Recipes

Super Soft Sugar Cookies

My Dads sister has always been the baker of the family, and most of her recipes are from her mother, {my grandmother}.  So, this recipe is tried and true for a delicious soft baked sweet sugar cookie that we've all enjoyed for as long as I can remember.  And it's super easy!  The only problem is not eating them as they come out of the oven!

Ingredients

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks. {Sprinkles optional, but always better!}

Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies

When I think of treats I think of warm homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies.  And it's a favorite for many.  I found this recipe years ago before apps like Pinterest were around and it's never failed me. They're quick, easy, makes your home smell amazing, and lets face it... you're everyone's best friend when you arrive with a box full of fresh baked cookies!  

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons hot water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto un-greased pans.
Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.

Sweet Cornbread

If you have family from the South than chances are they are pretty serious about their Cornbread.  My Uncle is from Tennessee and the first time I made this cornbread it touch a nerve... perhaps it reminded him of growing up down south.  And now it's a must have at all of our family get -together.  It's actually quite simple to make once you get the hang of it.  I'm no gourmet baker and even I can't mess it up.  So here's my recipe that everyone loves...

Original Recipe Yield 12 servings
Ingredients

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 2/3 cups milk
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Directions

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Combine the eggs and milk. Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with egg mixture.
Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees F for 22-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cut into squares; serve warm.







Apple Pie

 If you're looking for a good old fashioned Apple Pie like me (because I'm not very good with overcomplicated recipes) than this is your go-to recipe!  It's sweet and cinnamony and the apples are tender with a crispy flakey crust hugging it all together in one little pie of gooey goodness.  Give it a try!

Original Recipe Yield 8 servings
Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
7 cups thinly sliced pared apples
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 Pastry for double-crust pie (9 inches)
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 egg white
Additional sugar
Directions

In a small bowl, combine sugar, flour and spices; set aside. In a large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice. Add sugar mixture; toss well to coat. Line a 9-in. pie pan with half the pastry. Place apple filling into crust; dot with butter. Roll out remaining pastry to fit top of pie. Cut a few slits in top. beat egg white until foamy; brush over pastry. Sprinkle sugar on top. Bake at 375 degrees F for 35 minutes. Increase temperature to 400 degrees F and bake 10-15 minutes more or until golden.





Disclaimer:  Reading these recipes my cause overindulgence.  It did for me!