Apple Cinnamon Scones

This recipe also comes from Jo Cooks. 

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2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup rolled oats

1 tbsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 cup cold butter, cubed

1 large apple, peeled, cored and chopped

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup honey

Topping

2 tbsp rolled oats

1 tbsp turbinado sugar

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tbsp milk 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Cut in the butter using two knives or a pastry blender. In another small bowl, combine the milk, honey and chopped apples. Add the apple mixture to the flour mixture and toss. 

Turn dough out onto a floured surface and form dough into a 9-10" disk, and about 1/2 inch thick. Place dough onto the prepared baking sheet and cut into 8 wedges, and separate them by about 1 inch. 

To top the scones, combine the 2 tbsp rolled oats, 1 tbsp turbinado sugar, ad 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Brush the scones with the 2 tbsp milk from the topping ingredients and sprinkle with the oat mixture. Bake 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until nice and golden brown. 

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Scones

This recipe comes from Jo Cooks, another great cooking blog. I've never made scones before, but I've purchased them before, and they are a great addition to your breakfast or brunch menu. They are not too sweet, and usually have a nice crunch to them.

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2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
1 cup strawberries washed and quartered
1/2 cup milk chocolate chunks
1/4 cup flour for dusting over your work surface
extra buttermilk for brushing scones
sugar for sprinkling over scones

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Pour buttermilk in a large glass measuring cup and whisk the eggs into the buttermilk. Add the cubed butter to the flour mixture and using 2 knives or a pastry blender, cut in the butter until dough until the mixture is crumbly and resembles peas.

Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture and mix well with a fork or wooden spoon. Add the strawberries and chocolate chips and roughly mix everything until combined. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and form into a round disk, about 10 inches in diameter and about 3/4 of an inch thick. Cut into 8 triangles.

Place the scones onto your prepared baking sheet and brush with buttermilk, then dust with sugar. Bake 400 degrees for about 25-30 minutes.

These can be be stored in the freezer for up to one month, 

Orange Dreamsicle Bread

Another recipe from Chef in Training. This recipe just smacks of spring, and sounds delicious, and I can't wait to try it out. You will need 3 (8x4" loaf pans for this recipe.

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For the quick bread:
1 1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
2 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
3 tsp orange extract
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
A few drops of orange food coloring, optional

For the Cream Cheese Filling:
8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp flour

For the Cream Frosting:
1/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp orange extract
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 8x4" loaf pan. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the oil, eggs, milk, sugar, orange juice and orange extract until smooth. Add in the flour, salt and baking powder and mix until well combined. Stir in the orange extract one drop at a time until you've reached your desired color. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until well combined. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Ad the flour and mix well.

Fill each of the loaf pans with 1/6th of the batter. Spoon 1/3 of the cream cheese filling over the batter in each loaf pan. Swirl in or marbelize the cream cheese mixture into the batter using a knife. Pour the remaining batter over the cream cheese mixture, dividing evenly between each pan. Bake 350 degrees for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of each pan comes out clean.
Cool the loaves in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and cool thoroughly on a wire rack.

For the topping:
Using an electric mixer, cream the butter in a medium bowl. Add in the powdered sugar, orange extract and heavy whipping cream and beat until smooth. Once the loaves of bread have cooled, frost the tops of each with the topping mixture.

Store in the refrigerator.

Orange Coffee Cake

This recipe also comes from the Chef in Training cooking blog. This is for a coffee cake, and it sounds delicious. Recipe can be found here. You will find numerous orange-flavored recipes at her website. It has been a long winter, and I am looking forward to making some citrus-flavored recipes because they just make me think of spring and warmer weather. Of course, these recipes would be great anytime of the year.

