Chocolate Scotcheroos Rice Krispy Bars

My friend at work made these for my birthday, and we can't stop making them and eating them.  They go to every family game night, and every celebration we are invited to! They are so so so yummy. If you make these, you will become instantly popular and well liked!   You can find a picture of these bars  here
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 pkg chocolate chips (either semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
1 pkg butterscotch chips
1 tsp vanilla
7 cups Rice Krispie Cereal (My friend uses the plain Special K Flakes instead of Rice Krispy)

Over stovetop cook over medium heat stirring constantly the corn syrup and sugar until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to boil.  Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter.  Add vanilla   Mix well.  Pour over Rice Krispie cereal (or Special K cereal).  Stir until well coated.  Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan (or spray with Pam instead of greasing)

In microwave safe bowl, melt the butterscotch and chocolate chips together (I put in microwave for 2 min, take out to stir, put back in for 2 min, take out stir, then it is either ready or you need 1 more min)  Spread over Rice Krispies in pan.  Put in refrigerator to chill so the icing will harden up, then cut into squares and serve.

For the nourishing of your soul today:

Proverbs 16:9 "A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps,

meaning a man's heart plans his course but the Lord directs his Steps

We must always remember that the Lord is with us every step of the way, and he will guide us along.  Sometimes we take all the credit for where we are and what we are doing , but really it was the Lord who directed us to live where we live, and work where work.  He is a BIG part in our everyday LIFE! 

Special K Treats or OVER THE TOP RICE KRISPIE TREATS

Okay, this next recipe is one of those simple things that we all know and make, however, with just a small little added ingredient or two, it makes it OVER THE TOP, to where I cannot make regular rice krispie treats anymore, after trying this recipe you will see why. Thanks to Annalisa Glenn for sharing this recipe, I feel like a true Queen  when eating these treats! (and probably a chubby queen at that with the extra butter and sugar added, ha) 

Special K Treats

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cubes butter (12 Tblsp)
1 bag Marshmallows (make sure they are fresh) (larger bag, 16 oz)
7 cups Special K cereal (original)

Pour 7 cups Cereal into large bowl and set aside.  Over a stove top melt the butter in a large saucepan.  Add the brown sugar and stir.  Add the marshmallows and stir until melted.  Pour over the 7 cups Special K cereal.  Pour into greased 9 x 13, let set.  SO YUMMY!

(Note:  you can probably use less butter, like I used 10 Tblsp and it was still great)
You can melt the butter and marshmallows and brown sugar in the microwave as well.

For Rice Krispie Treats, use the above recipe except substitute Rice Krispies for the Special K!

Also:  one of my favorite treats was those giant Rice Krispy Bars you could buy at Maverick with the little M&M's in it, and now I have learned to make my own.  Make the Rice Krispy Treats as above, but double the recipe and when you  have stirred the marshmallows and rice krispies together, add 1/2 to a whole package of the mini M&M's ( I buy them at Smiths by the regulr M&M's) and then pour into your 9 x 13, that way they will be extra thick and have the m&m's in them, you will find that the M&M's will start to melt so you have to be careful to not add them immediately to the hot marshmallow mixture.

For the nourishing of your soul:

Psalms 46:10

 “Be Still, and Know that I am God”

One day awhile back I was having a particularly hard day, one of those days that while you are driving home in your car and you think no one can see you so you have a good cry, when all of a sudden I heard the words "Peace Be Still"  Those words carried me all the way home.  The next Sunday at church they sang the hymn Peace Be Still and I felt the love of my Savior.  Many times when I am praying I hear the words "Be still and Know that I am God" I know our Father in Heaven loves us very much, each one of us, I know it cuz I FEEL it and I hear it with my spiritual ears.

