Chocolate Cake

Credit: Lori Frost

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk (or soured milk)
1 cup oil
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Directions:

Preheat Oven to 300 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan, or 2 (8-inch) rounds... whatever you're making. Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in bowl of electric mixer. Mix on low speed until combined. (*You may want to start heating up your water right now in order to get it boiling...) In another bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Turn the mixer on low and slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. While the mixer still on low, add the boiling water and stir just to combine. Make sure you're scraping the bottom and sides of the mixing bowl with a rubber spatula! Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and bake for 45-60 minutes for a 9x13 pan, or about 30-40 minutes for 2 (8-inch) rounds. This is supposed to be a slow-bake cake, so that's why there's a low temperature setting and longer cook time. Check it early, but don't be afraid if it takes an hour to bake completely. Allow to cool in the pan(s) for 30 minutes and then remove them and place them on a cooling rack if you're going to be frosting them or making a layered cake. You will not be disappointed!!

Parchment Paper Mexican Chicken

Credit: Stacey Smith

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can black beans (or pinto beans, if preferred)
• 2 packages Spanish rice, prepared
• 1 can corn
• 1 onion, cut into thick strips
• 1 can Rotel
• salt and pepper
• sour cream
• grated cheddar cheese
• avocado chunks
• green onions
• parchment paper
• thread, doubled up (embroidery thread preferred)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350-375 degrees. Make 4 large parchment paper squares (about 14" square-- the sides will be gathered to make a bag, so it has to be big enough). Place 1 chicken breast in the middle of 1 parchment square and season, if desired. Layer 3 or so spoonfuls of beans on top. Then place 3 or so spoonfuls of rice on top of that. Top with some corn, 4-6 onion strips, and a couple scoops of Rotel. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pull all of the sides up to make a "bag" and twist. Tie the string very tightly around the neck of the bag to seal it. This is very important because the steam/heat trapped inside helps when cooking the servings. Place all of the bags on a cookie sheet and place in the oven for about 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool about 5 minutes. 
2. To serve, have each person take one bag. Remove thread and pour bag's contents on plate. Shred up the chicken and mix it all together, adding sour cream, cheese, avocado, and green onions. Now it's ready to eat, or you can scoop it up with corn chips.

Soft & Delicious Sugar Cookies

Credit: Amber Every

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup sour cream
2 eggs
3 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp salt
2 tsp. baking soda
6 cups of flour

Directions:

Cream butter and sugar. Add sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl and add gradually to mixture. You can refrigerate the dough at this point if you would like. Roll 1/4 inch thick and cut with cookies cutters. Bake at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes until light and fluffy, but not brown.

No Rise Pizza Dough

Credit: Anna via My Wooden Spoon

Ingredients:

• 1 T yeast
• 1 1/2 c warm water
• 2 T sugar
• 3 T oil
• 3-4 c flour

 Directions:

Proof the yeast in the warm water and sugar (combine all in a bowl and let the yeast do it's job). Once that is ready, stir in the oil. Then mix in the flour until it forms a ball. Remove from bowl and knead until smooth. Press dough into shape on the pizza stone (you can even use the rolling pin, but make it easy by placing the dough on the stone and rolling it directly on the stone so you don't need to transfer it). Add sauce and toppings. Place in cool oven, then turn dial to cook at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

*If you are skeptical of placing it in a cool oven (like I was), just go ahead and turn on the oven when you roll or press your dough and check your pizza 4-5 minutes earlier to make sure you don't overcook it. :)

Lemon Raspberry Bars

Credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
6 tablespoons salted butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
Zest of one lemon
2 large egg yolks
1-14 oz. can fat free sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
6 ounces fresh raspberries

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray an 8x8 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and lemon zest. Stir until graham cracker crumbs are moist. Press crumbs into the prepared pan, pressing the crust mixture one inch up the side of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature.

