. Sprinkle top with sugar. Bake at 400 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes.

From Jan Baumgartner

Pie Crust

2008-05-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

2 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup shortening
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup water

Mix 2 cups flour with shortening and salt with pastry blender until crumbly. Mix 1/4 cup water with 1/4 cup flour and add to flour mixture; mix and roll out into crust. If baking just the crust, bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

From Jan Baumgartner

Danish Aebleskivers

2008-05-27T19:53:00.000-07:00

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbs sugar
2 Tbs melted margerine
2 cups milk
2 eggs, separated

Mix together dry ingredients and set aside. Separate eggs and beat egg whites stiff, not dry. Combine milk, egg yolks and margerine; add to dry ingredients. Fold in beaten egg whites.

Use a heavy cast iron aebleskiver pan on medium heat. Put approximately 1 tsp oil in each hole. Pour batter in each indentation to level top. Use a thin knitting needle (or skewer) to turn, starting when bubbles appear. Continue turning to complete the ball. To test for doneness, insert needle, it will come out clean. Baking time: approximately 7-9 minutes.

From Scandanavian Festival

Lasagna Casserole

2008-05-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

1 lb ground beef
chopped onion
1/2 - 1 large can spaghetti sauce
1 tsp crushed oregano
fusilli, penne or farfalle pasta
1 small carton of cottage cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
3/4 lbs shredded mozzerella cheese

Brown beef with onion. Add spaghetti sauce and oregano; simmer 15 minutes. Cook pasta and drain. Mix noodles, meat sauce and rest of ingredients in large bowl. Put in casserole dish; sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350-375 degrees uncovered for 30 minutes or until heated through.

From Jan Baumgartner

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2008-05-25T22:43:00.000-07:00

4 chicken breast halves
2 15 oz. cans black beans, undrained
2 15 oz. cans mexican stewed tomatoes
1 cup salsa
1 4oz. can chopped green chilies
1 14 oz. can tomato sauce
tortilla chips
grated cheese

Combine all ingredients except chips and cheese in crockpot and cover. Cook on Low 8 hours. Just before serving, remove chicken breasts and slice into bite-sized pieces. Stir into soup.

Ladle soup into bowls; top with chips and cheese.

From Kelli Arnesen

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

2008-05-25T22:39:00.000-07:00

1 TBS butter or olive oil
1 small or medium onion, chopped
1 (4.5oz) can chopped green chiles, drained (optional)
1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened and cubed
3 ½ cups chicken breast, cooked and chopped/shredded
8 (8-in) flour tortillas
2 (8oz) packages Monterey Jack/Colby/or Fiesta blend shredded cheese
2 cups heavy whipping cream

Melt butter, or heat olive oil, in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add onion and sauté until translucent.
Add chiles, if desired, and sauté one minute.
Stir in chicken and cream cheese; stirring constantly until cream cheese is melted.
Spoon 2-3 TBS of chicken mixture down center of each tortilla.
Roll tortillas and place seam side down in a lightly greased 9x13 dish.
Cover with cheese.
Drizzle with whipping cream.
Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes.

From Kim Greenfield

Striped Delight

2008-05-25T22:38:00.000-07:00

35 Oreo chocolate sandwich cookies, finely crushed (about 3 cups)
6 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted
1pkg (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp cold milk
1 tub (12oz.) cool whip whipped topping, thawed and divided
3 1/4 cups cold milk
2 pkg (4-serving size each) jello-o chocolate flavor instant pudding & pie filling

MIX crushed cookies and butter in medium bowl. Press firmly onto bottom of 13x9 inch baking dish. Refrigerate 10 min.

BEAT cream cheese, sugar and 2 Tbsp milk in medium bowl with wire wisk until well blended. Gently stir in 1 1/4 cups of the whipped topping. Spread over crust.

POUR 3 1/4 cups milk into large bowl. Add pudding mixes. Beat with wire wisk 2 min. or until well blended. Pour over cream cheese layer. Let stand 5 min. or until thickened. Drop remaining whipped topping by spoonfuls over pudding; spread to cover pudding.