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For the Coffee Cake

1 3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup buttermilk

3/4 cup orange juice

1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 tbsp grated orange zest

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

For the Crumb Topping

6 tbsp butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1 tbsp grated orange zest

For the Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar

3 tbsp heavy whipping cream

1/2 tsp grated orange zest

To make the cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9" springform pan with cooking spray. If you don't have a springform pan, you may use a 9" square baking pan. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the sugar and eggs together until the eggs are nice and thick, and frothy. Add the buttermilk, orange juice, canola oil, and orange zest and beat until well combined. Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt by hand, mixing just until dry ingredients are wet. Do not overmix, or your coffee cake will become too dry. Spread in the prepared baking pan.

To make the crumb topping:

In a small bowl, combine the butter, sugar, flour and orange zest and mix with a fork until combined and crumbly. Sprinkle over the cake batter in the pan. Bake 350 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the springform pan for 10 minutes and carefully remove the cake from the springform pan (leave the cake on the bottom of the springform pan) and cool on a wire rack. If you are using a regular, 9" square baking pan, just skip this part and cool cake on a wire rack. See below: drizzle the glaze on the cake while it is still warm. 

To make the glaze:

Combine the powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and the orange zest until combined and drizzle over a warm cake. Serve warmed or at room temperature. 

For other orange dreamsicle recipes, try these recipes out:

Orange Creamsicle Pie

Orange Creamsicle Pie

You can find another variation of this pie just below, or click on the link here for Lemon Cream Pie. This recipe also comes from the Chef in Training cooking blog. I love the orange creamsicle flavor, and you can find numerous recipes online using these flavors. Once again, I haven't yet made this dessert, but it is on my long list of things to try.

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Vanilla Wafer Crust
60 Nilla wafer cookies, crushed
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar

Orange Cream Filling
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
12 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup orange juice
4 tbsp grated orange zest
A few drops orange food coloring, optional

Whipped Cream Topping
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar


Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine the Nilla wafer cookie crumbs, butter and sugar until thoroughly mixed. Press into a 9" pie pan. Bake 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes, or until light golden brown around the edges.  Cool and the refrigerate for 1 hour.

In a mixing bowl, combine the 3/4 cup whipping cream and 1/2 cup sugar and using an electric mixer, beat until stiff peaks form. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, orange juice and orange zest. Mix well and mix in the food coloring, if using. Fold in the whipped cream mixture  until well blended and spread in the pie crust. Set aside.

For the topping, using an electric mixer, beat together the 1 cup whipping cream and 1/2 cup powdered sugar in a mixing bowl and beat until stiff peaks form. Spread over the filling in the pie pan. Refrigerate until set and serve. Store the pie in the refrigerator. 

Lemon Cream Pie

A recipe from another of my favorite cooking websites. This sounds like a nice and refreshing dessert - perfect for a spring or summer day. Recipe can be found here at Chef in Training. You can find another variation of this pie at the same website, and also right here: Orange Creamsicle Pie.

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Vanilla Wafer Crust 
60 Nilla wafer cookies, crushed
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar

Lemon Cream Filling
1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
12 oz cream cheese, softened
14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp grated lemon zest

Whipped Cream Topping
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar


Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine crushed crushed cookies with butter and sugar until thoroughly combined. Press into a 9" pie pan. Bake 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown. Cool, then refrigerate for 1 hour.

In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Set aside. In another large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and lemon zest. Beat on high until creamy and smooth. Add 4 drops of yellow food coloring, if using. Fold in the whipping cream until smooth and uniform in color. Pour into the crust in pie pan and then top with the whipped cream topping.

For the whipped cream topping, whip together the 1 cup heavy whipping cream and 1/2 cup powdered sugar and using an electric mixer, beat until firm.

Serve and store the pie in the refrigerator.

Orange Crush Salad

I found a screenshot of this recipe on Pinterest, and I'm not sure of the original source because all I can find is a screenshot of the recipe. This reminds me of a similar recipe that calls for vanilla ice cream in it that is very good. Once I find that recipe again, I will post it here.

