Grandma Ora Neilson's White Cake

I may get into trouble by posting this recipe. I am not one to have 'Secret recipes' but there are some in my family who feel differently. This would be one of those recipes that wouldn't  be shared with just anyone. It is a real treasure to us. You should feel flattered that I don't consider you just anyone.

I recently made this for Arron's Birthday. I'd forgotten just how good it is. It's perfect for Strawberries and cream. Tastes just like summer! Here it is...right out of mom's old cookbook.

With Love, Enjoy!

Chocolate Surprise Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
2/3 cup baking cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups semi-sweet choc. chips
frozen mini. marshmallows
In mixer, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beat in vanilla.  Gradually add flour, cocoa, and baking soda, mix well. Stir in choc. chips.
Scoop dough, with cookie scoop onto Silpat 2" apart. Press 3 frozen marshmallows into each. Bake @ 400 for 10 minutes, or until set, do not overbake. Cool 5 minutes and transfer to wire rack.
Note: I always find these cookies bake better after the dough has been in the fridge overnight, then allowed to soften slightly before scooping onto a baking mat. Then quicker they go into the oven after putting the frozen marshmallows on them the better.

Texas Corn Bread

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 eggs
1 Tbl. baking powder
1 cup sour cream
8.5 oz. cream style corn
1/2 cup canola oil
4 oz. chopped green chilies (I use 8 oz.)
In a large bowl mix all wet ingredients. Stir in dry ingredients until just moist. Pour into greased 8" baking dish. Bake @ 400 for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm. Store in refrigerator.

Mom's Boston Baked Beans

This recipe was given to mom when she was ordering bean pots for us girls.It's an easy meal to prepare and it makes enough for my family to have two full meals. The first night I pair it with Texas Corn Bread. The second night, cinnamon rolls! 

4 cups pinto beans, boiled 1/2 hour with enough water to cover (save liquid)

1 lb. thick sliced bacon, cut into 2" pieces, cooked until slightly crispy

(I cook bacon in the oven on broiler pan for 15-18min. @ 450 while beans are boiling)

1/2 cup molasses

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1/4 tsp. paprika

1/2 onion, chopped

4 Tbl. brown sugar

Put all ingredients in bean pot or crock pot with just enough reserved water to cover. Add more water as needed throughout the day. Bake @ 350, for 7-8 hours or until beans are soft.

Last 30 minutes of cooking add beef hot dogs to the top.

Note: This recipe is great with Texas Corn Bread. It's a bit different than the typical corn bread. It has no sugar or flour. Moist enough to be a spoon bread, but it holds together enough to pick up with your hands when it's cool. When making the corn bread with the beans I just turn up the oven to 400, and bake the bread with the beans for the last 30 minutes, so they are both done at the same time.

Asparagus and Potato Fritatta

3 Tbl. olive oil
2 potatoes, shredded
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 Tbl. fresh basil, chopped or 2 tsp. dried basil
1 lb. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2" pieces
1 cup diced ham
6 eggs
2 Tbl. milk
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup shredded cheddar

Grease a 9x13" baking dish. Preheat oven to 350.
Heat olive oil in skillet, cook and stir onions and potato until slightly browned. Add asparagus, ham, salt and pepper and cook until tender. Transfer to baking dish. In seperate bowl whisk egg and milk, pour over vegetables and ham. Scatter cheese over top and bake until set 20-25 minutes. Garnish with basil and creme fraiche.

Loaded Oatmeal Cookies

I love the texture of this cookie, it's soft and chewy. There's just the right combination of flavors, you can taste each one.

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup water
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups quick oats
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp.cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 cup semisweet choc. chips
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup coconut
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg. Beat in water and vanilla. Combine oats, flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda, gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in cranberries, chips, walnuts and coconut. Scoop dough onto silpat and bake @350 for 12- 14min. Remove and let cool on wire racks.

Coconut Bliss Cake

This is an old -fashioned butter cake loaded with chewy coconut, caramel-like frosting. It is quite rich so be sure to have extra milk handy. Perfect comfort food for cold, windy,winter weather.

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup milk

1/4 cup butter

Frosting:

1- 1/2 cups brown sugar

3/4 cup melted butter

1/2 cup half and half

2 cups coconut

In mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla until thick and pale yellow, about 4 min. Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to egg mixture and beat until just combined. In a saucepan, bring milk and butter to a boil, stirring constantly. Add to batter and beat until combined.

Pour into a greased 13"x 9" baking dish. Bake @ 350 for 35 min. or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Combine frosting ingredients, spread over warm cake. Broil 4" from heat until lightly browned, about 3-4 min.