REFRIGERATE at least 4 hr. Cute into 24 squares. Store leftover dessert in refrigerator. Make 24 servings (1 square each).

Drizzle each plate with melted Baker's semi-sweet baking chocolate. Top each square with crushed candy canes (or other candy bar/chocolate).

From Kim Greenfield

Mom's Birthday Cake

2008-05-25T18:13:00.000-07:00

Bake chocolate cake in two round cake pans. Cool and cut into as many layers as possible. Frost inbetween each layer and on outside of the cake with whipped whipping cream or cool whip. Garnish with chocolate shavings.

From Mary Williams

Death By Chocolate Cake

2008-05-25T18:10:00.000-07:00

Cake
3 cups plain chocolate cake mix
5.6 oz instant chocolate pudding (powder)
9.6 oz Easy eggs (or just measure real eggs…same as 1 ¼ cups)
1 ¼ cup sour cream
4.8 oz water
4.8 oz oil
1 bag mini chocolate chips

Grease two 9” round pans really well. Bake at 350 degrees until cake bounces back when pocked (about 40 min). Freeze, then cut so there are 4 layers.

Frosting
1 ¼ cups milk chocolate chips (NOT semi-sweet)
.75 oz butter (I usually just do a little less than 2 TBS)
3.6 oz heavy whipping cream
1 8ounce tub of cool whip

Melt chocolate, butter, and cream. Fold in cool whip. Frost between every layer.

Tips:
-Use PLAIN chocolate cake mix and PLAIN chocolate pudding (if you use devils food or chocolate fudge or something, it turns out tasting too strong).
-The cake sticks to pans really easily, I would recommend taking them out of the pan to cool before wrapping them in plastic or tinfoil and freezing.
-You need to let the melted chocolate cool a little bit before you fold in the cool whip or else it will melt the cool whip (it kind of does it a little anyways, though and I like to refrigerate it a little before I frost the cakes).

From Kim Greenfield

Chicken Tortellini Soup

2008-05-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

Saute: 1/4 c. onion and 1/2 c. celery in 2 T. water

Stir in:
2 c. milk
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can chicken broth or 2 c. chicken broth
4 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and cut up
1/4 tsp. basil
1/8 tsp. pepper
garlic salt to taste

Heat above and add one package of frozen tortellini (or ravioli noodles are good too) and cook according to the package.

Optional additions: 1 shredded carrot, or steamed broccoli, or steamed zucchini, or corn

From Sara Ditto

Chocolate Rolo Cookies

2008-05-25T18:07:00.000-07:00

1 pkg chocolate cake mix
1 pkg (13 oz) Rolo chocolate caramel candies
1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine
1 egg

Mix cake mix, margarine and egg together. It will seem too dry but keep mixing. Form dough around a Rolo to make a ball, using just enough dough to cover the Rolo. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes. Do not over-bake. Makes about 2 dozen cookies

Turtle Cookies

2008-05-25T18:05:00.000-07:00

Cookies
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup margerine
4 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa (or 4 squares bitter chocolate)
2 tsp vanilla
Pour batter onto waffle iron and cook.

Frosting
Heat:
1/2 square chocolate
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
2 1/2 tsp butter
Remove from heat. Add powdered sugar to thicken.

From Jan Baumgartner

Sticky Popcorn

2008-05-25T18:03:00.000-07:00

1 C butter
1 C brown sugar
32 marshmallows or about half the bag of mini marshmellows
3 bags microwave popcorn or just a really big bowl of air poped.

Melt butter in sauce pan, add sugar and heat, add marshmellows and mix till all melted. Pour over popped popcorn.