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3 (3-oz) boxes of orange jello
2 cups boiling water
2 cups chilled Orange Crush soda pop
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
2 small cans mandarin oranges, drained

Topping
1 3-oz box instant vanilla pudding
8 oz package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
2 1/2 cups milk
3 cups Cool Whip

Dissolve jello in the boiling water, stirring until jello is dissolved. Add the Orange Crush syrupy. Stir in the pineapple and oranges and then chill until firm in a serving dish.

Topping
Combine the vanilla pudding mix and cream cheese until smooth. Add the milk and mix until well combined and smooth. Stir in the Cool Whip and beat until smooth. Spread topping mixture over the jello and chill. Serve. 

M & Ms Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

The original recipe can be found here on Shugary Sweets. This is one of my favorite cooking websites, and you'll find tons of recipes over there.

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1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups M&Ms, any color or variety

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13" baking pan with parchment paper, and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugars until well combined. Add the flour, baking soda, cornstarch and kosher salt just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and M&Ms. Press dough into the prepared pan. Bake 350 degrees for 35 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Outrageous Cherry Dr. Pepper Cake

Another recipe that is on my very long To-Make list.

You can find the original recipe here, at The Slow Roasted Italian . If you haven't yet checked out this website, please do. She tons of great recipes, and loads of videos, as well.

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1 (15.25-oz) box super moist chocolate fudge cake mix (dry)
12 oz can Dr Pepper Cherry soda pop, at room temperature
1 (18-oz) jar maraschino cherries, divided
6 tbsp of cherry juice from the jar
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened at room temperature
7 cups powdered sugar (This is a lot of sugar! Perhaps it can be cut back some.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13" pan with cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the dry cake mix and soda pop. Whisk until well combined and set aside. Remove 24 maraschino cherries from the jar, remove the stems and then cut the cherries into quarters. Reserve the remaining cherries for garnishing the cake. Add cut cherries into the cake batter and whisk until combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth out with a spatula so the batter is even in the pan. Bake the cake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool cake on a wire rack.

While cake is baking, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until  light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the sugar 1 cup at a time until thoroughly incorporated, beating well after each addition. Add the cherry juice and beat until frosting is light and fluffy. Frost the cake and garnish with the remaining cherries.

Note: If the frosting is too thick, add more cherry juice, 1 tbsp at a time until desired consistency is reached, beating after each addition. If too thin, add additional powdered sugar, 1 tbsp at a time until desired consistency is reached.

Taco Casserole

I'm going to post a series of recipes that I plan on adding to my menu roster. I haven't tried these yet, but I will post where you can find the original recipe.

You can find the original recipe here, at Dinner at the Zoo . Head over there to see it, and her gorgeous photos.

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2 tsp olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1 packet taco seasoning mix
14.5-oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 1/4 cups roughly broken tortilla chips
16 oz can refried beans
1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, thinly sliced green onions, and cilantro
Cooking spray, such as PAM

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8" baking pan or 2 quart oval baking dish with PAM. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef and onion until the beef is no longer pink. Drain grease. Stir in the taco seasoning mix and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 3-4 minutes.

Place the broken chips in the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread a layer of refried beans over on top of the chips. Pour beef mixture over the beans and top with cheese. Bake 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until the cheese has melted and lightly browned. Add desired toppings and serve.

Party Punch

This recipe comes from my sister Sandy. She been bringing it to all family holiday gatherings for years, and it is delicious! It's very easy to make, and makes a large amount. She will freeze the base of the recipe in plastic, gallon-sized ice cream containers and stores them in the freezer until ready to use.  It needs to be made ahead of time, so plan accordingly.

This recipe can be cut down.

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2 (6-oz) packages lime jello
3 cups sugar
4 cups boiling water
8 cups cold water
1 quart ReaLemon juice
2 (46-oz) cans pineapple juice (this size can be found at most grocery stores)
1 (1-oz) bottle of PURE almond extract (yes, a whole one ounce bottle, and be sure to use the pure extract, and not the artificial. This is what gives it its delicious flavor.)

