Mom's Famous Soft Christmas Caramels

2 Cups Whipping Cream
1/2 C Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Cups Light Corn Syrup
1/2 Cups water
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup Butter

Butter a 9" square pan.  Saucepan - Cream and Milk.  Low heat/warm - Do Not Boil.  In 4 quart pan mix corn syrup, water, and sugar.  Place over high heat and stir with spoon until well mixed.  Candy Thermometer 250F (120c) or hard ball stage.  Stir in butter and warm cream milk.  Temperature will decrease.  Stir consistently until thermometer reaches 244F or firm ball stage.  Pour in pan.  Cool overnight.  Cut in 1' squares.  Wrap in waxed paper or dip in tempered chocolate.  81 pieces.

Pizza Nachos

Ingredients

• FOR THE GARLIC CREAM SAUCE:
• 1-½ Tablespoon Unsalted Butter
• ½ Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced (or Use A Microplane If You Have It)
• ½ cups Heavy Cream
• ¼ cups 2% Milk
• 1 pinch Salt
• 1 pinch Cracked Black Pepper
• 1 pinch Red Pepper Flakes
• ¼ cups Parmesan Cheese, Grated

• FOR THE NACHOS:
• Your Favorite Crispy Tortilla Chips
• ½ cups Garlic Cream Sauce (Recipe Included)
• ¼ cups Onion, Diced
• ½ cups Pepperoni, Cut Into Bite Size Pieces
• ½ cups Black Olives Sliced
• ½ whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeds Removed, Diced
• 1 cup Colby-Jack Cheese, Shredded

Bacon, Pineapple, Chicken Kabobs

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
• 1 large pineapple, cut into 1½ inch chunks
• 2 large red bell peppers, cut into 1½ inch pieces
• 1 large onion, cut into 1½ inch pieces
• 12 strips of thick cut bacon
• 
  
• FOR THE HAWAIIAN SAUCE:
• 1½ cups pineapple juice
• 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 long skewers
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• InsTRUCTIONS

1. To make the Hawaiian sauce: Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and stir until the cornstarch is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 2 minutes. Set-aside until ready to use.
2. Thread the skewers. Weave the bacon around each piece of chicken and pineapple, stick the bell pepper and onion together and weave the bacon around both of those. You'll need two strips of bacon per skewer if using 4 pieces of chicken and 3 pieces each of pineapple, bell pepper and onion. Brush some olive or vegetable oil evenly over each kabob.
3. Preheat the grill to medium high. Grill the kabobs for 10-15, turning a couple of times, until done.
4. Slather with hot Hawaiian sauce and serve immediately.

Smokehouse Chicken Dutch Oven

Ingredients

• Bone in skin on chicken, however much will fit in a single layer of a baking dish or Dutch oven
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon smoked black pepper (can use regular)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar (dark or light)
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (the red kind in the glass bottle)
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1+1/2 cups cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients except for chicken in enamel Dutch oven, or other baking dish. Stir well until sugar is dissolved.
2. Place chicken in pot, skin side down. Cover and place in 300 degree oven for 45 minutes. Remove pot from oven and flip chicken. Cover again and return to oven for another 45 minutes.
3. Remove lid and place oven on broil. Broil for 20 minutes, or until skin is nicely browned and somewhat crispy on top, watching carefully so that it does not burn (this may take significantly less time in your
4. Spoon additional pan juices over to serve.

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (Gluten Free)

This hearty meal freezes beautifully! Tip: Use masking tape or a freezer label to label these, and put the baking instructions (350° for 30 minutes) right on the label so you won't have to go find the recipe again.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 Tbsp. salted butter
• 6 cups cooked long grain brown rice or basmati rice
• 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 16 oz. (4 cups) cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
• 3 heads fresh broccoli
• 5 cups shredded chicken
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. garlic powder

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Precook your rice to yield 6 cups of cooked rice. Precook your chicken and shred, to yield 5 cups shredded chicken.
2. Spray three 8x8" oven and freezer safe baking pans (glass, aluminum, foil, or Gladware oven pans) with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
3. In a large stockpot, melt the butter. Once melted, add the cooked rice, sliced mushrooms, garlic, milk and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Cook over medium heat until the cheese is all melted.
4. Add the broccoli, chicken, salt and garlic powder and cook over medium heat, for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Remove from heat and divide the mixture evenly in the three baking pans. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the three pans.
6. Seal the containers, label and put in the freezer, or bake immediately.
7. When ready to bake, thaw completely, remove any lids, and preheat oven to 350°. Bake until casserole is heated throughout and broccoli is tender, about 30 minutes.

