Sugar Cookies

Here is a tasty little recipe we found at: http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/basic-sugar-cookie-rbk1207

• 1 1/2 cup(s) (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup(s) sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
• 4 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt

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Directions

1. In a bowl, with mixer on medium, beat butter and sugar until fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla extract. On low, beat in flour and salt.
2. Divide dough in half; shape each half into a 1/2-inch-thick disk. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill until firm.
3. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
4. On floured surface, roll dough 1/8-inch thick; cut into shapes. Transfer to ungreased baking sheet(s). Bake until lightly golden around the edges, 10 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on sheets; transfer to racks to cool. Decorate as desired; store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks, or freeze, undecorated, up to 3 months.

Pecan Crusted Chicken

This is a delicious and healthy recipe for "fried chicken" adapted from: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/pecan_crusted_chicken.html

• 2 Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
  
• 1/8 plain dry breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange or lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder (or red chile powder)
• 1 large egg white
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons canola oil

Cut chicken breasts into strips to make chicken "fingers" about 1 inch thick.

Mix chopped pecans, breadcrumbs, zest, salt, and chipotle powder in a shallow dish.

In another shallow dish, which egg white and water to create an egg wash.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.

Dip each piece of chicken in the egg wash then into the breading mixture and toss to coat. Once coated, shake off excess and place into the hot oil.

Place half the pieces in the pan and avoid crowding. Cook 3-4 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.

Drain and let cool on a paper towel before serving. Makes 2 portions, about 280 calories per portion.

Best Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chewy-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cookies/

These cookies are some of the best we've ever made of any type. And they are easy!

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups quick-cooking oats

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1.	Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2.	In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Mix in the quick oats, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.
3.	Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Guinness Cake

This recipe was given to us from Laurel Johnson as originally written by Nigella Lawson for Kirsten's cookbook. I made it for Matt's birthday and it was very tasty. I sent one cake to work with Matt and he has received comments such as, "That is hands down, the BEST cake I've ever tasted!" We better hold onto this recipe!  Adapted from: http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/chocolate-guinness-cake-3086

Ingredients
For the cake:
Butter for pan
1 cup Guinness stout
10 tablespoons (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
3/8 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups superfine sugar
3/8 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

For the topping:
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup heavy cream
A splash (or more) of Bailey's Irish Cream

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper. In a large saucepan, combine Guinness and butter. Place over medium-low heat until butter melts, then remove from heat. Add cocoa and superfine sugar, and whisk to blend.
In a small bowl, combine sour cream, eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add to Guinness mixture. Add flour and baking soda, and whisk again until smooth. Pour into buttered pan, and bake until risen and firm, 45 minutes to one hour. Place pan on a wire rack and cool completely in pan.

Using a food processor or by hand, mix confectioners' sugar to break up lumps. Add cream cheese and blend until smooth. Add heavy cream and Bailey's. Mix until smooth and spreadable.
Remove cake from pan and place on a platter or cake stand. Ice top of cake only, so that it resembles a frothy pint of Guinness.

Baked French Toast

This delightful recipe was printed on the tabs in the Family Recipe Book that I received from my mother-in-law for my bridal shower. Mmmmmmm!

Ingredients:
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
12 slices of bread cut into 1" slices
Apple topping- Optional but recommend

Grease an 8x8 plan. Mix together butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Pour into greased pan. Arrange bread slices on top of mixture. In a separate bowl, mix egg, milk and vanilla. Pour this mixture over bread slices, not missing any areas. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat over to 350 degree. Bake uncovered 30 minutes.
~PREPARE APPLE TOPPING~
Core and slice 3 to 4 apples. Saute in 3 Tbsp butter and 3 Tbsp brown sugar. Drizzle apple topping over Baked French Toast. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.

Potato Casserole

This recipe was shared with my by Steph McCurley. She got the recipe from her grandmother. I can see this being made frequently in our family!

Ingredients
2lbs Frozen (cubed) Hashbrowns
1 Pint SOur Cream
8 Oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 Cup Crushed Potato Chips
1 Stick Melted Margarine
1 Cup Diced Onion
1 Can Mushroom Soup

Thaw hashbrowns for 2 hours. Combine all ingredients except potato chips. Mix well. Spread into an ungreased 9x13 Pyrex dish. Top with chips.

Bake uncovered at 375 for 1 hour to an hour and 15 minutes.

Matt's Banana Banana Bread

Matt found this tasty gem at http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-banana-bread/ and it is a definite must make again! It can also be made into Banana Nut Muffins!

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas
• 1 Cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Do not over-mix to avoid creating a dense loaf.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. ENJOY!