My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a yummy recipe I received from my sister-in-law. These cookies are at the top of the list for favorite cookies. 

1 c butter
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/4 c flour
3/4 c regular rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 c chocolate chips
1 c chopped pecans (opt)

Cream the butter and sugars together until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, oats, soda and salt. When almost mixed, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by a medium ice-cream scoop (if you dip the scoop in water after every 3 or 4 cookies, the dough will release from the scoop easier) onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 10 minutes. The cookies should be just beginning to brown around the edges. Let set for a minute or so before removing to a cooling rack. (I actually cool my cookies right on the counter on a paper towel. I don't use a cooling rack.)
Makes about 4 dozen good sized cookies

Homemade Granola

My mom makes this homemade granola and it is so yummy to munch on....maybe a little too yummy because before you know it, the granola is all gone.  I like to sprinkle granola on yogurt with fresh fruit.

4 C Oatmeal
Dash of salt
1/2 C chopped or sliced almonds
1/2 C chopped pecans
1/2 C coconut
1/4 C flax seed
1/4 C wheat germ
1/2 C brown sugar
1/3 C vegetable oil
1/2 C honey
1 t vanilla
1/2 C dried cranberries
1/2 C raisins

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Spray jelly-roll size baking sheet with pam.  In a large mixing bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients.  In a small saucepan, stir together brown sugar, oil and honey.  Stir until mixture comes to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  Stir honey mixture into oatmeal mixture until thoroughly mixed.  Pour into baking sheet.  With clean, moistened hands, press mixture evenly in pan. Bake 15-20 min.  Put in dried fruit in after granola is cooked.  Let cool.  Using spatula, gently lift and break apart into pieces and place in an airtight container.

Out Of This World Rolls

This was a recipe I received from my sister-in-law, who got this recipe from her mom, Jane Myrburg.  These rolls are so yummy that you will be coming back for more and more and more.

2 packages (2 T active dry yeast)

1 1/4 cup warm water

1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs, beaten

1 cup warm water

2 teaspoons salt

4 1/2 cups flour
Soften yeast in 1 1/4 cup warm water. When yeast is frothy, add margarine, sugar, beaten eggs, and salt. Stir in 2 1/2 cups flour, and mix in bosch until smooth and well blended. Add remaining flour, mixing to make a soft dough.  If more flour is needed to make the dough not sticky, add tablespoons at a time, up to 1/2 C. extra.  Cover and allow to rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.  Punch dough down.  Divide dough into two portions. Roll each portion on lightly floured surface (or spray surface with pam) into a circle (about 10 - 12 inch diameter or 1/2 inch thick).  Spread with softened butter or margarine. Cut like a pizza, making 12 pieces.  Place on pam sprayed pan and allow to rise 1/2 to 1 hour, until desired size.  
Bake in 400 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Makes 2 dozen large dinner rolls.

**Once the dough has doubled in bulk, you can pumch down and put in the refrigerator overnight.  Three hours before baking, roll out the same way, and cover and allow to rise for 3 hours.  Bake 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes.**

Meatballs

So my son requested Spaghetti and Meatballs for his birthday dinner, which was actually a suprise to me, but anyway, I saw this recipe online and made my own meatballs.  The recipe was easy to follow and the results were great! 

1 pound lean ground beef (I used ground turkey)

1 cup crushed croutons

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, croutons, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into balls.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once.

In a slow cooker over low heat, add spaghetti sauce and meatballs and simmer for 2 hours before serving.
Serve over spaghetti noodles and enjoy!

Cranberry Chicken

I got this simple recipe from my mom.  It's quick and easy and yummy!

1-2 lb.Chicken Breast

Mix 1 can of cranberry sauce, 1 pkg lipton onion soup and 1/2 C catalina dressing.

Spread on chicken and bake 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Serve with rice.

Jell-O Orange

This jello tastes just like an orange creamsicle.  I got this recipe from a ward cookbook and the kids just love it!  Mom loves it to, especially since it's so easy to make!

1 large pkg cooked lemon pudding, cook according to the directions.
1 large pkg. of orange Jello, mix according to the directions.

Add Jello to pudding mix and stir well so no lumps remain.
Chill until set.

Top with some cool whip.

Holiday Cheese Ball

My friend gave me this recipe and it's a keeper.  So easy and so good especially for the holidays and who couldn't resist a cheese ball with crackers. 

2 8oz pkgs cream cheese

2 T chopped onion

1  8 1/2oz can crushed pineapple, drained

1/4 c chopped green pepper

1/2 t seasoned salt

Slivered almonds

Mix all ingredients expect nuts. Shape into 1 large ball or two small balls. Roll in nuts. Refrigerate. 

Enjoy!

**I cut the recipe in half and it made one cheese ball.  Perfect for a small family of four.**