Aunt Cathy's Bundt Cake

My sister made a bundt cake that was so moist and delicious!  She said she made it 3 times before it finally came out like she wanted.  So here is her perfected recipe for perfect, moist bundt cake.

Aunt Cathy's Bundt Cake

2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup orange juice
4 eggs
2/3 cup oil
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon rum
1/2 teaspoon amaretto

Mix all together by hand.  Spray a bundt pan with Baker's Joy and pour in batter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.  **Put a pan of water on shelf/rack under cake. (This helps the cake stay moist.)

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

I'm always looking for good gluten free recipes.  My niece's friend, Jenny, gave her this recipe and she shared it with me.  Actually, Jenny's mom makes these for my niece who is gluten free.  These cookies are absolutely, unbelievably DELICIOUS!  Everyone will love these--gluten free or not!

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup peanut butter (I used creamy)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking powder

Beat peanut butter and sugar with hand mixer.  Add egg and baking powder.  Roll into balls, then roll in some extra sugar. (You could use red or green sugar to make them for Christmas!)  Place on a cookie sheet.  Press each cookie with a fork.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

 

Hope you have a very 

MERRY  CHRISTMAS!

Monster Cookies

I don't know why these are called Monster Cookies  Maybe because they have a monster of a good taste.  Sounds like a Halloween cookie but would be great for that Christmas Cookie Swap using the red and green Christmas M&Ms..

Monster Cookies

12oz jar creamy peanut butter

4 ½ Cups of quick oats (not instant) oatmeal
1 Cup of granulated sugar
1 ¼ Cups of packed light brown sugar
3 eggs
1 stick of butter (softened)
1 Tsp of vanilla extract
½ Tsp salt
2 Tsp baking soda
¾ cup of chocolate chips
Approx. ½ cup of M&Ms

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (not essential, but helpful). In a large bowl combine eggs and sugars; add in salt, vanilla, butter, and peanut butter. Stir in chocolate chips, baking soda, and oatmeal.

Drop in heaping teaspoons onto cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes. Pull out of oven and while cookies are still piping hot press M&Ms into tops of cookies. Remove from cookie sheet and allow to cool.

Makes about 3 dozen.

Enjoy!

Honey Cake

My sister will admit that she hates to cook.  When she does, she makes sure it is easy to do.  Here is her simple Honey Cake that is so good, you'd think she slaved in the kitchen and made it from scratch. 

Honey Cake

1 box Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix
1 cup honey

Follow directions on cake box to make spice cake.  Add 1 cup of honey.  Mix and bake according to box directions. 

There you have it--Honey Cake!  Delicious!

Banana Muffins

 

When I have too many ripe bananas, I always make banana Bread   That's because we love my Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.  But I wanted to try something different.  I came across this banana muffin recipe that looked delicious, and I was in a baking mood.  So  I made it and we loved, loved, loved it!

Banana Muffins

1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
3 bananas mashed
¾ cup white sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup butter, melted

Topping:

1/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon butter

In a small bowl, mix together the topping ingredients:  brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon.  Cut in 1 Tablespoon butter until mixture looks crumbly.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together 1 ½ cups flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, egg, bananas and melted butter. (I use a hand mixer)  Spoon into prepared muffin cups.

Sprinkle topping mixture over muffins.

Bake at 375 for 18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean. 

Mammo-Grahams

I had a Pink Posse meeting (my breast cancer support group) and we were asked to bring a snack to share.  I remembered seeing a picture of  Mammo-Grahams last year on Pinterest and thought they were so cute.  I was so excited to  try to figure out how to make them and share them with everyone.  They were so easy and fun to make.  And they were a hit!   It was a great way to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Mammo-Grahams

Chocolate Graham Crackers
Regular size Pink Marshmallows (not the mini size)
Red gel icing in a tube

Break the graham crackers in half.  Place a marshmallow on one half and put in the microwave for about 8 - 10 seconds until marshmallow doubles in size.  Quickly remove from microwave and put the other half graham cracker on top, slightly rolling it to make marshmallow come out the side.  Put on a tray or plate to cool.  Add a small dot of the red gel icing to make the nipple.

