Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Ann's Drop Cookies

Next recipe card, Ann's Drop Cookies. How could I resist? If we have our names in common, and the corner of the card reads "extra good" so they must be good. Right?
Today is a snow day, so I had two helpers assisting with the crisscross patterns.


One helper had a pretty nice apron, I don't think I ever showed you.

And the baking experiment begins. These cookies have two sticks on butter in them. Oh, yes, TWO sticks.

Here is pan #1. 350 degrees, 10 min, no parchment paper. Result: very flat and lost shape.....and I put too many cookies on the pan.

Pan #2. Baked at 350 degrees with parchment paper for 12 min. Result: kept shape much better and not as flat.

Pan #3. Baked at convection bake at 350 degrees (which my oven automatically reduces down to 325) for 9 min. Result: cookies are nice like pan #2 but not as evenly baked.


So, I would say Pan #2 wins!
Overall, these cookies are okay. They are good (but a lot of calories!) and would make and excellent cookie to serve with coffee. They remind me of a spritz cookie recipe I have and love.

The details.

Ann's Drop Cookies

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 t tsp cream tartar
1 tsp soda
3 egg yolks
vanilla (I used 1 t)
2 cups flour
Make into balls, put in pans & flatten real thin, flatten with fork then bake at 350 to 375 for 10 to 12 min.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Upcycling

A "new-to-me" trend in sewing is recycling, or upcycling. I had a couple shirts of Hailey's that were in my repair or recycle pile. They were beyond repair with holes and stains. So I faced two new challenges in one project, sewing knits and upcycling. My inspiration came from this very, very awesome blog. And WOW, they were easy peasy. Sewing knits is not has hard as I thought it would be. So hear are the results of a rough-and-ready dress in about 15 mins. Please ignore the little girls hair and cheesy attitude :)




Monday, February 21, 2011

Raspberry Dessert from Elnora


I learned something about Elnora while making her Raspberry Dessert. Elnora is not really a fan of details. She is probably one of those cooks that makes a fantastic meal without ever touching a measuring spoon or cup. I am jealous of them.

Here is my completed dessert with graham crackers on top, just as the recipe called for.

Here it is in all its goodness.

And the true test....

Well, Elnora, your dessert passed. With a very good score from the kids. I think it was the marshmallow cream that won their hearts.
So here are the details if you wish to delight your family with this dish....

Raspberry Dessert
2 package or raspberry Jello. (I used one large 6 oz box)
2 cups hot water
1 package frozen raspberries

Graham crackers crushed in the bottom of the pan. (Elnora did not give measurements, so I used 2 cups)

Pour above filling over crackers. (I let sit for 5 min so the Jello would get a little firm before pouring.)

14 oz marshmallows and 1 cup milk. Dissolve in double boiler (I used a pan) and allow to cool.

Add 1 cup cream whipped (which Stuart informed me was Cool-Whip) to Milk and Marshmallow mixture.

Pour over Jello mixture. Sprinkle graham crackers on top.

*****

Side notes from yours truly. Use a 9x13 pan. Let chill in fridge for about 2 hours before serving. And if I were to make this again, which I probably will, I would have melted butter and made the graham crackers into a crust rather then the loose crackers. If you are wondering about the marshmallow part, I would describe it most like meringue. In a sweet marshmallow creamy sort of way.


Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Fun Valentines


Creating the kiddos Valentines for school this year was lots of fun. We went all out and it seems each Valentine shows their personality perfectly. Here are our results:

Jackson, who will be giving play mustaches instead of candy.

Hailey. Cause she really would love to hand you the candy personally!

Jenna, with kisses and little bit of silly.


And before you think I am a creative genius, I must give credit were credit is due...the ideas came from here, here and here.