Christmas Tree Brownies

any brownie mix, and required ingredients (not family size)
green icing, store bought or homemade (I used cookie icing because it sets up quick.)
yellow icing, optional
m&m minis (found in baking section, if you can't find them at the checkout)
sprinkles
candy cane, hooks removed, optional

Make brownie mix according to directions. Place in sprayed 9x13 pan. bake as directed on box. Allow to cool completely. Cut into 3 rows (lengthwise) with plastic knife. Cut diagonally across rows to create triangles. Remove triangles and place green icing in zigzag design on brownie. Add sprinkles for decorations. Candy canes may be inserted for tree trunk, but they are stable enough to hold, just for looks. Candy stars can also be purchased at Michael's, or made with yellow icing if desired. You could also use m&m minis as ornaments if desired. Enjoy!

No Bake Icebox Fruitcake Minis

2 1/2-3 c. graham cracker crumbs
14 oz. can eaglebrand milk, original (not chocolate)
1/4 t. cinnamon, optional
3/4 c. chopped candied red cherries*
1/2 c. chopped dates, or raisins can be used instead
1/2 c. chopped candied pineapple*
1 T. sugar
1/2 c. sweetened flake coconut
1/2 c. chopped walnuts, optional
1/2 c. chopped pecans, optional

Place cherries, pineapple, and dates in bowl and sprinkle sugar over top. Lightly toss to unstick the fruit. Set aside. Pour crumbs in bowl, add eaglebrand milk. Add cinnamon. Stir. Add remaining ingredients and place in saran wrap lined mini loaf pans. (I sprayed my hands with cooking spray to mold the dough into the loaf pans.) Place in refrigerator or freezer for an hour and remove from saran wrap. I placed them in ziploc sandwich bags before giving them out. Store covered in refrigerator. You can also roll the dough up into a 3-4" diameter log wrapped in saran wrap and place in freezer. Cut into 1/2" slices to serve.

*I used 16 oz. fruitcake mix (the fruit is already chopped up)

Cool Whip Cookies (Crinkles)

1 box any flavor cake mix (chocolate, orange, lemon, red velvet, carrot, spice, etc...)
8 oz. cool whip, thawed*
1 egg*
confectioners sugar

Mix all ingredients together except confectioners sugar. Batter will set up after a few minutes. Drop by teaspoonfuls into confectioners sugar. Place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Cool. Store covered. 

*can also be made just using 1/4 c. + 1/2 T. oil and 2 eggs, instead of the cool whip. Follow the same directions as above. Either way they are yummy!

Rainbow Chip Fudge

1 bag white vanilla chips or almond bark
1 container rainbow chip frosting, or vanilla frosting and sprinkles

Grease 8x8 pan. Microwave chips or bark until smooth. Do not overheat. Heat frosting. Add frosting to white chocolate. Add sprinkles (if needed). Pour into pan and refrigerate several hours. Cut into small rows. Keep refrigerated to prevent melting.

Can be made with any kind of frosting and either white or dark chocolate.

Philly Cheesesteak Cups

1 green pepper, chopped or cut in strips
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 c. fresh mushroom, chopped
1 lb. rib eye steak, cut in thin strips, (not too long)
oil
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. pepper
1/3 c. milk
1/3 c. heavy cream
1 package puff pastry, thawed (Pepperidge Farm comes with 2 in the box, I just used 1)
1/2 c. provolone cheese or mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Saute green pepper and onion in oil in skillet for 5 minutes, until soft. Add mushrooms and cook another 5 minutes. Set aside. Cook rib eye (no oil necessary). Add pepper mixture back into skillet. Season with salt, pepper and garlic. Add cream & milk. Bring to a light boil, stirring frequently until thickened. Remove from heat. Cut thawed dough into 12 equal 3-4" squares. Place in greased muffin tray. Fill with 1/4 c. cheesesteak mixture. Bake 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and cover with shredded cheese. Bake about 3 minutes more to melt cheese. Serve and enjoy! Yummy!!

1st picture is before cheese is added, 2nd picture is after cheese added, 3rd picture is on a plate ready to eat!

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Pull-Apart Bread

2 eggs
2 T. milk
1 (8 ct) can Grands biscuits
1/2 c. Real bacon pieces, or precooked bacon, cut into small pieces
3/4 c. shredded cheese
1/4 c. finely chopped green onion
salt & pepper to taste

Heat oven to 350. Spray 11x7 or 12x8 dish. Combine eggs and milk until smooth. Separate biscuits and cut each into quarters. Stir into egg mixture to coat evenly. Fold in bacon, cheese,salt, pepper, and onions. Place in dish, arranging biscuits into a single layer. Bake 23-25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

1st picture is before baking, 2nd picture is after baking.

Minion Cupcakes

Any cake mix
Cupcake liners
*Frosting: 1 stick butter, 4 c. confectioners sugar, 1 T. vanilla, Blue food coloring
Twinkies, cut in half (may use off brand too)
Candy eyes
Chocolate sprinkles, for hair, optional (I didn't use them)
Black gel icing

Prepare cupcakes as directed on box, using cupcake liners. Bake as directed. Cool. Coat with frosting when cooled. While cupcakes are cooking, decorate half Twinkies with faces, using eyes and gel. (See picture below) *I used cookie frosting on the cupcakes, because it sets up pretty fast to hold the Twinkies in place. Place the decorated Twinkies on top of the frosted cupcakes. Place in refrigerator to set. Cute for kids parties, or anyone who likes Minions.

1st picture is decorated faces, 2nd picture is the meeting of the minions (ready for transport), 3rd picture is close up view of minions.

Crockpot Pecan Pie Cobbler

1 uncooked Pillsbury pie crust
3 eggs
1 c. sugar
2/3 c. dark karo syrup
1 c. pecan pieces
1/2 c. margarine, melted
1 t. vanilla
whipped cream , optional

Line a 4 qt. crockpot. Spray liner. Place unrolled pie crust in bottom and press up the sides about 1/2". Combine remaining ingredients until well blended. Pour over pie crust. Cover. Cook on high for 2-3 hours. I checked mine at 2 hours, and cooked an additional 30 minutes. (All crockpots are different) Turn crockpot off and use liner to lift cobbler out. Place on plate and cool. Once it has cooled the cobbler is more solid. (Just like pecan pies that set up after cooling.) Remove liner. Serve warm or cool with whipped cream if desired. Yummy! (Some people choose to rotate the inner crock halfway around to be more even, they say it's hotter on the side with the dials, but I've never done this.)

*I used a 6 qt. crockpot, so the cobbler wasn't very thick, and the crust burned just a little in one corner that was a little lower than the others. But overall, it satisfied my craving for pecan pie! Mark liked it because it was a moister pie.

Before cooking:

After cooking