Bean Dip

This is a great Hot Dip that my Pastor's wife, Tracey, a dear friend, shared with me after I tasted it and LOVED it at a party she hosted. Thanks Tracey!
~ Kari

2 packages (8 oz ea.) cream cheese
1 16 oz. sour cream
1 can refried beans
1/2 package dry taco seasoning

Mix together.
Cover with 1 cup cheddar cheese and 1 cup mozzarella ( or use 1 bag of fiesta blend cheese)

Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Serve with tortilla chips

Makeover Favorite Corn Bake

I recently found this recipe in one of the Taste Of Home Magazines, and thought it was worth sharing. It is low fat, but still tastes great! My husband does not usually like this type of dish, but he told me he really liked this one!
~ Kari



1 c. flour
1 c. cornmeal
3 T. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 egg
1 cup (8 oz.) reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 1/3 c. frozen corn + 3/4 c. water
1 can (14oz.) cream style corn

1) In a large bowl, combine first 5 ingredients.

2) In a small bowl, whisk egg, sour cream, applesauce, and butter. Stir in Corn. Stir into dry ingredients, just until moistened.

3) Transfer to a greased 9x 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Serve Warm

Refrigerate leftovers.

Pineapple Cranberry Salad

Our daughter-in-law, Tina, recently brought this yummy fruit dish up for one of our family nights, and it was a hit! Very light and tasty!
~ Marilyn

1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained

2 pkg. (4 serving size each) raspberry jello

1 can (16 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce

1 apple, chopped

2/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

My mom also adds a can of drained mandarin oranges, and that is SO good.

Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Add enough cold water to juice to measure 3 cups; Bring to boil in saucepan, remove from heat. Add jello mixes; stir 2 minutes. Stir in cranberry sauce. Pour into large bowl. Refrigerate 1 1/2 hour or until slightly thickened.

Stir in pineapple, apple, walnuts, and mandarins.

Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.

Peanut Butter Cake

One of our favorite cakes! This recipe is from Rick's mom. We serve it at many birthdays and family get-togethers.
~Marilyn

1/2 c. softened butter or marg.
2 1/4 c. flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. milk
1/3 c. peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter. Stir in sugar, flour, baking powder, salt. Add peanut butter and 2/3 c. milk. Beat 2 minutes on low speed (or about 300 strokes by hand) Add remaining 1/3 c. milk, vanilla, and eggs. Beat 2 minutes. Pour into 9x13 greased baking pan or 2 9-inch greased layer cake pans. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Frost with Peanut Butter Frosting. (below)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting:

1/3 c. cocoa
1/2 c. peanut butter
2 2/3 powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. cream or evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream cocoa and peanut butter. Add remaining ingredients. Beat until smooth. Spread on cooled cake.

Empire Biscuits

Cookies in some parts of Europe are called "biscuits," so don't be misled by the name! This recipe was passed down from my husband's grandma to his mom to me, and I've never met anyone yet who didn't like these cookies.

~Kate Boyer Brown

Cookies:
2 1/2 c. flour
7 oz. shortening (can use half butter or margarine)
2/3 c. sugar
1 egg

Roll or pat dough into circle; cut out cookies (approx. 1/4" thickness). Cut into small circles or other shapes (I use hearts for Valentine's Day, anniversaries, etc.!). Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool completely.

Icing:
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
approximately 2 Tbsp. milk (more or less to make right consistency so you can swirl it onto the cookie from a spoon)

Beat icing ingredients with wire whisk until smooth.

Spread raspberry jelly onto one cookie. Top with second cookie to make a sandwich cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies. Ice cookies, and if desired, garnish with sprinkles or maraschino cherries.

Notes: Cookies freeze well. Also, I have substituted lemon extract for the vanilla in the cookies and icing ~ very good!
Makes about 3 dozen cookies, depending on size of cookie cutter you use.

Creamy Baked Chicken

This recipe has to be one of the top favorites in the Boyer family. It is very rich, and extremely delicious! We usually have it for someone's birthday, company, or other special occasions.

1/2 c. flour
1/3 c. + 1 T. marg. melted and divided
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 1/2 c. whipping cream
1/2 c. bread crumbs

Put flour in a shallow bowl. Combine 1/3 c. marg. and other seasoning in a separate bowl. Coat chicken with flour and then dip in the butter mixture. Arrange in a greased, shallow 3qt. baking dish. Pour cream around the chicken. Bake uncovered @ 350 for 45 minutes- or until chicken is tender. Combine bread crumbs and remaining butter. Sprinkle over chicken. Bake uncovered for 5-8 minutes or until golden brown.
Serves: 6

Follow this link to many Valentine's Day recipes, from
Betty Crocker, including the recipe for the Indulgent Brownie Torte, pictured at left.

