Fondant

Easy and great for adding decorations to cakes.

• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup shortening
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp clear vanilla
• 2 lbs confectioners sugar

In a large bowl, stir together the shortening and corn syrup. Mix in the salt and vanilla flavoring, then gradually mix in the confectioners sugar until it is a stiff dough. If you are using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment. Otherwise, knead by hand. If the dough is sticky, knead in more confectioners sugar until it is smooth.  To use, roll out on a clean surface that has been dusted with confectioners' sugar until it is 1/8 inch thick or thinner if you can. Drape over frosted and chilled cakes and smooth the sides down, or cut into shapes to make decorations.

Mack Truck Birthday Cake

Shandon wanted a Mack cake because he loves the movie Cars.  He loved it!

• 3 cake mixes
• bendy straws
• Hershey's chocolate Nuggets
• York peppermint patties
• mini marshmallow
• fondant
• buttercream frosting

Mix cake according to directions on box.  Bake 3 9x13" cakes.  Layer and shape the cakes into the truck.  Decorate with frosting, fondant, and candy.   I printed out the car decals using photo paper.  I used a paper plate cut and frosted for the brim of his hat.

Buttercream Frosting

This is a simple, yet yummy, frosting that's great for decorating Birthday Cakes!

1 cup butter

3-4 cups powdered sugar

1 TBS vanilla extract

up to 4 TBS milk

Beat butter in mixing bowl. Gradually add sugar then add vanilla and 2 TBS milk. You can add more sugar or milk depending on the consistency you like your frosting.

Combine Cake

When Durant said he wanted a combine cake I about flipped.  That was going to be so hard...I thought.  Turned out not being so bad and I must say he absolutely loved it!!

• 2 cake mixes
• small chocolate doughnuts (back tires)
• Ding Dongs (front tires)
• candy corn
• bendy straw
• Toblerone Candy
• Buttercream Frosting

Mix cake according to directions on box.  Then bake 2 9x13 in. cakes.  Cut two pieces of cake out in a smaller rectangle about 5x8 in.  and place on top of each other.  I put frosting in between the two layers.  This cake I sat on a Styrofoam block covered with foil.  I then placed a wooden skewer stick through it in a few spots to make sure it holds.  I then cut a square piece and made a hole for the corn to go in. I then cut a piece for the cab and the header piece. I placed those on the cake with frosting and more sticks.  I piped the frosting on this cake because of all the cut edges.  Stuck the doughnuts and Ding Dongs on with toothpicks and added frosting to the middles. Place Toberone candy on in the front.  Frost your straw.  If you kind of let the frosting harden then dip your finger in shortening and smooth the frosting out with your finger it works the best.  

Choo Choo Train Cake

This is our official 2 year old boys cake.  Both of my boys loved trains at this age and they both LOVED their cakes!

• 2 cake boxes
• M&M's
• York Peppermint Patties
• Raisinets
• Mini Kit Kat's or Mini Cow Tales
• Mike N Ikes
• Black Licorice
• Butter cream Frosting
• • 1 cup butter
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 TBS vanilla extract
  • up to 4 TBS milk
  • Beat butter in mixing bowl. Gradually add sugar then add vanilla and 2 TBS milk. You can add more sugar or milk depending on the consistency you like your frosting.

Mix the cakes according to directions on box. I baked the Engine in a loaf pan and cut it into the shape I wanted.  I baked the round part in a can.  I then baked the other three in mini loaf pans and the top to the caboose in a super mini loaf pan.  Made the tracks with the licorice and then placed the cakes on.  It's best to put them in the freezer for a few hours.  Then I frost with one layer of frosting and put back in the freezer for an hour.  Frost and decorate.  I used a marshmallow for the smoke stack.  I then used Raisinets for the coal car and Kit Kat's for one and Cow Tales for the other log car. I used the peppermint patties for the wheels and decorated with M&M's and the Mike N Ikes.

Chicken & Stuffing

Great meal to use leftover chicken or turkey! 

