Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

I have to tell you, this was an absolute hit when served. People couldn't get enough of it. It was even appreciated by those who did not necessarily care for pumpkin things. Ingredients:
1 1/2 Sticks Butter
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Eggs 2 teaspoons Vanilla
2 Cups Flour
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
3 Tablespoons of Canned Pumpkin
Directions:
Heat oven to 350° F. Spray or grease bottom only of a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon, and set aside. In large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Beat in sugars, and pumpkin. Gradually beat in eggs and vanilla into sugar mixture until combined. On low speed, beat in dry ingredients until combined, and pour into baking pan.
Topping
Ingredients:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
6 tablespoons salted butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions:
Combine the flour, sugar, butter, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl and mix together until crumbly. Sprinkle over the top of the batter.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. .

Double Fudge Irish Cream Cookies Non-Alcoholic for Saint Patrick's Day!

Looking forward to Saint Patrick's Day, but minus the alcohol? Then I have a great recipe for you!

Baileys® Irish Cream Double Fudge Irish Cream Cookies
I happen to be of Irish decent, but unlike the typical stereotype, I do not drink. It's kind of funny about stereotypes, they are never true for everyone involved.
You want to celebrate your Irish heritage with your sober friends, and leave the hangovers to the wannabe's, here is a delicious way to treat your guest who can manage to socialize without the aid of the Devil's Nectar. No hangover happening here!

Double Fudge Irish Cream Cookies
I have substituted the Baileys® Irish Cream for Baileys® Irish Cream Coffee Creamer. I assure you that your guest will love these. They are soft, and chewy, and wonderful in every way. Let's get started.
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

2 2/3 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 packet instant coffee powder
8 tablespoons of Baileys® Irish Cream Coffee Creamer
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:
Cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until fluffy. Add in Bailey’s one tablespoon at a time. Add flour, cocoa powder, instant coffee, baking soda and salt and mix until combined.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Drop by teaspoon fulls on to baking sheet.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

These are proof that you certainly don't need alcohol to have a good time with your friends, and family. They are so good you may even wish to make them on days that it's not Saint Patrick's Day!

Old Fashioned Valentine's Day Brownies you'll LOVE

Old Fashioned Valentine's Day Brownies
These are incredibly good! Rich and chocolatey!!!

Ingredients:
1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine
1⁄4 cup cocoa
2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
3⁄4 cup flour
1⁄2 cup walnuts (optional)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F
Melt butter in microwave.
Add the cocoa and stir.
In medium bowl beat eggs until frothy.
Add sugar, flour, salt, and vanilla (also nuts if you are using them).
Pour cocoa mixture over egg mixture and stir all together.
Put into a greased 8 x 8 pan. Preferably a heart shaped one. Bake for 30 minutes.

Old Fashioned Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
1 cup butter (room temperature
3 cups sugar (confectioners')
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
In a mixing bowl with electric mixer, combine the butter with confectioners' sugar. Beat on low speed until sugar is moistened, then beat on medium to high speed for about 2 minutes.
Add the vanilla and 1 tablespoon of milk or cream and beat until smooth. Beat in more milk or cream, as needed for spreading consistency. Add a few drops of red food coloring as well, to set the mood!

My Own Sweet Valentine

Like the sweetly budding rose,
Freshened by the gentle rain
Like the Evening Star that glows,
Brightest of the starry train

Like a well arranged Bouquet,
Where the fairest flowers combine,
Odours rich and colours gay,
Is my own Sweet Valentine

A Fantastic M & M Toffee Bark Recipe

It's the perfect treat for any holiday, but especially at Christmas time. The bark is graham cracker based mixed with a layer of hard and brittle toffee, a layer of peanut butter, then a layer chocolate and an extra special layer of M&M's® and red and green sprinkles for the topping. You cannot fail with this extra special treat. Your friends and family will eat this up in no time at all. You may have to make more.

We begin by buttering the pan, or cooking spray if you prefer. Add 1 cup each of butter and brown sugar to a pot, and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Next you layer the bottom of the pan with Graham Crackers, and pour in your boiled butter/brown sugar mixture. Bake for 4 minutes at 400 F.

Remove from oven and add 3/4 cup of peanut butter. You can spread it with a spatula, but as you can see...I did not. I'll leave that up to you. Place back into the oven for a minute, until the peanut butter is melted (about 1 minute).

Remove from oven and layer your chocolate on top (2 cups, and I used milk chocolate chips), and place back in oven until melted. This will probably take a minute or two. When the chocolate is melted you can then spread it out with a spatula.

When you are finished spreading the chocolate, sprinkle the M % M candies over the top, and add red and green sprinkles...just for fun. Cool at room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill completely. Once it is chilled completely you will be able to break the toffee bark into pieces. Then it's time to enjoy your work!

Old Style Texas Tornado Cake

Texas Tornado Cake

It may go by many names, but this wonderful cake with it's coconut and walnut frosting is moist, delicious, and very easy to make!
Texas tornado cake contains fruit and nuts, with coconut icing. It’s not clear when this cake was invented, or where it’s from. Some insist that “Texas tornado cake” is another name for an “earthquake cake.”

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs 3 cups fruit cocktail with liquid
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped nuts
Frosting:
1 Stick butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk 1 cup flaked coconut

Directions:
Cream together sugar, eggs, fruit cocktail, baking soda and flour. Pour into lightly greased and floured 13x9x2-inch cake pan. Mix brown sugar and nuts together and sprinkle onto unbaked batter in the pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown on top. While still hot, poke holes into the cake to allow the frosting to seep inside. Ice cake while hot.
Frosting Directions:
Boil margarine, sugar and milk 2 minutes. Stir in coconut. Spoon over cake as soon as cake is taken from the oven. I am sure you will be enjoying this delicious cake just as much as I, and others did!

