No Bake Cookies!

No Bake Cookies!

Darius is a big fan of no bake cookies!

These cookies are some of my favorites. They never last more than two days in my house. It is so tempting to eat the dough as your scooping it out on the pan. Don't miss out! Try this recipe! You can also try it without the peanut butter if you're aren't a peanut butter fan, or you can try it without the cocoa. You can also substitute dry cereal in for the oats if you are running low on quick oats. Don't be afraid to doctor up the recipe to accommodate! 

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. milk
• 1/2 stick of butter
• 2 c. granulated sugar
• 4 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 c. peanut butter (I'm a big fan of organic or Peter Pan peanut butter)
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 c. quick oats

Directions

1. In a big saucepan, mix together the milk, butter, sugar, and cocoa.
2. Cook on medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Remove from heat and add in the last 4 ingredients until oats are fully coated.
4. Drop onto a pan covered in wax paper. 
5. Let them set for about an hour.

Creamy Macaroni Salad!

Creamy Macaroni Salad!

This is one of the best macaroni salad recipes I have ever tried (aside from Amish macaroni salad). Macaroni salad is a great side dish to take to a picnic or potluck. It isn't too sour, sweet, and salty. The vegetables add the perfect crunch to the creamy macaroni noodles. Try this recipe with a different type of noodle such as Rotini. You could also switch up the veggies if you get tired of the celery and pepper mixture. I enjoy adding green and orange peppers in addition to the red peppers. 

Ingredients

• 1 c. mayo
• 2 tbsp. vinegar
• 1 tbsp. prepared mustard
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 8 oz. cooked and cooled macaroni
• 1 c. chopped celery
• 1 c. chopped red pepper
• 1/4 c. chopped onion

Directions

My cousin Ryan had a few helpings of this recipe. He loved it!

1. In a large bowl, mix together the mayo, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper.
2. Make sure the macaroni is cooled. Add the macaroni and vegetables to the mayo mixture.
3. Mix until all noodles are coated thoroughly. 
4. Serve and enjoy!

Delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are the perfect consistency, just as long as you bake them for the right amount of time. They are also absolutely DELICIOUS. I make them probably once a week. You can always bake them ahead of time and freeze them until you want to serve. The best part, is you can choose any type of chocolate chips you want it tastes just as good as regular semi-sweet chocolate chip cookies! I usually combine milk chocolate and white chocolate. You might want to try butterscotch, peanut butter, or dark chocolate chips. Any way you choose you can't go wrong!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose Flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• your choice of chocolate chips!

Directions

1. Combine brown sugar and shortening. 
2. Beat in milk, vanilla and egg. 
3. In a separate bowl mix flour, salt, and baking soda. 
4. Add together wet and dry ingredients.
5. Use extra flour to roll them out into two huge cookies. (If you decide to make small cookies, then roll out smaller, flat cookies)
6. Put in a 375 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.
7. Take cookies out and cool

Fluffy, Whipped Frosting

Katie is a pro in the kitchen. Cupcakes  are her favorite food!

Fluffy, Whipped Frosting

This is one of the most delicious frosting recipes I have ever tried. (I am a BIG icing/frosting person). It is great whether you like a big pile of frosting on your cupcake, or only a small amount. It is not too sweet and not too bland, but somewhere right in the middle. It is light, fluffy, and buttery. Feel free to mix it up and add chopped nuts or chocolate to give it a kick. Also, try using food coloring when using with children. 

Ingredients

• 3/4 c. granulated sugar
• 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
• dash of salt
• 3/4 c. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions

1. Combine sugar, flour, and salt in a small saucepan.
2. Slowly add in milk. Cook at medium heat, stirring constantly, until boiling.
3. Frosting should thicken. After it is thickened, put in the refrigerator or freezer for about a half an hour.
4. When cooled, beat in vanilla until light and fluffy. 
5. Frost cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and use as filling! 

Parmesan Chicken Penne

Parmesan Chicken Penne with garlic and peppers!

I made this dish for Mother's day with some rolls and it was absolutely delicious. The olive oil holds all the flavor to each noodle. Vegetarians would love this as well, just don't cook the chicken with it. It is a great dish with lots of flavor! Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 4   chicken breasts (frozen or not)
• 1 box penne
• 1/4 c olive oil
• 1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 chopped red pepper
• 1/2 chopped orange pepper
• extra Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cook the chicken ahead of time according to the directions on the package.
2. Boil the water with a dash of salt. Pour in the Penne and boil until the noodles are tender.
3. Drain the noodles in a strainer and pour back into the pot.
4. Mix in the olive oil, Parmesan, chopped red pepper, and chopped orange pepper.
5. Pour into a greased 13x9 pan. Arrange the chicken on top of the penne.
6. Shake the extra Parmesan on top. 
7. Cook in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese in melted.
8. Serve! 

