Giant Ginger Cookies

From the recipe - "These irresistible cookies are giant in size and huge in snappy ginger flavor.  To create the chewy texture, be sure to make them with shortening, not butter or margarine."  Mom has always used butter and they've always tasted great.

Ingredients

• 4.5 c. all-purpose flour
• 4 tsp. ground ginger
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1.5 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• .25 tsp. salt
• 1.5 cups shortening (or butter)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• .5 c. molasses
• .75 c. coarse sugar or granulated sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Cream sugar and butter
3. Mix in eggs and molasses
4. Mix dry ingredients separately
5. Add dry ingredients to the cream sugars
6. Roll into balls (golf-ball size for giant cookies)
7. Roll balls in coarse or granulated sugar
8. Place on cookie sheet 2.5 in. apart
9. Bake for 12-14 min
10. Once done, let stand for 2 min before transferring to rack

Yields: 25 - 4 in. cookies

Best Flan EVER

[I got this recipe from the internet and it is FABULOUS!]

Flan Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
• 2 - 12oz cans of Evaporated Skim Milk
• 1 1/2 cups of Sugar
• 1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

Caramel Ingredients:

• 2 cups of Sugar

Making the Caramel

1. Put the 2 cups of sugar into a pan (frying pan or pot). 
2. Cook over med-high heat until the sugar melts and becomes a nice golden brown. (You need to watch this carefully and adjust the heat as needed. The sugar will boil as it melts, this is normal. don't let it scorch or it will have a bitter taste)
3. Put the caramel in a 9x9 cake pan. Allow it to cool slightly while you make the flan.

**WARNING: Most plastic utensils will melt before the sugar does. It is best to use a wooden spoon or some sort of metal utensil.

Making the Flan

1. Crack 6 eggs into a large bowl. Mix the eggs together using a fork or a whisk.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until smooth. You (Jou) can use a mixer, but all you really need is a fork or whisk.
3. Pour this over the caramel in the cake pan.

Cooking the Flan

1. This flan must be cooked in a water bath. Find a pan that will fit your flan pan. Make sure there is space around all sides of the flan pan. I usually use a roaster pan or lasagna pan for this.
2. Put the flan pan with the flan ingredients into the outer pan. Put water into the outer pan high enough to come about 3/4 of the way up on the flan pan.
3. Place the pans in a pre-heated 350 degree F oven and cook for 1 hour. Check the flan with a toothpick in the middle to ensure it is done. The flan may not look exactly firm, but if the toothpick is clean it is done.

Eat the Flan
Let the flan sit until mostly cool. Put a plate over the top of the flan pan. Make sure the plate is big enough for the flan and the caramel.

Turn the flan pan and plate over quickly, holding the plate over the top of the flan pan. Let the flan cool, the caramel will not harden. Jou now have a wonderful, delicious treat to serve! ( I refrigerated mine.)

Chocolate Chip Cookies/M&M Cookies

1 1/3 cup softened butter
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 brown sugar
1 tbl. vanilla
2 eggs
4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
4 cups chocolate chips
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Cream sugars and butter. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Sift flour, soda and salt and add half of dry mix to creamed mixture. Blend in remaining dry mix. Add chocolate chips and nuts and distribute well.
Bake at 350 for 11 to 13 minutes.

**This recipe makes the best m&m cookies I have ever made!Use two bags of m&ms in place of chocolate chips.

Almond Bars

These are a very rich, flavorful treat. A little bit goes a long way, but they are so good and just melt in the mouth

Crust:
1 cup butter
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Mix well.
Pat into even layer in a 9 x 13 pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Filling:
8 oz cream cheese softened
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp almond extract

Beat together well and pour over crust while it is still hot.
Bake for another 15 to 20 minutes.
Cool.

Frosting:
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 tablespoon milk
1 tsp almond extract

Whisk together
Spread evenly on cooled cookies.
Cut into bars.

I lightly sprinkled sliced almonds over the top and put a whole almond on each bar

Pumkpin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I made these cookies with my friend the night before a race and not only did we both run really well the next day, they were some of the best cookies I've ever eaten. I made the mistake of going into the office and the other RAs ate almost all of them.