No Butter Chewy Double Chocolate Chip Cookie

Chewy Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar (or brown sugar)
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:
Preheat oven at 350 Fahrenheit.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda.
In a separate bowl, combine the vegetable oil, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth.
Add the flour mixture into the wet mixture and blend. Fold in the chocolate chips. Take about one teaspoon of dough and drop the dough on a baking sheet.
Bake for about 10 minutes. Not only are they chewy on the inside, but the outside is crispy. You will love these!

The Making of a Blue Ribbon Butter Cake

A Blue Ribbon Butter Cake Recipe

The blue ribbon is a symbol of high quality. The association comes from The Blue Riband, a prize awarded for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by passenger liners and, prior to that from Cordon Bleu, which referred to the blue ribbon worn by a particular order of knights. In some fair competitions in the U.S., particularly 4-H and FFA livestock and horticultural events, blue ribbons may be awarded to any project or exhibit which meets or exceeds all of a competition's judging criteria.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk

BUTTER SAUCE:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup water
1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.
Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan. Bake at 350° for 65-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges and center tube of pan. Invert cake onto a wire rack over waxed paper.

For sauce, combine the sugar, butter and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat just until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat; stir in extracts.
Poke holes in the top of the warm cake; spoon 1/4 cup sauce over cake. Let stand until sauce is absorbed. Repeat twice. Poke holes into sides of cake; brush remaining sauce over sides. Cool completely.

Homemade Blueberry Snickerdoodle Bars

Blueberry Snickerdoodle Bars

If you feel guilty eating the traditional Snickerdoodle's you could try this delicious, and slightly healthier alternative! Blueberries are one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world and contain large levels and a broad range of antioxidants. So why not do yourself a favor, and try these today they are absolutely wonderful!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 Sticks Butter
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
2 teaspoons Vanilla
2 Cups Flour
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Cup Blueberries
For Topping:
2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
2 Teaspoons Cinnamon

Directions:
Heat oven to 350° F.
Spray or grease bottom only of a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon, and set aside.
In large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Beat in sugars. Gradually beat in eggs and vanilla into sugar mixture until combined. On low speed, beat in dry ingredients until combined. Fold in cup of blueberries, and pour into baking pan.
Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon for topping in a little bowl. Evenly sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over the top of the batter.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cherry Pie Bars

Cherry Pie Bars
You can bake up a pan of these cheery Cherry Bars in just 30 minutes with staple ingredients and pie filling.

A classic cherry dessert is almost like pie. Just a couple of cans of cherry pie filling and you have a delicious, and tasty treat.

Ingredients:
For the bars:
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 (21 oz.) cans cherry pie filling For the glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°.
In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. Gradually add flour.
Spread 3 cups dough into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Spread with pie filling.
Drop remaining dough by teaspoonfuls over filling. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
In a small bowl, mix confectioners’ sugar, extracts and enough milk to reach desired consistency; drizzle over top.

The Best White/Chocolate Cake Ever!

An Old Fashioned, Vintage White Cake with Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Wouldn't you just love a good old white/chocolate cake just like grandma use to make right now?

Ingredients:
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar.
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, melted.
2 tablespoons water.
2 large eggs.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour.
1/2 teaspoon baking powder.

Instructions:
PREHEAT oven to 350º F. Grease baking pan(s).
COMBINE granulated sugar, butter and water in large bowl. Stir in eggs and vanilla extract. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl; stir into sugar mixture. Stir in nuts. Spread into prepared baking pan(s).
BAKE for 18 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool completely in pan(s) on wire rack. Frost when cooled, and enjoy.

Frosting
Ingredients:
3 cups sifted powdered sugar, divided
2/3 cup baking cocoa
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
5 to 6 tablespoons milk, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
BEAT 1 cup powdered sugar, cocoa, butter, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in remaining sugar and milk until smooth. Makes 2 cups total.

Delicious Spiced Applesauce Bars

Spiced Applesauce Bars
So easy you can make them anytime for that warm and cozy feeling of home. Grandma would be proud, and your family will be very happy.

Ingredients:
For the Filling:
3 cups Applesauce plus 1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 Tbsp. all purpose flour
For the Crust:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
2 cups old fashioned oats + 1/2 cup old fashioned oats, and 1/4 cup flour (for top half of crust)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon

Instructions:
In a medium saucepan, combine the filling ingredients and cook on medium while mixing until it is thick and bubbly.
Turn off heat, and set aside to cool.
Pre heat the oven to 375 degrees.
Cream the butter and the brown sugar.
Mix in the 1 cup of flour and the 1/2 tsp. salt, then stir in the 2 cups of oats.
In a 9 x 13 baking dish, press 1/2 of this oat mixture into the bottom of the dish evenly with a wooden or plastic spoon.
Pour the cooled applesauce mixture and spread evenly on top of the crust.
Add the 1/2 cup oats, and 1/4 cup of flour to the remaining oat mixture, along with the nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix until crumbly. Break up and sprinkle the crumbles on top of the applesauce filling evenly.
Gently press down on top the applesauce.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Valentines Day: Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake Recipe

Nothing say's valentines Day like chocolate, at least for me, and nothing is baked as well as grandma use to do it. So for your happiest of days why not try this vintage old fashioned Chocolate cake recipe.

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup Cocoa Powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
*CHOCOLATE FROSTING (recipe below)

Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin, it's o.k.). Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with Chocolate Frosting.
2 LAYER CAKE: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch round baking pans. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost.

CHOCOLATE FROSTING
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2/3 cup Cocoa Powder
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.
I hope you enjoy this made from scratch chocolate cake as much as I did. Personally I think you will love it!