BeSt CiNnAmOn RoLLs EvEr!!!

It is so true! I have been searching for a really good cinnamon roll that isn't "heavy". I have found that if you don't have enough room on your cookie sheet to cook all of these, leave them uncut on the roll and store in your fridge until you want to bake them.

INGREDIENTS:

2 pkg yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 cup warm (not hot) water
1 12/oz can evaporated milk
2/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
4 tsp salt
6-8 cups of flour
butter
raisins (optional)
Cinnamon (LOTS!!!)
Sugar (to mix with cinnamon)


PREPARATION:

Mix first 3 ingredients. Add the next 5 ingredients to make the dough. Let stand for 10-15 minutes. turn dough onto floured surface, knead vigorously (or use dough hook) until dough is smooth and elastic. Slap dough on the counter several times to remove any air bubbles. Place in large greased bowl (turn dough over once so it is greased on top). Place in warm (not hot) oven for 1 hour. On floured surface roll dough into rectangle. Spread liberally with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture. Roll up and slice into 1 1/2 inch slices. Heat oven to 400 degrees, then turn down to 350. Bake for 15-20 minutes. When baked, frost immediately with cream cheese frosting (recipe below) or use butter cream cake frosting. Serve while warm or eat later!


CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
1 box powder sugar
evaporated milk
1/2 cup melted butter
8 0z cream cheese softened

with electric mixer, combine powder sugar, enough evaporated milk to make a stiff frosting.
Add softened cream cheese and mix on high for 1 minute. Add more milk for preferred consistency.

Easy Baked Cheese & Vegetable Twist...

I got this from Kratfoods.com

Prep Time:
20 min

Total Time:
1 hr

Makes:
16 servings

What You Need!
2 eggs
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Italian* Three Cheese Blend
3 cups frozen broccoli cuts, thawed, drained
1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, cut into quarters
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
4 green onions, sliced
2 cans (8 oz. each) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

**I also added a diced chicken breast to this to have some meat in it...

Make It!
HEAT oven to 375ºF.

MIX first 3 ingredients in large bowl until well blended. Stir in next 4 ingredients.
UNROLL crescent dough; separate into 16 triangles. Arrange in 11-inch circle on foil-lined baking sheet, with short sides of triangles overlapping in center and points of triangles toward outside. (There should be a 5-inch diameter opening in center of circle.) Spoon cheese mixture onto dough near center of circle. Bring outside points of triangles up over filling, then tuck under dough in center of ring to cover filling.

BAKE 35 to 40 min. or until crust is golden brown and filling is heated through.

Hamburger Hotdogs...

This is a recipe my mother dreamed up when we were children. They are SO GOOD!

• brown 1-2 lb hamburger with diced onion (1 onion)
• Drain the fat.
• Add 24 slices of Kraft American Cheese.
• Melt together.
• Add 1 can of chopped black olives.
• Add 1 jar of diced pimento.

Stir together and fill 12 hot dog buns. Wrap them in tin foil individually and bake until bun is lightly browned. These freeze well and you can freeze just the mixture or in a hot dog bun.

Zucchini Bread...

1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup sugar
1 cup shredded zucchini
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 egg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Grease loaf pan.

In medium mixing bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt and nutmeg; set aside.

In another medium mixing bowl combine sugar, shredded zucchini, oil, egg. Mix well. Add dry mixture to zucchini mixture. Stir just till moistened and fold in walnuts.

Spoon batter into loaf pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven 55-60 minutes or till a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Wrap and store.

Pumpkin Bars...

Ingredients:

Bars:
4 eggs
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
15-ounce can pumpkin
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Cream Cheese Icing:
8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy.
3. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth.
4. Spread the batter into a greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.
5. To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.

Brownies...

2 sticks butter
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. flour
2/3 c. unsweetened cocoa
2 c. walnuts
4 eggs
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Grease a square pan. Pour batter into pan. Bake at 350 degrees
for 30 minutes.

Sugar Cookies...