From Amy Baumgartner

Chicken and Cheese Tortellini Casserole

2008-05-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

2 T butter
2 chicken breasts
4 oz frozen tortellini
4 oz Monterey Jack cheese
¼ cup onion
½ tablespoon chicken bouillon
½ cup chicken broth
¼ cup sour cream

Cook tortellini for 3 minutes. Drain and put in 9x9 baking dish.Sprinkle half of cheese over pasta. Cube chicken and stir with flour.Brown in butter. Layer over cheese. Cook onion in leftover butter. Addbullion, and broth and simmer five minutes. Add rest of cheese tosauce and stir. Add sour cream and pour over casserole. Bake for 20minutes at 350 degrees.(serves 2)

From This Blog

Flourless Chocolate Cake (Red Star Restaurant)

2008-05-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

1 1/4 lbs chocolate (shaved/chopped)
1/3 C cream
3/4 lbs butter
1 1/2 C sugar
1/2 C cocoa
9 eggs

Melt butter with cream until hot. Pour over shaved chocolate, mix until melted. Add cocoa; mix well. Temper in eggs (I think that means mix in one at a time by hand). Bake in baine marie (water bath) at 325 degree oven about 30 minutes until skewer comes out mostly clean (I baked it in a springform round pan it took a LONG time to bake--maybe 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The time above is if you're making small, individual cakes).

From Diana Baumgartner

Soft Molasses Cookies

2008-05-25T17:52:00.000-07:00

1 1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
4 1/2 cups flour
4 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt

Cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and molasses; mix well. Add dry ingredients; mix well. Roll into balls; roll in sugar. Bake at 375 on ungreased cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes.

**This recipe makes a lot of cookies; if you halve the recipe it's about the same as a normal batch of cookies.

From Andrea Simpson

Beef Stroganoff

2008-05-25T17:49:00.001-07:00

1 lb stew meat
1/3 cup water
1 pkg onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream

Put first three ingredients in crock pot and cook for 3-5 hours. Add cream of mushroom soup and sour cream; stir and cook another 20-30 minutes. Serve over egg noodles or rice.

From Fowler Family Blog

Chicken Curry

2008-05-25T17:46:00.001-07:00

2 lbs cut chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 tsp curry powder

Spray 9x13 dish with non-stick spray. Layer chicken in dish. Mix cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, parmesan cheese and curry powder in bowl. Spread over chicken; cover with foil. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Let stand without foil for 10 minutes. Serve with rice.

From Fowler Family Blog

Chicken Roll-Ups

2008-05-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

8 oz cream cheese
2 Tbs melted butter
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 tbs milk
1 Tbs chopped green onion
2 cups chicken
8 oz crescent rolls
3/4 crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs

Mix cream cheese, 1 Tbs butter and rest of ingredients through chicken. Spoon mixture into crescent rolls, roll in other Tbs butter, coat in cornflakes or breadcrumbs and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

From Tami Baumgartner

Caeser Salad

2008-05-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

1 clove garlic - halved
1/3 c olive oil
8 anchovie fillets, cut up (optional)
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dry mustard
freshly ground pepper
1 lrg or 2 small bunches of Romaine, washed + chilled
coddled egg**
1 lemon
croutons
1/3 c grated parmesan cheese (the grated is important so it mixes with the dressing, shredded won't.)
cooked chicken cubes or strips (optional)

Rub your serving bowl with the clove of garlic (I chopped up the rest and put it in the bottom)

Add other ingredients, through mustard, into the serving bowl and whisk to blend.

When you're ready to serve, tear up the Romaine into peives and toss in the dressing.

Break the coddled egg onto the Romaine, squeeze the lemon onto the Romaine. Toss again. Add croutons and cheese.

**Coddled egg
Place egg in boiling water. Turn off heat, cover, let stand 30 seconds. Cool egg in cold water. ( I st0art this very first so it's cool and ready by the time the salad's done.

