Pumpkin Trifle

Prepare and chill a 4-serving size package of instant vanilla pudding mix. Then beat 2 cups of whipping cream with 1/4 cup sugar until soft peaks form. Cut 8 slices of pumpkin bread into cubes. Layer the following into 8-10 small serving dishes:

Pudding
Whipped cream
Pumpkin Bread

Top each with a dollop of pumpkin butter, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and chopped walnuts. This dessert holds in the fridge up to 2 hours before serving.

Easy French Bread

2 T yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups hot water
3 T sugar
1 T salt
1/4 cup oil
6 cups flour
1 egg (save white)

* Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup water. Set aside. Combine 2 cups hot water, sugar, salt, oil, and half the flour. Stir well; add yolk. Stir. Add dissolved yeast and remaining flour. Stir again. Let rise 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. Divide dough into thirds; place in bread pans. Slip tops and brush with egg whites. Let rise 30 minutes. Bake 25 minutes at 400 degrees.

* You may divide dough in half, shape into French rolls, and slip tops diagonally if you wish. Let rise on a cookie sheet.

No Bake Peanut Butter Crunchies

Just like cornflake candy at the Jr. High . . . and with chocolate on top, too . . . yum!

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup Karo syrup
1 cup peanut butter
3 cups corn flakes
1 pkg. chocolate chips

* Place sugar and syrup into a large pan and dissolve over heat. Add peanut butter and blend. Fold in corn flakes until mixed.

* Spread in an 8x10 oblong pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips over top while still warm. Spread to form frosting when melted.

(I melt my chocolate chips in the microwave before spreading . . . couldn't ever get them to melt completely when I just sprinkled them over the top)

Spaghetti Pie

1 lb. spaghetti
1 large jar spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 lb. hamburger (or llama!)
2 eggs
8 oz. cottage cheese
8 oz. shredded mozarella cheese
1/4 c. parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp. butter

* Cook spaghetti as usual. Beat eggs; mix with parmesan cheese & toss with spaghetti and butter. Line a 13 x 9 inch pan with spaghetti-like crust, leaving room for filling. Put layer of cottage cheese on spaghetti. Top with spaghetti sauce that is mixed with browned hamburger. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and top with mozarella cheese & heat for 5 minutes more. Remove from oven and let it set 10 minutes before trying to serve. Cut & serve as you would a cake.

Pizza Dough

This one makes a nice, thin crust.

1 c. water
1/2 t. salt
1 T yeast
2 1/2 c. flour

* Knead 'til smooth.
* Let rise 'til double, then roll out on cornmeal or press into greased pan.

400 degrees on bottom shelf,
maybe 10 minutes

Cheese Breadsticks

350 degrees
15-20 minutes

1 1/2 c. warm water
1 T yeast
2 T sugar
1/2 t. salt
3 1/2 c. flour

* Knead 'til smooth.
* Let rise 'til double

* Melt 1/2 cube margarine and add 1/4 t. garlic powder. Pour into cookie sheet. Roll out dough, cut into breadsticks. Sprinkle with parmesan.

(I like to sprinkle mine with garlic salt, too. Also, don't roll the dough out too thin. The thicker the dough, the bigger and fluffier the breadsticks will be to eat!)

Create-A-Pizza (Pampered Chef)

- 1 Tbsp. Cornmeal
- 1 1/2 cups Flour
- 1 package Dry Yeast
- 1 tsp. Sugar
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1/2 cup very warm Water
- 1 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sprinkle Baking Stone with cornmeal.

For crust: combine flour, undissolved yeast, sugar, and salt in bowl. Add water and oil; stir until mixture forms a ball. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 3-4 minutes. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.

Meanwhile prepare desired toppings: sauce, cheese, meat, vegetables, etc.

Place dough in center of stone and roll into circle. Spread sauce onto crust and top with vegetables and meat; sprinkle with cheese.

Bake 16-18 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Yield: 4 servings

We usually double the recipe and make cheese/garlic breadsticks to go along with the meal.

And if you don't have a pizza pan...cookie sheets with non-stick cooking spray works well also.