Billion Dollar Bars aka Homemade Candy Bars

Do you Pinterest?
Apparently everyone is Pinning these days.
Last week, Bonnie Oscarson was named the new General Young Women President of the LDS (Mormon) church. The lead line of a news story I read about Sister Oscarson stated that she is on Pinterest. Of course,  people weighed in on her activity online. Some of the comments stated were negative. Others positive. My thought?
Wow, she's one of us :)
Here's a recipe I found recently and Pinned. If you are a peanutbutterandchocolate kind of gal, you have to make this.
R I G H T  N O W .

Billion Dollar Bars

Twirl and Taste

print recipe

Bottom Chocolate Layer:

1 cup milk chocolate chips (or half semi-sweet)
1/3 cup butterscotch chips
1/3 cup peanut butter
Melt milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and peanut butter in a pan over low heat; stirring constantly. Pour mixture into a 9 x 13″ baking pan lightly coated with nonstick spray or lined with plastic wrap which is long enough to drape over sides of the pan. Spread mixture and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Nougat Layer

4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1-1/2 cups marshmallow creme
1/3 cup peanut butter
1-1/2 cups chopped salted peanuts (optional)
Melt butter over medium heat in pan; add sugars and evaporated milk; bring to a boil, and cook additional 5 minutes while stirring. Remove from the heat and add marshmallow creme and peanut butter. Pour over the bottom layer and gently spread mixture. If you use peanuts, scatter across the top. Place in the refrigerator for 15 - 30 minutes.

Caramel Layer

1 (14-ounce package) caramel candy
1/4 cup cream
1 tablespoon butter
Place the unwrapped caramel candy, butter, and cream in a medium saucepan. Place over low heat and stir until the mixture has completely melted and is smooth. Pour in the pan and quickly spread over nougat layer. Place in the refrigerator for 15 - 30 minutes.

Top Chocolate Layer

1 cup milk chocolate chips (or half semi-sweet)
1/3 cup butterscotch chips
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

chopped almonds
Melt milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter in a pan over low heat, stirring consistently. Pour over the caramel layer and spread. 

Sprinkle chopped nuts over top of chocolate while still soft. 

Place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares. These are very rich, cut into small squares. If eating right away, place on platter and serve. If the bars start to get too soft, place in refrigerator to firm up a bit. 

Store in an air-tight container in refrigerator.

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The Big Move

If you aren't into sentimental babbling on food blogs, you'll have to come back another day...
I've been putting off writing this post for a few months, but need to record it for posterity sake :)
No recipe with this post. Only a few pics and a little movie at the end.
It finally happened.  We moved.  The quickie version of how/why this happened: We never planned on moving, but the timing was right to build a house so we took the plunge and bought a lot last April. In May we put our house up for sale, and a couple of days later papers were signed and we had sold our family home.
Before we bought our house in Bountiful, we had moved 7 times in 12 years.  We were students 7 of those 12 years.  In 1994, we found the perfect place to raise our little family. When we moved into our Bountiful home, our kids were (barely) 9, 4 and 2.  I felt like I was still a kid myself. In July of 1996 we added one more to our family, our last baby, Jacob. A couple of years after that, we bought a dog and a Suburban- so we could all ride together in one car.
I felt like an impostor. Who was this kid, driving a bunch of kids around in this huge SUV?!

 A few pics of the Sundance Circle years...

1996, the early years :)

The height chart on the garage wall  :)

Years and years of playing baseball in the yard and at our favorite 

neighborhood ballpark, Mueller Park.

Countless recipes tested out in the Bountiful Kitchen :)

Good times with friends at neighborhood gatherings.

