2 1/2 Cups Bran Cereal*

1 1/2 Cups Buttermilk

1 3/4 Cups Flour (sifted)

1 egg

1/3 cup Oil

1 Cup Raisins*

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar (packed)

1 TB Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Soda

1/8 tsp Salt

1 Cup chopped Pecans (optional)
Mix together Bran Cereal and Buttermilk and set aside (Bran will soften).  Meanwhile combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt, raisins and nuts in a separate bowl and set aside.  When bran has softened add egg, oil and sugars and mix well.  Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three stages.  Mix until combined.  Do Not Over mix.  Fill muffin Tins about 2/3’s full.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Note: These can be made with Bran Cereal that already has raisins in it.  When using this option increase cereal to 3 Cups and leave out extra cup of Raisins.

Enjoy!

Bread Pudding has been such a popular dessert in my family for many years probably because it was not expensive to make.  My grandparents were Sharecroppers so milk, eggs and butter were always available.   This is such an easy recipe just mix everything up and bake.  It is a great way to use up day-old bread too!

6 - 8 Cups Any Style Bread
4 Cups Milk
2 Cups Sugar
4 Tbs Butter (melted and cooled)
3 eggs
2 Tbs Vanilla
1 Cup Raisins
1 Cup Coconut
2 Cups Chopped Pecans

Combine all ingredients and mix just until moistened.  Poor into a buttered Casserole dish or 9×9 inch Pan and bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes.  Do not Pre-heat Oven.

1 can Tuna Fish
2 T Onion (finely chopped)
2 T Celery (chopped)
2 T Sweet Relish*
3 Boiled Eggs (diced)
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1/3 cup Mayonnaise
1/2 tsp Mustard (optional)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Drain Tuna and break fish up with a fork. Add remaining ingredients. Chill in a tightly covered plastic bowl in refrigerator. Serve with Lettuce or make sandwich’s.

*For a Low Carb Alternative: Replace Sweet pickles with Sugar Free Relish or Dill Relish. Can be served on Low Carb Bread or my Favorite… Low Carb Whole Wheat Tortillas!! Very Yummy!

So you are just dying for a gourmet brownie but really don’t want to spare the expense? You can take an ordinary box of brownie mix and make it look and taste as if you bought it at a Gourmet Restaurant.

1 Box Fudge Brownie Mix
6 oz bag mini chocolate chips
2/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 can chocolate frosting

Cut open and pour brownie mix into a large mixing bowl. Add pecans and chips to the mix first and mix it together. This will keep the pecans and chips from sinking to the bottom when cooking. Add water, oil and eggs as per directions on the box. Mix until just combined. Do not beat or over-mix. Poor into a 13×9, 9×9 or 7×11 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes — depending on the size of your pan. Do not overbake. Remove from over and let cool completely before cutting.

Next, cut brownie into squares and place on a saucer. Spread a little frosting on top of each and top with a few chopped nuts.

More Ideas:

–Try adding a dollop of cool whip and a few sliced strawberries on top instead of frosting.
–Or you can try a scoop of your favorite ice cream on top.
–For a more elegant look if you are entertaining, place a doily on your plate then place the brownie on top.

It’s only just turned July and the temperature is steady rising but you can cool down with one of these yummy Icy cool Snack ideas.

Root beer Floats — Yum! As a kid we made these often during the summer. All you do is add a couple of scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream to a tall glass then fill it up with root beer. Add a straw or a long dessert spoon and you are good to go!

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich — It is so easy to make your own ice cream sandwiches. Just take two large soft cookies (chocolate, chocolate chip etc…) and add a big scoop of your favorite flavored ice cream on one cookie and top it off with another! Oh So good!

Flavored Ice — Here’s a cool treat for the kids. It’s so easy even they can make it. All you need is to make a Pitcher of Flavored drink mix like, cherry, lemonade or tropical punch. Poor into Ice Cube trays and freeze. These are great added to flavored drinks without watering it down with regular ice. You can also serve them before they are completely frozen as a cold slushy eaten with a spoon.

Ice Cream Shake — Add two scoops of Ice Cream (any flavor) 1/4 cup milk or half and half and a 1/2 to 1 cup of ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve in a tall glass with a straw. Note: Try putting some strawberries or bananas in the blender with the Ice Cream!

Snow Cones — One of the greatest summertime treats ever! You can buy the flavorings for snow cones at your local Super Market. They even sell snow cone makers in most super stores. They are inexpensive and so much fun to use especially for a Pool Party or even a Child’s Party.

Sunbeam #IS400 White Snow Cone Maker

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