Key Lime Pie Green Smoothie

This is a variation of the original recipe found here.

• 2 TBSP key lime juice (about 4 small limes)
• 1 tsp key lime zest (about 2 limes) (I skipped this ingredient
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 1/2 ripe bananas, frozen (or you can use soft bananas, but would need to add ice to give the smoothie texture)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 TBSP agave 
• whipped topping (optional)
• graham cracker pieces (optional)

1. Place spinach in blender and pour milk and lime juice over it. Pulse until spinach is smooth.  Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.  Top with whipped topping and graham crackers if desired.
2. I was pleasantly surprised with how delicious this was.  I could have drank the whole blender by myself, it was that good.  :)

Ginger Bread- Christin R's recipe (delicious!)

Mix well:
2 1/4 C flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1 Cup brown sugar
Then add:
1/2 Cup oil
1/2 Cup molasses
1 egg
Mix well, spread onto ungreased cookie sheet, bake at 350* for 12-15 mins

Chocolate Syrup

2/3 C cocoa powder
1 2/3 C white sugar
1/2 C corn syrup
3/4 C milk
-Mix above ingredients together thoroughly in a saucepan.
-Heat on medium/low heat until boiling.
-Turn heat down to low and allow to boil for 5 mins, stirring continuously.
-Add 1 tsp vanilla and allow to cool.

~We made this and served it over crepes and it was delicious. Then we put the extra in syrup bottles and stuck it in the fridge and use it just like hershey's syrup. It's really really good, although a little thinner than the hershey's stuff.

Pumpkin Cookies

-Karee Sowards, Albuquerque, New Mexico

For 5 dozen:
2 C sugar
1 ½ C shortening
-Cream together above ingredients.
1 ½ C libby pumpkin
3 eggs
-Add above ingredients to sugar mixture.
-In separate bowl mix the following:
4 C flour
3 tsp cinnamon
1 ½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
2 ½ tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
-Combine dry ingredients with creamy mixture.
-Add chocolate chips (and walnuts if desired)
12 oz. chocolate chips
½ C chopped walnuts (optional)
-Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet.
-Bake at 350* for 10 to 12 mins.

~My brother, Chris, became a professional at making these cookies. They became another family favorite and he would frequently make 10 dozen of these cookies. Thanks Karee for introducing our family to this delicious recipe!!!

Save-A-Mint Brownies

-Cheryl Jorgensen, Albuquerque, New Mexico

-Make 1 batch of brownies in a 9x13 pan. [I always use a box from the store, but if you're really ambitious you can make them from scratch.]
-Allow the brownies to chill. [I always just cover them with foil and stick them in the freezer while I make the toppings]
-Mix together the following ingredients:
2 C powdered sugar
2 TBSP milk
3 drops green food coloring
1/2 C butter, softened
1/2 tsp peppermint flavoring
-Spread over cooled brownies and chill for 30 mins before adding the glaze.

Glaze:
1 C chocolate chips
6 TBSP margarine
-Melt together above ingredients over boiling water [or in small bowl in microwave, stirring every 30 secs]
-Set aside to cool.
-Pour over frosted brownies.
-Chill

Lime Dessert

-Pam Cole (my grandma), Utah

-Chill 1 can (13 oz) of evaporated milk
-Chill 1 medium glass or metal bowl along with mixing beaters
30 Oreo cookies, crushed
3 TBSP melted butter
-Mix above ingredients and press 1/2 of the oreo mixture into a 9x13 pan
-In separate bowl mix the following:
1 large package lime jello
1/2 C hot water
-Once the jello powder is dissolved add the following:
1/4 C sugar
1/4 C lime juice
1 drop green food coloring
-Whip together the chilled milk and jello mixture in the chilled bowl on high.
-Pour into pan, cover with remaining oreo crumbs and chill.

~This is another family favorite that we call the green dessert. Grandma Cole makes it like no one else! Oh so yummy!

Easy Cake Cookies

1 Chocolate Cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 C oil
chocolate chips
-Mix together ingredients in medium bowl.
-Roll dough into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
-Bake at 350* for 5-7 mins.
-Remove from oven and allow to cool on pan.

~To make these into homemade oreos simply put vanilla frosting between two cookies. :)

Apple Bake

-Cover bottom of 9x9 baking pan with apples.
-Sprinkle cinnamon over the apples.
-In medium bowl mix the following:
1 C flour
1 C brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
-Spoon mixture evenly over apples.
-Bake at 350* for 40 mins and enjoy!

Sugar Cookies

-Natalie Anderson, an old roommate whose married name, I'm sorry to confess, I can't remember

1 C sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C margarine, softened
1/2 C sour cream
-Mix above ingredients together in large bowl.
-In a separate bowl, sift together the following ingredients:
3 1/4 C flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
-Add the flour mixture to the large bowl and mix together well.
-Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness on lightly floured surface.
-Cut into desired shapes and place on greased cookie sheet.
-Bake at 400* for 8-10 mins or until done, but not brown.
-Ice with powdered sugar frosting (made from powdered sugar, milk, butter and a little vanilla)

~Enjoy these soft tastey treat with caution. They never last long in my house! :)

Pound Cake

-This is from my Papa's aunt, although I'm not sure which one!

