Cooking - for a new lifestyle (Our Test Kitchen)

2 eggs 1 cup coconut oil {or oil or butter} 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda diced apples (mine were frozen) caramel topping - optional walnuts - optional Preheat oven to 350 degrees Grease a 9×13 inch rectangular cake pan Beat oil and eggs until creamy Add sugar and vanilla and beat well Combine flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda together in a bowl Slowly add flour mixture to the egg mixture and mix until thoroughly combined The batter will be very thick Fold in half of the diced apples Spread half the batter into the prepared pan Spread 1/4 of the leftover apples Spread the rest of the batter onto those apples Top with the last of the apples I added a few crushed walnuts on top I drizzled some caramel topping over the top Bake for 45 minutes or until cake is done in the center. Cool. No caramel sauce on hand??? Caramel Glaze for the...

I made these last year by a request of a friend who didn't get his yearly amount. Let's just say that people have since been pestering for more. (Photo will be posted after the recent batch) Ingredients -4 cups icing sugar -1.5 cups peanut butter -1 tsp vanilla extract -1 tsp maple extract (I've been using rum extract as we don't have the maple) -1/4 cup butter -2 cups of chocolate chips (This amount changes depending on how many of the balls get made) Directions Combine the butter, peanut butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and maple flavoring. Cream well and knead well. Form the dough into 1 inch balls and set onto cookie sheet with wax paper. (I put them in the freezer for 24 hours to help keep formation.) Melt the chocolate chips over low heat or in the microwave. To ensure the chocolate doesn't harden too soon on you, do it 1 cup at a time. Dip into melted chocolate chips before placing back on the...

So, I was emptying my baking cupboard (as I do every November) and found some muffin mixes.  Today's easy dessert is made from a banana muffin mix. I am calling it the ELVIS special. 1 - 220g banana muffin mix 1 egg 1/2 cup cold water 1/4 cup powdered milk 1/3 cup of peanut butter (all I had left in the conatiner) Mix well and pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. Remove immediately to cool. (I use glass loaf pans so mine keep cooking if I do not) 1/3 container of vanilla icing (its what I had left or make some) I used a 1/4 cup "sweet caramel sprinkle" from Pampered Chef I had http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=16633&catId=12 (nuts, toffee chips and cinnamon) Mix well.  Put cake back into the baking pan when cool. Ice right in the baking dish. This was an amazing surprise mix of tastes. Definite do over. Could definitely used an over ripe banana but I didn't have any! "BON APPET...

1/2 cup jalepeno jelly (I used spicy chili thai sauce) Heat jelly on medium in a sauce pan until melted. Add: 1/4 cup frozen orange juice 1/4 cup terriyaki sauce 1 tsp minced garlic 1 tsp curry powder Remove from heat and stir well. In a rectangular greased casserole dish, place: 3 cups of cubed sweet potato 2 cups coarsely chopped onion 1 can pineapple drained (I used frozen pinapple) 1 1/2 cups diced green pepper Pour in 1/2 of the sauce mixture and stir. Using 6 chicken thighs (chicken breast or equivalent amount of any form of chicken) Place on the mixture. (I used 3 boneless chicken breasts sliced into thin strips) Baste the chicken in the remaining sauce. Bake in oven at 350 for about 1 hour. I served on jasmine rice. JUDY LOVES IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "Bon Appetit!"

1/2 can of cherry pie filling 3 cups frozen raspberries/blackberries  (I used both) 1/4 cup brown sugar 1tsp Epicure Maple dip mix bring above to mild boil on med heat. Pour mixture into a greased loaf pan. 1 cup of sifted flour 1/4 cup granulated sugar 2 tspbaking powder (I sifted it with tthe flour) 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup of refrigerated butter can use hard margarine Mix dry ingredients and cut in butter. (I used a pastry mixer/masher thing!) When combined, add cold milk until the mixture is moistened 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk. Drop by spoonful over berry mixture Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes in a 350 degree oven. (it suggest 400 but that is really hot). Serve with whip cream, ice cream or heavy cream. Serves 6-8. Reviews were amazing. "Bon Appetit!"