Harrah's Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is what has made me most famous.  My mother was  the best chocolate chip cookie maker and so I guess it runs in our genes, but I will admit, I have good cookie days and not so good cookie days, and I make the same recipe each time, so I guess it just depends on that day just how good my cookies will be, but with this recipe I have way more good cookie days and way more compliments.  I did put this in the Sandridge Ward Cookbook as Bob's sell your house cookies, as that is where I got the recipe, we bought a home from Mayor Bob Thurgood and each Sunday night when we drove up to see the house when deciding to buy and write up contract and all, he had made these cookies and the house always smelled good and we always left with a yummy feeling with our tummy.  I have tweaked the recipe a bit, so I will give you my recipe first and then his.

Sandee's version:

2 3/4 cup flour to 3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup butter flavored crisco shortening
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 to 3/4 cup rolled oats
1 pkg chocolate chips
1 cup nuts, optional
Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside:  In large bowl combine butter, shortening, sugars, and vanilla and cream until fluffy.  Add eggs and mix well, Gradually add all but about 1/2 cup dry ingredients.  Mix rolled oats with remaining flour and stir into batter.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.  Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 9 to 10 minutes (I do 9 minutes, it is best to have cookies underbaked I actually penciled into my cookbook 10 min 25 sec as that seemed to work for the old oven I had) *Authors note:  I made the cookie dough and took it to my daughters house to bake while I babysat today and I originally said in this recipe to cook at 375 degrees, so I did that in her oven and at 10 min and practically burnt the cookies, so to be safe, lower it to 350 degrees and start at 9 minutes, her oven cooked them perfect in 9 min 30 sec at 350, I guess you just have to get to know your oven!

My daughter Shauna bought me two SILPAT cookie liners, the large size so I can use my jelly roll pans, they were about $20 a piece she said, but they make the PERFECT cookie, you do not have to grease your cookie sheet, and you just wipe them with paper towels when done and your cookie sheet is perfectly clean, you do not have to wash it, just put it away, I LOVE THEM, I believe you can buy them in any kitchen stores or find them on amazon  Put them on your Christmas list when people ask what to get you and you dont know what to say.  Start that list now and put it on the fridge!

Here is the original recipe:
Bob's sell your house cookies!
2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 whole egg
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 pkg chocolate chips
1 cut nuts optional.
The directions for recipe are same as above.  I just give you this recipe in case mine didn't totally turn out for you and you want to try this one and tweak it yourself!  I found adding more flour made the cookies stand up more and be more dense!

For the nourishing of our souls:

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing

I like to listen to uplifting music on the radio so I listen to KLOVE 107.5 and one lady called in to say that as she goes about the day doing chores, for example, folding laundry, she will pray for each one of her children, or for family members.  So while doing dishes, instead of grumbling, say a prayer for each person in your family, your heart will be full of love for them and your dishes will be done quickly! 

Perfect Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I love these muffins, I came across this recipe while blog hopping but cant remember which blog I found it on, and I have to say it is a wonderful recipe, probably because it has lots of butter in it, but I make these year around, they are moist and wonderful and delicious, this recipe makes a lot, you can always half it if you'd like!

2 cups butter                                     3 cups sugar

6 eggs                                                   1 TBLSP vanilla

Mix the above together

Add:

 1 large can pumpkin

1 tsp allspice                                       1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cloves                                         ¼ tsp ginger

1 TB cinnamon                                   1 tsp salt

4 1/2 cups flour                                 1 TBLSP baking powder

1 TBLSP baking soda

3 cups chocolate chips

Mix all together and Bake 15-20 min at 350 degrees

I use cupcake pan and cupcake liners, and I like to use mini chocolate chips.  These are DIVINE! Your house smells so good when cooking these as well!

Nourishment of the Soul:

1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you

Yes, giving thanks brings so much joy.  There are many times I want to feel sorry for myself, I look around at others and see what they have and I what I dont have, immediately I feel drained of energy and sad and depressed.  But when I take out a paper and pen and write down those things I have been blessed with, I immediately feel happy inside, and those things I do have always outweigh those things I do not have.  I find myself actually thanking Heavenly Father for my Trials, and for helping me to grow.
The other nigh when I was saying my prayers, I was trying to ask Heavenly Father to hurry along my trials when I felt impressed to know that I am in the middle of great learning and gaining knowledge power and strength while being held 'in the palm of His hand' and why would I want to hurry that????? 
LIfe is always full of learning!

