Scotcharoos: Chocolate Butterscotch Bars

These are a crowd pleaser.

One of my very favorites and the best part...they are quick and easy.

My husband grew up with Scotcharoo's and introduced me to them a few years back.

Oh, they are good. The chocolate with the butterscotch is a perfect match.

Ingredients:

1 cup Peanut Butter

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Light Corn Syrup

6 cups Rice Krispies

1 bag Milk Chocolate Chips

1 bag Butterscotch Chips

Directions:

Grease a 13x9 inch pan. In saucepan bring sugar & corn syrup to boil. Then add peanut butter. Stir until melted. Then remove from heat. Combine with 6 c. Rice Krispies (I like to have these pre-measured in a large mixing bowl.  Then I pour the hot sugar mixture over the Rice Krispies). Spread and press mixture into 13x9 pan. Melt bags of chocolate and butterscotch chips together in microwave about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, depending on microwave.  Heat until just melted. Stir then spread over Rice Krispie mixture. Cool in Fridge.

Budgeting 101: Meal Planning Saves Money

Want to read about the rest of the Budgeting 101 Series? Find it: HERE.

Budgeting 101: Class 4
 Meal Planning is what makes my budget work.  
Because I plan what we eat I know what groceries I will need each month.  
And It makes it so I can watch for deals on items I will need.

MY MONTHLY MEAL PLAN:

Each of these Meals are a Category.  Meaning, if it says "Chicken & Potatoes" that means I am cooking Chicken & Potatoes...but it could be grilled chicken, baked chicken, crock pot, etc. It also varies in marinade or flavoring.  This way I can change up the variety within the category.

I don't like it to feel like we eat the same thing again and again.

Example: one week it will be BBQ chicken and Baked Potatoes, then the next will be Garlic Baked Chicken with Herb Potatoes. 

AND each category is made TWICE a MONTH.

1. Chicken & Potatoes x2

2. Chicken & Rice x2

3. Meatloaf & Potatoes x2

4. Lasagna & Italian x2
 5. Enchiladas/Tacos/Burritos x2

6. Beans & Rice x2

7. Salsa Chicken Meals x2

8. Stir Fry x2

9. Spaghetti x2

10. Fried Rice x2

11. Soup x2

12. Salad x2

Each of these meals doubled = 24 MEALS

Giving about 3 Nights for Left Overs & 3 Night for Eating Out/Entertaining 

MEALS: 
(with Recipes linked)

Choose 2 from each category...OR choose one and make double to freeze.
This will save you time later in the month.

Chicken & Potatoes: 

Parmesan Ranch Baked Chicken, BBQ Chicken, Italian Baked Chicken, Herb Seasoned Baked Chicken, Honey Lime Chicken, Chicken & Potato Veggie Bake, Lemon Garlic Chicken & Potato Bake, Slow Cooker Chicken & Potatoes, Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Sweet and Spicy Chicken, and Marinade Chicken (Use Your Favorite Marinades)
*ADD a vegetable side dish: Corn, Broccoli, Green Beans, Salad, etc.

Chicken & Rice: 

Fast Herb Chicken & Wild Rice, Creamy Chicken & Rice Bake, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Hawaiian BBQ Chicken, Hawaiian Haystacks, Chicken Bacon Broccoli & Rice, Chicken & Black Bean Casserole, Lemon Chicken & Rice, Orange Chicken, Cilantro Thai Grilled Chicken, Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken, Honey Sauced Chicken, Cashew Chicken, Coconut Chicken & Apricot Sauce, Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken, Teriyaki Chicken, Marinade Chicken & Rice, 

*ADD a vegetable side dish: Corn, Broccoli, Green Beans, Salad, etc.

Meatloaf & Potatoes: 

 Meatloaf, Salsa Mini Meatloaves
*ADD a vegetable side dish: Corn, Broccoli, Green Beans, Salad, etc.

Lasagna & Italian: 

Easy Lasagna, Beef Lasagna, Sausage Lasagna, Lasagna Casserole, Slow Cooker Lasagna, Lasagna Skillet, Chicken Parmesan Casserole, Crock Pot Manicotti, Italian Zucchini Skillet
*ADD a vegetable side dish: Corn, Broccoli, Green Beans, Salad, etc.
*Optional add Bread, Rolls, Garlic Bread, Etc.

