Cheddar Bacon Dip

Ingredients:
1 cup sour cream
1 cup miracle whip
1 packet ranch dressing mix
1/4 cup bacon bits
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese


Directions:
Mix all ingredients together.  Serve with tortilla chips, vegetables, or crackers.

***Also, try topping with lettuce and or tomatoes for a "BLT dip"

Cucumber Party Sandwiches

Ingredients:

1 pkg (8 oz cream cheese), softened

2 Tbsp dry Italian salad dressing mix

2 Tbsp mayonnaise

30 slices snack rye bread

30 thin slices cucumbers

Dill weed

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, dressing mix & mayo.  Let stand for at least 30 minutes.

Spread on rye bread.  Top each piece with a slice of cucumber & top with sprinkles of dill.  Cover and refrigerate until serving.

...If you're not a cucumber fan, try it without--they are just as tasty!

Monster Bars

This is my mom's recipe, and they are *so* addicting.  I generally eat them for breakfast, afternoon snack, and dessert. You can easily make monster cookies out of this dough, but let's face it: the bars are way easier.

1 stick margarine
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups peanut butter
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking soda
4-1/2 cups oatmeal
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup M&Ms (or any chopped candy: I use candy cane Hershey Kisses, crushed candy bars...whatever you have on hand will work well)

Mix all ingredients in order.  Press in pan (I use an 11x18" pan, so the bars should be thin).  Bake at 350* for 15 minutes.

Strawberry Cake

This recipe is great and festive.  If you like strawberries, you will love this recipe!

Cake

Ingredients:
-1 box white cake mix
-3 Tbsp flour
-1 box strawberry jello
-1/2 cup water
-3/4 cup vegetable oil
-1 cup frozen strawberries, thawed and chopped
-4 eggs

Directions:

Combine cake mix, flour, Jello water, and oil.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well in between. Add strawberries and beat well. Pour batter into greased and floured 9×13 pan.

Bake at 350* for about 45 minutes.

Icing: Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:
-4 Tbsp butter, softened
-1/2 pkg cream cheese (4 oz), softened
-1/2 cup frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and chopped

Directions:

Mix all ingredients well.  Frost on cake after cake has completely cooled.

-3 cups powdered sugar

(pictured: cake after frosting)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

This take a little while to make, but is easy (I promise), and it's a nice kick on 2 favorites!


Brownies:
Mix up a batch of your favorite brownies.  Yes, you can use a box.  Pour dough into a greased 9x13 pan.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough:

1/2 c. (1 stick) butter
1/2 c.. sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1-1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c.  chocolate chips

Beat all ingredients until mixed well.  Drop cookie dough by spoonfuls onto the brownie batter. 

Bake for 35-40 minutes at 350* preheated oven (do the "toothpick test").  When they’re done, take them out and let them cool completely (for about an hour) before cutting.  

Pepperoni Rolls

One word: awesome!

Ingredients

1 loaf frozen white bread (we use Rhode's brand)
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup cheddar cheese
12-15 slices pepperoni (we use the bigger deli style)
1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp melted margarine

Directions:

Allow dough to thaw for a few hours.

Preheat oven to 375*.  When dough has completely thawed, roll flat, using a rolling pin, into a square (try 10x10 approximate).

After the dough has been rolled into a square, brush olive oil on surface.  Then, place a layer of pepperoni.  On top of this, add the cheeses and seasonings (Italian & garlic powder).

Then, roll the dough (it should look like a log).  Place on a baking sheet and brush melted butter on top.

Bake for 15-18 minutes.  The roll should look golden brown.  Serve with pizza sauce for dipping.

Oreo Candy Cane Bark

Tis' the Season...

Ingredients:
3 pkgs (6-oz each) Bakers Premium White Baking Chocolate
2 cups chopped Oreos
1/4 cup crushed candy canes

Directions:
Cover baking sheet with foil.  Set aside.

Microwave chocolate in bowl for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.  Stir in chopped cookies.

Spread immediately onto prepared baking sheet.  Sprinkle with crushed candy canes (press candy lightly into chocolate with back of a spoon).

Refrigerate for approximately 4 hours.  Break into pieces after firm.  Store in refrigerator.

Chili Cheese Dip

Another easy recipe that includes--yes--Velveeta :)

Ingredients:
1 lb (16-oz) Velveeta
1 can chili (with or without beans--we use Hormel with beans)

Directions:
Mix ingredients in crock pot for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Serve with tortilla chips.