Monday, August 4, 2008

Chocolate Chip Muffins

Chocolate Chip Muffins
INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
3/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
DIRECTIONS
Heat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Grease bottoms only of 12 muffin cups or line with baking cups.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, chocolate chips, and salt; mix well. In a small bowl, combine milk, oil and egg; blend well. Add dry ingredients all at once; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened (batter will be lumpy.)
Fill cups 2/3 full. Sprinkle tops of muffins before baking with a combination of 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoon brown sugar.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 1 minute before removing from pan. Serve warm.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Pizza Dough

Pizza Dough
INGREDIENTS
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
DIRECTIONS
Combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Mix in oil and warm water. Spread out on a large pizza pan. Top as desired.
Bake at 375 degrees C (190 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Popovers


Popovers
INGREDIENTS
2 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease and flour six 6-ounce custard cups.
In a medium bowl beat eggs slightly, Beat in flour, milk and salt until just smooth; being careful not to overbeat. Fill custard cups 1/2 full.
Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 20 minutes. Decrease oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for 20 minutes more. Immediately remove from cups and serve piping hot

Miniature Eclairs


Miniature Eclairs
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease baking sheets.
In a heavy saucepan, combine 1/2 cup butter, water and salt over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Pour in flour all at once and stir vigorously until fully incorporated and mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat, let rest 5 minutes. Then beat in eggs, one at a time, until well combined.
Drop dough into twelve equal mounds on baking sheets. Spread each mound into a 4x1/2 inch rectangle.
Bake in preheated oven 35 minutes, until golden. Remove from oven and make a one-inch slit in the side of each eclair. Reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Return eclairs to oven for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Fill with pudding or cream of choice
Chocolate Glaze:
1 bag of chocolate chips
Half a stick of butter
1/4 cup milk
DIRECTIONS
Melt butter over low heat
Add chips and milk
keep stirring until ladeling on to top of eclairs.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies
INGREDIENTS
1 cup raisins
1 cup water
3/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
DIRECTIONS
Simmer raisins and water over medium heat until raisins are plump, about 15 minutes. Drain raisins, reserving the liquid. Add enough water to reserved liquid to measure 1/2 cup.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Mix the shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla thoroughly. Stir in reserved liquid.
Blend in the remaining ingredients.
Drop by rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown.

Friday, May 16, 2008

CARROT KUGEL

CARROT KUGEL
2 c. all-purpose flour
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 1/2 c. shredded carrots
1 c. oil
4 eggs
1 tsp. salt
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add carrots, oil and eggs. Mix until moistened. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased 13x9x2 inch pan (or a springform mold). Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Cool well before removing from pan.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Challah in a Hurry

Challah in a Hurry
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 cup margarine, melted
3/4 cup white sugar
3 egg, beaten
4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
7 1/2 cups bread flour
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons poppy seeds (optional)
2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)
DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, blend together warm water, melted margarine, sugar, and 3 beaten eggs
In a large bowl, mix together yeast, salt, and 7 cups of the flour. Gradually stir in liquid ingredients, and mix until dough holds together.
Knead dough on a floured surface with remaining flour until smooth.
Split the dough into 2 large pieces. Split the 2 large pieces into 3 pieces each. Roll each third into a rope 3/4 inch thick and braid 3 strands together. Repeat. Place shaped dough onto greased cookie sheets. Brush dough with remaining beaten egg. Add poppy or sesame seeds, if desired. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
Bake in a preheated 325 degree F(165 degrees C) oven for 20 to 30 minutes.

White Chocolate, Chocolate Cookies

White Chocolate, Chocolate Cookies
INGREDIENTS
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups white chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Combine the cocoa, flour, and baking soda, gradually stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, fold in white chocolate chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until puffy but still soft. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Homesteader Cornbread

Homesteader Cornbread
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
2 1/2 cups milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). In a small bowl, combine cornmeal and milk; let stand for 5 minutes. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Mix in the cornmeal mixture, eggs and oil until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center of the cornbread comes out clean.

Friday, March 14, 2008

HUMENTASCHEN
4 Cups Flour
juice from 1/2 lemon and 1/2orange
1 Cup Oil
4 tsp. baking powder
1 Cup Suger
pinch of salt
3 Eggs
1) Beat eggs; add sugar, oil and juice.
2) Add flour and baking powder to above
3) Refrigerate dough overnight.
Cut into circles and fill with favorite filling
Bake humentaschen in 350 F (180 C) oven till golden, about 10-15 minutes.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Quick and Easy Brownies
INGREDIENTS
2 cups white sugar
1 cup butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup walnut halves
DIRECTIONS
Melt the butter or margarine and mix all ingredients in the order given.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes in a 9 x 13 inch greased pan.

