Lump of Coal Candy...

Lump of Coal...Oh No! Have you been naughty or nice? Give someone special this gift and let them decide, but NOT suffer! Haha...It's candy! It's simple, easy and quick!


Lump of Coal Candy
The CattleQueen Cooks

1 box of Rice Krispies
11/2 cups of chopped nuts
1 10 ounces bag of small marshmallow's
2 bags of candy melts from Wilton's, Black in color

Directions:

Divide food items in half. It will be easier to create your lumps of coal.
In a large bowl add 1/2 of the Rice Krispies, Nuts and Marshmallow's, mix together.
Microwave the 1/2 candy melts according to the package directions, when completely melted, pour over the cereal, marshmallow's and nuts, coating completely .
Using a table spoon, scoop out small amount of candy mixture and place on waxed or parchment paper, in a small mound. Let dry to hardened.
Serve ASAP! :))) only because they are sweet and fun......

Notes: Repeat with the second half of the ingredients...this recipe makes quite a few treats!

When I wake up at 4 am and feel the eager to make something... I like to make a cup of coffee and enjoy a fire while I cook, early in the morning...

Rice Krispies, Nuts & Marshmallow's...

 Add chocolate, tinted black, and instant fun making Lumps of Coal candy!

 Very yummy and quick to make....

A fun gift...let the receiver decide if they are worthy of such a treat! :)))

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Norwegian Almond Bars...

Oh my, these are so good. One of my favorite cookies from childhood. A little labor intensive but so worth the work... Praises will be sung! I made a double batch and not a crumb is left!

Norwegian Almond Bars
  The CattleQueen

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups of flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt, not leveled
1 cup softened butter, (2 sticks)
1 cup of sugar
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons whipping cream (or milk)
1/2 cup of sliced almonds

Icing Ingredients:

1 cup of powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
3-4 tsp of whipping cream or milk

Directions:

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder & salt. Sift & set aside.
In larger mixing bowl, beat together yhr ugar and soft butter. Then, beat in the almond extract.
Next beat in the flour mixture. The mixture will be crumbly, but will get better the more you work it. Mix until dough blends together.
Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a 12 inch long roll. Place two rolls, 4-5 inches on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
Flatten each roll, with a rolling pin or your hand, until they are about 3 inches wide.
Brush the flattened cookie log with milk, sprinkle with almonds and lightly press into the dough.
Bake at 325 degrees for 12-15 minutes ( I baked mine at 13 minutes).
While the baked cookie slab is still warm, but not hot & on the baking sheet,  diagonally cut into 1 inch strips with a pizza cutter. Carefully transfer the cut cookies to a wire cooling rack and drizzle with the icing.
Store in an airtight container, with parchement or wax paper between each layer. The cookies are better the next day, but how can you resist taste testing? ? ?

Notes: This recipe doubles well.

 This is a Christmas treat for us but, any holiday is worth celebrating with these cookies...

 Simple hint: To hold down the parchment paper while you work; Spray a little cooking spray on the baking pan before placing the parchment paper on top. Works perfect to hold your paper down & in place!

 OH MY....amazing cookies!

 These are baked and glazed....

Ready to bake...

Labor intensive, but... OH so worth it!

XO

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Italian Walnut Cake...

This cake is so rich & moist, made from a box! Tastes like a beloved pastry store cake...

Italian Walnut Cake
  PineCreekStyle

1 box of white cake mix
3 whole eggs, not just the whites
Olive oil in place of vegetible or canola oil as called for on the box directions.
Half water and half heavy whipping cream for the liquid (water) called for on the box
1 level tablespoon of powdered white vanilla
1/4 cup of chopped walnuts, divided for the cake mix
1/4 cup for the garnish on top of the cooked cake
*Powder sugar for icing, I use the butter cream recipe on the box and made half.

Directions:
Mix the ingredients using the directions on the box, when blended, fold in the 1/4 cup walnuts. Bake in two round pans according to the box directions, mine was at 350 degrees. Length of time will be stated on the box according to your pans.
After baked, let cool 20 minutes before turning out

Frosting:
Follow the directions on the box of powder sugar for the butter cream recipe. I made 1/2 the recipe. I also softented the butter, to a creamy texture,  so that I could use the frosting as a glaze. (Same amount of ingredients but the softened creamy butter changes the consistency) Frost the middle layer and the top with equal amounts and let the frosting/glaze slide down the sides of the cake. Garnish the top with chopped walnuts.

 So yummy & rich....but I still wanted more....

 This was a hit with my tasters!

Very rich and moist!

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Turkey Quills...aka Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Who doesn't love the sweet & salty of chocolate covered pretzels? At Halloween I didn't get enough made for all the kids in the family...the ghost pretzels disappeared quick! So I needed to make MORE...for the great nieces and nephews...Who ....didn't forget Aunt NeeCee promised MORE!
Gotta love those babies! So this is what I came up with for Thanksgiving! And everyone was happy in Ranch-land! :)))

Turkey Quills....We see a few of these around the ranch from the wild turkeys...Sometimes up to 300 at a time....Love to watch their turkey dance.....

                                                                  Yummy Good!

Fun for the kids! Of all ages!!!

