Monday, January 30, 2012

Inexpensive Kids Birthday Party Locations

Inexpensive Kids Birthday Party Locations-Homemade Cookies

While throwing your child a birthday party is high on any parents list, most people don't want to spend a fortune for the celebration. Depending on the time of year and your budget, there are some great options for the location of the party (other than your home).

Homemade Cookies

If you do decide to throw a party outside your home, be sure to include your child in the location decision. If the child is young, you may want to bring them to the location prior to the party so that they can get comfortable and excited about the upcoming event. Most kids look forwarding to opening their presents at the end of their party. So whatever option you choose, make sure you set aside a special place where all the party goers can place the birthday gifts.

1. Town Park Shelter. Many local communities offer rental shelters at the parks where they have picnic tables, grills and play equipment for the kids. The older children can go play while the adults hang out. The food doesn't have to be gourmet, instead keep it simple and easy like barbecuing hot dogs or burgers or a couple baked lasagnas with salad. Follow up with a fun birthday cake from your local warehouse club, grocery store or your own kitchen.

2. Fast Food Restaurant. Both McDonald's and Hardees offer kids parties that include a party hostess, food and cake at reasonable prices. The other great thing about these restaurants is that many have Playlands or plastic ball pits so that the kids can be entertained while the adults chit-chat and relax a bit.

3. Children's or Science Museum. If you have a larger budget, a local science or children's museum can be a great place to hold a birthday party. Some places have party hostesses and provide some supplies, so just check what they provide in your city. You may only need to bring a birthday cake and presents.

4. Movie Theater. Many towns have inexpensive or dollar show theaters that will rent out the entire theater or give you big group discount as well as discounts on snacks and soda. Some theaters will let you bring in some of your own snacks and a cake so just check and see what can be done at your local theater by speaking with the manager.

5. Neighborhood Club House. If you live in a planned community, chances are that you have a club house in your neighborhood or apartment complex. Often these rooms are either free or can be rented for a nominal fee by residents. The club house would likely give you more room than your home, but it would still be close enough that you could set up the birthday party relatively easily. Not to mention, you don't have to clean your house!

6. Local Fire Department. Often times, local fire departments have rooms that they will allow local residents utilize for free or for a nominal fee. Some fire departments will even give the children of a private birthday party a tour of the department and let them try on some of the firefighters' gear and get their photos taken. These pictures make great keepsake gifts for all the children.

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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Cat Treat Recipes

Cat Treat Recipes-Cookies Recipe

Want to cook something special for your feline friend ? Try these cat treat recipes. They are easy to make and require little time. Your cat will love them !

Cookies Recipe

CAT TREAT RECIPES - KITTY TREATS

1 1/2 Cup Rolled Oats

1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil

1/2 Cup Flour

1/2 Cup Tuna Oil, Chicken broth, or Beef Bouillon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix all ingredients into a dough. Dust hands with flour and form small,
1/2 inch thick, round biscuits. Set on greased cookie sheet. Bake 30 minutes or until biscuits are slightly browned.
Cool 30 minutes before serving.

Your cat will adopt it as one of his favourite cat treat !

CAT TREAT RECIPES - PURR-FECT SALMON PATE

1 - 6 Ounce can of boneless, skinless salmon

1/4 Cup Bread crumbs

1/2 Cup Finely chopped celery

1 Egg, beaten

1 Unflavoured gelatine

1/2 Cup Water

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pack into a small fish-shaped mold (or other small mold) and bake 45 minutes.
Serve at room temperature.

One of the most Purr...fect cat treat you can make !

CAT TREAT RECIPES - MEOWSLI

1 Teaspoon Oats

1/2 Banana, mashed

2 Teaspoon plain yogourt

1/2 Cup Orange juice

1/4 Apple, Chopped

2 ounces Berries, in season

Mix oats and bananas, blending well. Add yogourt, orange juice and apple immediately to prevent browning.
Mash berries and add to mixture. Serve in small portions (1 tablespoon per cat). Too much fruit can cause diarrhea
in a cat's digestive system if he is not used to it.

Serve small portions from this treat occasionally !

CAT TREAT RECIPES - MACKEREL CAT MUNCHIES

1/2 Cup canned mackerel, drained

1 Cup whole-grain bread crumbs

1 Teaspoon vegetable oil

1 egg, beaten

1/2 Teaspoon brewer's yeast, optional

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a medium-size bowl, mash the mackerel with a fork into tiny pieces. Combine it with the remaining ingredients and mix well.
Dop mixture by 1/4 teaspoonful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool to room temperature and store in an
airtight container in the refrigerator.

Kitty will love the munchies !

CAT TREAT RECIPES - EMERGENCY KITTEN MILK

12 Ounces boiling water

1 Envelope Knox unflavored gelatin

Dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water, and add:
1 - 12 ounce can evaporated canned milk

2 Tablespoons mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons plain yogurt

1 Tablespoon light corn syrup

1 Egg yolk

Mix well in mixer. Place in covered bowl and store in refrigerator. Warm a small amount for feedings. This will keep for
about 7 days.

It adds between 15-20 grams on kittens a day. One of the best recipes to make for your kitten !

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Saturday, January 28, 2012

How to Cook Pork Loins, the Best Part of the Pig

How to Cook Pork Loins, the Best Part of the Pig-Cookies Recipe

Pork loins refer to cuts of meat from above the pig's rib cage, along both sides of the backbone, and running from the shoulders to the hind legs. This is the tenderest part of the pig, and also the leanest.

Cookies Recipe

When you buy pork loins from the butcher, you will probably need to specify the cut more specifically. "Pork loin" really refers to a wholesale cut; the retail pork loin cuts that a shopper will encounter include pork roasts, pork chops, back ribs, pork rack, pork tenderloin and pork steak, among others.

It's a matter of subjectivity, but in my opinion, the best tasting pork loin cut is a roast that is cut from the rib end of the pig. It tends to be more marbled than cuts from other locations, and usually juicier and more flavorful.

The main thing to guard against when cooking pork loins is overcooking them. Because they're relatively lean to begin with, overcooking can dry them out. On the other hand, pork of any kind should always be cooked thoroughly for safety's sake. There's a fine balance between too much and too little cooking when you're dealing with pork!

Fortunately, most of the pork loin recipes that you'll come across have taken this dilemma into consideration. Usually, if you follow the recipes closely as to cooking time, you will be fine.