We had some great times in our home. We had lived in two other houses, but this was different. When we walked into our home in 1994, we both knew it was where we were suppose to be. It was the perfect place for us to raise our family.
What makes a house a home, and neighbors your family? I've thought a lot about this in the past several months. I've decided when you open your heart and serve each other, regardless of race, religion, income or age, you are naturally bonded. Your friends become part of your family. You watch out for their kid and they watch out for yours.  Our neighbors spent countless hours serving our family. I couldn't begin to name the people who have volunteered in my kids school classes, taught Sunday School lessons, brought us dinner when we were sick, coached softball, baseball, basketball, soccer (at one time or another with each of my kids), taught music in Primary, written notes of encouragement, given up weeks of their lives to lead at  Girl's Camp, Scout Camp, Pioneer Trek, and Youth Conference, etc, etc, etc.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

What did we take away from our Sundance years?
Just before we moved, I taught a lesson to a group of young women. We talked about becoming people of one heart, with our hearts in turned to the Savior.  This lesson summed up exactly how I felt about the lessons we had learned from our neighbors the past 18 years. They loved us in spite of our imperfections and weaknesses. They knew what it meant to "...stand as a witness of God, at all times, and in all things, and in all places." They shared that knowledge with us through everyday acts of kindness, courage and love.
I made this little video for my lesson, featuring a few of the Young Women I was privileged to teach for several years, and our neighbors and friends who will be a part of our story forever.

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Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad with Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette

Here's a recipe for a fresh and simple salad, perfect for brunch. I served this at a gathering last week and it was a hit. Inspired by one of my favorite salads at Plates and Palates in Btown. They serve something similar, without the pasta. It's a great make-ahead salad if you are looking for a recipe you can throw together just before serving.

Happy Easter weekend!

Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad with Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette
A Bountiful Kitchen
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3 chicken breast halves, cooked and chopped about 3-4 cups total

3/4 pound pasta, cooked according to package directions any shape
bottled poppy seed dressing, optional (such as Brianna's brand)
1 quart fresh strawberries, washed, sliced and drained*
green onions, chopped, optional
8-12 cups fresh spinach or a mixture of spinach and greens, washed and dried

1 cup dried cherries or Craisins
1 cup salted cashews

Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette:

1 cup canola oil

1/2 cup white balsamic or cider vinegar 

1 fresh lemon, juiced, about 1/3 cup

1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 clove garlic, minced

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

The night before or early in the day before serving:
Cook the chicken breasts, trim off any fat, chop and set aside. I like the chicken to be in 1/2 inch chunks.
Cook the pasta and drain. Let cool. If desired, pour about 1 cup poppy seed dressing over pasta and store in fridge until ready to assemble salad.
Prepare the strawberries and layer in a pan, such as a 9x13 cake pan, to prevent the berries from bleeding onto each other or the salad. This method will insure the berries are completely dry before assembling the salad.
Chop green onions, set aside.
Make the dressing:
Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a blender or in a bowl using an immersion blender or whisk. Set in fridge until ready to use. When ready to assemble, whisk again, just before pouring.
To assemble salad:
Place spinach in bowl or platter, or assemble on individual plates. Layer the following on top of greens:
Pasta (you may toss with additional poppy seed dressing if the pasta has soaked up most of the dressing),  chicken, strawberries, green onions and dressing. Top with cashews and dried cherries.

Tips:
-*Making sure the strawberries are washed, sliced and drained is essential. If the strawberries are not drained, they will bleed onto the chicken and pasta, giving off the appearance of red chicken or pasta with red or pink spots. Trust me :o
-I made this recipe up without any cheese, but if would be yummy with a little blue, Gorgonzola or goat cheese sprinkled on top.
-If you would like the dressing to be thicker, add about 1/4 cup of mayo (light or regular) to the recipe.
-You may also substitute honey for the sugar in the dressing recipe.

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Tessa's French Peasant Bread

Guess what the weather forecast is for the weekend. If you said SNOW, you're a winner.  Heavy sigh. Last week, we went to Southern Utah for baseball.

Oh.
Sun. I remember you. Warm. Blue skies. Sunscreen. No boots.
Then Monday came, reality along with it. Back to the North.
Snowy day= The perfect time to bake bread.

If you are a lifer on A Bountiful Kitchen, you know I love my friend Tessa. And I love her cooking. Tessa brought this to a dinner party at Christmas and I fell in love.  So simple. No kneading. No mixer required. Makes two loaves. Perfect for sharing on a cold winter day.


Tessa's French Peasant Bread
Tessa Reinemer
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1 pkg dry yeast
2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
4 cups flour
oil
cornmeal
melted butter

Place yeast, water, sugar and salt in warm water and stir until dissolved. Add flour and stir until blended. Do not knead.