Enchiladas/Tacos/Burritos: 

Chicken Enchiladas, Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, Honey Lime Enchiladas, Mexican Beef Enchiladas, Cafe Rio Smoothered Burritos, Basic Bean Burritos, Soft Tacos, Crunchy Tacos, Oven Tacos, Fajitas, Burrito Skillet, Enchilada Casserole, Bean & Rice Enchiladas, Enchilada Bake, Slow Cooker Enchiladas, Stuffed Quesedillas, Cilantro Lime Chicken Burritos, Chicken Enchilada Pasta
*ADD a Rice Side Dish & vegetable side dish: Corn, Broccoli, Green Beans, Salad, etc.

Beans & Rice: 

Lime Cilantro Beans & Rice, Cilantro Beans & Rice, Red Beans Kielbasa & Rice, Three Beans & Rice
*ADD a vegetable side dish: Corn, Broccoli, Green Beans, Salad, etc.

Salsa Chicken Meal: 

 Salsa Chicken Meal/Chicken Taco Chili with Rice, Salsa Chicken Burritos,
*ADD a vegetable side dish: Corn, Broccoli, Green Beans, Salad, etc.

Stir Fry: 

Crock Pot Beef & Broccoli, Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry, Chicken Stir Fry, Stir Fry, Citrus Glazed Chicken Stir Fry
*ADD a vegetable side dish: Corn, Broccoli, Green Beans, Salad, etc.

Spaghetti: 

Spaghetti, Easy Ziti, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Chicken Penne

*ADD a vegetable side dish: Corn, Broccoli, Green Beans, Salad, etc.
*Optional add Bread, Rolls, Garlic Bread, Etc.

Fried Rice:  

Chicken Fried Rice, Ham Fried Rice

Soup: 

Taco Soup, Potato Soup, Bean Tortilla Soup, Bean Chile Soup, Stew, Chicken Tortilla Soup, White Chicken Chile, Black Bean Soup
*Add Bread, Rolls, Garlic Bread, Tortilla Chips, Etc.

Salad: 

Seasoned Chicken Salad, Taco Salad, BBQ Chicken Salad, Cranberry Chicken Spinach Salad, Cobb Salad, Salad Bar DIY, Cafe Rio Salad, More Salad Ideas

MORE TIPS FOR MEAL PLANNING:

WITH MEAL PLANNING helps me know what to make and
 what to buy, but I also use it to make dinner easier.

 I also, use the meals above for:
 Freezer Meals, "Dump" Meals,  slow cooker, 30 minute meals, "cook once eat twice," etc.  

I plan the type of meal with the time I will have each day.  
For example, on the days I am out of the house, I plan a slow cooker meal, days I have a little extra time I will make a "cook once eat twice" meal and freeze the second half.  

To learn more about how schedule these and more on the basics of "MEAL PLANING" check: HERE.

And for more on the Budgeting 101 Series? Find it: HERE.

2 Ingredient Chocolate Frosting

The other day I got a bit behind getting ready for a party and needed a fast solution for frosting.

I gambled on trying something totally new and something I had never heard of...but knowing it would be super fast, I figured if it flopped it wouldn't set me back but a minute.

So I tried it.  Cool Whip plus some Instant Chocolate Pudding.

And it totally worked!

It actually tasted really good.  Light and whipped with a mousse texture. 

I will definitely do this again and trying other flavors of pudding as well.

2 Ingredient Chocolate Frosting

1 Tub of Cool Whip (Frozen whipped topping) 

1/3-1/2 of Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix (3.5 oz package)

Directions:

Thaw Cool Whip. Fold in pudding mix until combined.  Pipe onto Cupcakes and chill.

(after chilling for roughly an 1 hour, they hold up fine at room temperature)

*Store brands for both the whipped topping and the pudding work just as well.

P.S. this little Wilton Cupcake Caddy...is definitely the way to go for transporting cupcakes.
I love that all the frosting doesn't bump and smear on the surrounding cupcakes.
It's definitely worth a try!

Linked to these Parties: Here

Check out all the projects they have to share.

Funfetti Birthday Cookies.

These are the simplest cookies around and for some reason the funfetti and white chocolate chip combination is always a huge hit!

Plus, the festive color is perfect for a Birthday.

