RACHAEL'S FAVORITE RECIPES

CHERRY MACAROONS

2012-02-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

These cookies are from the Lion House Recipes Cookbook. They are one of my all time favorite cookies. They aren't the texture of normal macaroons, but more the texture of a chocolate chip cookie. . . soft and chewy. Go Ahead, make up a batch, and give them a try. I think you're going to love them.

CHERRY MACAROONS

1-1/2 cups sugar

1-1/3 cups shortening

2 eggs

3-1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup maraschino cherries, drained (save the juice for the Cherry Fruit Dip recipe posting on Tues) and chopped

1-1/2 tsp almond extract

1 cup coconut

Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs and beat until fluffy. Stir flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and add to creamed mixture. Add maraschino cherries, almond extract, and coconut and mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. As always, DO NOT OVER BAKE!

AND

since this is my 100th Post I thought I'd do a little Give-Away. . . .

Quick Chocolate Softies, p.170

Pina Colada Cake, p234

Flapjack Party Stack, p74

If you'd like to win this cookbook, The Cake Mix Bible, leave me a comment below and you'll be entered to win! I'll be posting the winner on Thursday!! Good Luck.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY!

2012-02-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

from Simply the Sweet Life

Want a chance to win prizes from:

Sweet Tooth Fairy

Amano Artisian Chocolate

Gygi

Dawn Stark Design

Zipfizz and Zagg

Downeast Outfitters

City Deals

and MORE

head over the Simply the Sweet Life's Facebook page and like them. Then go to the SWEET VALENTINE GIVEAWAY tab on the left and like all the sponsoring companies. Leave your email and name, and you're entered.

TANGY CRANBERRY CHICKEN

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

This dish looks and taste fancy, but it is super easy and only 4 ingredients, 4!!!! You can cook it in the oven or all day in a crock pot (this is the method I prefer).

TANGY CRANBERRY CHICKEN

4 large chicken breasts (bone-in or boneless)

1 can (16 oz) whole berry crandberry sauce (do not use the jelly kind)

1 (8oz) bottle Catalina salad dressing

1 envelope onion soup mix

Mix sauce, dressing, and mix together. Place chicken in baking dish or crock-pot. Pour Sauce over. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees 50-60 minutes or until chicken is done. Cook in crock-pot 6-8 hours on low. Serve over Rice.

image source

COLLINS FAMILY SLUSH PUNCH

2012-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

We have this drink at every Collins' family get together. It is so good, we always run out. . . So make double!!!

SLUSH PUNCH

1 (12 oz) can frozen lemondae

1 (12 oz) can frozen orange juice

17-20 cups water

4 cups sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract

1-1/2 -2 (2 liter size) bottles of lemon-lime soda

Mix all ingredients excpet soda together and freeze in 2 gallon size Ziploc freezer bags (or 2 empty and clean gallon ice cream buckets). Let thaw for a few hours before serving. When ready to serve, break it up with a potato masher. Add soda.

NOTES: If you forget to pull it out to thaw, use the microwave.

Makes about 30 servings

TURTLE BROWNIES

2012-02-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love a ooey, gooey, carmel Chocolate Brownie. These will melt in your mouth.

1 German Chocolate cake mix

12 oz. chocolate chips (2 cups)

1 cup chopped pecans

1 (14 oz) pkg caramels

3/4 cup butter (room temp)

2/3 cup canned evaporated milk

Unwrap caramels; melt in pan with 1/3 cup milk. Mix cake mix with 1/3 cup milk and 3/4 cup butter, until it holds together, stir in nuts. Press half the cake mixture into a 9x13" cake pan and bake for 6 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle Chocolate chips on top of warm cake; pour melted caramels over chips. Crumble remaining cake mix on top (if too sticky to crumble, take large spoonfuls of dough and pat with hands to lay over top). Bake 15 -18 minutes at 350 degrees. Let sit several hours so it's not so sticky.

Notes: Don't worry if there are bare spots when you crumble dough on top. It will spread during baking. To speed up wait time, put in freezer or frigerator.