2/3 c. shortening
3/4 c. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
4 tsp. milk
2 c. sifted flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Thoroughly cream shortening, sugar and vanilla. Add egg and milk. Beat until light and fluffy. Sift together dry ingredients, blend into creamed mixture. Cover and chill for 1 hour at least. On lightly floured surface, roll to 1/8" thickness. Use tuna can to cut. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375 degrees for about 8 to 10 minutes.

Buttermilk Pancakes...

1 qt. med. sour buttermilk
3 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
4 tbsp. melted fat
1 tsp. baking powder and
1 tsp. soda sifted with enough flour to make a medium batter
Beat eggs separately and fold in whites last. Cook in skillet.

Easy Cheesy Casserole...

6-8 potatoes
1 green pepper
1 lg. onion
2 lbs. roasted sausage
1 1/2-2 c. milk
Velveeta cheese

Peel and slice potatoes into large greased casserole dish. Alternate with green pepper and onion.
Cut roasted sausage into 1 inch pieces and place on top. Cover with slices of Velveeta cheese,
enough to cover top of dish. Add milk. Bake 1 1/2 to 2 hours at 350 degrees.

Carrot Cake...

1 1/2 c. oil
2 c. sugar
4 eggs, separated
3 c. carrots, grated
2 c. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

ICING:
2 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
8 oz. cream cheese
Blend together oil and sugar. Add egg yolks and blend. Stir in carrots. Add flour, cinnamon, soda
and salt and mix. Fold in beaten egg whites. Pour batter into greased and floured 9"x13" cake
pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

TO make icing blend sugar with softened cream cheese. Add vanilla and mix on high until smooth and creamy.

Zucchini Cake...

1/2 c. oil (vegetable)
1 3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. buttermilk OR 1/2 c. milk + 1 tsp. vinegar
2 1/2 c. flour
1/4 c. cocoa
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. chopped nuts (optional)
2 c. grated zucchini
1/2 c. chocolate chips

Mix butter, oil and sugar. Add eggs and mix. Add vanilla and buttermilk. Stir in flour, cocoa, soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon. Mix well. Add zucchini and nuts. Mix thoroughly. Pour into 13 x 9 inch pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top before baking.

Bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

Zucchini Bread...

1 c. oil
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
3 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. grated orange peel
2 c. grated zucchini
3 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
1 tsp. soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 c. chopped walnuts

Beat egg yolks until light and fluffy. Add the oil, sugar, salt, cinnamon, orange peel, zucchini and
vanilla. Mix well.

Combine the flour, soda, baking powder and walnuts and add to above mixture.

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour. Makes 2 loaves.

State Fair Cake...

1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
2 eggs
1 c. water, or half milk and half water
2 1/4 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
Salt

Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs and beat until white or light in color (this is the secret to this
cake). Mix flour and baking powder and add alternately with liquid.

FOR SPICE CAKE, ADD:
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg

FOR MARBLE CAKE, TAKE HALF OF MIXTURE AND ADD:
1 sq. chocolate
1 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Or use half of mixture and add red food coloring.

Funnel Cake...

3 large eggs
2 1/4 C. milk
1/2 t. pure lemon extract
4 C. flour
1 C. light brown sugar
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
Oil for frying
Cinnamon powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat the oil to 375 degrees F.

In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and lemon. Whisk well. Sift the flour, sugar, baking
powder, and salt together. Fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Stir until smooth.
Hold your finger over the funnel opening, fill with 3/4 cup of the filling. Place your hand over the oil and carefully remove your finger. Scribble and crisscross the filling into the hot oil.
Fry until golden on both sides. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Dust with
cinnamon sugar mix. Repeat the process until all of the batter is used.

Easy Breakfast Sandwich...

Frozen sausage patty
English Muffin
1 Egg
1 slice of velveta or American Cheese

Microwave sausage patty for 1 minute, or until thawed.
Scramble one egg (salt and pepper if desired)
Place cooked sausage on the English Muffin, place the cheese over the sausage. Top with the egg. Enjoy!

Chicken & Rice Casserole...

