Roasted Almonds in a popcorn popper

Natalie shared this recipe with me, actually we made several batches while I was visiting...they were yummy.
2 c almonds 
1 c sugar 
1/2 T cinnamon 
1/2 T Vanilla
 1/4 C water 
put almonds in, mix in dry. add wet. turn on until done

Festive Fudge

I copied this recipe from my Family Fun magazine, but it turned out super cute so I had to share.

Ingredients

• 3 cups semisweet- or milk-chocolate chips
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Assorted sprinkles, sugars, and candy decorations

Instructions

1. Place the chocolate chips in a 2-quart bowl and microwave for 1 minute, then stir them with a wooden spoon. If the chips are not completely melted, microwave them again for 30 seconds, then stir until they're smooth.

2. Stir in the condensed milk, salt, and vanilla extract.

3. Line a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, extending it about 2 inches beyond each side. (This makes it easy to remove the fudge later.) Lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

4. Spread the mixture evenly in the pan.

5. Chill the candy until firm, about 30 minutes in the freezer or 1 hour in the refrigerator.

6. Lift the foil from the pan and place it on a flat work area. Use 1-inch cookie cutters to cut out the fudge, then lightly press decorations onto each piece. Makes about 50 pieces. (Note: mine recipe didn't make 50 pieces, but I didn't use very small cookie cutters)
   

Sorry, Another Sugar Cookie Recipe

Sorry I'm doing another Sugar Cookie recipe, but I'd planned on submitting this for a few days and I made cookies with the girls last night so I would have some pictures to post. They are just too cute! =) Growing up we always made sugar cookies out of the dough you buy at the store and the few times since then I've tried making dough from scratch, I've always thought the end product tasted too floury. I got this recipe from a friend and I really like it. It has a great almond taste!

1 C. Butter (softened)
1 1/2 C. Sugar
2 Eggs
1 t. Vanilla
1 t. Almond
4 C. Flour
1/4 t. Salt
1 t. Baking Powder
4 t. Milk

Cream the shortening and sugar together. Add eggs and flavorings. Mix together dry ingredients and add alternately with milk to creamed mixture. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes, roll and cut out. Cook at 375 degrees on a greased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes.

Frosting

1/4 C. butter (softened)
2 C. Powder Sugar
1 t. Almond flavoring
Milk

Cream butter and sugar together. Add Almond, mix in. Add milk just a little at a time until the desired consistency. Frost your cookies, then decorate.

The decorating part was what my girls enjoyed the most!

She would have kept going with the sprinkles if we hadn't stopped her.

Sugar Cookies

What are the holidays without Sugar Cookies! This is the best sugar cookie recipe I have come across. We love it!

1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
4 tsp baking powder
4 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt

Cream shortening, sugar, and eggs. Add sour cream. Add vanilla. Add soda, salt, baking powder, and flour. Mix to a stiff dough. If too sticky, you can chill before rolling. Roll out 1/4 inch think and cut in desired shapes.
Bake on greased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool and frost with butter cream frosting.

Vanilla Butter Frosting

3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
about 2-3 Tbsp milk

Special K Cookies

1 cup sugar

1 ½ cups peanut butter

1 cup karo syrup

5 ½ cups Special K cereal

1 cup (6 oz.) butterscotch chips

1 cup (6 oz.) chocolate chips

Bring sugar and syrup to boil, JUST until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter until well mixed. Add cereal and stir until well coated. Pat out on large cookie sheet or a smaller one if you want thick squares. Melt chips and spread over top of cookies. Set in refrigerator a short time to harden frosting. Cut into 1 ½ inch squares.

Holiday Recipes

I think it would be fun to share favorite holiday recipes! Either favorite side dishes or goodies to deliver to people. :)

SUGAR-FREE CRANBERRY SALAD

1 can cranberry sauce (jelly type, chunky style)
1 med. can crushed pineapple with juice (no sugar)
2 (3 oz.) pkg. sugar-free lemon Jello
2 c. boiling water
1 c. diced apple, peeled
1 c. diced celery
1 c. chopped pecans

Mix Jello with hot water and stir until dissolved. Add other ingredients and blend to mix evenly. Place in refrigerator to set up. Serve on lettuce leaf. (FYI - I've never served on a lettuce leaf :)...just out of a bowl.)

Orange Rolls

I really enjoyed the recipes that were posted last month. We tried the Chicken Parm. last week and loved it, and I can't wait to try Shannon's recipe. I am a little disappointed that it was your idea MOM and you didn't even add a recipe. So anyway I think whoever picks first can decide what kind of recipe we should post for December.

We had these on Thanksgiving and Shannon wanted the recipe, but I forgot to give it to her, so I thought I would just post it here. It is another one of Doug's family favorites.

Refrigerator Orange Rolls
Dissolve 1 package of yeast in 1/4 c warm water.

Combine:
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup hot water
let cool

Combine:
1 eaten egg with 1/2 cup cold water

after cool add egg mixture and yeast. Add 3 cups flour. Beat well and cover. (This dough is very sticky) Refrigerate overnight. 2 1/2 hours before serving roll out dough into large rectangle. Spread with orange filling. Roll up and cut into 24 slices. Place slices in well greased muffin pans. Cover with dish towel and let rise. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

ORANGE FILLING:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 grated orange peal + juice

Slush

2 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 (16 oz.) can grapefruit
1 (16 oz.) can pineapple

Make a syrup of the water and sugar. Boil 5 minutes and cool. Add pineapple and grapefruit. Set in freezer and stir occasionally. When frozen spoon some in glass and add Sprite or 7-up or Lemon Soda.

Schmorkohl

For Christmas Nancy gave us a cookbook of some family recipes...thought I'd share some of the famous Keyser dishes

(Schmor=to stew, kohl=cabbage)

1 head red cabbage
About 2 Tbs sugar (or to taste)
About 1 tsp salt
About 1/2 cup white vinegar
1 Tbs bacon fat (or more)

Shred red cabbage finely and add about 2" of water in pan. Cook until crispy-tender and pour off water. Add remaining ingredients. Thicken with a little cornstarch dissolved in water.