CHICKEN DIVAN

2012-02-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

CHICKEN DIVAN

8-10 pieces of chicken, cooked and cubed

1-1/4 cups cooked rice, (2-1/2 cups uncooked)

1 tsp salt

5 cups water

2 cups frozen broccoli (could use 1 head fresh), steamed

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1 cup greated cheddar cheese

In a 9x13" baking dish. layer rice, broccoli, then chicken, and sprinkling of cheese. Spread soup and sour cream mixture on top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot.

Notes: I like to sprinkle Frech Fried Onions on top before baking.

image source

QUESO BEAN DIP

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is a quick dip to put together using only 3 ingredients. YUM!!! Serve with your favorite Tortilla Chips.

QUESO BEAN DIP

1 can refried beans

1 jar salsa

1 can Campbell's Nacho Cheese Soup

Mix all ingredients together and heat until warm in the microwave.

NICOLE'S 'MADE FROM SCRATCH' BROWNIES

2012-01-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

I'm not a big fan of homemade brownies. I like my brownies fudgey and it seems like most homemade brownies turn out fluffy and cake-like. A while ago we had a family party at my Brother and Sister in-laws house. My sis-in-law, Nicole, served brownies that were really good and fudgey. I was surprised to find out they were homemade, made from scratch. Here is the recipe.

NICOLE'S 'made from scratch' BROWNIES

1/2 cup cocoa

2 squares butter

*melt these in a pan and add to the following:

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour

Mix until everything is incorporated. Pour into a greased 9x13" baking dish.

Bake at 350 for 30 min, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Eat as is warm or cold. Or Frost with your favorite Frosting.

image source

MOCK ENCHILADAS

2012-01-27T07:22:00.000-08:00

My best friend and neighbor (how awesome is that?) shared this recipe with me. It is one of her quick and easy go-to dinners. Everything is prepared in one skillet. HINT: if you use paper plates, you will only have one, 1, uno dish to wash! SCORE!!!! And speaking of score, this would be a great meal to serve to the guys (& gals) on game night.

MOCK ENCHILADAS

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, chopped

1 can enchilada sauce (red)

1 can chili with beans

1 8oz can tomato sauce

1 lb grated cheddar cheese

1 cup sour cream

1 bag Frito corn chips

Brown meat and onion. Stir in remaining ingredients except chips. Cover and simmer on low 20 minutes. Serve over Fritos.

image source

PINEAPPLE CHERRY DUMP CAKE

2011-09-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

PINEAPPLE CHERRY DUMP CAKE

1 can crushed pineapple

1 can cherry pie filling

1 box yellow cake mix

1/2 cup butter, melted

Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Dump the pineapple and the pie filling into the pan. Sprinkle the cake mix on top. (Don't stir, just dump.) Drizzle the melted butter on top of the cake mix. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or so until golden brown.

Notes: This is really good served with whipped cream on top.

MOCK WINGER'S STICKY FINGERS SALAD

2011-04-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have been on a Winger's kick lately. This is what I always order followed by their Asphalt Pie. YUMmmm! Since I like the grilled chicken better than the breaded(just a preference), the recipe below is grilled. So if you want breaded chicken, just use pre-prebreaded chicken breasts or bread and cook your own.

MOCK WINGER'S STICKY FINGERS SALAD

2 ckicken breasts, grilled or broiled until cooked through

2-3 grape or cherry tomatoes

croutons

1/2 cup craisins

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 red onion, cut into thin rings

Salad Lettuce Mix that includes cabbage and carrots

(or your favorite lettuce torn into pieces)

Sticky Sauce:

2-1/2 cups brown sugar

1/4 cup Franks Hot Sauce

3 tbs corn syrup

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

Combine all sauce ingredients in sauce pan. Stirring constantly on med-high heat, boil for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes (no longer).

Dip your cook chicken into sticky sauce until coated. Cut into bite-size pieces.

To Serve: Place lettuce in serving bowl, top with cheese, craisins, onion, tomatoes, croutons, and chicken. Serve with Ranch Dressing or make your own "Creamy Amazing Sauce" by mixing ranch dressing with some sticky sauce.