• 4-5 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 (12 oz) sour cream
• 1 box Stove Top stuffing (I buy a few of these when they go on sale! Usually around Thanksgiving you can find coupons and they usually have great sales on them. They are good to have on hand to make quick meals.)

Mix soup, sour cream, and chicken.  Place in greased 9x13 baking dish.  Make your stuffing according to directions on box.  Place on top of chicken mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Taco Salad

Great meal!

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 head of iceberg lettuce, chopped
• 1/2 Romain lettuce, chopped
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 small can olives, drained
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cups grated cheese
• tortilla chips
• sour cream
• salsa

Fry ground beef seasoned with garlic salt in skillet.  Drain off fat and cool.  Place lettuce, tomatoes, corn, black beans, olives, onions, cheese, and hamburger in large bowl and toss.  Serve with small pieces of tortilla chips, sour cream and salsa.

I make half this for our family, because it's not very good leftover.  I store the other half of corn and black beans in the fridge for another meal.  I also cook double the hamburger now and store the other half for another meal.  Taco soup is a great second meal to use leftovers...from leftover to gourmet!

Taco Soup

Simply good!

• 1 lb hamburger
• 1 can pinto beans
• 1 can corn
• 1 can green chilies
• 1 package taco seasoning
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 TBS four
• cheese
• sour cream
• tortilla chips

Brown hamburger in a large pot with garlic salt.  Drain.  Add taco seasoning and flower.  Add beans, corn, chilies, and tomatoes.  Add 3 cans of water.  Bring to a boil.  Simmer for 10 min.  Serve with cheese, sour cream, and chips. 

I always make this when I have leftover corn, green chilies or tomatoes in the fridge.  I've also thrown in black beans if we have them leftover from taco salad and it's yummy too!

Watermelon Smoothie

A family favorite, around our house, are smoothies.  I had a bunch of watermelon leftover from a party, so I decided to make a smoothie with it and leftover sherbet...it was amazing!

• 6 cups chopped seedless watermelon
• 2 cups sherbet (I used tropical)
• 1 cup ice
• 1/8 cup sugar

Place everything in a blender and blend on smoothie setting until smooth.

Crock Pot Stroganoff

Yummy!

• 1 lb round steak
• garlic salt
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup Beef broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8oz) container sour cream
• Wide egg noodles

Rub round steak with garlic salt and place in a lightly greased crock pot.  Mix flour with broth then add in soup and tomatoes.  Pour over steak and cook on low 6-8 hours.  Chunk meat with two forks.  Whisk in sour cream.  Serve over cooked wide egg noodles. 

If you have made the slow cooker steak dinner, place the meat and gravy (pick out any potatoes or carrots) in crock pot.  Cook on low until hot, about 2 hours.  Add sour cream and serve over cooked noodles. 

Slow Cooker Steak Dinner

Great all in one meal!

• 2 lbs round steak
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 4 potatoes, large cubes
• 1 cup baby carrots
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 can fire roasted tomatoes
• 1 can mushroom soup
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 TBSP corn starch

Rub round steak with Wprcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.  Place in lightly greased crock pot.  Place potatoes, carrots, and onions on top.  In a bowl, mix tomatoes, soup, broth and corn starch.  Pour over everything.  Cook on low 7-8 hours. 

I make extra so I can use the meat and gravy for stroganoff...from leftover to gourmet!

Mini chocolate filled cupcakes

These make great gifts!

Yellow Cake

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4 cup milk

In a large mixing bowl beat butter and sugar until creamy.  Add vanilla.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating 1 min. after each.  Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.  Add dry mixture and milk alternately to sugar mixture.  Pour batter into prepared cup cake pan.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 min or until done. 

• 1 box chocolate jello

Make jello according to directions. Once cupcakes are cool, pipe jello into middle of cupcake. Move tip around in middle creating a hole for pudding to fill. Frost cupcakes. 