Ingredients

• 2 c sugar
• 1 c oil
• 16 oz of pumpkin
• 2 eggs
• 2 t vanilla
• 1 t salt
• 2 t baking soda
• 4 c flour
• 3 t baking powder
• 2 t cinnamon
• 1 package chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Combine sugar and oil
3. Stir in pumpkin, vanilla, and eggs
4. Add dry ingredients
5. Add chocolate chips
6. Spoon onto a greased cookie sheet, cook for 10 minutes

Texas Governor's Mansion Cowboy Cookies

Ingredients

Mix together:

• 1 tbl. soda
• 1 tbl. cinnamon
• 3 cups flour (do the "touch test" to make sure you have enough flour)
• 1 tbl. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt

Cream:

• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tbl. vanilla

Mix the creamed and dry ingredients an then stir in:

• 3 cups chocolate chips
• 2 cups flaked coconut
• 3 cups old fashioned oats
• 2 cups chopped walnuts (8 oz.)

Drop 1/4 cup dough on ungreased baking sheet and flatten slightly; bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.

Yield: 3 dozen

Banana Bars

This is a GREAT variation of banana bread! From the blog "My Kitchen Cafe". Enjoy!!

Frosted Banana Bars
from allrecipes.com

½ cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (I used three ripe bananas)
Frosting (use store-bought cream cheese frosting or make your own from the version below)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 10 x 15 inch jellyroll pan or one 9X13 pan and an additional 8X8 pan. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; stir into the batter. Finally, mix in the mashed banana. Spread evenly into the prepared pan(s). Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely before frosting.

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 cup white sugar (you can use either granulated sugar or confectioners' sugar - the confectioners' sugar tends to dissolve better and not be as grainy but either one works fine)
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream

In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Set aside. In another medium bowl, beat whipped cream until stiff peaks form (it helps to use a chilled bowl and chilled beaters). Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Frost to your heart's delight!

Can't Leave Alone Bars

These are so good, and such a fun change from brownies and cookies..... and they super easy!!

Ingredients

• white cake mix
  
• 1/3 cup oil
  
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 14 oz can od sweetened condensed milk
  
• 1/4 cup butter
  

Directions

1. In mixing bowl, mix: cake mix, oil and eggs
   
2. with floured hands press cake mix into the bottom of a greased 9 by 13 pan
   
3. in a microwave safe bowl put chopped butter, chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk, melt in microwave for 60 seconds, stir then put again in microwave for 45 seconds, and stir again
   
4. pour chocolate mixture over cake mixture and bake at 350, for 22-25 minutes, watch for top to get crackly to be done, cool, and enjoy!!!
   

Yields: whole pan of nummieness

Mom's Brownies

Another yummy treat that brings back memories.

Ingredients

• 2 sticks butter (melted)
• 2 c. white sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 c. cocoa
• 1.5 c. flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 F.
2. There's no real order to the rest as I remember. Mix thoroughly and pour into 9 x 13 greased baking dish.
3. Cook for 20-25 min.

As options add pecans, chocolate chips, and dust with powdered sugar.

Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are the cookies mom made every Friday (most Friday's) for an after school treat!

Ingredients

• 3/4 c. white sugar
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 1 c. butter/margerine
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2.25 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Blend butter and sugars.
3. Mix in eggs.
4. Mix in vanilla.
5. Add remaining dry ingredients.
6. Spoon onto cookie sheet and bake for about 10 minutes (just keep an eye on them)

For a variation spread all the dough evenly into a 9" x 13" baking dish and cook for 20-25 minutes for cookie bars (my personal favorite).

Mrs. Fields Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 c brown sugar
• 2 c white sugar
• 2 c butter
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 4 c flour
• 3-5 c oats (depending on desired consistency. You can blend the oats in the blender so it is more of a flour [recommended] or just pour them in as is)
• chocoloate chips (regular chocolate works as well) (put in as many as you would like)
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
   
2. Cream together first three ingredients.
   
3. Beat in 4 eggs.
   
4. Mix in salt, soda, b. powder, and vanilla.
   
5. Stir in flour, oats and then chocolate chips.
6. Bake in oven for 6-8 minutes.

Caramel Fondue

Perfect for apple dipping!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 15 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
   
2. Stir in sugar, corn syrup and water. Bring to a boil.
   
3. Stir in condensed milk, simmer, stirring constantly until mixture reaches thread stage (230 degrees on a candy thermometer).
   
4. Add vanilla.
   
5. Place in fondue pot or crock pot.

Pumpkin Cookies

Great fall cookies!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup pumpkin pie mix (I use one 15 oz can)
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp soda
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 bag chocolate chips

Directions

1. Cream shortening and sugar.
   
2. Add egg, vanilla, and pumpkin.
   
3. Sift in dry ingredients.
   
4. Add chocolate chips.
   
5. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes.

