Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Another yummy recipe! 

                                            Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Filling -- 1/2 cup peanut butter

           1/4 cup powdered sugar

Cookie -- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

                1/4 cup sugar

          1/2 cup margarine, softened

          8-oz. pkg cream cheese, softened

                reserve 2 oz. for frosting

          1 tsp vanilla

          1 egg

          2 cups all purpose flour

          1/4 cup cocoa

          1 tsp baking powder

Frosting -- 1 cup sifted powdered sugar

            2 tbsp. cocoa

            1-2 tbsp milk

            reserved 2 oz. cream cheese

Combine peanut butter and powdered sugar, blend until smooth. Chill while mixing cookie dough.

Cream brown sugar, sugar, margarine and 6 oz cream cheese until light and fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla. Blend flour, cocoa and baking powder into creamed mixture. Shape dough into 1 inch balls, place 2 in. apart on cookie sheets. With thumb, make imprint in center of each cookie. Fill with 1 tsp filling. Bring dough around filling to completely cover. Bake at 350 for 9-12 minutes. Cool.

Mix frosting ingredients together and spread over cooled cookie.

 

Cookie Recipe -- Crunchy Jumble Cookies

These cookies are so good! Chewy and the crunch with the Rice Krispies. Enjoy! 

1 1/4 cups unsifted flour                   1 egg

1/2 tsp. baking soda                        1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt                                2 cups Rice Krispies

1/2 cup softened butter or margarine        1 cup sugar

1 6-oz pkg (or 1 cup) choc. chips (I use milk choc. chips)

Combine flour, soda, salt and set aside. In mixing bowl blend butter and sugar till creamy. Add egg and vanilla and blend well. Beat in flour mixture. Stir in Rice Krispies and choc. chips. Drop by level tablespoon onto lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for 10-13 min.

Sometimes better to just double the recipe!!

A Yummy Recipe That Will Keep You Out of the Kitchen

Cooking during the hot weather is never fun! But summer or winter I use my crock pot a lot. One of my favorite recipes is my Working Woman’s Stew because you can fool with it in many ways and always fun to experiment.  

And what more fun can one have than to throw dinner in the slow cooker and then go do what you really want to do. And no, I don’t mean cleaning!  

Linda

 

Working Woman's Meat & Gravy

 

2 lb stew meat-minimum

1 envelope dry onion soup mix

1 can cream of mushroom soup (I’ve also used mushroom with roasted garlic and golden mushroom)

1/2 can water (wine works very well too!)

1 can mushrooms--optional

1/8 cup ketchup

salt & pepper to taste--I use a little Schilling Season All and garlic pepper

Combine all ingredients into crock-pot, cook on low setting for 8 hrs or high setting for 4-5 hrs. Serve over rice or noodles, also works well over mashed potatoes.

 

Summer Recipes

Summer's here! Lots of hot weather and days where it seems appropriate to curl up with a good book, a cold drink, and have the A/C on or if nice enough sit outside.

Sadly, I'm usually stuck inside writing. But also have had a lot of house things going on. Amazing how annoying real life can be at times! And why I still want minions.

I thought I'd share a couple of my favorite summer recipes with you. Pink Lemonade Pie ended up a hit from the first time I made it. The owner of a local restaurant even asked to feature it one summer! And Arctic Mousse is perfect when you need that chocolate fix.

Enjoy!

Pink Lemonade Pie




1 8 or 9 in pre baked pie shell (or graham cracker crust)

1 8oz pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk, NOT evaporated milk

1 6oz. can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed (I generally use the large 14 oz cans since I make a double recipe at one time)

few drops red food coloring, optional

1 4oz. container frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed

1/2 cup pink tinted coconut

In large mixing bowl, beat cheese until fluffy, gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk, then lemonade concentrate and food coloring if desired. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into pie shell. Chill 4 hrs or until set. Garnish with coconut. Refrigerate leftovers.

Works well with limade and other lemonade concentrates. I’ve also made it with orange concentrate and tinted the coconut black for Halloween! So fun to experiment with different flavors!


Arctic Mousse

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup melted margarine

1 7oz. jar marshmallow creme

2 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbs. milk

1 cup whipping cream, whipped

Combine crumbs, sugar & margarine, press into bottom of 8" square pan. Combine marshmallow creme, chocolate and vanilla, mix until well blended. Gradually add milk, blending until smooth. Fold in whipped cream. Pour into pan, freeze. Sprinkle with additional crumbs or garnish with chocolate curls.