From Rose-Ellen Farmer

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

2008-05-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

1 pkg active dry yeast¼ cup warm water
2 cups milk, scalded (this means…heat up until right before it boils…so there are little bubbles on top)
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
¼ cup shortening
5 ¾ to 6 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

Soften active dry yeast in warm water. Combine hot milk, sugar, salt, and shortening. Cool to lukewarm. Stir in 2 cups of the flour; beat well. Add the softened yeast; mix. Add enough of remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough. Turn out on lightly floured surface; knead till smooth and satiny (8 to 10 minutes). Shape in a ball; place in lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover; let rise in warm place till double (about 1 ¼ hours). Punch down.

Roll dough into two 15x7-inch rectangles. Combine ½ cup sugar with 1 Tbs cinnamon; spread half over each rectangle. Sprinkle 1 ½ teaspoons water over each. Roll into loaves. Place in 2 greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pans. Cover and let rise till double (45 to 60 minutes). Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes. Makes 2 loaves.

Sweet ‘n’ Sour Spareribs

2008-05-25T17:35:00.000-07:00

3 lb country style spare ribs (small and lean), 2” long
1 small chopped onion
¾ cup catsup
2 Tbs vinegar
2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbs soy sauce
½ cup white sugar
2 Tbs brown sugar
¾ cup pineapple juice

Separate ribs and place in shallow baking pan. Mix all ingredients together over stove and spread over ribs. Can place pineapple slices on top if desired. Cook for 2 1/3 – 3 hours at 325 degrees F.

From Jan Baumgartner

Frozen Strawberry Dessert

2008-05-25T17:19:00.000-07:00

Crust
Mix together:
½ cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup flour
½ cup nuts

Bake in 9x13 pan at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Remove from oven to cool.

Filling
Beat 1 cup whipping cream with 1 tsp sugar and place in fridge.
In large mixing bowl place:
10 oz (1 pkg) frozen strawberries
1 tsp lemon juice
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 egg whites

Beat for 20 minutes at high speed. Fold in whipped cream and spread on 2/3 of the crust mix. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 of crust mix on top and freeze.

From Jan Baumgartner

Peanut Butter Blossoms

2008-05-25T17:17:00.002-07:00

5 ¼ cup flour
3 tsp soda
1 ½ t salt
3 eggs
6 T milk
1 ½ cup shortening
1 ½ cup peanut butter
1 ½ cup brown sugar
1 ½ cup granulated sugar
3 tsp vanilla

Mix ingredients together. Roll into balls, then roll in sugar. Bake for 8-10 minutes @ 350 degrees F. Remove and lightly press a Hershey’s Kiss on top of each cookie. Cook 2 minutes more.

From Mary Williams

Caramel Rolls

2008-05-25T17:17:00.001-07:00

Put 24 frozen dinner rolls (Rhodes brand works well) into bundt pan. Sprinkle with ½ pkg regular (NOT instant) butterscotch pudding, , ½ cup brown sugar, 1 t cinnamon and ½ cup melted butter (can also add pecans). Cover and let sit overnight. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

Monster Cookies

2008-05-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

6 eggs
1 lb brown sugar
1 ½ tsp vanilla
2 cups sugar
4 tsp baking soda
½ lb butter
1 ½ lb peanut butter
9 cups oatmeal
½ lb M&M’s
¼ cup chopped nuts (I leave out)

Combine all ingredients, use ice cream scoop to form balls of dough, then gently flatten. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. Yields 8 dozen.

(can ½ the recipe, another hint: 1 lb = 16 oz)

From Lisa Bohman

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

2008-05-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

6 cups rice krispie treats
1 cup karo syrup
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate chips

Melt karo syrup, peanut butter and sugar together over stove. Take off heat and stir in rice krispies. Mix well. Mix in 1 cup chocolate chips. Pour and let set in pan.

From Mary Williams

Strawberry Lemonade

2008-05-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

1 cup fresh or bottled lemon juice
1 – 1 ½ cups quartered strawberries
4 cups water
1 cup sugar

Process lemon juice and strawberries in blender until smooth. Mix lemon mixture, water and sugar in pitcher (or blender). Serve with ice cubes and lemon wedges if desired.