Pork loins lend themselves to cooking in so many ways that I can't begin to cover them all in one article. If you've never cooked pork loin before, here's a basic recipe to get your started on discovering one of the world's great meat cuts. This is for cooking a pork loin roast, which does require a fairly long cooking time--2 hours.

Aside from the time required, it's an easy recipe. Don't let its simplicity fool you; follow the directions carefully and your taste buds will be well pleased.

Ingredients

4 cloves garlic

2 tablespoons dried rosemary

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon coarse-ground black pepper (or more or less, according to taste)

2 pounds boneless pork loin roast

1/3 cup olive oil

2/3 cup cabernet sauvignon or other red wine

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 360 degrees.

2. Mince garlic into a small bowl. Add rosemary, salt and pepper, and mix thoroughly with a fork or a miniature whisk.

3. Use a fork or knife to pierce the pork loin roast in a number of places. Rub the garlic mixture over the meat , being sure to press some of the mixture into the piercings. Brush olive oil over the meat.

4. Place pork loin roast onto a baking dish. Cook for 2 hours, turning at least once during that time. Baste frequently with pan drippings. With about 10 minutes of cooking time left, pour half of the wine over the meat.

5. After the meat is cooked, remove it onto a serving platter.

6. Pour the remaining wine into the baking pan and stir it in with the pan drippings, then pour this liquid over the meat.

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Why Chocolate for Valentine's Day?

Why Chocolate for Valentine's Day?-Cookies Recipe

Valentine's Day is many things to different people- a chance to start new relationships, rekindle old ones, or remind that special someone how wonderful they really are. Others feel it is just another "Hallmark" holiday where they are expected to do something for unknown reasons. Regardless of your hopes, expectations, or reservations about Valentine's Day, chocolate has long been a favorite gift for lovers.

Cookies Recipe

Since the days of the Aztecs chocolate has been used as a gift. Today a box of luxurious quality chocolate says a thousand "thank you's", "good luck", or "I love you". Chocolate can be given as a way of saying "congratulations", "I am sorry" or "get well soon". On Valentine's Day chocolate clearly says "I LOVE YOU!" Chocolate is more than food, it not only fills your belly but also makes you feel soooo good. Elaine Sherman wrote "Chocolate is heavenly, mellow, sensual, deep, dark, sumptuous, gratifying, potent, dense, creamy, seductive, suggestive, rich, excessive, silky, smooth, luxurious, celestial. Chocolate is downfall, happiness, pleasure, love, ecstasy, fantasy ... chocolate makes us wicked, guilty, sinful, healthy, chic, happy." What more could you want to say to your lover on Valentines Day? Even the scientific name for the tree from which chocolate is derived, Theobroma cacao, translated from Greek, means "food of the gods".

Why does chocolate evoke so many feelings and emotions for us? Chocolate has long been associated with passion, romance and love. This association may go all the way back to the Aztecs. They believed chocolate was a source of spiritual wisdom, incredible energy and elevated sexual power. Chocolate was widely used as a nuptial aid and was widely served at wedding ceremonies. The Aztecs did not know chocolate as we do today; they consumed the cocoa as a drink. Reports indicate that the Emperor Montezuma consumed large quantities of the drink every day and always fortified himself with a cup before entertaining his harem. The explorer Cortes reported to Carlos I of Spain that chocolate is "... the divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink enables a man to walk for a whole day without food." From the earliest times, chocolate was considered a substance of power and a source of vitality.

Chocolate has been a subject of study since the first shipment from Veracruz arrived in Spain in 1585. But modern science has made some interesting findings that may help explain our lust for quality chocolate. Chocolate contains organic substances known as alkaloids. The most important of these substances is theobromine, which works as a stimulant to the kidneys. Stimulants in chocolate also affect the central nervous system, with effects similar to caffeine, which is also present in chocolate. A chocolate bar may contain as much as 200 mg of theobromine but only about 25 mg of caffeine. Another important substance found in chocolate is phenylethylamine, which is part of a group of chemicals known as endorphins. Endorphins have an effect similar to amphetamine and are found naturally in the human body. When endorphins are released into the bloodstream, the mood is lifted and feelings of positive energy are reached. The sensation known as "runners high" is caused by endorphins released during exercise. Phenylethylamine levels in the brain have also been linked to "falling in love". One more chemical found in chocolate is seratonin. Seratonin is known for its calming properties. The presence of these chemicals may explain the multitude of feelings chocolate evokes.

Debra Waterhouse, author of Why Women Need Chocolate, conducted a survey and found: 97% of women reported cravings, 68% of which are for chocolate, 50% would choose chocolate over sex, and 22% were more likely than men to choose chocolate as a mood elevator. These findings could easily be interpreted as a result of how chocolate makes us feel. I don't know why more women choose chocolate than men, for I am a man and I love chocolate.

Critics would say that the benefits of eating chocolate are small when compared to the sugar and fat contained in a chocolate bar. The best chocolate, dark chocolate with high cacao butter content has no added fat, as well as a high percentage of cacao solids and correspondingly less sugar. Although chocolate will never be considered a health food based on its nutritional value, it is still good for you! Good for your heart and soul-anything that helps relieve stress and makes you feel so good must be.

Receiving a nicely wrapped box of chocolates causes a sense of anticipation. The pleasure of unwrapping the box, the sensual smell, lifting the soft seductive papers, the look of the smooth dark chocolates. When it finally passes your lips and starts to instantly melt filling your mouth with exquisite pleasure. The taste and smell flood your senses with overwhelming ecstasy. Eating it slowly, taking time to enjoy and savor every bit. What better way to start off an evening of love?

Related articles:Spring Valley Vitamins ,ทำ seo

Friday, January 13, 2012

Looking For a Great Italian Meatball Recipe?

Looking For a Great Italian Meatball Recipe?

Looking for a great Italian meatball recipe? Wrap your lips around this one.

This recipe was given to my by my 105 year old Sicilian great-grandma. This is the real deal.

The Best Meatball Recipe

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Ingredients

1 pound combined beef, veal, pork (must be fresh)

3 large eggs

1 cup grated Romano Locatelli Cheese

1 cup bread crumb

1 clove garlic - minced

1 teaspoon salt

Preparation

(All mixing is done be hand)

In a large bowl mix beef/veal/pork with eggs. Then add bread crumb, cheese, and salt. Finally add minced garlic in stages. Add a little garlic, then mix. Add some more, then mix. This way all the garlic does not end up in one meatball. Now, it's time to roll up the balls. Average size is roughly 2 inches in diameter. I usually get around 18 to 20
meatballs per pound.

