Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is our staple CCC recipe. The vanilla pudding in the batter makes them soft and chewy on the inside and crispy on edges. Perfect!

1 1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
1 small pkg. vanilla instant pudding
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
3 cups chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts (optional) OR 1 1/2 cups mini or regular sized M&M's

Cream butter and sugars. Add vanilla and eggs, mix well. Add dry pudding and mix well. Add dry ingredients and beat until combined (batter will be stiff). Stir in chocolate and nuts. Scoop onto cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 9-12 minutes (cook them less if you like them super soft and longer if you like them a little crispier on the outside).

Half White/Half Wheat Bread - Anita's Recipe

I made 50% wheat bread tonight for the first time. Anita, the librarian from Park School gave me the recipe. It was surprisingly easy and I'm hoping delicious.

Mix 1/2 cup honey and 5 cups hot water in a bowl. Stir until honey dissolves
Add 2 T. active dry yeast and let stand for 10 minutes.

In a separate bowl, mix:
7 cups white flour
5 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 1/2 T. salt

To the yeast mixture, add 2 beaten eggs and 1/2 c. canola oil. Begin adding the dry ingredients and mix in mixer (btw...you need a large mixer for this recipe). Knead until dough forms a ball and isn't sticky. If dough is sticky, add a little more flour (about 1/4 of a cup at a time).
Cover bowl and let rise 45 minutes.
Knead down the dough for about 10 minutes. Shape into 4 equal loaves. Place in greased bread pans. Cover and let rise 20 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, then lower to 325 and bake 20 minutes more or until golden brown.

Sunday Rolls

Pour hot milk over the sugar, yeast and shortening.
After you mix in the eggs and flour, it will start to form a ball and won't stick to the sides of the bowl. If it is still sticky add more flour (1/4 cup at a time).
After the dough has been well kneaded, put it in a greased bowl. It won't be sticky.
After the first rise, punch down the dough, form into balls and let rise again.

I am often asked how I make my Sunday Rolls, so here goes. I've tried to take some pictures and explain as I go. I am a baker at heart and make Sunday rolls almost every week.

In a stand mixer or Bosch, place the following ingredients:

2 T. active dry yeast
1/2 c. sugar
6 T. shortening
2 tsp. salt

In a small saucepan, heat:

2 cups milk (remove from heat just before it begins to boil - when it is hot and steamy)

Pour milk over the yeast mixture, add:

2 eggs, beaten (mix well)

Gradually add in:

6 1/2 - 7 cups flour

Beat until the dough forms a ball that centers on the dough hook and doesn't stick to the sides of the bowl. Knead for 5-6 minutes longer. Place dough in a greased bowl and let rise for 1 hour.
Roll dough into small golf-ball sized balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Let rise about 1 - 1 1/2 hours more. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Makes one large cookie sheet full of rolls.

Spiced Cake Doughnuts

I made these for family night the other night and they were a HIT! I think I am going to make them again on Halloween night. Perfect for fall...they melt in your mouth!

1/4 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
(Blend together) Add:
3 eggs, beaten
1 t. vanilla

In a separate bowl, combine these dry ingredients:
5 c. flour
1 T. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg

Add dry ingredients to sugar mixture and alternately add:
1/2 c. buttermilk

When all is well mixed, stir in:
1 c. apple, peeled, cored and grated

Refrigerate dough for at least 2 hours. Roll out to 1/2 inch thickness and cut with doughnut cutter. Fry doughnuts and doughnut holes in hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Frost with caramel frosting (recipe below):

CARAMEL GLAZE:
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
3 T. butter
1/4 c. whipping cream
1 3/4 c. powdered sugar

In saucepan, bring brown sugar and butter to a boil. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool 10 minutes. Stir in whipping cream until well mixed. Whisk in powdered sugar a little at a time. Dip warm doughnuts in glaze. Can add sprinkles if desired.