Creamy Frozen Fruit Cups

I do not usually like cream cheese. But, these fruit cups are one of my favorite treats! I am taking them to class tonight, too.

CREAMY FROZEN FRUIT CUPS

1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened (can use low fat)

1/2 cup of sugar (or Splenda)

1 10 ounce jar of Maraschino Cherries, drained

1 11 ounce can Mandarin oranges, drained

1 8 ounce can of crushed pineapple, drained

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

1 8 ounce carto Cool Whip, thawed

(we have also substituted fruit cocktail)

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy.

Halve the cherries, save 18 halves to top fruit cups with.

Add the pineapple, pecans, chopped cherries to cream cheese mixture.

Fold in Cool Whip and mandarin oranges.

Using foil liners, spoon fruit mixture in each.

Top each with 1/2 cherry.

Freeze until firm.

Remove from freezer 10 minutes before serving.

Keep FROZEN.

Psalm 119:13

With my lips

have I declared

all the judgments

of thy mouth.

Meatballs with smokies and pepperoni

This is a new recipe my mom found to try out tonight at Bible School.
(we doubled the recipe)

Meatballs with Smokies and Pepperoni
1 package (12 ounces) frozen fully cooked Italian meatballs

1 package (16 ounces) little smokies

1 package (3.5 ounces) sliced pepperoni

1 jar (26 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce

1 bottle (18 ounces) BBQ sauce

1 bottle (12 ounces) chilis sauce

Mix liquid ingredients in a large pot and heat on the stove. In a 5 qt slower cooker (we used a 7 qt) combine the meats and gently mix, pour heated sauce over the meat. Cook on low for 3 hours, or until thoroughly heated.

Pslam 119:12
Blessed art thou,
O LORD:
teach me thy statues.

Treats

We managed to get most all of the treats out to Todd's customers, neighbors and friends in just a couple days.

We dipped shortbread cookies in chocolate, and we dipped candy canes. Those turned out very nice, but we didn't take any pictures. I made about 6 different kinds of cookies, and a couple different kinds of bar cookies. I was happy to be done when it was all over.

We were blessed with gifts of many different sweet breads, platters of cookies and treats, boxes of chocolates, a delicious pound cake, and various other treats. We are ready to be 'treat free' for a month or so! It was all delicious!

Psalm 119:11

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Buckeyes

Another quick and easy recipe I made was for BUCKEYES.

They take a little time, but are easy and tasty.

Buckeyes

1 1/2 cups peanut butter

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 cups confectioners' sugar

4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners' sugar. Roll dough into 1 in balls and place on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Chill in freezer until firm, 30 minutes or more.

Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler on the stove top, or in the microwave. Stir frequently until smooth.

Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate using a toothpick placed in the center. Leave a small portion of the peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like buckeyes. Place back on the wax paper, and let set in refrigerator.

Store in refrigerator. Makes about 3 dozen

Psalm 119:10

With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Rice Krispie Treats

December was very busy for us. Since, mom has been recovering from surgery, I was the one to do most of our baking and cookie making this year. Mom was able to sit at the table and package things up some. Mom picked out quick and easy recipes that would fill all the bags, boxes and platters we had to fill.

Chocolate covered with sprinkles on top Rice Krispie treats in cupcake papers...

I made some that looked like lollipops....

But I found the ones in the cupcake papers went much faster!

I just made traditional rice krispie treats, used the Wilton Brownie mold to shape the treats like domes. I dipped them in melted chocolate and topped with sprinkles.

Psalm 119:9

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Rolled Sugar Cookies

This is a recipe that my mom grew up making. She always loved to bake cookies, and still does. We use this recipe every year, it is a favorite. You can decorate the cookies prior to baking with sprinkles or colored sugar, or you can wait and use an icing on them after backing, and add sprinkles then.

ROLLED SUGAR COOKIES

Preheat oven to 35oº

Cream together:

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Measure and sift:

3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt,

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Add to egg mixture

Work in 1 cup of butter (softened)

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Roll out on floured surface, and cut out cookies.

bake 10 -12 minutes.

Psalm 119:8

I will keep thy statues:

O forsake me not utterly.

Ham, Cheese, Pineapple Cups

This is a recipe that is easy to make. We made this one afternoon for my dad to take out to work for his crew.

Before baking....

...and after.

