Monster Cookie Recipe

Plate of Monster Cookies!

Still On The Cookie Sheet!

1 cup M&Ms

1 stick butter, softened

1-12 oz. jar creamy peanut butter

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup light brown sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp. baking soda

4 1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a very large bowl, combine the eggs and sugars.  Mix well.  Add salt, baking soda, vanilla, peanut butter and butter.  Mix well.  Stir in M&Ms and oatmeal.

Drop by tablespoons two inches apart.  Bake 8-10 minutes.  Do not over bake.  Let stand for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool.  When cool store in plastic containers.

Awesome Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars

I have a lot of oatmeal in my pantry so decided to look up a recipe for oatmeal bars on Pinterest recently. Bars are so much easier to make than cookies when you don't have the time or feel like it and this is a great easy recipe.

Anyways, here is the recipe and I just love them! They are great with a big glass of milk or a cup of hot tea, whatever your heart desires.

Ingredients:

2 Cups Flour

1 Tsp. Baking Soda

1 Tsp. Baking Powder

1 Tsp. Salt

1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon

2 and 1/2 Cups Old Fashioned Oats

1 and 1/2 Cups Light Brown Sugar

1 and 1/4 Cup Real Butter, Melted

2 Eggs

1 Tbsp. Vanilla

2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Combine well. 

Add the Old Fashioned Oats and light brown sugar and mix well.

Melt the butter and pour into the mixture, thoroughly combining everything.

Beat the eggs in a separate small bowl, then add to large bowl of mixture, along with the vanilla and mix everything once again. It will be rather crumbly.

Add chocolate chips and mix together.

In a 9 by 13 inch baking pan, grease or spray bottom well. Then place your oatmeal mixture evenly and press down firmly. Bake for approximately 20 minutes until a butter knife or toothpick comes out clean.

After cooling cut into bars and that is it. So easy which I really like! They are rich and delicious!

Credit for this recipe goes to Jamie Cooks It Up!  I changed the amount of chocolate chips to 2 cups and used light brown sugar since it wasn't specified if it was light or dark. I also beat the eggs in a separate small bowl before adding to the mixture.

Big Batch Of Chili Recipe

It's fall here in Michigan (although it's been in the 70's which is very unusual)! This time of the year I make soups and do more cooking than in the summer months. It's just usually too hot to use an oven and we do more grilling. Here is my recipe for chili which my family really likes.

1 1/2 pounds ground chuck

2 quarts (or cans) tomatoes

2 cans tomato soup

4 cans light kidney beans

1 can tomato soup

2 stalks diced celery

1 large onion diced

1 tbsp. garlic diced 

1/2 red pepper diced

1/2 green pepper diced

4 tbsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. chili powder (or to taste)

salt and pepper (to taste)

2 or 3 cans of water using the empty bean cans

Tabasco sauce (If you like your chili spicier, I add a couple of shakes to my bowl)

You need a 4 quart kettle for this recipe. I use my canned tomatoes and use 2 quarts jars of them. Cut recipe in half if you have a small family. We like leftover chili at our house.

Brown ground chuck, along with celery, onions, peppers and garlic in the large kettle. Drain grease off. Add all the other ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer for an hour or more till veggies are tender.

Rhubarb Crunch (Easy and Delicious)

Rhubarb Crunch (Easy and Delicious)

This time of the year rhubarb is growing! It's great for rhubarb pies or rhubarb crunch. Here is a simple recipe that is very good if you like this tart fruit.

Ingredients:

1 c. sugar

3 T. flour

1 c. oatmeal

1/2 c. butter

4 c. rhubarb, cut up

1 c. brown sugar

1-1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. shortening

Combine rhubarb, sugar and 3 tbsp.flour.  Place in greased oblong cake pan.  Combine brown sugar, oats and 1-1/2 cups flour.  Cut in butter and shortening; sprinkle over rhubarb.  Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown.

This is great topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream also!

For My Sweet Tooth ~ Chocolate Scotcheroos ~ #Recipe

Now here's a recipe I haven't made for years. I was going to make regular Rice Krispie Treats but thought about the chocolate and peanut butter in these and my taste buds won out! They are easy to make and are a nice treat. I had the recipe in my old wooden recipe box and am so glad I saved it.