Crock Pot Chicken Parmigiana

2008-05-25T17:12:00.000-07:00

Mix together 1 egg, ¼ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper. Coat 4-6 chicken breasts in egg mixture and dip in Italian bread crumbs. Brown in buttered pan.

Pour one can/bottle of pizza sauce into crock pot. Place browned chicken in crock pot. Bake 4-6 hours on low or 3-5 on high.

Before serving place mozzarella slice on each chicken breast and cook for 10 minutes more. Serve with spaghetti.

From Tami Baumgartner

Texas Sheet Cake

2008-05-25T17:10:00.000-07:00

Cake
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
½ cup margarine
½ cup shortening
1 cup water
¼ baking coca powder
½ cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour and sugar, set aside. Combine butter, shortening, water and cocoa – bring to a boil while stirring. Pour boiling mixture over flour and sugar in a bowl. Add milk eggs, soda and vanilla. Mix well. Pour in a greased jelly roll pan.

Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes.

Frosting
½ cup margarine
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbs cocoa
¼ cup milk
3 ½ cups powdered sugar

In a saucepan combine all ingredients except sugar. Boil ingredients while stirring. Add to sugar and mix well. Pour frosting over warm cake.

Taco Soup

2008-05-25T17:08:00.000-07:00

1 large can (46 oz or larger) tomato or vegetable juice
1 lb beef (cooked)
1 can kidney beans (drained)
1 can corn (drained)
1 can (10 oz) stewed or diced tomatoes
1 pkg taco seasoning

Mix ingredients in crock pot or on stove and simmer for 3+ hours.Serve with Fritos and cheese on top.

Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert

2008-05-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

Coat bottom of baking pan with a thin layer of cool whip. Arrange ice cream sandwiches in pan. Heat up hot fudge topping and spread over ice cream sandwiches. Put in freezer to set. Soften cool whip and spread over ice cream sandwich concoction. Refreeze.

Jumbo Shells with Cheese Filling

2008-05-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

1 Jumbo Shells with Cheese Filling
1 pkg Jumbo shells, uncooked
4 cups (2 lb) ricotta cheese (cottage cheese also works)
2 cups (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cups (about 28-oz jar) spaghetti sauce

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Cook pasta according to directions on package; drain. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir together cheese, eggs, parsley, salt, pepper and nutmeg. In a 13x9x2 inch baking dish, spread ½ cup spaghetti sauce. Fill each cooked shell with about 1 ½ level tablespoons cheese mixture; layer one-half filled shells in prepared dish. Spread one-half remaining sauce over shells; layer remaining filled shells over sauce. Spread remaining sauce over shells; sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Cover with foil; bake 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly. 8 to 10 servings.

Mint Brownies

2008-05-25T12:44:00.001-07:00

Brownies
1/2 cup butter
l cup sugar
4 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
l tsp. vanilla
l cup flour
16 oz. hersheys syrup

Mix softened butter and sugar together until creamy. Add eggs and beat well. Add salt, vanilla and syrup and mix until well blended. Mix in flour.

Bake in 9x13 inch pan at 350 for 30 minutes. Cool.

Frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons peppermint
few drops of green or red food coloring
a bit of milk to make a creamy frosting

Mix powdered sugar and butter together until smooth. Add flavoring and foodcoloring. Gradually add a bit of milk to make a creamy frosting. Frost cooled brownies.

Glaze
6 oz. chocolate chips
6 Tablespoons butter

Melt chocolate chips and butter together. Mix until smooth. Pour over frostingand tilt pan until glaze covers all of frosting evenly. Cool and let glaze setbefore cutting.

**I cool brownies in refrigerator between steps.

From Jane Bohman

Crock Pot Chicken

2008-05-25T12:42:00.001-07:00

4-6 chicken breasts1 pkg zesty Italian seasoning
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese
1 can (10 ¾ oz.) cream of chicken soup

Combine ingredients into crock pot and cook on low 4-6 hours or on high 3-5 hours.

