Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup of butter (melted & cooled)
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 1/4 cups of all purpose flour
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix together butter and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, stir to combine. Stir in vanilla extract and maple syrup.

In a separate bowl, mix together flour, cornstarch, baking powder and baking soda. Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients, stirring until combined and dough like. Stir in chocolate chips.

Cover bowl with clear wrap and allow to chill for 30 minutes in fridge.

When dough is done chilling preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scoop dough and roll into balls the size you want in cookies. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet and bake about 13 minutes (cookies may look a bit underdone, but edges will be turning golden brown).

I cut this recipe in half and baked about 10 cookies and still had dough to leave in the fridge for later.

*these cookies are perfect, a little crisp along the edges and super soft in the middle. We have a weakness for cookies...or anything dessert related.  ;)
**recipe found on sugarspunrun.com

Chili Mac

1 Pound of Ground Beef

Onion Powder

2 Tablespoons of garlic or garlic paste

2 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth or 3 1/2 cups!

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1/2 can (14.5 ounce) kidney beans, drained and rinsed  

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon season salt

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

10 ounces uncooked elbow pasta noodles

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

 

Cook ground beef/ground turkey.  Add onion powder while browning. Add garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.  Drain if needed. Mix chicken broth, tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, salt & pepper. Mix well and bring to a boil. Add pasta and boil 12 - 15 minutes until pasta is cooked through. Stir as needed. When pasta has absorbed liquid and is cooked through, add cheese and mix well.  Cook for another 5 minutes or until pasta is cooked through.

*Like a mixture of Chili and Mac & Cheese.
**Recipe adapted from numstheword website.

Mini Meatloaf Balls

Ingredients:
1 egg
3/4 cup of milk
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup of quick cooking oats
1 teaspoon of salt
1 pound of ground beef/ground turkey

Topping:
2/3 cup of ketchup
1/4 cup of packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons of mustard

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350. In a large bowl combine the egg, milk, cheese, oats and salt.  Ad the ground beef/ground turkey, mixing well, and form this mixture into eight mini meatloaves.  Place these in a lightly greased baking dish.

In a separate smallbowl combine the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard.  Stir and spread over each meatloaf.

Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes.

*Recipe found online.

Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:
1 twelve ounce can of evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups of milk
1/4 cup of butter, melted
1 teaspoon of salt
Dash of pepper
2 eggs, beaten
5 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Dash of paprika
1 box of pasta of your choice, cooked

Directions:
Place all the ingredients in the crockpot, reserve 1/2 cup of the cheese and the paprika. Stir all ingredients together.  Sprinkle the top with the 1/2 cup of cheese and paprika. Cook on low for approximately 3 hours. Stir the mixture before serving.

*Recipe from my sister
**Who doesn't LOVE homemade mac and cheese!?!

Peanut Butter Cake

Ingredients:
2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 cups of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 cup of butter
1 cup of water
1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/2 cup of buttermilk

Icing:
1/2 cup of butter
1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup plus 1 Tablespoon of milk
16 oz. package Powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions:
Mix flour, sugar, salt and baking soda in large bowl.  Set aside.  Combine butter, water and peanut butter in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil.  Add to flour mixture and mix well; set aside.  Combine eggs, vanilla and buttermilk; add to peanut butter mixture. Spread into a greased 15x10 jelly roll pan.  Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes until it is fluffy.

Icing:
Combine butter, peanut butter and milk in a saucepan over medium eat; bring to a boil.  Remove from heat; stir in powdered sugar and vanilla to a spreading consistency.  Spread icing over warm cake.

*Recipe from my sister.
**We LOVE anything peanut butter!

Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

Ingredients:
Chicken
1 can of Chicken Broth
1 can of Cream of Chicken
1 package of Italian Seasoning
Pasta of your choice (penne, egg noodles, etc...)

Directions:
Put all ingredients in the crockpot (minus the egg noodles). Cook on high about 4-6 hours or low 6-8 hours. When almost ready to eat cook the pasta of your choice according to pasta directions. Shred chicken in the crackpot.  Add cooked noodles to the crockpot, stir.

*Recipe from my sister

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

1 dozen eggs

1 cup milk

2 lbs of hash brown potatoes. (you can use frozen hash browns, just cook a little longer)

1 lb of bacon, ham, sausage or meat of choice

3 cups cheddar cheese – shredded

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp of pepper

 

Directions:

1. Beat 12 eggs until well blended.

2. Next, beat in milk and garlic powder, mustard, 1 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp pepper. Set aside.

3. Layer potatoes, bacon, cheese creating three layers.

5. Top with 1 cup of cheese.

6. Pour egg mixture on top. Cook for 6-7 hours on low. For frozen hash browns, cook for 7-8 hours on low or until eggs are set.

 

(I halved this recipe and it turned out to be the perfect amount. Just a tad bit left over.)

*my husband said this is probably his favorite breakfast I've made.
**adapted from familyfreshmeals website.