Texas Sheet Cake Brownies

1 stick butter or margarine

1/2 C shortening

1 C water

4 Tbsp baking cocoa

Stir until boils; set aside

Mix in another bowl:

2 C sugar

2 C flour (we use King Author GF)

Pour chocolate mixture over flour & sugar.

Add:

2 eggs

1/2 C milk (with 2 Tbsp Vinegar)

1 Tsp Vanilla

1 Tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Pour into jelly roll pan, bake at 350' for 30 minutes.

Icing:

1 stick butter or margarine

6 Tbsp milk

2 Tbsp cocoa

1 pound powdered sugar

Crushed pecans

Boil butter or margarine, milk, & cocoa until blended & add powdered sugar.  Pour cover warm cake.  We omit the crushed pecans and cinnamon.  We have two family members that do not like cinnamon or nuts.  It tastes fabulous either way.  

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 2 large breasts

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

• 3 teaspoons of onion powder

• 2 teaspoons of garlic powder

• 3 teaspoons of chili powder

• 2 teaspoons of cumin

• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

• 3 cups of low-sodium chicken broth

• 1 15 oz can of diced tomatoes, drained

• 1 14 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed

• 2 3/4 cups of instant whole grain brown rice

• 1 1/2 cups of shredded colby jack cheese
• 
  

1. Place chicken breasts in slow cooker.
2. Pour chicken broth over chicken breasts and stir in canned tomatoes, olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
3. Cook on low for about 4 hours, until chicken reaches 165 degrees.
4. Remove chicken breasts from slow cooker.
5. Turn slow cooker to high and stir in instant rice and black beans.
6. Let cook 30-45 minutes on high, or until rice is tender.
7. Add chicken back in, top with cheese and let cook a few minutes longer until cheese is melted.
8. Serve with fresh diced tomatoes, sour cream, green onions, avocados or guacamole.  You can also add a can of corn when you add the black beans.

White Spinach Queso

Melty white cheese, spinach, jalapenos, and diced tomatoes come together in this incredible dip! This is a must make dip that you won't be able to get enough of!

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• ½ cup white onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
• 12 ounces white American cheese, cubed or shredded
• 4 ounces pepper jack cheese, shredded
• ⅔ cup half and half (milk will also work)
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained (also known as ROTEL)
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and jalapeno and salute until tender. Add the cheese and half and half and continue stirring until melted.
2. Add the canned tomatoes, spinach and cilantro and stir well. Transfer to a serving dish and serve with tortilla chips.

Pretzel Hugs

We make these all the time!  A big secret is after a holiday is over - load up on HUGS & M&Ms on clearance!

Ingredients:

• circle or square-shaped pretzels (use Gluten Free pretzels for Gluten Free)
• Hershey's Kisses Hugs
• M&Ms

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250F degrees.
2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Align pretzels on the sheet. Unwrap Hugs and place one on each pretzel. Stick in the oven until the hug begins to melt down. Mine takes about 4 minutes.
3. While the Hugs are melting in the oven, get your M&Ms ready because you will have to move quickly once they are out of the oven.
4. Remove pretzel hugs from oven and gently press an M&M down on each one. The Hug should flatten out when you press the M&M on it.  If it is not flattening out, place the pretzel hugs back in the oven for 30 more seconds.
5. Let the pretzel hugs cool completely and let the chocolate set for about 10 minutes in the refrigerator. These are a great make ahead treat: make them 1-3 days before you need them and store covered in the refrigerator.

Bread Machine Pizza Dough

Ingredients

• 2 c flour (I use King Aurthur Gluten Free Flour for Gluten free pizza dough)
• 1 Tbs butter, softened
• 1 Tbs sugar
• 1 tsp yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cups plus 2 Tbs water (105-110 degrees)
• Doubled (for 2 pizzas):
• 4 c flour
• 2 Tbs butter, softened
• 2 Tbs sugar
• 2 tsp yeast
• 2 tsp salt
• 1⅓ c water (105-110 degrees)

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients into your bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Make sure that the water is warm enough to proof the yeast (about 105-110 degrees).
2. Turn your bread machine to the dough setting and let 'er go! After a couple minutes check on your dough. Make sure that the ingredients are thoroughly combined and that the dough is not too wet or too dry. Depending on where you live and the flour you use there can be some variances in the dough. If it's too dry, add 1 tsp of water at a time. If the dough is too sticky, add 1 tsp of flour at a time.
3. After the bread machine is done (mine takes about 90 minutes on the dough cycle) - dump the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and work it until you achieve your desired shape.
4. Depending on the size of pizza pan or pizza stone you are using, you may not need all of the dough.
5. I like to lightly grease my pizza pan and dust with cornmeal. Make up your pizza and bake at 400-425 degrees for 18-25 minutes. You are looking for bubbly cheese and lightly browned crust. If you like a crunchier crust, brush some olive oil on the crust before baking.

