Cheese Ball {goodness}!

I got this from Paige actually but it is the {best} cheese ball and has such good flavor! I love it with [wheat thins] or [chiken in a biskit] or [thin crisp triscuits].

1 package Hidden Valley Ranch buttermilk
½ cup mayo
½ cup milk
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredder cheddar cheese
[mix together, I usually add it all in my kitchenaid cuz it mixes smoother]

1 package Sliced almonds [mix 3/4 bag in the mixture and save some to on the saran wrap so when you put the mixture on top of it, it has pretty almonds on top!]

Mold into ball or 2 balls … cover with saran wrap and refrigerate for a few hours.

Fondant

This is one of my {favorite} treats for Christmas that my Grandma Dunford makes!

1 pkg. Powdered sugar (the largest)
2 cube butter - softened
1 Can eagle brand milk
1 tsp vanilla

Stir together. Add peppermint flavoring to taste. Stir with spoon till creamy. Drop onto wax paper. Freeze - take out and dip into chocolate.

Pumpkin Stuff Just Tastes Good this time of Year! Try these Frosted Pumpkin Bars

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 tspns baking powder
2 tspns ground cinnamon
1 tspn baking soda
1/2 tspn ginger
1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin (not the pie mix)
3/4cup butter
3 eggs
3/4 chopped dried cranberries (I use chocolate chips instead)

Mix in a large bowl ~wet ingredients first then add the dry~
Bake @ 350 for 25 minutes in a sheet cake pan
Cool completely before frosting

Frosting:
Whip 1 cube softened butter
abt 1/8 cup milk (m/l depending on desired consistency)
2 cups pwdrd sugar (m/l depending on desired consistency)
1 tspn vanilla

Very Delicious Applesauce Cake

Arlo used to make this for the kids in the morning before school. This isn't his recipe but is very GOOD!

Whip 2 cups applesauce, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup brown sugar and 1 egg until fluffy.

Add in 2 cups flour, 1 tspn salt, 1 tspn cinnamon, 1/2 tspn nutmeg, 1/4 tspn cloves, 2 tspns baking soda and 1 cup chopped nuts if desired.

Mix thouroughly

Spread into 9 x 13 pan and bake @ 350 for 50 minutes

When you pull out of the oven sprinkle pwdrd sugar over the top.

Jess' Pasta Salad

1 lb. cooked pasta
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 c. cooked peas
1 c. cooked corn
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1 Tblsp. parsley
1 Tblsp. Basil
3 Diced green onions (if wanted)
1 c. Zesty Italian Dressing
Add a little Apple Cider Vinegar

Cook pasta, then cool. Add all other ingredients in order of appearance. Cool til ready to serve. If you are going to make a while before serving, add the dressing just before serving.

If anyone tries this, let me know what you think cause I made it up from a few recipes I've seen and whatever I had in my kitchen! :) I hope you like it!

Cheesy Drop Biscuits! (red lobster style)

These are soooo yummy! This is one of the best parts to eating at Red Lobster! These are really easy and go good with anything!

2 c. flour
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 c. butter
1 1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 1/4 c. milk
Chives (optional)

Mix together dry ingredients. Cut in butter with pastry cutter until mixture is fine. Add cheese and mix well. Add milk and stir until just moistened. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Sprinkle top with chopped dried or fresh chives if desired. Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 15 minutes.

Cheesy Potato Soup

This is my most favorite soup! Add some french bread or rolls and your set! It's perfect with all these cold days we've been having! I usually double it or 1 1/2 it so we have leftovers! It's soooo yummy!

4 Cups Chicken Broth
2-3 medium potatoes, diced
1 Cup onions, chopped
2 large carrots, grated

Parboil that for 45 minutes in an open kettle.

White Sauce:
6 Tbsp. Butter
6 Tbsp. Flour
3-4 Cups Milk

Add white sauce to the veggie broth and add 3 Cups Monterey Jack or Colby Jack Cheese shredded at the very last. Let it all settle in together for at least 20 minutes.

Note: You might want to make it in a big stock pot so when you add your white sauce and cheese you have enough room :)