Texas Sheet Cake

So I think everyone has a Texas Sheet Cake recipe, however, they all seem to vary in some small way or other.  When my daughter got married, we decided to make several back up cakes, sheet cakes, to serve and these turned out wonderful.  So I am sticking with this recipe, and the thing I like about this recipe is it will serve large crowds, and it is very easy to make. 

1 cup butter
4 Tblsp cocoa
1 cup water
Combine above ingredients in saucepan and bring to boil over stove top, then pour over:

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp salt
 (have these three items mixed together in a large bowl)

Add to the large bowl which contains all the above ingredients:
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk ( or you can use 1 cup sour cream) but using buttermilk makes the cake taste much better

Mix all together real well and pour into a greased and floured (I just use Pam) 11 x 17 Sheet Cake Pan, I use a Jelly Roll Pan, and Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

Frost the cake while it is still warm with the following Frosting recipe:
1 cube butter
4 Tblsp Cocoa
6 Tblsp Milk
1/2 tsp Vanilla
Bring to boil over stove top the above ingredients and then pour over 1 lb powdered sugar (about 4 cups), mix with mixer and you can add 1/2 cup chopped nuts.
Spread over hot cake

DIVINE!

And now for the nourishing of your soul:

Read in Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me

When we are struggling and having a bad day, and feel like we have been given more than we can handle at that moment, Pray for strength.  It has worked for me, I have been able to do things I never thought I could, not because I am wonderful and great, but because my Savior loves me, hears my prayers and gives me the strength to do hard things.  We can do hard things with the Strength of our Savior, who is ALWAYS there with us, and will never leave us, and will never make us carry more than we can handle.

The absolute Best Peanut Butter Bars

Okay, so I haven't met anyone yet who does not like these peanut butter bars, even my  friend at work who does not like peanut butter likes these bars.  There are lots and lots of recipes for these, but none will compare to these, as this recipe is the best.   I found them on a blog called Heather's Peanut Butter Bars but I dont remember the site to give her credit, I have been in heaven since I found it!

1 cup Peanut Butter
1 cup margarine (or Butter)
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal

Cream peanut butter, butter, and sugars.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Mix together and press into a greased large jelly roll pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 11 minutes.  Cool completely and frost with a layer of peanut butter, then chocolate frosting. (If you do not have a lot of peanut butter, then you can skip adding the layer of peanut butter on top, I have done that and still get lots of compliments on the bars)

NOTES: 
when you are spreading the dough into the pan, it seems like the dough will not be enough, but it is, just use your hands and gently press the dough around to fill the whole pan!

If you do want to put a layer of peanut butter on the bars before frosting with chocolate, I just scoop out a big spoonful of peanut butter (two big scoops) and place in a microwave cereal bowl and soften the peanut butter in the microwave about 30 to 45 seconds Then I spread it on top of the cooked layer.

Also, the chocolate frosting and peanut butter will mix together a little when frosting, if you prefer they don't, then refrigerate the bars with peanut butter on them and then frost with chocolate frosting.


I just make a choc frosting with my basic buttercream icing, where I dont measure exactly, but I pour into a bowl about 4 cups powder sugar and about 5 Tblsp softened butter and about 1/4 cup milk and about 1/4 cup or more unsweetened cocoa powder, mix with mixer and add more milk or powder sugar if necessary.  Can I just say DIVINE!

and now for the nourishing of the soul:

In Matthew 28:20 it says:
 "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway (s), even unto the end of the world Amen"

Nothing can be more divine than to know that our Savior is with us always.  ALWAYS.  let that sink in!  We are never alone.  NEVER.  We always have a friend with us, ALWAYS, knowing that brings great joy to my heart!

