For this recipe you will need the following ingredients: 1 cup butter (2 sticks)(softened), 20 ounces powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (24 squares), 1 cup peanut butter, 1 package chocolate almond bark baking chocolate and 1 package white baking chocolate (or candy coating chocolate). In a large mixing bowl, mix on low speed, vanilla, butter and peanut butter. Mix thoroughly until creamy. (you can put graham crackers in a baggie and tighten, then use a rolling pin to crumble crackers) Add 1/2 the graham cracker crumbs to mix and mix thoroughly on low speed. Add 2nd 1/2 of the crumbs and mix thoroughly on low speed. Add 1/4 the powdered sugar and mix thoroughly. Continue until all powdered sugar is done. Dough should start to form into a ball shape and not be as sticky. **if dough is still sticky add more crumbs and/or powdered sugar, a little at a time until dough forms a large ball shape** Roll dough into little balls – about the size of a whopper candy- and place on waxed paper. Use 1 package chocolate almond bark **melt as directed on back of package**. Dip balls into melted chocolate, cover ball using a spoon and pick up with a fork, let excess chocolate drip off and place on waxed paper. When you run out of chocolate and still have balls left to cover, add 1/2 the package of white chocolate to the dark chocolate container and melt in microwave for 45 seconds and then 15 second intervals until completely melted, stirring after each time heating. Store in refrigerator or freezer. Makes approx 80-100 balls.
Tags: chocolate covered peanut butter balls, holiday treats, no bake sweets
PATTY’S MEXICAN WEDDING CAKES: Preheat oven to 400. Mix 1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla. Mix until well blended. Add 1 cup finely chopped pecans. Mix until well blended. Add 2 cups flour, if batter is still not stiff enough to make balls, add another 1/4 cup flour. Spray cookie sheet. Roll into balls and then flatten. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Immediately after removing from oven, place cookies into a bowl of powdered sugar and flip over to coat both sides. Place on a napkin and cool completely. Makes 2 dozen. This recipe was given to me from my stepmother Patty. She is a wonderful cook and taught me a lot as a child about cooking. Thanks Patty.
HOMEMADE CHEESEBURGER HELPER: This is one of Mike’s favorite tasty and quick meals for me to cook. I don’t have a picture of it, but the next time I cook it, I will take one and add it. Brown 1 pound ground beef and drain grease. Season meat with onion powder, seasoning salt or meat tenderizer, salt, pepper. (season meat when first put it in the pan) In a medium sauce pan, boil 6-8 cups water with 1/2 tsp salt. Once boiling, add 1 pound of any type of pasta and continue boiling for 15 minutes or until pasta is tender (stir occasionally). Drain macaroni from water. Add 1 jar of cheese sauce or 1 can of cheese sauce to hamburger over a low to medium heat stirring constantly to mix well. Add 1 cup milk and 3 tbsp butter or margarine and continue to stir until mixed well. Once you have a smooth consistency add the macaroni to the meat and cheese. Stir well, cover and cook on very low heat for 5 to 10 minutes. With this I usually serve a steamed vegetable of some sort and I make some french bread. Get a loaf of french style or any type of bread you like from the deli section. Preheat oven to 425. Slice 8 pieces and butter slices. Place on sprayed cookie sheet and sprinkle with a little bit of garlic powder. Cook for approx 5-10 minutes until lightly toasted. While bread is cooking, add 1 cup of shredded mild cheddar cheese to cheeseburger helper, cover for 2 minutes. Stir, remove from heat and cool until bread finishes. You could also add a salad instead of a steamed vegetable.
LORI’S GRANDMA COOKIE BARS:
This is a very tasty treat you can’t really explain the taste, you just have to make some and try them. Preheat oven to 350. Combine 1/3 cup oil, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 1 egg white, 1 tsp vanilla. Mix thoroughly. Add 1 1/2 cup flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp baking soda. Mix thoroughly. Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans and 1/3 cup butterscotch chips. 
Mix thoroughly. Add 1 1/2 cups oats. Mix thoroughly. Spray a small baking dish (can be square, rectangular or round). Put dough in pan (I used a spatula because the dough was kind of thick and wet). Press dough into pan with hands until evenly spread out in pan. Bake for 15 minutes and rotate. Cook and additional 15 minutes. If toothpick comes out clean, cookie bars are done, if not cook additional 5 minute intervals until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 30 minutes and cut into bars or squares. You can use any kind of chips, and any kind of nuts.
Tags: Butterscotch Chip Cookies, Cookie Bars, Cookie Squares, Cookies with pecans, Oatmeal Cookies
PUMPKIN BREAD:
Combine 1/4 cup softened butter, 1 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1 cup canned pumpkin, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/2 tsp vanilla,1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp cinnamon,1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix thoroughly. Add 1 1/2 cups flour. Mix thoroughly. Add 1/3 cup pecans and 1/3 cup raisins. Mix thoroughly. Spray loaf pan with cooking or baking spray and cook in preheated oven of 350 degrees for 60 – 65 minutes. Cool on cooling rack for 5 min and then place pumpkin bread on cooling rack until completely cooled.
Tags: Bread with cinnamon, Bread with pecans, Bread with raisins, Pumpkin Bread
