Baking Powder Biscuits

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder
4 Tbsp butter or shortening
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk

Directions:

1. Combine flour, baking powder & salt. Cut in butter or shortening.
2. Add milk gradually, stirring until soft dough forms.
3. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and lightly knead for about 30 seconds, enough to shape.
4. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick and cut with 2 inch floured biscuit cutter.
5. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet in a 400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.

    Makes 12 biscuits

Scotch Shortbread

This is an extremely quick and easy cookie recipe that isn't too sweet and only requires 3 ingredients. They make a delicious snack with a cup of coffee or tea; or just by themselves!


3/4 cup butter (or margarine), softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar (or sugar substitute)
2 cups of all-purpose flour

Directions:  

1.      Preheat oven to 350°

2.     Stir together butter, granulated sugar. Stir in flour and mix well.

3.     Roll or pat dough 1/2 inch to 1/3 inch thick

4.     Cut into small shapes, place 1/2 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet

5.     Top with sugar sprinkles (optional)

6.     Bake for 20 minutes or until set.

7.     Remove from oven immediately.

Makes 2 dozen, 1 1/2 inch cookies.

Butter Tarts

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup currants or raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons vinegar
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
One batch of pie crust

 Directions:

1.     Preheat oven 350° 

2.     Beat eggs. 

3.     Add sugar, syrup, and melted butter and beat again.  

4.     Add the currants, walnuts, vinegar, salt, and vanilla extract and mix vigorously.  

5.     Put a small amount of corn meal into tart tins or muffin pans OR use cupcake papers  

6.     Place circles of uncooked pie crust into the pans.  

7.     Fill the shells 2/3 full and bake until the pastry is light brown, about 20 minutes. (For runnier tarts, cook for 15 to 17 minutes.)

Makes 24 tarts 

Grandma's Hot Water Pie Crust

1 cup shortening
1 large teaspoon margarine
3/4 cup boiling water
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Mix up the shortening, margarine, and water until creamy.
2. While it's still creamy and not yet cold, sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a dough forms. (Try not to knead it while forming it into a large ball.) 3. Separate the dough into two equal balls for easier rolling; (each portion will yield a single 9-inch pie crust or one dozen small tart shells.) 4. Chill the dough before rolling it out, but not overnight (depending on your fridge, 20 to 40 minutes). 

Bacon Egg & Cheese Cups

8 slices bacon (I used turkey bacon)
6 eggs
1/2 cup shredded cheese (whichever you like)
1/4 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Whip eggs, milk, salt, pepper and cheese together.
3. Wrap bacon inside muffin tin cups, fill with egg mixture about 3/4 full.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

We enjoyed these babies for dinner with some tasty buttered Texas Toast!

Homemade Pancakes/Waffles

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tbsp butter, melted

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in milk, egg, and melted butter; mix until smooth.
2. Heat lightly greased skillet or griddle over med-high heat.
3. Pour or scoop batter onto griddle using 1/4 cup for each pancake.
4. Don't flip pancake until batter starts to bubble!
5. Brown both sides and smother with maple syrup, jam, honey, or any other topping desired.

This same recipe can be used to make waffles in your waffle iron.

Sweet Cornbread Muffins

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup cornmeal
2/3 cup sugar

5 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1 egg

1 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven 400°

2. Combine dry ingredients

3. Melt butter, whisk egg into butter as it cools. Then add egg, milk, & vanilla to butter.

4. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients and pour into center, stirring lightly until blended. DO NOT over-mix or muffins won't be as tender.

5. Spoon into muffin tin and bake for 15-18 minutes.

Banana Bread

3 or 4 ripe bananas

1/3 cup melted butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp vanilla extract

pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven 350° F

2. Mix butter into smashed bananas. Stir in sugar, egg, and vanilla extract.

3. Sprinkle in baking soda and salt.

4. Add flour a little at a time, mix thoroughly.

5. Pour into lightly greased or floured 4x8 loaf pan.

6. Bake for 1 hour.

7. Let bread cool completely before removing from pan.