A few weeks ago a new friend of mine went to Ok to eat at Reba’s Place in Atoka! When she returned she knocked on our door and almost ran in to hand me a cookie and said “eat this and try to figure out what it has in it!”
After the first bite I was in Heaven! It took me all 4 cookies (she ask the wait person to give them more to bring back but (well she might have lied and was given a dz and ate them on the way home and just told me that was all they got….but I won’t accuse her of that as she brought me the cutest flamingo tea pitcher also) hum….maybe to cover up her act of keeping cookies for herself? Ok. I won’t let my mind go there….stop it Trudy!!!! Well we never quite figured out what was in the little piece of glory but it made me go searching on the internet for what it might be! Well, thank goodness I’m old and have to get up in the middle of the night. Two nights ago I woke up at 2:30 am to go to the bathroom and upon my return to bed I could not go back to sleep. So (please don’t judge me) I picked up my phone and began to google different subjects re:shortbread cookies! I ended up typing in “shortbread cookie at Reba’s place in Atoka, OK recipe, and up popped a video of a lady in Michigan who had found the recipe two years ago in People magazine ! And because she was using a Bosch mixer I knew she was a serious baker. I couldn’t believe it! We now had the recipe for the amazing cookies we had said we would even sacrifice our Medicare $50/month free med allotment for!!! So yesterday I had to make it. The fact that I wanted to hurry and get it made to take downstairs to snack on while playing Chicken Foot, made me alter the cookie plan and made the recipe into bars. Much quicker and they were a hit! Nancy (the friend who introduced me to this little gem to begin with) and I still cannot figure out why they still don’t taste exactly how the cookies she brought back tastes. Like they are still missing a chewy ingredient we felt that had been in the original cookie Nancy had brought back, although the recipe says that it is the exact one Reba’s Place uses! But this recipe was still delicious and very easy to make. We loved these shortbread bars. Next time I want to use bittersweet chips like the recipe calls for! I just didn’t have them at the time. If you like shortbread, you will love these! Sweet & Salty, soft, and a butter lovers paradise! I still lost at Chicken Foot, but having them to snack on made losing a little easier to handle!
This is the recipe obtained from the internet from a lady who got it from People magazine ! I ended up making them in a 9” sq baking pan and only chilled the raw dough for 30 min before baking in a preheated 350 oven! I was in a hurry! Sprinkled sea salt over the top before cutting into small bite size bars after they cooled!
Made this cake for a friend this week and it was such a hit. Several friends have ask for the recipe when they saw the picture on FB so here it is. It is easy and so yummy. Also, a friend of mine told me the other day that she didn’t understand how my cupcakes were always so soft and moist. The secret is, keep them in the refrigerator (covered) until about an hour before serving them.
1 Duncan Hines chocolate fudge cake mix
We got home from church and since Randy is needing to work overtime on the weekend, I decided that I would bake, while he worked. When I ask him what he was in the mood for, he said anything but chocolate since sometimes eating chocolate in the evenings keeps him from sleeping well. We had talked today about him needing a phone because the hand me down he got from me last year (for me to get a new phone with more memory) is acting up, so between me looking at recipes and new phones on the internet, I also was looking at puppies, since we do want to get another doggie when we end up moving to a new place. I was on a web site that had teacup yorkies when Randy walked in to ask what I had decided to bake. Before answering him, I showed him the cutest little yorkie with a pink bow in her hair and looked at him with puppy dog eyes that immediately told him I found an adorable yorkie. He looked at it and said, “how much does that cute little thing cost?” When I responded that she cost about $3000, he looked at me and said, “$3000? I wouldn’t even pay that for you.” I think this sheltering in place is beginning to show its ugly face. And please don’t write and tell me I’m awful for spending that much money on a dog when they have so many in shelters. We would NEVER pay that much for a dog or anything close to that. I just have fun looking at pictures of cute puppies. So now back to the cake. Going to the pantry to see what I had, I discovered I had the necessary ingredients to make a coconut cake. It ended up so moist and yummy and will have it to snack on for a couple of days. I use a small bundt pan that allows me to make two so I can put one in the freezer for another time. Picture is of the two small cake pans I used