Best Bread - HANDS DOWN!

BEST bread ever! 

Ingredients: 

1 1/4 cup warm milk (microwave for 1 minute)

2 T sugar

2 tsp yeast

2 T softened butter

1 tsp salt

1 egg

3 cups flour (my favorite gluten free flour substitute is King Authur Multi-purpose flour)  

Microwave the milk for one minute.

Dump all the ingredients into the bread machine. 

Set your bread machine to dough and let it do all the work. 

After an hour and a half...sprinkle out some flour and dump dough on top. 

Roll dough into a rectangle, about an inch thick. 

Use your handy dandy pizza cutter and cut into three equal pieces.  

Braid!  Fold ends under. 

Place on greased cookie sheet.  Set oven to 350 degrees F - let dough rise while oven is preheating.  Bake for 20-22 minutes, until golden brown. 

This bread is great for about 2-3 days.  It is good as toast or french toast.  Our entire family loves this bread.

Cheese Ball

2 8oz packages of cream cheese
1 8oz crushed pineapple (drained)
2 Tablespoons green onions
1 1/2 Teaspoon Seasoned Salt
Mix Well

Roll into a ball, refrigerate.  Optional:  Roll in parsley flakes and pecans and/or almonds on wax paper.

Gluten Free Sugar Cookie

Ingredients:

1 cup of sugar
½ cup of butter, softened
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water or milk
1½ teaspoons vanilla
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon of cinnamon (optional)
½ teaspoon of xantham gum (omit if your all purpose flour has it)
2 cups of gluten free all-purpose flour + more for rolling/dusting)

Instructions:

In a large bowl, cream butter & sugar at medium speed.
Add egg, water or milk, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon (optional). Blend until mixed well.
Add xantham gum and flour. Mix at a low speed until well combined.
Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Roll out dough onto a lightly floured surface, about ¼" thick.
Cut out with selected cookie cutters and place on baking sheet. Make sure cookies are not touching.
Reform and roll out scrap dough, then continue cutting more cookies.
Bake 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cookies cool five minutes on cookie sheet before removing onto a cooling rack. Cool completely before decorating.
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Frosting:

4 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 cup shortening
5 Tbs milk
1 Tsp vanilla extract

Cream sugar and shortening.  Add Milk and vanilla.  

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancakes (dairy free)

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
2. 3 tbsp almond milk
3. 1 tbsp honey
4. 3 eggs
5. 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted, plus additional for pan
6. 1 tsp vanilla
7. 1/4 cup coconut flour
8. 1 tsp cinnamon
9. Pinch of nutmeg
10. 1/2 tsp salt
11. 1/4 tsp baking soda

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients – the coconut flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking soda. Then in a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients – the pumpkin puree, almond milk, honey, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir together until just combined.
2. Heat a griddle or non-stick skillet to medium heat. Coat pan with coconut oil. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet. Cook for 2-4 minutes until the bottom is cooked through, and then flip. Cook for another 2-4 minutes until lightly browned. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve warm and enjoy!

Gluten Free Apple Spice Cupcakes

Cupcakes:

1 cup rice flour

1/4 cup sweet rice flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1/2 cups brown sugar

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups applesauce

For Frosting:

1 cup brown sugar

 1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

For Cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 350' degrees.

Line 18 muffin cups with liners.

In a small bowl combine rice flour, sweet rice flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and cloves.  Set aside.

In a mixing bowl:  cream butter, white sugar, and brown sugar.  Add eggs one at a time.

Mix in applesauce and then flour mixture.  Mix just until combined.

Divide batter between muffin cups.  Bake for 17-18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cool completely.

For Frosting:

With a mixer combine butter, brown sugar, and powdered sugar.

Mix for several minutes or until the texture frosting should be.

Frost cupcakes and enjoy.