**I even made some mini ones.  I cut the pink marshmallow into eight pieces and used Oreo Thin Crisps 100 Calorie Wafers.  It was definitely more tedious to work with but they were so cute. Here is a picture comparing the size.
 

Tofu Chocolate Pudding

I'm back!  Has it really been over a year?  I can now say I am a breast cancer survivor and doing great.  I thank Heavenly Father every day that I have more time on this earth with my family.  More time to love, more time to serve and more time to put recipes on my blog :-)

I'll start with one of my favorite new recipes that my friend, Cindi, shared with me, Tofu Chocolate Pudding.  Yes, tofu!  I hate tofu! But I love this pudding and it's pretty healthy--full of protein.  You do need a VitaMix Blender to make it, but it is worth it. You would never believe it is made with tofu.  Delicious!  When you try it, you won't like it--you'll love it!


Tofu Chocolate Pudding

14 oz. soft tofu, rinsed and drained  (I used firm tofu.  Do not use extra firm.)

2/3 cup chocolate chips

½ Tablespoon vanilla

1 ½ teaspoon stevia  (If using packets, about 4 packets)

1 teaspoon cocoa

Place ingredients in a Vitamix Blender in the order written above.  Turn on low and blend on high until smooth and creamy.  The chocolate chips will melt as the mixture gets hot. 

Gluten Free No Bakes

I also wanted to make something sweet for my niece who eats gluten free, so I used gluten free ingredients in my No Bake recipe.  I used almond butter and they were delicious!

Gluten Free No Bakes

1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 stick butter (melted)
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup almond milk

Bring the above ingredients to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.  When it comes to a boil, boil for 1 minute, continue stirring.  Remove and heat and stir in the following:
          1/2 teaspoon vanilla
          1/4 cup almond butter
          1 1/2 cups gluten free quick oats

Drop by Tablespoons onto wax paper or plastic wrap.  Let cool and enjoy!  Makes about 12 to 14 cookies. 

Oreo Rice Krispie Treats

Since being diagnosed with breast cancer, I have had so many people reach out to me (Thank You!).  Praying for me (and it's working), serving me (I can't express my gratitude for this), and feeding me (yum, yum)!  My sweet friend, Tara, made these delicious Oreo Rice Krispie Treats for me and knew I had to share the recipe with you.  I think she found it on Pinterest, of course!

Oreo Rice Krispie Treats

6 cups Rice Krispie Cereal
20 regular Oreo cookies, chopped and mashed
6 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
4 Tablespoons butter
white chocolate for drizzle (optional)
 
Grease a 9 x 13 pan with butter.  Put Rice Krispie Cereal in a large bowl.  Add the chopped, mashed oreo cookies. (You can put the cookies in a zip lock bag and crush with the handle of a knife.  Crumbs should be different sizes from chunky to fine.)  Sir together.

In a medium sauce pan, heat butter and marshmallows together over medium heat, stirring constantly, until they melt together.

Pour melted marshmallows over cereal and oreos and use a spatula sprayed with non-stick cooking spray to quickly combine all ingredients.  Spread mixture into the 9 x 13 dish.  Use spatula to press the mixture around the dish and flatten as needed.  Let sit until completely cooled and the drizzle some white chocolate on top.  Let it set until hardened.

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

I want to wish everyone a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  I wanted to make something for my Young Single Adults for this special day and found this easy recipe on Pinterest.  The cookies are pink in color and very festive.  Most of all they are delicious!  Hope you have a wonderful day.  I love you all!

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 box strawberry cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl mix together the cake mix and the baking powder.  Set aside.  In a small bowl (I just mixed it in a measuring cup) whisk together eggs, oil and vanilla.  Add egg mixture to the cake mixture and stir vigorously until all of the pockets of dry cake mix are gone.  Gently mix in the chocolate chips.

