
This blog contains the best tried-and-true recipes our family has to share. They are the most-loved, handed-down and passed-around recipes from my files. Enjoy!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Jaymon's Cinni Minis

Thursday, October 2, 2008
Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

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

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.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday Rolls





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

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.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Kelly's Zucchini Casserole

6 cups zucchini, peeled and chopped into chunks
1-2 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 can cream of chicken soup
16 oz. container sour cream
2 cubes butter
1 pkg. Stove Top Stuffing (chicken flavor)
Melt butter in saucepan. Pour in dry stuffing mix and saute for a few minutes until slightly browned and crispy. Set aside. Fill another saucepan with hot water and bring to a boil. Add zucchini, carrots and onion. Boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and drain veggies. Stir in the soup and sour cream. In a 13x9 pan, pour half of the stuffing mixture, top with veggie mixture and then sprinkle rest of the stuffing mixture on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
*To make this a little less fattening, I have used only one cube of butter for browning the stuffing and have used low fat sour cream. It still tastes great. Low fat cream of chicken soup could also be used, but doesn't taste quite as good.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Fresh garden tomatoes make this soup extra delicious and healthy. When I want it more hearty, I add mini pasta. This recipe mimics one of my favorite soups served at Zuppa's, a local organic soup and salad restaurant.
3 T. olive oil
1/4 cup butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
12-15 fresh tomatoes, peeled an chopped
3-4 cups chicken broth
1/2 c. fresh basil leaves
3/4 tsp. salt
pepper to taste
1/2 c. whipping cream
Saute onion in buter and olive oil. Cook for 7-8 minutes until tender. Add garlic, tomatoes, chicken broth, basil leaves, salt and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and puree mixture in a blender or food processor. Return to saucepan and bring to a simmer. Stir in whipping cream. If desired, add any type of small pasta (precooked).
*To peel tomatoes, dip them in boiling water for 30 seconds. Skin should easily peel off.
Susan's Seasoned Chicken

Homemade Eclairs

Frito Fiesta Salad
Brown:
1 lb. hamburger
1 small onion, chopped
Add:
1 pkg. taco seasoning (and cook according to package directions)
Add:
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz.) can corn, drained
1 ( 15 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
Simmer for 1/2 hour.
Assemble like a Taco Salad using Frito's corn chips, meat sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, grated cheddar cheese, olives, avocados
Top with ranch dressing, sour cream, salsa
Strawberry Pizza
6 T. butter or margarine
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. almond
1 1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and extracts. Combine dry ingredients. Add to dry mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Roll out onto a 12 inch pizza pan. Build up edges slightly. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool
Topping:
1 pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 c. sliced fresh strawberries
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. cornstarch
2 c. crushed strawberries
Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread over crust. Arrange sliced strawberries around on top. In a saucepan, bring the sugar, cornstarch and crushed strawberries to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes until thickened. Cool slightly and spoon over the sliced strawberries. Refrigerate until set.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Strawberry Pie

1 baked pie crust
Fruit Salad, Yummy, Yummy

Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Lori's Broccoli Salad

My cousin Lori brought this to a family reunion. It's my favorite broccoli salad recipe. Crunchy broccoli, chewy craisins, creamy cheese, meaty bacon. The dressing is sweet and has a little tang.
2-3 heads broccoli, cut into small pieces
1/2 purple onion cut into thin strips
1 cup craisins
1 cup crumbled bacon
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Mix in bowl, then stir in the following dressing:
1 cup mayo
1/2 cup sugar
2 T. white vinegar
Refrigerate before and after serving.
Homemade Pizza Dough