Once the crust is cool, combine the egg yolks and condensed milk until well mixed. Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest. Stir until mixture begins to slightly thicken. Gently fold in the raspberries. Fold carefully so you don’t break the raspberries.

Pour the lemon raspberry filling evenly over the graham cracker crust. Bake for 15 minutes, or until just set. Cool to room temperature, then chill for at least one hour before serving. Cut into bars and serve. Keep bars in the refrigerator up to five days.

Note: Use fresh raspberries and make sure you gently fold the berries into the lemon filling or you will have pink bars.

Serves 16

Chicken Enchiladas

Credit: Jenn Eastman

Ingredients: 

1 T margarine
⅓ c finely chopped green onion
1 clove garlic, minced
½ c sliced olives
1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies 
½ c sour cream
1 (10 oz) cream of chicken soup
3-4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (you can use canned chicken, too)
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese (divided into 3/4 cup + 3/4 cup)
1/4 cup milk
1 package burrito sized flour tortillas (or 8-10 freshly cooked flour tortillas)

Directions:

Sauté margarine, green onion, and garlic in small pan. In a small bowl, stir together olives, green chilies, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup. Add sauteed mixture to sour cream mixture and set aside 3/4 cup sauce. Add chicken and 3/4 cup cheese to the remaining sauce. Fill tortillas with this chicken mixture. Roll and place in a Pam-sprayed 9x13 pan. Take the reserved sauce and stir in the milk. Spoon this over the tortillas and top with another 3/4 cup cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Not Cafe Rio Pork... but very delicious!!

Credit: Lynn Muir

Ingredients:

• 1 pork roast, boneless, unseasoned
• 3 c salsa of choice (I've heard that mango salsa is great, but we just use Pace)
• 2 c brown sugar

Directions:

1. Place pork roast in the crockpot on LOW with the fatty side up.
2. Cover all of the meat with salsa and brown sugar. Note: This is not science, so go ahead and add more salsa or water if needed while cooking, and feel free to add more brown sugar toward the end to suit your taste buds. :) Place lid on crock pot. You will be cooking this for about 5-6 hours.
3. After 4 hours, flip the pork roast and spoon the salsa mixture back over the entire roast. Replace the lid.
4. When the pork is tender (another hour or two later), shred the pork with forks and stir it in with the juices. Let marinate in these juices for about 30 minutes before serving for maximum results.
5. Serve as burritos or salads Cafe Rio style! Yum!!

Perfect Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Credit: KevinandAmanda.com

Please allow yourselves ample time to prepare this meal. This is a wonderful dish for entertaining a very large crowd! Read the recipe thoroughly before deciding to make it. :)

Ingredients List 1: Dry Rub

1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp ground pepper
1 tbsp paprika
1/2 cup brown sugar

Ingredients List 2: Brine solution

1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 quarts cold water
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp dry rub mix

Other Ingredient:

1 whole Boston butt pork roast

Directions:

1. Mix together all DRY RUB INGREDIENTS and store in an airtight container.
2. For the brine solution, use ingredients from the BRINE SOLUTION INGREDIENTS list. Add salt to cold water and stir very well until all the salt is completely dissolved. Then add the brown sugar, dry rub, and bay leaves and stir well to combine.
3. Rinse the pork shoulder and place in a large container. Pour in the brine solution until the shoulder is completely covered. Cover the container and place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours.
4. Remove pork shoulder from brine solution, pat dry with paper towels, and place in baking pan that is bigger than the shoulder by at least a inch in length and width and at least 3 inches deep. *Note: you can also use a crock pot to cook the pork roast. Cooking time will be more around 8-12 hours and you may want to cook it on high for one or two hours of the cooking time and use the low setting for the rest. Just use common sense to convert this recipe to a crock pot, substituting "crock pot" for "baking pan," etc.
5. Sprinkle dry rub onto the surface of the shoulder and massage in such that it adheres to the surface. Coat all sides. Make sure the fat layer on the shoulder is facing up before cooking! Place baking pan uncovered in a 225 degree oven on the middle rack. Insert a probe thermometer into the center or thickest part of the shoulder, but not touching the bone. Monitor the temperature throughout cooking (a digital thermometer with an alarm function is the easiest way to do this). Do not remove from the oven until the center of the shoulder reaches 200 degrees.
6. When the shoulder has reached 200 degrees, shut off the oven and let the roast cool for a couple of hours before removing from the oven. If the bottom of the pan is dry (or crusted with dried spices) then cover the pan with foil to retain internal moisture of the meat during the cooling period. When the temperature drops to 170 degrees or slightly lower, remove from oven.
7. Place on a large, clean work surface such as a cutting board, and remove the large sheet of crusted fat on the top. Pull apart with two forks, it will pull apart very easily. Serve with gourmet hamburger buns for a delicious and impressive meal to feed an army!

Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - Healthy, too!

Credit: Mariel Skinner

Ingredients:

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp butter, room temperature
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup plain, unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Beat in the egg, followed by the applesauce and vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture and oats until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Stir in the chocolate chips. Roll into balls. Bake for about 9-12 min. Cookies will be light brown at the edges when done. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Swiss Buttercream

Credit: Smitten Kitchen

For a wedding cake (or most of one, depending on the size)
2 cups of egg whites (approx. 12 large)
3 cups sugar
5 cups butter, softened (2 1/2 pounds, 10 sticks)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For a 9-inch cake (plus filling, or some to spare)
1 cup sugar
4 large egg whites
26 tablespoons butter, softened (3 sticks plus 2 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the tiniest amount, if you’re just practicing (or enough to cover and fill the 4-inch cake pictured)
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg white
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Whisk egg whites and sugar together in a big metal bowl over a pot of simmering water. Whisk occasionally until you can’t feel the sugar granules when you rub the mixture between your fingers.

Transfer mixture into the mixer and whip until it turns white and about doubles in size. (Here’s a tip: when you transfer to the mixer, make sure you wipe the condensation off the bottom of the bowl so that no water gets into the egg whites. This can keep them from whipping up properly.)

Add the vanilla.

Finally, add the butter a stick at a time and whip, whip, whip.

Deb note: Do not have a panic attack when this takes a while to come together (though I did every time). One super-large batch took 15 minutes, but it did and will come together. Patience, young Jedis.

*Note: I made this and LOVED how it turned out! It's a very friendly frosting. I gave it a try on some cupcakes and it did not turn out as well as my first attempt but here are some pictures anyway!

Breadmaker Cinnamon Rolls

Credit: allrecipes.com {Miss Alix; Cinnamon Rolls III}

Ingredients:

Dough -

• 1/4 c warm water
• 1/4 c butter, melted
• 1/2 of a 3.4 oz package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 c warm milk
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 T sugar
• 1/2 t salt
• 4 c bread flour
• 1 package active dry yeast

Filling -

• 1/4 c butter, softened
• 1 c brown sugar
• 4 t ground cinnamon
• 3/4 c chopped pecans {optional}

Icing -

• 1/2 of an 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 c butter, softened
• 1 c powdered sugar
• 1/2 t vanilla
• 1 1/2 t milk

Directions:

1. In the pan of your bread machine, combine water, melted butter, vanilla pudding, warm milk, egg, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt, bread flour and yeast. Set machine to Dough cycle; press Start.
2. When Dough cycle has finished, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 17x10 inch rectangle. Spread with softened butter. In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over dough.
3. Roll up dough, beginning with long side. Slice into 16 one inch slices and place in 9x13 buttered pan. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes. While rolls bake, stir together cream cheese, softened butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and milk. Remove rolls from oven and top with frosting.