Cover and let rise for one hour or doubled in size. Flour or grease hands and remove dough from bowl and place in 2 rounds on oiled cookie sheet ( or parchment paper ) sprinkled with corn meal. Let rise and additional hour. Brush top with melted butter.
Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees and cook an additional 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and brush again with butter.
Serve warm.

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Cutler's Frosted Peanut Butter Cookies

It's January 15. Are you ready to break your New Years resolution? Read on.
Back in November, Curt Cutler taught a class on one of his best sellers: Frosted Peanut Butter cookies. The class was packed, and everyone left with little tricks and tips on how to make the perfect chocopeanutbutter treat. You've never had one of these delightful goodies? Think of chocolate chip cookie dough, only with peanut butter chips instead of chocolate. Add a thin layer of peanut butter frosting, topped with chocolate butter cream frosting.
Oh my.
Forget the diet.
Get out the mixer.
BTW - If you live in the area and want to learn how to make Cutler's famous Sugar cookies  Curt's teaching a class on Wednesday, January 30.  Two classes:
10 am  and 2 pm  (update-both filled as of 1/24). Ten dollars buys you: instruction, recipes, a sample and lunch. Pre-registration required. Hurry classes are filling up fast.
Where else can you get a deal like that?
Btown.
Love it.






Cutler's Frosted Peanut Butter Cookies
Curt Cutler
print recipe

1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
3 1/4 cups cake flour ( he uses cake flour in all of Cutler's cookies)
1- 12 oz bag Reese's Peanut Butter chips (no substitutions)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and place rack in center of oven.
Cream together butter, sugars, salt, baking soda and powder.  Add vanilla and eggs. Mix well.
Add flour and peanut butter chips. Mix just until flour and chips are blended together.
Using a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, or just a large spoon, scoop into 2 inch balls and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet about 4 inches apart.  I bake about 8 cookies per sheet.
Bake for about 12 minutes, or until set.

Peanut Butter Frosting

1/2 cup butter, soft-room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter (not natural)
milk to thin to proper consistency (whole milk is best)

Cream together room-temperature butter and powdered sugar. Add peanut butter and beat until smooth. Add milk a tablespoon at time, just until frosting is smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Chocolate Frosting
1 cup butter or 1/2 and 1/2 blend butter/margarine
5-6 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa (or less if you like a lighter cocoa frosting)
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 to 1/3 cup milk

Cream butter and 5 cups powdered sugar. Add cocoa and vanilla. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until frosting is smooth. If needed, add more powdered sugar.

After cookies are cooled, frost with peanut butter frosting. Then frost on top of the peanut butter frosting with the chocolate frosting. When spreading the chocolate frosting on top of the peanut butter frosting, be very gentle and leave a small space between the edge of the peanut butter frosting and the chocolate frosting for a layered frosting look (see photos).

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Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Day three of our CCE; this recipe won the LDS Living Best Cookie Recipe Contest in 2011. If you are baking for a lemon lover, they’ll love this treat. Some people say you either are a chocolate or lemon lover.
Really?
It’s like choosing which child is your favorite.
Always a fun discussion to have with your children.
Oh reminder, Christmas is 20 days away!
You’re welcome.
Happy baking :)

Lemon Crinkle Cookies
adapted from LDS Living Magazine

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Makes 1 dozen cookies ( I recommend doubling this recipe)

Ingredients:
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 whole egg
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
⅛ teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 cup cake flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (I use the convection setting).
Grease light colored baking sheets lightly with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. Or use parchment lined baking sheets.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Whip in vanilla, egg, lemon zest, and juice. Scrape sides and mix again.
Stir in all dry ingredients slowly until just combined, excluding the powdered sugar. Scrape sides of bowl and mix again briefly.
Pour powdered sugar into a bowl.
Roll a heaping teaspoon of dough (I use a 1 ½ inch cookie scoop) into a ball and roll in powdered sugar.
Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough.
Bake for 8-9 minutes* or until bottoms begin to barely brown and cookies are set.
Remove from oven and let cookies cool completely.