I grew up on a farm and we always had ground beef in our freezer. My mom would make homemade pizza and top it with browned hamburger. This is a serious comfort food for me. I've included several different variations for toppings. I've tried tons of different crust recipes, but I like this one best.
Dissolve 1 T. yeast in 1 cup warm water. Let set 5 minutes. When yeast starts to grow, add:
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
2 T. vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups flour
Knead until smooth (3-5 minutes) I use my food processor with the kneading attachment for this, but you can easily do it by hand or in your stand mixer. Let rise about 30 minutes. Roll our on pizza pan. Add toppings, sauce and cheese. Bake until browned and bubbly. 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes.
Mom's Pizza: Pizza Sauce, browned hamburger, olives, mushrooms, cheddar & mozzarella
Chicken Pizza: Alfredo Sauce, chopped chicken, green onions, fresh tomatoes, pressed garlic, mozzarella
BBQ Chicken: BBQ sauce, chopped chicken, red onion, cilantro, mozzarella
Hawaiian Cake Dessert
Make a white cake mix according to pkg. directions. Here in Utah, I use the high altitude directions.
Pour only 1/2 of the cake batter into a greased and floured 13x9 pan. You can either make 2 cakes or use the rest of the batter to make cupcakes. Bake until lightly browned (test for done-ness), remove from oven and cool completely.
Mix:
1 1/2 c. milk
1 large vanilla pudding
In separate bowl, mix until smooth:
1 cup milk
1 8 oz. brick cream cheese
Mix pudding and cream cheese mixture together (you do it this way to keep the cream cheese smooth and avoid big lumps). Spread this on the cooled cake.
Spread 1 large can crushed pineapple (drained) on top of that.
Top with 12 oz. container Cool Whip.
Sprinkle with toasted coconut
Refrigerate cake for several hours before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.
Janell's Breadsticks
1 T. yeast dissolved in 1 1/2 cups warm water
2 T. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups flour
1 cube butter
Parmesan cheese
Garlic Salt
Mix yeast mixture, sugar, salt and flour. Knead until smooth and elastic. (I use my Kitchen Aid mixer for this). Let rise for 10 minutes. Melt the cube of butter and pour it into a large cookie sheet. Roll out dough into a large rectangle. Cut into 1/4" strips with pizza cutter. Roll in butter right in the pan and begin placing them around on the pan. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garlic salt. Let rise for 20 minutes more. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.
*I also sprinkle Italian seasoning on top when I'm serving these with Italian food.
Smooth & Creamy Frosting
1 small package instant pudding (your favorite flavor)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cold milk
1 8 oz. container Cool Whip
Combine pudding, powdered sugar and milk in a bowl. Beat until well blended (about 1 minute). Fold in Cool Whip. Spread on cake. Refrigerate.
*Chocolate and vanilla are always great, but my favorite is to make a lemon cake and use lemon pudding. The new White Chocolate pudding mix is also very good.
P. Butter Puff Rice Squares
3 cups Karo syrup
3 cups sugar
Microwave this mixture on high for 3 minutes. Stir up, then microwave for 3 minutes more.
Add 3 cups peanut butter and mix well.
Pour over a big bowl of puffed rice and stir to coat. I use one of those huge Tupperware bowls and start out with less puff rice than I think I'll need. I gradually add more and stir until it is all well coated, but not too sticky. Press the soft mixture into a large cookie sheet. Cut into squares to serve.
No Bake Cookies