From Kim Greenfield

Pumpkin Bread

2008-05-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

3 eggs
3 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 30 oz can pumpkin
1 cup oil
5 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp salt
4 tsp baking soda

Cream together eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until done in 3 greased and floured loaf pans.

Yields: 3 loaves

From Jane Bohman

Bagels

2008-05-25T11:59:00.001-07:00

Mix together 1 ½ cup warm water, 1 Tbs yeast, 3 Tbs sugar, 1 Tbs salt, and 4 cups flour. Let sit for 15 minutes after mixing. Pinch off into 12 balls. Press thumbs through center of ball to make a hole 1” or more. Raise for 20 minutes. Boil dough in water with 1 Tbs sugar for 2 minutes (1 minute on each side). Drain on towel. Bake on cookie sheet with corn meal at 400 degrees F for 20-30 minutes. Makes about 12 bagels.

From Becky L

Sesame Chicken

2008-05-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

3 to 4 chicken breasts
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
¼ cup sesame seeds
½ cup soy sauce
¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 green onions, thinly sliced

Skin and bone chicken breasts; cut into 1-inch chunks. In a large skillet, cook sesame seeds in oil over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until seeds are golden, about 2 minutes. Cool. Stir in soy sauce, sugar, ginger, pepper, garlic and half the green onions. Mix in chicken. Cover and chill 1 to 4 hours. Arrange meat in a single layer in a baking pan; pour marinade over meat. Broil 6 inches from heat until golden, about 10 minutes. Turn chicken and broil 5 minutes more or until meat is no longer pink inside. Serve with rice garnished w/ remaining sliced onions.

Betsy Rolls

2008-05-25T11:56:00.001-07:00

2 cups water, divided
1 cup butter, softened
2 T. yeast
¾ cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
5-6 cups flour

In a large mixing bowl mix butter and 1 cup of boiling water. Add second cup of water and let it cool until warm to touch. Add sugar and yeast, mix and let sit until foaming. Add eggs, mix well. Add flour, salt and baking powder. Scrape down sides of bowl after each addition of flour. Let rise until double. Punch down. Separate into thirds. Roll into a circle and cut into 16 pie-shaped wedges (pizza cutter works well). Roll wedges into crescent shape from long side to point. Place on 3 greased or parchment lined baking sheets. Let rise until double. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Makes 4 dozen rolls.

From Mary Jackson

Cake Cookies

2008-05-25T11:53:00.001-07:00

1 cake mix
½ cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon water

Form dough in a ball, roll in powdered sugar and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees F. Do not overbake.

can use any kind of cake mix – chocolate, vanilla, lemon, white, etc.

From Margene Jackson

Ice Cream Pies

2008-05-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

1 pkg cake mix
¾ cup water
¾ cup frosting
¼ cup oil
(no eggs)

Grease two pie pans bottom and sides. Pour mixture into pans (do not spread up the sides). Bake 25-35 minutes at 350 degrees F. Do not overbake. After it has cooled, put softened ice cream into pie crusts and refreeze.

**Can use any type of cake mix/frosting combination. You could buy a chocolate cake mix and chocolate frosting, lemon and lemon, white and vanilla, etc.

From Mary Sue Glenn

Macaroni and Cheese

2008-05-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

2 cups macaroni or bowtie pasta
½ cup margarine
1/3 cup flour
½ tsp salt
a dash (1/4 teaspoon) pepper
a dash (1/4 teaspoon) paprika
¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ a cube (4-6 oz) cream cheese (neufchatel works, too)
1 or 2 cups milk
1 or 2 cups sharp cheese (or more if you want)
¼ cups bacon bits (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook pasta and set aside.
Melt margarine on low heat. Slowly add flour, salt and pepper, then W sauce. Stir constantly till smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in milk and heat to boil stirring constantly (Boil and stir ONE minute). Take off heat and stir in cheeses. Cook and stir till all is blended, add bacon if desired.

Combine sauce and noodles in greased 2 quart casserole. Bake 15-25 minutes uncovered.

From Amy Abei