Tips:
*If using a non-stick darker baking tray, reduce baking time by about 2 minutes.
-The original recipe calls for 1 ½ cups all pupose flour. I baked these several times and found the cookies were not as puffy as I would like. We live at about 4400 ft above sea level and have to add additional flour to achieve a cookie that is not completely flat after baking. I tried adding additional all purpose flour, but found using a total of 1 ¾ cups of cake flour produced the result I wanted- a cookie that was still chewy and moist, but not flat.
-If you are baking in an oven that is a professional model (Wolf, Viking, etc) made for home use, bake at 325 convection, 6-7 minutes.
-My friends Jo, Diane and Nan made a recipe similar to this for a shower in our neighborhood. My other friend Jo (yes two friends named Jo) made lemon sorbet to go with the lemon cookies. YUMMY. Click on their names for links to some truly wonderful recipes :)

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Lion House Rolls

Hello. Announcement.
IT'S THANKSGIVING IN TEN DAYS.
If I had high bp, I'm sure it would be rising right about now. If you know me, this is my all time favorite holiday of the year. I spend weeks pouring over cookbooks, online, magazines, etc. Looking for fun new dishes to try, pies to make.  Not this year. I actually had a guy who is laying tile for me remind me that Thanksgiving is next week.
No, it  could not be.
Yes, it is, he said.
Really? Are you sure?
Great. I lost the whole end of October-beginning of Nov.
here's why.

Thing One:
A house.
At 50, (oh, yes that day is right around the corner) we decided to throw all caution to the wind, sell our home of 18 years and build a new house.
It's not like I personally get on the work gloves and boots and head over to the site everyday to pound nails, but, I like to talk like I am building it.

Here's a preview (of the kitchen)

Thing Two:
A Baby. Our first Grandchild!
I have a need to snuggle and smother this little one with kisses as much as possible.
Hence the no cooking zone in my kitchen lately.

I'm starting prep for the big day tomorrow. I'll make the dough and freeze, so all I have to do on Thanksgiving is take the rolls out of the freezer, thaw, raise and bake.  Then I'll have more time to sit and enjoy the grand baby.
Thanksgiving, yes.

PS If you have ever eaten a Lion House Roll, you know two things.
1. They are delicious.
2. They are probably the biggest roll you have ever eaten in your life.
This recipe tastes better than the rolls purchased at the Lion House and Deseret Book.
Everything homemade is better.
Promise.

Lion House Rolls
Adapted from Pinterest
print recipe

2 cups warm water ( 110 to 115 degrees)
2/3 cup non fat dry milk powder
2 tablespoons dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter , melted
2 teaspoons salt
5 -5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
about 1/4 to 1/2 cup additional butter for inside and top of rolls

In large bowl of electric mixer, combine water and milk powder, stir until dissolved.
Sprinkle yeast over warm water and add 1 teaspoon of sugar.  Let sit until yeast bubbles. Add  egg, additional 1/4 cup of sugar and melted butter.  Mix on low speed until ingredients are incorporated. Add  2 cups of flour. Mix well. Add two teaspoons of salt. Mix on low speed of mixer until ingredients are mixed well. Increase speed of mixer for  2 minutes at medium speed.
Add 2 cups more flour; mix on low speed, then for 2 minutes as medium speed. (Dough will become stiff and remaining flour may need to be mixed in by hand).
Add about ½ cup flour and mix again, by hand or mixer.
Dough should be soft, not overly sticky, and not stiff.
(It may not be necessary to use the entire amount of flour.)
Scrape dough off sides of bowl and coat sides of bowl with about 1 tablespoon vegetable oil  around sides of the bowl,  so it is covered with oil.
Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in warm place until double in size.
After dough has risen, sprinkle cutting board or counter with flour and place dough on floured surface.
Roll out and cut rolls.  See note below to watch instructional video on the method use in making Lion House Rolls.
Place on greased (or parchment lined) baking pans.
Let rise in warm place until rolls are double in size (about 1 to 1 ½ hours).
Bake at 375 for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned.
Brush with melted butter while hot.

