#3902 - Sour Cream Pecan Coffee Cake

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup Domino's dark brown sugar (packed)
1 tsp. cinnamon (less if you wish)
1/8 tsp. salt
3 TBSP melted butter
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup Breakstone's sour cream

In a bowl add the chopped pecans, 1/3 cup white sugar, the brown sugar, cinnamon salt and melted butter--mix well. In a separate bowl add flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda--whisk until mixed. In a mixer add the 1/2 cup softened butter and 1 cup white sugar--beat. Add the eggs--beat. Add the vanilla and sour cream--beat. Remove bowl from mixer--add the flour mixture--stir just until mixed. Spread HALF of the batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13 cake pan. Drizzle HALF of the pecan mixture evenly over the batter. Pour the rest of the batter over the top. Sprinkle the rest of the pecan mixture evenly over the top. Use your fingers to GENTLY press the pecans into the batter. Bake at 350 degrees 30-40 minutes--test with a toothpick for doneness. Cool slightly before cutting and serving.

#3858 - Premiere White Chocolate Cake

(by Shirley McNevich)

1/4lb. good quality white chocolate (DO NOT USE WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIPS OR CANDY MELTS or you will be disappointed)
1 cup softened butter
1 cup white sugar
4 egg yolks
1 TBSP vanilla
2 1/2 cups CAKE flour
1 TBSP baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup pecans (chopped after measuring)--OPTIONAL
1 cup Baker's angelflake coconut--OPTIONAL
4 egg whites
1 cup white sugar

Break the white chocolate into small pieces. Melt the white chocolate pieces in a double boiler, then cool slightly and add the vanilla--stir well. In a mixer add butter and 1 cup white sugar--beat. Add egg yolks--beat. Add melted white chocolate--beat. Into a bowl sift the cake flour, baking powder and salt--stir with a whisk. Add buttermilk to the cake flour mixture--stir with a whisk. Slowly add cake flour/buttermilk mixture to batter while beating. Remove bowl from mixer--add chopped pecans (optional) and coconut (optional)--stir to mix. In a mixer add the egg whites and 1 cup white sugar--beat until soft peaks form. Add egg white mixture to the batter--stir to mix. Pour batter into a greased 9 x13 cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees 35-40 minutes--test with a toothpick for doneness. Cool completely. Frost as desired.

#3857 - Pecan Crisp

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1 cup chopped pecans + extra for sprinkling
1 cup Domino's powdered sugar
1 cup thawed Cool Whip + extra for spreading
2 - 3oz. Philadelphia cream cheese (softened)
2 - 3.5oz. boxes Jell-O INSTANT French vanilla pudding mix
3 cups milk
1 small jar maraschino cherries

Drain the marachino cherries, slice each in half and place them on paper towels to drain. In a bowl add flour, butter and 1 cup chopped pecans--mix with a pastry blender to make crumbs. Press mixture into the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees 8-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely. In a mixer add both cream cheeses--beat. Add 1 cup thawed Cool Whip--beat. Slowly add powdered sugar--beat. Spread cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust. In a mixer add both boxes of French vanilla pudding powder and the milk--beat on low until mixed, then beat on medium speed until thickened. Spread the pudding mixture over the cream cheese layer. Spread a thin layer of Cool Whip over the pudding mixture. Sprinkle more chopped pecans evenly over the top. Arrange the maraschino cherry halves all over the top. Refrigerate until cold.

#3854 - Coconut Cream Squares

(by Shirley McNevich)

Crust: 1 cup flour; 1/2 cup cold butter; 2 TBSP white sugar; 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Filling: 1 - 8oz. Philadelphia cream cheese (softened); 1 - 12oz. Cool Whip (thawed); 3 - 3.5oz. boxes Jell-O INSTANT coconut cream pudding mixes; 1/2 cup Baker's angelflake coconut; 1 cup Domino's powdered sugar; 4 cups milk

Crust: in a bowl add the flour, cold butter, white sugar and chopped pecans--mix well. Press the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 cake pan. Bake at 325 degrees 20-25 minutes. Cool completely. Filling: in a mixer add the cream cheese and powdered sugar--beat. Remove bowl from mixer--add 1 cup of the thawed Cool Whip--stir to combine. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled crust. In a mixer add the milk and all 3 boxes of the coconut cream pudding mix--beat on low until mixed. then beat on medium until it gels. Spread the pudding mixture evenly over the cream cheese mixture. Spread remaining Cool Whip evenly over the top. Refrigerate overnight. Sprinkle the coconut evenly over the top before cutting and serving.