IMPORTANT! Do not cook meatballs in your pasta sauce! Meatballs cooked in sauce loose their flavor. The real key to a tasty meatball is cooking the them in an oven. So, heat oven to 375. Place meatballs on a rack - then on a cookie tray.

Bake for 12 minutes on one side then 10 minutes for the other.

BEWARE If you choose to fry your meatballs make sure you are alone. The aroma is so overwhelming that anyone in smelling distance will be steal your meatballs right out of the frying pan.

I freeze the meatballs in plastic bags and take out what I need per dinner. I just drop the meatballs into the sauce as if heats up.

Buon Appetito!

Looking For a Great Italian Meatball Recipe? Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Why Chocolate for Valentine's Day?

Why Chocolate for Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day is many things to different people- a chance to start new relationships, rekindle old ones, or remind that special someone how wonderful they really are. Others feel it is just another "Hallmark" holiday where they are expected to do something for unknown reasons. Regardless of your hopes, expectations, or reservations about Valentine's Day, chocolate has long been a favorite gift for lovers.

Since the days of the Aztecs chocolate has been used as a gift. Today a box of luxurious quality chocolate says a thousand "thank you's", "good luck", or "I love you". Chocolate can be given as a way of saying "congratulations", "I am sorry" or "get well soon". On Valentine's Day chocolate clearly says "I LOVE YOU!" Chocolate is more than food, it not only fills your belly but also makes you feel soooo good. Elaine Sherman wrote "Chocolate is heavenly, mellow, sensual, deep, dark, sumptuous, gratifying, potent, dense, creamy, seductive, suggestive, rich, excessive, silky, smooth, luxurious, celestial. Chocolate is downfall, happiness, pleasure, love, ecstasy, fantasy ... chocolate makes us wicked, guilty, sinful, healthy, chic, happy." What more could you want to say to your lover on Valentines Day? Even the scientific name for the tree from which chocolate is derived, Theobroma cacao, translated from Greek, means "food of the gods".

Why does chocolate evoke so many feelings and emotions for us? Chocolate has long been associated with passion, romance and love. This association may go all the way back to the Aztecs. They believed chocolate was a source of spiritual wisdom, incredible energy and elevated sexual power. Chocolate was widely used as a nuptial aid and was widely served at wedding ceremonies. The Aztecs did not know chocolate as we do today; they consumed the cocoa as a drink. Reports indicate that the Emperor Montezuma consumed large quantities of the drink every day and always fortified himself with a cup before entertaining his harem. The explorer Cortes reported to Carlos I of Spain that chocolate is "... the divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink enables a man to walk for a whole day without food." From the earliest times, chocolate was considered a substance of power and a source of vitality.

Chocolate has been a subject of study since the first shipment from Veracruz arrived in Spain in 1585. But modern science has made some interesting findings that may help explain our lust for quality chocolate. Chocolate contains organic substances known as alkaloids. The most important of these substances is theobromine, which works as a stimulant to the kidneys. Stimulants in chocolate also affect the central nervous system, with effects similar to caffeine, which is also present in chocolate. A chocolate bar may contain as much as 200 mg of theobromine but only about 25 mg of caffeine. Another important substance found in chocolate is phenylethylamine, which is part of a group of chemicals known as endorphins. Endorphins have an effect similar to amphetamine and are found naturally in the human body. When endorphins are released into the bloodstream, the mood is lifted and feelings of positive energy are reached. The sensation known as "runners high" is caused by endorphins released during exercise. Phenylethylamine levels in the brain have also been linked to "falling in love". One more chemical found in chocolate is seratonin. Seratonin is known for its calming properties. The presence of these chemicals may explain the multitude of feelings chocolate evokes.

Debra Waterhouse, author of Why Women Need Chocolate, conducted a survey and found: 97% of women reported cravings, 68% of which are for chocolate, 50% would choose chocolate over sex, and 22% were more likely than men to choose chocolate as a mood elevator. These findings could easily be interpreted as a result of how chocolate makes us feel. I don't know why more women choose chocolate than men, for I am a man and I love chocolate.

Critics would say that the benefits of eating chocolate are small when compared to the sugar and fat contained in a chocolate bar. The best chocolate, dark chocolate with high cacao butter content has no added fat, as well as a high percentage of cacao solids and correspondingly less sugar. Although chocolate will never be considered a health food based on its nutritional value, it is still good for you! Good for your heart and soul-anything that helps relieve stress and makes you feel so good must be.

Receiving a nicely wrapped box of chocolates causes a sense of anticipation. The pleasure of unwrapping the box, the sensual smell, lifting the soft seductive papers, the look of the smooth dark chocolates. When it finally passes your lips and starts to instantly melt filling your mouth with exquisite pleasure. The taste and smell flood your senses with overwhelming ecstasy. Eating it slowly, taking time to enjoy and savor every bit. What better way to start off an evening of love?

Why Chocolate for Valentine's Day? Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

How to Make Delicious and Healthy Bar Cookies: Buttery Almond Shortbread

How to Make Delicious and Healthy Bar Cookies: Buttery Almond Shortbread

Bar cookies are not only very tasty, they are easy to make. No baking in a couple of batches, watching that the edges don't brown too much, switching out cookie sheets, etc, but conveniently 1 pan and 1 oven time. When cooled they are easy to cut into bars, serve and/or store. Try this yummy recipe for a quick and easy treat. These Buttery Almond Shortbread Bars are quick and easy to make. Give yourself a half hour to make, bake and set to cool. And another good thing about these cookies is that shortbread makes great cookies for lunchboxes, picnics, etc as they are not messy.These cookies are not only quick and easy but they are made with Splenda blends instead of sugar, allowing them to also fit into the healthy cookie category!

Almonds are healthy and should be eaten as part of a healthy diet a couple of times a week. You can feel comfortable offering this cookie to your family, friends, coworkers, fellow church members and others. Be sure to use raw or toasted almonds. You lose the heart healthy benefits of nuts when you add salt or sugar coatings. This recipe is also suitable for diabetics by using the Splenda blend and the almonds. Of course these bars can be made with sugar if you so desire. But why add the extra sugar when they are just as good with the baking blend? This is especially important when making cookies for your children. Let them learn early that foods don't have to be loaded down with sugar to taste good.

