Cheese Ball

This is a cheese ball recipe that my sister Colleen found and we have used it every Christmas for years. The ham and pineapple combo is most delish. Thanks Colleen!

Ingredients

8 oz pkg (one brick) cream cheese, room temp for easier mixing

1 small can crushed pineapple, well drained 

2 Tbsp chopped fine green onion (about 3 onions with half the greens)

1/2 can Flakes of Ham 

1 tsp seasoning salt

1 cup finely chopped pecans. 

Mix all ingredients well except the nuts. Let the mixture meld together in the fridge for 1/2 hour or so, shape into a ball and roll in chopped pecans. Makes 1 large or 2 small balls. 

Crepes

This is our favorite crepe recipe. You can use these for breakfast or use them in a savory recipe like chicken and broccoli which is super yummy. My family loves the basic fruit and cream. I usually put ricotta cheese and berries in mine with, of course, a sprinkle of powdered sugar. I have recently discovered that ricotta cheese, mini choc. chips and orange zest rolled up in a crepe is very much like a cannoli..without the crunch..but still pretty darn good! This recipe comes from the Pillsbury Cookbook.

Ingredients

4 eggs

1 1/3 cups milk

2 tbsp oil

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp salt

Dessert crepes: Add 2 Tbsp sugar if desired

In med. bowl, beat eggs slightly. Add remaining ingredients and beat until smooth. Batter may be covered and refrigerated up to 2 hours or cooked immediately. Heat crepe pan or 7-8 inch skillet over medium-high heat. A few drops of water sprinkled on the pan sizzle and bounce when heat is just right. Grease pan lightly with oil if needed. Use 1/4 cup of the batter, tilting pan to spread evenly do this quickly as it cooks fast. (I have a larger crepe pan so I use 1/3 cup of the batter). When crepe is light brown and set, turn to brown other side. Fill with desired filling. Suppose to make about 20 crepes but I usually get about half that. 

Andes Creme de Menthe Chunk Cookies

We tried the recipe on the back of the package of Andes Creme de Menthe Baking Chips and we were hooked! This is my sons favorite cookie recipe. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find the baking chips in Canada yet so whenever we go to the States and need some more we grab some. So very yummy!

Ingredients

1/2 cup salted butter - softened

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup white granulated sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 pkg (10 oz) Andes Creme de Menthe Baking Chips

2 2/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

Directions

Beat butter, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla and eggs until mixed. Stir in Andes Baking Chips then flour. Chill if you want for 1 hour (we are usually to impatient and just make them right then and there). Measure out approx 1 oz (we use our little ice cream scoop) about the size of a melon baller). Form ball and slightly flatten. Raise oven rack one level above middle (we use convection so doesn't matter) and bake on non-stick baking pans. Bake at 350 degrees for approx 8-10 mins. Cool on pans for 2 mins before removing. Makes about 4 doz. 

Texas Sheet Cake

Our family has been making this cake for years. It is so chocolaty, it's like a brownie almost. Add some vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce for a super yummy dessert. If you are a nut person you can add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the fudgy icing at the end of cooking it before you pour it on the cake. 

Ingredients

In a large bowl cream together: 

2 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

Add:

3/4 cup veg oil

1 cup boiling water

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup milk

2 cups flour

4 tbsp cocoa

2 eggs (beat before adding)

1 tsp vinegar

1 tsp soda

Pour into large non-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 mins.

Icing

4 Tbsp cocoa
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup margarine
1 tsp vanilla
Icing sugar (approx 1 pound)

Using a whisk blend ingreds together and bring to a boil in a saucepan. Add enough sifted icing sugar to thicken. (you can add nuts at this point or sprinkle them on top after pouring on cake)  Pour on cake while still hot.

German Pancakes

These are a fun change for breakfast. I've been making these for years! You can put powdered sugar and lemon juice on them for a traditional taste. Or you can put strawberries and sugar or syrup. Whatever you like, they are yummy!

Ingredients

6 room temp eggs

1 cup flour

1 cup milk

1/2 tsp salt

4 tbsp margarine (for melting in pan)

I blend the first 4 ingredients in the blender for a smoother texture. Melt the margarine in a 9x13 pan. When melted add the batter. Bake 400 degrees for 20-25 mins or until golden brown. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Buttermilk Syrup

1-1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup butter

2 Tbsp corn syrup

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp vanilla extract

In a saucepan, combine the first five syrup ingredients; bring to a boil. Boil for 7 mins. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla.  Makes about 2 cups syrup. 

Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip

This is one of my favorites! I have made this a few times and it gets lots of raves. So creamy and just the right amount of flavour. Tastes the best when nice and warm. Serve with a variety of tortilla chips or bread chips.

Ingredients

2 (8oz) pkgs cream cheese

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 cup sour cream

2 sm. bottles of marinated artichoke hearts-chopped fine

1 (10 oz) pkg frozen chopped spinach

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp marjoram (if desired)

Crushed red pepper flakes to taste

Mix all ingredients together well and put in a over safe dish. Place under broiler until the dip turns brown and is hot and bubbly. 

Skor Cake

This cake is a cinch to make and is so so very yummy! 

Ingredients

1 Box Devils Food cake mix. 

1 can sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cup caramel sauce 

4 Skor candy bars. 

Whipping Cream or Cool Whip topping. 

Directions

Bake cake according to directions on the box. As soon as it comes out of the oven poke holes going to the bottom of the cake all over, about 3/4 inch apart with a straw or something similar. 

Pour the sweetened condensed milk on top making sure you get all the holes. As you are pouring use a spatula and spread it evenly getting some in all the holes. After that has set a bit pour the caramel sauce on top. Put in the fridge until entire cake is cool. 

Whip the whipping cream approx 2 cups and add powdered sugar to taste. Or you can use large tub of Cool Whip.  

When the cake is cool crumble 2 of the candy bars on top of the cake. (I put mine in a zip lock bag and smash the heck out of it with a rolling pin. You want to leave some good chunks though.) 

Spread the whipping cream on top then crush 2 more candy bars and sprinkle on top of whipping cream. Drizzle some of the caramel sauce on top of everything. Enjoy because it is super delish.