Mudpies - A.K.A. No-Bake Cookies (Candy)

My Mom made these delicious chocolate and oatmeal, no-bake cookies every year for holidays.  Christmas.  Easter.  Thanksgiving. 4th of July...Family reunion - a true family staple.  As a child, these were my favorite.  I couldn't hardly wait and would often volunteer to "help" just so I could sneak an early bite (or two).  In Mom's cookbook, this recipe is labeled quite simply: No-Bake Cookies (Candy).  I have decided to start calling them Mudpies.  Yes, yes, I know this is quite a common recipe and many households have prepared and shared this recipe for generations.  My Mom would both appreciate and be amused by our name-calling of these yummy treats.  Knowing her grandsons got to enjoy these "Mudpies" would just be the icing on her cake.  Thank you for sharing with us Mom, we love and miss you!

Ingredients & Directions:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 stick margarine

Combine in a sauce pan and bring to a boil, mixing well.  Remove from heat.  Add to remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Mix well with chocolate sauce.  Drop by spoonful on to wax paper and allow to cool.  To store, wrap tightly and store in an air-tight container.

 



Baked French Toast

Ingredients:

• 1/2 loaf day old bread, torn into bite-size pieces
• 6 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1-1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1-1 1/2 tsp vanilla sugar
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2-1 cup golden raisins

Directions:

1. Tear bread slices into pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add eggs, half-and-half, vanilla, cinnamon, sugar, cream cheese, and raisins - mix well.
3. Turn mixture into a prepared baking dish and cover to refrigerate overnight, or for at least an hour prior to baking.
4. When ready to bake: preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 35-45 minutes until fully set.
5. Serve with syrup and fresh fruit if desired. Enjoy!!

Hints: This is a great recipe to prepare the night before for an easy breakfast the next day. Have a part of a loaf of bread that needs to be used up? Make good use of that bread! No vanilla sugar? Regular sugar works well too! The added bonus is how delicious the house will smell as this is baking. Enjoy!

Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:

• 3 cups AP flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 3 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine: flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and sugar. Mix well.
3. Next add eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Mix well.
4. Almost there...add 2 cups of grated zucchini and - mix well. By now, batter should be heavy and very wet.
5. Last, stir in the chopped walnuts just prior to filling the baking pan(s).
6. Bake at 325 degrees F for 45-50 minutes...or until cake tester comes out clean.
7. Allow to cool and rack before serving.

Hint: Wrap unused bread tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for later, if desired. Great with a nice, hot cup of coffee...or cold glass of milk. Next time - I'm making cupcakes instead of loaves!!

I shared this recipe over at Cups by Kim, for her Sweet & Simple Sunday recipe swap...go check it out!