Tips:
-The video mentioned is found here.
-I tried the method shown in the video but was unable to flip the rolls and have the rolls turn out in a uniform way. I simply rolled the dough on a floured surface and placed them on the pan to rise.
-If you are making these ahead of time, make the rolls up to the point where the rolls are placed on the cookie sheet. Do not let them raise a second time, cover with a sheet of wax paper and then wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Place immediately in freezer. When ready to bake, take out of freezer about 4 hours prior to baking. Remove plastic wrap and wax paper. Cover loosely with a towel. Let sit in draft free warm place until rolls raise. Do not set pan directly on granite or stone counter top. The counter will be too cold to allow rolls to raise properly. Set a towel down on the counter first, then place the pan on top of the towel.
-Here's a link for a cute idea to roll up little "notes of thanks" inside of your rolls for Thanksgiving, a great idea for kids. The recipe is different than the Lion House roll recipe, but you could use the idea with either recipe.

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Texas Sheet Cake Cupcakes

Who doesn't love a piece of Texas Sheet Cake? This recipe takes the basic Texas Sheet Cake recipe and converts it into cupcakes. When I finished baking, I had Jake (16) test them out.
He loved them, then almost fell off his chair laughing when I told him what they were called.
Why so funny? Because one of his friends (who will remain nameless)  LOVES to say Sheee-it  (with extra emphasis on the eee). Instead of the S-word.
Jake thought I was saying "Texas Sheee-it Cake Cupcakes".
Hilarious, Jacob.

Texas Sheet Cake Cupcakes

adapted from Blue-Eyed Bakers

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For the cake:
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 heaping tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 sticks unsalted butter
1/3 cup boiling water
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting:
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted
4 heaping tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
4-6 tablespoons milk to thin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

dash of salt
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar & salt and set aside.

In a large pan on stove,  melt butter. Stir in cocoa powder & boiling water.  Mix well. 

Remove from heat and add dry ingredients, stir until just combined. I use a large whisk to combine ingredients.
Add buttermilk, eggs, baking soda & vanilla. Stir into the chocolate/flour mixture and mix until fully incorporated, using either a hand mixer or large whisk. Fill prepared pan & bake cupcakes for 18-20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting:

Melt butter in a saucepan.  Remove from heat. Add cocoa powder, vanilla and dash of salt. Whisk or use beaters and mix until smooth. Add powdered sugar  and 4 tablespoons milk and beat until smooth again. Add more milk if needed. 

Top with chopped pecans.

Makes about 2 dozen cupcakes

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Boy Scout Stew

Some days are made for stew. Yesterday was one of those days. It was the first snow here. Yikes. October 23. While I'm not a huge fan of eating stew, I do like to make it. Something about chopping, mixing and having the aroma slowly fill your house on a cold day.

This is a recipe I've had for years. I've tweaked it countless times, and it's pretty close to perfection.  I named it Boy Scout Stew because it seems like the Scouts always make (translation, the wife of the Scout Master makes) a variation of this to eat on their camp outs. Did I tell you Jake received his Eagle Scout award a few months back?

Hooray and thank you to leaders who have mentored, served and loved my kid.
You gave your time to countless campouts, hikes, bike rides, merit badge clinics, build snow caves (and then sleep in them) and fish among other activities. I can only imagine how the tents/cabins smell after the boys live in them for a week at scout camp- without a shower, brushing their teeth, or changing their underwear. Your patience and the lessons you have taught my kid will never be forgotten.
You're the best.

Boy Scout Stew
A Bountiful Kitchen
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3 lbs beef brisket or chuck,  cut into 2 inch cubes
2 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup flour
3-4 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3-4 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
6 cups v-8 vegetable juice cocktail
2 cups water
2 Knorr beef homestyle stock cups (4.6 oz each), or 2-3 bullion cubes
3 cups celery, cut into 1 inch pieces
3 cups carrots, cut into 1-1/2 inch pieces or baby carrots, whole
4 medium potatoes, scrubbed clean and cut into one inch cubes

Place meat in a medium bowl, season with thyme, salt and pepper. Toss with 1/2 cup flour.
Place the oil in a large stock pot or dutch oven. Heat to medium high.
Working in about three batches, cook the meat until it is browned on all sides, when the batch is browned, remove and set aside on plate. If there is flour left in the bowl, sprinkle it over the last batch of meat browning in the pan. Remove any remaining meat from pan, set aside.
Keeping heat on medium high, add a little more oil if needed. Place the onions and garlic into the pan on stove, cooking and stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
Return the meat to the pan with the onions and garlic. Add Worcestershire sauce. Cook for about 1 minute.  Add all remaining ingredients.
Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Serves 8-10

Tips:
-Knorr Homestyle Stock cups are sold in the soup section of most grocery stores. They come in a package with 4 cups enclosed. I like the flavor of the Knorr brand. You may use Swanson brand liquid flavoring, regular bullion cubes, or other types of stock flavoring if desired.
-Only purchase beef that is a lower quality cut, such as brisket or chuck. This will produce the best result when slow cooking.

