Ridiculous Cake Mix Cookies

So I was in a pinch and needed a treat to bribe my children with so they would be good while my husband and I went out on a date (what? You've never had to bribe your kids?). I was so desperate, in fact, that I even turned to.... Cake Mix cookies! I KNOW! It's just for the kids, I assured myself, they don't care! So I found this recipe, and I screwed it up (because I was in a hurry, and didn't carefully read the directions), noticed the dough was dry and fixed it, added in some spices to make it decent, and... I couldn't believe the outcome!  I couldn't believe that I was eating another one, and then another!! I found myself feeling a little bitter that I couldn't stop eating CAKE MIX cookies! This was pathetic! These were RIDICULOUS...ly good! I shamelessly make these now!
So here is a recipe for Cake Mix Cookies that you can get away with!  That you can give to your friends and they will never know that you only spent the time of a cake mix on them! (heh heh ;)  

(I ACTUALLY took the picture this time, so this is what they REALLY look like) 

1 box of yellow cake mix 

2&1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Cloves

(Note: you may need to adjust the spices. I eyeball it every time so I don't have an exact. Just do it to taste. Would you like more of a cinnamon flavor? Add more cinnamon, and so on.)

2/3- 1Cup of rolled oats, 

1/2 cup softened butter (you can use marg. but it will only be half as good!) 

1 egg. 

Add milk to consistency (about 2T). 

Raisins and/or Chocolate Chips

Beat on low until combined. Add raisins or chocolate chips if desired. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at  475°F for 5 to 7 minutes. Don't over bake! If they are a little doughy, when they cool they will be perfect and gooey! :)

Dinner Rolls

My husband and I were on a double date at Chuck-a-rama with some friends as I began praising, and gushing over their delicious, light, homemade rolls! "These are sooooooo goood!!!" I said to my friend, "aren't these rolls just the best?!"

"Yeah. They're fine." was her response!

"Fine? Fine?!???! What do you mean they're -FINE-?!?!?!?!!!"

"Well, I have a recipe at home for rolls. I think they're better than this." She shot back with her English accent. Yes, she was from England. I should've known she'd have something up her sleeve! Well of course I demanded it of her, and she was nice enough to share!  And so I will share it with you! :)  This has been my favorite white roll recipe for years, and I haven't felt the need to go looking for any better. These are great! They're not really heavy, but they're not super light. They have good substance to them, and a nice homemade flavor.  Make them and see for yourself! :)

Mix together:

2C warm Water

2 Tbls. Dry Yeast

3/4 C Sugar ( 1Cup for sweet rolls)

Let sit while you gather:

Melt 1C Butter

2 Eggs

2 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking Powder

Mix into the yeast mixture then add:

7-8C Flour

Mix and need until smooth. 

Note: Add only as much flour as you need to make the dough not sticky. It should be soft, and supple. Too much flour will make them dry. You can tell how your rolls will turn out by the texture of the dough when you are done mixing.

Let rise until doubled in bulk. Shape as desired, and place on greased pan. Allow to rise again until very light, about double. Bake at 350 until golden, about 20 min. Mmmm yum! Enjoy!

PS. Never overbake your rolls! It dries them out! My favorite way to tell if they are done is an accurate digital thermometer. They are done at 190 degrees F.  

Blender Pancakes

I promised my sister that I would give her this recipe! So here it is!
If you can't tell, we are a pancake lovin' house!!  Who doesn't love pancakes?!? Here is another excellent pancake recipe!  My favorite things about this recipe is that: 1. they are whole wheat, but they are light and fluffy and delicious,  2. since they are whole wheat, they are very filling, and they don't leave me dragging like those delectable little white ones do, and 3. I think they are VERY EASY! My children can make these on their own! YES! No excuse NOT to bring Mommy breakfast in bed! ;)

1Cup Whole Wheat grains (no, not the flour, the actual grain ;)

1Cup Milk

Blend on high for 2 minutes (the mixture should be really thick and pasty! If it's not, try blending it longer.) Make sure to scrape down the lid and the sides, then add:

1/2Cup of milk and blend for 2 more minutes. 

While you're waiting, get the rest of your ingredients!

2 Eggs

1/2Cup Oil

1Tbls. Honey or Molasses

1/2 tsp. Salt

 Add these in and blend on high until mixed and add

1Tbls. Baking Powder. 

Don't over blend or they might turn out rubbery!

Pour out onto your favorite pancake pan, greased the way you like it, and bake them to your liking! ;)

If we have a ripe banana, we like to throw it in there with the eggs and oil. You can also stir anything else you would like to add into your pancakes when you are done blending. Enjoy!