Betty Crocker's Chocolate Chip Mint Cookies

What a beautiful  day!  Today I will be giving you not a recipe I made myself, but that of a close friend.  She was very happy to share this recipe with me, and I am going to surprise her by posting it on the blog!  Let us know what you think!

 Betty Crocker's Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

 1  pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix

 1/2  cup butter or margarine, softened

 1/4  to 1/2 teaspoon mint extract

 6  to 8 drops green food color

 1  egg

 1  cup creme de menthe baking chips

 1  cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, extract, food color and egg until soft dough forms. 

Stir in creme de menthe baking chips and chocolate chunks.

Using small cookie scoop or teaspoon, drop dough 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Serve warm or cool completely. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

Mmmm, those sure were delicious!  I hope you all enjoy these fabulous cookies!

Nutmeg's Chocolate Ice Cream Bar

Hey, everyone! Lately where me and Koko live it has been close to 100 degrees, and it's really hard to keep cool! Yesterday I was experimenting with popsicle recipes, and I made a chocolate one that didn't have as much flavor as I would've wanted. I tried changing it a bit, and this is what I came up with. It is really yummy, and perfect for hot weather like today! Happy eating! (Or, should I say, Happy Freezing!) :) 

                        Nutmeg's Chocolate Ice Cream Bar

                           3/4 cup milk
                           1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
                           3/4 tsp. cocoa powder 
                           2 tablespoons sugar
                           1/2-3/4 tsp. chocolate extract
                           dash of salt

Combine the milk and heavy whipping cream together in a microwave safe bowl. Add cocoa powder and microwave for about 10-15 seconds, so the cocoa powder mixes in better.
Add in the sugar and salt, then add chocolate extract until it's flavored the way you like it. (I used about 1/2-3/4 tsp, but it may vary for different people) Caution: Chocolate extract can be very strong, so be careful with it! Mix it all together well, then pour into a popsicle mold. Let it freeze for a few hours, or until firm. Make sure it is thoroughly frozen, or it will make a big mess! Enjoy! :) 

                                     ~Nutmeg

Note from Nutmeg: This recipe makes only one ice cream bar, but you can change it to make as many as you want.) :) 

Homemade Applesauce

Who out there likes applesauce? I know that I do.  Applesauce is amazing, especially when it is homemade!

Homemade Applesauce

10-12 cups apples

2 T brown sugar

1/4 cup cinnamon

Directions

Peel and dice apples; put in pot.  Put cap on and heat until apples start to boil down.  Add sugar and wait for it to start to bubble.  Add cinnamon and mash with potato masher or blender.  Keep heating until it boils down to desired consistency Enjoy!

I hope that you will all give this recipe a try!  Applesauce is good no matter what!

Applesauce Spice Cake

Slightly more spicy than apple pie, this delightful treat is like eating spice cake with a side of apple sauce.  In my opinion, it has the perfect amount of spicy apple flavor.   I like it best topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, but friends say that it is good with ice cream too.

Applesauce Spice Cake

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups brown sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

2 cups applesauce

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 eggs

Directions

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.

 Whisk dry ingredients and spices in a large bowl. Mix applesauce, eggs and vanilla extract.  Add the sugar; beat until just incorporated, about 30 seconds.

 Pour batter into a 9 by 13 cake pan.

Bake until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the cake's center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. 

Set pan on a wire rack; let cool for 5 minutes. 

I love  this amazing spice cake!

Amazing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

This recipe is for all of you oatmeal raisin cookie lovers out there! I never liked oatmeal raisin cookies before until I tried these, and now I could eat alot of them! Try this recipe and let me know what you think! Happy Eating! :)

                                                  
                          Amazing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
                           
                              2 cups all-purpose flour
                              1 teaspoon baking soda
                              1 teaspoon baking powder 
                              1 cup butter (if you are using unsalted butter, put 1 teaspoon of salt into the dry mixture, and if you are using salted butter, do not put in salt.) 
                              2 cups of brown sugar
                              2 eggs
                              2 teaspoons vanilla extract
                              3 cups oats
                              1 1/2 raisins

Preheat the oven to 350*. 
Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, and set aside. Cream together the butter and sugar, and add the eggs and vanilla. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, and add the oats and the raisins. 
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls two inches apart onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for 11-13 minutes, or until golden brown and cracked on top. Yummy! :) 

                                                     ~Nutmeg



                                                       

Sunrise Orange Pancakes

I love pancakes...especially orange flavored ones!  The best part of this recipe is the  homemade syrup.  If there is any extra (which I highly doubt) you can use it on ice cream!  This is another favorite from my childhood.

Sunrise Orange Pancakes

2 cups pancake mix

2 eggs

3 T. sugar

3/4 cups orange juice

3/4 cup milk

Directions

Combine baking mix and sugar.  

Beat the eggs, milk and orange juice; stir into dry ingredients until just moistened.

Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto lightly greased griddle; turn when bubbles form on top of pancakes.  Syrup time!

Orange Syrup

4 T. sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

3/4 cups orange juice

Directions

In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch and orange juice.

Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and pour onto pancakes.  (I like hot syrup on my pancakes.  If you prefer your syrup room temperature ,then make it before the pancakes so that it has time to cool.)

Yummy, yum, yum!  I am salivating just writing this article!  I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do!

Bulk Pancake Mix

Hey out there!  My family has a special pancake mix we make in bulk.  I will be giving you the bulk recipe today, and on Monday I will post my favorite use for this mix! You will also receive the way to make normal pancakes with this. There is no picture because I didn't think you would want to see a cup of what looks like normal flour. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of the normal pancakes either.