Sister K's Snickerdoodles

Credit: Sister K {Allen's mission president's wife}

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c sugar
• 1 c butter, slightly softened {or half butter, half margarine}
• 2 eggs
• 1 t vanilla
• 3 c flour
• 2 t cream of tartar
• 1 t baking soda
• 1/4 t salt
• cinnamon sugar mixture

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream sugar and butter. Make sure these have time to blend together well. Then add the eggs and vanilla.
2. Combine all of the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add this mixture to the creamed mixture. Mix until the dough is just right.
3. Put cinnamon sugar mixture in a pie tin or other container. Form the dough into balls and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture until they're nicely coated. Arrange on baking sheet and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes.

Cheddar Chicken

Credit: Lori Frost {adapted from a recipe by Jane Walsh}

Ingredients:

• 20 buttery crackers {ie Club}, crushed to make about 3/4 cup
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/4 t pepper
  
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 T butter, melted

Direction:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the crackers, cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. Dip chicken breasts in the melted butter, then in the cracker mixture. Coat well. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
3. Top with all the remaining cracker mixture and drizzle with the remaining butter. Place in the oven for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.

I served this with wild rice and corn. It was a hit! I loved how easy it was and how flavorful and juicy the chicken turned out.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Credit: Lori Frost

Ingredients:

• 3 cans of cooked chicken breasts {like you find tuna in, except bigger!}
• 2 c seedless grapes, sliced
• 1 c mayonnaise
• 1 t salt
• 4 T sugar
• 1 1/2 t curry powder
• 1 c roasted almonds, sliced {or cashews... nuts are optional}
• Bread or croissants
  

Directions:

1. Open and drain the canned chicken. Empty into a large bowl and finely shred with a fork. This is an important step!
   
2. Add the sliced grapes to the chicken and mix around. Make sure this balance of chicken and grapes is enough for you... we like lots of grapes in ours.
3. In a smaller bowl, combine the mayonnaise, salt, sugar, and curry powder. Mix well and pour over the chicken mixture. Mix until well coated.
4. Place in the refrigerator for 30+ minutes to allow all of the flavors to blend together. {If you can't let it chill before eating, it'll still be delicious, so don't worry.}
5. When you're ready to eat, make each sandwich by taking the bread and generously spreading on chicken salad, then sprinkling the almond pieces on top, and placing the other piece of bread on top. :) Mmm...

*This is often served at wedding receptions, bridal and baby showers, etc. We love it ANYTIME, though.

Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

Credit: Chelsea Bennett

Ingredients:

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 c teriyaki sauce of coice
• 1/2 c gourmet sauce
• Rice, prepared

Directions:

1. Cook chicken in Pam sprayed frying pan. Once cooked, cut chicken into 1" slices.
2. Carefully wipe down your pan. Combine the sauces in the pan and add the sliced chicken.
3. Heat through and serve over individual rice bowls. Feel free to add steamed broccoli, mandarin oranges, and cashews to the mix!
   

Cream Cheese Chicken

Credit: Amber Wardell

Ingredients:

• 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, cubed
• 1 packet Food Seasons Italian dressing mix
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• Frozen broccoli {regular or steam-able}
• Rice
  

Directions:

1. Place chicken in crock pot.
   
2. Layer on top in this order: cubed cream cheese, 1/2 Italian dressing packet, cream of chicken soup, 1/2 Italian dressing packet.
3. Cover and cook 3-4 hours on low heat, mixing sauce about 2 hours into it {you'll be fine if you can't mix it around 2 hours into it... just go ahead and leave it cooking}. Before serving, divide chicken into smaller pieces and add broccoli.
4. Prepare rice and eat!!

Note: If you add broccoli, you can use the frozen kind by putting it in an hour before you're ready to eat. If you get the steam-able broccoli, just follow the directions on the package and mix in the steamed broccoli before serving.

Fancy Fettuccine Alfredo (fancier than my other recipe...)