                Good Morning turkey lurkey......these are in my front yard at the River ranch

My morning Coffee has awesome views! The Sacramento River is behind the turkey's....

              Happy Thanksgiving everyone....
                                         XO

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Spiced Apple Cake....

Remember the Apple Pie Whiskey I posted a while back? (find  the recipe here)...Well, I used the soaked apples from the whiskey to make this cake! Amazing.....check out the recipe below!

Spiced Apple Cake

  The CattleQueen Cooks

Ingredients :

1. One boxed spice cake mix, mix according to the directions (eggs, oil, liquid, etc.)
2. 1 heaping cup of chopped apples, (whiskey soaked optional)
3. *1/2 cup of apple pie whiskey (optional, homemade recipe listed above) &
4. *1/2 cup of water, the whiskey & water will take the place of the liquid listed on the cake mix box
5. 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
6. 1/4 cup Almond, slices
7. Scant amount of water mixed with 1/4 cup of powered sugar for a glaze/topping

Directions:

• In a large bowl place the cake mix, eggs, oil & liquid as directed on the box. *For the liquid I used 1/2 water & half whiskey. Whisk together, set aside...
• In a food processor or blender add the whiskey soaked apples & 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. , making a chunky apple sauce. *(You can also pre-soak the apples in a small anount of whiskey, if you don't make the homemade Apple Pie Recipe.)
• Add the chopped apples to the cake batter and blend.
• After filling the cake pan with the batter, sprinkle the sliced almonds on the top and then bake.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• I used a large round pan or you may use two smaller round pans for your cake. 
• Bake as directed on the cake mix box.
• I greased and dusted the pan with sugar. After baking, I let it sit for 20 minutes and then turned it out of the pan.
• Glaze the warm cake with powdered sugar glaze.

Notes: This makes a wonderful coffee or dessert cake. I make my cake in a thin, single layer, but it could be layered with frosting as well.

 Yummy.....It's great  alone or with a splash in your coffee as well! Link to recipe posted above.

 In a blender, chop the apples fine and stir in some brown sugar.

 Everything is ready to blend

 Delicious!!!

The perfect fall dessert, serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream & coffee.

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Pineapple Macadamia Pastry Roll-ups...

These sweet little treats were a hit!

Pineapple Macadamia Pastry Roll-ups

The CattleQueen Cooks

1 package of pie crust, 2 pieces. bring to room temp

1 small jar of Pineapple Jam

1/2 cup of finely chopped macadamia nuts

2 tablespoons of brown sugar, divided

1 tablespoon of softened butter, divided

Directions:

Roll out the pie crusts, separately

Lightly spread the butter across the top of the pie crust

Next , spread the jam on top

Sprinkle Brown Sugar on the jam

Sprinkle the nuts on the brown sugar

Then, starting on a long side, roll the pie crust until everything is enclosed

 Place in the freezer or refrigerator to chill, not freeze

*This makes the Rollups easier to slice...

Set the oven at 400 degrees, preheat

On a prepared baking sheet, place slices of the roll ups to bake

Bake for 8-10 minutes

Remove from the pan after a few moments to a plate

It will be sticky...

Cool and serve

 Ingredients.....

 Layered with yummies...ready to roll

 Place in the freezer for easier slicing....

Bake and Serve....Yummy GOOD!
XO

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Ghostly Pretzels....

Truly a fun project and gift....So easy to make quickly ...for or with the kids....!!! I made enough to share with all the grandkids from College to grade school!

Love how they turned out! And Tasty TOO!

 Drying......

Have a great day!
XO

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Apple Pie Whiskey...

Apple Pie Whiskey.... Infused Whiskey that tastes as good as it sounds. I love using this for sipping whiskey, a splash in my coffee and so many recipes ....Love Apple Crisp over Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with a splash of this infused whiskey on top!    *This is a recipe for 21yrs and older! **The alcohol cooks out when incorporated into  & cooked the recipe.
here is my original recipe from the pages of my, in progress "The CattleQueen Cooks" cookbook.

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Lemon Tarts....

I wanted a quick dessert....(craving dessert, I should say...)..A few simple ingredients, gave us an amazing flavor packed dessert! I love lemon pie and these Lemon Tarts hit the spot!

Ingredients:

1. 1 package of prepared pie crust
2. 1 jar of Lemon Curd
3. 1/2 cup of Powder Sugar (also extra for garnishing) 
4. Small amount of water for glaze/icing

Directions:

• Using a large, square cookie cutter, cut 16-18 shares from two pie crusts.
• Place on a prepared cookie sheet.
• Place 1/2 teaspoon of lemon curdi n the center of the mini pie crust.
• Sprinkle a small amound of powder sugar over the lemon curd/pie crust.
• Fold the pie Crust over the lemon curd, pressing edges together, forming a triangle.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees . Let cool.
• Mix together 1/2 cup of powder sugar, 1 teaspoon of Lemon curd and a very small amount of water. Mix well to create a thick icing/glaze.
• Drizzle the glaze over the cooled Lemon Tarts. 
• Sprinkle more powder sugar over the tarts.
• Let the graze set for a few minutes before serving.

Tastes like little lemon pies!

Simple & packed with lemony taste! Enjoy....

XO

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