Basic Mashed Potatoes

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 20 Minutes

Ready In: 35 Minutes Yields: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS:

6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed 1/2 cup warm milk

1/4 cup butter or margarine 3/4 teaspoon salt Dash pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Cover and bring to a boil; cook for 20-25 minutes or until very tender. Drain well. Add milk, butter, salt and pepper; mash until light and fluffy.

Cinnamon Rolls (only 90 minutes!)

Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 20 Minutes

Ready In: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Yields: 12 servings

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup milk 1/4 cup margarine, softened 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast 1/4 cup white sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup water 1 egg 1 cup brown sugar, packed 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup margarine, softened 1/2 cup raisins (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in margarine; stir until melted. Let cool until lukewarm.
2.	In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/4 cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt; mix well. Add water, egg and the milk mixture; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has just pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes.
3.	Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, softened margarine.
4.	Roll out dough into a 12x9 inch rectangle. Spread dough with margarine/sugar mixture. Sprinkle with raisins if desired. Roll up dough and pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal size rolls and place cut side up in 12 lightly greased muffin cups. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
5.	Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until browned. Remove from muffin cups to cool. Serve warm

Teddy Bears (aka dutch babies, german pancakes, fluffy pancakes, etc)

Prep Time: 8 Minutes Cook Time: 12 Minutes

Ready In: 20 Minutes Yields: 2 servings

INGREDIENTS:

2 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour 1 pinch ground nutmeg

1 pinch salt 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar for dusting

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Place a 10 inch cast iron skillet inside oven and preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C).
2.	In a medium bowl, beat eggs with a whisk until light. Add milk and stir. Gradually whisk in flour, nutmeg and salt.
3.	Remove skillet from oven and reduce oven heat to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt butter in hot skillet so that inside of skillet is completely coated with butter. Pour all the batter in the skillet and return skillet to oven.
4.	Bake until puffed and lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Remove promptly and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Grammie Haskins' Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup shortening (1/2 butter tastes good)
1 cup peanutbutter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients well. Shape into balls, press criss-cross with a fork. Bake at 350 until not quite done (8-10 minutes). After removing from oven, leave on baking sheet for a couple of minutes before putting on cooling rack.

Conner's Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk

Sift dry ingredients together. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and milk. Knead. Roll until 3/4-inch thick, cut with biscuit cutter. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Brush tops with a little milk. Bake in 450-degree oven for 10 to 14 minutes or until tops are golden brown.

Best Jello Salad

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes

Ready In: 2 Hours Yields: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels 4 1/2 tablespoons white sugar 3/4 cup butter, melted 1 cup white sugar 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed 1 (6 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin 2 cups boiling water 1 (16 ounce) package frozen strawberries

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Mix together the pretzels, 4 1/2 tablespoons sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 10 minutes, or lightly toasted. Set aside to cool completely.
2.	In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread evenly over the cooled crust. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.
3.	In a medium bowl, stir together the gelatin mix and boiling water. Mix in frozen strawberries, and stir until thawed. Pour over cream cheese mixture in pan. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 1 hour.

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Ready In: 25 Minutes Yields: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips CINNAMON HONEY SYRUP: 1 cup honey

1/2 cup butter or margarine, cubed

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Combine eggs, milk and oil; add to dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour the batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a lightly greased hot griddle. Turn when bubbles form on top; cook until second side is golden brown. Keep warm.
2.	Combine the syrup ingredients in a 2-cup microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high until butter is melted and syrup is hot, stirring occasionally. Serve with pancakes.

Cheese Ball (new years tradition)

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Ready In: 2 Hours 5 Minutes Yields: 7 servings

INGREDIENTS:

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix

2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a medium size bowl, mash cream cheese. Mix dressing mix and Cheddar cheese into the cream cheese. Shape the mixture into a ball. Roll the ball in the chopped nuts. Refrigerate covered until ready to serve. Yum!

Fruit Pizza

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Ready In: 30 Minutes Yields: 16 servings

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 1 cup cold butter 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups halved fresh strawberries 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained

1 cup fresh blueberries GLAZE: 1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice 1 teaspoon lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a large bowl, combine flour and confectioners' sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press onto an ungreased 12-in. pizza pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until very lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.
2.	In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread over crust. Arrange the strawberries, oranges and blueberries on top.
3.	For glaze, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in pineapple juice and lemon juice until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool slightly. Drizzle over fruit. Refrigerate until chilled.