Merry Merry!

Can you believe it’s that time of year again? I admit I love Christmas. I love the colors, the energy, music, you name it.

After Thanksgiving I’m ready to decorate inside and out. I have some things I do the same every year, but I also like to mix things up. I have pieces to a fun holiday village, some fibre optic pieces, and now with our latest furry critter, Katie, I need to keep a close eye on the plush animals. She seems to think they’re all hers!

It also means pulling out the holiday DVDs. I’m such a sucker for Christmas In Connecticut, original Miracle on 34th Street, and Muppet Christmas Carol among others. And a nice background if I’m not playing music while I bake up cookies and candies to hand out. No way I leave much of that around the house! Way too tempting. Although I do have to check them out.

I have some regular recipes I make every year and always add a few new ones. There have been a few disasters, but it’s still fun. Between that and my Bath and Body Works wallflowers, the house smells yummy!

What about you? What traditions do you have for Christmas? Are you in to decorating and baking? Playing your favorite music and/or movies? And who all loves Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas song?

Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

No matter what, have a wonderful holiday!

While this isn’t a true holiday treat, it is popular among friends and family out here. I make multiple batches of this candy. It’s easy to make and even easier to eat!

Enjoy!

Linda

Choconut Caramel Bars


2 pkg milk chocolate chips
4 tbsp shortening
2 14-oz pkg caramels
4 tbsp water Choconut
2 cups peanuts, chopped

Melt 1 pkg choc. chips and 2 tbsp shortening-takes about a minute or so in microwave. Stir until smooth. Pour into 9x13 foil lined pan. Refrigerate until firm. Melt caramels and water-about 2 to 4 min. in microwave. Stir until smooth. Stir in peanuts. Pour into choc. lined pan, spread evenly, refrigerate until firm. Top with remaining chocolate and refrigerate.

Halve recipe if using 8 in. square pan. Very much like a Snickers bar, actually better!

Holiday Treats

The holidays are all about color, music, lights, laughter, family, and friends. But wait a minute! That’s not all. There’s something wonderful to bind it all together.

Good food and fun treats.

Everyone knows I love to bake and there were been years I’d felt as if I spent days in the kitchen. Still, the end results were always worth it and I shared with friends.

I have my usual recipes and I try a couple new ones every year. Some remain in my recipe files and some don’t.

Is there anything better than walking into a house that smells like a bakery? Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, chocolate, cream cheese, peppermint. Whatever gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling?

The following are a few of ones I enjoy making this time of year.

One cookie that’s fun to make. Buttery cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar that come out rich and chewy. And it makes the kitchen smell so good while baking them.


Snickerdoodles


1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup margarine, softened 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla 2 tbsp sugar
2 eggs 2 tsp cinnamon
1 3/4 cups flour 1 tsp cream of tartar


400 oven
In large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups sugar and margarine until light and fluffy. Blend in vanilla and eggs. Blend flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt into creamed mixture. Combine 2 tbsp sugar and cinnamon. Shape dough into 1 inch balls, roll balls in sugar-cinnamon mixture. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. bake at 400 for 8-10 min or until set.

chocolate snickerdoodles -- 1/2 cup cocoa can be substituted for 1/2 cup flour. Bake at 400 for 6-9 min.


These cookies are sooooo good! Time-consuming to make, but the end results are worth it. Yes, you could make them to share, but after you eat a few, you won’t want to.


Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies


Filling -- 1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Cookie -- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup margarine, softened
8-oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
reserve 2 oz. for frosting
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking powder

Frosting -- 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
2 tbsp. cocoa
1-2 tbsp milk
reserved 2 oz. cream cheese

Combine peanut butter and powdered sugar, blend until smooth. Chill while mixing cookie dough.

Cream brown sugar, sugar, margarine and 6 oz cream cheese until light and fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla. Blend flour, cocoa and baking powder into creamed mixture. Shape dough into 1 inch balls, place 2 in. apart on cookie sheets. With thumb, make imprint in center of each cookie. Fill with 1 tsp filling. Bring dough around filling to completely cover. Bake at 350 for 9-12 minutes. Cool.

Mix frosting ingredients together and spread over cooled cookie.

