.... That's My Story....
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
For these fudgy treats, you spread the frosting on the cookie before baking.
Just be sure to use real chocolate (not imitation) because a not-so-real
Product won't bake properly.
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup butter or margarine 1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
48 undrained maraschino cherries (about one 10-oz. jar)
1 6-ounce package semisweet chocolate pieces
1 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
In a mixing bowl combine flour and cocoa; set aside. In a large mixing bowl
beat the butter or margarine with an electric mixer on medium to high speed
about 30 seconds or until softened. Add sugar, salt, baking powder, and
baking soda.
Beat until well combined. Add egg and vanilla. Beat well.
Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place on ungreased baking sheet. Press down center of each ball with thumb. Drain maraschino cherries, reserving juice.
Place a cherry in the center of each cookie.
In a small saucepan combine the chocolate pieces and sweetened condensed milk; heat until chocolate is melted. Stir in 4 teaspoons of the reserved cherry juice. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the frosting over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry. (Frosting may be thinned with additional cherry juice, if necessary
Bake in 350 degree F. oven about 10 minutes or until done. Remove to wire rack; cool. Cover and store at room temperature up to 2 days. Makes 48 cookies.
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup white sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup dried cranberries chopped and divided
- 1 cup pecans chopped and toasted
- 3 Tbsp chives or green onions chopped
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Note: I toasted the pecans prior to chopping which made it so much easier. While the original recipe called for 1/4 C chives I opted to decrease because the hives were very strong and I didn't think the kids would like the over power the taste. I did not include any in the roll mix
- To Toast Pecans: Pre-heat oven to 375F. Place pecans on a baking tray and bake for 5 minutes or until aromatic. Remove from oven and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, cheddar cheese, ½ toasted pecans, ½ cup dried cranberries, chives, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Place mixture in the center of a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper and cover completely with wrap while forming it into a ball shape. Place in fridge until ready to serve.
- Combine remaining ½ cup pecans, ½ dried cranberries, and 2 tablespoon chives on a flat surface or cutting board. Unwrap the ball and roll in cranberry-pecan mixture.
- Serve with crackers, pita chips, pretzels, carrots or celery.
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Oven Dried Tomatoes
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Tomato Jam
- 2 lbs ripe tomatoes cored and chopped
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated or minced ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- Mix all ingredients in a saucepan, bringing it to a boil
- Make sure to stir frequently to prevent the bottom from burning.
- Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened to the consistency of jam.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.