Funfetti and White Chocolate Chip Birthday Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 c. butter, melted

2 eggs

1 funfetti cake mix

1/2 bag of white chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix melted butter, eggs, and cake mix together.  Once combined mix in the white chocolate chips. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

*use parchment paper for a fast clean up

Easiest cookies around!

German Chocolate Cake

I must confess, I only make German Chocolate Cake once a year.

On my husband's birthday.

Having not been a huge fan of the frosting, each year I try a different recipe hoping for something a bit better.

This was the year.

The frosting wasn't too dry nor too runny.

Since we aren't huge fans of nuts in our desserts I usually leave them out of the recipe, but this year I tried candied pecans and what a difference!

And to avoid the overly sweet effect, I used a chocolate cake recipe using cocoa instead of a milk chocolate recipe.

And the result was delicious!

German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

1 c. butter

1/3 c. cocoa

1 c. water

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

1/2 c buttermilk

1 1/2 tsp soda

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

3 eggs

Directions:

Grease pans. Bring butter, cocoa, and water to boil. Cool. Mix in flour and sugar.  Then add buttermilk, soda, vanilla, salt and eggs. Bake 25 min. at 375 degrees.

Frosting

Ingredients:

1 c. sugar

1 c. evaporated milk

1/2 c. butter, cubed (not margarine)

3 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

3-4 c. coconut

1 c. candied pecans, chopped

Directions:

In a sauce pan, combine sugar, milk, butter and egg yolks. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until thickened and a thermometer reads 160 degrees, or is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon.  Remove from the heat.  Stir in vanilla. Fold in coconut about a half of a cup at a time, until desired thickness.  Fold in chopped pecans.  Refrigerate leftovers.

Tip: Want to make beautiful cake decorating all that easier?  

Try a revolving round cake stand.  The sides come out smooth!  And you don't need to be a professional.

Salted-Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

These are by far, my new favorite cookie.

They are sweet with a touch of salty, super chewy and absolutely amazing.

Chelsey from Housewife 2 Hostess brought this amazing recipe over and I'm still wishing we doubled the batch because they were so good...and they gone.

(Be sure to check out her blog found here, she is an amazing chef and decorator.)

Salted-Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

1 c. Butter

1 c. Sugar

1 c. Brown Sugar

2 Eggs

2 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp Salt (heaping)

1/2 tsp Baking Powder
2 tsp Baking Soda

2 1/2 c. Flour

2 c. Oats

1/2 package Milk Chocolate Morsels

1/2 package White Chocolate Morsels

Directions

Cream together butter and sugars, until just light in color.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add salt, soda, powder, flour and mix just until combined, scraping sides of bowl. Add oats and morsels and mix with wooden spoon. Bake on parchment lined baking sheets at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes.

Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Spice Cupcake Cookies

Super long name, I know.  But these are so quick, so easy, and tasty.

Ingredients:

1 cube melted butter

2 eggs

1 package of Spice Cake Mix

1 cup oatmeal soaked in milk

about 1/2 c dried cranberries

about 1/2 c white chocolate chips

Directions:

Pour 1 cup oatmeal into bowl and just cover with milk.  Let soak for 15 min. Preheat oven to 350'F. Melt butter. Mix in eggs. Add oatmeal and milk. Mix in spice cake mix. Once well combined mix in cranberries and white chocolate chips.  Spoon generously onto parchment covered cookie sheet and bake 8-12 min.

10 minute Reese's Pieces Chocolate Cookies

Super Easy. Super Fast.

Chocolate

Reese's Pieces

Ten Minute Cookies.

Ingredients:

1 Devil's Food Cake Mix

2 eggs

1/2 butter (melted)

1 c Reese's Pieces baking chips

Directions:

Mix first three ingredients together.  Then add the Reese's Pieces chips. Spoon onto parchment lined cookie sheets (for easy clean up).  Pat down slightly.  Bake @350 for 8 min.

Herb Chicken & Wild Rice

This has to be one of my favorite and easiest meals.  It has great flavor and it takes no time.

I'm no photographer and these images are a little rough...but its worth trying.

Ingredients:

2 chicken bouillon cubes

2 c hot water 

1 tbsp butter

6 oz box Uncle Ben's Wild Rice

2 chicken breasts chopped in large pieces

Directions:

Mix everything but the Chicken together.  

(You can use 2 c chicken broth instead of the water and bouillon) 

Then add in the chicken.  