3 sticks margarine (1 1/2 C)
1/2 C shortening
1/2 tsp salt
3 C sugar
-Cream together above ingredients
-Add 5 large eggs one at a time
-Add flour and milk alternately, ending with flour
3 C flour
1/4 C water added to 3/4 C canned milk
-Fold in 2 TBSP vanilla-butternut flavoring by hand
-Bake at 325* for 1 1/2 hours in large greased tub pan. Be sure to start with a cold oven and if the oven heats slowly, the cake may need to bake longer.

~This is a family favorite and many of my siblings request this as their birthday cake. It tastes delicious warm, but loses none of it's flavor with time. :)

Yogurt Pie

-Wendy Sampson (although this was my sister Lesley's specialty)

1 tub Cool Whip (8 oz) [softened]
2 6 oz. containers of your favorite flavor of yogurt (we would always use boysenberry)
1 pre-made graham cracker crust

-Fold the yogurt into the Cool Whip and pour into pie shell.
-Place in fridge and allow to set for 30 mins.
-Serve! (yes, it really is that easy and it tastes great!)

~My grandma and I used strawberry yogurt one time and then placed fresh sliced strawberries on the pie just before serving. Experiment with other fresh berries for some other great possibilities.

Gingerbread dough for Gingerbread house

• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup shortening
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup molasses
Frosting
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Melt shortening in a saucepan large enough for mixing the dough. Mix in sugar and molasses. Combine the flour, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, and ginger; gradually stir into the pan, using your hands to work in the last bit. Dough should be stiff.
3. On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness, and cut out as desired. Make sure the gingerbread is of uniform thickness, or the edges may burn before the center is done. Place pieces onto cookie sheets.
4. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Let cool for several minutes on the cookie sheet, then remove to racks to finish cooling.
5. When the gingerbread has cooled completely, make the frosting cement. In a medium bowl, mix together confectioners' sugar and cream of tartar. Add egg whites and vanilla. Beat on high speed until frosting holds its shape. If necessary, add more confectioners' sugar to thicken the icing. Cover frosting with a damp cloth to prevent drying.

Sludge

-Sift together the following ingredients:
1 C flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
¾ C sugar
¼ C cocoa
-Add following and mix well
½ C milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 TBSP melted butter
-Pour above into greased 8x8 pan
-In separate bowl mix together the following
¼ C cocoa
¾ C brown sugar
-Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the mixture in the pan (do not mix)
-Pour 1 ¾ C hot water (almost boiling) over all. DO NOT MIX
-Bake at 350* for 40 to 45 minutes. Serve with whipped cream on top

Rice Krispie Treats

¼ C butter
½ lb marshmallows
Melt above ingredients in a saucepan. Add:
½ tsp. vanilla
Mix in 5 cups of Rice Krispies or any other cereal you think would be good.
For those chocolate lovers: add in 1 C chocolate chips when melting the marshmallows.
Cool and serve.

Peanut Butter Pie

-Grandmommy Sampson, Southern Virginia

-Mix the following well in large bowl:
½ C creamy peanut butter
4 oz cream cheese (softened)
2 TBSP margarine
-Add following and mix well:
1 C powdered sugar
¼ C milk
-Fold in 8 oz of Cool Whip, softened
-Pour mixture into pre-made Oreo crust
-Freeze for 4 hours or more
-Just before serving, top with chopped peanuts and chocolate syrup

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

-Frankie Apistolas of Nimrod Hall, Virginia

-In small bowl melt 1 C butter and set aside to cool.
2 eggs
-beat eggs in large bowl until foamy. Blend in:
½ C flour
½ C sugar
½ C brown sugar
-When well blended add:
1 tsp. vanilla.
-Then add the melted butter (make sure it is cooled to room temperature or it will melt the chips)
-Stir in:
1 6-oz package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 C walnuts (optional)
-Pour pie mixture into 9 inch pie shell (unbaked).
-Bake at 325˚ for 1 hour.
-Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, butter and cocoa. Press onto bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Set crust aside.
2. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk; beat well. Add vanilla and eggs, and beat on medium speed until smooth. Toss 1/3 of the miniature chocolate chips with the 1 teaspoon flour to coat (this keeps them from sinking to the bottom of the cake). Mix into cheese mixture. Pour into prepared crust. Sprinkle top with remaining chocolate chips.
3. Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 1 hour. Turn off oven (do not open oven door) and leave the cake in the oven to cool in the oven for another hour. Remove from oven and cool completely. Refrigerate before removing sides of pan. Keep cake refrigerated until time to serve.

New Mexican Sopapillas

-Mix together:
2 C flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 TBSP shortening
-Add following and mix together until dough is smooth, kneading gently if necessary:
¾ C warm water
-Cover and let dough stand 20 mins
-Roll dough out until 1/3 inch thick
-Cut dough into 3 inch squares and fry until dough puffs up and is golden brown on both sides.
~Make sure your oil is hot enough before trying to fry the sopapillas or they won’t puff up
-Serve warm with honey, powdered sugar or chocolate syrup. (My favorite way to eat them is to tear open a corner and fill it with honey. yummy!)