Stromboli

½ pound ground beef

½ cup chopped onion

1 (32-ounce) package frozen bread dough, thawed and divided

2 tablespoons prepared mustard, divided

12 slices American cheese, divided

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

2 (3 ½ ounce) packages sliced pepperoni, divided

2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning, divided

Vegetable oil

Brown ground beef and onion in a large skillet, stirring until meat crumbles. Drain well, and set aside.

For each Stromboli, place 1 loaf bread dough on a lightly floured surface; roll dough into a 12-inch square.

Spread 1 tablespoon mustard over dough to within ½ inch of edges.

Layer 3 slices American cheese, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, half of pepperoni, and half of beef mixture lengthwise down center third of dough, leaving a ½ inch border at top and bottom of dough; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.

Top with ½ cup mozzarella cheese and 3 slices American cheese. Fold each side of dough over filling; pinch seam and ends to seal.

Transfer loaves to greased baking sheets; brush loaves with oil. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut each loaf into 4 slices. Makes 8 servings.

** You may substitute shredded 4 cheese blend for the American cheese slices and olive oil for the vegetable oil.

Aunt Gloria's Moon Pie Cake

My Aunt Gloria gave me this recipe in 2003 when I was compiling a cookbook of family recipes. I was making the book as a gift to my sister at her wedding.

I have used this recipe over and over. It is a wonderful cake to give as a gift and to take to parties. On the outside, it looks like an ordinary chocolate cake, but once cut into, has a very scrumptious surprise.

Ingredients:
Devils Food or Swiss Chocolate Cake Mix
1 lb powdered sugar
1 8 oz cream cheese
1 cool whip
1 pkg milk chocolate chips

Bake cake as directed on box in 2 9 or 10 inch round pans. Allow to cool completely.

Mix the powdered sugar, cream cheese and cool whip. Spread between the chocolate layers.


For icing, melt the chocolate chips with a little water. Stir until smooth and pour over cake. Spread icing until entire cake is covered. Serve on a cake stand or wrap as a gift.


Want to read more about this cake? Click here.

Some Very Yummy (and VERY Hot) Shrimp!

I am attending a Christmas gathering tonight where everyone brings their favorite finger foods. This is what I am taking. I made it this afternoon and have already sampled it. I am working quite hard to refrain from eating the rest of it before I leave for the party!

It is most definitely a dish for those who love spicy things....so BEWARE!

My New Favorite Brownie Recipe

I love made from-scratch brownies! The packaged mixes just don't compare to the real, from-scratch version (The Hershey's brownie mix at Sam's is the only exception, in my opinion). Ever since my high school days when my Aunt Melanie would serve her delicious brownies, I have used her recipe any time I needed/wanted brownies.

However, her recipe calls for Crisco, and I think its the only reason I use Crisco. So when I was recently craving brownies and had no Crisco, I went searching for a new from-scratch recipe. I discovered the Add Anything Brownies on Karen's blog. They are very chewy and yummy! I recommend you give them a try!

Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Muffins

8 oz. cream cheese
3 eggs
2 1/2 c. sugar
2 1/2 c. flour
1/4 c. pecans, roughly chopped
3 T. butter, melted
2 1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
1 1/4 c. solid-packed pumpkin
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1/2 t. vanilla

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly coat muffin tins with oil and set aside.

Mix in small bowl and set aside:
8 oz cream cheese
1 egg
3 T. sugar

Toss in medium bowl and set aside:
5 T. sugar
1/2 c. flour
1/4 c. pecans
3 T. butter
1/2 t. cinnamon

Combine the remaining sugar, cinnamon and flour with the salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Make a well in the center.

Lightly beat 2 eggs, pumpkin, oil and vanilla together in a medium bowl. Pour into the well of the flour mixture. Mix with a fork just until moistened.

Evenly divide half the batter among the muffin cups. Place 2 teaspoonfuls of cream cheese filling in the center of each cup and fill with the remaining batter.

Sprinkle some of the pecan mixture over the top of each muffin and bake until golden and a tester, inserted into the muffin center, comes out clean - 20 to 25 minutes.

Cool on wire racks.

(recipe from Country Living magazine, September 2004)