Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

2 C steel cut oats
1 15oz can pumpkin puree
5 cups milk (can use almond milk)
1 T pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 c brown sugar (1/2 c sugar is plenty)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
Whipped cream for garnish
1/2 c chopped walnuts, optional

Combine ingredients in pot on stove and simmer until desired consistency, about 15 minutes or so.  Can also put combined ingredients in slow cooker, cooking on low 5-6 hours.  Garnish with whipped cream on top.

You may want to adjust how much milk you want to use for desired thickness. You may want to add 1 cup water to oats before cooking. Can also substitute ripe mashed bananas instead of pumpkin to make banana bread oats.

Dirt Cake

I was asked to bring this cake to my son's Cub Scout pack meeting tonight.  I think it will be a hit.  Boys like dirt, bugs and of course the combination will be fantastic!  


Chocolate cake mix, plus added items needed to bake it according to package directions
1 (3.2 oz) small instant chocolate pudding mix
1 (8oz) tub of Cool Whip
1/4 c milk
Oreo cookies, crumbled
gummy worms or snakes


9x13 pan
Feeds at least 12

1.  Bake a chocolate cake according to package directions.  Let cool.
2.  With electric mixer, mix chocolate pudding mix, Cool Whip and milk together until well combined.
3.  Spread chocolate pudding mixture over cooled cake.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.
4.  Before serving, crumble Oreo on top to look like dirt.  Can put cookies in blender to get really fine crumbs if desired.
5.  Put gummy worms/snakes on top, pushed in and coming out to look like worms coming out of the ground.

Recipe Source:  Carol Dollar, added instructions by Mel

Easy Jello Salad

1 package flavored gelatin, unmade: (lemon, strawberry, cherry, blackberry, etc)
8 oz cottage cheese
4-8 oz unthawed Cool Whip (to taste)
1 can fruit cocktail or fruit of choice such as crushed/chunk pineapple, mandarin oranges, etc (16 oz, either drained or undrained)
Add coconut or marshmallows before serving if you wish.
Recipe can easily be doubled.

Certain flavors go well together such as orange jello mix and mandarin oranges.  Lemon is good with anything.  Strawberry jello mix with fruit cocktail or fresh strawberries.  Cherry jello mix with maricheno cherry juice and chopped up cherries.

Marshmallows and fruit colors can vary based on holidays.

Watergate Salad

A classic Mormon Jello Salad.

1 C Jet Puffed Marshmallows
1 package (3.4 oz) Jello Pistachio Instant Pudding Mix (unmade)
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1/2 c chopped pecans or walnuts
1 1/2 c thawed Cool Whip topping
2 c cottage cheese (optional, gives it some nutrition haha)

Combine ingredients and refrigerate 1 hour.  Add marshmallows just before serving.

Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

This recipe can be made in bar form with a 9x13 pan or in a round pan as shown above. Last time I made it in a glass 9x13 pan but I think next time I will use a metal pan to get the crust crunchier.  Enjoy!  

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 pkg yellow cake mix
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 stick butter (1/2 cup, 113g), melted

Filling

• 1 eight ounce (8ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 stick butter (1/2 cup, 113g), melted
• 4 c powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. (I set my convection oven to 325°F)
2. In a bowl, combine cake mix, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla and melted butter. Mash together with a fork until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
3. Spray 9-inch by 3-inch round cake pan or a 9x13 pan with baking spray or use a piece of parchment in the bottom of the pan.
4. Press cake mixture into bottom of prepared pan and get as flat as possible.
5. Place cream cheese, remaining eggs, vanilla and melted butter in stand mixer and beat on medium speed until creamy.
6. Add in powdered sugar 1 cup at a time (and on low speed) until all sugar has been added.
7. Pour cream cheese mixture over cake mixture.
8. Bake for 35-45 minutes. I moved mine from the oven when the edges were brown, but the center was still a bit giggly. You do not want to over cook.
9. Allow to cool before serving.

Recipe and Photo Source:  I Am Baker 

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Aubrey's Taco Soup

Ingredients:

1lb ground beef
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained and rinsed
1 can tomato sauce (I used a 15 oz can)
1 can tomatoes, undrained
1/2 package taco seasoning

Brown meat in a large pot, drain fat.  Mix all ingredients in a pot.  Add water to desired consistency.  Heat until simmer.  Simmer for 15 minutes.  Serve with spoonful of sour cream and side dishes of taco chips.

Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup

HEARTY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP 

1  cup cooked chicken

2 cups chopped carrots

2 cups chopped celery

2 cups corn 

2 cups frozen peas

3/4 cup chopped onion

3 cups chicken broth

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup sour cream

2 1/2 oz cooked noodles

Salt and pepper Add vegetables to chicken broth and simmer until tender. Add cream of chicken soup. Then add chicken.  I like to cook my noodles separate and add them before serving. If they simmer with the soup too long they seem to get mushy or soak up the juice in the soup. Add sour cream and noodles. Salt and pepper to taste (I like lots of pepper!).

Recipe Source:  Heather, my SIL