Praline Pecan Crunch

Praline Pecan Crunch - Warning! This is addictive!! I will not be blamed for any excess weight gained from this recipe!


1 box of Corn Chex cereal (I use the off brand)
4 cups Pecans

1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 stick margarine

2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
white sugar crystals

Heat oven to 275 degrees. In a large bowl, mix cereal and pecans. In a 4 cup microwavable bowl; combine corn syrup, brown sugar and margarine. Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Microwave on high for additional 1-3 minutes more until boiling. Stir in vanilla and baking soda, mix thoroughly and pour over cereal and pecan mixture. Stir to coat evenly. Pour into two large baking sheets or two 13 X 9 pans. Bake for one hour, stirring every 20 minutes. When you pull the pans out for the last time, add white sugar crystals. Spread the cooked mixture on new baking sheets to cool. Do not let them cool on the pans they were cooked on - it will stick and you won't get it off! Break into pieces when cool.

This makes a nice gift when you put it in a nice glass container.


Make a double batch around the holiday's for delicious gift giving! You may want to make that three batches!

Sausage Balls - Another Family Favorite

Sausage Balls! It must look like is all we like to eat around here is sausage! You can't argue with a good thing though!
J and I made a batch of these last night while watching come Christmas specials on the ABC Family channel. I always make these up put them on a baking sheet and freeze them for at least an hour. Then I transfer them to a gallon ziplock bag and put them back in the freezer. Then they are ready for when you need them.

Sausage Balls

2 lbs. Hickory Smoked Sausage (Jakes or Mayo)
3 cups shredded Mild cheddar cheese
3 cups Bisquick

Mix with your hands until all the ingredients are blended together. Roll into bite size balls.
(This is where I put them in the freezer)

Bake at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Makes approxiamately 96 sausage balls

Delicious!!!

Sausage Wonton Recipe! A Family Favorite

I decided to post this "family favorite" appetizer recipe. This would be great to make for guests while you/they are waiting for Thanksgiving dinner to get done, watching football, etc. Anytime is a good time for these.

Sausage Wontons

1 pkg dry Ranch dressing
8 oz. sour cream
8 oz. cream cheese @ room temperature
8 oz. sharp shredded cheddar cheese
1 lb. Hot sausage, cooked and drained (like cooking ground hamburger)
1 pkg of Nasoya Wonton wrappers (found in the produce department)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix the Ranch dressing, sour cream & cream cheese with a mixer. Fold in the cheddar cheese and sausage.

Put a wonton wrapper in mini muffin tin. Fill with the mixture above. Bake for about 10-12 minutes until heated and the wonton wrappers are golden brown at the tips.

Make approximately 55 wontons.

Note: I think there are about 48 wrappers in the package, so I always buy two and save the rest in the freezer for next time I make them.

Testing Mini Pumpkin Butterscotch Muffins

In preparation for family being in town for Thanksgiving I thought I would try this recipe.
I got this recipe off allrecipes.com. I was going to make them for Thanksgiving morning, when the kitchen is busy and it is hard to get breakfast without too much disruption.

Mini Pumpkin Butterscotch Muffins. It had really good reviews, so I decided to give it a try. I followed the recipe to the letter, except I added a teaspoon of vanilla and I drizzled a little icing on the top.

I would post the recipe, but I was not impressed. I thought they were too dry and needed more spices. I did not overcook them and my spices were fresh. so I know that wasn't the problem. Monday, I am going to use the left over pumpkin, to adjust the recipe to see if I can make it so it is something that would be worth making and eating!

Don't get me wrong, they are edible. They should be more than that! For dessert tonight everyone had pecan pie I made instead of these.

They do look pretty on the plate though! Presentation is important, but taste first.

Kookie Cooking Blog

While I was away, working the election polls tonight, my lovely daughter (conspiring with one of her older brothers) decided to create me another blog, specifically for my (or their) favorite recipes and cooking tips. 

They also requested that I take pictures during the cooking process and of the finished item, to ensure they are making it correctly. Since I love cooking so much, and my wonderful children who could never do anything wrong (can you tell this is really being written by her daughter yet?), I vow to fill this blog with lots of yummy recipes and great cooking tips.