Ham, Cheese, Pineapple Cups

1 can of Pillsbury Grand biscuits

1 cup diced ham

3/4 cup diced provolone cheese

1 small can pineapple tidbits

pineapple Honey Mustard

(from Hickory Farms)

TO MAKE:

Divide biscuits up to make 12 circles.

Shape circles into greased muffin tin.

Put in the pineapple honey mustard sauce in the center.

Add ham, cheese, and pineapple.

Bake at 350º for 16-18 minutes

Psalm 119:7

I will praise thee with uprightness of heart,

when I shall have learned thy righteous judments

Banana Split Twinkie Cake

My mom had been wanting to make a cake using Twinkies. She had seen recipes for various kinds of cakes using them. Twinkies are not something that she usually buys. But when she saw them on sale last week for $2 a box, she decided it was time to try out a new dessert. We decided to make our own recipe, using what we had on hand.

Twinkies...
One layer of cut in half twinkies,
topped with a thin layer of Cool Whip,
then a layer of fresh sliced Strawberries,
a layer of drained crushed pineapple,
a layer of sliced bananas,
a layer of vanilla pudding on top,
and then another layer of twinkies.

We topped it with another thin layer of Cool Whip,
chocolate sprinkles,
and 3 cherries.

It was put in the refrigerator to chill.
It was a hit at our house!

My dad's crew will be enjoying this dessert

in a couple weeks!!

Banana Split Twinkie Cake

2 boxes of Twinkies (cut in half lenghtwise)

1 large box of vanilla pudding mixed with 2 cups of milk

1 large can of Crushed Pineapple (drained)

8-10 fresh strawberries (sliced)

3 large bananas (sliced)

1 12oz COOL WHIP

Chocolate Sprinkles

Maraschino Cherries

Layer ingredients in a 9x13 pan

refrigerate overnight

serve

store in refrigerator

Psalm 119:6

Then shall I not be ashamed,

when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

Jello Popcorn

I made my first batch of JELLO POPCORN today.

My mom has made it for years.

We are going to be making a lot of it in the next few months

for my brother's lawn service customers.

He has quite a few of them...LOL

My brother Bear's popcorn bowl...

I used WATERMELON JELLO.
It didn't turn out as red as I wanted,
but it tastes great!



JELLO POPCORN

10 cups of popcorn popped,
with unpopped kernels removed.

Keep popcorn warm in the oven on a
Large greased cookie sheet (or 2)
At 300º.




Jello coating


1 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup of sugar
1 3 oz package Jello (your choice)
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon light corn syrup



Melt butter/margarine in 2qt saucepan.
Add sugar, Jello, water and corn syrup.
Cook over medium heat until boiling,
and candy thermometer reads 255º.
Stirring constantly.

Remove from heat, and pour over warm popcorn.
Toss to coat evenly.
Bake 5 minutes.
Toss again.
Bake 5 more minutes.
Let cool for 10 minutes,
then break up and store in air tight container.




Psalm 119:5
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

Aimée's Italian Chicken Bake

My mom and I recently went to a PRINCESS HOUSE party. Mom has several pieces of FANTASIA Crystal that we use and enjoy. We added the 3 qt covered casserole dish to her collection. She also added one to my collection along with a square baking dish, and a loaf pan. :) I know I will enjoy these! (I already enjoy mom's)

Here is a recipe we tweaked to our liking here.

Aimée's Italian Chicken Bake

1 16oz box corkscrew pasta

1 16oz bag frozen broccoli

2 14oz cans Italian Seasoned Chicken Broth

2 10.75 oz cans Broccoli soup

2 12 oz cans white chicken (or use 2 cups cooked chicken cubed)

1/2 TBS Mrs. Dash

1/2 TBS Garlic powder

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

1. Cook pasta in a 3qt pot. Add broccoli after 4 minutes.

2. Drain and return pasta and broccoli to pot.

3. Add chicken, chicken broth, broccoli soup, Mrs. Dash, garlic powder.

4. Mix and heat together on low heat.

5. Transfer to 3 qt casserole dish.

6. Top with Parmesan cheese

7. Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Psalm 119:4

Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

What's in the Bowl

To answer Marie, :) The food in the bowl was a quick dessert that my mom came up with after Bear talked her into buying Cinnamon Roll Toaster Strudels. He thought Todd and I liked those, but we do not. Mom suggest that I do a version of a quick dessert we sometimes make.

