Twix Bars

from my Mom

1/2 C butter
1/4 C sugar
1 C flour

Crumble together. Press into ungreased 9x9 pan. Bake at 350 x 15 min.

1/2 C butter
1/2 C brown sugar
2 T corn syrup
1/2 C sweetened condensed milk

Combine and stir together. Bring to a boil x 5 min. Stir constantly. Remove and pour over bottom layer.

6 oz chocolate chips
2 T shortening

Melt over low heat. Pour over 2nd layer. Chill.


Love these! A Gneiting Christmas tradition. My mom usually doubles the recipe.

7 Layer Bars

from Grandma Brown

Combine:
1 cube melted butter
1 12 C graham cracker crumbs

Press onto bottom of 9x13 pan.

Spread by layers the remaining ingredients on top of crust:
1 C chocolate chips
1 C butterscotch chips
1 C flaked coconut
1 C chopped walnuts
1 can (14 oz) sweetened and condensed milk, drizzled over top.

Bake for 20-30 min. at 350.

Walnut Squares

from Emily (these are a Brown family Christmas tradition)

Ingredients: 
1/2 lb butter
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C cornstarch
2 C flour
4 eggs
4 T flour
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 lb pkg of brown sugar
3 C chopped walnuts
2 1/2 C coconut
1 C butter
1 3 oz pkg cream cheese
1 lb powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Cream 1/2 lb butter, 1/2 C sugar together. Mix in with pastry blender the 1/2 C cornstarch and 2 C flour. Spread and press into cookies sheet. Bake 20 min. at 300.

While baking, mix:
4 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, 4 T flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 lb brown sugar, 3 C chopped walnuts, and 2 1/2 C coconut. Spread on top of pastry dough and bake an additional 15-20 min.

When cool, top with the following ingred. creamed together:
1 C butter, 1 3 oz pkg cream cheese, 1 lb powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla.

Emily's Pie Crust

from Emily B.

Ingredients:
5 C flour
1 T salt
1 lb lard
1 egg
1 T vinegar
cold water

Mix 5 C flour and 1 T salt together. Add 1 lb of lard (at refrigerator temp) and mix in with pastry blender (pea size pieces).

Beat 1 egg and add 1 T vinegar. Add to flour mixture.

Add enough cold water so that the crust sticks together barely. (not more than 2/3 C)

Roll out on floured wax paper. Use flour on sleeve of pin to prevent sticking.

Makes 5 crusts.

Bake at 425 for fruit pies.
Bake at 425 for 15 min. and 350 until done for pumpkin pies.

Robyn's Chicken Enchiladas

from Robyn E.

Robyn brought these over to my mom in the busy days right before our wedding. They were delicious and so helpful to have.

Ingredients:
8-10 chicken breasts
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 T butter
1-2 cans (4 oz) diced green chilies
2 T butter
3 T
flour
2 C chicken broth
1 1/2 C grated monterey jack and swiss cheese combined
1 C sour cream
2 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 to 3/4 can olives, sliced
1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
12 tortilla shells

Enchilada Sauce:
1 can tomato soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can enchilada sauce

Cook chicken breast for 35-40 min on 350 in oven. When done, cut into cubes.
Mix sour cream, 1 can chicken soup and cream cheese together.
Saute garlic in butter. Stir in meat and chilies.
(Can reserve 1 T for garnish)
Heat. Add the sour cream, chicken soup, cream cheese mixture and heat.
In another saucepan, melt 2 T butter. Stir in flour. Cook for 1 minute.
Gradually stir in chicken broth. Cook until slightly thickened. Add 3/4 to the chicken mixture and stir.

Place about 1/2 to 3/4 of this mixture onto the flour shell. Fill with about 1/2 to 1/4 C cheese mixture and roll. Place into a large pan that has the enchilada sauce coated on the bottom.
Pour remaining enchilada sauce mix over top to coat and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Bake at 375 for 20 mintues. Can add grated cheese on top for last 5 minutes. Can add chilies and olives to garnish.

Soda Pop Ice Cream

Soda Pop Ice Cream: easy and affordable! You basically just choose your favorite soda (2 liters), add a 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk (could be fat free), throw it in an ice cream maker, turn it on and 30 minutes later you have a creamy blend of deliciousness. The variations are endless, like Sunkist for a dreamsickle taste or Rootbeer float. This is seriously fool proof.

We have a Cousinart saltless ice cream maker that is a little smaller. We tried Sunkist (about 2 soda cans) and a regular sized can of sweetened condensed milk and it was great! I'm excited to try Rootbeer. 

Tamale Pie

adapted from Newdale's Heritage Book p. 188

Tamale Pie

Ingredients:
2 med onions, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 C celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. hamburger
1 T chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp oregano 
1/2 C olives, sliced
1 (16 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 C corn
1/2-1 C salsa, optional
shredded cheese

Tamales crust:
1 1/2 C cornmeal
3 eggs
1 1/2 C milk

In a large skillet over moderate heat, cook hamburger, onions, green pepper, celery, and garlic until tender (about 10 minutes). Drain off fat.

Add tomatoes, chili powder, salt, corn, olives, and oregano. Simmer 30 minutes. Spread evenly in a greased 2 quart baking dish.

Tamale Crust: Beat eggs. Add milk and cornmeal. Pour over top of meat mixture. Sprinkle cheese on top.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Serves 6.