(I usually add frozen...just add an extra half hour or so to the cooking time)

Cook for 1-2 hours on high

Lofthouse Frosted Sugar Cookies

So I found this amazing recipe for Lofthouse Style Frosted Sugar Cookies 

on pintrest from Authentic Suburban Gourmet.

Lofthouse cookies happen to be one of my favorite.

They looked great, had a perfect texture and a yummy frosting.

But the cookie itself didn't have the best flavor.

And the cookie isn't an exact match

So making them again I added some almond extract. Big difference!

I also want to try some orange flavoring the next time.

Add some extra flavoring a TBSP or two (to taste)

and they are amazing!

Lofthouse Style Frosted Sugar Cookies

                                                                        Cookies:

6 cups all purpose flour

1 t. baking soda 

1 t. baking powder 

1 c. butter, at room temperature 

2 c. granulated sugar 

3 eggs 

2 t. vanilla extract

**I add more flavoring: almond, orange, vanilla

1 1/2 c. sour cream

Frosting:

1 c. butter, 

room temperature 

1 t. vanilla extract 

4 c. powdered sugar 

6 T. heavy cream 

Several drops food coloring 

Multi-colored Sprinkles

Directions:

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the flat beater attached, cream the butter and granulated sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the eggs, one at a time beating until each is incorporated. Add the vanilla and sour cream and beat at low speed until combined.

Add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed until just combined, scraping down the bowl as needed. Dough will be a bit “sticky”. Divide dough into two sections. Flatten into rectangles about 1 1/2 inches thick, then wrap with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator overnight or at least two hours until firm.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or spray them with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.

Use the plastic wrap that you chilled the dough in. Dust the top of the dough and then flip and flour the other side, keeping it on the plastic wrap. With a rolling pin, roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out circles and transfer to a baking sheet. Bake for 7 minutes, until pale golden. Immediately transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Best to work in small batches while keeping the remainder of the dough chilled.

To make the frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and vanilla. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar. Once smooth and creamy, add in heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired spreading consistency is achieved. If desired, add food coloring and beat until combined.

Once cookies have cooled completely, frost and add sprinkles. Allow frosting to set, then store in an air-tight container. Let cookies sit for several hours before serving to allow the flavors to develop.

Makes approximately: 5 to 6 dozen cookies (will vary on the thickness of the dough)

NOTE: These cookies are pretty darn close to the ones you buy in the store however, I am sure that original lofthouse recipe is under "lock and key" so we may never be able to completely duplicate it 100%. I used the recipe that I found (as noted in the body of the post) and basically increased the amount of vanilla and working the dough in small batches, while keeping the rest chilled, works best.  It is a very soft dough. I thought they were quite tasty, but I know that they may not appeal to everyone, since they do taste a bit different than the ones in the store but pretty close. 

Christmas Dinner Recipes

All of my favorite Holiday Dinner Recipes

My all time favorite Turkey Recipe found: here

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     This is the moistest turkey recipe I have ever tasted.  I didn't know it was possible for white meat to

     be moist and this was excellent.  And the flavor was great as well!  It is really easy and falls off the bone.

     The only draw back I found? It ties up the oven for a hours.

Easiest Ham Recipe:

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     Just follow the instructions on the package, BUT cook in the crock pot. 

Holiday Sweet Potato Recipe found: here

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     This Sweet Potato Casserole is amazing, and I am not a huge fan of sweet potatoes, but this is like

     dessert. Only cooks for 30 minutes and can be cooked in advance.

Holiday Vegetable Recipe found: here

{sorry for my poor picture}

    The perfect vegetable side.  Better and healthier than traditional Green Been Casserole.

 I personally don't like Green Bean Casserole, but even if you do, this is still excellent.  It is healthy and

     fresh and has great flavor.

Candied Walnut Salad found: here

{image via}

My all time favorite salad, perfect for every occasion.

Pears can be swapped for raspberries or strawberries.

Pretzel Jello Recipe found: here

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This side is really like dessert and always a hit.

Cranberry Bread with Cream Sauce found: here

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The cream sauce makes this.  And it is more dessert than bread, but it is excellent.

Graham Cracker Crust Jello

This is one of those recipes I had since I was a kid.  We weren't a jello family, but this was part of our holiday dinners and it is like dessert.

