Apple Dumpling Roll

My mom has been an awesome cook for as long as I can remember!   :-)  And she still comes up with new recipes for me . . . and this one is a good one!  She got it from a gal in North Carolina, where my sister lives.  She sent it untitled, so after I made it, I called it Apple Dumpling Roll.  It tastes like an apple dumpling but is rolled like a jelly roll.   Oooohhhh . . . so good!

Apple Dumpling Roll

Part 1:

1/2 c melted butter

Put melted butter in a 13X9 pan and set aside.

Part 2:

2 c water (can also use 1 c water, 1 c apple cider)

2 c sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Mix these three ingredients together and heat on stove, till sugar completely dissolves.

Part 3:

Peel and core about 2 c of apples.  Chop into small pieces.  Sprinkle on 1 tsp cinnamon.  Set aside.

Part 4:

1 1/2 c flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 c shortening

1/3 c milk

Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add shortening and cut into small particles.  Add milk and mix with fork, only till  dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.  Put on the counter and knead just until smooth.  Then roll out into a rectangle till about 1/4 inch think.  Place chopped apple on the dough.  Roll up, as a jelly roll.  Spread edges with a small amount of melted butter to help seal edges.  Slice into 8 sections.

Place slices into melted butter the prepared pan.  Pour water/sugar  mixture over the slices.   It seems like a LOT of liquid but the slices will absorb it all and make a nice sauce.  Place in a 350* oven for about 1 hour.

Serve hot with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Homemade Meatballs

This is one of those things that is nice to keep in the freezer . . . grab them quickly and dinner can be started in a big hurry!  And the recipe makes about 100 meatballs, so it will make plenty . . .


Homemade Meatballs
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. ground turkey
1 lb. ground pork
1 - 10 oz pkg. chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed of excess moisture
1/2 c grated parmesan
3 large eggs
2 TBL Italian seasoning
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp salt
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 c bread crumbs (panko bread crumbs work well)


Preheat oven to 400* and spray 2 rimmed cookie sheets with pan spray.


Mix together all ingredients until well incorporated, but do not over mix.
Pinch off large teaspoons of meat mixture and roll into balls.  Place on prepared
cookie sheets.  Bake for about 20 - 25 minutes.  Use immediately with your favorite sauce, either BBQ or marinara.


To freeze, cool completely, place on clean cookie sheets, and freeze for 1-2 hours.
When frozen completely, transfer to ziploc bags and place back in freezer.

Snickerdoodle Blondies

I found this recipe a few weeks ago and had time to make them today.  Very good!!!


Snickerdoodle Blondies
2 sticks softened butter
1 c sugar
1 c lightly packed brown sugar
3 oz. mascarpone cheese
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
pinch salt
3/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 c flour


cinnamon sugar mixture of 1/2 c sugar and 2 TBL cinnamon


Prepare a 13X9 pan by greasing it with butter first, and then sprinkling cinnamon sugar all over the pan.
Mix together the butter and sugars.  Beat till well blended and smooth.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Scrape the sides of the bowl often.  Then add the mascarpone cheese and vanilla and beat very well.
Sift together all the dry ingredients.  Add to the sugar/butter mixture a bit at a time, beating after each addition.
When well mixed, put batter into prepared pan.  Spread out evenly.  Sprinkle some of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of batter.
Bake in a 350* oven for 30 minutes.  It might take a bit longer . . . mine did . . .due to oven differences.  But, don't over bake because the bars will get too hard and crispy.
Cool and cut into bars.  (But really good when cut when warm and served with vanilla ice cream!)

Dark Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Icing

Recently, someone asked me for this recipe.  I sent it to her via message, but here it is for the blog.  ENJOY!!!


Dark Chocolate Cake
Mix together:
2 c sugar
1 3/4  c flour
3/4 c cocoa powder  (if you can find dark chocolate cocoa powder, it is better!)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
Add to dry ingredients:
2 eggs
1 c milk
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 c oil
Beat 2 minutes.
Mix together:
1/2 c boiling water
1/2 c hot coffee
Add to mixture.  Beat slowly.  Batter will be thin!!


Pour into 2 - 9" round cake pans that have been greased and floured.  (Or you can use a 13X9)  Parchment paper on the bottom of pans helps get the cake from the pan when done baking.
Bake at 350* for about 30 minutes, up to 40 minutes if you use a 13X9. (when cake springs back when lightly touched.)
Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before removing from pan(s).  Remove from pan, to a cooling rack, to cool completely.
When cake is COMPLETELY cool, frost with the peanut butter icing.


Peanut Butter Icing
1 c smooth peanut butter
1/2 c soft butter
Beat together till very smooth!  Then add:
3 1/2 - 4 c powdered sugar
1/2 c milk
Beat for several minutes, till very smooth and spreadable.
Spread on cake . . . serve!  Yummy!

Coconut Cream Pie

This past week, I was in Lancaster, PA for a teacher's conference.  One thing that is true about Lancaster is good food.  And one of the places where we ate, Dienner's, I had a piece of really good coconut cream pie.  It reminded me of my own and the recipe that  good friend, Judy Swinehart, gave me years ago.  It might come in handy during this upcoming holiday season!