Chocolate Scotcheroos

Ingredients:
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 pkg. (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips (recipe calls for 1 cup but I used a whole pkg.)
1 pkg. (12 oz.) butterscotch chips (recipe calls for 1 cup but I used a whole pkg.)
Vegetable cooking spray

1. Place corn syrup and sugar into large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter. Mix well. Add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated. Press mixture into 13x9x2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Set aside.

2. Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together in microwavable bowl until melted. Stir in between microwaving. You can also melt in small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Spread evenly over cereal mixture. Let stand until firm. Cut into 2x1-inch bars when cool.

Yield 48 bars.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

If you like Italian food here's a very good recipe that you may like for homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs. It tastes so much better than those jars of spaghetti sauce and frozen meatballs you can buy. There's nothing like homemade food!

1 lb. ground beef

1 cup bread crumbs

1 tbsp. parsley

1 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

1 egg beaten

3/4 cup chopped onion

5 cloves minced garlic

1/4 cup olive oil

2- 28 oz. cans crushed tomatoes

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. sugar

1 bay leaf

1- 6 oz. can tomato paste

3/4 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. pepper

Combine the ingredients at the top list and form into 12 balls (She made extra for this picture).  Put in refrigerator for later.  Saute onion and garlic in medium to large cooking pot.  Add and stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf.  Cover and simmer on low heat for 90 minutes.  Stir in tomato paste and pepper and add meat balls.  Simmer for 30 minutes more.  Remove bay leaf.  While simmering make your spaghetti according to the directions on the box.

This would be great for any dinner! Add some garlic bread and a salad! You are all set!

Here's a light salad which would be a nice side for Valentine's Day! It's easy to prepare and tastes light and refreshing!

Here's a light salad which would be a nice side for Valentine's Day! It's easy to prepare and tastes light and refreshing! 

Strawberry Spinach Salad for Valentine's Day!

1 lb. spinach, washed with stems removed
2 tbsp. butter
3/4 cup sliced almonds
1 pint strawberries, sliced


Dressing:

1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp. poppy seeds
2 tbsp. sesame seeds
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil


Mix all of the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.  Cover and refrigerate.  Rinse the spinach, remove the stems, and spread out on paper towels to dry.  Place the spinach in a large serving bowl and refrigerate.


Just Before Serving: 
Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat and toast the almonds until light brown.  Spread them out on paper towels to cool.  Clean and slice the strawberries.  Add the strawberries and almonds to the spinach.  Pour the dressing over the spinach and mix gently.  Serves 5.


I got this recipe from Make -Ahead Meals For Busy Moms Cookbook.  It is delicious!

If You LIke Pecans and Chocolate You'll Love These Bars! #Recipe

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

I printed out the recipe for these bars way back in 2001 and had it filed in my old wooden recipe box all these years. It called for 1 and 3/4 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chunks but I changed it to 1 cup of chocolate chips. I've never made them before but yesterday was the day! Since I had pecans and chocolate chips on hand, I thought it was finally time to make them - better late than never! Also the cold and dreary weather makes me want to bake. If you like pecans and chocolate you'll probably like these!

Ingredients

Crust:

1-1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Filling:

3 large eggs

3/4 cup dark corn syrup

3/4 cup sugar

2 tbsp. butter or margarine

1 tsp.vanilla extract

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1-1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13x9 inch baking pan.

For Crust:

Beat flour, butter and brown sugar in small mixer bowl until crumbly. Press into prepared baking pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

For Filling:

Beat eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter and vanilla extract in medium bowl with wire whisk. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans. Pour evenly over baked crust.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until set. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.


My husband and son loved these bars quite a lot! They are quick to prepare and take so much less time than baking cookies.

I received recipe from Nestle Very Best Baking.

 Baked Beans from Scratch Recipe

I got this recipe from my mom and found it in my old wooden recipe box. Mom and dad used to make it when I lived at home (they always cooked together) and it tastes so much better than canned beans! If you are a fan of baked beans, this recipe may be for you. It is very easy and is great for parties or gatherings also!

