Christmas Candy
I got this recipe from my friend Jan. She says they melt in your mouth...and they do!

Cool Whip Candy

3 large Hershey's Chocolate Candy Bars
2 8oz. containers of Cool Whip

Melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring often. Let cool about five minutes. Add the container of Cool Whip. Mix thoroughly. Refrigerate until firm. Roll candy into one inch balls.

Roll balls in crushed vanilla wafers, shaved chocolate, powdered sugar, or colored jimmies. Keep refrigerated. YUM

Rice Krispie Bar Cookies

This is a recipe that my Aunt Melba used to bring to all the family gatherings...I love them!

1 cup sugar

1 cup corn syrup

Combine in a large pot and cook until it just begins to boil (simmering on the edge)

Remove from heat and add:

1cup peanut butter

4 - 5 cups of Rice Krispies

Sir gently until it is combined and press into a 9 x 13" buttered pan.

Melt and stir:

1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup butterscotch chips

Spread over Rice Krispies and let cool. Cut into squares.

Chocolate Crinkles
(from Brownie Mix)

I have made Chocolate Crinkles for years. I had some boxes of brownie mix and thought I should be able to make the cookies with the mix.
Here is a new recipe for these moist, chocolatey cookies.This cookie is so simple, but VERY rich and super moist. It is the perfect cross between a brownie and a cookie. I used the store brand brownie mix, and the cookies ended up delightful. You could do so much with this recipe, instead of using chocolate chips you could substitute butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, mint chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, etc. . Another great thing about this recipe is it can all be done in one bowl, little mess is always good right? (The original recipe is in the Family Cookbook)

1 - box of fudge brownie mix (19.8 oz)
1 cup flour
1 lg egg
1/2 cup water
1/4 vegetable oil
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 chopped toasted pecans or walnuts

In a mixing bowl, combine brownie mix, flour, egg, water and oil; mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Place confectioners' sugar in a shallow dish. (if you refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes, then it will be much easier to handle) Drop dough by tablespoonfuls into sugar; roll to coat. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks.

Last day of December...

Since tonight is the last few hours of 2008, I am going to attempt to "Catch Up!" So here goes...

Pic's and recipes from our
Girls Christmas Cooking Party 2008.

First, we had lots of good "energy food" for all the YUMMY work ahead!

Ali graciously hosted our party at her lovely home. Her mom, Valerie, brought yummy recipes!

Ali made her famous Peanut Butter Balls with a little twist...she added crunchy rice crispies then dipped them in chocolate...truly divine!!!

Ali also make her famous Saltine Toffee and some delicious Pumpkin Bread

Sarah mastered the cookie press Cookies and made some "to die for" Almond Joy Candy...

Becca dipped and dipped and dipped some more...oreo's, pretzels, candy canes... They were all so lovely...mmm...anything can be dipped in chocolate!!!!

Becca, Sarah, and Valerie working hard

Ruby, our Official Taster...

Janae brought Cranberry Chocolate Chip Shortbread dipped in chocolate, made Chocolate Peppermint Brownies, and other delicious and definitely pleasing to the eye recipes.

Jenn and her mother-in-law Lona, made delicious Chocolate Carmel Popcorn and

melt in your mouth Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

Melody and Lilah came and helped make Cool Whip Candy and all the other good stuff!

Here is a pciture of most of our Christmas Goodies...there was still some upstairs! And I know I have forgotten some of the other recipes that everyone made...so please add all I forgot so we can enjoy absolutely everything!

We had a fun time being together, gabbing, laughing, tasting and missing all of you who couldn't be there with us. Here are a bunch of the recipes. Everyone, please add your delicious recipes...all who were able to be there and all of you who love to cook at Christmas time, please share yours too!!! Love you all, Mom

Chocolate Pecan Pie

1 cup Karo Light Corn Syrup
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extra
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups pecans
1 unbaked 9-inch deep dish pie crust

Stir the first 6 ingredients thoroughly using a spoon. Mix in pecans. Pour into pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees on center rack of oven for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool for 2 hours.

Tips: Pie is done when center reaches 200 degrees. Tap center surface of pie lightly; it should spring back when done. For easy cleanup, spray pie pan with cooking spray. If pie crust is over-browning , cover edges with foil. For ease, the frozen pie crusts work great.

Our Favorite Chili

Ok I will start, thanks for starting this website. I am very excited to add and use other recipes.
We love this Chili. It is one of those one pot wonders!!

1 lb ground turkey, browned
1 can drained black beans
1 can drained pinto beans (or small red beans)
1 can corn undrained.
1 pkg of your favorite chili mix
Add water to mixture to reach your desired consistency.

Brown the turkey and then add all the rest of the ingredients. When the chili is warm enough you are done. We serve with cornbread Yum!!!

Let's get started!

Hello everybody! Several years ago we printed and gave out our family cook book, but now instead of printing out recipes and sending them to everyone, we are going to post recipes to our family cook book blog. Please post any of your favorite recipes to this blog for all of us to try! When you post a recipe, please assign it any "labels" that you think apply so we can look up recipes by category. This way if you're looking for a "chicken" recipe, you can click on the "chicken" label and find everything you need!

How to do this: When you create a new post, on the bottom right corner of the posting field there is a box titled "labels for this post." If you are posting a lasagne recipe you can apply any lables you think might be useful such as "main dishes," "italian," etc. I hope this will be a fun and useful resource for us all!

I emailed most of you an invitation to be a contributor to this blog, if I accidentally missed you let me know and I'll send you an invitation.

Let's get cookin'!

Our Girls Christmas Cooking Party

Saturday, we gathered at Ali's (gorgeous home) to cook our favorite recipes for Christmas. We made lots of goodies and carefully took out each calorie! (I wish!) Anyway, here are the recipes and pics I took. Please add yours too. And if you were not able to come, please add your favorites too! Pictures always welcome!