Valentines Cookies

Happy Valentines!

The special day is just a week away, but I am already in the mood to cook something pretty. That is why I made these cookies yesterday. This recipe is not original with me. I have seen it posted here and here and here.

It is definitely a fun and yummy recipe, and I know I will be using it often!

Cookie Recipe:

1 box red velvet cake mix
1/2 c. oil
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350.
Mix ingredients until well combined. Drop spoonfuls of cookie batter onto baking sheet about two inches apart. Using a spatula, flatten the dough slightly. This helps make uniform cookies.
Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool


Cream Cheese Filling:

1/2 c. butter, softened to room temperature
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 (1 lb.) box of confectioner's sugar
1 t. vanilla

In a mixer, cream butter, cream cheese and vanilla. Gradually add sugar and mix until smooth.

Spread cream cheese filling between two cookies. Use heart shaped cookie cutters to create valentines cookie sandwiches.

Pizza Casserole

2 lbs. ground beef
1 lg. onion, chopped
2 jars (28 oz. each) spaghetti sauce
1 (16 oz.) pkg spiral pasta, cooked and drained
4 c. (16 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
8 oz. sliced pepperoni

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and pasta. Transfer to two greased 13X9 in baking dishes. Sprinkle with cheese. Arrange pepperoni over the top. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

Can be frozen (before baking) for up to 3 months.

Cappuccino Muffins

Follow this link to a tasty recipe for some get-your-morning-started-right muffins.

I recommend doubling the recipe, as the dozen muffins it makes didn't last long enough in my house! (The amount of frosting created by the recipe is enough to ice 24 muffins)

(photo by Nan Doud)

Another Chocolate Cake (There's No Such Thing As Too Many Chocolate Cake Recipes!)

CAKE:

MIX:
3 cups sifted all purpose flour
3 cups sugar
1 ½ tsp baking soda
¾ tsp salt

BRING TO BOIL:
4 ½ T cocoa
1 ½ cup water
¾ cup oil
1 ½ sticks butter
Pour over dry mix and stir well.

ADD:
3 eggs
¾ cup buttermilk

Stir with wooden spoon until well blended and lumps are gone.

Bake in 2 8X8-inch well greased and floured pans at 350 for about 30 minutes. Cool in pan about 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Ice while warm.

ICING:

MELT:
1 stick butter
6 T. milk
4 T. cocoa
Pour into mixing bowl.

ADD:
1 box powdered sugar
½ cup nuts (if desired)

Beat with electric mixer until well blended, about 2 minutes.

Pour over warm cake.

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!