A quick and easy loaf cake to share with friends, beverage, and good conversation.  Also delicious for a breakfast treat and a take along in the lunch bag. Crumb Topping: 1 cup flour 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup (1  stick) melted butter 2 tsp. ground cinnamon Cake: 2 cups flour 3/4 cup granulated [...]

This is fabulous and beautiful with the speckling of spice. It’s also not as overpowering as a standard pumpkin pie may be to some. Picture at left is pre-baked in a water bath. Graham Cracker Crust: 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 5 Tbsp. melted butter 1 Tbsp. white sugar Cream Cheese Filling: 3 8-oz. pkgs. [...]

How homespun can you get? This stuff is great all year round. 10 good-sized tart apples – granny smith are best 1 stick butter, softened 1 cup flour 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. nutmeg – optional Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 2 [...]

This is a simple, tasty snack which can be jazzed up by adding some ice cream on the side.  I like it with a cup of hot tea or strong coffee. My sister sifts confectioners sugar and cocoa powder over her slice. Make the chocolate syrup first: 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil (NOT [...]

What separates a New York Cheesecake from all others is the simplicity, height, and firmness of the cake.  You definitely need a cheesecake (spring form) pan for this.  It is decadently simple yet delicious. Crust: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 2 Tbsp. sugar 3 Tbsp. softened butter (NOT melted) Filling: 1 1/2 cups sugar [...]

Spring & Summer mean lemon pie! What’s great about this pie is that it’s started on the stove top then placed in the fridge for a few hours. Make it in the morning to enjoy after dinner. Graham Cracker Crust: 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon 1/3 Cup (about 3/4 stick) melted [...]

Everyone must have one of these in their recipe collection.  Here is my simplified version – it uses jars of baby food instead of shredded carrots and applesauce instead of all that oil.  The topping is swirled in, then baked. 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup vegetable oil (canola) 4 oz. applesauce 4 of the 4 [...]

Oh yes, this loaf cake definitely lives up to its name. Perfect as is, or with preserves or whipped cream plopped on top – even ice cream. 2 sticks butter 1 cup sugar 4 large eggs 1/2 tsp. pure almond extract (or 1 tsp. pure vanilla) 2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder [...]

Simple, fast and really, really good. Surprise yourself with this new way of making pudding. 1/3 cup white sugar 1/4 cup baking cocoa (I use Hershey’s) 3 Tbsp. cornstarch 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 2 cups whole milk 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract Redi-Whip – (optional, but why not?) Using a 1-quart microwaveable bowl, mix the [...]

This is a true, chocolate birthday cake. Because it needs to be stored in the fridge, when it gets cold it tastes just like a Sara Lee chocolate fudge cake. What’s better than that? 2 sticks softened butter (not margarine, please!) 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 6 oz. unsweetened chocolate, [...]