Fruit Dip

by Kathy Brasier Sikorski

This was light, creamy and delicious! And with fruit, you can convince yourself it's healthy, too!

Fruit Dip
16 oz container vanilla yogurt
8 oz container Cool Whip
1 pkg vanilla instant pudding
Dash of cinnamon (optional)

Mix together using a whisk. Serve with fruit, vanilla wafers, or graham crackers. (Warning, it makes a lot!
)

Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars

by Kathy Brasier Sikorski

Mmmm! Perfect for fall! These would be delicious as an alternative to pumpkin pie after Thanksgiving dinner. Or with it. We don't judge.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars
1 pkg yellow cake mix
2 ½ cups quick-cooking oats
5 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon water

Filling:
1 can (15 oz) solid pack pumpkin
¼ cup cream cheese
¼ cup milk
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
2 eggs
¼ cup chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine cake mix and oats; set aside ½ cup for topping. Add butter, honey and water to
remaining cake mixture. Press onto the bottom of a greased 13x9 baking pan.

For filling, in a large bowl, beat pumpkin, cream cheese, milk, brown sugar, maple syrup and spices until
blended. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust.

In a small bowl, combine walnuts, butter and reserved cake mixtures; sprinkle over filling.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until set and edges are lightly browned. Cool completely
before cutting into bars. Yield: 2 dozen

Party Meatballs

by Kathy Sikorski Brasier

I may have gone back for seconds of these. And thirds. And maybe the one on my 2-year old's plate that she didn't eat, I ate. Just maybe.

Party Meatballs
Mix together:
2 eggs, beaten
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
½ teaspoon pepper
Add and mix together:
3 lbs ground beef
Shape into 1-inch meatballs. Place into 3 greased 13x9 baking pans.

Sauce: 2 cups ketchup
1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
½ cup chopped onion
Mix together; pour over meatballs. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until cooked through. Yield: about
7 dozen meatballs

Rice Krispie Squares/Scotcheroos

By Kathy Brasier Sikorski

She calls them Rice Krispie Squares, to me they are Scotcheroos. Either way, they are fantastic. Perfect with a cup of hot coffee (to wash the sticky off your teeth.) So good!

Rice Krispie Squares
1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup (white)
1 cup peanut butter
6 cups Rice Krispies
1 pkg chocolate chips
1 pkg butterscotch chips

Combine sugar and corn syrup and large pan. Heat to rolling boil. Remove from heat; stir in peanut
butter. Add cereal. Press into 13x9 pan. Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together. Spread over
cereal mixture. Cool completely.

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

By Kathy Brasier Sikorski

This was delicious--I could have stolen the whole bowl and eaten it for lunch. (Not saying I did, but I could have!)

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 pkg (10 oz eac) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed
1 cup (8 oz) sour cream
1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8-1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a large skillet (coated with spray or small amount of oil), cook and stir onion until tender. Add spinach.
Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through. Reduce heat to low; stir in cream cheese and
sour cream. Add the artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Cook 1-2
minutes. Transfer to ungreased 1 ½ quart dish; sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Cover and microwave on
high 2-3 minutes, until cheese melts. Serve warm with melba toast or pita chips or crackers. Yield: 18
servings

Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies

by Kathy Brasier Sikorski

Celebrating their 10th anniversary by feeding us lots of goodies? I love these people! Congrats to Kathy and Kevin, and thanks! Several recipes to come!

Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies
¾ cup baking cocoa
½ teaspoon baking soda
2/3 cup butter or margarine, divided
½ cup boiling water
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup coarsely chopped pecans (optional)
2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chunks

In a large bowl, combine cocoa and baking soda; blend in 1/3 cup melted butter. Add boiling water; stir
until well blended. Stir in sugar, eggs, and remaining butter. Add flour, vanilla and salt. Stir in pecans and chocolate chunks. Pour into a greased 13x9 baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or untilvbrownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely. Yield: 3 dozen