Jam Cake

This is my Granny Kitty's recipe. As I made it (for Mom's birthday...a long standing tradition) the other day, I tasted the batter (as every good cook does!) and had to stop and thank the Lord for the wonder of his creation. Yes, the batter is that good. And the cake doesn't disappoint either! I also asked him to give a special hug to Granny for ever introducing us to this wonder!

The original recipe called for a frosting of some sort, but our family just uses more jam and pecans as the frosting. Also, I believe the recipe is written based off of my Granny's oral directions. So, they're a bit rough, but you get the idea!

Jam Cake
1 tsp soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup jam (I recommend blackberry!)
1 cup butter, softened
2 cup sugar
3 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
3 well beaten eggs
pinch of salt
1 cup nuts

Preheat oven to 350. Grease, line with parchment paper, and grease again 3 8 inch round cake pans.
Put soda in buttermilk.
Mix wet ingredients together. Mix dry ingredients together. Add dry to wet, alternating with buttermilk mixture. Fold in nuts.
Pour into prepared cake pans.
Bake until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
Let cakes cool before transferring onto cake stand.
Use additional jam in between cake layers and on top. If desired (which it always is) add additional nuts on top.

Alice Springs Chicken

This is a recipe from Outback Steakhouse. I first had it (homemade) my junior year of college, spring break, DC. Oh, good memories! Anyhow, it's delicious and beautiful- great for guests, but also for a special treat for the family on a regular old night! This is definitely family approved!

Alice Springs Chicken

Grilled chicken breasts
Honey Mustard sauce (recipe below)
Bacon- crisp
Sliced mushrooms (optional, always optional!)
Colby jack cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Place hot-off-of-the-grill chicken in a 13x9 dish. Coat with honey mustard sauce. Top with mushrooms, slices of bacon, and cheese. Heat in oven until cheese is melted. Use extra honey mustard sauce for dipping.
*Can top with chives.

Honey Mustard sauce
1/2 cup honey mustard dressing
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup light karo
1/4 cup mayonnaise

Mix together and enjoy!

Coca Cola Cupcakes and Frosting

I'm always on a hunt for a good cupcake recipe. I found this one at www.cupcakerecipes.com. I made these for Eli's 3rd birthday. They were SO delicious! Moist and everything a good chocolate cupcake should be! They are really really good cold!

Coca Cola Cupcakes and Frosting
Part 1
1 cup coca cola
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup powdered cocoa
22 large marshmallows

Part 2
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 325. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. These cupcakes work best with the silver metallic liners.

Part 1
In a small saucepan mix cola, butter, oil and cocoa. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and add marshmallows. Place lid on saucepan and leave until marshmallows begin to melt. Stir well.

Part 2
Mix flour, sugar, and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Add buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well.
Combine Part 1 and 2. Spoon cupcake batter into cupcake pan until they are 1/2 to 2/3 full.
Bake at 325 for approximately 25 minutes.
Cool cupcakes before frosting.

Coca Cola Frosting
1/4 cup powdered cocoa
6 Tbsp coca cola
1/2 cup butter
3 and 3/4 cup powdered sugar (or 1 lb box)
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 tsp vanilla

In a medium saucepan, mix together cocoa, cola, and butter. Heat over medium heat until melted then bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add powdered sugar, pecans and vanilla. Stir until blended well.
Let frosting cool until still enough to frost cupcakes.

Apple-Cinnamon Muffins with Strudel Topping

Had a bunch of apples that needed using...and Food Network's website is a good friend. This recipe is from Emeril and had several good reviews. It brought a little bit of fall to a very hot summer day. And, the kids love helping me make muffins!

Apple-Cinnamon Muffins with Strudel Topping

1 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 eggs
1/2 c sour cream or buttermilk
4 Tbsp melted butter
1 c brown sugar
1 c peeled, cored, and chopped apple
1/2 c chopped walnuts...I used pecans

Strudel
1/4 cup, plus 1 Tbsp finely chopped walnuts...or pecans
1/4 cup, plus 1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp melted butter

Preheat oven to 375. Grease muffin pan.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a smaller bowl, whisk eggs, sour cream, and butter. Add sugar. Mix just until incorporated.
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Mix just enough.
Fold in apples and nuts.
Fill muffin tin 2/3 full.
Make strudel by combing all ingredients. Spoon 1 Tbsp of topping per muffin.
Bake until inserted tooth pick comes out clean. About 25 minutes.
Recipe says it makes 12 muffins, but it made 17 for me!

Cowboy Cookies

I found this recipe last year on bakerella.com. I've thought about them many times. And, finally, decided this was the week to make them! Perfect for the guys to take camping and for the girls to eat at the pool! Enjoy!

Cowboy Cookies

1 1/3 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 c oats
3/4 c M&M's
3/4 c chocolate chips
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c white sugar
1/3 to 1/2 c pecans

Mix dry ingredients together.

Add:
1 slightly beaten egg
1/2 c butter, slightly melted
1 tsp vanilla

Mix well. {Mixture will appear very dry...it's ok!}
Roll into balls.
Bake for 10 minutes at 350.

The only question is to share or not?!

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

My aunt sent me this recipe- it's from Southern Living. My uncle has decided it's his favorite soup. Chris really liked it (especially as leftovers!). It makes a ton- would be great to take to another family with a loaf of french bread.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

1 Tbsp butter
1 onion, chopped
3 c cooked chicken
3 14.5-oz can chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of mushroom
8-oz spaghetti noodles, broken into 2-inch pieces
7 ribs celery, diced
6 medium carrots, shredded or diced
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp lemon rind
2 c milk
2 c cheddar cheese

In Dutch oven or large stock pot, melt butter. Add onion, saute.
Stir in chicken and next 9 ingredients. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Stir in milk. Return to simmer until incorporated.
Serve with cheese.

No-knead Chocolate and Coconut Rolls

Ok. These are fantastic. I have visions of me eating all of these- only stopping to enjoy a swig of coffee! It does take some prep time, so plan accordingly!

No-Knead Chocolate and Coconut Rolls

4 c flour
1 pkg active dry yeast
1 c milk
1/3 c sugar
1/4 c butter
2 eggs
1 13-oz jar Nutella (!!!)
1 c coconut
1 recipe of icing (below)

In a large bowl, combine 2 c flour and yeast.
In a small saucepan heat and stir milk, sugar, butter, and 1/2 tsp salt just until warm and butter almost melts.
Add milk mixture and eggs to flour mixture. Beat on low for 30 seconds.
Beat on medium for 3 minutes. Stir in remaining flour.
Cover- let rise for 45-60 minutes. Dough should double.
Turn dough on flour covered surface. Cover and set for 10 minutes.
Grease large baking sheet.
Roll dough into 12x9 rectangle.
Spread 2/3 cup Nutella on dough- leaving 1/2 inch on a long side without. Sprinkle coconut. Roll up dough, beginning on long side. Pinch dough seams. Slice into 9 pieces.
Arrange on baking sheet 2 inches apart. Cover and let rise to double in size, about 45 minutes.
Bake at 350 for 15 - 20 minutes.
Drizzle with icing. Use remaining Nutella and 2-3 Tbsp milk. Stir until desired consistency.

These could easily be cut into many more smaller rolls. You can also sprinkle coconut on top of the drizzle. Enjoy!