4 Mini-loaves of Yummy Bread

(taken from my favorite roll recipe--my goal here was to design an offering for neighbors that wasn't as time consuming as rolls)

2 cups warm water
2 TB yeast (I use SAF from Macey's)
1/2 cup sugar
Let that stand for 15-20 mins.

Add to it:
5+ cups of flour (I like 3 cups whole wheat and the rest white)
1 egg
1/4 cup oil
2 tsp. salt

Knead and add more flour as needed. If using a mixer, add flour until it no longer sticks to the sides.

Let raise, covered, in bowl. Divide equally in 4 mini-loaf pans. Let raise again. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Chicken Taco Pie

Update for myself: Mr. Brady prefers chicken enchiladas where you broil them at the last minute to give them a crispy shell--he's not a fan of the soggy nature of this dish (but I like both kinds).

I used to make chicken enchiladas, but this dish has kind of taken its place (originally from Jane).

1 cup chopped onion
1 TB oil
3 cups (or less) cubed cooked chicken
3 cans cream of chicken soup
1 TB taco seasoning
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
Some mild salsa to taste or 1 can diced green chiles
1 1/2 cups sour cream

8 tortillas
1 cup shredded cheese


Saute onion in oil. Add chicken and everything else down through the sour cream; heat until warm and smooth.

Spray a 2-3 quart casserole dish and cover the bottom with 4 torn up tortillas. Spread half the chicken mixture on top. Tear up the last 4 tortillas over that, and cover with remaining filling. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly. Makes 6-8 servings.

This version was made with homemade wheat flour tortillas:

Healthier Snickerdoodles

My mom went through a phase of using great northern beans in desserts; I decided to give it a try with the cookies my kids (lately) like best. When I revealed to my oldest (after she had eaten one) that they had beans in them instead of so much butter and that made them healthier, she asked if that meant she could take 2 in her lunch instead of 1. So I think they passed the test! I also lowered the sugar content by 1/2 cup.

1 cup sugar
1 cube butter, softened
1 cup (about 1 can) mashed great northern beans
2 large eggs
1 cup white flour
1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar + 1 tsp. baking soda (or 3 tsp. baking powder)
1/4 tsp. salt

Form into balls and roll into the following mixture (I tried some without rolling them in sugar and they were good too):
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Makes 2 1/2 dozen.

Simple Pumpkin Cake

I'm not a pumpkin pie fan, so this and double layer pumpkin cheesecake (with whipped cream, not whipped topping) are the pumpkin desserts I prefer.

Before baking:
Take 1 cup of a yellow cake mix and set aside

Crust:
Place the rest of the yellow cake mix in a bowl and add ½ cup melted butter and 1 egg. Pat into a greased 13x9 pan.

Filling:
Mix the following together:
2 cups pumpkin
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
½ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2/3 cup evaporated milk
Pour over crust

Topping:
1 cup of yellow cake mix
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ cup butter, softened.
Mix and crumble on top of the filling.
Bake at 325 for 45 to 60 minutes. It is done when it pulls away from the sides and a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the pan.

Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream.

Dad's Christmas Morning Coffeecake

Serve with...hot cocoa!

Cake:

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk


Mix all together and put in 9x13” greased pan.


Topping:

2 TB melted butter
2/3 cup sugar
3 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Mix and sprinkle on top of cake batter.


Bake at 375 degrees for 20 mins. (Serves 12).

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Here's the cake I made for Dad's birthday! Best made the day before serving. Make the mousse before you make the cake.

Applesauce Syrup

I made this up. The texture is kind of cream-of-wheat-ish, to give you an idea. I think it's really homey.

1/2 stick butter
1 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c. sugar (less or no sugar if using sweetened applesauce)
1/2 c. cream

Melt butter in saucepan. Add remaining ingredients and heat until warmed thoroughly, stirring often.