blondies

this is an awesome recipe i got from an even more awesome friend. i hope you enjoy it as much as i did!

2 c light brown sugar (you can also use dark brown sugar for a more molasses-y taste - yum!)
2/3 c butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 c flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 12 c chopped nuts (optional)

heat and stir brown sugar and butter over medium heat until smooth. cool slightly, then stir in eggs 1 at a time. add vanilla. mix in flour, powder, and soda. spread in greased 9x13 inch baking dish and sprinkle w/ nuts. bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. cool on wire rack and cut into bars while warm.

* tip from my friend: double the vanilla and add a little salt to enhance the flavor of these already awesome blondies.

microwave cake

ever want some cake w/out having to BAKE it? here's your solution:

1/3 c cake mix
4 tablespoons milk

combine in mug and microwave for 2-3 minutes. top w/ a dallop of frosting, whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream if desired.

better than sex cake

this is a recipe i got from one of my husband's college roommates, and it is awesome! the name is so true!

1 9x13 inch chocolate cake
1 large packet chocolate pudding, prepared
1 large tub whipped topping
4 heath or score candy bars, crushed
chocolate sauce

crumble half of the cake into a large bowl. layer w/ half each of pudding, whipped topping, and candy bars. repeat, then top w/ chocolate sauce and serve.

applesauce cake

i love this applesauce cake, it's so easy and yummy!

2 c flou
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
3/4 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 c raisins (optional)

sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. set aside. beat eggs until light, then add brown sugar. stir in applesauce and vanilla. add flour mixture and beat till smooth. fold in raisins. pour into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 1 hour (toothpick inserted in middle will come out clean).

sweet potato bread

my mom used to make this when i was a kid and i LOVED it. i wold do my best to eat the whole loaf myself whenever she made it.

1/2 c butter, softened
1/2 c shortening
2 2/3 c sugar
4 eggs
2 c mashed sweet potatoes
3 1/2 c sifted flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 c chopped walnuts (optional)
2/3 c strong black coffee (the juice from canned sweet potatoes works well as a substitute)

cream butter, shortening, and sugar, add eggs one at a time, then blend in sweet potatoes. sift together dry ingredients and add nuts. stir into potato mixture, alternating w/ coffee. pour into 2 greased loaf pans and bake at 375 for 1 hour (or 25 minutes for muffins). cool 10 minutes before removing from pans.

cranberry banana bread

2 c flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 c sugar
1 egg
1/3 c orange juice
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/4 c salad oil
2/3 c mashed bananas (2 medium bananas)
1 1/4 c cranberries or craisins
1 c walnuts, chopped (optional)

sift together dry ingredients. in a separate bowl, combine egg, oj, vinegar, and oil. add to flour mixture. stir in bananas, cranberries, and walnuts last. pour into wax paper-lined loaf pan and bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes (toothpick inserted near center will come out clean). let cool 10-15 minutes before removing from pan.

tropical smoothies

this is something i came up w/ in middle school. my whole family loved them, and i'm sure you will too! (note: measurements are approximate, as i've never actually measured any of this stuff when making this)

1/2 pint fresh strawberries, stemmed
1/2 c fresh blueberries
2 fresh kiwis, peeled and quartered
2 scoops lucerne orange blossom special ice cream (vanilla ice cream/orange sherbet mix is a good substitute)
1/4 c milk
5 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

blend all till smooth. serve immediately w/ a scoop of ice cream as garnish. serves 2.

* tip: add 2 scoops vanilla protein powder for a filling breakfast shake!

pumpkin pie

i made this for thanksgiving and loved it! i'd never made a pumpkin pie before, so i was nervous about how it would turn out. there was no need!

1 pie pumpkin
1 1/3 c sweetened condensed milk
1 egg
1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 c hot water
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell

cut pumpkin in half and scoop out seeds. place pumpkin halves flesh-side down on foil and bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours till tender. let cool, them scoop out flesh and mash (i used a food processor). beat in milk, spices, and water till smooth. pour into pie shell and bake at 375 for 55-65 minutes. the center will still move slightly when it's done. cool completely before serving.

mormon white bread

this has got to be the BEST homemade bread i've ever tasted. it's super easy to make too. i should know - i SUCK at making bread, but this turned out perfectly the very first time!

8 c flour
1/2 c sugar
2 tablespoons salt
4 tablespoons yeast
5 c water
1/2 c oil (i used olive oil, but any kind will do)
1/3 c vinegar
6 c flour

mix 8 c flour, sugar, salt, and yeast well. add very warm water, oil, and vinegar and stir very well. add 6 more cups of flour and mix well. knead on floured surface until smooth (8-10 minutes). gradually add flour for sticking. place in greased bowl and let rise till doubled (abour 1 hour). punch down, then shape into loaves. place in greased loaf pans and let rise till double (about 1 hour). bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

* i made a half recipe for this batch, hence only 2 loaves instead of 4.

chunky salsa

if you want a smoother consistency, you can run this through a blender or food processor, but like it super chunky, almost more like pico de gallo.

8 roma tomatoes
1/2 medium white onion
peppers of your choice (i used 3 medium and 4 hot hatch chilies)
8 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons salt

dice tomatoes, onion, and peppers (throw the pepper seeds away). mince garlic and cilantro. mix all together in a large bowl, then add spices. toss to coat thoroughly. serve w/ tortilla chips or use to top tacos, enchiladas, or whatever else you like.