Saw this on Facebook one night and remembered that to take a picture of the recipe. Well, last night I made it. Oh my,where has this been all my life? It was simply delicious and so easy to make. Before leaving for the grocery store yesterday, I actually remembered to look at the recipe to see what i would need to buy to make it. That is unusual for me. Usually I get to the store and think, “what was I needing to get to make such and such?” Then I get home and see the recipe and then think, “ok, next time I will look at the recipe BEFORE going to the store so I won’t have to jump back in the car (well, actually it has been years since I was able to “jump” in anything) and run back to the store, or in most cases, plan on making the new recipe after the next trip to the store. And the cycle goes on and on. But this time, I did actually remember to look and see what I needed BEFORE going. I like to think it is the new Vitamins I am using called Smarty Pants. But, since I got home with the newly bought ingredients to make this simple recipe that made us feel so sophisticated knowing we were eating a French dessert, it just immediately became a favorite. Seriously, it is so good. A cross between a pudding and a cake or a thicker Dutch Baby. Don’t get me started on how much we love Dutch Babies for breakfast. After you have one in Chicago, well, let’s just say that we remember Chicago more than just it’s hot dogs now. So go to the store, buy some raspberries, blueberries or blackberries and make it this weekend. You can thank me later.
One of the things I have missed most about curbside grocery pick up is just the great time of strolling the baking aisle and seeing any new products on the shelf. Monday when I braved the “social distancing while wearing a mask” time of going inside the store, I had a ball. When I saw this box, I knew it was mine.
Today, another rainy beginning to this new normal of everyone working from home and kids being home schooled as well as parents trying to teach, and learn right along with them, while still trying to do what is necessary to bring in a pay check. These are difficult days, and challenging times when we all have to step up and change what we have been doing. What do we do to still serve when so many are confined to their homes? This week, when we began to hear about seniors being ask to self quarantine, I began to think of ways that I could help serve them. What should be my part in stepping out of my comfort zone to share God’s love by meeting the needs of those who are seniors? As I was sharing these thoughts with Randy the other night, he watched me and listened to what I had to say. Then without a moments hesitation, the minute I ask him what he thought I should do, he smiled at me and said, “uh do you realize that in a couple of months you will be 70 and you are suppose to be one of those who are to self quarantine for awhile?” WHAT……but, wait a minute. That thought never crossed my mind that I am considered old. When did that happen? Quickly I responded to him, that because I eat garlic almost everyday and enough chocolate to ward off most bacterias, I should be able to hang a garlic bulb around my neck and get out there among the true old folks. Why I’m still young because I still wear cute little blingy sandals and capris (even though these cute little capris might have elastic waistbands) and wear loop earrings that could easily be mistaken for “tapers”. And….I teach other people how to use their phones. So truly, I can’t be considered someone who needs to stay at home…? But because so many stores and restaurants are closed down, I haven been forced to spend more time at home than normal. It is allowing me time to work on another book, which will be called Tis So Sweet and is full of dessert recipes and stories of women who are willing to share how God has been faithful in difficult circumstances in their lives. Also, I have been baking a little more than normal, which means that instead of making a dessert each day, I’m now making two or three. It is fun to share food with others. Last night I made up a recipe that actually turned out really good. Was so easy and simple and I had everything on hand so no trip to the store was necessary. It was a baked chocolate fudge pie that we ate watching a really good movie on Netflix. That is Randy’s job each night. To find us a good movie that is fun to watch and family friendly so that we can recommend to others without fear of it being full of foul language or sexual content. So far, he is batting a thousand. Two for two. Tues night we watched Faith, Hope and Love and last night we enjoyed a little french film called French Toast. Darling movie. Here is the easy peasy recipe for a great chocolate fudge pie for you to up your immune system…at least that is what I tell myself when I am cutting a big piece and topping it with whipped cream.
Chocolate Castles 