3-4 Chicken Breast (or Turkey)

4 Cups White Rice

1 lg can of Cream of Chicken Soup

1 lg can of Cream of Celery Soup

2-3 stalks of celery (diced)

1 cup shredded cheese

ruffle potato chips

Boil 3-4 Chicken Breast (then dice them)

Boil the rice until cooked, add to the chicken, soups, celery.

Mix together and place in a casserole dish. Sprinkle the cheese on top of this rice and soup mixture. Top with broken up potato chips.

Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour.

MICROWAVE SWEET PICKLES

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp mustard seed
• 1 tsp celery seed
• 2 cup vinegar
• 4 cup sugar
• 8 medium cucumbers (unpeeled, thinly sliced)
• 1-2 onions

• Cut & Slice cucumbers and onions, add together.

• In small bowl, combine salt, turmeric, mustard seed, celery seed, vinegar and sugar.
• Mix in cucumbers and onions.
• Microwave uncovered for 5 minutes. Stir well.
• Return to microwave and repeat two more times. (15 minutes in microwave total).

• Cool and pour into pint jars.
• Fill jars with left over liquid from the cucumber mix.
• Get air bubbles out of jars.
• Put lids into boiling water.
• Place on tops of jars and place rings on them tightly.
• When their dots pop in, they have sealed properly.
• Store or eat! ENJOY!
• Makes approximately 6-8 pints depending on how much you put in each jar.

  
  
  

BBQ Meatball Sandwiches...

INGREDIENTS:

1 pkg (80 count) plain frozen meatballs

1 bottle of BBQ Sauce of choice

8 Hoagie Buns

Mozzarella Cheese

Parmesan Cheese

Other toppings (lettuce, tomatoes...your choice!)

• Heat up frozen meatballs
• Drain the fat
• Add BBQ Sauce of choice
• Heat through

• Place meatballs on hoagie bun
• sprinkle with mozzarella cheese
• sprinkle with Parmesan cheese
• toast under the broiler on low until bread is crisp (not burned)

• Serve with chips
• You can add any toppings to your sandwich you like, such as lettuce, other cheeses, tomatoes...what ever you like!

80 meatballs will make about 8 meatball sandwiches, depending on which hoagies you use or how many meatballs you put on each sandwich. Great for reheating or preparing for a lunch the next day!

DeLiCiOuS sUmMeR SiDeS...

Summer time brings on a multitude of delicious fresh produce! One of our favorites is corn on the cob, freshly picked and cooked to perfection! Add some butter, salt and pepper and YUM YUM! We will eat just corn on the cob for a meal, but sometimes we want a little something else to go with it.....below are some cool sides that are picnic friendly!

FRESH CUCUMBER IN SAUCE:

• Peel and wash your garden fresh cucumbers.
• Then slice them into chips.
• Add in enough mayonnaise (lite if you prefer) and some sugar to taste.
• Blend together and place in a jar to sit over night.
• EAT AND ENJOY!

For another delicious and cool side, here is a variation:

• Peel and wash your garden fresh cucumbers.
  Then slice them into chips.
• Slice up an onion into rings, separate and place with cucumbers.
• Cover with ranch dressing and let sit over night.
• Eat the next day with your lunch!

These go deliciously well with fresh garden tomatoes, peeled and sliced with salt or sugar to top them!

4th of July Flag Cake...

I started by making a homemade white sheet cake. I did this so I could substitute Splenda instead of sugar. This makes it more diabetes friendly for those in my family who need that, and more figure friendly for those interested. :O) So, you can use a store bought box cake mix if you wanted to. Here is the way I did mine though: I made it in a sheet cake pan, which made the cake pretty thin. So, I cut it in half, and made it a two layer cake with coolwhip in the center. I decorated it as if it were the regular size.







WHITE CAKE

2 C flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 C shortening, butter or margarine (no butter spreads)
1 3/4 C sugar (or Splenda)
1 tsp vanilla
4 egg whites
1 1/3 C buttermilk or sour milk (see below)




Grease and lightly flour baking dish.
Stir together dry ingredients. Set aside
In large mixing bowl, beat shortening, butter or margarine with an electric mixer on medium for 30 seconds.
Add sugar (Splenda) and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
Add egg whites, one at a time beating well after each.
Add dry mixture and buttermilk alternately to beaten mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just till combined. Pour into pan(s).