3 (1-quart) bottles of 7-UP


Mix the jello with the sugar in a large bowl and add the boiling water and stir until it has dissolved. Add the cold water, ReaLemon juice, pineapple juice, and the almond extract. Mix very well and divide between three gallon sized ice cream buckets or other containers of similar size. Place in the freezer.

The night before you plan to serve it (or the morning of, if you plan on serving it in the evening), place the frozen base in the refrigerator to allow it to turn to slush. This shouldn't take too long. When ready to serve, take one of the buckets and empty into a punch bowl and add one quart of the 7-UP and stir and serve. Repeat with the other containers, as needed. One quart of  7-UP per ice cream bucket of punch base.

The other two buckets can be kept in the refrigerator if you know that you will be using them up within a reasonable amount of time. You just don't want them to thaw, or melt, completely. If they do thaw too much, they can be refrozen.

Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Dessert

I got this recipe from a friend of mine, another one I haven't made in years. If you like Oreo cookies and ice cream, you will like this dessert.

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1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened

1 can salted peanuts

1 can Hershey's chocolate syrup or fudge topping

1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip

1 (16 oz) package Oreo cookies

Pulse the Oreo cookies in a food processor or blender until crushed. Save some to sprinkle on top of the dessert at the end. Press the crushed cookies in the bottom of a parchment paper-lined 9x13" pan. Carefully spread softened ice cream over the cookies and sprinkle with peanuts, and spread the chocolate syrup over all. Freeze until firm. Spread the Cool Whip over the chocolate and then sprinkle on the remaining crushed cookies. Freeze for 3 hours or until all is firm.

THROWBACK - Even More Remarkable Fudge

I found this recipe again in an old recipe file. I used to make it at Christmastime to give away as gifts. It uses two different types of chocolate and makes a huge amount of fudge (a 9x13" pan), so I would recommend freezing a portion of it if you are having trouble using it all up. It will keep for several months if you wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in a tightly covered container.

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Butter - for buttering the pan(s)

4 cups sugar
2 (5-oz) cans (1 1/3 cups total) evaporated milk
1 cup butter
1 (12-oz) package semisweet chocolate chips
1 (7-oz) dark chocolate or milk chocolate candy bar, cut up (I've used Hershey's milk chocolate or Hershey's Symphony milk chocolate bars)
1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow creme
1 tsp vanilla

Line a 9x13" pan with parchment paper or heavy-duty foil, extending the parchment or foil over the edges of the pan. Butter the foil and set aside.

Butter the sides of a heavy-duty 3-quart saucepan. In saucepan, combine the sugar, evaporated milk, and the 1 cup butter. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until the mixture boils. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking and stirring for 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat and add the chocolate chips, cut up candy bar, marshmallow creme and the vanilla. Stir off the heat until chocolate has melted and mixture is combined. Beat by hand for one minute. Spread in prepared pan and score in 1-inch pieces to make it easier to cut once it has cooled down some. When the fudge has firmed up, use the parchment or foil to lift up and out of pan and onto a flat surface. Cut fudge into squares. Store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator.

Makes 96 pieces (4 pounds)

THROWBACK - Chocolate Eclair Dessert

THROWBACK: These are recipes that I made years ago and then have fallen by the wayside over the years. I recently came upon many of these recipes when going through a box full of handwritten recipes and printed from off the internet. They've brought back a lot of memories going through them. I can't wait to try them again.

I used to make this all the time when my kids were little, and often made it when we had company over. It's an easy recipe to make, and the chocolate topping is delicious - so good, that I've used it as a frosting for other desserts. Allow several hours for this to chill and set up.

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graham crackers
1 large package instant French Vanilla pudding mix (may use regular vanilla, too)
3 cups whole milk
8-12 ounce container Cool Whip

TOPPING
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 tbsp butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp milk
2 tsp corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Line a 9x13" pan with whole graham crackers, cutting them if necessary, to fit the pan. Set aside. Mix the instant pudding mix with the milk and beat. Add Cool Whip and mix well. Spread one-third of this mixture over the graham crackers. Top with more graham crackers. Spread another one-third of the pudding mix on top of the crackers. Spread with the final one-third pudding, and top with more graham crackers.

