Banket

Well, I did it. I jumped into the Dutch world and learned how to make banket this year. I have always loved it but really had no clue how to make it. Add that to the fact that I have a pastry phobia and you have one Dutch girl who can't make a stick of banket! Well, Judy swooped in to save the day! My first batch turned out pretty good!

Pastry
1 lb COLD butter
4 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 c ice water

Mix first four ingredients and drizzle in ice water until dough forms a ball. Chill. Roll into a oblong strip~appx. 6" x 20". Fold into thirds and let rest in the fridge for 20 minutes. Do this 3 times.

Filling
1 lb almond paste~DO NOT use almond pastry filling
2 c sugar
2 eggs, beaten

Mix and chill in fridge. Divide into 8 equal parts.

Cut dough into 8 pieces. Roll into strips about 15" x 6". Place 1/8 of the filling down the center, about the width of a dime. Fold ends over and roll up, sealing with water. Place seam side down and brush with egg wash. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes and then pierce top with a fork about every 1 1/2 inches. Bake at 325 for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Tis the season for cookies! I do not have the patience to make batch after batch of cookies so I tend to make bars cookies. This is a simple and quick recipe when you have to bring a dozen cookies somewhere.

1 c peanut butter
6 tbsp butter
3/4 c brown sugar
1/2 c white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
1 c flour
2 c chocolate chips

Cream peanut butter, butter, sugars, and vanilla. Beat in eggs. Add flour. Stir in 3/4 c chips. Spread in 13x9 pan and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining chips. Let stand for 5 minutes. Spread chips.

Pineapple Bars

Good change from brownies or other typical bars. These are really good in January when you need some sun!

2 c flour
2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp baking soda
1 can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat over to 350. Beat together and pour into greased and floured 13x9 pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Frosting~
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 stick butter
1 3/4 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Beat until creamy. Frost bars when cool.

Marshmallow Krispie Brownies

These are a little tricky since you can't under-bake them as I love to do! I would reccomend a glass baking pan instead of metal. Also make sure you allow them to cool all the way before adding the top layer.

19-21 oz brownie mix
10 oz mini-marshmallows
1 1/2 c chocolate chips
1 c peanut butter
1 Tbsp butter
1 1/2 c rice krispies

Prepare bownie mix according to directions for fudge-like brownies. Sprinkle baked brownies with marshmallows and return to oven 3-5 minutes. Cool. Combine chips, peanut butter, and butter til melted. Stir in cereal. Pour over marshmallows. Refrigerate til set.

Oreos

These are so so so so good! They are a zillion times yummier than regular Oreos. Use food coloring to tint the filling any color you want.

2 boxes devils food cake mix
4 eggs
2/3 c oil
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 c butter
3/4 c powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
food coloring

Preheat oven to 350. Beat cakes mixes, eggs, and oil. Batter will be really stiff. Roll into one inch balls and flatten slightly. Bake for 8-9 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Beat cream cheese and butter. Add sugar and vanilla. Add food coloring and spread on cookies. Make sandwiches.

Toffee Treasure Cake

Remember that scene in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" where the mother in law bring a bundt cake and the Greek family had never seen one before? I love the way she says "BoooondT! cake" This is a bundt cake. I normally do not bake. Too much work and too much precision for my liking. This cake is about the only thing I bake from scratch.

1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c sugar
6 Heath candy bars
2 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c unsalted butter
1 c sugar
2 eggs
8 oz sour cream
1/4 c butter, melted

Preheat oven to 325. Grease and flour bundt pan. Combine cinnamon and 1/4 c sugar and set aside. Smash Heath bars and set aside. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add butter and mix til crumbly. Add sugar, eggs, and sour cream. Blend well. Spoon 1/2 batter into bundt pan. Top with 1/2 the cinnamon sugar and 1/2 the candy. Repeat layers. Pour melted butter over the top. Bake 45-50 minutes. Invert and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Squares

This is one of those recipes that everyone thinks is really complicated. I have made them and the taste and look like you slaved for days. Love that! So next time you have to bring cookies or bars somewhere, try this one. Cheap and easy~kinda like me. :-)

2 8oz. pkgs cream cheese
1/2 c sugar
2 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 tubes of chocolate chip cookie dough

Freeze cookie dough for 30-45 minutes before starting. Combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and eggs til smooth. Press one tube of cookie dough into 13x9 pan. Pour cream cheese mixture over the top. Slice cookie dough into slices and then into fourths. Flatten slightly and place on top of cream cheese mixture. Bake 30-35 minutes at 350. Chill for at least one hour before cutting.

Raspberry Brownie Ice Cream Cake

This is a twist on a recipe I found in a magazine years ago. We love brownies and ice cream so I combined two different things to come up with this. A great alternative to traditional birthday cake!

2 18oz pkgs brownie mix
1 pint chocolate ice cream, softened
1 c seedless raspberry jam
1 10 jar of hot fudge sauce

Prepare brownies according to directions for cakelike brownies. Line 2 13x9 pans with heavy foil. Spray with Pam. Divide batter between 2 pans and bake for 25 minutes. Cool completely.

Spread softened ice cream on top of one pan of brownies. Freeze until firm. Spread jam over ice cream. Invert second brownie on top. Spread fudge sauce over the top. Freeze at least 3 hours or overnight. Using foil, pull from the pan. Slice and dust with powdered sugar.

Chocolate Double Crunchers

These are just yummy. This recipe only makes 24 cookies so double it if you are feeding a crowd.

1/2 c butter
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 c oats
1 c cornflakes
1/2 c shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Cream butter and sugars. Add egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture to creamed mix. Add oats, cornflakes and coconut. Shape into 1 inches balls and flatten slightly. Bake 8 minutes. Let sit on cookie sheet 1-2 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

FILLING
6 oz cream cheese
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
2 c chocolate chips~melted

Beat cream cheese and sugar. Add chocolate and mix well. Spread on cookies and make sandwiches. Store in the fridge.