BUTTERY ALMOND SHORTBREAD BARS
2/3 cup butter flavored shortening
2/3 cup Splenda Baking Blend
1 egg, separated
2 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp water
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 x 2-inch pan; set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the shortening, sugar, egg yolk, milk, and almond extract. Add the flour to the mixture and blend together. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Add the water to the egg white in a small mixing bowl. Beat the mixture until foamy. Brush the egg white mixture over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle with the almonds, pressing them down gently with your fingertips. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before cutting into bars.

Enjoy!

How to Make Delicious and Healthy Bar Cookies: Buttery Almond Shortbread Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Cookies of the Soul - Chocolate Cream Kisses and a insight

Cookies of the Soul - Chocolate Cream Kisses and a insight

Her connection with him was in trouble and she knew it. She had convinced herself for a long time that the important part was that she knew it. Today was the day she knew for sure that she had to fix it. Denying to herself that his situation was serious was easy to do, until she heard her Mom on the phone speaking to her some what doubtful brother, "Do you precisely know how serious this is? No, I mean how precisely seriously ill he is." Her mom does not jump to conclusions and, therefore; when she says something like that she means it.

Had it only been eleven years since he had married Mom? Ten years since he taught her how a real father treats his children whether or not they are precisely his. Nine years since, well, since the chocolate cream kisses. She was fourteen years old. It was those ridiculous diminutive chocolate cookie sandwiches with cream on the inside. She was fanatic about them. It seemed like she was always eating them. She remembered him sitting in his chair watching the Tv, his usual happiness and content. When she went to kiss him, Mom started laughing. She pointed out that he had a pair of chocolate lips on his cheek. That's when her kisses were dubbed chocolate cream kisses. To about two months ago he always said before she went to bed "Jenny, give me one of those chocolate cream kisses." whether or not she had chocolate on her lips, that's what they were called. She privately had loved it. He was in too much pain to think on it now.

Jenny shook herself out of her daydream and back on her bed behind her locked door. She touched her face and it was wet. It had been a long time since she had felt them. Once upon a time they had a great relationship. It was full of laughter and friendship. Both in enterprise and personal lives. When the enterprise went down he automatically assumed that Jenny resented him for the inability to make the enterprise fly and for all the money she had invested into the business. Shortly thereafter Jenny resented him for mental so and she was too introverted to do anything about it.

Then he got sick. Shortly after she moved back into the house due to her recent bankruptcy and that's when his condition got out of control. It started with his diabetes causing severe mood swings and his depression on top of it. That, the family was able to work their way through on uneven ground. Then came the leg wounds. They were four inches long on each leg and breeding infection. To see a strong private cry all day is a humbling palpate full of sadness and fear. Not being able to salvage that someone from all the pain they are feeling.

Then the wall came up. That wall that is solid and large looming in the middle of her and love. She was protecting herself from the chance that she was losing someone she loved. Jenny figured if you don't love them so much then when they die it won't hurt so much. That's when their trickle of conversation became dry, there was nothing to talk about anymore. Empty and void except for the silent anger that wondered why hw wouldn't take care of himself? Why didn't he think of the population he might leave behind when eating those large plates of heaping food? There are times when she remembered that his food was an addiction and there was times when she forgot.

Today the anger vanished. Exactly fifteen minutes ago to be exact, that is when Mom said Dad was going to the crisis room. The pain was becoming unbearable to him. While every brick of that wall told her she shouldn't, she went to talk to him.

His face was gray, lying on that couch with bandages wrapped around his legs. When Jenny brought her fear into the room he opened his eyes slightly.

Likely Page Break"Hey Jenny," he said as he smiled weakly up at her.

"Hey Dad, I heard you decided to go to the crisis room."

"Yeah, Sweetheart, it just hurts too much now."

"Dad, I want you to know something before you...."

"He starred up at her, " I know you Jenny. You don't have to say it, but knowing you, I also do know that you need to say it. Go on."

"I'm sorry for how stiff I've been. I love you so much. I just don't want to lose you. You're my dad whether or not I was born that way. You can't die, you have to live, just like Mom lived. There are all those things we have to do together. The Disney Cruise and that trip we all were going to take....." Tears were flowing and they weren't about to stop. She decided that they never were going to stop. They were just going to keep going until the whole house flooded. She had to get herself under control. If she can't operate this then she can't operate anything in her life.

"Jenny. It's okay. I love you and I'm not going anywhere. You and me, we're okay. Here give me one of those chocolate cream kisses."

After she did he moderately got up to leave. "I'll see you when I get back." His strength came back for a minute. That Viking strength that Jenny and Mom talked about all the time. whether or not they had said anything properly it was ultimately understood and the wall crumbled in the middle of them.

"Chocolate Cream Kisses"*

Ingredients: ¾ cup of all purpose flour, ¾ cup whole wheat flour, 4 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ tsp of baking powder, 1/8 tsp salt, ½ plus ¼ cup of margarine softened, ½ cup of vegetable shortening, ½ cup of packed brown sugar, 1 cup of old fashioned rolled oats, ¼ cup of light corn syrup dissolved in 1 tbs boiling water, 1 cup of confectioner's sugar, and ½ tsp of pure vanilla extract.

1) Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2) Butter the cookie sheets with cooking spray. Mix together the flours, 2 tbs cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.

3) Beat ½ cup of the margarine, all the shortening, and all the sugar in a large bowl with a mixer until creamy.

4) Mix in the dry ingredients. Stir in the oats and corn syrup. Form balls the size of walnuts with the dough and place 1 inch apart of the cookie sheets. Flatten slightly.

5) Bake for 20 minutes until firm to touch. Replacement to wire racks. Then beat the remaining margarine, confectioner's sugar, remaining cocoa powder, and vanilla until creamy. Stick the cookies together in pairs with the chocolate filling.

6) Enjoy all the happiness and yumminess rushing in.

* Base of formula from Cookies and then I molded it from there.

Cookies of the Soul - Chocolate Cream Kisses and a insight Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Monday, January 9, 2012

Why Cookies Make the Best Wedding Favors

Why Cookies Make the Best Wedding Favors

One of the most favorite wedding favors to emerge in recent years has been practice cookies. These delightful cookies come in just about any shape thinkable, and look gorgeous when iced in coordinating colors. Cookie favors can be made to work for just about any wedding style or theme and at around each they are affordable too.