Mine usually come out larger than they say. And I seem to only make them at Christmas time since they're so addicting! They've become addicting to my friends and family too!


These candies aren’t just for holidays. If you like Snickers bars you’ll love these.


Choconut Caramel Bars


2 pkg milk chocolate chips
4 tbsp shortening
2 14-oz pkg caramels
4 tbsp water Choconut
2 cups peanuts, chopped

Melt 1 pkg choc. chips and 2 tbsp shortening-takes about a minute or so in microwave. Stir until smooth. Pour into 9x13 foil lined pan. Refrigerate until firm. Melt caramels and water-about 2 to 4 min. in microwave. Stir until smooth then fold in the peanuts. Pour mixture over the cooled chocolate, spread evenly, and refrigerate until firm. Top with remaining chocolate and refrigerate until it’s set.

Halve recipe if using 8 in. square pan, but do you really want to do that?

I discovered this recipe several years ago and it was an instant hit. If you love dreamsicles you will love this fudge.


Marbled Orange Fudge


1 1/2 tsp plus 3/4 cup butter—divided (it also works just fine with margarine)
3 cups sugar
3/4 cup whipping cream
1 pkg vanilla or white chips
1 jar marshmallow creme
3 tsp orange extract
orange food coloring

Grease 13x9 pan with 1 1/2 tsp butter. Combine sugar, cream and remaining butter. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 4 min. Remove from heat, stir in chips and marshmallow creme until smooth. Remove 1 cup, set aside. Add orange extract and coloring to remaining mixture. Stir until blended. Pour into pan. Drop reserved marshmallow mix by tablespoonfuls over top. Cut through mixture with a knife to swirl. Cover and refrigerate until set. Cut into squares.

I’ve tried other flavors and while they taste great I always return to the orange/vanilla combo. You can try chocolate and mint, chocolate & coconut and put coconut in the coconut part, lime extract and vanilla, peppermint, maybe even cinnamon!

The holidays are all about the senses, so with this we have smell and taste. How great is that?

Linda

Winter Recipes

Cold weather is here, so I've been digging through recipes I tend to make more during the winter than the summer. Here are a two of my favorites.

Chicken Taco Casserole

4 chicken breasts, cooked and cut up in large pieces.
1 pkg corn tortillas
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 small can green chiles
1 cup milk


Mix soup and milk together in bowl
Tear tortillas into large pieces. Place pieces in bottom of 2 qt casserole dish. Layer with chicken on top, several spoonfuls of soup mix then shredded cheese. Start again with tortilla pieces making sure last layer is cheese.

Bake at 375 for 45 min.



Working Woman's Meat & Gravy

2 lb stew meat-minimum
1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 can water
1 can mushrooms--optional
1/8 cup ketchup
salt & pepper to taste--I use a little Schilling Season All and garlic pepper

Combine all ingredients into crock-pot, cook on low setting for 8 hrs or high setting for 4-5 hrs. Serve over rice or noodles.