~Kari

Valentine's Jigglers

Follow this link to find the recipe for the classic Jell-O Jigglers......cut them out into hearts, with small heart cookies cutters for a fun Valentine's Treat.

Server with a bowl of Cool Whip for dipping.

I also liked this suggestion provided by Kraft foods:

"Substitute your favorite fruit juice for the boiling water. Bring just to boil before stirring into dry gelatin mix."

~Kari

Sloppy Joes

"Large Yield and very tasty! I got this recipe from my son's mother-in-law" ~ Marilyn

4 lb. ground beef
1/2 bottle ketchup
2 Tbs. vinegar
brown sugar
touch of barbecue sauce (optional)

Brown beef with onions. Add ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, and barbecue sauce; simmer 30 minutes or until hot. Serve on buns. YIELD: 15 to 20 servings!

(Taken from Homemade with Love cookbook by Marilyn.)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Taken from Homemade with Love by Marilyn.....
"Delicious with a surprise in the middle"

1 c. flour
1/3 c.cocoa
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp.salt
1/3 c. marg. or shortening
1 c. packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. milk

Mix like a cake. Grease muffin tins or use cupcake liners; put 2 Tbs. of batter into each cup or liner. Add 1tsp. filling (recipe below), then more batter. Do not stir filling into batter. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes and frost as desired.

FILLING:
3 oz. cream cheese
1/4 c. peanut butter
1 Tbs. honey
1 Tbs. milk

Apple Cranberry Bread

I think this is a GREAT bread recipe....and healthy, too! I always stock up on cranberries this time of year and freeze them, for recipes like this one! The apples keep it moist, nuts add texture, and the cranberries give it the perfect punch!
~Kari

2 eggs
3/4 c. sugar
2 T. oil
1 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2. tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. chopped, peeled tart apples
1 c. fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, soda, and salt; add egg to mixture just until combined. (thick batter). Stir in apples, cranberries, walnuts. Transfer to a 8x4x2 in. loaf pan, greased. Bake at 350 for 60-65 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool. YIELD: 1 loaf

Breakfast Casserole

My mom has fixed this easy and delicious egg casserole for Christmas morning breakfast ever since I an remember! You make it the night before and then you can just pop it in the oven on Christmas morning, whenever you are ready.
~ Kari

2 cups milk
6 eggs
1/2 - 1 cup cheddar, shredded cheese
1 lb. sausage
6-8 bread slices (white bread)
Parmesan cheese

1. Brown sausage; drain well.
2. Combine sausage and cheese in bowl
3. Beat eggs and milk together in a bowl
4. Grease 9x 13 baking dish and line bottom of dish with bread cubes
5. Pour sausage and cheese over bread
6. Add milk and eggs
7. Spinkle on Parmesan cheese
8. Refrigerate over night
9. Bake next day at 350 for 45-50 minutes

YIELD: Serves 8 people

Traditional Sugar Cookies

Twenty years ago, I purchased a set of Nativity scene cookie cutters. every Christmas since then, I have backed these cookies with my kids, using those cutters. We always take a batch to each of our neighbors' houses with a gospel tract and a bow on top.

~Marilyn

3/4 c. shortening (part butter or margarine) softened
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla or 1/2 tsp. lemon extract
2 1/2 c. all -purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder

Mix thoroughly shortening, eggs, and flavoring. Blend in flour, salt, and baking powder. Cover; Chill at least 1 hour. Heat oven to 400. Roll dough 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured cloth covered board. Cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until very lightly brown YIELD: about 4 dozen 3 inch cookies.

Butterhorns

These are a Christmas morning tradition in our family!
~Marilyn

2 pkg. yeast
1 tsp. sugar
6 eggs, well beaten
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 c. melted lard or oil
2 c.lukewarm milk
9 c. flour (approx.)

Soak yeast and sugar in a little warm water. Combine all ingredients, using enough flour to form a soft dough. Let stand until doubled. Take part of dough and roll into round like a pie crust, only about 1/3 inch thick. Cut in pie-like wedges and brush with melted butter. roll each wedge, starting with large end and pinching the point underneath. Bake 18 minutes at 350. Glaze while Still hot

GLAZE:
2 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. milk

Add milk or water, little by little, until the right consistency is reached.