#3842 - Butter Raisin Cookies

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 1/2 sticks softened butter (NO SUBSTITUTES)
2/3 cup white sugar
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 cups raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans

In a saucepan add raisins--cover them with water and bring them to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, cook them for 5 minutes, then drain them. In a mixer add butter and white sugar--beat. Add salt and vanilla--beat. Slowly add flour--beat. Remove bowl from mixer--add drained raisins and chopped pecans--stir with a wooden spoon. Divide the dough in half and make a two dough logs (1 1/2" thick) with each half of the dough. Wrap each dough log in Saran wrap and refrigerate them for 3 hours. Remove one dough log from the refrigerator and remove the Saran wrap--cut the dough log into 1/4" thick slices and place them on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees 8-10 minutes or until edges start to brown. Cool slightly, then place them on paper towels to cool. Repeat with second dough log. Note: best to do a test cookie to figure out the correct baking time; they aren't as good if they are overbaked.

#3831 - White Chocolate Oat Cookies

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 cup softened butter
1 cup Domino's dark brown sugar (packed)
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups Quaker quick oats
2 cups Nestle's white chocolate chips (more if you wish)
1 cup chopped pecans

In a mixer add softened butter, brown sugar and white sugar--beat. Add eggs, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda and salt--beat. Slowly add flour--beat. Remove bowl from mixer--add oats, white chocolate chips and chopped pecans--stir with a wooden spoon. Drop batter by spoonfuls on to greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees 9-12 minutes. Cool slightly, then place them on paper towels to cool completely.

#3827 - Gooey Caramel Cake

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 box Duncan Hines white OR yellow cake mix
1 cup water
14oz. Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated)
1 cup canola oil
3 eggs
14oz. bag Kraft caramels (unwrapped)
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup Parkay margarine (melted)
1lb. Domino's powdered sugar
6 TBSP milk
1 tsp. vanilla

In a bowl add cake mix powder, water, 1/2 of the condensed milk, the canola oil and eggs--beat until mixed. Pour HALF of the batter into a greased 9 x 13 cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees 30 minutes. In a saucepan over low heat add all of the unwrapped caramels and the remaining half of the condensed milk--cook/stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat--add chopped pecans--stir. Spread the caramel mixture over the warm cake. Pour the remaining cake batter over the caramel layer. Return to oven and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool completely. Frosting: in a mixer add melted butter and slowly add powderd sugar while beating. Add milk and vanilla--beat until mixed, then beat on medium speed for 5 minutes. If frosting is too thick, add a little more milk and beat again. If frosting is too thin add more powdered sugar and beat again. Frost the cooled cake.

#3825 - Turtle Pecan Cookies

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 cup softened butter
3/4 cup Domino's dark brown sugar (packed)
2 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
12oz. Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 TBSP Crisco shortening
30 Kraft caramels (unwraped and each cut in half; caramels MUST be fresh)
chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place the unwrapped/halved caramels on a cookie sheet and set them on TOP of the oven (so they will soften a bit). In a mixer add butter and brown sugar--beat. Add vanilla and baking powder--beat. Slowly add flour--beat. Refrigerate dough for 20 minutes, then scoop a teaspoonful of dough at a time and roll it into a 1" ball. Place the dough balls on greased cookie sheets 2" apart. Use the back of a spoon to slightly flatten each dough ball. Bake at 325 degrees 13-15 minutes. Place cookies on paper towels and cool them completely. In a microwave safe bowl add the chocolate chips and Crisco--microwave on high in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Use your fingers to flatten one caramel half to almost the same size as one of the cooled cookies. Place a dab of melted chocolate in the center/top of the cookie and place the flattened caramel on top of the cookie. Place the cookie on wax paper. Use a small spoonful of melted chocolate and spread it so it covers the top and sides of the cookie. Sprinkle some chopped pecans over the melted chocolate on the cookie and LIGHTLY press the chopped pecans into the melted chocolate. Repeat with all cookies, caramels and melted chocolate. Cool completely.

#3822 - German Chocolate Caramel Bars

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 box Duncan Hines German chocolate cake mix
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup + 1/2 cup Carnation evaporated milk (NOT condensed)
3/4 cup butter (melted)
60 Kraft caramels (unwrapped)
1 cup Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a bowl add the dry cake mix, chopped pecans, 1/3 cup evaporated milk and the melted butter--stir to mix. Spread HALF of the batter into the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. In a double boiler add the unwrapped caramels and 1/2 cup evaporated milk--cook/stir until melted and smooth. Spread caramel mixture evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the caramel. Spread remaining batter over the top. Return to oven and bake at 350 degrees 18-20 minutes. Cool completely. Cut into bars or squares.

