Easy Lemon Bars

I've never been a fan of lemon bars, but I had some extra lemon juice and decided to whip up a batch. Pretty simple. Pretty delicious. Empty pan. Bummer!

Easy Lemon Bars For the crust:

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup white sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour Mix it up and smoosh it in a 9x13 pan. (Can use 9x9, but bars will need to bake longer!) Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes until it's starting to brown. To make the filling:

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups white sugar 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 2/3 cup lemon juice Mix this up and pour it over the partially baked crust. Bake an additional 20 minutes or so. Let cool completely before trying to dig in or it gets messy (but still delicious!)

Zucchini Brownies

Zucchini Brownies

I know it sounds weird, but I've made these several times and no one guesses that there is zucchini in these... If you're skeptical, it's worth a shot for all the extra zucchini at this time of year!

2 cups shredded zucchini (frozen from last year works too!)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 egg (eggs make these more cake-ish, so if you want fudge brownies, leave out the eggs - they still turn out fine)

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 cups flour (wheat flour works great)

1/2 cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips - optional

Combine all ingredients. Grease a 9x13 pan.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 mins.

Frosting

6 TBS cocoa powder

1/4 cup melted margarine

2 cups powdered sugar

1 TBS milk (use more or less for desired consistency)

1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine and spread over cooled brownies. SUPER YUM!

Oat & Jam Bars

I found this recipe on AllRecipes.com and thought it was so easy and yummy. I just had to share!

Oat & Jam Bars

1 cake mix, yellow or white

2 1/2 cups oats

3/4 cup margarine

Mix that in a bowl until clumpy and sticky.

Take about 1/2 of the mix and press it into the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.

1 1/2 cups of jam - strawberry, raspberry, whatever

1 TBS lemon juice or water

Mix that together until smooth. Spread evenly ontop of the pressed in layer.

Use the rest of the cake mix to sprinkle/crumble the top.

Oven at 375 - 15-20 minutes...............How quick is that??

And it uses food storage oats and can be adapted for anyone's taste!! YAY!

(Chloe even "helped" stir - aka eat the crumbles - while I spread the jam.)

Waffles

Found a great "food storage" recipe for waffles online. Thought I'd share.

In large bowl, mix:
3 eggs
2 cups milk
1/3 cup oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBS baking powder
3 TBS brown sugar
2 cups whole wheat flour




Mix until well combined. Pour batter into waffle maker (or on griddle for pancakes) and cook until well browned.

Blueberry Oat Scones

Misty the little tree hugger, found this cool site weelicious.com and it's got some pretty fun recipes for kids. I tried this one and it was pretty good. I'd even make it again.

Blueberry Oat Scones (Makes 10 ice cream scooper sized scones)‬

2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 Cup Quick Oats (I used regular oats)
4 Tbsp Sugar
2 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Cup Butter (I used margarine)
3/4 Cup Buttermilk (3/4 cup milk plus 1 tsp vinegar, microwave for 1 min=buttermilk)
1 Egg
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Blueberries (I used freeze dried blueberries and just put them in the buttermilk to hydrate)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the first 5 ingredients until combined.
3. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, rub the butter into the flour/oat mixture until is resembles coarse meal.
4. Whisk the buttermilk, egg and vanilla in a separate bowl.
5. Pour the buttermilk mixture over the flour/oat mixture and using a fork, stir until combined.
6. Stir in the blueberries until just combined.
7. Scoop out about 2 tbsp of the batter per scone onto a Silpat or parchment lined baking sheet (I like using an ice cream scooper for this.)
8. Bake for 20 minutes.
9. Serve.

EZ Pizza Crust

I've made "from scratch" pizzas a few times at home and this recipe is super quick and tastes great!

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (.25 oz) package dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F)

Combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Mix in oil and warm water.

Spread out on a large pizza pan. Top as desired.

Bake at 375 degrees C (190 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes.

Peanut Butter Cookies

I got this recipe from my mom's 1970's Betty Crocker book. I've used it so often because it's easy and YUMMY!

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup butter flavored shortening
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt


1. Mix sugars, peanut butter, shortening, butter and egg in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm.

2. Heat oven to 375ºF.

3. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten in crisscross pattern with fork dipped into sugar.

4. Bake 9 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

Kierston's Cookie Dough Smash Balls

Our favorite "Special K" made these and brought them into Dispatch. After telling her they were not cooked, I decided they were still good, and worth putting on here. Enjoy!

2 cups Bisquick

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup chocolate chips

Mix it up. Roll into balls. Roll around in sugar to cover.

Press with fork.

Bake 3 minutes. (I'd bake them longer though...)

Homemade Brownies

2 sticks margarine

2 cups white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3 eggs

1 Tablespoon vanilla

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Whisk together dry ingredients. Add in wet ingredients, mix well.

Oven to 350. Spray the pan. 9x13 is minimum size.

35-40 minutes.

I've been looking for a good recipe and these turned out great. You could even omit the brown sugar and just use 3 cups regular white sugar.