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting 

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp vanilla 
• 4 TBSP milk

Cream butter with mixer. Add 3 cups sugar and cocoa and beat on low. Add vanilla, milk, and more sugar if needed to make it a stiff frosting. 

Cole Slaw

This is the best Cole Slaw I've ever had.  My little boy says this is his favorite food!

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 1/2 TBSP lemon juice
• 1 1/2 TBSP white vinegar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1 head cabbage, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, shredded
• 2 TBSP minced onion

Cut cabbage into 8 large pieces and the carrot into four pieces.  Place a few cabbage chunks and a few carrots in a blender, fill with water then chop.  Drain.  Once all the cabbage & carrots are chopped, place in a large bowl.  Combine mayo, sugar, milks, lemon juice, vinegar, salt & pepper until smooth.  Add onions and pour over cabbage.  Mix well. Cover & refrigerate for a few hours before serving. 

Rocky Mountain Cookies

Yummy!

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 2 cups Rice Crispies cereal
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup butterscotch chips

In a large bowl cream together sugars and butter.  Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.  Sift dry ingredients into separate bowl.  Add to mixture.  Fold in oats, cereal, and chips.  Drop by tablespoons onto a baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 min.  Makes 6 dozen

Coffee Cake

The Best Coffee Cake Ever!

My mother-in-law gave me this recipe. It is soooo good! I wanted to eat the whole pan when I had a piece.

· 1 ½ cups sugar

· ½ cup butter or Oil

· 2 eggs

· 1 cup buttermilk

· 3 cups flour

· 2 tsp baking powder

· 1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a 9x13 in. cake pan with cooking spray.

Beat the butter, sugar, and eggs in a large bowl. In a medium size bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternating between dry mixture and buttermilk, gradually add to sugar mixture.

Streusel

· 1 cup chopped walnuts

· 1 cup brown sugar

· 4 TBS flour

· 4 tsp cinnamon

· 4 TBS melted butter

· 4 TBS water

Mix nuts, sugar, flour and cinnamon. Then add melted butter and water.

Pour half of batter into the prepared pan; then drizzle half of streusel over batter. Swirl with a butter knife. Pour rest of batter and top with remaining streusel and swirl again with knife. Bake 30-40 min or until toothpick comes out clean

Topping

· ½ cup sugar

· ¼ c buttermilk

· ¼ cup butter

· 1 tsp vanilla

· ¼ tsp soda

In a medium saucepan melt butter, sugar and buttermilk. Bring to a boil and boil gently for 3 min. Add vanilla and soda. Pour over warm cake.

My family loves this! I always take this to families who have had a death in the family and everyone who has received a pan loves it.

Banana Bread

Delicious! Mini loaves make wonderful gifts.

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Mash bananas and set aside.  In a large bowl cream sugar and butter together.  Stir in eggs and mashed bananas.  In a separate bowl sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.  Add to first mixture and stir together.  Stir in nuts.  Place in two greased 9x5 in. loaf pans, or 4 mini loaf pans, and bake at 350 degrees for 25 min.  Reduce heat to 275 degrees and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  For muffins bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 min (makes 24).

Bridal Shower Cake

Pesto Chicken Pasta with Asparagus

I love pesto sauce and so I made this up one night.  I must say, it was pretty dang good and my children ate it up!

• 1 (16 oz) pkg penne pasta
• 3 chicken breasts, cubed (use leftover chicken if you have it)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 2 TBSP olive oil
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1 in. pieces
• 4 TBSP butter
• 2 TBSP flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1-2 cups pesto sauce (I get a jar at Sam's Club)
• Chopped fresh tomatoes
• 2 strips bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Boil your pasta until tender & drain. Boil asparagus until crispy tender and drain. Fry chicken in olive oil and season with salt and pepper, drain.  In same skillet melt butter and saute onions and garlic until tender.  Add flour.  Gradually stir in milk and simmer until thick, add a little salt to taste.  Add Pesto sauce.  Toss in chicken, asparagus, and pasta.  Top each serving with a few tomatoes, bacon and cheese.