Thumb Print Cookies

Ingredients
3/4 cup butter softened
1/2 cup white sugar
2 egg yolks
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup fruit preserves, any flavor

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and egg yolks. Mix in flour a little bit at a time until a soft dough forms. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. If dough is too soft, refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes. Place balls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Use your finger or an instrument of similar size to make a well in the center of each cookie. Fill the hole with 1/2 teaspoon of preserves.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown on the bottom. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Easy Alternative
Use one package Betty Crocker Sugar Cookies following package directions adding 3 T flour. Make balls, press well in each, add jam.

Best Ever Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1-1/2 cups milk
Chocolate-Sour Cream Frosting (see recipe below)
Nutritional Information:
Carbohydrate: 107g, Sodium: 403g, Fiber: 3g, Cholesterol: 117mg, Total Fat: 34g, Calories: 739, Protein: 9g.

Steps:
1. Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, lightly grease bottoms of three 8-inch round baking pans or two 8x8x2-inch square or 9x1-1/2-inch round cake pans. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Grease and lightly flour waxed paper and sides of pans. Or grease one 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Set pan(s) aside.

2. In a mixing bowl stir together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder; and salt; set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium speed until well combined (3 to 4 minutes). Scrape sides of bowl; continue beating on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition (about 1 minute total). Beat in vanilla.

4. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to beaten mixture, beating on low speed just until combined after each addition. Beat on medium to high speed for 20 seconds more. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan(s).

5. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 35 to 40 minutes for 8-inch square pans and the 13x9x2-inch pan, 30 to 35 minutes for 8- or 9-inch round pans, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cake layers in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Peel off waxed paper. Cool thoroughly on wire racks. Or place 13x9x2-inch cake in pan on a wire rack; cool thoroughly. Frost with desired frosting. Makes 12 to 16 servings.

6. In a large saucepan melt 1 12-ounce package (2 cups) semisweet chocolate pieces and 1/2 cup butter over low heat, stirring frequently. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream. Gradually add 4-1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar (about 1 pound), beating with an electric mixer until smooth. This frosts tops and sides of two or three 8- or 9-inch cake layers. (Halve the recipe to frost the top of a 13x9x2-inch cake.) Cover and store frosted cake in the refrigerator.

Impossible Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup biscuit/baking mix
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
whipped topping

Directions:
1. In a blender, combine the eggs, milk, pumpkin, sugar, biscuit mix, butter, allspice and vanilla. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into a greased 9-in. pie plate (dish will be full).
2. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve with whipped topping if desired.

Hummingbird Cake

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter
3 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 6)
1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Powdered sugar (optional)
Nutritional Information:
Carbohydrate: 70g, Sodium: 343g, Fiber: 3g, Cholesterol: 86mg, Total Fat: 20g, Calories: 477, Protein: 6g.

Steps:
1. Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grease and flour a 10-inch fluted tube pan; set pan aside. In a medium bowl stir together flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, nutmeg, salt, and cloves; set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add banana, undrained pineapple, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until combined. Add flour mixture. Beat on low speed until combined. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Fold in pecans. Spread batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake for 70 to 75 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove cake from pan. Cool thoroughly on wire rack. If desired, sift powdered sugar over cooled cake just before serving.

4. Makes 12 servings

Amanda's Sweet Potato Casserole

Crust:
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans preferred)
1/4 cup butter - melted

Sweet Potato Mixture
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (I prefer baking them first vs boiling)
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350
Combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and melted butter in a mixing bowl - set aside
Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and butter in a mixing bowl in the order listed. Mix well.
Pour sweet potato mixture into a prepared pan 9X13 (I use Pam Spray)
Sprinkle top evenly with crust mixture
Bake for 30 min then let rest for 30 min.

Pumpkin French toast Bake

Ingredients
8 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 loaf Texas toast thick-sliced bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon butter, softened

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Whisk the eggs, vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, the cloves, nutmeg, and white sugar together in a bowl; beat in the pumpkin until fully incorporated.
Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer in the prepared baking dish; pour the pumpkin mixture over the bread cubes, and gently toss to coat.
Stir 1/3 cup of brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, flour, and butter together with a fork in a small bowl until the mixture is crumbly; sprinkle over the bread cubes.
Bake in preheated oven until golden brown on top, 30 to 40 minutes.