Credit: Kevinandamanda.com
(adapted slightly from their variation)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cavatappi noodles
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 scant cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup half and half
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus a tad more (usually less than 1 1/4 cups total)
• 2-3 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper (just eyeball the pepper)
• 8 basil leaves, chiffonaded
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Add 1 tbsp of salt to a large pot of water and bring to boil. Boil noodles according to package.
2. Then, in a medium saucepan, heat chicken broth over medium high heat, bringing to a boil. Reduce heat to medium.
3. Stir in heavy cream, cornstarch, and garlic. Bring to a soft boil and stir for one minute. Reduce heat to low.
4. Add Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Let simmer for about 10 mins to melt cheese, let thicken, and incorporate flavors.
5. Just before serving, chop fresh herbs and stir into Alfredo sauce. Serve sauce over pasta and add chicken if desired! {We usually grill chicken for one meal and then use the extra grilled chicken for this meal... so good!}

Note: This meal is great for entertaining. It makes A LOT. We love serving it with chicken and fresh chopped tomatoes on top and then serving up some toasted, buttered artisan bread (rosemary or garlic bread are my faves).

Chicken Tacos

Credit: Amber Wardell

Ingredients:

• 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cups salsa of choice
• Toppings {cheese, sour cream, etc.}
  

Directions:

1. Place chicken in crock pot.
2. Mix salsa and taco seasoning together and pour over chicken to cover.
3. Replace lid on crock pot and cook on low 4 hours. Check to see if you need to add any water during cooking.
4. Shred chicken and serve with flour tortillas {I prefer to buy the uncooked tortillas from Sam's or Costco and probably will for the rest of my life!} and any other toppings you'd like... cheese, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, etc.
   

BBQ Chicken

Credit: Lori Frost {modified from the Brandel Family}

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts {frozen or fresh-- either one will work!}
  
• 1 cup BBQ sauce of choice
• 1/2 can of jellied cranberry sauce

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken in a 9x13 pan. You can adjust the amount of chicken that you need as long as it will all fit nicely in the pan!
2. Mix together BBQ sauce and cranberry sauce until it's a fairly smooth consistency. {I use a small hand mixer/puree machine, but you could use a fork if you need to!}
   
3. Pour BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken to cover. If there's not enough, mix up a little more sauce. Luckily this recipe will be delicious no matter what. It's not science at all!
4. Bake uncovered for 1 hour. Voila!

**I also bake some potatoes at the same time. It makes a perfect meal! Just wash, scrub, poke, and wrap up some small- to medium-sized yellow potatoes in foil. Put them on the same rack as your 9x13 pan and bake for 60-75 minutes. You'll want to pop these in before you start on the chicken for it all to be done around the same time.

Prize Winning Banana Bread

Credit: Krumkake {at GroupRecipes.com}

Ingredients:

½ cup butter, softened
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1½ cups mashed ripe bananas (3 medium well-ripened bananas)
½ cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
additional brown sugar for top of batter

Directions:

Mix together butter, oil, sugars, and eggs. Don't worry about overmixing these ingredients-- get them all well blended!

Add mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla, stirring together well.
In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir into batter, being careful not to overmix.

Pour into 1 greased large loaf pan until it is 2/3 full. If you run into the same situation I did, there will be extra batter! Find a smaller loaf pan to make a mini-loaf or opt to use 3 small loaf pans instead of 1 large loaf pan (3 of the 7 3/8 x 3 5/8 inch loaf pans should work). Get creative with your extra batter-- you could easily make muffins for those who aren't as patient and want to decrease their wait time for the main loaf of banana bread. :)

No matter what you choose to do, make sure to sprinkle additional brown sugar generously over the top of the batter, using your hand to gently pat some of it into the batter. Mmm... I hope your mouth is starting to water! It's so delicious.

Bake at 325 degrees: large loaf pan for about 1 hour, smaller loaves for about 45 minutes. Check the loaves early on with a toothpick and to make sure the top isn't getting too brown. If it's brown enough and you still have cook time remaining, cover it with foil {works like a charm...}.

Allow bread to cool in pans for 5-10 minutes, then run a sharp knife around the edges, tap the pan on the counter several times to release the bread from the bottom of the pan, and release loaf onto a wire rack to cool completely.