Baked Beans From Scratch Recipe

1 - 48 oz. glass jar of Great Northern Beans

1/2 cup of onion, diced

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup of apple, diced

1/4 cup dark Karo syrup

1 Tbsp. molasses

1/2 c. ketchup

1/2 lb. bacon cut in small pieces (fried halfway done and grease drained)

salt and pepper to taste

I use a 4 quart casserole dish and put beans in dish. Add remaining ingredients, thoroughly mix and bake at 375 degrees for approximately 2 hours. Enjoy!

My Recipe for Rich Lemon Bars

My Recipe for Rich Lemon Bars

I've been baking cookies and found a recipe that I had forgotten about. My daughter likes these Rich Lemon Bars and if you are a fan of lemons I think you may like them too.

Ingredients

1 and 1/2 cups plus 3 tbsp. unsifted flour

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

3/4 cup cold margarine or butter

4 eggs, slightly beaten

1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup lemon juice

Additional confectioners sugar (about 3 tbsp.)

Preheat over to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, combine 1 and 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 cup confectioners sugar; cut in margarine until crumbly. Press onto bottom of lightly greased 13x9 inch baking pan; bake 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine eggs, granulated sugar, baking powder, lemon juice and remaining 3 tbsp flour; mix well.

Pour over baked crust. Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Cut into bars. Sprinkle with additional confectioners sugar. Store covered in refrigerator. 

Makes 24 to 36 bars.

Pumpkin Streusel Squares

My New Recipe Box Find ~ Pumpkin Streusel Squares

I was looking through my recipe box yesterday and found a recipe that I have never tried before. I don't really know where I got it from but thought the ingredients sounded good so decided to make it. I'm a big fan of pumpkin desserts, especially in the fall and holiday time. It's easy and doesn't take long to make. Hope you enjoy! The recipe is below if you would like to try it.

PUMPKIN STREUSEL SQUARES

1-3/4 cups unsifted flower

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 cup cold margarine or butter, cut into small pieces

15 ounce can of pumpkin

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 eggs

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1-1/2 tsp. ground allspice

1/2 tsp. salt, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, combine flour and sugars. Cut in margarine until crumbly. Stir in nuts. Reserving 1 cup crumb mixture, press remainder firmly on bottom and halfway up sides of 12x7 inch baking dish. In large mixer bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Mix well. Pour into prepared dish. Top with reserved crumb mixture. Bake 55 minutes or until golden. Cool. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream. Refrigerate leftovers.

What's Good With A Glass of Milk? (Brownies)!

I've been in the baking mood lately and was thumbing through my old wooden recipe box when I came across a recipe that sounded good. Brownies are always a treat and and this recipe came off the back of a Hershey's Cocoa package that I had torn off years ago. It's so easy and tastes even better than the pre-packaged box mixes. Very moist and chocolatey! They are great with a cold glass of milk too - or a cup of hot tea or coffee. Enjoy!

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

4 eggs

3/4 Hershey's Cocoa

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Heat over to 350 degrees. Grease 13x9x2 inch pan. Microwave butter at high for 2 to 2-1/2 minutes or until melted. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add cocoa, flour, baking powder and salt; beat until well blended. Stir in nuts, if desired. Pour batter into pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides. Cool completely. Makes about 36 brownies.

Guess what? I couldn't wait to eat one so cut them when they weren't quite cool enough!

Magic Cookie Bars

Magic Cookie Bars

Here's an easy recipe for a delicious dessert you could make for your Labor Day party or gathering. You might already have some of the ingredients on hand in your pantry. It's a delicious treat and satisfies my sweet tooth too!

1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine melted
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups (12 ounces) semi sweet chocolate chips
1-1/3 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees for glass dish).  In small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and butter; mix well.  Press crumb mixture firmly on bottom of 13x9-inch baking pan.
2.  Layer evenly with remaining ingredients and press down firmly with fork.  Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over everything.
3.  Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool.  Chill if desired.  Cut into bars.  Store covered at room temperature.