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Cutler's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

What's on your list of fun ways to spend a morning? How about hanging out at a bakery?
I spent some time last week at Cutler's bakery where Curt, Troy and Shaun were working their magic- mixing, shaping and baking up dozens of cookies.  They were baking up: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Brownie Marshmallow and Pumpkin Choco Chip Cookies. I may or may not have had a sample.
Or two.
We had deep conversations about - The perfect bran muffin. The best bread for sandwich making. Chocolate chips, what brand is best (Guittard). And how to properly form and frost a cookie. Curt and Shaun have their own special knives they prefer to use while frosting cookies. They still hand frost every cookie they sell. You have to love a local business that still makes all of their cookies from scratch.
October = pumpkin cookie season. You'll love Cutler's recipe. If you can't bring yourself to whip up a batch, go see Curt, he'll sell you a few.

Cutler's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cutler's Cookies, Bountiful, Utah
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1 cup butter, softened
3 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups pumpkin
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
5 cups cake flour*
1 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat butter and sugar together for about 2 minutes or until smooth. Add eggs, pumpkin, vanilla and spices. Continue beating for about 2  additional minutes.  Add rest of ingredients to bowl and mix just until flour disappears and all ingredients are combined.
Using a large cookie (or ice cream) scoop, place dough onto parchment lined baking sheets or lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. Let cool completely on baking sheet before transferring to plate.

Tips:
-*Cutler's uses cake flour in all of their cookie recipes. Cake flour will create a lighter texture and a more cake like cookie, compared to cookies baked with all purpose flour. If you do not have cake flour, all purpose flour will work fine. You will have to add up to one additional cup of flour to the recipe (6 total cups of flour).
-Do not flatten the balls of cookie dough after placing on the baking sheet.
-If using a convection oven, you may lower the baking time to 8-10 minutes.

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Funeral Potatoes 101 or What Mitt Ate Last Night (part two)

Did you see the debate last week? I'm not a big fan of politics in general. In fact, every time we see a politician make a speech, see a campaign commercial, or watch a debate, the conversation usually goes like this:

me: sheesh, I would never want to be a politician.
grant: you could not pay me enough to be a politician.
me: being the wife of a politician would be the worst.
grant: that job would stink.
me: you know, people say the same about lawyers.
grant: no they don't.
me: yes they do.

So.
That said, newsflash- we are Republicans.
I know, you're shocked. Mormons and Republicans.
And we like Mitt.  Mittens, as we affectionately call him. Not that we know him, but you know how that goes. We talk like we do.
Anyway.  Remember when I posted that JELLO recipe several months ago? I titled it "What Mitt Ate Last Night". This is the second recipe in the installment of "What Mitt Ate Last Night".
Classic Mormon food.
This will either make you :
a) feel warm and fuzzy inside, and run to the nearest grocery to buy some Cream of Chicken Soup.
or
b) stop subscribing to this blog.

Everyone needs a recipe for this dish in their files. Guaranteed to comfort and clog the arteries. This is my favorite version of Funeral Potatoes. Been making it for 30 years. Funerals, family parties, neighbor dinners, you name it, this dish goes with it.
Bon Appetite :)





Funeral Potatoes
A Bountiful Kitchen
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12 large Russett potatoes, boiled, then peeled and grated or
1 large  24-32oz package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups sour cream
2 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, divided

1/4 cup  melted butter
1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, each

Topping options:
1 cup Panko Crumbs or 2 cups crushed Corn Flakes + 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional)
or

1/2 cup grated cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place rack in middle of oven.

Place butter, chopped onions, salt and pepper in a sauce pan over medium heat. Cook just until onions are softened. Place soup, sour cream, 2 cups of the grated cheese in a large bowl. 

Pour the cooked onion/butter mixture over the soup mixture in the bowl. Mix well. 

Add grated potatoes.  Fold ingredients together. 