Linda's Haunting Treats

“Not enough chocolate!” Fluff protested, after dipping an ear in the bowl and taking a taste. “More.” He headed for the container of cocoa. “And sugar.”
“Stop that!” Stasi scolded, picking up the mixing bowl and cocoa, while nudging the bag of sugar out of his reach. “As if we want you on a sugar rush.”
“Tell me again why we’re doing this?” Maggie poured a cup of mudslide flavored coffee along with a shot of toffee syrup then perched up on the counter. Her short Nordic blonde hair was brushed loosely behind her ears while she wore her usual uniform of worn jeans and a dark pink tank top.
“Because it’s fun.” Jazz did the same with her coffee. “So what do you want me to do?”
“Stay away from cooking utensils,” Blair said, pulling a large plastic bag out of the shopping bag Jazz brought with her. She squinted at the contents. “Are you sure these bat wings are fresh?”
“Medlin assured me they were.” Jazz looked over her shoulder and wrinkled her nose. “Those are totally disgusting.”
“And very good when mixed with my special cupcakes.” Stasi took the bag from her friend. She opened the bag and dusted the wings with powdered sugar then shook it to better coat the wings.
“I do hope I will not see your spider cookies this haunted season,” Elle, Maggie’s bejeweled black widow spider observed from her silken web in a corner of the kitchen. “They are very politically incorrect.”
“But tasty.” Horace popped an eyeball in his mouth and chewed noisily. He suddenly spat it out. “Hey! It’s got peanut butter in it! I thought it was real.”
“Not at the price they were asking.” Jazz picked one up and nibbled. “White chocolate and peanut butter is better anyway. Not as chewy”
“As if you’d eat one anyway,” Puff scoffed, stealing a ghost finger cookie.
“Soooo, are we dressing up in black complete with peaked hats, striped stockings, and those ugly shoes or can we go wild with costumes?” Maggie pulled out her favorite knife and idly wiped it on her top. As a top member of the supernatural services, she wasn’t happy unless she had a weapon, or ten, on her person.
“Nick’s going to the party as Sam Spade.” Jazz rolled her eyes. “How clichéd for a vampire private investigator? What about Trev and Jake?” she asked Stasi and Blair.
“Trev wants to be Rhett Butler and I be Scarlet O’Hara,” Stasi said. “I was hoping for someone either more glamorous or evil.”
“And Jake’s thinking of,” Blair paused for dramatic effect, “Frank N Furter.”
Laughter exploded throughout the kitchen.
“You are kidding!” Maggie howled the way Jake tended to howl when he was his Border collie self. “Damn, I almost snorted coffee out my nose.” She rubbed her face. “How does he look in the corset and fishnet stockings?”
“Actually, not too bad.” Blair raised her eyebrows. “Are you bringing anyone to the party?”
“As in ‘hey Maggie, have you met a sane guy in the past hundred years?’” The blonde witch shook her head. “The last male I dealt with was a totally pissed off boggle. Very very messy. I think you three got the last good ones. I intend to remain free and fancy free. Not interested.”
“Oh.”
The four witches turned as one and stared at Horace who tried to look innocent but totally failed since innocence wasn’t in the gargoyle’s DNA.
“Meaning?” Stasi’s voice turned dangerous.
“Well, his name is Reginald. He’s a wizard. Single. Brown hair, brown eyes, and can’t wait to meet you at the party,” he blurted out, slowly backing away. His gaze swept in a wide arc to keep them all in sight. “You met him on SupeMatch three months ago. I sent him that picture of you from the Memorial Day.”
Maggie’s eyes practically popped out of her head. “Not the bikini one.” She huffed a breath. “Of course, the bikini one.” She threw a spark of magick in his direction.
“He’s a nice guy!” Horace yelped. “Okay, so he still lives with his mother, but that only means he’s sensitive. And he plans to find a place of his own. And he doesn’t drive. And sometimes his magick sputters a bit, but he claims to make a nice crème brulee.”
“You are so dead,” Maggie snarled, stalking the gargoyle. She reached out, finally grabbed him, and tossed him upward until he was snarled in Elle’s web. In no time, Horace was wrapped in spidersilk with no chance of escape. “You thought it was bad being turned into a gargoyle? Wait until I finish with you.”
“No more goodies for you,” Stasi stated, showing no sympathy.
“Or going to the All Hallows party,” Blair said.
“Even better, maybe he should clean out Eurydice’s fireplace for the next hundred years,” Jazz said. “I only did it for six months and it’s a really big fireplace.”
Horace struggled but the web only tightened around him.
“That’s the last time I try to find you a date!”
And now for one of the witches’ favorite treats. Enjoy!

Eyeball Nummies
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
12 ounces white chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons shortening
2 drops blue food coloring
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
red food coloring (optional)
1. Beat the peanut butter and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in the sugar and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll chilled dough into small, eyeball-sized balls and place on 2 baking sheets lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for another 30 minutes.
2. Melt the white chocolate and shortening in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each melting, for 1 to 3 minutes (depending on your microwave). Do not overheat or chocolate will scorch. Dip each eyeball into the white chocolate and transfer to the waxed paper until the chocolate has set. You can chill them in the refrigerator.
3. Stir a few drops of blue food coloring into the remaining melted white chocolate. Make a round "iris" on the top of the cooled eyeball and press a mini chocolate chip in the center for a "pupil." For an extra spooky bloodshot eyeballs take a toothpick dipped in red food coloring and make squiggly lines on the eye.

Chocolate Recipe

This is a great and easy recipe, perfect for summer when you need a chocolate fix. Enjoy!