Coconut Cream Pie
2 baked, cooled 9" pie crusts
12 oz Cool Whip (I actually do use Cool Whip brand for this as is holds up better)
2 pkgs. Dream Whip (prepared according to box directions)
2 c half and half
2  -  3 oz boxes coconut cream pudding
1/2 pkg (7 oz) shredded coconut


Make Dream Whip according to pkg. directions.  To the prepared Dream Whip add half and half, pudding mix, and most of the coconut.  Put into pie shells. Top with Cool Whip and sprinkle with remaining coconut . . .that has been toasted lightly in the oven.  If you want a really full, thick pie, make 1 1/2 recipes and put into 2 crusts.
**Note - You can make your own homemade whipped cream for this pie and it is delicious! But,it breaks down more quickly . . .so you'll have to eat the pie soon after it's made . . . too bad!!

Traditional Pumpkin Pie

This recipe comes in response to a request from my friend, Deb!  This is the recipe I used when I was baker at Anderson's Market in Little York.  We sold many, many pumpkin pies!  So, Deb, hope this works for you!!!


Pumpkin Pie


1 can pumpkin   ( I think it is 28 oz.)
2 - 12 oz cans evaporated milk
4 eggs
1 1/2 c sugar
2 TBL flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2  9" pie shells, unbaked
Preheat oven to 450*.
Mix together all ingredients.  Beat till well blended and smooth.  Divide between 2 pie shells.   Bake 20 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350*and bake another 40 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.  (Cover edges with aluminum foil if they are getting too brown before filling is done.)  Cool completely on a cooling rack.

Chicken Florentine

This is a yummy chicken casserole that serves 8- 10 people.  It is easy to make and "travels" well.  (But ,it is not really a very health conscious meal . . . mayonnaise, sour cream, cheeses, butter).  I have not tried it with the lower fat or healthier versions of these foods so I don't know how it would be with them.


Chicken Florentine
2 - 10 oz pkgs. frozen spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed 
6 chicken breast halves (about 4 lbs.)  cooked, boned and shredded
2 can cream of mushroom soup
1 c mayonnaise
1 c sour cream
2 c sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 TBL fresh lemon juice
1 tsp curry powder
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 c white wine (or chicken broth)
1/2 c parmesan cheese (fresh grated is best)
1/2 c soft bread crumbs
2 TBL melted butter


Mix together spinach and chicken.
In a medium bowl, mix together the soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, cheese, lemon juice, lemon juice, curry powder, salt, pepper, wine (or broth).  Whisk together to make a sauce.  Mix together the spinach/chicken mixture with the sauce.  Place into an pan sprayed 11X 7 casserole dish ( or 2-9" square pans).  
Mix together the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.  Add the melted butter and then sprinkle over the top of the casserole.  Bake at 350* for 30 -40 minutes . .. until bubbly and golden brown.

Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe is for my friend, Tina.  She asked for this recipe!!  She is a great cook, she just doesn't know it yet!!!


Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese
2 c 4% small curd cottage cheese
1 c sour cream
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 tsp salt
pepper to taste
2 c shredded sharp cheese
1  7oz pkg. elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
paprika (optional)
Mix together the first 5 ingredients.  Mix well.  Add cheddar and mix again.  Finally, add cooked macaroni.
Mix again.  Pour mixture into greased 2 1/2 qt. casserole.
In a separate bowl, melt 1/2 stick of butter.  Mix with 1 c panko bread crumbs.  Sprinkle over the top.  Bake, uncovered,  at 350* for 30 minutes.  Sprinkle with paprika, if desired.

Pizza Chicken Roll ups

And here's another recipe . . .just to catch up!!!  Easy, tasty, and a kid pleaser!!


Pizza Chicken Rolls Ups
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
pepperoni
sliced mozzarella cheese
pizza sauce


Pound chicken breasts to 1/4" thickness.  Place pepperoni and cheese on chicken breast.
Roll up and secure with a toothpick.  Place in greased baking dish.  Spoon pizza sauce over the top of the chicken rolls.  Cover and bake at 350* for 40 - 45 minutes.  Uncover and 
sprinkle with a bit more cheese.  Bake another 5 - 10 minutes or until cheese is melted!
This is great served with garlic bread and a green salad!!

Sweet Potato Casserole

Wow . . .it has been over a week since I posted a recipe.  So here's one that comes to mind as a seasonal favorite!  One of Wayne's very favorite things . . .a must for Thanksgiving dinner!  


Sweet Potato Casserole
3 c mashed sweet potatoes
2/3 c sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c evaporated milk
1/2 c melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
Mix these together and put in casserole dish.
Topping:
1 c brown sugar
1/2 c flour
1/2 c melted butter
1/2 c chopped pecans (optional)
Mix topping ingredients together and sprinkle on top of sweet potatoes.
Bake for 45  - 50  minutes at 350* . . .till hot, bubbly, and lightly browned.


This makes quite a large casserole.  It is also very good warmed up the next day!