Becky's Strawberry Pecan Pretzel Salad

This is one of my all-time favorite things that I will always associate with Becky! Kaela and I are usually trying to find the balance between eating the whole bowl and feeling sick!

1 cup crushed pretzels
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup melted butter
3 cups diced strawberries
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups whipped cream
Mix together pretzels, pecans, brown sugar, and butter. Bake at 400 degrees for 7 minutes on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Cool and crumble.
Combine cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Fold in whipped cream. Before serving, stir all ingredients together.

Submitted by: Gina

Becky's Honey Corn Bread

Becky made this corn bread when we went up to visit and it is SO good! Figured I'd just post the recipe for her. ;)

1 cup cornmeal
3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2/3 cup oil
1/3 cup melted butter
2 Tbsp. honey
4 eggs, beaten
2 1/2 cups whole milk

Stir cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together. Add in the rest. Don't over-mix. Pout into greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Submitted by: Gina

Val's Sugar Cookies and Icing

For cookies:
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
5 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill dough for at least an hour (or overnight). Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake 6-8 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet.

For icing:
2 lbs. powdered sugar
1 package (8oz) cream cheese
3/4 cup light corn syrup
Beat together and ice cookies.

Submitted by: Gina

Linnea's Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce

1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef (I do half and half)
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 tsp. beef bouillon
2 Tbsp. minced parsley
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Cook sausage/ground beef with onion and garlic. Place all ingredients in crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve over hot spaghetti. May make ahead and freeze. Makes 6-8 servings.
Submitted by: Gina

Candy Syrup

Ok, technically this is called Buttermilk Syrup, but we call it candy syrup and it's the only kind of syrup that some of my kids will eat. It is so yummy!

Buttermilk Syrup

• Author: Our Best Bites

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Description

Your newest go-to sauce and syrup for…well, everything.

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SCALE 

Ingredients

• 3/4 c. buttermilk
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 stick real butter
• 2 Tbsp. corn syrup
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. vanilla

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Instructions

1. Combine buttermilk, sugar, butter, corn syrup, and baking soda in a LARGE pot. Like one you’d make soup in. Yes, you’ll have way more pot than ingredients (and I’m not referring to the green leafy stuff), but this will boil all over your newly-cleaned stove if you put it in a smaller saucepan.
2. Bring ingredients to a boil and reduce heat to low (as long as it’s still bubbling, you’re okay). Cook, stirring very frequently, for 8-9 minutes. You’re basically making candy here and candy-making requires constant vigilance.
3. When it’s done, it should take on a golden-brown color. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
4. There will be foam on top. It tastes just as good, but it’s not super pretty. If you’re into aesthetics, you can skim it off; otherwise, just give it a good stir.

French bread

Made this for Nana’s birthday. After the first rise I punched it down ...shaped and scored it. After the 2nd rise I made a topping using 2T softened butter, salt, pepper, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Yummy!
-Mandy