Bake in 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks.

** Sour Milk for this recipe= 1 1/3 C milk (I use skim) put in 1 tsp of vinegar and let sit while you are mixing up the recipe.




TO TOP THE FLAG CAKE:


After the cake is cooled off completely. Have two tubs of Cool Whip thawed out. Spread over the cake. Use strawberries for the red stripes on the cake and use 1 pt. of fresh blueberries in the star corner of the flag.

Zucchini Pizza Pieces (100 Calories)...

3 medium zucchini, each sliced into 12 round pieces

1 (6 oz) can of tomato paste

36 thin, 1 1/2 " square slices of part skim mozzarella cheese

1/3 C grated Parmesan Cheese

Mixed Italian herbs, crumbled

Preheat broiler to low. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, parboil zucchini pieces in water for 1 minute or until tender-crisp. Remove from water with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Place pieces on a baking sheet in a single layer. Top each piece with 1 tsp tomato paste and one slice of mozzarella cheese; top with 1/2 tsp Parmesan Cheese and a sprinkling of herbs. Broil 4" from heat source for 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and pieces are heated through. Serve pizza pieces immediately.

Serving size: 3 pizza pieces

Calories: 90

Fat: 6 g

Classic Cake Brownies...Less than 100 Calories!!!

CLASSIC CAKE BROWNIES

1/4 C unsalted margarine
2/3 C sugar
1/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1 egg white
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 C skim milk
3/4 C flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/3 C chopped walnuts or pecans
1 tsp powdered sugar
Chocolate Drizzle Icing (posted below)

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9" square baking pan with non stick cooking spray and set aside. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the margarine. Remove pan from heat and stir in the sugar and cocoa powder until well combined. Add egg white and vanilla. Beat lightly with a wooden spoon until combined. Stir in the milk; add the flour, baking powder and baking soda, using the spoon to beat until well combined. Stir in the walnuts or pecans and spread the batter into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake in the oven for 10-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the brownies and drizzle with chocolate icing. Let stand for 30 minutes or until icing is set. Cut into 24 squares.

Serving size: 1 brownie
Calories: 74
Fat: 3 g


CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE ICING
In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract and 1-2 tbsp of skim milk, mix until of desired consistency. Drizzle over cooled brownies.

Very Cherry Cobbler

Oh THIS is my FAVORITE cobbler recipe. I have substituted different fruit and have not been displeased...

1/2 cup butter
1 C flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 C milk
1 C sugar
1 can cherry pie filling


preheat 350 degrees oven
place butter in 9x13 inch baking dish
set in oven until butter is melted
In medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, milk, sugar. Transfer mixture to baking dish with melted butter and spread evenly. Spread cherry pie filling evenly over crumb layer. Bake for 45 - 60 minutes or until fruit is bubbly.

SUBSTITUTES:
Instead of canned cherries, use fresh cherries, peaches, apples, apricots or what ever fruit of your choice. Bake until golden brown.

Matthew's Favorite Carrot Salad...

You cant have an Easter dinner without Carrots!!!

• 1 lb carrots shredded (raw)
• Mayonnaise (1/2-1 cup depending on how creamy you like it)
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
• Options:
• 1/4 cup Raisins

or

• 1/2 cup pineapple tidbits

Combine all ingredients together. Mix well, refrigerate for 1 hour before eating.

Stuffing...Dressing...

This makes a lot of stuffing. If you are making it for a regular meal, cut this recipe into thirds. I make this much for the holidays, so this is what we are having for Easter dinner...

3 boxes of seasoned croutons

1 box of Swanson Chicken Broth

1 box of fresh mushrooms (chopped)

1 large onion (2 medium) diced

1-2 chicken breast (or turkey breast) coked and diced

Add all ingredients and bake on 350 until done (an hour or so). It will begin to brown on top. I usually cook it with the lid on it for most of the time and then uncover it for the last 15 minutes.

