Lemon Bars

2 1/4 C flour
1/2 C powdered sugar
1 C butter, softened
4 eggs
1 1/2 C sugar
1/2 C lemon juice (fresh is best)
1 T lemon zest
Preheat oven to 350. Mix 2 C flour and powdered sugar together. Cut in butter. Mix and press into 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake 15-20 minutes. Beat together eggs, remaining flour, lemon juice and zest for at least 1 minute. Pour over crust. Bake another 20 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar when cooled.

Marshmallow Brownies

1 C. Margarine                                                                                  1 Package Mini Marshmallows
1/2 C. Cocoa                                                                                     1/3 C. Butter
2C. Sugar                                                                                          1/3 C. Powdered Sugar
4 Eggs                                                                                               1/3 C. Cocoa
1-1/2 C. Flour                                                                                   1/3 C. Evaporated Milk
2 t. Vanilla                                                                                        1. t Vanilla
1 C. Nuts (optional but awesome)

Beat together margarine, cocoa, and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time. Add flour, nuts and vanilla. Bake at 350 for 25-30 Minutes. Take from oven and cover with marshmallows. Bake 3 minutes then cool 30 minutes. Combine 1/3 cup butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, evaporated milk and vanilla. Frost over marshmallows. Let stand one day or put in fridge until set up.

Fruit Pizza

This is my kids very favorite.  They ask for it all the time.

1 tube refrigerated cookie dough
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1 carton (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
2-3 kiwi fruit, peeled and thinly sliced
1-2 firm bananas, sliced
1 can (11 oz) Mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 cup red grape halves
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
pinch salt

• Pat cookie dough into and ungreased 14 inch pizza pan.  Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes or until deep golden brown; cool.
• In a saucepan, bring the sugar, orange juice, water, lemon, juice, cornstarch and salt to a boil, stirring constantly for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool; brush over fruit.  Chill. Store in refrigerator.  Yield: 16-20 servings.

Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

1 quart fresh strawberries, sliced
2/3 cup sugar, divided
2 cups flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon miniature semisweet chocolate chips, divided
3/4 cup half and half
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon coarse sugar
1/2 pint heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons confectioners sugar
3/4 cup hot fudge ice cream topping

• Combine strawberries and 1/3 cup sugar; refrigerate.  In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt and remaining sugar.  Cut in butter and 2/3 cup chocolate chips until crumbly.  Add half and half and stir until just moistened.
• Divide dough into 8 patties, about 3/4 inch thick.  Place on parchment paper lined baking sheets.  Brush with egg whites; sprinkle with course sugar and remaining chips.
• Bake at 450 for 13 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
• In a small bowl beat whipping cream and confectioners sugar until stiff peaks form.  Refrigerate.
• Split cakes in half.  Place cake bottoms on plates.  Top with strawberries, whipped cream and fudge topping.  Replace top of cake; top with remaining berries, cream and topping.

Oreo Truffles

1 C. finely crushed Oreos
4 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips, melted
1/3 C. sour cream
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Stir together until blended.  Cover and refrigerate until firm enough to handle.  Roll into balls.  Keep refrigerated.

Sugar Drop Cookies

I seriously love sugar cookies! If I were ever stranded on an island somewhere I would probably want sugar cookies, just plain, no frosting. My mom makes this recipe all the time and it is really good for drop cookies, they have a great consistency. Plus it makes a ton, so that makes me happy.

 

 Sugar Drop Cookies

2 C. Sugar                                                         5 C. Flour
3 Eggs                                                               1-1/2 t. Baking Soda
1/2 C. Shortening                                              2 Cubes Margarine
1 t. Salt                                                              1-1/2 t. Vanilla

Cream together the first 5 ingredients; add dry ingredients. Roll into balls then slightly flatten. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Makes about 5 dozen.

Dark Chocolate Orange Truffles

1 pkg. dark chocolate chips
3/4 C. heavy whipping cream
1 tsp. orange extract
1/3 C. sugar

In a microwave, melt chocolate; stir until smooth.  Gradually stir in cream until blended.  Stir in extract.  Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.  Refrigerate until firm.  Shape into 3/4 inch balls.  Roll in sugar.  Yields: 2 1/2 dozen.

Quick Bread Sticks

These are so easy and fast for a weeknight meal.

3 1/2 C. flour
1 Tbsp. yeast
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 C. water

Mix ingredients together and let raise 15-30 minutes.  Spread in jelly roll pan and spread on topping**.  Cut into sticks with a pizza cutter and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Toppings--

**Garlic Butter

1/2 C. butter

1/2 C. mayonnaise ( not Miracle Whip)

soften in microwave mix and spread on top of dough.  Sprinkle on Parmesan cheese, garlic powder and dried parsley flakes.

**Cinnamon and Frosting

1/2 C. butter

1/2 C. mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip)

cinnamon & sugar

Soften in microwave, mix and spread on top of dough.  Top or serve with vanilla frosting to dip in.

Gooey Butter Cookies

1 box butter recipe cake mix
1 stick butter (not margarine)
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese softened
1 egg

Combine all ingredients with electric mixer until well blended.  Chill dough for 2 hours.  Roll into balls ( about walnut size ).  Roll balls in powdered sugar.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheet in 350 degree oven for 10-12 min.