December 21: Veggie Pizza (An appetizer)

This fun, great for entertaining, yummy recipe comes from the 'Case Family Cookbook' I compiled many years ago. 

2 pkg crescent rolls
8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 c mayonnaise
Grated Cheddar cheese
1/2-1 pkg Hidden Valley dressing mix
Cut up veggies: olives, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers
(or any others you like)

Heat oven to 375. Unroll both cans of dough; separate dough into 4 long rectangles. In ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan, place dough; pressing bottom and up sides to form crust. 
Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. In small bowl, mix cream cheese, mayonnaise and Hidden valley dressing mix. Spread over crust. Top with vegetables. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate.

December 20: Orange Rolls

I love this recipe at Christmas time.

1 c. hot water or orange juice 
½ c. butter
½ c. sugar 
2 tsp. salt

2 Tb. yeast 
3 eggs, beaten
5 to 6 c. flour

Heat the water, sugar, butter, and salt in microwave 1 to 2 minutes. Mix 2 cups flour with yeast. Add liquid and eggs and rest of flour. Mix well and then knead for 5 minutes and refrigerate overnight. Roll into rectangle.

Spread with filling:

1/3 c sugar Grated orange rind (from 1 orange)

1/3 c butter

Roll up jelly roll style. Slice. Bake in greased cookie sheet at 350 for 12 minutes.

Glaze:

2c. powdered sugar Juice of 1 orange

Blend together (may not need all of the orange juice.)

Drizzle over war rolls on cooling rack.

December 19: Bran Muffins

My friend, Shellie, brought these muffins to work one day. They were delicious. I was happy to hear they had Zoom cereal in them. It is a whole wheat hot cereal that I grew up on. My dad use to call it "Zoom mush." I never really appreciated it then. I do now. I love it.

Measure:

2 cups Grapenuts

4 cups Zoom

Pour 2 cups boiling water over cereal and set aside.

Mix together:

2 ½ cups sugar

1 cup softened butter

4 beaten eggs

Add:

1 qt buttermilk

5 cups flour

5 tsp soda

2 tsp salt to above mixture.

Then add cereal mixture and mix well.

Put large spoonfuls in greased muffin tins and bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Mixture can be stored in fridge up to 4 weeks.

It makes a lot.

December 18: Cream Cheese Mints

My dear friend, Neida, shared this recipe with me. They are divine. I know I am posting a lot of sugary treats. But it is Christmas time. 

Makes 8 dozen.

3 oz cream cheese, softened
1 TB butter
3 c confectioners' sugar
2 drops peppermint oil
Food coloring paste

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, butter and confectioners' sugar. Mix in peppermint oil. Color as desired with food coloring paste, or leave white. Roll mixture into small balls and place on waxed paper. Flatten wit a fork dipped in confectioners' sugar. Let dry for about 2 hours on waxed paper, then freeze or refrigerate.

If stored in airtight container, these can be frozen for a couple months. These can also be molded. 

December 17: Cranberry Glazed Chicken

This recipe sounds so good to me right now.  Maybe you have an extra can of cranberry sauce hanging around your pantry from Thanksgiving. This is an internet recipe.

1 pkg dry onion soup mix

1 can whole cranberry sauce

1 (8 oz) bottle Kraft French dressing

8 boneless chicken breasts, skinless

Mix onion soup, cranberry sauce and Kraft dressing. Pour over chicken breasts in 13x9 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, covered and uncovered 15 minutes. Serve over rice.

December 16: CHEX Muddy Buddies

I want to post this recipe  today because it is a great holiday snack and my family loves it.

9 c CHEX brand cereal

1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 c peanut butter

1/4 c butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 c powdered sugar

Pour cereal into large bowl, set aside. In 1-qt microwave-safe bowl combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Microwave on HIGH 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until smooth, stirring after 1 minute. Stir in vanilla. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal. Stirring until all pieces are combined. Pour cereal mixture into a large resealable plastic bag with the powdered sugar. Seal securely and shake until all pieces are well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. 

December 15: Caramel

This is seriously the best caramel. My brother, Jon and his wife, Lorri, came up with this recipe. Good for apples, popcorn, or just plain.

1 c light Karo syrup
1/2 c butter
3/4 c brown sugar
3/4 c sugar
Dash salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Bring sugars, Karo syrup, butter and salt to boil. Add sweetened condensed milk. Bring to gradual boil. Cook until soft ball stage (240 degrees). Add baking soda and mix well.