Oatmeal Caramelitas

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These are one of my all-time favorite bars.
 
Crust
2 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal (use quick-cooking, not instant)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1  1/2 cups butter, melted (may use a little less, if desired)
1  1/2 cups brown sugar

Mix together the above until crumbly, and set aside.

Filling
1 (14-oz) pkg caramels (Kraft), unwrapped
5 tbsp evaporated milk

Melt together the caramels and evaporated milk over low heat, until smooth.

Additional ingredients
2 cups milk chocolate chips

Press half of the oatmeal mixture into a greased 9 x 13" pan. Bake 350 degrees for about 8 - 10 minutes, or until light golden brown. Sprinkle with the milk chocolate chips. Let sit until chocolate is melted, and spread evenly over bars. Pour caramel mixture over the chocolate and drop remaining oatmeal mixture over the caramel. Bake an additional 15-20 minutes, or until set and golden brown. Do not over bake. Cool and cut into bars.



Caramel

Meatball Subs

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These sandwiches are fantastic, and very easy to make! This time around, I substituted jarred Ragu Spaghetti Sauce that I doctored up, for the homemade sauce below because I was in a hurry, but the homemade sauce is awfully good, too.

Sauce
chpd onion
minced garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
1 (28-oz) can tomatoes, undrained
1/2 of a (6-oz) can tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until tender. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, Remove bay leaf and set sauce aside.

Meatballs
4 slices white bread, crusts removed and bread cubed
2 tbsp water
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 pound hamburger
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp minced parsley, optional
1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp salt
dash black pepper

In a large bowl, toss bread cubes with eggs mixed with water. Add the hamburger, Parmesan cheese, oregano, salt and pepper. Lightly mix together and form into 1 1/2" meatballs. Place on a cookie sheet lined with foil, and bake 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes. Add to the sauce and simmer for another 20 minutes. This time around, I baked the meatballs at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, put them in a pan, added some of the sauce and then proceeded with the rest of the recipe.
 
For the Sandwiches
5 - 6 Italian rolls or Hoagie buns
sliced Provolone or Mozzarella cheese (In the photo above, I used Sargento shredded Mozzarella and Provolone Artisan Blend)

Spoon desired amount of meatballs and sauce on the buns and, if desired, top with cheese. Loosely wrap each sandwich in foil and bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Banana Cream Pie

This is the second time I've made this pie now. I found the recipe at Lick the Bowl Good. Monica's photos are so much better than mine, though. My pie may not have looked pretty, but it sure tasted good! The first time I made it, my kids chowed it down in one night, after I went to bed! I left strict instructions this time though, not to touch the pie until I said they could. The original source of the recipe can be found right here.

Note: Allow enough time for proper chilling of the pudding, then once put together, time for the pie to set up and for the inside layer of vanilla wafers to soften up. I prepared the pudding the morning before I served it, and that evening, I assembled it. I let the pie chill overnight and served it the following day.

Printable Recipe

You will want extra vanilla wafers for the inside layer. Additional cookies can be set up on the outside of the pie, if desired. You'll also need at least 2 ripe bananas.

Vanilla Wafer Crust

2  1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs, this will take almost an entire box

1/2 cup butter, melted

Mix until well blended and press into a 9" pie pan. Bake 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Cool completely.

Vanilla Pudding

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

2 large whole eggs

4 large egg yolks

2 cups milk

2 tsp vanilla

Whisk together and cook over medium-low heat until thick and beginning to bubble. It should be the consistency of cooled pudding. It will take about 8 - 10 minutes. (On Monica's site, she says to cook it for 10 - 12 minutes, but both times I've made it, it didn't need that long.) Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Transfer to a bowl and place a sheet of waxed paper over the pudding, so as it cools, it does not form a skin. Refrigerate until it is thoroughly chilled. It can be made the day before.

Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup pwd sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

Beat the cream until thick and soft peaks form. Stir in the pwd sugar and vanilla.

To Assemble the Pie

Slice a banana to cover the bottom of the pie crust. Spread one-third of the pudding over the bananas and then place more vanilla wafers over the pudding, side by side in a single layer. Spread another third of the pudding over the vanilla wafers and then slice another banana over that layer of pudding. Then spread the last third of the pudding over the bananas and then cover with the whipped cream. Chill for a good 8 hours or more, so the vanilla wafers have a chance to soften up. It will taste better if you allow time for this.

Blonde Brownies

 

Printable Recipe

2/3 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking pwd

1 tsp salt

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar, stir well and let cool. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add the flour, soda, baking pwd and salt and stir just until combined. Spread in a greased 9 x 13" pan and sprinkle the chocolate chips on top, pressing down slightly. Bake 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes, or until set and golden brown. Cool and cut into bars.

