The ULTIMATE Brownie

Looking for the perfect brownies? Look no further. I don't get too excited about brownies because I usually find them dry, but these are perfect. Straight out of the Betty Crocker Cookie Book, these brownies will never fail. Cut them into squares, put a dollop of whipped cream on top, and stack another brownie on top. Drizzle with a little chocolate glaze, and you're good to go!

1 package (12 oz. or 2 cups) chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs, beaten

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan, melt chocolate chips and butter. Once smooth, add everything else. Mix until everything is combined. Grease a 13x9x2" pan and pour batter into pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until the center is set. Cool completely. Cut into squares.

--Delena
Kansas City, MO

Chocolate Chip Pie

2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup chocolate chips
1 prepared 9 in. pie crust

Beat eggs until foamy. Add flour and sugars. Mix well. Add butter. Mix well. Add chocolate chips. Mix well. Pour in pie shell. If you're using a store-bought pie shell, place on cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hr.

--Nichole
Parkville, MO

Tiger Butter

1 lb. white almond bark
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips
4 tsp. half-and-half cream

In microwaveable bowl, heat almond bark and peanut butter on medium heat for 3-4 minutes until melted. Mix well. Pour onto a foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Spread into a thin layer.
In another bowl, heat chips and cream on high for about 30 seconds or until chips are soft. Stir until smooth. Pour and swirl over peanut butter layer. Freeze for 5 minutes or until set. Break into pieces.

Peanut Butter Fudge

Straight off of the Hillbilly Housewife site, here is an easy (and cheap!) recipe for peanut butter fudge for the holidays!

1 12 oz. jar peanut butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 bag chocolate (or peanut butter!) chips

Melt chips and peanut butter together over medium-high heat. After they are completely melted together, remove from heat and mix in milk. Pour into pan lined with wax paper and chill for an hour or two. Cut into squares and serve.

--Delena
Kansas City, MO

Graham Cracker Brownies

These are extremely rich, but they're so good! My husband is now a fan of them! I crushed up more graham crackers than needed and put the extra crumbs in the freezer for a future dessert!

2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 32 squares)
1 cup (6 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

Combine ingredients in a bowl. Spread into a foiled and greased 8 in. square baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Cool on wire rack. Cut into squares.

Yield: 1 1/2 dozen

--Delena
Kansas City, MO

Almond Biscotti

My mother makes this recipe constantly, and will often
give a biscotti batch as a small hostess or holiday
gift.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
2 large eggs
1 large egg white

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with
aluminum foil.

Combine flour, sugar, almonds, and baking soda in a
large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together extracts,
eggs, and egg white; add to flour mixture, first
stirring with a spatula and subsequently, kneading
with your hands, until it all forms a slightly sticky,
slightly crumbly dough.

On the baking sheet, first shape the dough into a roll
approximately 16 inches long, and then flatten it to a
one-inch thickness.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove from oven
and allow to cool (very important!!) for 15 minutes.
Removing the roll from the aluminum foil, thinly slice
it at a sharp angle. Place the slices, cut side down,
on the (unlined) baking sheet; return to the
350-degree oven for 10 minutes. Turn them over, and
then bake for 10 additional minutes.

Yield: 20-24 cookies

--Rae
Leavenworth, KS

Pineapple Whip

1 large pkg. miniature marshmallows
1 1/2 C. milk
1/2 pint whipping cream
1 – No. 2 can crushed pineapple (drained very well)
graham cracker crumbs

Melt marshmallows and milk over low heat. Cool completely. Whip cream and fold into marshmallow mixture. Fold drained pineapple into the mixture. Cover the bottom of a large serving bowl with graham cracker crumbs. Pour the mixture into the bowl gently and sprinkle with more crumbs. Keep refrigerated.

--Jeanette
Kingman, KS

Chocolate Striped Delight

This is one of my family’s all-time favorites!

Crust:

1 stick softened butter or margarine
1 C. chopped pecans
1 C. flour

Mix until crumbly and pat in a 9 X 13” pan. Bake 20 minutes at 350°. Cool completely.