Here is what I did:

I used one entire box of Cinnamon roll Toaster Strudels, a can of apple pie filling, and an 8x8 glass baking dish.

I first put the Toaster Strudels in the toaster and toasted them. :)

Second, I put the apple pie filling in the baking dish and warmed it in the microwave for 2 1/2 minutes or until warmed.

Third, I cut the toaster strudels into small bite sized pieces.

Fouth, I put those pieces on top of the warmed apple pie filling. And warmed them together for about 1 minute.

Fifth, I drizzled the toaster strudel icing on top of the warmed apple topped with the pieces of toaster strudel.

Some of us had it with Ice Cream, some did not. :)

It was very good. Todd and I were thankful that we had found a way to make those Cinnamon Roll Toaster Strudels tasty! If mom should buy these again, I plan to try this with Cherry Pie Filling.

Psalm 119:3
They also do no iniquity:
they walk in his ways

Simple Southern Snack

I am a SOUTHERN GIRL. I was born and have been raised my entire life in the South. One of the snacks I really enjoy this time of the year, is also known as the OFFICIAL SNACK FOOD OF SOUTH CAROLINA. It is BOILED PEANUTS!

A finished pot full of boiled peanuts.
Aren't these beautiful?

My mom and I, and sometimes my dad, but never my brothers,

love boiled peanuts.

SOUTHERN BOILED PEANUTS

You need:

PRESSURE COOKER

GREEN PEANUTS

(we used a little more than 4lbs of peanuts

in a 6qt pressure cooker)

1 cup of salt

enough water to cover the peanuts.

Let the peanuts soak for 30 to 45 minutes in the salt water.

Then turn the stove on HIGH.

Wait to hear the noise of the pressure cooker.

Reduce the heat to medium.

Cook for 30 minutes.

Wait for the pot to release the handle.

Grab your mom, and EAT!

We are very happy Publix has green peanuts in their produce section right now.

Psalm 119:2

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,

and that seek him with the whole heart.

Picnic Cupcakes

Today, my mom asked me to make up this cupcake recipe she found from TASTE OF HOME.

I liked how these didn't need the icing, because the filling gave them that little extra sweetness.
They were quite simple to make.

Doesn't that look really good?

My brothers are always ready for their part of my cooking and baking.

TASTE TESTING

They both really liked them.

They are very moist, and would travel nicely to any picnic.

I will be making these this fall to take to school!

PICNIC CUPCAKES

(from Taste of Home)

Ingredients

1 package ( 18-1/4 ounces) chocolate or yellow cake mix

Filling

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/3 cup sugar

1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocholate chips

(I used Ghirardelli Chips)

Directions

Mix cake according to package directions.

Spoon bater into 24 greased of

paper-lined muffin cups, filled two-thirds full.

In a bowl, beat cream cheese, egg and sugar until smooth.

Fold in the chips.

Drop by teaspoonfuls into batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes

or until a toothpick inserted in the cupcake comes out clean

Yield: 4 servings.

Psalm 119:1

Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

who walk in the law of the LORD.

My favorite Fast Cookie Recipe

CAKE MIX COOKIES

1 package cake mix (your choice)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs

Add 1-2 cups of your choice of:
chocolate chips
raisins
raspberry chips
cinnamon chips
butterscotch chips
peanut butter chips
mint chips
heath bits
coconut
nuts
whatever.....

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Beat the butter and vanilla, adding the eggs;
add in the cake mix.

Mix together until smooth.

Stir in chips, raisins or nuts.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto
an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set.

Cool 1 minutes; remove to wire rack.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Why The Flaming Mitt??

We do a lot of baking here. For years we have baked brownies and cookies for our trashmen. It was during one of those baking times that I became affectionately known to my family as "THE FLAMING MITT".

I was baking cookies alone in the kitchen. My mother came in and asked me what was burning. I told her I didn't burn the cookies. But she just looked at me. In my hand was an oven mitt. My mother noticed the mitt had smoke coming from it. I was still insisting I had not burned the cookies. She asked me to open the mitt. It had a little flame going, and a hole burnt through it. I didn't burn the cookies, but I had burnt the mitt. My mother decided that when I had pulled a pan of cookies out, I must have grabbed the element in the bottom of the oven, which caught my mitt on fire. That was the reason she smelled something burning from her bedroom.

I did not BURN the cookies! :) My mother saved the mitt. I think there might be more than 1 burned mitt at our house..........