Fudge

The first time I tried making fudge it was a disaster. I apparently did not allow the mixture to heat up as high and long as it should have been and the whole thing turned into a gross, sugary blob. After this failure, the husband bought a candy thermometer for me (which was a lifesaver), more ingredients, and I tried it again. It turned out perfect! I found this recipe on the Carnation Evaporated Milk label.















Ingredients
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 tbsp butter/margarine
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate morsels
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions
Line a 8 inch square baking pan with foil. Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in a medium saucepan Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. The fudge should ready 240 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Stir in marshmallows, morsels, and vanilla. Stir for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan, refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan, remove foil. Cut into pieces.

No Bake Cookies

Christmas is finally here which means I'm obligated to make dozens of cookies! No bake cookies have been one of my favorite cookies for years, probably because they are almost impossible to mess up!















Ingredients
2 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup milk
1 pinch salt
3 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
In a saucepan bring sugar, cocoa, margarine, milk, and salt to a rapid boil for 1 minute. Add quick cooking oats, peanut butter, and vanilla; mix well. Working quickly, drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper, and let cool.

Pumpkin Roll

It's that time of year for wonderful pumpkin treats! Pumpkin rolls are an excellent after dinner treat and pair well with coffee, whether it be morning, afternoon, or night! Before the husband and I carve our pumpkins for Halloween, we cut the top off and get out as much pumpkin "meat" as we can to use in lieu of prepackaged pumkin puree. This saves us a trip to the grocery store and uses something that would otherwise go to waste!




















Ingredients
3 eggs
1 cup white sugar
2/3 cup solid pack pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons butter
8 ounces cream cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees . Grease and flour a jellyroll pan (large cookie sheet with sides). In a mixing bowl, beat eggs on high for five minutes. Gradually add white sugar, pumpkin, and lemon juice. Add flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and ginger. Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until it springs back when touched. Loosen edges with a knife. Turn out on two dishtowels that have been sprinkled with powdered sugar. Roll up cake, and let cool for about 20 minutes.

To Make Filling: Mix confectioners' sugar, vanilla, butter or margarine, and cream cheese together till smooth. Unroll pumpkin cake when cool, and spread with filling. Reroll, and push aside the dishtowel. Unroll long sheet of waxed paper. Put pumpkin roll on waxed paper. Dust pumpkin roll with powdered sugar. Twist ends of waxed paper like a piece of candy. Put pumpkin roll in refrigerator and chill overnight. Before slicing, dust with powdered sugar. Serve chilled.