Combine all of the topping ingredients and beat for two minutes. Spread evenly over the crackers and then chill for several hours before serving.

THROWBACK - Easy Toffee Bars

THROWBACK: These are recipes that I made years ago and then have fallen by the wayside over the years. I recently came upon many of these recipes when going through a box full of handwritten recipes and printed from off the internet. They've brought back a lot of memories going through them. I can't wait to try them again. This recipe came from my Aunt Dorothy.

I remember making these when I was a kid. We'd have them around Christmastime. I haven't made them in years, but I think maybe I'll try making them again this Christmas. They're a simple bar, with a shortbread crust. Grind the nuts in a blender or food processor very fine for a more tender crust. Toast them first for a better flavor (Instructions follow.) However, I have made these without the nuts (ass seen in the photos), and they turn out very well, too. They have a real nice toffee flavor to them. Since there is no leavening agent in these, they do make for a thin bar.

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1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup pecans or almonds, toasted* (or a combination of both), ground in a food processor or blender, or you may place in a ziplock bag and use a rolling pin to crush them
1 1/2 cups flour
7-8 Hershey's milk chocolate bars (1-oz each)

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and mix well. Add the flour and stir until combined. The dough will be sticky if you choose not to use the nuts. Spread in a greased 9x13" pan and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and place chocolate bars on top and spread when melted. You might want to turn the oven off and place the pan in the still-hot oven for two minutes to help them melt thoroughly. If desired, sprinkle on more toasted ground nuts over the chocolate.

*NOTE
To toast the nuts, layer them on a baking sheet. Bake 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes or until golden brown. Do not overbake, or they will burn. Cool on waxed or parchment paper.

THROWBACK - English Toffee Cookies

THROWBACK: These are recipes that I made years ago and then have fallen by the wayside over the years. I recently came upon many of these recipes when going through a box full of handwritten recipes and printed from off the internet. They've brought back a lot of memories going through them. I can't wait to try them again.

Another old recipe ... These are very good and remind me of cookies I used to get from the bakery.

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1/2 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 (6-oz) bag of Heath almond brickle baking chips (may use the chocolate-covered being chips, if preferred)

Beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat well. Beat in the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt just until combined. Stir in the almond brickle chips. Drop dough by spoonful onto greased cookie sheets. Bake 375 degrees for 8-12 minutes. Immediately remove from cookie sheets and cool on wire racks.

Plum-Clove Glaze for Ham

This is a delicious glaze that we put on a baked ham. It is a very thick and spicy glaze that is just wonderful. It can be difficult to find the plum preserves, but usually can be found around Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter in more of the higher-end grocery stores. This is what I buy: Plum Preserves

When I bake a ham, I score it and place whole cloves in each cut, and then frequently brush on the glaze during the last hour of baking.

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1 jar (12 oz) Plum preserves
1/3 cup Karo corn syrup (may use light or dark - I use light)
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

In a small saucepan, stir together the preserves, corn syrup, cloves and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes or until the preserves have melted. Keep warm and frequently brush the glaze on the ham during the last hour of baking. Heat and serve any remaining glaze as a sauce for the ham.

Makes approximately 1 1/2 cups 

THROWBACK - Chocolate Chip Cookies

THROWBACK: These are recipes that I made years ago and then have fallen by the wayside over the years. I recently came upon many of these recipes when going through a box full of handwritten recipes and printed from off the internet. They've brought back a lot of memories going through them. I can't wait to try them again.

Recipe can be found online here

I know, I already have quite a few recipes on here for chocolate chip cookies. I'm always searching for a thick and chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe that delivers on its promise of being thick and chewy, rather than flat and then turns hard the next day. I came upon this recipe in a box full of handwritten recipes, and I do not remember where the original recipe came from, but I must have really liked them because I found several different handwritten copies of the recipe, including one that I had at one time taped to the inside of my kitchen cupboard. I would only do that to recipes that were true family favorites.