Chocolate Chess Pie

"This is a very rich pie, so we generally only have it on very special occasions, like on Thanksgiving and Christmas"~ Marilyn

1 stick butter
1/4 c. milk
1 Tbs. flour or cornmeal
1 tsp. vanilla
2 sq. unsweetened chocolate
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 c. sugar

Melt butter and chocolate. Add sugar, then eggs,milk,flour, and vanilla. Mix well and pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake at 325 for 40 minutes.

Kari's Favorite Sweet Potato Casserole

I did not used to like sweet potatoes, but when I tried this recipe, it won me over! Sweet Potato Casserole is a staple at Thanksgiving in our family, and I like to use this recipe all throughout the fall and winter, too! ~ Kari

3/4 c. sugar
4 c. sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 c. melted margarine
2/3 c. canned milk
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. vanilla

Topping:
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. flour
1/3 c. melted margarine

Mix first 7 ingredients. Place in 9x13 casserole dish. In another bowl, combing the remaining ingredients and mix well. Sprinkle on top of potatoes. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Serves 6 to 8.

Ambrosia Salad

"This is our family's holiday fruit salad. It's a must for Thanksgiving and Christmas" ~ Marilyn

1 can crushed pineapple
1 can mandarin oranges
1 1/2 cups sour cream
2 cans fruit cocktail
1 cup coconut
1 (10oz.) pkg miniature marshmallows

Drain Fruit. Combine all ingredients and refrigerate until serving time.

Pumpkin Pancakes

My daughter and I love this alternative to normal pancakes. Pumpkin is also very good for you. The maple flavor of the syrup is a perfect partner to the pumpkin taste! This recipe certainly proclaims "Fall"! ~Kari Boyer

1 c. flour
3/ 4 c. milk
1/2 c. canned pumpkin
1 T. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
2 T. oil
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg

Combine all ingredients and mix 'em up!
Heat griddle or frying pan to meidum and grease with butter or cooking spray. Spoon 1/4 cup portions onto griddle or pan. Cook on one side until batter begins to 'bubble' slightly. When your spatula can slide easily under the pancake, it is time to flip. Don't wait too long!
Flip over and allow to cook for about a minute more, or until no longer gooey.

Top with syrup, the maple flavor is a perfect complement to the pumpkin!

Easy Crust Chicken Pie

I love this recipe! It's great to warm up your family as the weather turns chilly this fall and winter! ~Kari Boyer

Filling
4-6 breasts chicken breasts, baked and chopped ***
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 onion, chopped
2-3 stalks celery
4-6 potatoes peeled and diced
3-4 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 (10oz.) pkg. frozen peas or 1 can
1 (10oz.) pkg. frozen corn
1 can cream of chicken soup (I like to use Campbell's Healthy Request- it is lower in fat and sodium)

Crust:
1 stick marg.
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
3 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 c. buttermilk (or milk)

-Cook veggies until tender in boiling water plus 3 chicken bouillon cubes.Drain veggies, reserving 1 1/4 cup of the "broth". Place prepared chicken in bottom of 9 x 13 baking dish, greased with cooking spray. Sprinkle with pepper. Place the drained veggies on top- sprinkle with salt.
Mix 1 1/4 reserved "broth" with 1 can of cream of chicken soup. Pour over veggies. Pour crust batter over all. Place baking dish on cookie sheet, as it sometimes bubbles over slightly.
Bake at 400 until lightly browned and done in the center.

** *When baking the chicken breasts, cut into thirds, then add to greased baking dish. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, basil, salt, pepper to taste. Add 1 or 2 bay leaves for flavor. Add about 1/4 cup water. Bake at 400 for 30-40 minutes, or until done. Allow to cool and then shred or chop.

Kevin's Cake

This is my husband's favorite cake, and what he requests for every birthday. The recipe comes from his mom, who added the chocolate chips to her white cake recipe to create this favorite we enjoy today~ Kate Boyer Brown

2 1/4 c. flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. milk
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-2. c. chocolate chips, according to your taste

Mix dry ingredients; add shortening and 2/3 cup milk and vanilla; beat 2 minutes. Add the remaining milk and eggs. Stir in chips. Pour into 2 round 9"x1-1/2" pans. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until toothpick tests done.

Icing:
5 Tbsp. flour
1 c. milk
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. Crisco
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Cook flour and milk together in saucepan, stirring constantly till very thick. Let cool; then add butter, Crisco, sugar and vanilla; beat until fluffy.