Root Beer Reindeer

I wanted to post this before the new year, but time got away from me.  This is so cute and I wanted to post it so I would remember it and maybe pay it forward to someone next Christmas. 

On Christmas Day one of the Young Single Adults came to our home for dinner.  She brought us these cute Root Beer Reindeer.  Just glue on some wiggle eyes and a red nose and add some pipe cleaner antlers to each bottle of root beer.  Then tie a little card saying "Merry Christmas".  Don't you just love them?  I do! 
Thank you, Maria!  We loved having you in our home!

Crock Pot Pork Chops

So let's start the new year with a delicious crock pot recipe.  I've already made it twice!  I think this one will be one of my favorites.  Really easy--Really good!

Crock Pot Pork Chops

6 lean boneless pork chops
1/2 cup flour
1 tablespoon salt
1 (10 oz.) can chicken and rice soup
1 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons oil

In a bowl mix together the flour, salt, dry mustard and garlic powder.  Coat pork chops in the flour mixture and brown in oil in a skillet.  Place browned pork chops in the crock pot.  Pour undiluted soup on top of pork chops and cook for 6 - 8 hours on low.

**The soup makes a delicious gravy that I put on top of rice.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Easy Sweet Cornbread

Need an easy cornbread recipe?  Do you like sweet cornbread?  If you answered "yes" to both questions then I have the recipe for you.  This is delicious and everyone will think you make it from scratch!

Easy Sweet Cornbread

1 box Jiffy corn bread mix
1 box Jiffy yellow cake mix

Put both mixes in a bowl and add all the ingredients (listed on each box) needed to make each mix.  Put in a greased 8 x 8 pan and bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes until done.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy New Year!

Reindeer Noses

Just had to post this one last Christmas idea. . . . . . . 
I saw this on Pinterest and thought they were so  cute !   I made them for my Young Single Adults (notice I said "my").  I just love working with them.  They make me feel young again!  Also gave them to some of the children in our home ward.

These were so easy to make.  All you need are 8 malted milk balls, 1 red sour cherry (or any other round red candy) , a snack bag and a label.  Of course we know the red one is for Rudolph's nose.  Can you name the other eight reindeer noses?  Merry Christmas!

Linda's Fruit Cake Loaf

Easy Hot Dog Chili

Last week the Young Single Adults had an activity at the Institute building.  We had hot dogs, then went caroling, and came back for hot chocolate and donuts.  Since we were having hot dogs, I decided to make some hot dog chili.  I wanted a chili that was quick and easy to make and of course, it had to taste good.  Everyone enjoyed it--I even saw a few just putting the chili on the bun without the hot dog.  So next time you serve hot dogs, make it special by making this chili.

Easy Hot Dog Chili

1 pound ground beef
1/3 cup water
2/3 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon (heaping) sugar
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
dash of Worcestershire sauce

In a large sauce pan put the water and ground beef.  Use a potato or avocado masher to break the meat apart while cooking.  When meat is browned, stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, chili powder, salt, pepper, sugar, onion powder and Worcestershire sauce.  Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat about 20 minutes until chili has thickened.

I doubled the recipe and put it in a small crock pot to keep the chili warm.  Everyone said it was really good chili.  I love keeping my Young Single Adults happy and full :-)

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.

Sweet Baby Ray Crock Pot Chicken

I found this great crock pot barbeque chicken recipe and just had to share it.  It is so delicious.  Can't wait to make it again!

Sweet Baby Ray Crock Pot Chicken

4 - 6  boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 small bottle Sweet Baby Ray Barbeque sauce
1/4 c white vinegar
1/4 c brown sugar
1/2 - 1 tsp. garlic powder

In a small bowl mix together the barbeque sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and garlic powder. Put chicken (I added a little bit of salt and pepper to the chicken first) in the crockpot and pour the sauce over it.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Now, how easy is that!  And the Sweet Baby Ray Sauce makes it so yummy!

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!