Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 1/2 sticks butter, melted then cooled
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg plus 1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven 325 degrees.

Melt butter then cool for about 1-2 minutes. Mix sugars and butter on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix on medium for 2 minutes. Add flour, baking soda, and salt and mix just until combined. Add oats and chocolate chips. Make balls out of dough and place on cookie sheet - this should make about 18 cookies. Bake for 11-12 minutes.

[http://ablondeskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/best-ever-chocolate-chip-cookies.html]

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Cream together butter, peanut butter and sugars. Beat in eggs.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir into batter. Put batter in refrigerator for 1 hour.

Roll into 1 inch balls and put on baking sheets. Flatten each ball with a fork, making a criss-cross pattern. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees oven for about 10 minutes or until cookies begin to brown. Do not over-bake.

[http://ablondeskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/peanut-butter-cookies.html]

Bread Pudding

6 slices day-old bread
2 tablespoons butter, melted
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Break bread into small pieces into an 8 inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter or margarine over bread. If desired, sprinkle with raisins.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.

Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped.

[http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/bread-pudding-ii/detail.aspx]

Sugar Cookies

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar plus 2 tbsp
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded dough balls and place on cookie sheets.
Bake 8 minutes in the preheated oven.

[http://ablondeskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/sugar-cookies.html]

DIY Ideas

[http://ylcf.org/2011/10/ill-do-it-myself/]

Chicken Spaghetti

2 cups cooked chicken
3 cups dry spaghetti, broken into two inch pieces
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely diced green pepper
1/4 cup finely diced onion
1 jar (4 ounce) diced pimentos, drained
2 cups reserved chicken broth from pot
1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
1/8 teaspoon (to 1/4 teaspoon) cayenne pepper
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup additional grated sharp cheddar cheese

Cook up fryer and pick out the meat to make two cups. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. Do not overcook. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients except additional 1 cup sharp cheddar.

Place mixture in casserole pan and top with remaining sharp cheddar. Cover and freeze up to six months, cover and refrigerate up to two days, or bake immediately: 350 degrees for 45 minutes until bubbly. (If the cheese on top starts to get too cooked, cover with foil).

[http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/chicken_spaghet/]

Pannekoeken (Dutch Baby)

3/4 stick butter
6 eggs (3 eggs and 3 egg whites)
1 cup milk
1 cup flour

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt butter in 9 x 13 glass baking dish. Beat eggs, milk and flour together (add a dash of vanilla and cinnamon), then pour into the dish with the melted butter.

Bake for 25 minutes. Don't open the oven door while it’s baking (it’s  tempting because the pancake puffs up but don't because it will fall).

Eat it just out of the oven, sprinkled with a little powdered sugar and a drizzle of warm syrup or with a fruit topping.

[http://myseasonsoflife.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/good-eats-3/]