Kentucky Butter Cake

Simple recipe for a yummy cake I've made twice in two weeks. It's a great substitute for a yellow cake mix!! Very much like a pound cake. I used a 9x13 pan the first time I made this. It turned out well. The 2nd time, I did 2 - 9inch cake round pans. Next time, I think I'll do 3 - 8inch cake rounds or just the 9x13 / 11x15 pan. It makes quite alot of batter. Bake time is long, but so worth it!

Ingredients

• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk (1 cup milk + 1 tbs cream of tartar, microwave 30 seconds)
  
• 1 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, 2 cups sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Blend in buttermilk, 1 cup of butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla and 4 eggs. Beat for 3 minutes at medium speed. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.

Zucchini Brownies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 2 cups chocolate chips
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and chocolate chips. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back when gently touched.

Kid Friendly: CornDog Muffins

• 2 (8.5 ounce) packages cornbread mix
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
• 8 hot dogs, cut in half or pieces

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease muffin tins.
2. Stir together the cornbread mix and the brown sugar in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Fold the eggs and cheese into the dry mixture until moistened. Spoon mixture into muffin tins until 2/3 full. Add 1 hot dog half to each muffin.
3. Bake in a preheated oven 14 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown.

Zucchini Bread

If you have a garden in summer - you'll need an idea for all that dang squash!

1 Cup oil
2 Cups sugar
3 eggs
3 tsp vanilla
2 Cups shredded raw zucchini
3 Cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
3 tsp cinnamon


Combine oil, sugar and eggs in large bowl.
Add in vanilla and zucchini.
Sift in dry ingredients. Mix well.
Pour batter in greased loaf pan.

Bake 350 for 1 hour. (Less time for several smaller loaves.)

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 Cup granulated sugar
1 Cup packed brown sugar
1 Cup shortening
1 Cup peanut butter
2 eggs
2 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
1 1/2tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt


Mix sugars, shortening, peanut butter and eggs.
Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Shape dough into 3/4 inch balls.
Place 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
(Fork the tops if you must)
Bake until set, but not hard.

375 for 10 mins

PS- you can add chocolate kisses on top towards the end of baking.

Banana Bread

1/2 Cup margarine
1 Cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 Cup bananas (more= moister bread)
1/4 Cup milk
1 tsp lemon juice
2 Cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1/2 Cup chopped nuts (optional)


Mix all ingredients together. Batter will be lumpy.
Put in greased 8x4x3 loaf pan.

Bake 1 hr @350.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake

So freaking good - My Grandma made this one year for my birthday and we ate it all, so she made another one a few days later. YUM!

1 package devils food cake mix
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure almond extract (optional)



Mix all ingredients in large mixing bowl until thick and well blended. Pour the batter in greased 9x13 pan.

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Frost with chocolate frosting when cool.

PS- I usually reserve a little of the cherry pie filling to mix in with the chocolate frosting just for an extra cherry kick!

Cake Mix Cookies

Did you know that cake mixes can be made into cookies? They can and are very yummy! This version is one that I love, because of the "Andes" Mints on top. Use this recipe to make oreos, and other cookies with chocolates on top! The recipe is:

2 German Chocolate Cake Mixes (dry)

1 cup shortening (or use 1/2 cup vegetable oil)

4 eggs.

Mix together really well. The mix will be thick. Roll into balls and bake at 350 for 7-9 minutes. Take out of the oven and place on cooling rack. At this point have your chocolates unwrapped. Place "Andes" Mints on the cookie and let melt. Once melted spread around. You can use Hershey's Kisses with Carmel. These cookies can be put together with cream cheese icing for Oreo cookies. Enjoy.

Spritz Cookies

Ok so I love the holiday and I love to bake. The kids love to help w/this recipe. You will need a cookie press. Hope you enjoy.

Lime Spritz Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups butter (no substitutes), softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 package (3 ounces) lime gelatin (or any jello flavor you like)
  
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Red and green colored sugar, optional

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and gelatin. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Using a cookie press fitted with the disk of your choice, press dough into desired shapes 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 14 dozen

Sugar Cookies

These are alot of work, but worth it!

1 Cup butter
2 Cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 Cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
5 Cups all purpose flour
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg.
Sift dry ingredients together. Add alternately with milk and vanilla.
Roll out dough, about 1/4 inch thick. (The thicker, the better.)
Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

PS - I've found that it's easier to refrigerate the dough for a few hours and then roll it out, it's a little stiffer and doesn't break up as easily.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

1 1/4  Cups Brown Sugar, firmly packed
3/4 Cup  Butter Flavored Shortening
2 TBS  Milk
1 TBS  Vanilla
1  Egg
1 3/4 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 tsp  Salt
3/4 tsp  Baking Soda
1 Cup  Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 Cup  Pecans, coarsely chopped



Preheat oven to 350.  Grease 13x9 pan.

Combine sugar, shortening, milk and vanilla.  Add egg.
Combine flour, salt, and baking soda.  Add to wet mixture.
Beat at low speed until just blended.
Stir in chocolate chips and pecans.

Press dough evenly into prepared pan.
Bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes until lightly browned
and firm in the center.  Do not overbake.

Cool completely and cut into squares.

*Note - You can also make these into cookies.
350 for 9-12 minutes.