Coconut Oatmeal Crispies

1 cup butter-flavored shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup flaked coconut
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

In a mixing bowl, cream the shortening and both sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.

Combine the oats, flour, coconut, baking soda, and the salt. Gradually add to the creamed mixture.

Shape into two 6 inch rolls. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

Unwrap the dough and cut into 1/4 inch slices. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 F for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove to the wire racks to cool. Makes 4 dozen

Caramel Cream Sandwich Cookies

Cookies:
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 egg yolk
2 cups flour

Frosting:
2 tbsp butter (do not use margarine)
1 1/4 cups powdered sygar
1/2 tsp vanilla
4 to 5 tsp milk

In a large bowl, beat the brown sugar and 1 cup butter with an electric mixer on medium speed. Scrape the bowl occasionally until light and fluffy.

Beat in the egg yolk.

On low speed, beat in the flour until well blended.

If necessary, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes for easier handling.

Heat the oven to 325 F.

Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. With a fork dipped in flour, flatten each ball to 1 1/2 inches round.

Bake for 10 to 14 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool for 1 minute. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a 2-quart saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat, stirring constantly, until light golden brown. Remove from the heat. Stir in the remaining frosting ingredients. Add enough milk until smooth and spreadable. Spread 1 teaspoon of frosting between the bottoms of pairs of cooled cookies.

Makes 30 sandwich cookies



Recipe Source: Pillsbury Bake-Off - Helen Beckman

Colorful Caramel Bites

1 cup + 6 Tbs. flour, divided
1 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats, uncooked
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, melted
1-3/4 cups "M&M's" semi-sweet chocolate mini baking bits, divided
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans, divided
12 oz. jar caramel ice cream topping

Heat oven to 350.

Combine 1 cup flour, oats, sugar, baking soda and salt;
blend in melted butter to form crumbly mixture.

Press half the crumb mixture onto bottom of 9x9 inch baking pan;
bake 10 minutes.

Sprinkle with 1 cup "M&M's" baking bits and 1 cup nuts.

Blend remaining 6 Tbs. flour with caramel topping; pour over top.

Combine remaining crumb mixture, remaining 3/4 cup "M&M's" and remaining 1/2
cup nuts; sprinkle over caramel layer.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool completely.

Cut into squares. Makes 36 bars.


Source: Favorite Brand Name 100 Best Bake Sale Recipes

Crab Toast

I have not tried this recipe personally, but plan on trying it out soon. I would use real crab meat! Don't know what the originator of the recipe considers to be Italian cheese blend, but I would use mozzarella cheese . . .

1 loaf French bread
1/4 C. butter cubed
4 plum tomatoes peeled and finely chopped, divided
1 jalapeno pepper seeded and chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
2 t. minced fresh cilantro
2 (8 oz) pkg. imitation crab meat
3/4 C. ricotta cheese
1/2 C. sour cream
2 C. shredded Italian cheese blend divided

Cut bread in half horizontally, hollow out top and bottom leaving 1" shells. Crumble removed bread, set aside.

In a large skillet melt butter over medium heat; add half of the tomatoes. Add the jalapeno, garlic and cilantro; cook and stir for 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.

In a large bowl, combine the crab, ricotta and sour cream. Stir in the tomato mixture, reserved bread crumbs and 1 C. cheese blend. Spoon into bread shells. Place on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.

Top with remaining cheese blend and tomatoes. Bake 5-7 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.


Source: Dorie @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DoriesRecipeBox/