Delicious Pineapple Yams...

HOPPY EASTER!!!

• 6-8 Medium Yams
• Splenda Brown Sugar
• I Can't Believe It's Not Butter
• 1 Can Pineapple Tidbits (undrained)

Boil yams with skin on until they are cooked all through.

Peal the yams when they are cooled, slice up into chunks.

Put butter in with yams, 1/2 of the pineapple juice (add more if needed but you dont want it too soupy) and mash with a masher or blend until smooth with a mixer (dont over blend them!)

Add brown sugar (to taste).

Add pineapple tidbits.

Heat and eat!!!

Chocolate Muffins...

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour


• 1 cup sugar


• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder


• 2 tsp baking powder


• 1/4 tsp baking soda


• 1/4 tsp salt


• 2 large eggs (slightly beaten)


• 1 cup milk


• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Preparing:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line pan with cupcake liners.

1. Combine the dry ingredients


2. Whisk to blend evenly


3. Add the remaining ingredients


4. Spoon into pan liners


5. Bake until puffed and a toothpick comes out clean.


6. 18-20 minutes to bake


7. Transfer to wire rack and cool 5 minutes


8. Invert and cool completely


9. Makes at least 12 muffins

variations:
you can add chocolate chips, frosting, blackberries, coconut, peanut butter, nuts, strawberries for toppings!

White Chili

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 clove of garlic, minced
1-12 oz can garbanzo beans
3 cans white beans
6 cups chicken broth
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp Cumin
1 can white corn
2-4 oz cans green chilies, chopped
4 cups diced, cooked chicken or turkey

Saute onion and garlic until soft. Add cumin and turkey (or chicken); add remaining ingredients, simmer to blend. Serve with grated cheese and tortilla chips.

S.O.S. or Hamburger Gravy on Toast...

1 lb Ground Beef (80/20)
Seasoned Flour
Milk
Toast


Brown ground beef, remove from fat (keeping 4 tbsp of the fat, drain the rest)
In remaining (4 tbsp) fat, add flour (I used a seasoned flour), brown the flour
Add in the browned ground beef
Add milk to make the gravy
Serve over toast or mashed potatoes

7 layer dip...

Layer the following ingredients in a 9x13 pan

• Refried beans


• Guacamole dip (or fresh avacado-mashed)


• Sour Cream


• Olives (chopped or sliced)


• Tomatoes (chopped)


• Green Onions


• Cheddar Cheese (shredded)

You can add anything else you might like. I serve this with Santitos chips. Be careful! It is addicting!

Sheep Herder Breakfast

We make this for supper. The kids call it "Sheeps Foot". :O)


6-8 potatoes (depending on your family size)
1/2 package of bacon
6-7 eggs


Fry your potatoes
Add in some ham or bacon with the potatoes once they are cooked.
Mix eggs in a separate bowl, after the potatoes and ham or bacon are cooked, pour eggs over the ham and potatoes, cook until the eggs are scrambled in with the potatoes and ham or bacon.

Great with toast and jelly, ketchup and a hearty glass of milk. This is on of our favorites, courtesy of my mommy.

Goulash

1 lb Ground Beef (browned and drained)

1 medium onion

1 green bell pepper (optional-diced)

1 box elbow noodles

1 can diced tomatoes

1 lg can of tomato sauce

• Brown the ground beef. Add the onion and pepper, cook for a while with the beef. Boil the box of elbow noodles and drain once the noodles are tender. Combine the beef, onion and green pepper mixture with the noodles. Add the diced tomoatoes (undrained) and the tomato sauce. Simmer until all the flavors are mixed together nicely. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with any of these:

• Fried potatoes
• Green Beans
• Cheddar Bay Biscuits (homemade recipe posted last week)
• Garlic Bread
• Bread and butter

Bean Dip

1 lb ground beef (browned and drained)
1 small block of velveeta cheese (cubed)
1 can of refried beans

Mix together on the stove, melt it all together. Use flour chips to dip into!



Soooooooo easy, sooooooooo addictive and sooooooooo delicous!