Gluten Free Apple Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 Gluten-free pie crusts for a 9-inch pie plate
• 7 cups peeled Grannie Smith apples, sliced 1/4" think (about 2 1/2 pounds)
• 3/4 - 1 cup sugar (if using a tart variety of apple, use more sugar)
• 2 tablesppons gluten-free sweet rice flour or tapioca flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablesppons cubed butter
• Prep time: 30 minutes
• Cook time:  50 minutes
• Total time:  80 minutes
• Yeild:  1 9-inch pie

Preheat oven to 425°

Use one 9-inch pie plate

1. Prepare gluten free pie crust.  Use any you would like.

2. Line 9-inch pie plate with one of the prepared gluten-free pie crusts.

3. Combine sugar, sweet rice flour OR tapioca starch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a  large bowl and use a whisk to thoroughly blend ingredients.

4. Add sliced apples and gently coat apples with sugar mixture.

5. Pour apples into dough-lined pie plate and distribute them evenly.

6. Dot the top of the apples with cubed butter.

7. Place the second prepared crust over the top of the apples. Press edges to seal dough and use your favorite method to flute the edges (pressed with fork tines, etc.). Cut or poke several small vents in the top of the pie crust.

8. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until top is golden brown and apples are tender.

9. Check frequently. If edges brown too quickly, place a strip of foil around the edge to prevent burning.

10. Allow pie to cool for several minutes before cutting.

Gluten Free Apple Crisp (dairy free)

Ingredients:

6 apples (Macintosh, Delicious, Pink Lady, Gala)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 
2 teaspoons tapioca or arrowroot starch
1 cup quinoa flakes
3/4 cup sorghum flour (or brown rice flour)
1 cup organic light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 cup organic coconut oil

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease the bottom and sides of an 8x11-inch gratin or baking dish with vegan buttery spread. Set aside.

Peel and core the apples. Slice them and toss into a bowl. Sprinkle with lemon juice and toss to coat. Add the maple syrup and stir. Dust with tapioca starch and stir again to coat the slices. Pour the slices into the prepared baking dish.

In a mixing bowl, combine the quinoa flakes, brown rice flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and sea salt and whisk to blend. Add the coconut oil in pieces and using a whisk or a pastry cutter, cut the coconut oil into the flour blend until you have an even, sandy mixture.

Spoon the mixture all over the top. 

Bake in the center of a pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes. Cover the top loosely with a piece of foil and continue to bake for another 20 minutes or so (depends upon the size/type of apples), until the apples are fork tender and the sides of the crisp are bubbling. (The foil will help keep the topping from browning too much.)

Allow the crisp to cool before serving- though slightly warm it is luscious. We had leftover apple crisp the next day, chilled, right out of the fridge, and Darling it was fabulous cold, too. It tasted like apple pie.

Serves 8.

Baking time : 40 to 45 minutes.

Note:  Gluten Free Goddess

Gluten Free Pumpkin Roll

Serves 6 to 8

3/4 cup Brown Rice Flour Mix*
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Confectioners’ sugar
Cream Cheese Filling (recipe follows)
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Position rack in center of oven. Line a 15 1/2-inch x 10 1/2 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly spray parchment paper and sides of pan with cooking spray. Spread a clean, thin cotton dishtowel on a flat surface and sprinkle with about 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar (the sugar will help to keep cake from sticking to the towel; you will use the towel to roll up the cake after it is finished baking).

Place flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, xanthan gum, and salt in a small bowl; whisk until thoroughly combined.

Beat eggs and sugar in large bowl of electric mixer at high speed for 5 minutes until pale yellow and thick. Add pumpkin puree and vanilla and mix until well combined. Turn mixer speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture; mix until just combined.

Spread batter in prepared pan and bake in center of oven about 18 minutes until puffed and cooked through (toothpick inserted into center should come out clean and cake will spring back when pressed lightly; color will turn a darker golden brown).

Remove cake from oven and immediately invert onto the prepared dishtowel. Peel off parchment paper. With a light touch, roll cake and towel together into a roll (starting at the narrow end) and place on a rack to cool completely.

Gently unroll cake and spread Cream Cheese Filling over the entire surface. If using, sprinkle nuts over Filling and gently pat them into place. Reroll the cake and transfer it to a large cake plate or serving platter. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate at least six hours (this will make it easier to slice). Dust with confectioners’ sugar just before serving. Cut cake into slices with a long thin knife.

Serve chilled or at room temperature (I like it better not too “chilled” because the filling is softer that way). Can be made a day ahead. Store in refrigerator for up to four days.

CREAM CHEESE FILLING

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted if lumpy
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Beat butter and cream cheese in large bowl of electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla and beat at low speed until well blended.