This recipe comes from a friend and fellow Taste Of Home volunteer field editor and it is delicious! This became a family favorite after just one bite. We shared the bread with family and friend who also loved it! I made two small changes to the recipe after reading some of the reviews. I added one cup of sour cream to the batter to keep the bread moist and added the zest of one lime to the icing mixture.  This recipe makes two loaves.

INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup softened butter
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 Tablespoons Key Lime juice (can use regular limes)
2 Tablespoons lime zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sour cream
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup of milk
1 cup chopped walnuts

GLAZE INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1-2 Tablespoons lime juice
Zest of one lime

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, lime peel, juice, vanilla and sour cream. In a bowl whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternating with milk, beating well after each addition. Fold in nuts.
Transfer into two greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pans. Bake 50 – 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool ten minutes before removing from pans to a wire rack.
For the glaze, combine the confectioners’ sugar and enough lime juice to get your desired consistency. Add the lime zest and mix. Drizzle over the warm bread and let cool completely.

Enjoy!

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We all know what time of year it is and that means making some cookies to share with all your family and friends! Although I do bake it’s not my favorite thing to do but these sugar cookies from Taste Of Home made it simple. After reading some of the reviews of this recipe I made a few small changes. The original recipe calls for vanilla extract.  I wanted something just a little different so I used lemon extract and I also added lemon zest to the batter. This recipe can be made as a drop cookie or rolled into balls.   Flatten with the bottom of a glass that has sugar on the bottom of it so it leaves a nice light coating of sugar on top of the cookies. Needless to say, this recipe is easily adaptable and it makes a lot. This made almost five dozen!

Because it made so many I was able to send some with my husband while he was flying with the Army National Guard.  During his travels, he stopped at an Air Force base where our dear friend Adam (our niece Becky’s significant other, who we love) was working and could come out and enjoy a cookie or two! Needless to say, there were some happy military people today!

 

 

INGREDIENTS
1 cup of butter, softened
1 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of confectioners sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or if making lemon, I used 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract)
4 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

NOTE– if making the lemon version you will need 3 small lemons.  I zested two of the lemons into the batter and zested 1 lemon into 1/2 cup of granulated sugar I used for the top.

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl beat the butter, oil, and sugars. Beat in the eggs until well blended.  Add the vanilla or lemon extract. In another large bowl, add the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Gradually add the flour mixture into the butter/sugar mixture and mix to combine. If making the lemon version add the zest of two lemons and mix until combined.
If making drop cookies simply drop about a tablespoon of the dough on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until they are lightly browned. Mine took 8 minutes.
If you want to flatten them and add the sugar on the top, place about 1/2 cup of granulated sugar onto a plate, add the zest of one lemon into the sugar and mix. Roll the dough into balls about a tablespoon or so and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass coat the bottom of the glass lightly with the sugar mixture and lightly press the dough balls down to your desired thickness. This will leave a light coating of sugar on the top of the cookie. Bake for 8 – 10 minutes.

Enjoy!

 

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I have made this cake twice in just a two-week time span, both for two groups of people. The first time I made it we were camping with family and friends and I was in charge of dessert. I actually made two desserts that night but I’ll tell you about the second one another time. Everyone loved this dish, it went fast! The second time was for a friend that works with my husband. I had a very nice message from Greg that it was enjoyed by all and an empty dish came home. so you don’t only have my thoughts, but many others!

INGREDIENTS
1 package chocolate cake mix – I used devils food cake mix
1 jar (17 ounces)butterscotch – caramel ice cream topping, I used only caramel sauce
1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
3 health bars, chopped – can also the toffee bits found in the baking aisle.

DIRECTIONS
Prepare and bake the cake according to the package directions using a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Cool on a wire rack.
Using the handle of a wooden spoon or just a fork, poke holes in the cake. Pour 3/4 cup of caramel (or a little more?) over the top of the cake letting it soak into the cake. Top with whipped topping and sprinkle with candy bits. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

Enjoy!

 

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Pumpkin season is in full swing and this would be a great addition to any of your fall gatherings. This is another tried and true recipe from Taste Of Home! This was easy to make and I love the cream cheese frosting so much better than the canned, but of course, if you are short on time, grab a can of your favorite cream cheese frosting!

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS
1 can solid pack pumpkin (15 ounces)
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

FROSTING
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
5 Tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups confectioners sugar
3-4 teaspoons whole milk
Chopped nuts to sprinkle over the top

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl beat pumpkin, sugar, and oil until blended. Beat in eggs. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in another bowl and mix. Gradually add the flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture mixing until well blended.
Pour into a greased 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
For the frosting, in a small bowl beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually beat the powdered sugar until smooth. Add milk until frosting reaches desired spreading consistency. Frost cake and sprinkle with nuts.

Enjoy!

 

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I made this for a family gathering and everyone really enjoyed them! One of our family members has been having belly issues.  I won’t get into the details but this can easily be made gluten free and served with gluten free tortilla chips instead of on a bun. I have been surprised with how simple it is to make recipes gluten free, well minus the bread part! Anyway, these are sweet and slightly tangy, simple to make and great to re-heat for leftovers! This was easy to double for a group as well! No canned sloppy joe mix happening here!

 

INGREDIENTS
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped onion
2 Tablespoons chopped green peppers
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup chili sauce
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 Tablespoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
6 hamburger buns split

DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet, cook the beef, celery, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, drain excess liquid in the pan.  Stir in ketchup, chili sauce, sugars, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Serve on buns.

Enjoy!

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