Bulk Pancake Mix

4 cups all purpose flour

2 cups whole wheat flour

2/3 cup sugar

2 T. baking powder

1 T. baking soda

Pancake Batter

1 cup pancake mix

1 egg

3/4 cup milk

Directions

In a bowl, combine egg and milk.  Whisk into pancake mix.

Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a hot greased griddle; turn when bubbles form on top of pancakes. 

Ahhh, the smell of cooking pancakes is one of the most comfortable smells in the world.  I hope you all enjoy this wonderful recipe!

Pebbles Rice Crispy Treats

Hey everyone! As you may already know, I'm in favor of simple, but yummy recipes. My sister made these incredible Rice Crispy Treats and she said I could share the recipe with you. If you have ever had Fruity Pebbles and liked them you will love these! Oh, so yummy! Happy Eating! :) 

                           Pebbles Rice Crispy Treats

                  1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
                  1 package (10 1/2  oz) mini marshmallows
                  8 1/2 cups Fruity Pebbles

Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl for 45 seconds (or until melted). Add marshmallows and toss to coat. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes or until marshmallows are melted, and the mixture is smooth. Add the Fruity Pebbles and mix very well. Press into a greased 13x9 pan. Cool, and cut into 24 squares of yummy goodness! :)

                                             ~Nutmeg

Peach Almond Baked Oatmeal

Oatmeal is absolutely delicious!  Especially when made into a giant pan of baked oatmeal, almost like a giant oatmeal cookie! During the school year, this is a favorite of my mom's.

 

Peach Almond Baked Oatmeal

3 cups oatmeal

1 can diced peaches

2 eggs

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg ( please not my blog partner though!)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup almond milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

sliced almonds and cinnamon sugar(optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Grease 8 by 8 pan and set aside.

Mix together all dry ingredients.  Add the wet ingredients and stir together until well blended.

Pour into greased pan and bake for 40 minutes.

This is SO yummy!  I love any variation of this recipe!  I hope you all do as well!  Does anybody have any favorites?  Please let us know so we can make more like  it!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake

Hi Everyone!  Have you ever REALLY wanted a piece of cake or something, and there just wasn't any in the  house?  Search no longer!  Today's recipe is cake for one!   It's SO moist it's really like eating a slice of cake still warm from the oven! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake

4 tablespoons all purpose flour

3 tablespoons white granulated sugar

1 T cocoa powder

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 egg

3 tablespoons peanut butter

3 tablespoons milk

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

Combine all ingredients in an over-sized coffee mug. Whisk well with a small whisk until smooth.

 Microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes and then take it out to check to see if it is done. If not, continue to microwave in thirty second intervals.

You don’t want to overcook it or it will become rubbery. You can also make this into two smaller-sized mugs. You can mix the batter all in one mug and then pour half into another mug. Make sure you cook each individually.  This is the BEST!!!

Delicious Refrigerator Pickles

I don't know about you, but one of my favorite foods is pickles. This recipe for sweet refrigerator pickles has been a favorite in our family for many years. We make these almost every summer with our fresh cucumbers from the garden. They are an amazingly cool summer treat. I hope you try them and enjoy every bite. (Sorry the picture isn't the best; I didn't have the nice camera for this one.) Happy Eating! :) 

                        Delicious Refrigerator Pickles          

                                             
                               1 cup distilled white vinegar
                               1 tablespoon salt
                          2 cups white sugar
                          6 cups sliced cucumbers
                          1 cup sliced onions

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the vinegar, salt, and sugar to boil. Let it boil until the sugar is dissolved. (This will take about 10 minutes.) Put the cucumbers and onion in a large bowl, and pour the vinegar mixture over it. Put it into an airtight container and let it sit in the refrigerator. 

Note from Nutmeg: The longer you let it sit in the refrigerator, the more flavor they have. I personally like them that way, but everybody has their favorites! :) 

                                   ~Nutmeg
                              

Banana Almond Coconut Smoothie

Hello!  How do you all like our blog?  We know it has room for improvement, so does anybody have any suggestions?  We appreciate your input!  This smoothie is another different recipe.  It takes a little getting used to.

 Banana Almond Coconut Smoothie

3 bananas(two frozen, one ripe)

1 egg

1 cup almond milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup almond butter

1/4 cup sweetened coconut

1 T brown sugar

1 cup ice

Directions

Blend ripe banana, almond milk, egg, vanilla, almond butter, coconut, and brown sugar until smooth. 

Cut frozen bananas into quarters, and add one by one to banana almond mixture. Add ice and enjoy!!!

As I said this smoothie takes some getting used to.  I hope you all enjoy it!

Root Beer Glazed Chicken and Rice Dinner

Hi!  This recipe is interesting to say the least.  Soda and chicken, together?  My family had quite a few doubts about the chicken I made for dinner.  I did as well.  Fortunately, we were all pleasantly surprised.  It turned out to go very well with rice. 

Root Beer Glazed Chicken

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cubed)

splash vegetable oil

1 cup root beer

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

scant 1/4 cup ketchup

4 tsp. horseradish mustard

2 tsp. grated lemon peel

Directions

Grease skillet with oil and cook cubed chicken until cooked all the way through.  Remove chicken from pan.

Whisk together root beer, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard and lemon  peel.  Pour into pan and stir until it begins to boil.  Add chicken and mix together, let simmer for ten minutes.

Rice

1 1/2 cups rice

3 cups water

dash salt

Directions

Follow package directions.

Yum, yum, yum!  This was gone in one meal!  There will be extra sauce from the chicken.  I have discovered that if you have plain leftover rice you can pour the leftover sauce over it for more flavor.