Friday, February 29, 2008


White Cake
INGREDIENTS
2 cups white sugar
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3 egg yolks
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup boiling water
DIRECTIONS
Mix together the buttermilk with the baking soda. Set aside. Cream shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Beat well.
Add buttermilk and baking soda mixture.
Sift dry ingredients, and add to creamed mixture.
Add boiling water, and mix well.
Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 35 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
Buttercream Icing
INGREDIENTS
1 cup butter
1 cup shortening
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons clear imitation vanilla extract
8 cups confectioners' sugar
DIRECTIONS
Cream the butter and shortening together until smooth. Gradually add the sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

Black and White Cookies
INGREDIENTS
1 cup unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
2 1/2 cups cake flour
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup boiling water
1 (1 ounce) square bittersweet chocolate, chopped
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Butter 2 baking sheets.
In a medium bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in the milk, vanilla, and lemon extract. Combine cake flour and all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually blend into the creamed mixture. Drop tablespoonfuls of the dough 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
Bake until edges begin to brown, about 20 to 30 minutes. Cool completely.
Place confectioners sugar in large bowl. Mix in boiling water one tablespoon at a time until mixture is thick and spreadable. (Add more than the indicated amount if you need to).
Transfer half of the frosting to the top of a double boiler set over simmering water. Stir in the chocolate. Warm mixture, stirring frequently, until the chocolate melts. Remove from heat.
With a brush, coat half the cookie with chocolate frosting and the other half with the white frosting. Set on waxed paper until frosting hardens.


Monday, February 18, 2008


Chocolate Cake




INGREDIENTS
1 cup butter
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). If using layers, grease and line the pans with parchment paper. If using a 9 X 13 pan, grease and dust with cocoa powder. Sift together the cocoa, flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Alternately beat in the flour mixture and the buttermilk, mixing just until incorporated. Add the boiling water and beat for one full minute.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Friday, February 8, 2008


Chocolate Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a muffin pan with paper or foil liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk; beat well. Fill the muffin cups 1/4 full.
Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Frost with your favorite frosting when cool.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Yellow Pound Cake


Yellow Pound Cake

INGREDIENTS
2 2/3 cups white sugar
2 cups butter
8 eggs
8 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups cake flour
DIRECTIONS
Separate the eggs. Beat the whites to stiff peaks, and reserve the yolks.
In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter. Beat in egg yolks. Stir in milk and vanilla. Add flour, 1 cup at a time. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Pour batter into well greased large tube pan.
Bake for 90 minutes at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Shortcake
INGREDIENTS
3 pints fresh strawberries
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
1 egg
2/3 cup milk
2 cups whipped heavy cream
DIRECTIONS
Slice the strawberries and toss them with 1/2 cup of white sugar. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease and flour one 8 inch round cake pan.
In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, 2 tablespoons white sugar and the salt. With a pastry blender cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and add the beaten egg and milk. Stir until just combined.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool partially in pan on wire rack.
Slice partially cooled cake in half, making two layers. Place half of the strawberries on one layer and top with the other layer. Top with remaining strawberries and cover with the whipped cream.

Pastry for Double Pie-Crust

Pastry for Double Pie-Crust
INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
6 tablespoons cold water
DIRECTIONS
In a bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half so one ball is slightly larger than the other.
Roll out the larger ball to fit a 9-in. or 10-in. pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate. Trim pastry with even with edge of plate. Pour desired filling into crust.
Roll out second ball; cut slits in pastry. Position over filling. Trim pastry to 1 in. beyond edge of pie plate. Fold top crust over bottom crust. Flute edges.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Orange Cake

INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange peel
6 tablespoons butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 - 8 inch round cake pans. In a measuring cup, combine milk, 1/2 cup orange juice, oil, beaten eggs and 1 1/2 teaspoon orange zest. Set aside.
Sift flour, salt and baking powder into a large bowl. Mix in sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk mixture. Stir until thoroughly combined.
Divide batter into 2 - 8 inch pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
To make Orange Butter Frosting: Cream butter until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Beat in 2 tablespoons orange juice to bring to spreading consistency. Stir in vanilla and 1 teaspoon orange zest.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008


Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
INGREDIENTS
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup shortening
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons hot water
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs
DIRECTIONS
Mix sugars, peanut butter, and shortening. Add baking soda to the hot water. Add to mixture. Stir well.
Stir in the eggs. Add the flour. Roll dough into balls.
Place balls on ungreased cookie sheet. Press with fork dipped in water to make criss-cross design. Bake at 350 - 375 degrees F (175 - 190 degrees C) for about 8-10 minutes.