• Recipes: Homemade M&M Cookies

    P1480787c

    Fresh out-of-the-oven Homemade M&M Cookies

    There is something comforting about walking into the house and the smell of freshly baked cookies.  It is welcoming, not to mention the delicious taste when you sink your teeth into a warm fresh cookie as it melts in your mouth.  I remember as a kid when we would get off the school bus sometimes my Mom would be pulling a fresh batch of cookies out of the oven for us to enjoy.  No matter how crazy school had been that day you knew you would feel better after Mom’s homemade cookies!

    Our kids don’t ride the school bus so they don’t get to experience that “get off the school bus and encounter freshly baked cookies sensation” however, I do try to bring them homemade cookies, send it with them in their lunches, or make them at times when they are home.  It is nice to surprise them with a special treat every once in awhile.  Sometimes if they are playing outside I will make up a quick batch and the next time they come inside they get to sink their teeth into the hot cookies.

    M&M Cookie Recipe:

    •  2/3 cup Margarine
    • 2/3 cup Butter Flavored Crisco
    • 1 cup Sugar
    • 1 cup Brown Sugar
    • 2 Eggs
    • 1 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
    • 1/2 teaspoon imitation Rum Extract
    • 3 cups Flour
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 1 package Chocolate Chips

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix the margarine, crisco, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, rum and eggs together.  Then add the dry ingredients (flour, salt, and baking soda) and mix.  Fold in the M&M’s.  Grease the baking sheet.  Drop by small spoonfuls onto the baking sheet.  Bake for 9 to 11 minutes depending on the oven.  Serves 3 to 4 dozen.

    Recipes - Chocolate Chip Cookies - M&M Cookies - No Bake CookiesP1480779c

    Another batch ready to go into the oven!  The house is smelling good….

  • Family Recipe: Mom’s Baked Steak

    Layered and ready to go in the oven for our Baked Steak dinner!

    A few weeks ago Jake asked me if I could make my “Mom’s Baked Steak” recipe for dinner.  Unfortunately I couldn’t find her recipe.  She was at a conference that day and was unable to call me until later so we pulled one from online that seemed similar, it was good but not like Moms.  I wrote it down this time so the next time I pick up Cube Steak I can make it for him without scrambling around trying to get the recipe!  It is a great Fall / Winter Recipe because it cooks for awhile.  She does it from memory so it was fun putting together the recipe.

    Mom’s Baked Steak:

    • 1 pound of Cube Steaks (about 4)
    • 1 cup Flour
    • Dash of Salt
    • Dash of Pepper
    • 1 to 3 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 can Cream of Mushroom
    • 1 can Mushrooms or slice Fresh Mushrooms (optional)

    1.  Put half a can of the Cream of Mushroom and Mushrooms on the bottom of a 9 x 13 pyrex dish.

    2.  Put Olive Oil in a pan heat on medium heat.  Mix the flour with a dash of salt and pepper.  Coat both side of the Cube Steaks with the flour mixture and place in oil for about 30 seconds on each side.  (The point is to sear the juices into the cube steak not to cook it).

    3.  Place the seared Cube Steaks on top of the cream of mushroom sauce in the pyrex.  Add the remaining can of Cream of Mushroom and Mushrooms on top of the cube steaks.

    4.  Cover and Bake at 350 for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the steaks are tender.

    Mom’s Baked Steaks make a great meal for a cooler day!  Plus you can have a delicious steak with a less expensive cut of meat.   If you want a more hearty meal you can add rice.

     

  • Family Recipe: Renelle’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

    My cousin Renelle was the closest thing to a sister I had growing up.  I grew up with three brothers so it was always a special treat to spend time with Renelle!  We use to spend at least a week every summer hanging out together since I lived in Kansas and she lived in Colorado.  She is an amazing cook and her Chocolate Chip Cookies are a favorite in our family!  Hope you enjoy them as much we have over the years!

     Renelle’s Chocolate Chip Cookies:

    •  2/3 cup Margarine
    • 2/3 cup Butter Flavored Crisco
    • 1 cup Sugar
    • 1 cup Brown Sugar
    • 2 Eggs
    • 1 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
    • 1/2 teaspoon imitation Rum Extract
    • 3 cups Flour
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 1 package Chocolate Chips

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix the margarine, crisco, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, rum and eggs together.  Then add the dry ingredients (flour, salt, and baking soda) and mix.  Fold in the chocolate chips.  Drop by small spoonfuls onto the baking sheet.  Bake for 9 to 11 minutes depending on the oven.  Serves 3 to 4 dozen.

    I use the same recipe when making M&M cookies as well!

    Thanks Renelle for sharing your recipe and for being such a wonderful part of our lives.  You are a true treasure, encouragement, and friend!!!

    Photo by SeriousBri

  • Family Recipe: Great Grandma Conklin’s Pecan Crescents

    This is a recipe we received from my husband’s side of the family and it is delicious!!!  The recipe comes from Great Grandma Conklin! It is a sweet crescent roll with a touch of pecan.

    Pecan Crescents:

    • 1 cup Butter
    • 1 1/3 cups pecans finely chopped
    • 6 tablespoons Confection Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
    • 2 cups Flour
    • 1/8 teaspoon Salt

    Blend all the ingredients well.  Roll a tablespoon of dough into a ball and shape into a crescent.  Place on lightly greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes at 350.  Roll in confectioner sugar while warm.

    Photo by Neeta Lind