Arctic Mousse

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup melted margarine
1 7oz. jar marshmallow creme

2 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbs. milk
1 cup whipping cream, whipped

Combine crumbs, sugar & margarine, press into bottom of 8" square pan. Combine marshmallow creme, chocolate and vanilla, mix until well blended. Gradually add milk, blending until smooth. Fold in whipped cream. Pour into pan, freeze. Sprinkle with additional crumbs or garnish with chocolate curls.

Fun Recipes for Holidays

These two recipes are great when you're at a family get together. Easy to make up and I've got to say very addictive.

Probably why I make treats during the holidays. So enjoy!

Linda


Cocoa Krispie Treats


1 cup light Karo syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter (chunky is the best!)
6 cups Cocoa Krispies


Heat Karo syrup and sugar in pan until starting to bubble. Stir in peanut butter until mixture is smooth. Fold in Cocoa Krispies and stir until well blended. Put in 9x13 pan and chill slightly. Cut into squares. These always go very fast!!



Peanut Butter Squares



1 cup margarine
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter (I prefer chunky) 12 oz pkg milk choc chips
2 cups graham cracker crumbs

Melt margarine, add peanut butter, powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs.

Press into 9x13 pan. Melt chocolate chips and spread on top. Chill and cut into small square pieces. Store in refrigerator.

Very much like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

Better Than Sex Brownies

There's days we need chocolate! Will kill for it.

Trust me, these brownies will fulfill that need. I tend to use chocolate flavored coffee to give it extra punch.

Enjoy!


Texas Brownies

2 cup. flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup strong brewed coffee or water
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

FROSTING
1/2 cup margarine
2 tbsp. cocoa
1/4 cup milk
3 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour and sugar.
In heavy pan, combine butter, shortening, coffee or water and cocoa. Stir and heat to boiling.
Pour boiling mixture over the flour and sugar in the large bowl. Add the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla.
Mix well using wooden spoon or high speed on mixer.
Pour into well buttered 17x1/2x11 jelly roll pan.
Bake at 400 for 20 min. or until brownies done in center.
While brownies bake, prepare the frosting. In pan, combine butter, cocoa and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.
Mix in powdered sugar and add vanilla; stir til smooth.
pour warm frosting over brownies as soon as you take them out of oven.

If you want thicker frosting, halve again, or double, the ingredients

Summer's Coming and Recipe

April showers bring May flowers.

Instead we have clouds and occasionally some sprinkles, along with cold nights.

I’m ready for summer. Okay, not the heat, but the idea of beach weather, playing the Beach Boys on my iPod, and thinking summery colors.

I always have a thing about citrus during the summer. I choose yellow, green, and peach for clothes, wear citrus scented fragrance, and indulge in my favorite citrus recipes.

The following is a popular one for the household. It's easy to make and don’t expect much for leftovers. In fact, don’t even bother to share.

So happy fledgling summertime!

Linda



Lemon Parfait Cake

1 pkg lemon cake mix
4 eggs
1 large pkg. lemon jello
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water
2 cups powdered sugar
Enough lemon juice to make a syrup with powdered sugar

Combine cake mix with eggs, jello, oil and water. Beat for 2-4 min. Pour into 9x13 cake pan, bake at 350 for 30 min. Remove from oven. Punch holes in top with fork, pour mixture of powdered sugar and juice over hot cake. Return to hot oven for 1 min.

You can also use lime jello, lime juice and white cake mix or orange juice.

Recipes Galore

Visit the Casablanca blog to view our recipes then visit Barbara Vey’s blog at PW to win a chance at a book! You’ll find the latter link at the blog.

http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com

To whet your appetite, I’m offering an easy and fun one here.

Enjoy!

Linda



Chow Mein Candies


12 oz pkg semi sweet chocolate chips
12 oz pkg butterscotch chips
6 oz chow mein noodles
½ cup peanuts

Combine chips and melt. Stir in noodles. Add peanuts and mix quickly to coat noodles and nuts. Drop by teaspoonful onto waxed paper. Cool.

White Chocolate Macaroon Cookies

This is just a fun recipe and so easy to make. I’m a big fan of coconut and I even do this without the melted chips drizzled on top.

Since it’s cloudy and ready to rain here, I say it’s cookie baking time! Frank, our house ghost, loves cookies, so I'm sure he'll be there to help along with Horace, Fluff and Puff.