P.S. You can add tomatoes, onions, or whatever vegetables you would like!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake! 

I made this for my mom for Mother's Day. It was a hit! My brothers could not stop eating it. This is delicious if you love cheesecake and cookies. Put them together and BAM, it's heaven. 

Ingredients

        Crust

• 3/4 stick Crisco® Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening Sticks or 3/4 cup Crisco® Butter flavor All-Vegetable Shortening
• 
  • 1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 3/4 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 (6 oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
  Filling

• 1 8 oz package of cream cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions

1. Beat together the shortening and brown sugar.
2. Then add milk, vanilla, and egg. Beat together.
3. In a separate bowl mix together the flour, salt, and baking soda.
4. Slowly add in the chocolate chips.
5. After the dough is mixed well, split the dough in half. 
6. At the bottom of a greased 8x8 pan, press half of the dough into a crust. Set aside the other half.
7. Now it is time to make the cheese cake portion. Beat together the cream cheese, egg, sugar, and vanilla.
8. Slowly pour the beaten cream cheese mixture onto the bottom crust.
9. Take out the other half of dough. Scoop and drop spoonfuls onto the top of the cream cheese mixture.
10. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until golden on top.
11. Cool and cut!

Homemade Donuts!

Super Easy Homemade Donuts!

This recipe is great for a quick breakfast. I made it for Mother's day and my mom loved them! They were so easy that anyone who is old enough to use an oven could certainly do it. Some may wonder what to do with the center of the biscuits since they are cut out. Personally, I think it is a cute idea to make the centers the same way that you make the rest of the donuts. This creates little donut bites. Bake and enjoy!

Ingredients

• Can of ready-to-bake biscuits
• 1/2 c melted butter
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 c. granulated sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Seperate the biscuits onto a plate or platter and cut out the middle with a circle utensil (I use a bottle cap).
3. In one wide-rimmed bowl have the melted butter ready. In another wide-rimmed bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar and have it ready.
4. One by one, dip each biscuit into the butter until it is fully covered, then proceed to dip in the sugar mixture and place on the baking sheet.
5. When all are covered in buttery, sugar deliciousness, bake in the oven for about 10-15 minutes.
6. Cool and eat!

Giant Cookie Sandwiches!

Giant Cookie Sandwiches! (Or small ones if you wish) 

These cookies are great for parties or family snacks! I like to make the giant cookies and cut pieces off for my family and friends, but some people would rather have smaller, portioned pieces. Whatever you decide to do, the size does not effect the taste! Enjoy! 

Ingredients

Cookies

• 3/4 stick Crisco® Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening Sticks or 3/4 cup Crisco® Butter flavor All-Vegetable Shortening
• 1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 (6 oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup)

Frosting/Filling

• 1/4 c. softened butter
• 2 c powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/2 melted dark chocolate bar

Directions

1. Combine brown sugar and shortening. 
2. Beat in milk, vanilla and egg. 
3. In a separate bowl mix flour, salt, and baking soda. 
4. Add together wet and dry ingredients.
5. Use extra flour to roll them out into two huge cookies. (If you decide to make small cookies, then roll out smaller, flat cookies)
6. Put in a 375 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.
7. Take cookies out and cool.
8. While you wait, mix together the frosting! Cream together the powdered sugar and butter. Then, add vanilla, milk, and chocolate.
9. Add the frosting to the bottom of a cookie, then add another cookie on top of the frosting. 

Dark Chocolate Chunk Blondies

Dark Chocolate Chunk Blondies

These blondies are one of my favorite quick recipes. It is fairly easy and uses very practical ingredients. These are great when served warm with ice cream or eaten with milk. They are absolutely delicious! Enjoy and get creative! 

My little brother Darius helped me with these. We spent the whole day together shopping, eating, and baking. Great sibling bonding! 

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-vegetable shortening
• 2 tbsp milk
• 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 large dark chocolate bar, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine shortening and milk. Melt in the microwave or over the stove. (About 1 minute on high power)
3. Stir in the sugar. Then, add egg and vanilla. 
4. In a separate bowl, mix salt, baking powder, and flour.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
6. Slowly add the chopped dark chocolate.
7. Pour and spread into a greased 13x9 baking pan.
8. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool and cut!