{image via}

Graham Cracker Crust Jello

Crust

1 ½ c crushed graham crackers

¼ c sugar

½ c melted butter

Mix together and pat into bottom of 9x13 pan. Chill until set.

Jello

3 pkg (3 oz each) strawberry jello

3 c boiling water

1- 16 oz pkg frozen strawberries (optional)

1 – 20 oz can crushed pineapple w/juice (optional)

8 oz cream cheese- softened

1 c sour cream

¼ c sugar

Directions

In large bowl dissolve jello in boiling water. Add frozen strawberries and un-drained pineapple. Pour half the mixture into a 9x13 pan and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. (make sure the jello is cool and starting to set before putting into the graham cracker crust or the crust will soften and start to float up into the jello) In mixer, beat cream cheese with sour cream and sugar; spread over chilled, set layer. Gently spoon remaining gelatin mixture on top. Refrigerate until firm. About 2 hours. (or you can use the cream cheese filling to top the jello instead of in the middle).

Cranberry Bread with Cream Sauce

It's called Cranberry Bread, but it is really cake and since it is bakes in a bunt pan...I think it should be called cake. We eat it for breakfast Christmas Morning, for dessert, for snacks...because it is so good, you end up eating all day.

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Cranberry Bread with Cream Sauce

2 c sugar

4 tsp baking powder

6 Tb butter

½ tsp salt

2 eggs

2 c milk

4 c flour

3 c whole cranberries (rinsed)

 

Directions:

Blend well; sugar, butter, eggs. In separate bowl mix together; flour, baking powder, salt. Add dry ingredients to sugar mixture alternately with milk. Stir in cranberries. Pour into greased and floured loaf pans (2) or bunt pan. Bake 45 minutes at 350’.

Cream Sauce (what makes it Divine)

1 c sugar

½ c butter

¾ c cream

1 tsp vanilla

splash of lemon juice

Bring to slow boil for 3 minutes. Stir constantly.

Candied Walnut Salad

This Salad is another favorite.  My cute sister in law made if for Thanksgiving a few years back and it is my favorite. (the image below shows pears, but she used strawberries and it was excellent)

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Candied Walnut Salad

½ c walnut halves

¼ c. sugar

3 c. mixed greens

½ c. dried cranberries

½ c. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1 tbsp raspberry vinaigrette

1 tbsp white vinegar

1 tbsp olive oil

*Optional: Pears, Raspberries or Sliced Strawberries

Directions:

Candied walnuts: Place walnuts and sugar in a skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves into a light brown liquid and coats the walnuts. Remove walnuts from skillet, and spread them out on a sheet of aluminum foil to cool.

Salad: Place in a large salad bowl the mixed greens, cranberries, cheese, vinaigrette, vinegar, and olive oil. Toss gently; add candied walnuts, and toss again.

Baked Vegetables

These mixed vegetables are another new found recipe this year.  While visiting friends on vacations, they made these...and the flavor and texture was excellent.  So we added them to our holiday spread and will definitely continue it in the future.  They were easy, fast, and healthy!

{this picture doesn't do justice}

Baked Vegetables

green beans

broccoli

cauliflower

garlic clove, minced

olive oil

Parmesan cheese, shredded

1 lemon

Line cookie sheet with foil. Wash, cut, and prep vegetables. Spread vegetables over foil, drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with minced garlic and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 400 for 45 min. Remove from oven and squeeze juice of lemon over the top.

*I prefer to toss vegetables in bowl with oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.

Ruth Chris' Sweet Potato Casserole

This is another recipe new to me this year...and it is also excellent! 

A friend brought this to a Holiday Recipe exchange and I will definitely make it every year in the future. 

And before now, I avoided all Sweet Potato Casseroles.

{image via}

Ingredients

Crust

1 c brown sugar

1/3 c flour

1 c chopped pecans

¼ c butter, melted

 

Sweet Potato Mixture

3 heaping cups mashed sweet potatoes

1 c sugar

½ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs, beat

½ c butter, melted

Directions

Combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and butter in mixing bowl. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and butter in a mixing bowl in the order listed. Mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into buttered baking dish.

Bake for 10 min.

Sprinkle the surface of the sweet potato mixture evenly with crust mixture. Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to set at least 20-30 min.