No-Bake Cookies

• 2 c. sugar
• 1/3 c. cocoa
• 1/2 c. milk
• 2 sticks butter
• 1/2 c. peanut butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 c. oatmeal

Put first four ingredients into sauce pan let sugar disolve, stir constantly and bring to high, rolling boil and let boil for only 1 minute. Remove from heat and add PB, vanilla, and oatmeal. If runny, let cool for a few minutes and drop onto wax paper or foil. Let set.

Sticky Buns

Sticky Buns

• 1 ½ C flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• ¾ tsp salt
• ¼ C shortening
• ½ C milk
• ½ C brown sugar
• ¼ C margarine
• 2 Tbsp water

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture resembles course meal. Add milk then knead 10-15 times. Roll out to ½ inch thick and cut with drinking glass.

Combine brown sugar, margarine, and water in round microwavable pan. Microwave for ½ - 1 minute or until margarine melts.

Leave mixture in pan and stir. Place biscuits on top of mixtures. Cook in microwave at 70% (important!! They WILL burn at 100%) for 4-5 minutes. Let set for 2 minutes.

*Also good to do is roll out dough thinly and sprinkle cinnamon and put slice almonds and/or raisons (any nut, dried fruit, or seasoning would work). Roll into a log and then slice so they are more like cinnamon rolls.

The Best Caramel

The Best Caramel

½ C butter
½ C brown sugar
½ C white sugar
½ C light corn syrup
7 oz sweetened condensed milk

Combine ingredients in heavy pan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with wooden spoon. Keep at roiling boil and cook until the soft ball state (about 15 minutes). Pour into buttered pan.

Soft ball stage test: fill a small bowl with cold water. Spoon a little caramel into the water. After a few seconds try to form a ball with your fingers. If the caramel doesn’t stick to itself, it needs to cook longer. If it forms a ball and feels soft, it’s ready (hence the name “soft ball stage”)

Easy Skor Bars

Saltine Toffee

• ½ C Brown Sugar
• ½ C butter
• ½ package saltines
• ½ package chocolate chips (or however many you want)

Preheat oven to 400° F. Melt butter and sugar together in saucepan. Bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes, DO NOT STIR. Spray an 8x8 inch pan with Pam, line bottom with saltines (crushed, or whole, both work). Pour sugar/butter mixture over crackers. Bake 5 minutes, remove and put chocolate chips over top and chill until firm.

Chocolate Waffle Brownies

This has been a family favorite for quite some time. Hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients:

• 1 cube butter
• 7 tbl. cocoa
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Melt butter and stir in cocoa. Add eggs one at a time. Combine dry ingredients and add to mixture. Add vanilla. Follow waffle iron instructions for a tasty treat! ( You can add chocolate frosting to top them off!)

(Healthy*) Double-chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate is not really my favorite, but we made these cookies today and with a glass of milk they were pretty good. The best part was that unlike regular chocolate chip cookies, I could only eat two of them because of the chocolatiness, but I still liked what I ate.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg white (we used the yolk also)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 Tbsp baking cocoa
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or to taste)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 deg. Beat brown sugar and butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, or mix with spoon. Beat in vanilla and egg white.
2. Stir in flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until set (do not overbake). Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

*If you believe such a thing exists!

Nutritional Facts:
1 Cookie: Calories 75 (Calories from Fat 25); Fat 3g; Saturated Fat 2g; Trans Fat 0g; Cholesterol 5 mg
Carbohydrate 11g (Dietary Fiber 1g); Protein 1g

Easy Donuts

We found this recipe in the "Fake It, Don't Make It" section of my Real Simple magazine and tried it out last night. So fast, so easy, and really, really good (so long as you don't let Blake burn the donuts).

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 8-count package large refrigerated biscuits (such as Pillsbury Grands) (or the equivalent in homemade biscuit dough)
  
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

Heat 1/2 cup of the oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat (and yes, if the temp is any higher, the donuts will be crispy).

Place the biscuits on a cutting board. Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter or equivalent (we just cut out holes with a knife), cut a hole in the center of each biscuit, reserving the extra dough for "holes."

Test the heat of the oil by dipping the edge of a doughnut in the pan. When the oil is hot enough, the edge will bubble. Place 4 of the doughnuts and holes in the skillet and cook until golden brown, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain. Add the remaining oil to the skillet, reheat, and cook the remaining doughnuts and holes.

In a large bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Gently toss the warm doughnuts in the mixture a few at a time. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Yield: Makes 8 doughnuts, plus holes.