SOFT MAPLE COOKIES

This recipe for SOFT and CHEWY maple cookies is excellent; they really do stay soft for days (if they last that long) and who doesn't love maple?!?! This recipe makes a large batch, so it is perfect for bake sales, potlucks or any large gathering.

 

 

1 cup butter (room temperature)

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 cup REAL maple syrup (not pancake syrup)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons maple extract

4 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

 

In the large bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar till well mixed; add the egg, syrup and extracts; mix until smooth.

 

Mix the flour, salt and baking soda together, and add it to the wet mixture, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. The cookie dough batter will be very thick.

 

Lightly grease your cookie sheets with vegetable spray or cover your baking sheets with parchment paper.

 

Roll cookie dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and roll them in granulated sugar. Place the sugared cookie dough balls (a couple inches apart) onto cookie sheet and flatten them just a little.

 

 

Bake at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes (my electric oven takes 9 minutes).

I like to cool my cookies on a sheet of waxed paper.

 

Makes about 4 dozen cookies, depending on how large you make them.

 

 



DYE EASTER EGGS WITH KOOL AID!!

I found this fantastic idea on Pinterest and it works extremely well. Not only does it produce a pretty colored Easter egg, but  it doesn't smell up the whole kitchen like a vinegar based dye does, PLUS it is very economical!!

 

This could not be simpler: 

Mix one small packet of UNSWEETENED Kool-Aid powder into 2/3 cup warm water and mix.

A coffee mug works well for this; a different color Kool-Aid in each mug. Place a hard boiled egg in the liquid for about a minute then set the colored egg on paper towels.  That's it!! I TOLD you it was easy!!

The lemonade (yellow)isn't very bright, but if you add a little orange to it, it will give you a great color. Pink lemonade is a beautiful color; try them all and have fun!!

Happy Easter !!

Note: Use the small packets of Kool-Aid. Most of them are about .15 ounce, (it isn't critical).

ENGLISH MUFFIN GOODIES

I've seen this cheesy English muffin idea in several places on the Internet and decided to try it. I can see endless variations for this simple little recipe.  With NO changes, it makes a perfect cheesy alternative to a dinner roll. Change the cheese to Monterrey Jack and add crab for a great open faced sandwich, or switch to mozzarella and pepperoni for a pizza muffin; the list goes on and on.

6 English muffins
2 tablespoons soft butter
1/3 cup of mayonnaise (not miracle whip)(see note below)
2 cups shredded cheddar
1 green onion, sliced very thin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup crisp bacon bits

Split the muffins in half and put them on a very lightly greased baking sheet. 

Mix everything else together and divide equally between the muffins.
Bake on an upper rack in your oven for 15 minutes at 400° or until tops are golden and bubbly.

Let muffins sit for about 5 minutes before you serve them.

PIZZA MUFFINS

 

Here is another version for a quick weeknight dinner.

Split 6 English muffins and butter the cut side VERY LIGHTLY.

MIX TOGETHER:
2 cups shredded mozzarella
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup pepperoni cut into THIN matchsticks
1/4 cup pizza sauce  (use your own, or try the one below)

Mix everything well and divide evenly over the lightly buttered English muffins. Bake on top rack of oven, at 400° for 20 minutes or until melted and bubbly. Let cool a couple of minutes before you serve.

SUPER EASY NO-COOK PIZZA SAUCE
(1) 6 ounce can tomato paste
(1) 6 ounce can water
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon onion powder (not onion salt)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar (or honey)

Whisk it all together and let it sit for about 30 minutes to let flavors blend.

NOTE: Don't worry, you will not taste the mayonnaise, but it DOES provide a very creamy quality to the cheddar cheese.

NOTE: Don't leave out the cayenne. Hubby and I are extremely shy when it comes to spicy food, but this amount of cayenne was perfect for us. If you like spicy, increase this amount.

BISCUITS FOR TWO

Mary, over at One Perfect Bite recently posted a recipe for "Biscuits for two". What a great idea for single people, for small families and empty-nesters alike.  I can't tell you how many biscuits I've thrown away because they got stale before we could eat them all, but not anymore!!  This recipe is excellent; thank you Mary!!

This quick and easy recipe

makes four delicious biscuits.

 

1 cup all purpose flour

2 1/2  teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/4 cup shortening (I used COLD butter)

1/2 cup 2% milk

 

Preheat oven to 450° (I baked mine at 400°) and grease a baking sheet.

 

Mix the dry ingredients together, then cut in the shortening (or cold butter) until it looks like coarse crumbs.

 

Add milk and stir just until everything is moistened. Turn out onto a lightly floured counter and knead 8-10 times. Dough might seem a little sticky at first, but it will come together nicely after you knead it a few times.

 

Pat or roll dough to 1/2" thickness and cut with floured 2 1/2" biscuit cutter (the floured rim of a drinking glass will work too).

 

Bake 10-12 minutes (I baked mine a few minutes longer because I reduced the heat to 400°. 

 

I brushed mine with butter when they were hot out of the oven. Makes 4 biscuits.