MARSHMALLOW FONDANT

2011-04-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

MARSHMALLOW FONDANT

16 oz mini-marshmallows

2 lb powdered sugar

1 tbsp water

1 tsp corn syrup (optional)

1 tsp lemon extract (optional)

Yield: 3 lbs fondant

Step 1: Melt marshmallows
Empty your bag of marshmallows into a large, microwave-safe bowl, and add water. Microwave until the marshmallows are puffed up and soft looking (about 2 minutes in my microwave).
Step 2: Grease a wooden spoon
This is really important - while your marshmallows are in the microwave, use a paper towel and some shortening to thoroughly lubricate a wooden spoon. Making marshmallow fondant is a sticky business, and this is one way to make it a little easier on yourself.
Step 3: Start to stir and add optional ingredients
Add your corn syrup and lemon extract, if you are using them. The corn syrup seems to help with flexibility of the fondant after it reaches room temperature, and the extract is for added flavor and to help cut the sweetness. The mixture should be kind of soupy as you stir it, and most of the marshmallows should be dissolved.
If you want to color this entire batch, you can add color now, rather than trying to knead it in later. (make 2 colors or leave about a little less than 1/2 of it white)
Step 4: Adding powdered sugar
Gradually, begin to stir in the powdered sugar.
Continue stirring and adding powdered sugar until you have used about 2/3 of the bag. Stop when it becomes difficult to continue to stir with the spoon.

Step 5 Turn out onto greased surface and knead

Turn out onto a greased surface. KEEPING IN MIND THAT IT IS HOT, begin CAREFULLY kneading with your hands, and gradually add in the rest of your bag of powdered sugar. You may not need to use the entire bag! You'll want to stop kneading when the fondant stops absorbing the powdered sugar, and it actually feels like warm fondant (this is where previous experience with fondant comes in handy). You may want to keep your shortening nearby so you can grease your hands as necessary.

BUTTERCREAM ROSES

2011-04-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

This is a handout I made for a Cake Decorating class I taught to a group of Young Women. Seriously this is the easiest way to make roses for cupcakes or cakes. Just make sure your buttercream is very stiff (just add more powdered sugar).

Click on Image to Enlarge

Images from Cake Central

CHOCOLATE OREO CAKE

2011-04-18T14:22:00.000-07:00

How about a HAPPY MONDAY treat?

CHOCOLATE OREO CAKE

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup butter-room temp

2 cups white sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1-1/2 cups milk

3 oz unsweetened chocolate-melted or 9 TBS cocoa powder and 3 tbs oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, set aside. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla to creamed mixture and beat thoroughly. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well with each addition. Add melted chocolate (or cocoa powder and oil) and beat till well mixed.

Grease two 8" or 9" pans and line the bottom with parchment paper. Spread batter evenly between two pans. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let Cakes cool completely in pans. Using a knife or spatula, scrape around side and remove cakes from pans. Frost with Cookies and Cream Frosting.

Cookies and Cream Frosting

8-10 Oreo sandwich cookies, creme center removed, and crushed into coarse crumbs.

8 Tbs (1 stick) butter, room temperature

3-3/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

3-4 Tbs milk or cream

2 tsp vanilla extract

Cream together all ingredients except Oreos until you reach a good frosting-like consistency. Fold in Oreo crumbs.

Level cake tops. Sandwich cakes together with some frosting. Frost remainder of cake. Top with Oreos and sprinkle with crumbs (optional).

LUCKY LEPRECHAUN COOKIES

2011-03-17T10:39:00.001-07:00

Looking for a fun St.Patrick's Day Treat? Pistachio cookie with cream cheese icing and a chocolate drizzle. . . anyone would be LUCKY to have one of these. Go ahead give them a try.

