Old-Fashioned Caramels

AMAZING! They have a lovely texture, and they're so creamy! I have tried candy recipes before, and none have worked as well as these! They are so much better than the ones in the store - the nuts in them are a nice touch (though they are optional, just in case you do not like nuts or are allergic).

Old-Fashioned Caramels

1 cup butter

2 1/4 cups firmly packed yellow sugar

1 cup corn syrup

14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a heavy 3 quart saucepan, melt butter. Add sugar and mix until well blended. Stir in corn syrup; cook until sugar has dissolved; remove pan from heat. Stir in sweetened condensed milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture reaches the soft ball stage (240), about 20 to 30 minutes of constant stirring. Add vanilla. Pour hot mixture into buttered 9"by13" inch pan.

Cut caramels; wrap individually in waxed paper.

Optional: Add 2/3 of a cup of nuts at the same time you add the vanilla. I used walnuts, and they definitely added. I definitely recommend that you use them

Graham-Wiches

Here's a great, easy recipe to enjoy in the summer! (and in the winter too! that could get kind of cold though) Introducing... Graham-Wiches! So little effort goes into such a delicious snack!

The recipe originally called for whip cream, but pudding is cheaper. :)

All you have to do is make a package of instant pudding, any size is fine, but more pudding makes more sandwiches! :) Then you lay out graham crackers on a baking sheet and put a spoonful of pudding on each of them. Any kind is fine. I've tried chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, and cookies'n'cream pudding. They were all great! In the pictures I have cookies'n'cream.

Then you put another graham cracker on top, like a sandwich.

Freeze overnight.

Bon Appetit!

Almond Roca

Caution: VERY, VERY GOOD!!!!! I make this every year around Christmas time.

Before you start...

*Spray or grease a large cookie sheet
*Line sheet with graham crackers

Instructions:

Gather...
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
*Melt together brown sugar and butter, bring to a boil for about 2 minutes (until gelatinous in texture).
*Spread over graham wafers
Bake for 10 minutes at 325, be careful not to burn them!

*Once it's done in the oven, sprinkle two cups chocolate chips over it and let it sit for 5 minutes. When the 5 minutes are up, the chocolate chips should be soft and melted. Spoon/spread the chocolate chips around. Sprinkle slivered almonds on top. Freeze. Break up like an ice tray to serve.
Bon Appetit!

Chocolate Chip Mufins

Here is yet another chocolate chip muffin recipe. These are deliciously easy to make and just as easy to eat. :)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 cup warm water
1/2 cup chocolate chips (or more if you desire)

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center. Add oil, vanilla, vinegar, and warm water. Stir just until moist. Add chocolate chips.
Spoon batter into prepared muffin tins, filling to top. Bake at 400 for 15 to 20 minutes. (or you could bake at 375. You can choose.)

Mini Pizzas

These pizzas are a treat around our house. They're even better than regular pizzas!


Ingredients:
Pizza sauce (recipe on my blog)
Pitas
Your favourite pizza toppings
Cheese


Preheat oven to 400.

Spread pizza sauce on the pitas. Sprinkle on the pizza toppings and then add cheese.
Put the pizzas in the oven and bake until the cheese on top is slightly toasted.

Pretzel Cereal Crunch

This recipe is sooo good! It makes a great gift too!

1 1\4 cups Golden Grahams (crushed graham crackers work too)
1 1\4 cups Apple Cinnamon Cheerios
1 1\4 cups pretzels
1 package of white of vanilla chips (10 to 12 ounces)
1\8 of a cup creamy peanut butter
1 1\2 cups peanuts (optional)
1 1\2 cups craisins (optional)
1 cup chopped, toasted pecans (also optional)

In a large bowl, combine the cereals, pretzels, pecans and other items. In a microwave safe bowl, melt chips; Stir until smooth. Stir in peanut butter. Drizzle over cereal mixture and toss to coat. Spread evenly on a wax paper lined baking sheet. Cool completely; break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Yield: about nine cups