Summer Blogging Challenge ~ Summer Eats! @SocialInsiders #SocialSummer

It's still summer and the weather has been hot, dry and humid. Don't get me wrong, I look forward to the summer months but read somewhere that last month (July) was the hottest in world history! That's a record that is kind of scary to me. What would we do without air conditioning and if there were no electricity? Thankfully, it has rained a few times recently and everything outdoors looks so much better. Today it cooled off a little also.

Who wants to cook when it's hot - not me! I've only used the oven a few times this summer when it was absolutely necessary. Heck, I don't even like to cook much at all when it's hot! Munching on fresh fruit and veggies is so much healthier. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this on my blog before, but I haven't eaten meat in a few years. I'm not a strict vegetarian but really don't care for beef or pork so I quit eating it. I'll eat chicken breast once in a while but that's about it. So when my husband wants to barbecue hamburgers or pork chops he makes enough for himself and our son. By the way, one of my twin sons quit eating meat also. The boys are 25 years old so it's not like they are little any more.

What appeals to me in the summer are salads and everything that you can find in the garden. I've been eating corn on the cob, watermelon and salads recently. I really like pasta salad and usually make it when our relatives get together for dinners. It's really easy to make and I love the different colors of the rotini that you use. The recipe is below if you've never tried it before. You can put other veggies in it and make to your own style.

PASTA SALAD RECIPE

1 -16 oz. box of tri-colored rotini
1 can black olives (sliced)
4 -5 cherry tomatoes or 1 large tomato (cut up in small pieces)
1 small onion (diced)
1 pepper (red or green) diced
1 regular bottle of Italian dressing
McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning (about 3 tbsps.or more to taste)

Cook rotini according to instructions on box.  Drain and rinse well with cold water.  Put in a medium bowl.  Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.   Cool in refrigerator. 

Blueberry Picking Led to a Blueberry Pie

Blueberry Picking Led to a Blueberry Pie #Recipe

My daughter Karissa and I went blueberry picking at a blueberry farm in our area last week. We both picked a large pail of blueberries and I have been eating them like crazy. While picking them I must have eaten a pound of them. They were so delicious and fresh tasting! There's nothing like fresh picked fruit for a snack and blueberries are so good for a person too.

Karissa likes to bake (and cook) so she and I made a couple of pies. I froze a couple of large bags of the blueberries for this winter when it's snowing!

Here is the recipe for the blueberry pie:

Prepare pastry for a 2 crust 9 inch pie. Combine 4 cups fresh blueberries with 3/4 to 1 cup sugar, 3 tbsp. all purpose flour, 1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel, 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon and a dash of salt.

Line a 9 inch pie plate with pastry. Fill. Sprinkle with 1 tsp. lemon juice; dot with 1 tbsp. butter. Arrange lattice crust on top of pie. Seal. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm if desired.

A Tarty Delicious Dessert - Rhubarb Crunch!

A Tarty Delicious Dessert - Rhubarb Crunch!

Have you ever had rhubarb before? It's a perennial that grows with long stalks that are reddish/green/white in color. There are large leaves on the ends of them and you cut the leaves off. Then you cut the stalks in small pieces to make pie, desserts, or you can even stew rhubarb (such as applesauce is made). The stalks are very tart in flavor and when baking you add sugar and sometimes also brown sugar - as my recipe below includes. It's really one of my favorite desserts, but you can only get it in the spring and early summer. That's when the rhubarb is more tender and not stringy. Hope you enjoy the recipe below. It tastes even better with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Yum!

1 c. sugar

3 T. flour

1 c. oatmeal

1/2 c. butter

4 c. rhubarb, cut up

1 c. brown sugar

1-1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. shortening

Combine rhubarb, sugar and 3 tbsp.flour.  Place in greased oblong cake pan.  Combine brown sugar, oats and 1-1/2 cups flour.  Cut in butter and shortening; sprinkle over rhubarb.  Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown.

Have Pumpkin? Make A Pie!