These ornamental iced cookies have taken over from the more high-priced cupcakes which were favorite both as wedding cakes and wedding favors for many years. Cookies supply something separate and can be made unique by personalizing them too with iced names or monograms.

For couples who are having a themed wedding it can be difficult to find favors which match the theme perfectly, which is where cookies can come to the rescue. Because they can be made in hundreds of separate shapes and designs it is easy to coordinate them to just about any wedding theme imaginable.

Typically practice cookies will be plain shortbread style biscuits but you can also request flavoured varieties if you order them through a baker or your cake maker. Some favour shop offer ready made cookies in a option of favorite shapes and which can be customized to suit your wedding colors. Buying your cookies from a favour store will be cheaper than ordering practice made ones from a baker.

With cookie wedding favors there is also the option of making your own. Why not create boxes of mini cookies in your favourite flavours to give out or make separate flavoured cookies for each of your guests. You do not have to be able to ice them whether instead make cookies like choc chip or sandwich style with a yummy filling.

If you wanted to make your own practice cookies and decorate them with icing then you should try some practise runs first to exquisite your skills! You will probably find instructions for making practice cookie wedding favors online or you could purchase a book showing you separate techniques and embellishment ideas along with using them as place cards by icing your guests names on them.

Wedding guests love edible favors! They do not need to take them home, they supply instant hunger relief after the ceremony and cocktail hour and if they do not like cookies then they can always take them home for the children! If you want to give cookies as your favors then choose clear packaging to present them in such as acrylic boxes or plastic bags so they can be shown off in all their glory!

Why Cookies Make the Best Wedding Favors Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Healthy Breakfast Cookie Recipe

Healthy Breakfast Cookie Recipe

Cookies for breakfast? Yes, it is possible to start your day with cookies as long as they are made from healthy ingredients like whole wheat flour, oatmeal, wheat germ, peanut butter, eggs, fruit, vegetables, and nuts.

I know it's a cliche but, for most people, a healthy breakfast is important to get the day started right. What you eat for breakfast can set the tone for how you feel all day. Studies show that a good breakfast with protein and fiber can boost your metabolism and positively influence your eating choices the rest of the day, resulting in a slimmer, healthier, more productive you!

Healthy breakfast cookies might be the perfect solution for breakfast skippers. They are quick, easy, tasty, and portable. No time in the morning? With a plate of healthy breakfast cookies on the counter or a bag of individually wrapped ones in the freezer, you can just grab one and go.

I like to enjoy one with a piece of fruit and a little plain organic Greek yogurt for a completely satisfying breakfast.

Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies Recipe
makes about 2 dozen cookies

Packed with the added punch of protein from peanut butter, these wholesome cookies are satisfying. Perfect for a quick breakfast on the go, especially when you add a piece of fruit. They are good with almond butter and chopped almonds too.

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/3 cup water
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup raisins or craisins

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them.

In a large bowl beat together butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs and water.

In a medium bowl stir together flours, oats, wheat germ, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda. Mix flour mixture into peanut butter mixture. Stir in raisins.

Drop by ice cream scoopfuls (or 1/4 cup measuring cupfuls )2 1/2 inches apart on greased cookie sheets. Flatten slightly.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden but still soft.

Remove from the oven and cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.

Healthy Breakfast Cookie Recipe Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Baking The Sugar Cookies

Baking The Sugar Cookies

When you look for some favorite treat other than the chocolate chip cookies then your right choice should be the homemade sugar cookies. These provide you much flexibility in terms of their decoration and are now one famous gift option as well.

The major ingredients of these cookies are sugar, flour, vanilla, eggs and butter. It is up to you to make use of baking powder or baking soda.

These can be fashioned if you roll them or simply your hands can be used for this and you can either sprinkle or frost these with sugar. It actually depends on the holiday event on which these are to be used. In USA these are often used at the special occasions.

As far as the details of this treat are concerned, the recipe named 'Nazareth Sugar Cookie' was developed by the settlers who were German Protestant and resided in Nazareth area in Pennsylvania in mid 1700s. As it is related to the history of the area very strongly therefore it became the area's official cookie in 2001.

The probable origin for these cookies was 'jumbles' which are usually found there in England and are3 unleavened. These cookies existed already in Middle Ages. Their key ingredients included nuts, flour, eggs and sugar as well as anise. These were the treats that shaped in rolls or the rings and for the flavoring purposes sometimes used caraway or vanilla instead of anise.

Sugar cookies that are homemade are amongst the treats that are most favorite ones in USA as well as around the globe. It has now become a tradition for these treats to be included in all the occasions. These include Valentine's Day, Christmas, Halloween and Easter.

If you are the one who has a passion of cooking or baking? If yes then you should definitely learn to bake these homemade cookies. These days it might not be so much easy because of the recipes that you may find online.

Another attraction of these cookies is that one can easily bake these cookies and fashion them as well. All you need to do is get started to decided which options fit your teammates and you correctly.

There decoration is easy also and you can design these according to the occasion. Doing that involves very little effort, as they can all be easily designed on my like a piece of canvas. This is something that everyone should try at least once.

Baking The Sugar Cookies Related articles: Spring Valley Vitamins , ทำseo

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Baking Cookies - Responsible Indulging

Baking Cookies - Responsible Indulging

Baking is a form of cooking which is known to be healthier than frying as it brings food to lower temperatures. It browns and dehydrates the food, allowing it to come to be crispy and enriching its flavour. Cookies are a dessert which has taken advantage of this principle; by baking to condense a soft dough, cookies are both made edible through the chemical reactions that break down the starch in the flour, and turned into something very enjoyable to eat.

Contrary to what some people say eggs are not needed for baking whether cakes or cookies. The chemical reaction which turns cake and cookie batter into the closed cakes or cookies is straightforward dehydration and does not involve the coagulation of egg protein. If you use a non-hydrogenated vegetable fat spread, you can bake yummy cookies which have no cholesterol or unhealthy animal proteins at all. A typical recipe for cookie dough is 1 part sugar to 2 parts solid fat to three parts flour. Make the dough by kneading the ingredients together or blending them in the food processor. Then you can roll this compound out with a rolling pin and cut it into rounds with cups or special cookie cutters.

As cookie batter is dryer than cake batter from the get go it needs a relatively short baking time; ordinarily about 15 minutes. You can tell if they are done by poking them with a knife or skewer. Properly baked cookies are hard to the touch and golden brown.