Enjoy this day and live it to its fullest! (with dishes in the sink and laundry in the basket, woo hoo!)

LAZY DAISY COBBLER

This is my favorite recipe for any cobbler you need to make.  At work I have become the baker for everyone's birthday treat, and this is my most requested recipe from the doctors at work.  It is so easy and so fun, it is best served warm from the oven and with a scoop of ice cream to the side makes it divine!

1 cube butter or margarine
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup milk
1 can pie filling or 2 cups fruit such as peaches, raspberries,
     blackberries.  DRAIN THE JUICE if you are using canned peaches.

Melt 1 cube butter into an 8 x 8 in pan.  Mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and milk.  Pour this mixture over the melted butter, then add 1 can pie filling (or canned fruit, that has been drained or fresh fruit) over the top of the batter.  Bake at 350 for 35 to 45 minutes.  The crust will rise to the top and become a beautiful brown color.

I double the recipe to fit a 9 x 13, and I bought canned blueberry pie filling for my last celebration and the cobbler turned out delicious! If you double it, I would not double the butter, just use about 1  1/2 cubes butter, it is plenty!   

and now for the nourishment of our souls:

“Praying in faith is not an inner conviction that God will act according to our desires if only we believe hard enough.  It involves believing that God will always respond to our prayers in accord with His nature, His purposes, and His promises.” 

Alvin VanderGriend

This saying has become ingrained upon my heart,  I have learned that God has his own Timetable and He loves us and wants us to be happy, and His answers for our problems always come at His time, which is the perfect time, and the best thing for us, even when we cannot understand His timing.

GO MAKE SOME COBBLER AND FIND JOY!

Christy's Carrot Cake

Since I am on the subject of cakes, I have to include Christy's favorite cake, carrot cake, which recipe came to me from Jill Flink from our Sandridge Ward Cookbook.  I am sure there are many recipes out there that are outstanding, and I once dared to tried one or two but I never get as many compliments as when I make this cake, so I stick to this one!

CARROT CAKE
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups oil
4 eggs, beaten
3 cups shredded carrots
1 cup chopped nuts , optional
Mix dry ingredients together, then add rest of ingredients.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

Frosting:
1 small pkg cream cheese
1 lb powdered sugar
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 tsp vanilla
mix together and add milk if needed

and for those of you who are beginning cooks, it is best to buy those long carrots to shred, those baby carrots are a bear to shred!

and now for the nourishing of our souls:

Read Numbers Chapter 6:24-26
"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace"

my thoughts: during the summer many people are trying to get a tan or sunshine on their faces, I say the best way to glow is to get a "SONSHINE" glow on your face by looking to the SON, and with his countenance upon us, we will GLOW! Those that have inner peace are the most beautiful ever!

Enjoy your carrot cake!

My other Favorite Birthday Cake

This is my other favorite cake recipe for birthdays and special occasions.  I found this on The Sisters Cafe blog and everytime I make it I get so many compliments.  Most people think it is homemade, and it is so easy.  I found the recipe here

Super Moist Chocolate Bundt Cake

1 devils food cake mix (Dry–don’t make it according to directions on the box)
1 -4 serving instant chocolate pudding mix
4 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
½ cup warm water
½ cup vegetable oil
1 ½ cups semi sweet chocolate chips
Place all ingredients except chocolate chips, in a large mixing bowl. Blend with electric mixer 1 minute.
Stir down sides. Continue to mix on medium speed for 2-3 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan.
Bake 40-45 minutes at 350. Check for doneness when you insert long toothpick in and it comes out clean.  Cool 20 minutes. Invert onto serving platter.
Frosting:
8 Tbsp butter (not margarine)
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
1/3 cup evaporated milk (I used 2%-it worked great)
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat. Whisk in cocoa and milk. Bring mixture just to boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Beat in powdered sugar with electric mixer until thickened and smooth. Pour warm frosting over warm cake. This recipe makes a lot of frosting