Pour the mixture into a 9x13 greased pan. 

If using topping, spread the Panko or cornflake mixture or additional 1/2 cup of cheese over the top of the casserole and bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and golden on top. 

Let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
About 16  side dish servings.

Tips:

-This recipe has oodles of variations, here are a few:

• You may cut ham into cubes and place in the casserole. 
• I have used low fat sour cream and low fat soup with good results. It is better with regular  soup and sour cream, but is fine with low fat. 
• Some people use part cream cheese, cut into cubes, and cut some of the sour cream and or cheese.
• The onions may be substituted with green onions.   
• You may use flavored cheeses such as Smoked Gouda or Pepper Jack in place of the cheddar cheese.

-Almost everyone makes this recipe with frozen hash browns. That's fine in a pinch, or if you are making it for the masses. Make sure if you use frozen potatoes to thaw them before using.
Funeral potatoes taste best when you take just a little more time and cook your own potatoes. Scrub the russets, boil them until tender. Peel the potatoes and grate them before folding in the soup mixture. Make sure to always boil the potatoes with the skins on, to avoid watery tasting potatoes.

-I like to use Russets when making funeral potatoes. Never use Yukon Golds, the texture is too waxy.

-This recipe freezes well. Follow the recipe and cover with foil or saran wrap. To cook, place in oven at 325 for about 1 hour. You may take it directly from the freezer and bake. You may need a bit more or less time depending on your oven. Sometimes I put it in my oven at 275 for 2-3 hours.  When I bake a frozen dish, I cover it tightly with foil until it's done so it does not dry out. I remove the foil the last 15 minutes of baking or broil for a couple of minutes to get a golden top. 

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Fresh Apple Cake

Can you feel it??  Fall is in the air. The leaves, pumpkins, school back in session, crisp air, football.
FOOTBALL.
I love football.
Especially UTE football. Went to the craziest game.
Ever.
Lasted four hours. Yes, FOUR HOURS. Without OT.  A person sitting with our family asked if I was feeling sick. Jake said, "No, my mom always acts like this (covering or closing my eyes, head down, peeking through my hands) at the Utah/BYU game."  Such a great game. Read about it here. This pic was taken after the field was cleared twice, and rushed three times.
24-21.
Like I said, crazy.

 I found this recipe in one of my favorite home magazines, House Beautiful. The author calls this a "no-shop" dessert. Meaning, every ingredient is one you should have in your kitchen at all times. I think it's wonderful served at breakfast too.
Apple cake= the perfect fall treat.
Try it, I know you'll love it.




























Fresh Apple Cake
House Beautiful, Marcus Samuelsson
print recipe

2 tablespoons unseasoned bread crumbs or graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 Granny Smith, or other tart apples
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
1 large egg
1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2/3 cup half-and-half ( I used 1/3 skim milk, 1/3 half and half)
2 teaspoons confectioner’s sugar

Pre-heat oven to 350°. Butter a 9" spring form pan and coat with graham cracker crumbs.
Toss together the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Set aside.
Peel and core the apples, then slice one apple into 16 wedges. Combine the cinnamon and 1/3 cup of sugar mixture in a medium bowl. Add the apples wedges and toss to coat. Roughly dice the remaining apple.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the butter and the remaining sugar mixture on medium speed until light, fluffy, and lemon-colored, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and mix until combined. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour and baking powder. Slowly add the half-and-half and mix until combined. Fold the diced apple into the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Arrange 14 of the apple wedges fanned along the outer edge of the pan and place the two remaining wedges in the center. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center is golden brown.
Remove from the oven to a wire rack to cool completely. Run a small offset spatula around the edges to release the cake from the pan and remove the spring form. Sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar, then cut into 12 wedges.

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Fresh Peach and Blackberry Slaw

You know all of those jokes about zucchini showing up on your porch while you are sleeping? At my home, it's usually peaches, or tomatoes or other various fruits and veggies. The zucchini usually comes via the back fence from my friend Chris, who keeps me in zucchini in the warm summer months.  My friend Marsha gave me some of her absolutely delicious white peaches a while ago. I can't get over how wonderful they taste. In my next life, I am going to be a farmer. Or at least own a peach tree.   Last week, the Tingey's gave me some of their peaches and cabbage. Oh-so-good.  Remember that year I thought instead of canning, I could just make loads of peach desserts? Remember how I thought I could just make Perfect Peach Crumble for everyone so I could get out of canning peaches?
Hello Einstein.
Flash of brilliance stupidity.