Brown Paper Bag Turkey

I'm not the biggest turkey fan.  I like it on sandwiches and I enjoy it for the holidays, but I have never been impressed with it.  Until this year.  A cute friend of mine, gave me this recipe and it made the most moist and flavorful turkey I have ever had.  It is easy, but it takes the oven for a while...but completely worth it!

{image via}

1.Thaw turkey as instructed on package.

2.Remove wrapper, giblets & neck from inside turkey cavity. Wash turkey inside and out.

3.Prepare spices by pouring salt, pepper, garlic, sage, etc. into medium bowl. Mix together and rub spices inside & outside of turkey. Be generous with spices. I usually use 4 good handfuls.

4.Oil the inside of large paper grocery bag. I use stick of butter.

5.Place turkey inside the bag. Staple closed. If turkey is too large put one on each end.

6.Place bagged turkey (with breast down) in roasting pan. I used a large stainless steal bowl works, as it keeps the juices up around the turkey.

7.Cover securely with aluminum foil.

8.Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Roast turkey for 30-45 min. (10-12lb. Turkey for 30 min, bigger turkey takes longer.)

*The purpose is to thoroughly heat the whole bird to eliminate the chances of salmonella*

9.Reduce heat to 250 degrees. Roast for remainder of time. 10-12lb turkey for 7-9 hours, a 20lb turkey for 10-12 hours. (I suggest using a digital thermometer...it helps insure it isn't dry.

10.Remove from oven with enough time to de-bone and make gravy

 

*After slicing, pour some of the juice over the meat.

Favorite Spritz Cookie Recipe

This is my favorite Spritz Cookie recipe.  It has a hint of orange in it, that really makes the difference.

Ingredients:

4 ½ c flour

1 tsp baking powder

dash salt

1 ½ c butter

1 c sugar

1 egg

2 tbsp orange juice concentrate

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375. Sift flower, baking powder and salt. In mixer cream butter and sugar. Then add egg and mix. Add juice and mix. Stir in dry ingredients. Refrigerate about 20-40 min. until desired constancy for pushing out of Spritz Cookie Press.

*Not shown: My personal favorite, is to dip half the cookie in melted dark chocolate.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

So there are always left overs and initially I love making the traditional Turkey Sandwich with cream cheese, cranberry sauce, and gravy on homemade rolls.  But after that, left overs get a little old.  So here are a few of my favorite recipes that use Thanksgiving Left Overs.

Here are tons of recipes from Rachel Ray.
Recipes found: here
And another by Rachel Ray found: here


I like that their is more than just Turkey Casserole, where you still feel like it's the same thing.  There's Turkey and Rice recipes, Soups, Enchiladas, etc.

And when I just need something on the fresh side I like,
Turkey Salad with Cranberries found: here



*I also freeze left overs and I like to make stock and freeze it in ice cube trays.  9 ice cubes equals 1 cup.

Key words: Turkey leftovers, Thanksgiving leftovers, Turkey leftovers recipes, Thanksgiving leftovers recipes.

caramel apples

I recently went to a girls night where they made and tasted Caramel and chocolate dipped apples with different candy coatings.  They were amazing.  So we had some friends over and made some ourselves.
Completely easy and really good.

Ingredients:
7 green apples
7 Popsicle sticks
Wax paper, sprayed with Pam
1 bag of Kraft Caramels
1 bag of chocolate chips
1 bag of fun size candy bars, chopped not smashed (shown are Snickers and Butterfingers)

*You can mix up the type of chocolate chips. We did some milk chocolate and some dark.  White chocolate is excellent, but any kind work.  Also, instead of candy bars you can use crushed Oreo cookies, pretzels, etc.  And, a big hit was white chocolate with cinnamon and sugar over it....tasted like apple pie!

Directions:
Wash apples (and take off stickers!)
Insert Popsicle sticks.
Melt caramels in nonstick pan over medium heat. Once fully melted spread over apples with spatula. It doesn't have to be nice and pretty or smooth, because it will all be covered and not seen. Place on GREASED wax paper.  They will stick if not greased! Once all the apples have been coated in caramel, push down any bubbles in the caramel. Melt chocolate chips in microwave.  Heating in increments of 30 seconds, then mix.  Once melted and at frosting consistency, spread over the caramel layer.  Again, it doesn't need to look pretty. Immediately roll and pack with chopped candy bars.

I like to slice them to serve...that way everyone can have some of each flavor.