Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

Posted by Donna:

Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

I've wanted to make this cake for a long time. However, since chocolate always wins out, I never did try it. I decided last week to wean myself off of chocolate for a while. To replace my craving for chocolate yesterday, I finally pulled out this recipe. I'm glad I did. It's so good, and my husband also "strongly" liked it. I used Paula Deen's recipe and another recipe from a Gooseberry Patchwork cookbook .

1 package yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 - 1/2 sticks of butter, melted
One ( 8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
One 16 oz. pkg. powdered sugar, sifted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the cake mix, 2 eggs, and 1 stick of melted butter. Spread into a lightly greased 13" x 9" baking pan. I patted mine---at Paula's suggestion!

Next, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining egg, vanilla, 1/2 stick melted butter, and powdered sugar and mix well. Spread over the cake mixture. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. I baked mine for 45 minutes, but in my oven, 40 would have been plenty.

Paula Deen actually puts a whole stick of butter in the cream cheese mixture. I opted for just a half of stick. I kept thinking about all that butter.

When I was comparing the two recipes before making this, I noticed where Paula Deen had written that this was the number one choice in their restaurant.

I'm so glad to have found something different to make for my family or potlucks at church. I get in terrible routines and end up taking the same things most of the time.

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Sopapillas

Posted by Lori:

Are you looking for an easy sopapilla recipe to serve at the end of a delicious Mexican food dinner? These will hit the spot! Thank you to my friend, Jan, for the recipe.

Combine 4 c flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt. Blend in 3 heaping tbsp shortening, add enough water to make soft dough. Roll out to pie crust thickness. Cut into 3 " squares. Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown. Serve with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. Pin It Now!

Peanut Butter Playdough

Posted by Lori:
Play dough is fun for children - and some adults. How much more fun would it be to make a play dough that is not only fun to play with, but is also edible? My children always enjoyed playing with (and eating) this playdough!

Peanut Butter Playdough

1 C creamy peanut butter
2 C powdered sugar
1/2 C honey

Mix well with mixer or by hand. Children can even mix it up on their own. Store in airtight container.
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Bacon Explosion

Now, I must confess that I've never made this recipe, but my sister-in-law has. In fact the picture here is of my brother-in-law and his birthday "Bacon Explosion" from last year.  Their family really likes it, although it's a far cry from their typical low fat fare.

My sister-in-law got the recipe via the internet.  Here's a great site with step by step instructions plus helpful photos.  By the way, for this recipe, you will need a smoker. 

Let me know if you make this or if you've had it/made it before.  I'd like to know what you think about it!
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Turkey BLT Wraps

Posted by Donna:

Turkey BLT Wraps

For a couple of months, I've noticed a recipe in my Cooking with Paul magazine that I've wanted to try. Last night, I wasn't too hungry since we had a large lunch; so, I decided to try this. The recipe is actually entitled Chicken BLT Wraps, but since I have love Sara Lee's Mesquite Roasted Turkey from the deli at WalMart, I changed the name to suit my taste.

1 1/2 tsp. honey

1 T. Dijon mustard

1 T. mayonnaise

6 ( 10 inch) flour tortillas ( I used the whole wheat torillas)

1/2 pound shaved mesquite roasted turkey ( the original recipe calls for deli chicken)

6 slices bacon, cooked

6 leaves green leaf lettuce

1 tomatoes, sliced

Combine the honey, mustard, and mayonnaise and spread on top of each tortilla. Top each with chicken, 1 slice bacon, 1 lettuce leaf, and 1 sliced tomato. Fold one edge of the tortilla over the filling; roll up tight, and place seam side down. Cut each tortilla in half and secure with toothpicks, if needed.

Since I was only preparing this recipe for one person, I only used one tortilla, 1 piece of bacon, etc. Also, instead of slicing my tomato, I chopped it. The spread is really, really good. It would be great on any kind of sandwich, wrap, or hamburger. Another option would be to add chopped avacado and chopped onion. When you want something quick, satisfying, and light, this is a great choice. I could eat this very often. Pin It Now!

Oven Roasted Potatoes

Posted by Kimberly:

Last week a dear friend of mine stopped by and brought me a recipe for potatoes that she had been telling me about. I can't remember where she said that she had found the recipe, but she raved about how good these potatoes were. Last night I decided to try them with the hot ham and cheese sandwiches that Lori had posted last week, which, by the way, were a big hit with my family.

Oven Roasted Potatoes

12 small new potatoes, scrubbed well

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper

Slice the potatoes in half (or in thirds, depending on size). Cut them so that each potato will stand up without tipping over. Soak in a large bowl of cold, salted water for 2 hours. (I used about one tablespoon or so of salt.) Remove potatoes from water and dry well with paper towels. Dry soaking bowl and add extra-virgin olive oil and potatoes. Coat potatoes well.

Place potatoes in baking dish (I used a 9x13 glass baking dish.) in a single layer, cut-side up. Season with salt and pepper. Bake uncovered in a 400 degree oven for 30-45 minutes until the potatoes are brown on the outside and soft on the inside.

These potatoes really were delicious and so easy to make. (Next time I make them I may even try adding some onions on top.) My friend said that she has even cut them into french fries. They would be a great side dish to any meal. In fact, these potatoes would make a good after school snack according to my oldest daughter. She's got dibs on the leftovers for her snack after school today!

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Monkey Bread

Posted by Lori:
Sunday morning I made Monkey Bread for our four monkeys. Actually, I prepared part of it Saturday morning, which made it a breeze to finish in the morning. We don't need any more things to get ready on Sunday mornings. It's hard enough finding matching socks and belts (not to mention matching and same-size shoes) for the boys in time for Bible class!

Monkey Bread
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cans (16.3 ounces each) Grands buttermilk biscuits (I used Pillsbury)
1 cup firmly paced brown sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Lightly grease Bundt pan with cooking spray. Cut each biscuit into quarters. Place granulated sugar and cinnamon in large zip-top plastic storage bag. Shake biscuits in bag to coat with cinnamon/sugar mixture. Pour biscuits into prepared Bundt pan. (Note: At this time you may finish the recipe or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to finish and bake.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl, mix brown sugar and butter. Pour over biscuits. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until golden brown and no longer doughy in the center. Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Turn upside down onto serving plate. Pull apart to serve. Best when served warm.

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