Cheese Cake

This is by far the best cheese cake recipe. I got this recipe from my sister Abby. It is my husband's birthday and this is what he requested, and it had to be this recipe! It is great plain or with fruit or chocolate topping.

Cheese Cake

Crust

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup melted butter
3 T sugar

mix all together and press into a pie pan

Filling

2 - 8 oz packages cream cheese, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 t vanilla
2 eggs

mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla together. Add eggs one at a time. Beat until smooth and pour into pie crust. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until set. cool and then refrigerate until chilled.

Oatmeal Muffins

My mom used to make these when I was growing up. I love that the smell of them makes my house seem so warm and loved. My kids absolutely love these! I like to make them with whole wheat flour instead of all purpose, but they are great both ways. And they are so quick and easy to throw together, I just love them!

Oatmeal Muffins

1 cup oats
1 cup buttermilk

Mix these together and then add:

1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg

mix again and then add:

1 cup flour or whole wheat flour
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 t baking powder

mix until combined. Pour into greased or lined muffin tin. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 12 muffins

Cinnamon Rolls

In our house cinnamon rolls are only made about 3 times a year on very special occasions. This past weekend happened to one of those. I use my wonderful sister-in-law Adena's roll recipe. It is by far my favorite and also makes great dinner rolls. But, let's be honest, is there anything better than a hot, sticky cinnamon roll?!

Cinnamon Rolls

Dough
2 cups warm water
3/4 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 T salt
3 eggs
1 1/2 T yeast
6-7 cups flour

Filling
1/2 cup butter softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 T cinnamon
1/2 Cup walnuts, chopped

Icing
1/2 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 oz cream cheese
1 t vanilla
pinch of salt

Dissolve yeast in water. Add the rest of the ingredients and two cups of the flour. Mix until smooth. Continue adding more of the flour until the dough holds together but is still sticky. Use this dough as sticky as you can handle. Knead until smooth. Let rise until double. Knock down and roll into a rectangle. Spread butter on dough and cover with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts. Roll the dough the short way so you have a long roll. Cut the cinnamon rolls with a piece of floss by sliding it under the roll and crossing the two ends and pulling. This will make about 24 or more rolls. Place rolls on a pan covered in parchment paper. Cover and let rise until they are puffy. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until they are light brown and cooked through. Spread icing on them while they are still hot. Serve warm.

Birthday Cupcakes

I just love cupcakes! I haven't made them in forever, but my little baby just turned one so I figured it was a good excuse. The recipe I used, I can't remember where I first got it, I think off the internet. The original recipe calls for chocolate cake and chocolate pudding but I used this recipe with yellow cake and vanilla pudding and it was great! The cupcake are dense and moist, just how I like them. The chocolate version is equally as good. Next time you are making a cake or cupcakes give this gussied up version of a boxed cake mix a try!

Birthday Cupcakes

1 box yellow or chocolate cake mix
1-4 serving box vanilla or chocolate instant pudding
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup oil

Mix all ingredients according to box directions. Bake at 350 for 17-22 minutes. Cool completely and frost with Butter Cream Frosting.

Crockpot Chicken

This has been a staple in our house for awhile now. A basic recipe but always a hit and it couldn't be easier!

Crockpot Chicken

1 can cream of chicken soup
1-8 0z package cream cheese
1 package italian dressing mix
2-4 skinless boneless chicken breasts (I use frozen and don't even defrost!)

Mix these together with electric mixer and spread over chicken in crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours. This is for frozen chicken, could be less if chicken is NOT frozen. Serve over cooked rice or noodles.

Breakfast Biscuits

My friend Abby just made some like this for dinner and it reminded me of some that we used to make growing up for breakfast. These are so great because they fit in your hand and kids love that. Also great for a husband running out the door! You can really put whatever you want inside but here is what I do...

Breakfast Biscuits

your favorite biscuit recipe (store bought or homemade, I used bisquick)
onion
bell pepper
bacon
eggs
cheese

Chop and cook bacon. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook until just turning soft. beat eggs and add to bacon, onion, and peppers. Cook unitl eggs are done. Salt and pepper to taste. Flatten out one biscuit, add egg mixture and cheese and top with second flattened biscuit. Seal edges with a fork. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 or until biscuits are cooked and golden brown.

Chopped Chicken Salad

This is a great recipe, so flavorful and fresh. Do you ever have left over BBQ chicken that you don't know what to do with? Well, this salad will make you BBQ a few extra pieces just to be sure you have leftovers. Besides, once the chicken is cooked this is the easiest dinner you will make all week! Now what is not to love about that?

Chopped Chicken Salad

1/2 head iceberg lettuce
1/2 head romain lettuce
1/2 bunch cilantro
6-8 fresh basil leaves
2 green onions
2 tomatoes
1 avocado
1 can black beans, drained
1 cup frozen corn
2 pieces grilled BBQ chicken, cold
shredded jack cheese
ranch dressing
BBQ sauce
crushed tortilla chips

chop all the veggies and chicken. Saute corn in olive oil until lightly browned and let cool. Toss the first 11 ingredients together. Top with ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, and crushed chips.