Put rounded balls of dough onto baking sheet.  You can put a few chocolate chips on top if you'd like.  Bake for 10 minutes--do not let cookies get brown.  Allow to cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes.  They will be very soft at first. If top of cookies seem too fat you can press them down gently with your fingers.  Put cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Linda's Fruit Cake Loaf

Gluten Free Brownies

I've been wanting to post this recipe since April when I went to Utah for BYU Women's Conference.  (Better late than never!)  My daughter-in-law made these brownies for everyone.  (Her son is suppose to be on a gluten free diet.)  Well, these brownies were absolutely delicious!  She made a homemade chocolate icing to put on the top.  Ummm, so moist and choco-licious!  But you really don't need the icing.  These brownies definitely can stand on their own.

Gluten Free Brownies

1 (16 oz) jar of creamy roasted almond butter
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups agave nectar or pure maple syrup
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 
 
Using a mixer, blend almond butter in a large bowl until smooth.  Add eggs, agave or maple syrup, and vanilla.  Blend in cocoa powder, salt and baking soda.  Then fold in chocolate chips.  Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 glass dish.  Bake for 35 - 40 minutes.

Easy Pumpkin Bars

Here is a great pumpkin recipe (another from Pinterest) that is sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving dinner.  It can be cut into as many as 64 bars/squares.  Now that will feed a lot of hungry people! 

Easy Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup canola oil
1 (16 oz )can pumpkin
2 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

In a large bowl beat eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until fluffy. In a medium sized bowl stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, soda, and spices. Add to pumpkin mixture. Spread in greased 15x10 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool.

Icing:
3 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar


Cream together cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and creamy. Frost on pumpkin bars. I usually add a candy corn or a candy pumpkin on top of each bar.

Have A Happy Thanksgiving!

Chocolate Chip Surprise Cookies/Muffins

For someone who is on Weight Watcher's all the time, I sure do make a lot of desserts. Hmm, maybe that's my problem.  But I bake them for my family and friends.  Right? 
I found this recipe at www.iheartnaptime.net and had to make it.  The surprise is Rolo candy.  My youngest son loves Rolo's and even though he lives in San Francisco I made them in honor of him and ate them in honor of him also :-)
(Jonathan, I'll make you some at Thanksgiving.  Promise!)

Chocolate Chip Surprise Cookies/Muffins

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 package (3.4 oz.) vanilla instant pudding mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Rolo Candy (regular or mini)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream together butter and sugar.  Add pudding mix and vanilla.  Beat in eggs one at a time.  Add flour, salt and baking soda.  Mix well and stir in the chocolate chips. Spoon cookie dough onto baking sheet and stick a mini rolo in the middle and cover with dough. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes until done. 

I made mine in a mini muffin pan and used the regular Rolos.  I sprayed the pan with cooking spray.  Then I put some cookie dough in the bottom of each muffin tin, stuck a rolo in the middle and covered it with more cookie dough.  I baked it for about 15 minutes.  Everyone loved them!  

Peach Cobbler Cake

I was looking for something to make with peaches and came across this recipe.  I took it to a church activity and everyone loved it.  Then we had a Relief Society dinner before the Relief Society broadcast last month and guess what they had for dessert?  You guessed it--Peach Cobbler Cake!  

Peach Cobbler Cake

1 box yellow cake mix
1/3 cup butter at room temperature
2 large eggs
Large can of peaches (about 29 oz.) or fresh peaches
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl combine the cake mix, butter and 1 egg.  Mix with a fork until crumbly.  Set aside 1/2 of this crumb mixture to put on top of cake.

Spray a 9 x 13 glass dish with cooking spray.  Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the dish.  Bake for 10 minutes. 

While crust is baking, slice peaches into 1 inch pieces and layer on top of cooked crust.

In a small bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, 1 egg, and vanilla.  Spread this mixture on top of peaches.  Top with reserve crumbs and bake for 30 minutes.  Let cool for 30 minutes before serving. 

 Serve with vanilla ice cream or just eat it plain.  It's delicious!

** The best thing about this recipe is that you can have peach cobbler all year round because you can use canned peaches.

Easy Oreo Brownies

I've been checking out all sorts of recipes lately and have seen lots of brownies made with oreo cookies.  Sounded good to me, so I decided to add oreos to my next batch of brownies and it was a hit!

