Wilton's Extra Special Buttercream Icing

This is the icing I like to use if I am going to do a fancier than normal cake.

2 cups solid shortening
2 lbs icing sugar (confectioners for you Americans!)
1/2 tsp. salt
1-2 tsp. clear vanilla (or your favourite flavour)
6-8 oz. whipping cream

Cream shortening until fluffy. Add sugar and continue creaming until well-blended. Add salt, flavouring and whipping cream; blend on low speed until moistened. Beat at high speed until icing is fluffy.

Extra Special Buttercream Icing needs to be refrigerated, both after it is made and when it is placed on the cake. It will keep 3-5 days in fridge.

***You may substitute 1 cup of butter plus 1 cup of shortening instead of using all shortening. Tastes better!!! (that's how I make mine) The only way I would do all shortening is if I was doing a really white cake. Also, in that case I would make sure I had clear vanilla.

American/Canadian translation: Icing IS Frosting....Frosting IS Icing

This is really good

Fettucine Alfredo Sauce

3/4 cup Butter (Melt in sauce pan)
Add: 1 Cup milk or heavy cream
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 TBSP Cream Cheese

Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder (or fresh), pinch of parsley

Toss any kind of pasta with it or even use this for chicken garlic pizza. Yum!

Best Sugar cookie recipe ever

Sugar Cookie Recipe



1/2 cup butter, 1 egg, 1 1/2 cups flour, pinch of salt, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp milk, 1Tsp baking powder, 1tsp vanilla. Cream together, cut in shapes and bake at 350 for 8 minutes.
HERE IS A GOOD TIP: I made these the other day and I didn't have any milk so I used 2 Tbsp of sour cream instead. They were fantastic. Also when you make your icing, add a tsp or two of almond extract to the icing. Yummm.

This recipe is unlike any other sugar cookie one I have ever made. It was amazing. Darren thought it was so good he ate almost all our valentine cookies on one shot and asked me to make more.

Spinach Lasagna

Here is the recipe for the Lasagna. It seemed like a lot of work the first time I made it but it really doesn't take that long. Just a note about the spinach: If you use frozen spinach then make sure it is completely thawed out, place it in a dish towel and wring all of the water out. Otherwise the lasagna will be too wet.

1/4 c. butter

2 garlic cloves (or seasoning)

1/2 c. flour

1 tsp salt

2 c milk

2 c. chicken broth

2 c. mozzarella cheese

1/2 c. parmesan cheese

1 chopped onion

1 tsp basil (if you have it)

1/2 tsp oregano (if you have it)

1/2 tsp pepper

9 lasagna noodles (partially cooked)

2 c. cottage cheese

2 c. cooked chicken cubed

2 10 oz pkg frozen spinach (I don't like using frozen because it looks slimy. If you go fresh make sure you use enough. It may seem like lots but spinach cooks down)

Saute onions, garlic and seasonings in butter. Mix in flour and then add milk and chiken broth. Stir (on med-low heat) until thick. Add parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, let melt slowly. Grease 9x13 pan. Put a little sauce in the bottom. Layer noodles, cottage cheese and sauce. Repeat two more times ending with sauce on top. Put spinach and chicken cubes on top. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Let set before cutting

Yummy Burrito's

Yummy Burritos

2lb ground beef/small onion

1 pkg. taco seasoning

¼ t pepper

¼ t oregano

parsley

1 c sour cream

2c cheese

½ c salsa….use half of cheese salsa mixture on top

2 T each each tortilla

15 min 350.

Butterscotch Pull aparts

Butterscotch pull aparts

20 frozen dinner rolls

1 sm pkg (cooked type) butterscoth pudding mix

(I can only find lg pkgs, so i just divide in half)

1/2 c marg

1/2 c brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Spray 1 bundt pan with pam. Put frozen rolls into pan and sprinkle pudding mix over rolls.

Combine melted marg, brown sugar & cinnamon.

Pour over rolls.

Cover pan with towel, leave in warm place and let rise 8 hours or overnight.

Bake 350 deg for 30 min.