General Tsao's Chicken

Serves 6

Ingredients

4 cups vegetable oil for frying
1 egg
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 pinch white pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons chopped green onion
1 clove garlic, minced
6 dried whole red chilies
1 strip orange zest
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3 tablespoons chicken broth
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons peanut oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup water

Directions
Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Beat the egg in a mixing bowl. Add the chicken cubes; sprinkle with salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, and white pepper; mix well. Mix in 1 cup of cornstarch a little bit at a time until the chicken cubes are well coated.

In batches, carefully drop the chicken cubes into the hot oil one by one, cooking until they turns golden brown and begin to float, about 3 minutes. Remove the chicken and allow to cool as you fry the next batch. Once all of the chicken has been fried, refry the chicken, starting with the batch that was cooked first. Cook until the chicken turns deep golden brown, about 2 minutes more. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Stir in the green onion, garlic, whole chiles, and orange zest. Cook and stir a minute or two until the garlic has turned golden and the chiles brighten. Add 1/2 cup sugar, the ginger, chicken broth, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and peanut oil; bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes.

Dinner rolls

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups warm milk
4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons salt
7 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed
1/2 cup butter, melted

Directions
Pour milk into a large mixing bowl, and sprinkle yeast over the surface. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Beat in the sugar, eggs, 1/2 cup butter, and salt; blend thoroughly.

Gradually stir in the flour to make a soft dough. Cover bowl, and set in a warm place until dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.

Punch down the dough, cover the bowl, and allow to rise again. Repeat this step two more times.

Break off 2 to 3 inch size pieces of dough, roll lightly into round shape, and place in prepared baking dish, edges touching. Repeat to make 36 dough balls. Cover and let rise until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Bake rolls in preheated oven until tops turn golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. When rolls are finished baking, drizzle melted butter over the top, and serve warm.

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

from Southern Living November 2001



Ingredients

1 1/2 cups butter, softened at room temp
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened at room temp
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy (do not over beat);

gradually add sugar, beating well.

Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until combined. Crack eggs into a bowl first before adding to the mixture to make sure you avoid shells in the cake mix.

Sift 3 cups of flour. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla from the huge 1 liter Mexican vanilla bottle my mother in law shared with me.

Pour batter into a greased and floured 10-inch Bundt pan.

Smooth the top of the cake or bottom of the cake (depending how you look at it) with a spatula to even it out.

Bake at 300° for 1 hour and 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 to 15 minutes; remove from pan, and let cool completely on wire rack. My pound cake had a crazy crusty layer on the bottom that I just peeled off. It was like candy, it was so sweet and cruchy but it wasn't pretty so I just threw it away.

Easy Wonderful Meatloaf

Sauce: equal parts of brown sugar and ketchup with a little mustard, and if you want to get a little bit fancy add a little chili sauce tot he mix(optional).


2 lb. lean ground beef

1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken

2 eggs, beaten
1/4 Cup sauce

layer a coat of sauce on top of the loaf.
shape and bake 450 degrees for 1 hour.

Check to make sure cooked through.

Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients
2 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
6 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons evaporated milk or 2%Milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
In a medium bowl, sift together the confectioners' sugar and cocoa, and set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter until smooth, then gradually beat in sugar mixture alternately with evaporated milk. Blend in vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. If necessary, adjust consistency with more milk or sugar.

Annetta'a Cheeseburger Soup

1 lb. ground beef
¾ c. chopped onion +
¾ c. diced carrots +
¾ c. diced celery +
1 T. parsley flakes
1 tsp. basil flakes
4 c. diced, peeled potatoes
1 ½ c. milk
¼ c. flour
4 T. butter, divided
3 c. chicken broth
½ tsp. pepper
½ tsp. salt
8 oz. (2 c.) Velveeta cheese, cubed
¼ c. sour cream

In large pan, brown ground beef. Drain and set aside. In same pan, sauté onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in one tablespoon of butter. Cook until veggies are tender (about 10 minutes). Add chicken broth, potatoes, salt, pepper and cooked beef. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat. Cook until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, place milk, remaining butter and flour. Heat through until thick. Add to large pot once potatoes are done. Add cubed cheese to soup and cook on low. Once cheese is melted, remove from heat, blend in sour cream and serve.

Optional: Add broccoli and cauliflower.

Annetta's Scalloped Potatoes

4 cups thinly sliced pared potatoes
1/4 cup minced onion
3 TBS flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup butter
21/2 cups hot milk

Heat oven to 350
Arrange potatoes in four layers in a 2 qt casserole or and 8X8 pan.
Sprinkle the first 3 layers with 1 tsp onion, 1 TBS flour, 1/4 tsp salt and a dash of pepper.
Sprinkle last layer with remaining onion, salt, and pepper, dot with butter.
Pour hot milk over and bake covered for 30 min.
Continue baking uncovered for 45-60 min longer.