#3792 - Frosted Maple Cookies

(by Shirley McNevich)

3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups Domino's dark brown sugar (packed)
1 cup Crisco shortening
1/2 cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. McCormick maple flavoring
1 tsp. vanilla
a pinch of salt
2 cups Nestle's white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
pecan halves
Frosting: 4 cups Domino's powdered sugar; 4-6 TBSP milk; 1/4 cup softened butter; 1 tsp. maple flavoring

In a bowl add flour, baking soda and salt--stir to mix. In a mixer add brown sugar and Crisco--beat. Add 1/2 cup softened butter--beat. Add eggs--beat. Add 1 tsp. maple flavoring and the vanilla--beat. Slowly add flour mixture--beat. Remove bowl from mixer--add chopped pecans and white chocolate chips--stir to mix. Drop batter by spoonfuls on to greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees 8-12 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes, then place on paper towels to cool completely. Frosting: in a mixer add powdered sugar, 1/4 cup softened butter and 1 tsp. maple flavoring--beat. Keep mixer beating and add 1 TBSP milk at a time until frosting is spreading consistency. Once you have the right consistency, beat on high speed until thick and creamy. Frost the cookies, then press one pecan half (flat side down) into the middle of the frosting on each cookie.

#3766 - Sinful Chocolate Cake

(by Shirley McNevich)

Batter: 1/2 cup softened butter; 1/2 cup Crisco shortening; 2 - 1oz. squares Baker's UNsweetened baking chocolate; 1 cup water; 2 1/2 cups flour; 2 cups white sugar; 1 tsp. baking soda; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 2 beaten eggs; 2 tsp. vanilla

Frosting: 1/2 cup softened butter; 2 - 1oz. squares Baker's UNsweetened baking chocolate; 6 TBSP milk; 1lb. Domino's powdered sugar; 2 tsp. vanilla; 1 cup chopped pecans

In a saucepan over low heat add 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup Crisco shortening, 2 squares unsweetened baking chocolate and the 1 cup water--cook/stir until mixture is melted, then remove from heat. In a bowl add flour, white sugar and baking soda--stir to mix. In a mixer add eggs, buttermilk and 2 tsp. vanilla--beat. Slowly add flour mixture--beat. Add melted chocolate mixture--beat. Pour batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13 cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees 25-35 minutes--test with a toothpick for doneness. While caking is baking, make the frosting. In a heavy saucepan add 1/2 cup butter, 2 squares unsweetened baking chocolate, and 6 TBSP milk--cook/stir over medium low heat until bubbles form around the edges of the mixture. Remove from heat--add powdered sugar, 2 tsp. vanilla and the chopped pecans--stir well. Frost the warm cake, then cool completely.

#3713 - Overnight Sour Cream Coffee Cake

(by Shirley McNevich)

(this recipe is for Dec. 22nd)

3/4 cup softened butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 - 8oz. Breakstone's sour cream
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup Domino's dark brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp. cinnamon

In a mixer add softened butter and white sugar--beat. Add eggs--beat. Add sour cream--beat. Add baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and salt--beat. Slowly add flour--beat. Pour batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13 cake pan. In a bowl add brown sugar, chopped pecans and cinnamon--stir to mix. Sprinkle the pecan mixture evenly over the top of the batter. Tightly place Saran wrap over the top of the cake pan (making sure that it it NOT touching the batter) and refrigerate overnight. The next day remove the plastic wrap and bake at 350 degrees 35-45 minutes--test with a toothpick for doneness. Serve warm or cool completely.

#3705 - German Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 box Duncan Hines German chocolate cake mix
1 - 3oz. box Jell-O INSTANT chocolate pudding
2/3 cup Quaker quick oats
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 to 1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup Breakstone's sour cream
1/4 cup water
2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup Nestle's white chocolate chips
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup Baker's angelflake coconut

In a bowl add cake mix powder, pudding powder, baking powder and oats--stir. Add 1/4 cup canola oil, sour cream, water and vanilla--stir well. If batter is too dry add another 1/4 cup canola oil and stir again. Add chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, coconut and chopped pecans--stir to mix. Drop batter by spoonfuls on to greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees 10-14 minutes. Cool slightly, then place on paper towels to cool completely. Note: this cookie can take WAY longer to bake than other cookies, so best to bake a test cookie to figure out the correct baking time for your oven.

#3684 - Marshmallow Pecan Cookies

(by Shirley McNevich)

2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
pinch of salt
2 sticks softened butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup Domino's dark brown sugar (packed)
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups Quaker quick oats
1 1/4 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 or 2 cups milk chocolate chunks + extra for melting
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup mini marshmallows

In a bowl add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt--stir and set aside. In a mixer add softened butter, white sugar and brown sugar--beat. Add eggs and vanilla--beat. Slowly add flour mixture--beat. Remove bowl from mixer--add oats, cereal, chocolate chunks, chopped pecans and marshmallows--stir with a wooden spoon. Cover and refrigerate batter for 1 hour. Drop batter by spoonfuls on to greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees 10-12 minutes. Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheets and placing on paper towels to cool. Optional: melt some extra chocolate chunks and drizzle the melted chocolate on top of the cooled cookies.