Baking cookies is a fun pastime and has yummy results. Watch the health aspects and enjoy responsibly!

Baking Cookies - Responsible Indulging

Crumbled Cookies Add Flavor and Texture to Recipes

Crumbled Cookies Add Flavor and Texture to Recipes

When my daughters were little I baked homemade cookies for them every week. Now I bake them for my grandchildren. Though the cookies disappear fast, sometimes a few stale ones are left. As I discovered, these tasty tidbits may be used in ice cream, pie crusts, coffee cake, trifles, and more. Homemade cookies taste best, but you may also use store-bought. Of course, you have to sample each kind before adding them to recipes.

Chocolate or vanilla filled cookies. Place in plastic zipper bag and crush with a rolling pin, leaving a few larger chunks. Fold into soft vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt. Swirl in chocolate sauce at the same time if you wish.

Gingersnaps. Place in plastic zipper bag and crush finely with a rolling pin. Transfer crumbs to a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup melted butter or margarine. Do not add extra sugar. No baking is needed. Use this butter-crumb mixture for pie crusts and parfait desserts.

Shortbread. Put cookies in a small bowl and crush, leaving a few larger chunks. Whisk in 1/4 cup uncooked oatmeal. Sprinkle mixture over apple, peach, or cherry pie. Dot top with butter and bake pie as recipe directs.

Chocolate wafers. Place in plastic zipper bag and crush until very fine. Gently press these crumbs all around the side of a frosted layer cake. You may also sprinkle a few crumbs on top.

Oatmeal cookies. Put cookies in a small bowl and crush until you have 1/4 cup of crumbs. Add 1/2 cup brown sugar, a half stick of cold butter (cut into small pieces) 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of flour. Swirl mixture into coffee cake and bake as recipe directs.

Vanilla wafers. Leave cookies whole and use in Tiramisu. In a medium-sized bowl, combine 8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, 8 ounces Mascarpone cheese, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespons rum (or 1 teaspoon rum extract), and 2 cups Cool Whip Free. Put a layer of cookies in the bottom of a glass dish. Frost with cream mixture, layer more cookies, and continue layering, ending with cheese. Dust with cocoa powder. Chill at least four hours before serving.

Sugar cookies or Snickerdoodles. Leave cookies whole and use in trifle. In a medium-sized bowl, combine 1 small box instant lemon pudding, 1 1/2 cups skim milk, 1/2 container of Cool Whip Free, and zest of one lemon. In a separate bowl, combine 1 pint of sliced strawberries with 2 teaspoons sugar. Layer cookies, pudding mixture, and strawberries in trifle bowl. Decorate the top with 1 pint of whole berries. Chill at least four hours before serving. You may also use instant vanilla pudding and orange zest in this recipe.

After you start adding cookies to recipes you will find many more uses for them. And that's the way the cookie crumbles!

Copyright 2009 by Harriet Hodgson

Crumbled Cookies Add Flavor and Texture to Recipes

Friday, January 6, 2012

Ten Fun and Creepy Halloween Party Snacks

Ten Fun and Creepy Halloween Party Snacks

It doesn't matter if you have a big family or if you're on your own... Halloween is one of the most fun holidays ever invented. But if you are a busy mom (and your house is the one house on the block where everyone goes for Halloween parties) you may be looking for some quick and easy Halloween party snacks to have ready for kids, visitors, guests, and freeloading adult friends during the Halloween season.

Looking for some new ideas for festive snacks that don't take a hundred years (or work your fingers to the bone) to put together? The ten Halloween party snack ideas below are lots of fun, simple to make... and some of them are even healthy!

1. Rotting Eyes and Severed Fingers

This is a very healthy but rather creepy Halloween party snack that makes good use of black olives and baby carrots. Arrange the black olives and baby carrots on a party tray with a bowl of your favorite dip (I like a cream cheese veggie dip). Inform your party guests that the tray is filled with rotting black eyes and severed fingers. And then watch this snack disappear. A good way to get your kids excited about veggies!

2. Jack o' Lantern Oranges

This healthy treat is so easy to make, and looks so pretty! Carve jack-o'-lantern faces into oranges and place on a platter. The kids will love it. And they can help, too, without ever having to pick up a knife. Have them simply draw the faces on with a black marker, and carve them yourself. Or don't worry about carving them-- they look just as good with faces drawn on.

As a variation of this fun Halloween party snack, I like to hollow out an orange with a Jack o' Lantern face and fill it with fruit salad. Healthy, easy and quick!

3. Easy Bugs in the Bone Yard

This is such a fun Halloween snack for the kiddos. All you have to do? Sprinkle raisins into a bowl full of white-chocolate covered pretzels. (You could also use chocolate covered raisins.) Kids will eat them up once they learn the name of this snack. Or they'd eat it up anyway, since this mix tastes divine.

4. Slimy Halloween Jigglers

You know those Jello jiggler molds? They work great for Halloween! Either use whatever you have lying around the house, or go out and pick up a brain or a heart-shaped Jello mold. Make up a batch of orange, black, purple, or flesh-colored Jello and pour into your mold(s). Or make a flat pan of Jello and cut out shapes with Halloween cookie cutters instead.

5. Ghost Cereal Bars

Prepare a batch of the Rice Krispies marshmallow treats recipe on the back of the cereal box. When the mixture has set up, cut out shapes with ghost shaped cookie cutter. Pour warm white frosting or melted white chocolate over the shapes to cover. Add M&M eyes and mouth. A delicious and easy Halloween party snack.

6. Green Gelatin Intestines

This is one of the grosser looking Halloween party snacks. Make lime gelatin and add pineapple bits, chopped marshmallows, sliced bananas and mandarin oranges. Pour gelatin mixture into an angel food cake pan and let set up. Invert pan to remove gelatin mold. Slice the mold horizontally into about 5 layers. Slice the layers in half and arrange on a platter in semi-circles to look like intestines. Gross!

7. Spooky Healthy Eyeballs

This Halloween party snack is both easy and healthy. Wash a bunch of green grapes. Insert a raisin into the stem end of the grapes and freeze them all until ready to serve.

8. Monster Crackers

Color some white vegetable spread or cream cheese with green food coloring and spread on your favorite crackers. Arrange small bits of green and red bell peppers to make a green-eyed, red-mouthed cracker monster. Use small amounts of broccoli sprouts to make the monster hair. A sneaky way to get kids eating their veggies.

