Monkey Bread

I found this recipe from Cooks.com years ago. It's been my go to recipe for Monkey Bread ever since. It has a wonderful sauce that is poured on before baking.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 cup butter

1/4 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup brown sugar

4 (10 oz.) cans refrigerated biscuits ( I can't get 10 0z so I just use the 7 0z)

In a 1 1/2 quart saucepan combine 1 cup sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, butter, milk and brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Combine 3/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut biscuits in half. (Most of the time, I cut them in quarters. In the picture, I used frozen yeast rolls which I thawed. Refrigerated biscuits are better.) Coat with sugar mixture and layer in bundt pan. Spread remaining sugar over biscuits. Pour sauce over biscuits. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 - 45 minutes.

Hot Pretzels

This recipe is from the Crafters' Marketplace Cookbook from Shipshewana, Indiana. These pretzels are a family favorite. They come pretty close to our favorite pretzels that we would buy in Shipshewana from Jo Jo's Pretzels. At least according to what we remember, it's been a long time since we have had one of those delicious treats.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup brown sugar( I double this to 2/3 cup because Jo Jo's Pretzels were sweeter)

1 pkg. yeast(2 tablespoons)

1 1/2 cup warm water

5 cups flour

Boil:

3 cups water ( I double this to 6 cups as 3 didn't seem to be enough the pan I use)

3 tablespoons baking soda(I double this to 6 tablespoons)

Mix sugar, yeast, and water, then set aside for 5 minutes. Add flour. Stir until dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Turn out onto floured surface and knead until elastic. ( I do all this in my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer) Pull off golf -ball sized pieces and form into pretzel shapes. Drop into boiling water. Cook until it rises to the top. (I have had to gently stir them to unstick them from the bottom of the pan, I don't let them boil for more than 30 seconds) Remove for the water; place on greased pan. Sprinkle with salt( I do not sprinkle mine with salt until after I remove them from the oven.) Bake at 475 degrees for 8 minutes. After I take them out of the oven, I brush them with melted butter then sprinkle with Kosher salt.

Nestle's Chunky Pecan Pie Bars

These bars are so good. The taste of pecan pie with chocolate.

Ingredients:

For Crust:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

For the Filling:

3 large eggs

3/4 cup corn syrup

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups (11.5 oz pkg.) Nestle Toll House Semi- Sweet Chocolate Chunks

1 1/2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x13 baking pan. For the crust, beat together the flour, butter and brown sugar in small mixer bowl until crumbly. Press into prepared baking pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. For the filling, beat together eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter and vanilla in medium bowl with wire whisk. Stir in Chunks and nuts. Pour evenly over baked crust. Bake for 25 -30 minutes or until set. Cool in pan, cut into bars.