Butterfinger Pie

I wanted to make a secret Mother's Day dessert and when browsing Pinterest, came across THIS recipe.  Since Mom loves Butterfingers (and it just looked knock-me-down delicious), I decided to make it.

I did make a few changes to the recipe.  Instead of a store-bought graham cracker crust, we made our own with standard 'Homemade Graham Cracker Crust' recipe.  Also I substituted Whipped Cream for Cool Whip.

French Bread

by

Morwen

I know that I haven't been posting on here as regularly as my dear sister has.  Sorry about that.  But here is our recipe for French Bread.

1 cup + 2 T  Milk

2 1/2 T  Oil

1 T  Honey

1 1/4 t  Salt

3 1/2 cups  Flour

1 1/2 t Instant Dry Yeast

 Put all of the ingredients into the pan of your bread machine.  Set machine to Dough setting (my machine's dough setting is 1:40 min) and start.  When the machine beeps, take out the dough and let it rest on a floured surface for 10 min.  Meanwhile prepare baking sheet by sprinkling it with cornmeal.  After the dough has rested, divide into two loaves, place on baking sheet, slice the top, then let rise for 15 minutes.  Bake in preheated oven on 350 for 15 min or until golden brown.  The baking time will vary depending on how much moisture is in the air.

Here are the instructions for making it if you aren't using a bread machine.

 In bowl, combine half of the Flour, and all of the Yeast and Salt.  Heat Milk and Honey, add to bowl also add the oil.  Beat on low speed for 30 sec. high speed for 3 min.  With wooden spoon, stir in as much Flour as possible (the other half).  On lightly floured surface, knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic.  Let rise until double(1 hour).  Punch dough down.  Divide in half, cover, let rest on lightly floured surface for 10 min.  Shape into 2 loaves, place on cormealed baking sheets.  Follow above instructions for baking.

Southern Sweet Potato Cakes

                                                                  By Mairwen.

Ingredients - 2 sweet potatoes, mashed.
                   - 2 eggs.
                   - 1 t vanilla.
                   - 1 c brown sugar.
                   - 1/2 c honey.
                   - 1/2 c vegetable oil.
                   - 1/2 t salt.
                   - 1/4 c buttermilk.
                   - 1 3/4 c flour.
                   - 1 t baking soda.
                   - 1 c pecans, chopped.

In a large bowl mix together all ingredient as listed. Scoop batter into muffin pan, filling them about 3/4 full. Bake at 350` for 20 - 25 minutes. Or until a toothpick comes out clean. Best served warm. Enjoy!

Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

This recipe came from an issue (I don't remember which), of Quick Cooking.  It is simple, easy to prepare, and very delicious.  The only change that I make to it, is making my own Tomato Soup, using:

1/4 cup Butter
1/4 cup Flour
3 oz. can Tomato Paste
1 1/2 cups Water 

Melt Butter in a Cast Iron skillet.*  Meanwhile, thoroughly mix Tomato Paste and Water in a measuring pitcher.  When Butter is melted, whisk in Flour until thoroughly combined.  Then add the Water/Tomato mixture about 3 Tablespoons at a time whisking continually.  By adding it a few Tablespoons at a time, it thickens more quickly.  It is done when all the Water/Tomato mixture is stirred in and it is bubbling rapidly.  It should be the consistency of a thick gravy.  Then just replace the Tomato Soup in the recipe with what you have just made.

*You do not have to use a Cast Iron skillet, it just gives the Soup mixture the best taste.

Brownie cake with cream cheese frosting

                                                             By Mairwen.

This delicious brownie cake has become a favorite in our house. Its so easy to make, you will want to make it all the time.

Frosting - 12 oz. cream cheese, softened.
              - 1 1/2 c 10x sugar, sifted.
              - 1 t vanilla.

Cake - 2 1/4 c flour.
         - 6 eggs.
         - 3 t vanilla.
         - 9 T cocoa.
         - 3 c sugar.
         - 2 sticks + 2 T butter, melted.

Prepare 3 round cake pans with butter, and cover the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl whisk together sugar and cocoa. Until combined. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Then add flour and butter. Mix well. Pour evenly into all three pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until butter knife comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack.

Frosting. In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Whisk about 2 minutes until smooth and light. Spread a 1/3 of frosting on bottom layer, then repeat for next two layers. Optional - shave chocolate over top for decoration. Enjoy!