TheKitchenCookie

  Have you recovered from the Turkey Hangover? I'm happy to say that I think we are back on track. The weather has been beautiful and the fresh air feels wonderful!   Serena and the boys that were here today were digging out the Christmas decorations, so this weekend when the men go hunting she and I will get those up and do some other celebrating. The boys thought I/we should go to the mountains with them, (I think they felt bad that they would miss my birthday tomorrow but I declined.) While I would enjoy some parts about being at the cabin with them, the long days with not much to do would make me crabby. And birthday girls should do as they please, right? ☺      I woke up this morning with cheesecake on my mind. So I thought I would make myself a birthday cake for tomorrow and give the recipe in my head a shot. Tasting happens tomorrow. Stop in and I'll share a few bites with coffee! ☺ I can't guarantee anything because I haven't tasted it yet...

  I had some buttermilk and some pumpkin puree in my fridge that had to be used and I wanted to use them in the same recipe. I also wanted the recipe to use all of it so I wouldn't be left with some to put back in the fridge. I found what sounded about right on Yum Sugar . Buttermilk Spice Cake, but with one problem. It didn't include the pumpkin. So with a bit of adapting and substituting the oil and a few eggs with my 1 cup of pumpkin puree that I had I made these cupcakes. They are disappearing quickly!   I still had about a 1/3 cup of buttermilk left over and I was determined to use at least most of it in the icing so I experimented a little bit and managed to use most of what I had left. I didn't think it was sweet enough but I was not willing to put more sugar in there. So I began to add Tahitian Vanilla extract until it tasted right to me. Yum!! Did you know that vanilla extract from Vanilla Beans grown in different places tastes di...

  Sending food along to hunting camp is something I try to do so they have decent home cooked meals when they come in from the woods and are cold, hungry and just ready to kick back. This year the boys are on a meatball sandwich craze so I sent these along for one meal last weekend.   The meatballs are moist and tender and full of flavor.     Ingredients: 3 lbs. 85% ground beef 3 eggs 1/3 cup milk 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese 1½ cups Italian Panko Crumbs 1½ Tablespoons dry onion flakes 1½ Tablespoons Garlic and Herb Seasoning 4 garlic cloves, fresh pressed Salt and Pepper   In a large bowl combine the eggs and milk with a wire whisk. Add the garlic, onions, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings; stir. Then add the Panko Crumbs and stir again. Let set till the crumbs are soggy then add the ground beef and mix with your hands. (with gloves)   Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. With a size 50 cookie ...

This cake always comes through in a pinch. It's quick, moist and chocolaty, and pairs perfectly with some ice cream for an easy, sweet tooth satisfying dessert. I had some leftover icings in the fridge from some other goodies I had made and this cake provided the perfect opportunity to use them up. Peanut Butter and Chocolate. Why not?   1 cup butter 1 cup water ¼ cup cocoa powder 2 cups all purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup sour cream   Combine the first three ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and set aside. Combine the dry ingredients with a wire whisk. Add to the cocoa mixture and stir. Then add the sour cream and stir until smooth. Bake in a non stick sprayed 10 x 15 inch pan for 20-25 minutes or until cake is done to your preference. I iced mine with Peanut Butter Butter Cream and Chocolate Fudge Buttercream . These are not the traditional icings that go w...

  I made these a while ago and decided once again that they may only be baked when there are extra people around to eat them or I am planning to take them somewhere to share. They are rich and sweet and gooey... and really, really good! And they have a way of getting inside my mouth! How DO they do that without my permission?!   Ingredients: 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup quick oats 1 cup flour ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter,  softened 14 oz. caramels, unwrapped ☺ 1/3 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla, optional   Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 8 x 11.5 x 2 inch glass baking dish with non stick spray.   In a mixer, combine the first 4 ingredients. Mix with the whip attachment until you have pea sized crumbs. Press approximately 2 cups (reserve the rest) of these into the bottom and up the sides of the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Meanwhile combine the unwrapped caramels, milk, and vanilla in a microwave safe bowl. Melt and sti...

Sometimes when life threatens to swallow me whole I look around me and realize anew that Someone much bigger than me and LOTS more capable than me has it all under control. Huge relief, that!    It doesn't mean that suddenly everything is what I would call perfect.     It means my perspective has returned and I can breathe again.     Trust doesn't necessarily always have a plan, that's why it's called trust. ☺     ...and PRAYER...it really does make a difference!                                                                             ...

Some time ago one of my sisters sent me a box of Starbucks Mocha Singles.      I don't drink a lot of coffee, especially not instant, but I was pretty sure if she likes them I would too! ☺ I discovered that they are perfect for this recipe that I'm about to share with you. I hope you enjoy it too!   3 cups milk ¼ cup Hershey's Chocolate Syrup 1 Starbucks Mocha Single   ½ cup heavy cream ½ cup marshmallow cream 1-2 drops peppermint extract crushed candy cane pieces   In a small saucepan combine the first three ingredients. Heat over medium heat until it is very steamy but not boiling. Stir it occasionally.   Meanwhile whip the heavy cream until it is firm. Add the marshmallow cream and whip or stir to combine. Stir in the peppermint extract and the candy cane pieces. Place a dollop on top of each cup of latte.     Serves 2.   It is a gorgeous Autumn day outside so I think Serena and I wil...