Mix the following and spread on cooled crust:

2 - 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese
1 1/2 C. powdered sugar
2 C. Cool Whip

Mix the following for the next layer:

3 small pkgs. instant chocolate pudding
3 C. cold milk
1 t. vanilla

Top with more Cool Whip. Sprinkle with your choice of miniature chocolate chips, nuts, chocolate sprinkles, etc. Chill well. Use a deep pan to hold it all! Keeps well for several days in the refrigerator.

--Jeanette
Kingman, KS

Blarney Stones

When we moved to St. Patrick’s Parish in Kingman, KS, a couple of years ago, I found out these are really big in our town. The bakeries and boutiques sell them and can’t make enough, so I got the recipe!

4 eggs
1 C. sugar
3 T. cold water
1 C. sifted flour
1 t. cream of tarter
1 t. vanilla

Separate eggs; beat yolks lightly. Add 1/2 C. sugar and beat until light and creamy. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix. Beat egg white until bubbly. Add 1/2 C. sugar. Beat until stiff. Mix with egg mixture. Bake in ungreased 13 X 9” pan at 325° for 1 hour or until brown. Let cool completely. Cut into 3 inch X 1 1/2 inch pieces to make bars.

Frosting:

2 lbs. powdered sugar
1/2 t. vanilla
1 C. – 1 1/4 C. milk to make it soupy
12 oz. ground Spanish peanuts.

Combine sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Cover each bar with icing, covering all sides thoroughly. Then, roll the bar in the peanuts until all sides are covered. Place on waxed paper to set up. Refrigerate to help keep them longer. They taste best cold from the refrigerator with a cold glass of milk. They freeze well.

--Jeanette
Kingman, KS

Pineapple Sheet Cake

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup crushed pecans

Mix together and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Frosting:
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1 stick oleo
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Soften cream cheese and oleo and then mix together with mixer. Add the vanilla. Stir in the powdered sugar. Mix until smooth. Spread on cake.

--Becky
Wichita, KS

Pflaumen Kuchen

Well, if any of you happen to have a German priest, you might try making this dessert for him. According to my priest, this is pretty much what it's all about over in Germany!

1/4 lb. butter
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 c. milk (or more)
2 1/2 to 3 lb. sm. Italian plums, depending on size of pan
About 1 c. chopped nuts

Cream butter and sugar. Mix well the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, vanilla, and milk. Grease a jelly roll pan and preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Spread dough on pan. Halve, pit and wash plums. Lay plums on dough with cut side up and touching one another. Sprinkle plums with sugar and cinnamon. Then dot each plum with a little piece of butter. Sprinkle nuts over the plums. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

--Delena
Kansas City, MO

Ultimate Cupcakes

Well, everyone's had a basic cupcake before. I've suddenly discovered a whole new world of cupcakes! Just start with your basic vanilla or chocolate cupcake recipe and build from there! You can also move onto carrot cake cupcakes, lemon cake cupcakes, marble cake cupcakes...

Vanilla cupcakes:
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/3 cups sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add shortening, milk, and vanilla. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed. Scrape side of bowl with a spatula.
Add eggs to the mixture. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed. Scrape bowl again. Beat on high speed for 1 minute 30 seconds until well mixed.
Spoon cupcake batter into paper liners until 1/2 to 2/3 full.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool 5 minutes in pans then remove and place on wire racks to cool completely.
Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost with your favorite frosting recipe or decorate as you desire.

Chocolate cupcakes:
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup water
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 ounces melted unsweetened baking chocolate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
Combine all ingredients into large mixing bowl. Mix at low speed for 30 seconds, and scrape bowl. Mix at high speed for 3 minutes.
Fill liners 1/2 to 2/3 full of batter. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool 10 minutes in pans then remove from pan, and place on wire racks to cool completely.
Frost when chocolate cupcakes are completely cool.

Buttercream Frosting:

1 lb. confectioners' sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 tbsp. milk

In large bowl, beat together sugar, butter, vanilla and milk until smooth. If necessary add more milk until frosting is spreading consistency. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring. Mix everything well. For chocolate buttercream, melt 2 squares unsweetened baking chocolate and mix with frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/2 c. butter
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1 lb. powdered sugar, sifted

To make frosting, combine butter, cream cheese and vanilla in large bowl and beat until well blended. Add powdered sugar gradually, beating vigorously. If too thick, thin with milk to spreading consistency.