This is my all-time favorite cookie recipe! I've been making these since I was a little girl. Now my kids have taken over and I beg them to make me No Bake Cookies.
2 cups sugar
3 T. cocoa powder
1/2 cup milk
1 cube butter
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
Bring to a boil in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil that can't be stirred down and boil 1 minute. Then add:
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups oatmeal
Mix and drop onto waxed paper. Cool until set.
Tamra's Coconut Bread
Mix:
4 eggs (well beaten)
2 c. sugar
1 c. oil
3 tsp. coconut flavoring
Combine:
3 c. flour
1 t. salt
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and alternately with 1 cup buttermilk.
Add:
2 c. chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
2 1/2 cups shredded coconut
Pour into bread pans (grease & flour), then bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
5 minutes before the bread gets done, make the following in a saucepan:
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
3 T. butter
1 tsp. coconut flavoring
1 tsp. vanilla
**bring to boil over medium heat, cook 5 minutes. Drizzle this mixture over the warm loaves.
Julies Fruity Ice Cream
1/2 gallon softened pineapple sherbet
1 bag frozen raspberries
3 bananas, mashed
Blend with a large spoon. Freeze in a bowl for several hours. Scoop and serve. This is good with a little Sprite or 7-up poured on top as well.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Cheesy Crock Pot Chicken
Kelly's version:
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt & pepper (to taste)
garlic powder (to taste)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can cheddar cheese soup
Bake on low in crock pot for 6-8 hours.
Shawn & Keri's version:
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Bake on low in crock pot for 6-8 hours. Can also put this in a 13x9 pan and bake in oven at 350 degrees for about 2 hours.
Brad's Stir Fry
chicken breasts cut in strips
diced carrots
fresh mushrooms, chopped
broccoli, chopped
onion, chopped
garlic, chopped
Brown chicken with olive oil in wok. Add the garlic. Add veggies, then stir fry for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
Add:
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup karo syrup
2 T. corn starch
Cook until bubbly and thickened. Serve on chow mein noodles or rice.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
1 (3 lb.) beef roast
1 can beef stock
1 can cream of celery soup
Sliced new potatoes
baby carrots
chopped mushrooms
1 pkg. beefy onion soup mix
1/4 cup steak sauce (I use either A1 or Heinz 57)
Place roast and all veggies in the crockpot. Pour beef stock and celery soup on top. Sprinkle soup mix on top of that and finally, pour steak sauce over the top. Cook for 3 1/2-4 hours on high. If your roast doesn't seem to be tender, continue cooking for another hour or so.
Raz-Pepper Preserves Step by Step

Step 1: Place all ingredients (1 cup raspberries, 1/2 cup chopped red pepper, 1/4 cup chopped jalapeno, 3 cups sugar & 3/4 cups white vinegar) in a saucepan. Stir and begin cooking on medium/high heat.
2. In a metal 13 x 9 pan, bring about 1 inch of water to a boil and sterilize the bottles and lids by boiling them for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and dry on a clean dishcloth.
3. Bring the raspberry mixture to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. It will start out looking bright and chunky like this picture, but as it boils, the raspberries will start to break down and the peppers will soften. The mixture will get a bit foamy. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes.
4. After mixture has cooled for 5 minutes, add 1 (3 oz.) package liquid pectin, then stir well.
5. Put your canning lids into the boiling water and let boil for 2-3 minutes.
6. Fill jars with preserves using a funnel. Place hot lids on top and screw down with rings.
7. Turn filled jars upside down and place back in the boiling water for about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Within a few minutes you should hear the lids popping which means they are sealing. You will know they have sealed if you press down on the lid and it doesn't pop up and down.
Raz-Pepper Preserves


Broken Cookie Salad (Fudge Stripe Salad)
Beat together:
1 c. buttermilk
1 small package vanilla instant pudding
Fold in: 1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip
Add: 1 can crushed pineapple & 1 can mandarine oranges (both drained)
Just before serving, fold in broken Fudge Stripe Cookies (desired amount).
***In the last couple of years, Keebler has come out with mini fudge stripe cookies which would be great in this recipe!
Amie's Stuffed Beef Sandwiches
Brown 1 lb. ground beef with chopped onions and chopped green peppers (desired amounts). Drain fat, then add 1 1/2 bricks (8 oz. each) cream cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. Add chopped, fresh button mushrooms and chopped, canned black olives. Continue cooking until mushrooms soften. Add 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese just before serving. Serve on fresh buns.
Toasted Version: Don't add the mozzarella into the meat mixture. Split buns and spoon meat mixture onto bottom bun. Place a slice of mozzarella cheese on top. Place on cookie sheet and toast in oven at 400 degrees until cheese is melted and top bun is golden and toasted.
Jill's Spinach Salad
Salad:
1 bag of spinach
1 head romain lettuce, torn
3 green onions
1/2 c. sliced red onion
1 cup crumbled bacon
Sliced swish cheese strips
Dressing:
1/3 c. white vinegar
1/3 c. sugar
3/4 tsp. dry mustard
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup oil
1 t. celery seed
Cook until sugar dissolves (boil about 1 minute).
***Serve salad immediately after tossing in the dressing.