If you don't have a bundt pan, try using a 9X12. if you use a smaller pan, make sure it is deep. If using a 9X12, use 24 rolls. (I found that 24 rolls in the bundt pan makes the sauce overflow in your oven!)

Crockpot Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff

Stewing Beef Cubes
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 packets of onion soup mix
Sour cream (maybe 1 cup ish)

Place the beef cubes in the crockpot. Pour the mushroom soup and onion soup mix over the meat. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. Once the meat is cooked and just before serving, stir in the sour cream, to your taste. Serve over cooked egg noodles.

Sometimes I use Cr Mush soup, french onion soup(can), consomme and dry onion soup mix....so good!!!

Keilbasa and Potatoes

KIELBASA AND POTATOES

1 U-shaped link of kielbasa sausage
Red Potatoes washed and quartered
Applesauce
Onions, thinly sliced

Place the potatoes in the bottom of the crockpot. Then slice the kielbasa in 1-2 inch slices and throw on top of the potatoes. Pour the applesauce and onions over the potatoes and sausage and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours OR on high for 3 to 4 hours. Serve with your favourite mustard!!! ***This can also be a freezer meal....Slice the sausage and place in a large ziploc bag with the applesauce and onions and FREEZE! When ready to use...just leave it in the fridge overnight the night before to thaw. To cook....just put potatoes in the crockpot, pour the sausage mixture on top and cook...so easy!!

Caramel Shortbread Squares

Caramel Shortbread Squares
(my Christmas MUST!)
1 1/4 cup flour
2/3 cup butter
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup sugar (white)
2 TBSP. corn syrup (light)
1 1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium mixing bowl, mix 2/3 cup butter, white sugar and flour till crumbly. Press into a 9 inch square pan and bake 20 min. Meanwhile in a 2 QT saucepan, combine 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk. Bring to a boil over med. heat. Continute boiling for 5 min stirring frequently. Remove from heat and beat vigorously w/ wooden spoon. Pour over baked crust. ...crust can be warm or cool. Cool until it begins to firm. Melt the chocolate and pour over caramel layer...cover the layer completely. Chill. Cut into 48 squares because it is rich!!!! I like to store them in the fridge too.

Sticky Chewy Popcorn

Sticky Chewy Popcorn

2 1/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
dash salt

Stir everything but vanilla and salt to soft ball stage. Add vanilla and salt. Pour over popcorn.(Use 3 gallons of popped popcorn)

I'm pretty sure I got this from Grandma Leavitt

Yummy Pineapple Cake

Yummy Pineapple Cake

One Yellow cake mix (any kind)

Cook as directed in 9x13 pan.

Immediately upon removal from oven, pour a large can of crushed pineapple (juice also) evenly over cake.Cool…then prepare a large box of instant vanilla pudding and spread over cake.Spread Cool Whip over the pudding layer.Refrigerate.May sprinkle toasted coconut, roasted almond slices, maraschino cherries or anything. Else appropriate on top!!

Skor Cake

Skor Chocolate Cake

One chocolate cake mix (any kind)

Cook as directed in 9x13 pan.
Immediately upon removal from oven poke holes all over the cake with round wooden spoon handle (about an inch apart). Quickly drizzle ½ a can of sweetened condensed milk and ½ a can of caramel ice cream topping over the top of cake.Cool..then spread Cool Whip over cake.Crush a skor bar and sprinkle over cake.Refrigerate….

Microwave Fudge

Microwave Fudge Recipe

2 c Miniature marshmallows
14 oz Can condensed milk
1 ds Salt
12 oz Semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c Milk chocolate chips
1/2 c Nuts
1 1/2 ts Vanilla

In 2 qt. glass measure, combine marshmallows, milk, and salt. Microcook on HIGH 3-4 minutes. Stir until marshmallows melt and mixture is smooth. Add chips and stir until melted. Stir in nuts (may use up to 1 cup) and vanilla. Line 8 or 9 inch square pan with wax paper. Spread fudge evenly in pan. Chill 2 hours, until firm. Turn on to cutting board, peel off paper and cut into squares. **I don't use nuts***Serves 32