LUCKY LEPRECHAUN COOKIES

1 cup butter

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 egg

3/4 tsp almond extract

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1 small pkg pistachio pudding mix

2 cups flour

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 cup pecans, chopped (optional)

Cream together butter, sugar, egg, and extracts. Add baking powder, salt, pudding mix and flour until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Roll into 1-1/2 tsp balls, and roll in nuts (optional). Place on baking sheet. Press down with a spoon. Bake 350 degrees for 9-10 mins. Cool completely. Frost with icing and drizzle with glaze.

flatten with back of a spoon

drizzle with glaze

Icing:

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tbs butter

1 tsp vanilla

4 oz cream cheese

1 tsp milk

Cream all ingredients together

Glaze:

1/2 cup chocolate chips

2 tsp shortening

Melt chocolate chips in microwave using 15 second increments, stirring after each. Stir in shortening.

Notes: I add a little bit of green food coloring to both my cookie dough and my icing.

BAKED POTATO SOUP

2011-02-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

Baked Potato Soup is my favorite soup. This soup can be really quick to make if you use leftover baked potatoes. I always bake extra potatoes so I can make this soup the next day.

BAKED POTATO SOUP

4 large baking potatoes (2-3/4 lbs)

2/3 cup butter

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp white pepper

6 cups milk

1 cup (8oz) sour cream

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions (optional)

10 bacon strips cooked and crumbled (optional)

1 cup (4oz) shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Bake potatoes at 350 degrees for 65-75 minutes or until tender; cool completely. Peel and cube potatoes. In a large saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in sour cream. Add potatoes and onions (optional). Garnish with bacon and cheese.

Notes: Yield 10 servings

MISSISSIPPI MUD CAKE

2011-01-11T09:26:00.001-08:00

Everyone LOVES to spell the word M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I? and everyone will LOVE eating a piece of this cake. TRUST ME!

MISSISSIPPI MUD CAKE

1 cup butter

4 eggs

1 cup coconut

2 cups sugar

1-1/2 cups flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1 jar marshmallow creme

Beat butter until creamy. Slightly beat eggs and add to butter. Mix well. Add coconut, sugar, flour, cocoa, vanilla. Mix until well blended. Fold in nuts and chocolate chips. Spread into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. Remove from oven and spread marshmallow creme over top. Let cool completely. Frost.

Frosting

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1/3 cup cocoa powder

4 cups powdered sugar

1 cup chopped walnuts, divided

Beat all ingredients except walnuts together until creamy and smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup nuts. Top cake with frosting, swirling through marshmallow creme. Sprinkle with remaining nuts.

MELTED SNOWMAN COOKIES

2010-12-21T10:38:00.001-08:00

This morning we woke up to 16" of snow, and big beautiful flakes still falling down. The only melting snowmen around here will be these cute cookies.
MELTED SNOWMAN COOKIES
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1-1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 tbs sour cream
2-3/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Beat together butter, shortening, sugar, and eggs. Add vanilla and sour cream. Blend in flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Grab a golf ball size chunk of dough and squish it down until it's 1/4 - 1/2" thick. Do not worry about the shape or how lumpy it is, the more misshaped the better. Bake 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Cool. Frost with white icing (let a little run over the edges for a puddle look). Spray a microwave-safe plate with cooking spray, and place marshmallows on plate. Microwave 30 seconds or until marshmallows start to puff. Grease fingers and carefully pull marshmallows, by the base, off, and set them on top of the frosted cookies. With colored frosting, add eyes, nose, arms, etc.

To Print: click on picture to enlarge, then right click and select print picture.

Idea from here. Recipe card used with kit from Summertime Designs.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP CANDY CANE COOKIES

2010-12-19T14:40:00.001-08:00

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP CANDY CANE COOKIES

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter, softened

2 eggs

1tsp vanilla extract

1 (4 oz.) pkg chocolate instant pudding mix

(powder only)

1 tsp baking soda

2-1/4 cups flour

2 cups white chocolate chips, plus 1 cup for frosting

Cream sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and pudding mix. Add baking soda and flour. Fold in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tbs onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Do not over cook! Remove from oven. Gently press down cookies with the bottom of a glass to flatten. Allow cookies to cool completely. Using 1 cup melted white chocolate chips and 1 cup crushed peppermint candy, frost cookies with melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

And for those that like to print their recipes, I've made you a recipe card. Just click on the card and then right click and select the print option.