9. Wormy Halloween Punch Recipe

No respectable Halloween party snack list would do with out having this squeamish punch. Just make green Kool-Aid and put in a clear glass punch bowl. Set the punch bowl on top of a glow necklace so the light shines through the punch bowl. Add some gummy worms and watch the kids squirm when they see it.

10. Vampire Blood

You use V8 juice for this one so it is healthier than the wormy punch above. Pour the V8 juice in a clear picture that you have labeled as "Vampire Blood." For an adult party, add the ingredients for a bloody Mary, if you like. For a kids' party, well... good luck getting them to try it. It is V8, after all!

Ten Fun and Creepy Halloween Party Snacks

Thursday, January 5, 2012

The World's Best Cookie

The World's Best Cookie

It's tough to create an old-fashioned holiday on a 2006 schedule without delicious holiday cookies. From brightly colored holiday trees to sparkling silver bells and delicate angels these delicious treats make a holiday special.

Indeed homemade cookies are wonderful. However they can be time-consuming to prepare - especially when you use complicated recipes that require hours of time in the refrigerator before they can be cut, baked and iced.

Just in time for the holidays we offer you this easy recipe straight from Austin's own Penny McConnell of Penny's Pastries. This dough needs no refrigeration before rolling and cutting; handles like a dream and produces buttery, great-tasting cookies.

You'll find this and 18 other mouth-watering cookie recipes in the recently released Cookie Stories: Life Moments and the Cookies that Inspired Them (Falling Star Press, 2005) written by Penny McConnell and Kathy Sutton.

Penny's Roll-and-Cut Cookies
The recipe can be made as large as your mixer will hold and the finished dough can be held in your freezer for a month. When you're ready to use it simply bring the dough to room temperature before rolling and baking. Finish the cookies with either sparking sugars or slather with tinted Royal frosting or buttercream.

Yield: 4-6 dozen cookies

Temperature: 325 degrees

Baking time: 8-10 minutes

2 cups salted butter

2 cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs

4 tablespoons whipping cream or whole milk

4 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

2 teaspoons almond extract

6 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare cookie sheets with kitchen parchment.

2. In electric mixer bowl, mix butter with sugar until smooth. Remember to just incorporate these ingredients, do not cream until light.

3. Add all liquid ingredients to mixer bowl and process.

4. In a separate bowl, mix flour with baking powder.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer bowl and process until heavy dough forms. This dough needs no refrigeration before rolling and cutting.

6. To prepare the dough for rolling and cutting, separate the finished dough into two large balls. Work with one dough ball at a time.

7. Flour a work surface. Knead the dough a few times to smooth it out before rolling.

8. Re-flour the surface if necessary. Sprinkle a light dusting of flour directly on the dough surface. With a rolling pin, roll dough into a disk until the dough is approximately ¼" thick. (Roll dough thicker if you prefer a more cake-like texture to the finished cookies.) Remember while you're rolling to occasionally lift the dough from the work surface and turn it so it will not stick. Add additional flour to the work surface when necessary.

9. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. The dough scraps can be used several times.

10. Bake 8-10 minutes, rotating pans once during the baking cycle. The cookies are perfect when the bottoms are golden brown and the tops are light blond.

11. Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.

You'll want frosting for these cookies so here is a standard recipe for Royal Frosting.

Royal Frosting

12 tablespoons warm water

6 tablespoons meringue powder

7 cups powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)

1 1/2 teaspoon flavoring such as almond extract

Instructions:

1. Pour warm water into electric mixer bowl. Add all other ingredients.

2. With speed on low, mix ingredients until they form a thick frosting

3. When the icing is smooth, set the mixer on its highest setting and process until the icing goes from shinny to dull, has doubled in volume, and will stand in stiff peaks.

4. Use as desired to decorate cookies

The World's Best Cookie

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Fill Your Cookie Jar With These Homemade Goodies

Fill Your Cookie Jar With These Homemade Goodies

Don't we all love a good homemade cookie? Here are so yummy cookie recipes you can use to fill your cookie jar. Your friends and family will love sharing these cookies with you over some good conversation and some milk or hot chocolate! Two favorites are combined in this first cookie - peanuts and chocolate chips! The second recipe is one my grandkids and I call our Worth A Blue Ribbon Recipe. It is a simple cookie that can be used for any occasion when you change the color of the sugar sprinkles to fit the occasion.

PEANUT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup finely chopped peanuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together; set aside.

In a large mixer bowl beat the peanut butter and butter together on medium speed for a couple of minutes until creamy. Add the brown sugar and the quarter cup of granulated sugar; beat 2 minutes. Beat in the milk, egg, and vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture just until combined. Stir in the mini chips and the peanuts. Cover dough and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Roll 2 teaspoons of dough into a ball for each cookie. Place balls 2-inches apart on the cookie sheets. With a fork, flatten each ball into a 1 1/2-inch round cookie, making a criss-cross pattern on top. Sprinkle a small amount of the remaining tablespoon of sugar over each cookie.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. Allow to cool on the cookie sheets 1 minute then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: 60 cookies
Approximate 50 calories per cookie.

WORTH A BLUE RIBBON COOKIES
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp baking soda
colored sugar sprinkles

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large mixer bowl combine the butter and the confectioners' and granulated sugars together. Beat mixture on medium speed until creamy; scrape down the bowl while beating. Add the egg and vanilla extract and continue to beat until mixture is well combined.

Reduce the speed to low and add the two types of flour, cream of tartar, and baking soda beating until the dough forms a ball.

Shape dough into balls about an inch in diameter and place about 2-inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Using the bottom of a glass that has been dipped in granulated sugar, press each ball to about an inch and a half in diameter. Sprinkle tops with the colored sugar sprinkles and bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 9 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.

Allow to cool on the baking sheet for around a minute then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: 72 cookies

Enjoy!

Fill Your Cookie Jar With These Homemade Goodies

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

How to Make Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cookies With Frosting at Home

How to Make Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cookies With Frosting at Home

Follow this recipe to get soft, flaky cookies that melt in your mouth. This recipe makes about three dozen cookies. You can store your cookies in an air-tight jar for up to one month.

