Boozy Cranberry Cookies

Boozy Cranberry Cookies

Ingredients

• 3/4 c. dried cranberries

• 1/4 c. bourbon

• 1/2 c. walnut pieces

• 1 1/4 c. sugar

• 1/2 c. brown sugar

• 1/2 c. unsalted butter

• 1 tsp. vanilla

• 1 large egg

• 1 3/4 c. flour

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions

1. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Set out butter to bring to room temperature.

3. Combine dried cranberries and bourbon in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer; cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 15 minutes.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the walnut pieces in the oven on a baking pan just long enough to toast; be careful to not burn them. Remove from the oven and let cool.

5. Combine sugars, butter and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Add the egg to the mixture and beat just until blended. Add the flour, baking soda and salt. Mix just enough to combine. Drain the cranberries; add to the dough along with the walnuts. Stir to combine.

6. Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned.

Easy Bundt Cake

 Easy Cake

1 box (18 oz.) cake mix

1 pint ice cream

3 large eggs

Set out the ice cream to melt.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Coat a Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Using a mixer, combine the cake mix, melted ice cream and eggs on low speed for 1 minute then medium speed for 2 minutes.  Scrape the batter into the Bundt pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes then invert.

It is so much fun to come up with your favorite combinations for this cake.

Here are so ideas:

Triple fudge cake mix with Godiva Dark Belgian Chocolate ice cream (My favorite)

Vanilla cake mix with caramel ice cream

Lemon cake mix with vanilla ice cream

Chocolate cake mix with coffee ice cream

                                           

Orange Granola

Orange Granola

Ingredients

• 1 c. old-fashioned rolled oats

• 1/2 c. roasted unsalted pumpkin seeds

• 1/4 c. lightly salted smoked almonds chopped

• 1/4 c. brown sugar

• 3 T. canola oil

• 2 tsp grated orange rind

• 2 T. fresh orange juice

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, stirring well. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking.

3. Cool completely.

Smokey Cheese Hush Puppies

 

Smokey Cheese Hush Puppies

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. flour
• 1/2 c. cornmeal
• 1 T. sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. buttermilk
• 1/2 c. sliced pickled okra
• 1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1/2 c. corn kernels
• 3 sliced scallions
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• Vegetable oil

Instructions

• Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in buttermilk, pickled okra, cheese, paprika, corn, scallions and egg. 
• Heat the oil to 350 degrees in a large saucepan. Deep fry the mixture by heaping tablespoons, turning, until golden, about 5 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Season lightly with salt.
• Serve with honey mustard dip (a combination of mayonnaise, yellow mustard and honey).

Smoked Queso Dip

 Smoked Queso Dip

1 lb. Velveeta cheese

1 lb. breakfast sausage

1 (8 oz.) bag shredded Mexican cheese blend

2 (10 oz.) cans diced tomatoes and green chiles

1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies

1/2 c. pickled jalapeño slices

2 T. minced garlic

2 T. dehydrated minced onion flakes

1/2 c. beer

Cut the Velveeta cheese into cubes.  Brown and crumble and sausage.  Chop the jalapeño slices.  Place all the ingredients in a 9” x 13” disposable foil pan or a cast iron pan.  Set the pan on a grill set to smoke.

Cook the Queso for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring periodically.  Add beer if it gets too thick.

Serve with tortilla chips.

I prefer Jimmy Dean Hot Breakfast Sausage for this recipe.

I also cooked this on a Traeger Grill but you can use any grill using wood chips to smoke if needed. 

 You can also just warm in a crockpot.  It won’t have the smoky flavor but it is still delicious!