QUICK AND EASY PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

2010-11-30T07:39:00.001-08:00

If you're like me, life gets extremely busy during the fall and winter holiday seasons. These cookies are super quick and easy to make, and will leave your house smelling so good! And an added bonus. . . they're low in fat. YES!!!!

QUICK AND EASY PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 box Spice Cake Mix

1 (15 oz) small can pumpkin

1 cup chocolate chips

Mix cake mix and pumpkin together until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonful onto a greased cookie sheet.

Bake 10-12 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

NOTE: Butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, and nuts are also good with the chocolate chips or in place of them.

SWEET MEXICAN CHICKEN and NEW NON-FOOD WEBSITE

2010-09-02T08:29:00.001-07:00

Why so busy? I've been working on a new website related to lds YW's Girls Camp. It's still in the beginning phases but at least I do have something up and on the web (quite a feat for a non-computer literate person like me.) Check it out at www.ywgirlscamp.com. I'd love to have any imput and ideas (after all my whole idea behind it is for lds camp leaders to have a place to share and find detailed Girls Camp Ideas). And please please please help me by sharing the link with your friends and family. We hope to have it completely up and running by the first part of October.

xoxo,

Rachael

NOW FOR THAT RECIPE

SWEET MEXICAN CHICKEN

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1-1/2 cups (medium heat) salsa

1-1/2 cups brown sugar

Mix salsa and brown sugar together in a bowl. Place chicken in a crock-pot and pour salsa mixture on top. Cook on low heat for 8 hours. Shred chicken and use it to make burritos, enchiladas, or taco salad.

NOTES: You can use any kind of meat (pork, beef, etc) with this recipe in place of the chicken.

WOW!

2010-08-29T19:36:00.001-07:00

I've been super busy! Posting will resume soon!

KOOL-AID PLAYDOUGH

2010-08-08T17:06:00.001-07:00

DO NOT EAT THIS!

I love this playdough because it SMELLS good, it's doesn't use Cream of Tarter (which I never have) and it's super cheap and easy to make. Give your kids some cookie cutter and a rolling pin and you've got yourself a few minutes of YOU time. :)

KOOL-AID PLAYDOUGH

2-1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup salt

2 packages Kool-Aid

2 cups boiling water

3 tbs oil

Mix together flour, salt, and kool-aid packets together in a large bowl. Add the boiling water and oil and mix until it forms a ball. Remove from bowl and knead until smooth. Allow to cool. Store in a zipper top storage bag. Keeps for several month.

MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP PIE

2010-08-06T06:49:00.000-07:00

Since it's been SOOO HOT lately I thought I'd share one of our favorite ice cream treats . .

MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP PIE

(easy)

1 cup Oreos, crushed fine

3 tbs sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 gallon mint chocolate chip ice cream

1/4 cup milk

Mix all ingredients, except ice cream and milk, together. Pat in a 9-in pie plate. Put in the freezer for 10 minutes. In the mean time, spoon ice cream into a large bowl add 1/4 cup milk and mix together. Spoon into chilled pie shell. Serve immediately or for better results, freeze 2 hours before serving.

Notes: We like to top ours with chocolate syrup just before serving. This recipe works great with any flavor of ice cream, cookies 'n cream, rocky road, pralines and cream. . .

CHICKEN CORDON BLEU CASSEROLE

2010-07-26T18:27:00.001-07:00

CHICKEN CORDON BLEU CASSEROLE

2 cups cooked rice

3 cups cooked chicken, pieces

6 slices Swiss cheese

6 slices ham, cut into bite-size pieces

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup sour cream

10 saltine crackers

1/2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp parsley

Spread rice in a 9x13" baking dish. Arrange chicken over top of rice. Layer Swiss cheese on top of chicken followed by a layer of ham cut in bite-size pieces. Mix soup, milk, and sour cream together and spread on top of ham. Crush saltine crackers and add spices. Sprinkle on top of soup mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.