Banana Bread

>
> Alice's maid Kwan's Banana Bread
>
> 1/2 C butter, softened
> 1 C sugar
> 2 eggs, beaten
> 4 banana, large ones
> 3 C flour
> 2 t baking soda
> 1/2 t salt
> chocolate chips, nuts...
>
> 1. cream the butter then add the sugar, beat until smooth
> 2. add beaten eggs in several times and beat
> 3. add mashed banana
> 4. add the dry ingredients and beet until well combined, about 2 minutes
> 5. bake at 360 degree F for 60 minutes, makes 2 loaves

Chocolate Cheese Cupcakes

Bake at 350 F (175 C) for 30-35 minutes. 

Combine in mixing bowl:

2 8-oz pkgs of softened cream cheese

2 eggs

2/3 cup sugar

1/8 tsp salt

Stir in 12-oz package of chocolate chips (1 ½ cups) 

Sift together in mixing bowl:

3 cups sifted flour

2 cups sugar

½ cup cocoa

1 tsp salt

2 tsp soda 

Add:

2 cups water

2/3 cup cooking oil

2 Tbsp vinegar

2 tsp vanilla 

Beat well. 

Fill muffin cups ½ full of chocolate batter.

Top with 1 heaping tsp cream cheese mixture.

Sprinkle with nuts (optional).  Makes 48.

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

1 ¼ cups firmly packed light brown sugar

¾ cup Crisco Golden All-Vegetable Shortening or ¾ Crisco Golden stick

1/3 cup milk

1 egg

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups oats (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked)

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup raisins

1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts 

Heat oven to 375 F.  Grease baking sheets.  Place sheets of foil on countertop for cooling cookies.

Place brown sugar, shortening, egg, milk and vanilla in large bowl.  Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended.

Combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  Add to shortening mixture; beat at low speed just until blended.  Stir in raisins and walnuts.

Drop dough by rounded measuring tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets.

Bake one baking sheet at a time at 375 F for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. 

DO NOT OVERBAKE.  Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet.  Remove cookies to foil to cool completely.   

Chewy Oatmeal Cookie Variations

HALF-DIPPED COOKIES – Omit raisins and nuts.  Bake and cool.  Microwave 1 cup prepared chocolate frosting for 20-25 seconds or until smooth and thin.  Dip top half of cookie in frosting.  Lay on waxed paper until set.

FAVORITE CHIP COOKIE – Omit raisins and nuts.  Add 1 cup baking ships to batter.  Bake and cool.

MAPLE WALNUT COOKIE – Omit raisins.  Add 1 ½ teaspoons maple flavoring to dough.  Bake and cool.  Frost top of cooled cookie with mixture of 1 container prepared vanilla frosting and 1 teaspoon maple flavoring.  Garnish with walnut halves.

Chocolate Drop Cookies

Chocolate Drop Cookies   

1 cup sugar 
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened 
1 egg 
2 ounces melted unsweetened chocolate (cool) 
1/3 cup buttermilk or water 
1 teaspoon vanilla 
1 3/4 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1 cup chopped nuts, if desired 
Chocolate Frosting 
 
Heat oven to 400 F.  Mix sugar, margarine, egg, chocolate, buttermilk and vanilla.  Stir in flour, baking soda, salt and nuts.  Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake until almost no indentation remains when touched, 8 to 10 minutes.  Immediately remove from cookie sheet.  Cool; frost with Chocolate Frosting.  About 4 1/2 dozen cookies. 
 
Chocolate Frosting 
Heat 2 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate and 2 tablespoons margarine or butter over low heat until melted;  remove from heat.  Beat in 3 tablespoons water and about 2 cups powdered sugar until smooth and of spreading consistency. 

Debbie's notes:  I add crushed candy canes on top.