#3675 - Shortbread Butterscotch Bars

(by Shirley McNevich)

24 shortbread cookies
6 TBSP butter (softened)
1 - 10oz. bag Nestle's butterscotch chips
1/2 cup Kayro lite corn syrup
2 TBSP cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
coarse sea salt (for sprinkling)

Crush the shortbread cookies. In a bowl add crushed shortbread cookies and 3 TBSP butter--stir to mix. Press the mixture into a greased 8" square cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. In a saucepan over medium heat add butterscotch chips, lite corn syrup, 3 TBSP butter, cream and vanilla--cook/stir until melted and smooth. Spread the butterscotch mixture evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle the coarsely chopped pecans evenly over the top, then use the back of a spoon to LIGHTLY press the pecans into the butterscotch mixture. Bake at 350 degrees 10-13 minutes or until topping is bubbling. Cool completely. Sprinkle a little sea salt over the top before cutting into squares or bars.

#3591 - Chocolate Pecan Coconut Pies

(by Shirley McNevich)

2 1/2 cups white sugar
7 TBSP Hershey's cocoa
4 beaten eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
1 stick butter (melted)
1 - 12oz. can Carnation evaporated milk
a pinch of salt
2 cups Baker's angelflake coconut
3 unbaked pie crust doughs

Grease three 9" pie plates, insert the doughs, flute the edges and spray the insides of the pie doughs with Pam. In a bowl add white sugar and cocoa--stir to mix. Add beaten eggs and vanilla--stir with a whisk. Add melted butter, chopped pecans, Carnation milk, salt and coconut--stir with a whisk to mix. Pour 1/3 of the batter into each pie dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes--test with a knife for doneness. Cool completely.

#3564 - Chopped Pecan Cream Cheese Frosting

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 - 8oz. Philadelphia cream cheese (softened)
1/4 cup softened butter
4 cups Domino's powdered sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tsp. vanilla
milk (IF necessary)

In a mixer add softened cream cheese and softened butter--beat well. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla--beat. Add chopped pecans--beat well. If frosting is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar and beat again. If frosting is too thick, add 1 TBSP milk at a time and beat again.

#3511 - Upside Down Chocolate Cheesecake

(by Shirley McNevich)

2 cups Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate bits
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup Baker's angelflake coconut
1 box Duncan Hines chocolate cake mix
1 - 8oz. Philadelphia cream cheese (softened and cubed)
1/3 cup softened butter
2 cup Domino's powdered sugar (sifted)

Prepare the cake mix according to box directions. Line a 9 x 13 cake pan with wax paper (including the sides). Spray the wax paper with Pam. Sprinkle the chocolate chips, chopped pecans and coconut evenly over the wax paper in the bottom of the pan. Slowly pour the prepared chocolate cake batter all over the top. In a saucepan over low heat add the cubed cream cheese and softened butter--cook/stir until melted and mostly smooth. Remove from heat--add powdered sugar--stir until mixed. Carefully and evenly drizzle the cream cheese batter over the chocolate batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes--test with a toothpick for doneness. Cool the cake for 15 minutes, then invert on to a cake plate. Carefully peel and discard the wax paper. Cool completely.

#3485 - Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

(by Shirley McNevich)

2 cups flour
3/4 cup finely ground pecans
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 stick softened butter
1/2 cup Crisco shortening
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup Domino's dark brown sugar (packed)
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cups Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate bits
1 cup chopped pecans

In a food processor or a blender, grind pecans until you have 3/4 cup finely ground pecans. In a bowl add finely ground pecans, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt--stir to mix. In a mixer add butter, Crisco, white sugar and brown sugar--beat. Add eggs and vanilla--beat. Slowly add flour mixture--beat. Remove bowl from mixer--add chocolate chips and chopped pecans--stir with a wooden spoon. Drop batter by spoonfuls on to greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until browned. Cool slightly, then place cookies on paper towels to cool.

#3468 - Simple Chocolate Pecan Fudge

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 TBSP butter
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup Carnation evaporated milk
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 3/4 cups Nestle's MILK chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans + extra for sprinkling
2 tsp. vanilla

Line an 8" fudge pan with foil. In a saucepan over medium heat add white sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt--melt/stir until boiling. Once boiling, cook/stir for 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat--add mini marshmallows, milk chocolate bits, chopped pecans and vanilla--stir quickly until marshmallows and chocolate are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour the mixture into the foil lined fudge pan. Sprinkle extra chopped pecans over the top of the fudge (optional). Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until firm. Dump the pan upside down on a cutting board, peel off the foil and cut the fudge into squares.