Double Kissed Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are a lot like
pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
but better because of
the added kisses.

2 sticks softened butter

1 Cup granulated sugar

3/4 Cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 Tablespoon pure vanilla

1 Cup pumpkin, from can

3 1/4 Cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg

12 oz bag chocolate chips

35 or so unwrapped Pumpkin Spice Kisses, quartered

1. Preheat oven to 350. In a mixer, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla until well combined then add pumpkin.

2. Place flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg into large bowl; mix to combine then slowly add to wet ingredients then chocolate and kisses. Mix only until just combined.

3. Scoop medium cookie scoop of dough onto a cookie sheet, about an inch apart. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until edges just begin to brown. Let cool on pan for 5 minutes before removing. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Dinner In A Dish

In a plastic bag combine:
1 pkg. Lipton dry onion soup mix
1/2 tsp. salt and pepper
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 pound lean beef stew meat cut into small pieces.

Place seasoned meat in a 9x13 baking dish. Arrange on top of meat:
Some worcestershire sauce
3-4 potatoes cut into quarters
1 onion cut into quarters
Several carrots cut into 1-inch pieces, or 3 big handfuls of baby carrots.

Combine and pour over meat and vegetables:
1 can cream of celery soup
1/2 c. ketchup

Cover and bake for 2 hours @ 325 degrees.

Top with frozen peas recover and cook 30 more minutes.

This is such an easy dish and cooks fast. It is really good to! The kids love it!

Perfect Lemon Blueberry Muffins

2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

3 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

zest of one lemon
1 egg

1 cup milk

1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup frozen blueberries

Topping
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 T lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar

Mix dry ingredients and set aside. Beat eggs, milk and butter. Add dry ingredients and stir to combine. Stir in blueberries gently. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Combine butter and lemon juice for the topping. While the muffins are still warm, dip the tops in the butter and lemon juice, then dip in sugar. Makes 12 muffins. I like to double it and make 24.

*You can leave out the lemon zest and lemon on the topping for normal blueberry muffins. I did here because I didn't have a lemon and they were perfect!

Chocolate "Carter Cake"

Our neighbor brought this cake
to me after we lost Carter.
She knows my love for chocolate!
We made it this year on
his birthday day and
want to make it a tradition
for every year!
It is super moist and SO good!

In a large bowl mix:
2c. flour
2c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
Melt in a pan:
2 sticks butter
4 tbs. cocoa
1c. water
Bring to a boil and pour over the dry ingredients.
Stir together well.
Then mix:

2 eggs beaten
1/2c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
Add to mixture.
Pour in a greased cookie sheet
and bake at 350 for 20-25 mins.
Icing
In a pan melt:
1 stick butter
4 tbs. cocoa
1/4 c. buttermilk
Bring to a boil and remove from heat
Add:
3c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Nuts are optional.
Pour over HOT cake and spread evenly!
Enjoy this bad boy.
Holy 3 sticks of butter!