I do remember that these make a large batch of cookies and that I would form some of the dough into a long log and wrap in parchment paper and then freeze. Then when I would want even just a few cookies, I would grab it out of the freezer, cut off a few pieces and allow to defrost (it doesn't take long) and bake. I also remember placing some plain M&Ms on top of the cookies before baking. It's so nice to have freshly-baked cookies at any given time, isn't it?

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1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar 
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, softened
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
4 to 4 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1-2 (12-oz) bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips (or 3 cups)


Cream butter and sugars until well mixed. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Beat in the flour, baking soda and salt just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden around the edges but still soft in the middle. Let cool on cookie sheet a few minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely. You can make these large by using a large cookie or ice cream scoop.

Notes:

- If you read the reviews online for this recipe, one person said that they added rum extract to the dough along with the vanilla. That sounds real good, and something I’d like to try.

THROWBACK - Mock Baby Ruth Bars

THROWBACK: These are recipes that I made years ago and then have fallen by the wayside over the years. I recently came upon many of these recipes when going through a box full of handwritten recipes and printed from off the internet. They've brought back a lot of memories going through them. I can't wait to try them again.

Some of the recipes are "new" to me, in that I haven't made them before but sound real promising. Others are tried and true. I do remember making these Mock Baby Ruth Bars and  I have no idea why they have this name because I don't recall them tasting like the candy bar, but I do remember them tasting real good.

Recipe courtesy of Homemade Hooplah

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CRUST
4 cups oatmeal
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup (light or dark can be used)
3/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla

FROSTING
2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
2/3 cup peanut butter


For the Crust
In a large bowl, mix together the oatmeal, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Stir in the melted butter until thoroughly combined. Pat into a greased 9x13" and bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. (I've got other copies of the recipe that say to bake at 400 degrees. Try 375 degrees first, and if needed, bake a little longer until they are nicely browned.)


For the Frosting
Meanwhile, while crust is baking, combine the chocolate and butterscotch chips in a bowl and melt in the microwave. Stir in the peanut butter and mix until smooth. Spread over the crust as soon as it comes out of the oven and spread evenly. Cool and cut into bars.

Crockpot Shredded Orange BBQ Chicken Sandwiches - plus a quick and easy version

(Sorry, I don't have any other photos - I quickly put this together one morning before work, and didn't get any others.)


I love orange chicken and am always looking for a version to make homemade. This recipe comes from the Six Sisters' Stuff blog. I made it the quick and easy way by using the meat from a rotisserie chicken and adding the sauce ingredients and warming it up in a skillet on the stove. I wouldn't necessarily call it orange chicken ... it's more of a sweet barbecue chicken, but the orange marmalade really enhances the flavor of the BBQ sauce. You can either serve it over rice, on a bun or eat it straight out of a bowl. I just made this the other day and am considering making it again, it is that good.

Here is the original recipe from the website

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4 or 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup orange marmalade
1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's original flavor)
3 tbsp soy sauce (don't skip out on this, as it adds a very nice flavor and cuts down the sweetness of the marmalade)

Place the chicken in a crock pot. In a separate bowl, mix together the orange marmalade, bbq sauce and soy sauce. Mix well, then pour over the chicken in the crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Shred the chicken when done and return to the sauce. Seve over hot, cooked rice. May add some red pepper flakes to taste to kick it up a notch.


A QUICK and EASY version

My quick and easy version is to cut the meat off of a rotisserie chicken (I used an original flavored chicken rather than a seasoned chicken that I purchased from Byerly's/Lunds). Cut the chicken up in small chunks and place in a large skillet. In a separate bowl, combine the sauce ingredients and pour over the chicken in the skillet. Bring to a boil and cover. Simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes. This can be served over cooked rice or on a sandwich bun.