Andes Mint Cookies

These cookies are so good. WAY SIMPLE, and sure to please. Thanks Leslie for passing along the recipe!

ingredients:

1 chocolate cake mix (any type chocolate mix is great)

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1 bag/pkg Andes Mints

directions:

1. Mix together the cake mix, eggs and oil. This will result in a thick "cookie" batter.

2. Roll cookies into small-ish balls and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

3. While the cookies are baking, unwrap the Andes mints.

4. When cookies come out of the oven, place the Andes mints on top of the cookies. The mint will start to *sweat* and melt. Take a knife and swirl the melted mint.

5. Cool COMPLETELY. Enjoy!

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Pancakes

At our girl retreat in the mountains, a friend made these for breakfast one morning. They were really yummy. I've always used a pancake mix, but honestly, these are SUPER simple to make...easy and yummy! Thanks Raina!

ingredients:

1 cup flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 Tbsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup milk

1 egg

2 Tbsp. cooking oil

directions:

1. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Create a well in the center.

2. Mix wet ingredients together in a separate bowl. Pour into the well of the dry ingredients and mix with a fork just until combined.

3. Mixture will be lumpy. Do not over mix.

The recipe make apx. nine 4 1/2" pancakes. I double it for my family, and we have left overs. It is easy enough to double or even triple for a large crowd.

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Baked Beans

When we moved to Colorado, we were invited to a block party our first 4th of July here. This was served there (made by a friend). My mother and I just loved them. I got the recipe, and thought I'd share it with everyone since it's getting to be the BBQ-time-of-year. Thanks Shauna & Collin--we miss you!

Make the night before and warm before your event!

ingredients:
3 28-ounce cans pork & beans

2 lbs. seasoned sausage

1 large onion, diced (I dice mine FINELY)

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup ketchup

2 Tbsp. dry mustard

directions:

1. Brown sausage & onion, drain.

2. Heat in sauce-pan: sugar, ketchup and mustard.

3. Combine meat and onions with beans. Add sauce.

4. Cover and cook at 300 for 1-2 hours. Let set overnight & reheat to serve.

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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

This is the fastest cookie recipe ever! PLUS--there is no egg (and this thrills those of us that have children with egg allergies). Either way, it is quick, easy and yummy (my 3 requirements). I first had these at a church Enrichment function...I think it was "Cooking with your Food Storage" or something along those lines. A sweet lady (actually "Super-Mom" would be a more appropriate title) brought the recipe and samples. There is no oil, no fats added, no egg--so it's gotta be a better choice for dieters too!

ingredients:

1 15 oz. can pure pumpkin

1 spice cake or carrot cake mix (I think you could use yellow cake too, and add your own spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)

1 bag chocolate chips*

directions:

1. Cream together pumpkin and cake mix until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips.

2. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes, until not-gooey anymore.

*I'm thinking RAISINS would be good with this instead of chocolate chips...or WITH the chocolate chips.

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Sweethearts--Gelatin Cut-Outs

I found this in The Friend magazine a few months ago. We did this for Family Home Evening tonight. The kids loved it and had a lot of fun. I got out my Pampered Chef little shape cutters and we used all sorts of shapes.

ingredients:

2 pkg. (6 ounces each) berry Jello

2 cups boiling water

1 cup cold milk

1 package (3.4 ounce) instant vanilla pudding mix

directions:

1. In a bowl, dissolve Jello in the boiling water, then let sit until cooled.

2. In another bowl, whisk the milk and pudding mix until smooth.

3. Pour the pudding mixture into the Jello and whisk until well blended.

4. Pour into a 13x9" dish lightly coated with nonstick cooking spray.

5. Put in the refrigerator until set. Cut out with cookie cutters!

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Yummy Breakfast Crumb/Coffee Cake

This crumb/coffee cake is really yummy. Pretty simple to make too! We had a "girls" weekend up at a condo in the mountains...and one friend made this for us for breakfast. It was perfect with cocoa. I could see adding some fresh strawberries as a side for a breakfast your kids will love! Thanks Cindy!

ingredients:

Cake:

1 cup + 3 Tbsp. sour cream

2 eggs

1/2 cup butter softened

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup sugar

Topping:

1/2 cup chopped nuts (your choice)

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

directions:

1. Cream wet ingredients. Then add dry.

2. Grease 9x13" pan. Pour into pan.

3. Sprinkle topping on. Run knife through to mix topping in lightly.

4. Bake at 350 for 20-22 minutes. (May look uncooked, but don't overcook! It'll get DRY!)

Serve with Ideas:

Berries, Yogurt, Cocoa

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Chocolate Cookies 'n Cream Torte

This is a fun recipe. I use Pampered Chef's Torte Pans...they are recessed and have an area to fill with your own favorite fillings. I've made two different recipes with them, and the look alone is brilliant...the taste is even better.

ingredients:

1 pkg devil's food cake mix (plus ingredients)

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 container (8 oz) cool whip, thawed

10 oreos, smashed

chocolate syrup or hot fudge, melted

directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour Torte Pans; set aside. Prepare cake mix according to package directions; divide batter equally between pans. Bake 18-22 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes. Remove cakes from pans; cool completely.

2. Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in cool whip. Fold in crushed oreo cookie crumbs.

3. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread half of the filing over the cake layer, in recessed area.

4. Place 2nd cake layer on top, and spread the remaining filling over this top layer. Drizzle chocolate over the top, and crush 1 or 2 more oreos for garnishing.

For this recipe, Chocolate-Raspberry Dream Torte click here!

(Same idea, with slight variations)

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