Things you will need:

To make homemade melt-in-your-mouth cookies, you need the following ingredients:
Self-rising flour/All-purpose flour 150g
Baking powder 1/4 teaspoon
Butter 120g
Castor sugar/Regular sugar 90g
Eggs 1
Vanilla essence 3 drops
Cornflakes 1 cup
Cookie cutters Any shape you want

You need the following ingredients to make a simple frosting:

Fresh cream 4 tablespoons
Butter 2 tablespoons
Castor sugar 1 cup
Food coloring (optional)
Sprinkles (optional)

How to make Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cookies

1. In a pan, melt 120g of butter.
2. Turn off the heat and then add 90g of castor sugar. If you are using regular sugar, blend it into a fine powder using a coffee polisher before adding.
3. Beat well until sugar dissolves into butter to form a creamy mixture.
4. Now add the egg to the combination and mix gently. Unlike a cake, you don't need to isolate the egg white and egg yolk. Plainly add the whole egg.
5. Add a few drops of vanilla essence to give a fantastic aroma to your cookies.
6. Now add self-rising flour. In case you are using all-purpose flour, first add 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder to it.
7. Mix the flour well into your mixture. Use your hands to knead the dough into a ball. The dough should neither be too soft nor too firm. The cookies will only be soft, flaky, and moist if the dough is of the right consistency.
8. Lightly sprinkle a exterior with flour. Now take some of your dough combination and roll it out until it remains 1/2cm thick.
9. Use cookie cutters in any shape you like. Round cutters work best as they hold their shape well. Kids will love helping you cut the cookies into various shapes.
10. Reuse the strips of dough left after cutting out the cookies.
11. Using your hands, slightly crush the cornflakes and spread on a tray. Coat your cookies with the cornflakes. Be gentle, otherwise the cookies may lose their shape.
12. Arrange the cookies on a baking tray.
13. Preheat the oven to 425 F.
14. Bake the cookies for ten minutes or until golden brown. Check every two minutes to avoid getting the cookies burnt.
15. When taken out of the oven, the cookies will be very soft. Let them sit aside to cool down. As the cookies cool, they will get the soft, flaky crunch.
16. Store the cookies in an air-tight jar after they are cooled to room temperature.

These delicious, melt-in-your-mouth cookies taste great when eaten as such. To add extra taste, top the cookies with your beloved frosting, or use the basic frosting recipe given below

Simple Frosting Recipe

Simply beat all the ingredients together. Dip the cookies into the frosting mixture. Decorate with sprinkles and let the frosting set. Delicious, "Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cookies with Frosting" are ready.

How to Make Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cookies With Frosting at Home

Halloween Recipes and Spectacular Scary Food Ideas

Halloween Recipes and Spectacular Scary Food Ideas

Halloween recipes are a very exciting aspect to this particular holiday. This is the one holiday in which most of us are allowed to feel and act like a kid again without worrying over the criticism of our peers. There are many exciting adventures and activities that can be pursued to enhance the overall "persona" of this particular holiday.

However, one of the best ways to enhance the spirit of this holiday is to whip up some fun and excitement with a few spooky and spectacular Halloween recipes! Here, I will provide you with the details on a couple of recipes that are among my personal favorites. My hopes and intentions are that these recipes are ones that you will find hauntingly inviting! If not inviting, maybe they can at least give you a nice little spook!

Sugar cookies are exceptionally popular when it comes to spooky and spectacular Halloween recipes ideas. There are many different types of cookie cutters available that represent common schemes and themes of this particular holiday. You can purchase cutters that are shaped like bats, ghosts, pumpkins, monsters, and more!

All you need for this particular recipe is about two cups of butter, three eggs, two cups of sugar, five cups of flour, one teaspoon of vanilla, and approximately three to four tablespoons of milk. Simply mix all of your ingredients together and then roll out the mixture - much like you would for biscuits. Next, take your cookie cutter and break the shapes. Then, use food coloring to enhance the appearance of the cookies and bake on 350F for approximately ten to fifteen minutes!

The next spectacular haunted Halloween recipe that I am sure that you will love and your guests will find appealing is witches brew. This is sure to be an interesting centerpiece for any type of Halloween party! First, you will need to gather some basic supplies. These are a pack of raspberries, two cups of cranberry juice, approximately two liters of ginger ale, some unflavored gelatin, and gummy candy that reflects the Halloween theme - like worms or snakes.

Spiders are great if you can find them in gummy style! Combine the raspberries and the cranberry juice in a rubber glove and freeze it. Then, take the leftover raspberries and put them in the base of a bowl, and top with the gelatin. Next, all you have to do is add the frozen "hand" you created earlier and pour in the ginger ale. Once this is done, add your scary gummy creatures and you are all set! As you can see, there are many fun and scary Halloween recipes available!

Halloween Recipes and Spectacular Scary Food Ideas

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Pumpkin Cheesecake - Fast, Easy and Delicious

Pumpkin Cheesecake - Fast, Easy and Delicious

Tired of pumpkin pie and want something different? If you have never tried pumpkin cheesecake, you are in for a treat. It is absolutely delicious, fast and easy holiday dessert -- and since I am always pressed for time, I need desserts I can make in a few minutes. It cooks for an hour, but the prep time is next to nothing. Lets' start with the basics.

Ingredients:

Crust

TIMESAVER: 1 9" Graham cracker pie crust (premade from your local store)

-OR-

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup finely ground ginger snap cookies (if you don't have the cookies, substitute with additional graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon)

1 tablespoon Sugar

1 tablespoons light brown sugar

1 Stick melted butter (salted)

Filling

3 packages Cream Cheese (room temperature)

1 can pumpkin puree (15 oz)

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 eggs

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Toppings

Whipped Cream or Cool Whip

Chocolate Shavings

Pecans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Crust - Mix all crust ingredients together in a medium bowl until well blended and coated. Press into a 9" Springform pan about 3/4 the way up the sides. Set aside.

Filling - Combine sugar, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg in a small bowl. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth (about 2 minutes). Add sugar mixture from small bowl and beat until creamy and smooth (about 1 additional minute or so). Beat in eggs and vanilla, then add pumpkin puree and combine well.

Pour into crust and bake for 1 hour. Let cool for 15 minute and refrigerate for about 3-4 hours. When fully chilled, top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and pecans.

That's how it's done! This recipe is simply delicious and presents itself beautifully on your table. If you are pressed for time, just use a premade crust. You can even change it up a little by sprinkling some finely chopped pecans on the bottom of your premade crust to add your own touch. Enjoy.

Pumpkin Cheesecake - Fast, Easy and Delicious