Easy Oreo Brownies

Box of your favorite brownie mix (I always use the Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate brownie mix from Costco)
Oreo Double Stuff Cookies, chopped (about 12 - 15 for a 9 x 13 pan)

Mix the brownies according to the box directions. In a greased pan (8x8 or 9x13, whichever the recipe calls for) pour in half the brownie mix then put a layer of chopped oreos on top.  Pour the rest of the brownie mix on top of the oreo's.  Finally sprinkle a few chopped oreo's on top.  Bake as directed on brownie mix box.

Brian's Banana Pudding

My oldest son, Brian, loves banana pudding.  This is his favorite recipe that his wife, Brandi, makes for him.  I promised her that I would name the pudding after Brian, so here is Brian's Banana Pudding.

Brian's Banana Pudding

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (5 oz) package instant vanilla pudding
3 cups cold milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
4 bananas, sliced
1/2 (12 oz) package vanilla wafers

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.  Beat in condensed milk, pudding mix, cold milk and vanilla until smooth.  Fold in 1/2 of the whipped topping.

Line the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch dish with vanilla wafers. (Save a few vanilla wafers for topping.) 

Arrange sliced bananas evenly over wafers.  Spread with pudding mixture.  Top with remaining whipped topping.  Sprinkle a few crushed vanilla wafers on top.  Chill.

Country Style Baked Apples

Is it September already?  Where did July and August go?  Well, I'm back and I have lots of recipes to share.  September is apple time and my friend, Janelle, brought me some apples from the mountains. They were (notice I said were) so delicious.  Since the apples were so sweet and yummy raw, I knew they would be great baked.  ( HINT: If the apples don't taste good raw, it probably won't taste good cooked.)  So here is an apple cobbler recipe that will tickle your taste buds.  Serve it warm and don't forget to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

Country Style Baked Apples

4 cups sliced apples, peeled
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup water
Pinch of salt
Dash of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
Place sliced apples in a 9 x 13 baking dish. 
Mix the sugar, flour and butter until crumbly and sprinkle over apples. 
In a small bowl (I used my measuring cup) mix the water, salt and cinnamon together.  Pour over the flour mixture. 
Bake about 40 - 50 minutes until done and slightly browned.

Turtle Cake

I love baking and eating cake, but I wanted to make something I had never made before.  I came across this Turtle Cake in  an old cookbook from church.  The ingredients sounded delicious--German chocolate cake, chocolate chips, caramels, nuts.  I had to try it and it was a winner!  I've already made it several times.
WARNING:  This cake can be addictive!

Turtle Cake

1 box German chocolate cake mix (I use Duncan Hines)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (I used pecans)
1 cup milk
1 (14 oz) package caramels

In a sauce pan, melt caramels with milk over low heat, stirring occasionally. Takes about 10 - 12 minutes. 
In the meantime, mix cake according to directions, adding vanilla.  Pour 1/2 of cake mixture in a greased and floured 13 x 9 pan (I use Baker's Joy).  Bake about 10 - 12 minutes at 350 degrees.
When cake has baked for the 10 or more minutes and the sauce is ready, pour sauce over the cake.  Sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts.  Pour remaining batter over sauce.  Bake about 20 - 30 minutes more, until done.

Icing:
1 stick butter
3 1/2 Tablespoons cocoa
1 box confectioners sugar
1/3 cup milk
Dash of salt
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Bring butter, milk, cocoa and salt to a boil over medium heat.  Add sifted confectioners sugar (I never sift mine).  Pour over cake while both are hot.  Sprinkle with nuts. (You can mix the nuts in when you add the confectioners sugar if you'd like.)

**This cake is so moist and delicious.  You can't eat just one piece!

Microwave Fudge

You mean I have been slaving over making fudge and you can make it in the microwave--no stirring, no sweating, no reading the candy thermometer!  Yes, it's true and here is the easy recipe for you to try it for yourself.  It has a little different texture than the Fantasy Fudge I make at Christmas, but it tastes just as delicious.

Microwave Fudge

1 (1lb.) box powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 cup canned milk
1 stick butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup nuts, optional

Combine sugar and cocoa in a glass bowl.  Stir together.  Add milk and butter on top and put in the microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes.  Stir together.  Add vanilla and nuts.  Stir and put in 8 x 8 inch dish.  Chill 1 hour, then score.