Bran Refrigerator Muffins

BRAN REFRIGERATOR MUFFINS

2 cups boilng water
6 cups bran
4 cups buttermilk
1 cup oil
3 cups sugar
5 egg whites
4 cups flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
5 tsp. baking soda

1) In large bowl pour water over bran.2) Add buttermilk and let stand 5 minutes3) Stir in oil and sugar.4) Beat in egg whites 1 at a time until blended.5) Sift flours and baking soda.6) Stir into batter just enough to moisten..DO NOT OVER STIR!!!!7) Store in the fridge in a covered container for up to 4 weeks.Bake @ 375F for 15 to 20 min.***These are awesome to have handy....with the batter pre-prepared, it is nice to wake up in the morning and stick a batch in the oven...yummy hot muffins every morning!!!

Straight from MOM!

Cherry Loaf

Cherry Loaf

1/4 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
CREAM TOGETHER
Add 1/4 tsp. almond extract and
1-10 oz jar maraschino cherries, cut in half or quarters.

Pour cherry juice in measuring cup and add enough milk to make 1 cup of liquid.Add 2 1/2 tsp.baking powder to 2 cups of flour. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk mixture to the egg mixture.Pour into a greased bread tin.BAKE for 1 hour @ 300F.HINT- I add a litle red food coloring to the batter to make the loaf a pink color!

Garlic Pizza Crust

Garlic Pizza Crust
2 Tbsp. yeast
2 c tepid water (90*)
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 c oil
1 tsp. salt
5 1/2 - 6 cups flour
3 cloves crushed garlic
Dissolve yeast in water and add sugar. Wait a few minutes then add oil and salt and garlic. Mix in 3 cups flour and mix about 10 min till it leaves the side of the mixer bowl. Add remaining flour with dough hook or by hand. Knead until smooth. Section and place in freezer bags (if desired).

To BAKE OPTION #1: Remove from freezer and place dough into greased bowl. Cover with towel and allow to thaw and rise for 3 - 6 hours. Allow to rise twice in the bowl. Punch down. Oil baking sheets using fingers press out to edges. Makes 2 pizzas, cookie sheet size. Let rise a bit and top. Bake at 425* for 20 min. This makes 2 cookie sheet sized or 12 after school snack size.

This is great for freezing.

BLACK FOREST CHEESECAKE BROWNIEs

FUDGY BROWNIES
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter/margarine, melted
1 cup cocoa
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

~Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the melted butter and stir in the cocoa. Blend in the sugar, eggs and vanilla.
Pour batter into greased 13 x 9 x 2 pan and bake at 350F for 30 mins (although you should keep an eye on them close to the end, because they easily burn and oven temperatures and times for heating vary). Cool and put topping on.

Now the TOPPING: (So fattening I'm sure, but to die for)
1 brick of cream cheese
1 tub of cool whip
icing sugar to taste
can of cherry pie filling

(just put the 1st 2 ingredients in a bowl and mix them and add icing sugar until you like the taste of it)
~Spread on top of cooled off brownies. Then pour a can of cherry pie filling on top and spread around.

Bruchetta Chicken

Bruschetta Chicken Bake

This recipe is quickly becoming one of my Favorites. It is SOO easy! (The picture is from a Kraft Canada Magazine)



1 Can Aylmer Accents Italian Stewed
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 pkg Stove Top stuffing mix for Chicken
1 1/2 LB chicken breast(cut up into strips or left whole)
1 tsp basil
1 cup Mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 400F. Place tomatoes in a medium bowl Add the garlic and stuffing mix to the tomatoes, mix and set aside.

Place chicken in a 13x9 inch baking dish; sprinkle with basil and cheese. Top with the stuffing mixture.

Bake 30-60 minutes OR until the chicken is 180.C.

Our new site

Lisa and I thought it would be fun to have a blog to post recipes. We spend so much of our time providing meals and snacks for our families that it is always great to get new ideas. We are thinking that anyone can just post whatever kind of recipe they want and if someone wants a theme they can post what the theme is and we can add that type of recipe if we have one.