Check the cake at 40 minutes, mine is usually done in 40.  Also, I love to make this cake with a white cake mix and vanilla pudding and then I use this for strawberry shortcake, do not frost the cake with icing, just slice it like a pound cake, add your sliced strawberries and fresh whipped cream, and it is divine!
Also, I buy those small plastic clear drinking cups, and if you cube this cake, you can layer fruit (like fresh blueberries, raspberries, blackberries) on bottom of the cup, whip cream, cake cubes, another layer of fruit, whip cream and cake cubes, and end with fruit and whip cream, they make wonderful individual dessert servings, very light and fun with the fresh summer fruit!

And for the nourishing of our souls: 
Read in Psalms 118:24
"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it"
Do something to make you glad for today, and that usually means doing something for someone else, not necessarily yourself.  For example, bake this cake today and take it to your neighbor, your bishop, a lonely widow, or whoever needs lifted up and leave a note saying "your kindness takes the cake!" or "something sweet for someone sweet" or some other fun statement.  It makes you feel so good to lift up someone else, and this cake is quick and easy and perfect for that.

It's a Brand New Day and a Brand New Blog!

Hello my friends! My darling daughter Christy has recently married and moved away from home, all the way to Sunny California, and she has been calling me for recipes and ideas for what to cook for dinner.  She designed the blog for me and asked me to post my recipes, however I had been thinking about doing my own blog and had the idea that I wanted to include not only recipes for food for our bodies, but spiritual recipes for our spiritual souls as well, as they both go together hand in hand, and you will never be truly nourished without both sides of the coin!  So I would like to give you each day a scripture or thought for your soul as well as a recipe!

For our souls today: 

“This is the beginning of a new day.  God has given me this day to use as I will.  I can waste it or grow in its light and be of service to others.  But what I do with this day is important because I have exchanged a day of my life for it.  When Tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever.  I hope I will not regret the price I paid for it”

Anonymous

From  “To Heaven and Back” Mary C Neal, MD

So for today, do something important such as rub your husbands back or feet, rub your childs back or feet, read a book to your child, sit by someone in church today who is sitting alone, smile at everyone you meet today and say HELLO very kindly!

For our bodies:

Because last month and the month before seemed to be birthday months for many, I will start with my number one favorite cake and cupcake recipe.  NEVER make a normal cake again, they do not even taste good after using this recipe.  ALWAYS use this recipe when you need to bake a cake or cupcakes, people will think you are smart and wonderful and awesome!  I found this recipe on Tasty Kitchen from Pioneer Woman, love that lady, and love her Tasty Kitchen site as well.

Sour Cream Almond Cake (Wedding Cake)

I box white cake mix

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup sugar

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/3 cups water

1/8 cups Vegetable Oil

1 tsp Real vanilla

1 tsp Almond Extract

1 cup Sour Cream

4 eggs

Place all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir together with a wire whisk.  Add the remaining ingredients and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.  Pour into greased and floured (I just use Pam or something like that) pans, filling each pan a little over half full.  Bake in a preheated 325 degree (I sometimes do 350 degrees) until cake tests done.  Baking time varies depending on the size of pans used.

For chocolate cake:  use chocolate cake mix and can leave out the almond extract.

Because we are adding more flour and sugar, it makes more cake batter or cupcakes for example I can get 3 dozen cupcakes instead of 2 dozen, and on cupcakes start with a time of 10 to 12 minutes and insert toothpick to test for doneness.  On cakes I start with a time of 15 to 20 min and go from there.

And of course, as all my children know, NEVER use canned icing on this.  I insist on homemade icing as it is so easy and so yummy.  I just use the buttercream icing recipe on the box of C&H powder sugar, which usually consists of a box of powder sugar (4 cups I think) and 5 Tblsp softened or melted butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 cup milk (about) and mix with mixer.  If you need chocolate icing, just pour in some hersheys unsweetened cocoa powder and wa la, pure bliss!