Making enough Perfect Peach Crumble to use up a bushel of peaches? Not a good idea. 

In the next day or two, I'm going to can peaches. I am. I will not just talk about it. I will do it. I will.  I think I've talked myself into it.
Last week, I was in the cooking (or for this recipe, chopping) mode, and made several recipes using up the fresh fruit and veggies that found their way into my kitchen. I was playing nurse to Jake, who got his wisdom teeth out. Needless to say, he ate a lot of peach shakes.
This slaw recipe is perfect if you have some fresh cabbage, peaches and blackberries around. I liked the crunch of the cabbage with the soft peaches and blackberries. Tangy and sweet, crunchy and soft.  Lots of interesting textures and flavors. Great summer side dish.
Not that it's summer anymore. Tomorrow is the first day of school.
Yikes.

Is this the most beautiful cabbage you have ever seen? I thought so.

Fresh Peach and Blackberry Slaw
adapted from BHG

1/4 cup vinegar, white balsamic or cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive or canola oil
4 tablespoons brown sugar
pinch of salt
1 small head of cabbage, washed cored and sliced or shredded
3 white or yellow peaches, or a mixture of both
1/2 pint blackberries
2 oz crumbled blue cheese, optional
snipped fresh chives, bail and or tarragon

Make the dressing:
Whisk together the vinegar, olive or canola oil, brown sugar and salt. Pour over the cabbage. Toss well.
Add the peaches, blackberries and blue cheese, if using. Gently fold together. Place in serving bowl or platter, top with snipped fresh herbs.

Tips:
-I found half of the dressing was more than enough for this amount of cabbage. Toss the salad with half of the dressing and put the other half in a bowl and pass alongside the salad.
-Reviewers on the BHG site recommended using a broccoli slaw, purchased at the grocery. Sounds like a good combo if you don't have fresh cabbage available.
-You don't need to worry about the peaches going brown in this salad the vinegar will prevent that from happening. Remember to keep the salad cool.

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Black Bean and Corn Salsa

It's the last weekend of summer. I know, summer is not officially over until September 22nd  (Melinda reminded me of this on our morning walk), but it feels like it's over when the kids go back to school.
With the end of summer, comes the end of local fruits and veggies. It was a hot summer here, and the peach crop came on unusually early. Tomatoes have been plentiful. Local corn has been amazing. I've been eating lots of these:

Tomato Toast

Yum.

I cooked like a crazy person last week. I tried to keep up with the fresh peaches, tomatoes and corn on my counter before they attracted my personal favorite, fruit flies. What is it about fruit flies??  I have a serious hate relationship with fruit flies and moths. I'll spare you a crazy rant about both :) 

I've been making this Black Bean and Corn Salsa for years. The recipe originally came from a cookbook in my collection. It's simple and can be made anytime of the year, from summer to the dead of winter. In September, it's a crime to use anything but fresh tomatoes and fresh corn. If you haven't ever made black bean salsa, this is the recipe for you. It's foolproof and absolutely delicious. Enjoy your last weekend of summer! 

Next week, two more early harvest recipes: Fresh Peach and Blackberry Slaw  and Mango-Peach Tango. 

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

print recipe

15 oz can black beans, rinsed with cold water and drained ( I like S&W brand best)

2-3 ears corn, cooked and cut off cob, or half of one small bag of frozen corn, about 1 cup

1/2 bunch chopped cilantro, about 1 cup

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

3 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

1/2-3/4 cup chopped red or purple onion

1 teaspoon ground cumin

2 fresh medium size tomatoes, chunked or 1/2 can of *Rotel (pureed if desired)

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix gently with a large spoon. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours if possible. Serve with tortilla chips or as a side dish with enchiladas or other Mexican dishes. 

Tips:

-If you want to make a large amount, this recipe is really easy to double. I often spoon half of the salsa into a mason jar, top it with a screw on lid and share with a friend

-*Rotel is a mixture of tomatoes, spices and green chilies.  

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