Since it was a snowy day, I looked in my kitchen pantry and found a can of pumpkin that was about to expire. Well, I asked my husband if he wanted a pumpkin pie and he of course said.....yeah! So, I got right on it and made a homemade crust first of all.

Now, I really don't make a lot of pies but occasionally get in the mood. It really doesn't take a whole lot of time at all.

I looked to see if I had all the spices and other ingredients and did so got it done in no time. It doesn't have to be Thanksgiving or Christmas to have pumpkin pie....since it tastes great anytime. Also the crust doesn't have to be perfect as a picture. I think it does taste so much better than store bought pies. Add a dollop of whipped cream and ahhhhh....yum!

If you would like the recipe you can see it below.

PUMPKIN PIE

15 ounce can of pure pumpkin
12 ounce can of evaporated milk
1 unbaked pie crust
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
2 large eggs

First of all in a small bowl mix the sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Then in a large bowl beat the eggs. Mix in the sugar and spice mixture, then the pumpkin. Stir in the evaporated milk gradually. Pour into your prepared pie shell.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Then bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees, Bake an additional 40 to 50 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean which you insert towards the center.

Cool for about 2 hours and serve or refrigerate.

Chocolate Chip Cookies #Recipe

Chocolate Chip Cookies #Recipe

It's a snowy and wintry day here in Michigan today so I thought it would be a great idea to make some homemade chocolate chip cookies. Well, actually I got a craving for "cookie dough" and wanted to sample some, haha. I don't have any little kids around so get to lick the beaters and bowl myself (wink).

If you are interested here is the recipe which makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies. If you would like to add some chopped walnut you could add whatever you desire (usually about 1/2 to 3/4 cup). I like nuts but some of my kids don't so I just omit them.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

2 and 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup margarine or butter

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 light brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 (12 oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat over to 375 degrees. In a small bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl combine butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Gradually stir in flour mixture.

Mix well before stirring in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Famous Oatmeal Cookies - #Recipe

Famous Oatmeal Cookies - #Recipe

I was hungry for some homemade cookies the other day and this is the first recipe I found in my recipe box. The recipe says it makes 5 dozen but I think it made a little over 3 dozen for me. Oh well, I have to make some more because they are gone already. 

I added about 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts and about a cup of mini chocolate chips also. If you are interested here is the recipe below. They are good with a cold glass of milk or a cup of hot tea (like I had)!

FAMOUS OATMEAL COOKIES

3/4 cup shortening (I used half margarine and half butter)

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup water

1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups oats, uncooked

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. soda

Beat together shortening, sugars, egg, water and vanilla until creamy. Add combined remaining ingredients; mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated moderate oven (350 degrees F.) 12 to 15 minutes. (For variety, add chopped nuts, raisins, chocolate chips or coconut).

Makes about 3 to 4 dozen cookies (average).

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

It was cold and dreary out today, so I asked my husband if he wanted me to make chicken noodle soup. He said "yes" right away and didn't hesitate, so it was a done deal! I had everything to make the soup and started to clean celery and onions. It tastes better than canned soup any time - at least my family thinks so! :)  You can use less carrots if you like, but my family loves lots of carrots in soups. We also like the fine noodles instead of the wide or medium size, but you could use whatever you like.

Here's my recipe.

1 - large (12.5 oz.) can of chicken breast
1 - large bag of fresh carrots - sliced
4 - stalks of celery - chopped or cut in small pieces
3 - medium onions - chopped or cut in small pieces
About 1/2 to 3/4 - bag of fine noodles
1 - tbsp.salt
1/8 tsp.pepper

Get a large kettle and fill with about 3 quarts of water. Open can of chicken breast and drain liquid. Shred the chicken so it's not in such big chunks. Place in kettle, along with the celery and onions that have been cleaned and chopped. Add salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for about an hour or until the vegetables are tender.You can add a little more water if you like because it boils away as it cooks. Add carrots and cook for another half hour or until they are cooked. At the end you add the noodles.They only have to cook about 5 to 7 minutes or so. It depends if you like thick or thinner soup, but we like it thick so I add about 3/4 of the bag of noodles.