Mocha Mousse Brownie Trifle

From my Taste of Home Cookbook which states, “Use some extra brownies to create this tempting time-saving trifle. It’s a snap to assemble with a packaged mousse mix and whipped topping, yet it looks so special that folks will think you fussed.”
5 C prepared brownies
1 package (2.8oz) mocha mousse Mix
1 carton (12oz) frozen whipped topping, [...]

Family Fudge

When I was a kid, my mom made the best fudge on the planet. Don’t ask me specifics about this recipe because I’ve rarely been able to make it as fabulous as the candy I remember. My fudge tends to burn a bit on the bottom, but do I throw it out? Goodness no. Even [...]

Peanut Butter Bars

Also known as Jeremy’s Favorite Bars or simply Sugar Bars (based on how quickly they elevate my blood sugar!).
1 inner pkg graham crackers, blended or crushed
3/4 C butter or 1 1/2 stick butter, melted
1 C peanut butter
3 C powdered sugar
Blend these four ingredients together and pat down in 9×13 pan.
3 T milk
3 T butter
3/4 C [...]

Peppermint Kisses

Tanya Dunn made these treats one year for a Christmas party and I begged for the recipe. I like to underbake the cookies just a bit for an even chewier texture. Also, don’t forget the cooking spray!
2 egg whites
2/3 C sugar
1/4 t salt
1/2 t vanilla
2 T candy canes (or 2 candy canes), crushed
1/2 C chocolate [...]

Eskimo Cookies!

1 1/2 sticks butter
2 cups quick oats
3/4 cup sugar
confectioner’s sugar
1 Tbsp. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 Tbsp. cocoa
Soften butter in bowl. Beat well. Add sugar, mix well. Mix in water, vanilla & cocoa.  Mix in 2 cups oats.  Roll into balls.  Refrigerate overnight.  Roll in confectioner’s sugar.

Caramel-Pecan Apple Pie

Though my favorite apple pie recipe is a delicious Sour Cream Apple Pie from Allrecipes.com, I found this recipe in the Oct/Nov Taste of Home magazine—and it turned out to be quite yummy. Happy early Thanksgiving!
Pie & Filling
1 unbaked pastry shell (9 inches)
7 C sliced peeled tart apples
1 t lemon juice
1 t vanilla
3/4 C chopped [...]

Chocolate Chip Poundcake

1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 sm. pkg instant choc. pudding
4 eggs
1/2 C oil
1 8oz pkg sour cream
12 oz choc. chips
1 C nuts (optional)
Mix all ingredients together and bake in greased bundt or pound cake pan for 45-55 min @ 350degrees

Dutch Apple Cake

This is a simple cake from “Taste of Home 2004 Cookbook” — if you want a bit more pizazz, use the icing recipe for German Apple Cake.
*2-3 medium apples, peeled and sliced about 1/4 inch thick (soak in 3T sugar and 1t cinnamon for 1 hour prior to cooking)
*1 cup sugar (plus the 3T mentioned [...]

Spiderweb Cookies

I found these cookies on the pages of the October Good Housekeeping. I chose to use storebought sugar cookie dough, and plastic spider rings, and then I made the royal icing.
Wilton’s Royal Icing Recipe:
3 Tablespoons Wilton Meringue Powder
1 lb. (4 cups) confectioners’ sugar (about 1lb.)
6 Tablespoons warm water*
Beat all ingredients until icing forms peaks (7-10 [...]

Halloween Cupcakes

Jason and I decorated these for a friend’s birthday last night.

We used:
Red Velvet cake mix (seemed only appropriate)
Swiss Meringue Buttercream* (and food coloring)
Pieces parts:
Big marshmallows
Little marshmallows
Mini chocolate chips
Licorice bridge mix (from the bulk section of Russ’s)
Red rope licorice
Gummy peach rings
Laffy Taffy
Gumdrops
The marshmallows and the gummy candy are sticky when you cut them apart.
It helps to [...]