Getting creative:

• Thin Mints
  
• Take a basic chocolate cupcake, make a simple buttercream frosting and add a little mint extract with green food coloring. Frost cupcakes and top with mini chocolate chips.
• Chocolate Decadence
• Take a basic chocolate cupcake, make a simple cream cheese frosting and top with drizzled chocolate
• Coffee-holic
• Take a basic chocolate cupcake, make a simple buttercream frosting and add a tablespoon or two of instant coffee granules. Top it off with a coffee bean
• Peanut Butter Haven
• Take a basic vanilla cupcake, make a simple buttercream frostin and add a tablespoon or two of creamy peanut butter. Top with mini chocolate chips.
• Raspberry Cheesecake
• Take a basic vanilla cupcake, make a simple cream cheese frosting and top with a raspberry or a dollop of raspberry preserves.

--Delena
Kansas City, MO

Chocolicious Rice Krispie Treats

4-5 tablespoons butter

4 1/2 - 5 cups mini-marshmallows

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

5 1/2 cups Kellogg's Rice Krispies

Melt butter in large, deep saucepan over low heat.

Add marshmallows, stirring constantly.

When marshmallows are 2/3 of the way melted, add chocolate chips.

Stir just until completely melted.

Remove from heat and add Rice Krispies.

Stirring until well coated with the chocolate marshmallow mixture.

With damp hands (get hands wet & shake off excess water), gently press mixture into 13x9 inch pan, lightly coated with butter. (The damp hands prevent the mixture from sticking to you, and allows better control than a spatula.)

Cut into 2 inch squares when cooled & set.

Yield: approximately 24 squares.

--Beth
St. Joseph, MO

Cream Puffs

These cream puffs are so easy to make and can be dressed up so nicely. A great dessert to make if you're running low on time.

Puffs:
1 stick butter
1 cup flour
4 eggs

Filling:
1 small package instant vanilla (or chocolate) pudding
1 cup milk
1 large tub (9 oz.) Cool Whip

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In saucepan, boil 1 cup water and butter. Add flour. Mix until it forms a ball. Remove from heat. In large bowl, beat eggs. Add flour mixture to the eggs and beat until smooth. Drop mixture by little teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on the outside. For filling, mix pudding with milk. Add Cool Whip and beat until thick. Cut off the tops of the cream puffs and fill with filling. Replace tops. Sift powdered sugar over the tops. Keep refrigerated.
Yield: 3 dozen

--Marliene
El Dorado, KS

Ice Cream Cake Dessert

Beth sent us a great recipe for an Oreo ice cream cake. Here is another recipe! We've eaten this at our friends' house, and it's pretty good! Hmmm...I know a certain Polish professor who loves ice cream cakes...

2 cups chocolate chips
1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1 package (12 oz.) vanilla wafers, crushed
1/2 cup butter/margarine, melted
2 qts. vanilla ice cream, softened

Melt chips with milk and salt. Cook until thick (approximately 25 minutes). Remove from heat, set aside. Combine wafer crumbs and butter. Set aside 1 cup. Press remaining crumbs in a 9x13" pan that's been greased. Chill for 10-15 minutes. Pour chocolate over crumbs. Cover and freeze 20-25 minutes until firm. Spread ice cream over chocolate. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Freeze at least 2 hours before serving.

--Delena
Kansas City, MO

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

I made this for King Peter's Birthday. It was a hit! For less than $4, I created something as good as one of those you can buy for $40 or more.

I carton of cookies & cream ice cream*

1 package of Oreos*

Set out ice cream to soften.

Put about half of package of Oreos in a food processor until they are crumbs. Spread the crumbs into the bottom of a 1o inch spring form pan.

Cut ice cream into sections & put them all in a bowl. Stir until soft (but not melted).

Drop ice cream onto crumbs. Do not try to spread it at this point - it will move the crumbs around.

Once all the ice cream is in the pan, and the bottom is pretty much covered with drops of ice cream, press the ice cream into the bottom of the pan.

Level the top out by carefully smoothing it out.

Decorate the top with Oreos.

Freeze.

Reward yourself by eating the leftover Oreos.

*This could easily be changed by using different ice cream, & cookies for the crust - vanilla wafers, graham crackers, chocolate graham crackers, shortbread cookies, sugar cookies, etc.

--Beth
Kansas City, MO