Overnight Coffee Cake

Printable Recipe

This recipe can be cut in half and baked in an 8 or 9" pan. It is intended to be made the night before, but I always bake it right away, and it is just fine. I always add a little extra cinnamon, a sprinkling of cloves and a splash of vanilla to the batter.

Note: You really do need to use an electric mixer for this, so as to give it volume. It can be made stirring by hand if need be and it will taste the same, the texture will just be more coarse and the cake itself, more dense.

Cake

2/3 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking pwd

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup buttermilk

Combine all of the above ingredients in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened. Then beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes. Pour into a greased 9 x 13" pan.

Topping

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup chpd nuts, optional

Combine the above and sprinkle over the cake batter. At this point, if you desire, you may cover and refrigerate overnight. (Otherwise, bake it right away.) In the morning, bake 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, and cake is golden brown.

Twix Bars

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1st Layer

Line the bottom of a 9 x 13" pan with Club or Waverly crackers.

2nd Layer

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup milk

1 cup graham cracker crumbs*

Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower temperature a little and boil for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over layer of crackers.

3rd Layer

Top with another layer of crackers.

4th Layer

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup butterscotch chips

Melt together ans spread over the top layer of crackers. Let cool until the chocolate is set, and cut into bars.

*This equals approximately 6-7 whole graham crackers. The more fine you can crush these, the better.

Baked Ziti with Sausage

Printable Recipe

This recipe is adapted from a recipe in Cook's Country magazine.

1 lb. bulk hot Italian sausage
1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14 1/2-oz) can diced tomatoes

1 tbsp olive oil, optional
Italian seasoning, to taste (I use the "Grinder" kind)
dried oregano and basil leaves, to taste
1 lb box Ziti, Penne or Rotini pasta
2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Provalone cheese, cut into small pieces - use as much as you like - I use probably 2-3 oz worth, optional  

(Sometimes I use Sargento's (8-oz) shredded Mozzarella/Provalone blend in place of the Mozzarella and Provalone cheeses listed above)

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13" pan. Brown the sausage in a large skillet and drain. Add the crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil and add the seasonings and olive oil. Simmer, covered, until sauce is thickened, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in 4 quarts of water, with 1 tbsp salt added in a large pot. Cook until slightly underdone, drain. Return the pasta to the pot and add the meat sauce. Stir well.

Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the cheeses. Pour remaining pasta mixture  into dish and top with the remaining cheeses. Bake until cheeses are melted and golden brown, about 20-30 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Serve with a tossed salad and crusty French bread.

NOTES: You can use part hamburger or even all hamburger if you want, or even add pepperoni. This is a pretty versatile recipe.

Triple Decker Strawberry Cake

I found this recipe in the new Southern Living Our Best Desserts 116 of Our Favorite Cakes & Pies magazine. I tell you, it is delicious! Give it a try!

Printable Recipe

1 (18.25-oz) pkg white cake mix
1 (3-oz) pkg strawberry gelatin
4 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup flour

Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
Garnish: halved strawberries, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 3 (9") round cake pans. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together the cake mix, gelatin mix, eggs, sugar, strawberries, milk, vegetable oil and flour. Beat for 1 minute on low speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes longer. Strawberries should be well blended.

Pour batter into the prepared cake pans. (It will look like there's not much batter in the pans, but the cakes bake up fairly high.) Bake 350 degrees for 23 minutes or until toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs, when inserted in the center. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool on wire racks for 1 hour, or until completely cooled.

Spread Strawberry Buttercream Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish, if desired. Serve immediately, or cover and chill until ready to serve. Store cake in the refrigerator.


Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

1 cup butter
1 (32-oz) pkg powdered sugar
1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 20 seconds. Add the powdered sugar and strawberries at low speed until creamy. Add more powdered sugar if too thin, and more chopped strawberries, if too thick. I did end up needing to add a little more chopped strawberries. I also added a couple of tbsp of milk, a dash of vanilla extract and a dash of strawberry extract. The milk may not be necessary, but the extracts add a nice dimension to the flavors.

Brownies Deluxe

Printable Recipe


I suppose no one can really have too many brownie recipes. This is the one that happens to be a family favorite at the moment. They are not too fudgey, and not too cakey, but right in between. They're just right! This recipe does get half of its chocolate flavor in the brownies themselves, from semi sweet chocolate chips. If you would prefer not to use the chocolate chips, double the amount of unsweetened chocolate.

2 (1-oz) squares unsweetened chocolate
2/3 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1  1/3 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2-3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

Melt together the chocolate and shortening in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Stir in the sugar. Stir in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in the chocolate chips. pour into a greased 9x13" pan. Bake 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Chocolate Frosting

2 tbsp butter
2 (1-oz) squares unsweetened chocolate
3 cups pwd sugar
5 tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla

Melt the butter and chocolate together. Beat in the pwd sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth. Spread on brownies.