Vanilla Filled Donuts

Ingreadents
1 package (2 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast or 2/3 ounce (18 grams) fresh cake yeast
2/3 cup (160 grams) milk, at room temperature
3 1/2 cups (490 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups (270 grams) sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 eggs
7 tablespoons (3/4 stick/100 grams) butter, at room temperature, cut into 6 to 8 pieces
Canola oil, for frying

Vanilla Cream Filling
6 tablespoons (90 grams) heavy cream
Pastry Cream , chilled
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PreparationIn a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the yeast and milk. Stir together briefly, then let sit for about 1 minute to dissolve the yeast. Add the flour, 1/3 cup (70 grams) of the sugar, the salt, and the eggs and mix on low speed for about 1 minute, or until the dough comes together. Then, still on low speed, mix for another 2 to 3 minutes to develop the dough further. Now, begin to add the butter, a few pieces at a time, and continue to mix for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough is soft and cohesive.

Remove the dough from the bowl, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to 15 hours.

Lightly flour a baking sheet. On a well-floured work surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch square about 1/2 inch thick. Using a 3 1/2- to 4-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out 9 doughnuts. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and place in a warm spot to proof for 2 to 3 hours, or until they are about doubled in height and feel poufy and pillowy.

When ready to fry, line a tray or baking sheet large enough to hold the doughnuts with paper towels. Pour oil to a depth of about 3 inches into a large, heavy saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until hot. To test the oil, throw in a pinch of flour. If it sizzles on contact, the oil is ready. (It should be 350 degrees if you are using a thermometer.) Working in batches, place the doughnuts in the hot oil, being careful not to crowd them. Fry on the first side for 2 to 3 minutes, or until brown. Then gently flip them and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until brown on the second side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the doughnuts to the prepared tray and let cool for a few minutes, or until cool enough to handle.

Place the remaining 1 cup (200 grams) sugar in a small bowl. One at a time, toss the warm doughnuts in the sugar to coat evenly. As each doughnut is coated, return it to the tray to cool completely. This will take 30 to 40 minutes.

To make the vanilla cream filling: While the doughnuts are cooking, whip the heavy cream until it holds stiff peaks. Using a rubber spatula, fold it into the pastry cream . You should have about 3 cups.

When doughnuts are completely cooled, poke a hole in the side of each doughnut, spacing it equidistant between the top and bottom. Fit a pastry bag with a small round tip and fill the bag with the filling. Squirt about 1/3 cup filling into each doughnut. Serve immediately.

Bread Sticks

Ingredients
1 cup warm water
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup oil
3 cups bread flour
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast Directions

Make dough using your favorite method- bread machine, mixer or by hand.
Roll out into a 10x12 inch rectangle.
Cut into strips about 3/4 inch wide.
Give each strip a twist and place on a greased cookie sheet(I used parchment paper).
Let rise for at least 20 minutes or more if you have time.
Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes.
Brush with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and parmesan cheese.

Pumpkin Roll

Ingredients
3 eggs
1 cup white sugar
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup chopped walnuts
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs on high for 5 minutes. Gradually beat in white sugar until thick and lemon-colored. Add pumpkin and lemon juice.
In another bowl combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg; fold into the pumpkin mixture.

Grease a 15x10x1 inch baking pan; line with waxed paper. Grease and flour the paper. Spread batter into pan; sprinkle with walnuts.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.

Immediately turn out onto a linen towel dusted with confectioners' sugar. Peel off paper and roll cake up in the towel, starting with the short end. Cool.
Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, butter, and vanilla until fluffy.

Carefully unroll the cake. Spread filling over cake to within 1 inch of edges. Roll up again. Cover and chill until serving. Dust with additional confectioners' sugar, if desired.

Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons self-rising flour
1/4 cup New Mexico or California chili powder
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion salt
salt to taste (I did not add any)

Directions
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Stir in flour and chili powder, reduce heat to medium, and cook until lightly brown, stirring constantly to prevent burning flour.
Gradually stir in tomato sauce, water, cumin, garlic powder, and onion salt into the flour and chili powder until smooth, and continue cooking over medium heat approximately 10 minutes, or until thickened slightly. Season to taste with salt.

To make self rising flour: Mix well 1 cup flour, 1 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt