Ingredients:

3/4 cup whole milk Tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 stick unsalted butter (6 Tablespoons softened, 2 Tablespoons melted)

2 large eggs

4 cups flour, plus more for dusting

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 cup light brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 cup pecan halves

Glaze:

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

6 Tablespoons unsalted butter

3 Tablespoons Scotch whiskey

2 1/2 teaspoons condensed milk

2 Tablespoons water

2 Tablespoons creme fraiche

1 1/2 teaspoons corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

***

Directions:

1. Make the dough: In a glass measuring cup, heat the milk in a microwave until warm, 1 minute. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a paddle, combine the warm milk with the yeast. Add the granulated sugar and the 6 Tablespoons softened butter and mix at medium speed until the butter is broken up, 1 minute. Beat in the eggs one at a time, Add the flour and salt and mix at low speed until incorporated, about 2 minutes longer. Scrape the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature

for 30 minutes.

***

Preheat the oven to 325. Spray a standard 12 cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.

***

On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough out to a 9 by 24 inch rectangle. In a small bowl, mix the light brown sugar with the cinnamon. Brush the 2 Tablespoons melted butter over the dough and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar. Beginning at a long edge, roll up the dough as tightly as possible and pinch the seam. Cut the log into twelve 2-inch pieces and set them in the muffin cups, cut side up. Cover and let stand in a warm place for 30 minutes.

***

Set the muffin pan on a baking sheet and bake 25 to 30 minutes, until the buns are golden brown. Spread the pecans in a pie plate and toast 10 minutes until fragrant. Let cool and coarsely chop the nuts.

***

MEANWHILE MAKE THE GLAZE: In a small saucepan, bring the brown sugar, butter, Scotch, condensed milk, water, creme fraiche and corn syrup to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. remove from the heat and stir in the salt, vanilla, and baking powder.

***

Unmold the buns. Pour the glaze over the hot buns and sprinkle with the pecans. Let stand until the buns have soaked up some of the glaze and are cool enough to eat, about twenty minutes. Serve warm.

Yield 12 Buns.

    *  3 eggs
    * 1/2 cup water
    * 2 cups self-rising flour
    * 1 teaspoon black pepper
    * 1 to 2 1/2 pound   chicken , cut into pieces
    * Crisco shortening for frying

Directions:

Beat eggs with water. In another dish, add just enough self-rising flour to coat all the chicken; add black pepper to flour.

Dip seasoned chicken in egg, then coat each piece with flour mixture. Melt the shortening in a cast iron dutch oven. Fry chicken in moderately hot shortening (350 degrees) until golden and crisp.

Remember that dark meat requires longer cooking time—about 13 to 14 minutes, compared to 10 minutes for white meat. Note: Paula's grandma said to always season the chicken and return it to the fridge, and let it sit as long as time permits…2 to 3 hours.

Paula's secret: She adds hot sauce to the eggs!

Source:  Foodnetwork.com

You can buy this online for $35.00, or you can make it yourself.  Here’s the recipe -

    * 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
    * 3 cups sugar
    * 1 cup sour cream
    * 3 cups all-purpose flour
    * 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    * 6 eggs
    * 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream butter and sugar together; add sour cream. Sift flour and baking soda together. Add to creamed mixture, alternately with eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Add vanilla. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan and bake for 1 hour 20 minutes.

Source:  Foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) brick cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 stick butter, at room temperature
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (18-ounce) box moist chocolate cake mix
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the egg. Then beat in the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls. Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner's sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes. The cookies will remain soft and "gooey." Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar, if desired.

Source: foodnetwork.com

Ryan is a huge fan of the Snickerdoodle.  And I’ve lost my recipe!  The one we made forever, they were big and thick and chewy, so I’m always searching for a new one.  I made these for him when they were home last weekend, he declared them a winner.  Personally, I thought they were too flat, but he liked them because they were so chewy, and he liked the addition of brown sugar.  I’m posting this, so we have it in the archives, I’m sure he is going to be wanting it.  If you like a flat, chewy cookie, this one’s for you, but if any of you have a killer Snickerdoodle that is fat and chewy, send it to me, please.  ~ jan

This is a small recipe, so I doubled it -

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (I used light brown)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Topping

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350,

Cream wet ingredients, add dry and roll in 1-1/2 tablespoon size balls.  roll in topping bake 10-12 minutes until edges just start to brown.  Don’t overbake.

This recipe got great reviews. I like the addition of nutmeg to the dough. This one is a must try, ladies.  ~ jan
Almost-Famous Cinnamon Rolls
Adapted from the recipe at Food Network
Makes 6 enormous rolls, or 8 huge rolls
For the Dough:
1 cup whole milk
1 1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast
1/4 cup plus 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the bowl
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
For the Filling:
All-purpose flour, for dusting
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus more for the pan
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/3 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Make the dough: Warm the milk in a medium saucepan over low heat until it reaches about 100. Remove from the heat and sprinkle in the yeast and 1/4 teaspoon sugar (don’t stir). Set aside until foamy, 5 minutes. Whisk in the melted butter, egg yolk and vanilla.
Whisk the flour, the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, the salt and nutmeg in the bowl of a stand mixer. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed with the dough hook until thick and slightly sticky. Knead on medium speed until the dough gathers around the hook, 6 minutes. (Add up to 2 more tablespoons flour if necessary).
Remove the dough and shape into a ball. Butter the mixer bowl and return the dough to the bowl, turning to coat with butter. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, 1 hour 15 minutes.
Roll out the dough, fill and cut into buns (*see instructions below*). Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan; place the buns cut-side down in the pan, leaving space between each. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, 40 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325.
Bake the buns until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Cool in the pan 15 minutes. Meanwhile, make the glaze: Sift the confectioners’ sugar into a bowl, then whisk in the cream and melted butter. Transfer the buns to a rack and spoon the glaze on top while still warm.
*How to Form Cinnamon Buns*
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 12-by-14-inch rectangle with the longer side facing you.
Spread with the softened butter, leaving a 1/2-inch border on the far long edge. Mix the sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the butter.
Brush the unbuttered far edge with water. Roll the dough away from you into a tight cylinder and press on the long edge to seal.
Cut the cylinder with a sharp knife to make 6 or 8equal-size buns. 

Even easier, take a piece of thread, doubled, slip it under the bun where you want to cut it, bring it up, crisscross the thread and pull.  You have a perfectly cut bun.  Pinky swear.  ~ jan
Source:   Food Network

Veronica told me about these today.  Oh my, what a great idea for Valentine’s Day, and SO easy, too…

1 bag Oreo Cookies, ground up in blender or food processor

1-1/2 8oz. packages of cream cheese, softened

2 cups white chocolate chips or good quality white chocolate

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips or milk or dark chocolate for drizzling

1. Combine ground Oreos and cream cheese in mixer using paddle attachment until well mixed. Roll into 1 inch balls (makes about 30) and place onto baking sheet or tray. Refrigerate overnight or until very firm.

2. Melt white chocolate in microwave for 1-2 minutes on 70% power. Using 2 little spoons, dip balls into chocolate and place onto parchment paper to harden. Once dry, melt dark chocolate and spoon into the corner of a ziplock baggie. Snip a small corner and drizzle back and forth over the truffles. Let dry.

    I’ve made this soup many times, after listening to Lynn Rosetta Casper talk about it on NPR’s Splend Table.  I always make it with dried chickpeas, never with canned, and use the immersion blender to thicken it.  This is great soup, if you like the flavor of chickpeas.

~ jan

*  1 1/2 cups chickpeas, soaked overnight in water to cover if time allows (see below for variation with canned chickpeas)
    * 5 cloves garlic, peeled and cut in slices
    * 3 sprigs rosemary or thyme
    * 1 medium to large carrot, peeled and cut in small dice
    * 1 celery stalk, peeled and cut in small dice
    * 1 medium onion, peeled and cut in small dice
    * Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    * 1/2 pound smoked sausage, grilled or broiled and cut into thin slices 
    * 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    * 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, or to taste

1. Combine the chickpeas, sliced garlic, and herb in a large saucepan with fresh water to cover by at least 2 inches. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat, and simmer, partially covered, for at least 1 hour, or until fairly tender. Add additional water if necessary, and skim any foam that arises to the top of the pot.

2. Scoop out the herbs and add the carrot, celery, onion, salt, and pepper to the pot. Continue to cook until the chickpeas and vegetables are soft, at least another 20 minutes. Remove about half the chickpeas and vegetables and carefully puree in a blender with enough of the water to allow the machine to do its work. Return the puree to the soup and stir; reheat with the minced garlic, adding additional water if the mixture is too thick.

3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook a few minutes longer. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve, drizzled with the olive oil

A big thanks To my buddy, V for telling me about this cake.  The family agrees, this is hands down, the BEST chocolate cake we’ve ever eaten.  Trust me, ladies, this cake is everything you want in a chocolate cake, dense, moist, chocolately - its killer! 

~ jan

Ingredients

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup HERSHEY®'S Cocoa Powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2/3 cup HERSHEY®'S Cocoa Powder
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting.
4. To make "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting: Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla.
5. One Pan Cake: Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350 F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost.
6. Three Layer Cake: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Heat oven to 350 F. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost.
7. Bundt Cake: Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Heat oven to 350 F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost
8. Cupcakes: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350 F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.