Linda



White Chocolate Macaroon Cookies


1 pouch Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
½ cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
1 cup flaked coconut
1 2/3 cups white vanilla baking chips
½ tsp coconut extract
1 tsp shortening
Colored decorating sugars or coarse white sparkling sugar


375 oven

In large bowl stir cookie mix, butter, egg, coconut, 1 cup of the baking chips and the extract until soft dough forms. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 9-11 min. Cool one min.

Microwave the rest of the chips and teaspoon of shortening until smooth. Drizzle over the cookies then sprinkle with sugar.

A Favorite Recipe

What can I say? I love making goodies! And I share since they're too dangerous to leave around the house.

This fudge is really fun and tastes just like a creamsicle and a favorite with family and friends.

Linda


Marbled Orange Fudge


1 1/2 tsp plus 3/4 cup butter--divided
3 cups sugar
3/4 cup whipping cream
1 pkg vanilla or white chips
1 jar marshmallow creme
3 tsp orange extract
orange food coloring


Grease 13x9 pan with 1 1/2 tsp butter. Combine sugar, cream and remaining butter. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 4 min. Remove from heat, stir in chips and marshmallow creme until smooth. Remove 1 cup, set aside. Add orange extract and coloring to remaining mixture. Stir until blended. Pour into pan. Drop reserved marshmallow mix by tablespoonfuls over top. Cut through mixture with a knife to swirl. Cover and refrigerate until set. Cut into squares.

try chocolate and mint, chocolate & coconut and put coconut in the coconut part, lime extract and vanilla, peppermint, maybe even cinnamon!

News and A Holiday Recipe

It’s the time of year when decorating, shopping, and baking come to mind.

How are all of you doing with your gift shopping? I know what I’m getting people, I just have to sit down and order along with heading to the mall.

But I’m also working on another Hex book that’s due soon and you can guess which comes first. But somehow I’ll get it all done.

First the news. Hex in High Heels has been nominated for Best Paranormal/Indie Press Category for the RT Reviewer's Choice Awards! Couldn’t you see Fluff, Puff and Horace at the awards ceremony hoping they could snag the award? Scary stuff.

Now for the recipe. I admit I’m a total peppermint and chocolate addict. Peppermint mochas at Starbucks, Candy Cane Blizzards at Dairy Queen and I love peppermint bark. This cheesecake recipe covers it all!


Frozen Peppermint Cheesecake
1 ¼ cup chocolate wafer cookie crumbs (about 24 wafers)¼ cup sugar¼ cup margarine or butter, melted1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened1 (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)1 cup crushed hard peppermint candyRed food coloring, optional2 cups (1 pint) whipping cream, whipped (or nondairy whipped topping) Combine crumbs, sugar, and margarine. Press on bottoms and halfway up sides of two 9-inch springform pan. In a large mixing bowl, beat cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk. Stir in crushed candy and food coloring if desired. Fold in whipped cream. Pour into prepared pan, and cover. Freeze 6 hours or until firm. Garnish as desired. Return leftovers to freezer.Alternate crust: Purchase two prepared chocolate pie crusts. Follow rest of recipe.Yield: Two 9" pies.

A Favorite Winter Recipe

With cold weather here it's nice to have an easy recipe that's perfect for the season!

Working Woman's Meat & Gravy

2 lb stew meat-less is okay too
1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 can water
1 can mushrooms--optional
1/8 cup ketchup
salt & pepper to taste--I use a little Schilling Season All and garlic pepper

Combine all ingredients into crock-pot, cook on low setting for 8 hrs or high setting for 4-5 hrs. Serve over rice.

Linda

A Cool Recipe for a Hot Day

It's definitely a hot day here, so time to dig out one of my favorite recipes for that.


Pink Lemonade Pie


1 8 or 9 in pre baked pie shell (or graham cracker crust)
1 8oz pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk, NOT evaporated milk
1 6oz. can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed (I generally use the large 14 oz cans since I make a double recipe at one time)
few drops red food coloring, optional
1 4oz. container frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup pink tinted coconut

In large mixing bowl, beat cheese until fluffy, gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk, then lemonade concentrate and food coloring if desired. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into pie shell. Chill 4 hrs or until set. Garnish with coconut. Refrigerate leftovers.

Works well with limade, raspberry lemonade and orange juice concentrate. Fun to experiment with different flavors!

Enjoy!

Linda