Joy in the Kitchen!

Delectable!   I snagged this recipe from Angie, who got it from Lindsay.  I don't know where Lindsay got it, other than I think her Mom made it when she was growing up.  Where do these fabulous recipes come from anyway?  Several years in a row Angie brought our family a plate of homemade treats at Christmas time.  I loved this fudge so much I finally called her to get the recipe.  I wrote fast while she read the recipe to me over the phone. (a lot of my recipes are like this)  Here's my personal shorthand version: PB Fudge 3 Cu butter 6 C. sugar 1 can evap M 3 C. pb 1 tsp van lg or 2 sm marsh cr. There you have it. :)  Probably not the recipe version I should pass down for generations.  At least now that I'm posting this on my blog, they'll have a translation and better directions.  Once the translations from my scribbles are done, Peanut Butter Fudge is fairly easy to make.  I like to pour it into a large jel...

Happy Birthday to my 10 year old daughter!  At our home, the birthday traditions include choosing your own birthday cake/dessert and the menu for dinner.   Nicole has been wanting a cake like an Almond Joy candy bar.  Coconut, almonds, chocolate.  I've never tried a cake like that but, a few weeks ago we bought a quart jar of Coconut Creme Spread from Costco.  (I was going to post a link to it, but it isn't listed on the Trailblazer Foods/Wall Berry Farm website).  It is a deliciously creamy spread with real coconut.  Not too sweet or thick.  I figured I could do a chocolate cake, split the layers, spread with coconut creme spread and some sort of chocolate for frosting.   I decided on ganache for the chocolate part. I can't give you a "recipe" for the whole thing, but directions if you're interested in trying something similar.  Almond Joy Cake Mix 1 box of devils food cake mix (brand of your choice ...

I just finished up a batch of CRACKer Candy . (also known as Better Than Money Toffee)  Keeley, my newly married daughter, needed the recipe so I thought I'd go ahead and post it here even though you can find it in varying forms everywhere these days.  I found it in a old church cookbook before I was married.  I guess this has been around for a long time. Probably since saltines were invented. Yes, I'm sure at least that long. This stuff is addicting!  My goodness! How can you go wrong with butter, sugar, and chocolate?   My Mom has an old fashioned toffee recipe that is delicious but you have to do just right or it doesn't turn out.  It's rare that this "cheater" sort of toffee fails!  I've often made 3 or 4 batches each year.  Thankfully I only feel compelled to make this at Christmas time or we'd need to widen our doorways. ;) CRACKer Candy Heat oven to 400 degrees . Line a cookie sheet with foil.  I use a jelly...

My husband Dave is the best fudge maker ever. :)  I don't even attempt his fudge recipe.  However, before he started making his delicious cooked fudge, we found this recipe for Cream Cheese Fudge in an old church cookbook.  It has few ingredients and is easy enough for an inexperienced cook to make!  The dough is pliable and can be rolled and cut into shapes if you use a little cooking spray or some powdered sugar on your counter to keep it from sticking.  You could also roll this in balls and then in sprinkles for a different presentation. I think this tastes best after sitting a day or so to mellow but it can be eaten as soon as it cools enough to cut easily. Cream Cheese Fudge 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 3/4 C. powdered cocoa (1 C. if you like a stronger chocolate flavor) 1 tsp. vanilla dash of salt 5 C. powdered sugar 1 C. chopped nuts, optional Mix cocoa and sugar until lumps in cocoa are dissolved.  Cream in cheese, add vanilla and n...

We made Cinnamon Streusel Snack Cake for Family Home Evening treat last night and I realized I haven't shared this recipe on my blog yet!  If you like cinnamon, you'll want to try this!  This delicious snack cake (or coffee cake) has been a favorite of our family for many years!  My sister Beverly made it when I was expecting my first baby.  I just craved it through that pregnancy.  27 years later I still love it!  I love the heavy texture and the crunchy cinnamon topping.   My favorite way to eat this is with a nice scoop of good chocolate ice cream. (and a spoon!)   Mmmmm!!!     This is quick to make and serves nice warm or cold. Cinnamon Streusel Snack Cake Batter: 2 C. flour 1 C. sugar 3 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 1/3 C. margarine or butter, softened 1egg 1/2 tsp. vanilla Beat until well combined. Streusel: 1/2 C. chopped walnuts 1/3 C. brown sugar 1/4 C. flour 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 3 T. fir...

I'm not sure where Mom got the recipe for this relish, but it was written on the back of a 1960 TV listings sheet.   Reading what was on TV in 1960 was pretty interesting!  Did you know there was nothing on until 8a.m. and the last programing was done by 10:30p.m.   Ah... those were the days!  (though it was before my time so I don't remember it... just sounds lovely!)    Sometime I'll have to borrow that paper and list the programs.  So fun! Anyway - this relish was a staple in my house as I grew up.  It is great on hot dogs or with sandwiches or roast beef.  It's sweet like bread and butter pickles and nice and crunchy.  Mom has made some and shared with me through the years.  It's time I made it on my own!  I've got about a bushel and a half of green tomatoes to use! Mom used to borrow a hand grinder that ground fairly course.  You can't put the veggies in a blender or it will be too fine....

We've had a beautiful, mild fall this year!  Only one light frost in August and then some wonderfully warm days that allowed the garden to produce several weeks past what we usually expect.  I am especially thankful for extra tomatoes!  I've had enough to do 24 pints of salsa and 7 quarts of tomatoes so far.  I'll get another 7 quarts of tomatoes at least off of what is ready tomorrow. There is a freeze forecast in a couple of days.  Time to bring in produce that I want to keep.  Today the kids helped and we picked ripe tomatoes, all the green/red peppers, tomatillo's, green chili's, yellow squash, zucchini, pumpkins, cantaloupe, and winter squash.   We dug all of the onions and set them out on a tarp to set the skins and let them dry. We are so blessed this year with a great harvest!  I took pictures of some of it to share with you.  I was AMAZED at the size on a couple of the onions and green peppers.  Hate to even cut into...