Keys to the Kingdom

Recently the Lord answered a fervent prayer with a ‘yes.’  The result was a sense of well- being that I still carry with me every time I look at my extra set of keys.  Yes, you heard it right. Keys!!!

You see, since my husband’s death, I have been carrying 2 sets of keys with me at all times.  It’s one of those quirky things widows do as a coping mechanism.  In the past, if I locked my keys in the car, I simply called my husband, and he bailed me out of trouble.  It’s not like it has happened often in my life, but knowing he was my go-to guy and protector was a secure thing for me.

My keys had been missing for 5 days.  I knew the last time I had them, but simply could not remember where I mislaid them.  I prayed, I made phone calls to places where I had been, and searched my pockets, purse and work bag numerous times to no avail.

I still had one set, so life continued on, BUT that sense of anxiety came back every time I saw my single set of keys. Prayers continued.  I talk to the Lord throughout the day.  I knew He knew where my keys were.  HE knows everything!!

Honestly, it was literally minutes after that last prayer when I walked into my workplace and saw my keys sitting on a counter.  I just felt relief flood my being that the Creator of this world cared enough for this absent-minded speck of dust, the HE would lead me to those keys.  He cares for the very minute details of our lives.

I was reminded of the verse, “I sought the Lord and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

I baked cookies for my co-workers that day.  Here is the recipe...

GERMAN CHOCOLATE
THUMBPRINT COOKIES


Topping
1 c. sugar 
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 c. evaporated milk 
1-1/2 c. coconut
1/2 c. margarine 
1-1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 tsp. vanilla
In a heavy 2 quart saucepan, combine milk, margarine, vanilla, and egg yolks; blend well. 
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 10 minutes or until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in pecans and coconut.
Reserve 1 & 1/2 cups topping and set aside for adding to the cookie batter.


Cookies
1 pkg. German chocolate cake mix 
1-1/2 c. topping 
1/3 c. margarine
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, margarine, and the reserved topping. 
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes for easier handling. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Shape dough into 1 inch balls; place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. 
Make indentation in center of ball; fill indentation with 1/2 tsp. of topping. 
Bake @ 350° for 10 minutes or until set. Cookies will spread a bit. Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheet. Yield: 4 dozen cookies.
Note: This is like a mini German chocolate cake. Feel free to use the topping as the frosting for German chocolate cake, because that is exactly what it is.

Confectionately  Yours,

Sue

Cake Mix Cookies

Sorry for the late post....   I am having trouble finding the written piece that was featured on Monday's segment of Confectionately Yours.  BUT..here's the recipe.

CAKE MIX COOKIES


1 box cake mix  (lemon, chocolate, strawberry, or orange)
1 stick margarine, softened
1 T. water
2 large eggs 
powdered sugar

Mix together. and refrigerate dough for 2 hours. Scoop into balls about the size of a walnut. Roll into powdered sugar and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.


Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes. Sift powdered sugar on top of warm cookie.


Yield:about 26 cookies
Note: These cookies bake up soft and tender. Leave them in the full 12 minutes for a firmer texture. I tested this recipe using the lemon cake mix. 




My son tasted them and said, "Holy Cow, these are good!!" and he was right!!

Confectionately  Yours,

Sue

Lost Keys & Prayer Answered

 Keys to the Kingdom

Yesterday the Lord answered a fervent prayer with a ‘yes.’  The result was a sense of well- being that I still carry with me every time I look at my extra set of keys.  Yes, you read it right. Keys!!!

You see, since my husband’s death, I have been carrying 2 sets of keys with me at all times. 

It’s one of those quirky things widows do as a coping mechanism.  

In the past, if I locked my keys in the car, I simply called my husband, and he bailed me out of trouble.  It’s not like it has happened often in my life, but knowing he was my go-to guy and protector was a secure thing for me.

My keys had been missing for 5 days.  I knew the last time I had them, but simply could not remember where I mislaid them.  I prayed, I made phone calls to places where I had been, and searched my pockets, purse and work bag numerous times to no avail.

I still had one set, so life continued on, BUT that sense of anxiety came back every time I saw my single set of keys. Prayers continued.  I talk to the Lord throughout the day.  I knew He knew where my keys were.  HE knows everything!!

Honestly, it was literally minutes after that last prayer when I walked into my workplace and saw my keys sitting on a counter.  I just felt relief flood my being that the Creator of this world cared enough for this absent-minded speck of dust, the HE would lead me to those keys.  He cares for the very minute details of our lives.

I was reminded of the verse, “I sought the Lord and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

I brought cookies for my co-workers that day, & I am happy to share the recipe with you.  :-)

GERMAN CHOCOLATE
THUMBPRINT COOKIES


Topping
1 c. sugar 
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 c. evaporated milk 
1-1/2 c. coconut
1/2 c. margarine 
1-1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 tsp. vanilla
In a heavy 2 quart saucepan, combine milk, margarine, vanilla, and egg yolks; blend well. 
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 10 minutes or until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in pecans and coconut.
Reserve 1 & 1/2 cups topping and set aside for adding to the cookie batter.


Cookies
1 pkg. German chocolate cake mix 
1-1/2 c. topping 
1/3 c. margarine
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, margarine, and the reserved topping. 
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes for easier handling. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Shape dough into 1 inch balls; place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. 
Make indentation in center of ball; fill indentation with 1/2 tsp. of topping. 
Bake @ 350° for 10 minutes or until set. Cookies will spread a bit. Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheet. Yield: 4 dozen cookies.
Note: This is like a mini German chocolate cake. Feel free to use the topping as the frosting for German chocolate cake, because that is exactly what it is.

                                    Confectionately  Yours,

Sue

Not so secret recipes

 Hi WEEC listeners,

Below is the soup & cookie  recipe mentioned on today's segment.  

Cheesy Tortilla Soup 1/4 cup butter OR margarine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 3 cups chicken broth 1 cup milk 8 oz. Velveeta process cheese food - cubed 10 oz. can Ro*Tel® tomatoes and chilies 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken 1 tsp. cumin 1 tsp. chili powder 1-3 tsp. chicken soup base, to taste pepper – to taste Dried cilantro, to taste flour tortillas – as needed, about 4 - 6 shredded Colby Jack cheese OR Mexican blend cheese – as needed

-In a pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes. -Slowly whisk in small amounts of chicken broth at a time, then whisk in milk. -Reduce heat to low and stir in Velveeta cubes; stir until melted. -Stir in Ro*Tel, chicken, and spices. -Once soup is heated through, it is ready to serve at this point. However, if you wish to make tortilla strips, it can sit over low heat while they are made. Stir the soup occasionally. -For tortilla strips, cut tortillas into strips and deep-fry in 350 degree vegetable or peanut oil until golden, then drain on cooling racks. -Spoon a ladleful of soup into a bowl, add a handful of shredded cheese, then spoon another ladleful of soup over cheese. Sprinkle tortilla strips over top. Repeat for remaining servings. Note-I did not use the butter and I increased the flour a bit.  I whisked it into the chicken broth and heated until boiling, stirring constantly.  When mixture was thickened, I added the Rotel, and cheese (I had actually made cheese sauce with Velvetta and cream cheese & I used that.) (See pretzels and cheese sauce recipe inBaking a Memory. (my cookbook)  Turn down the heat to very low, add the milk, and chili powder and cumin.  Taste and add enough soup base to taste along with the pepper and cilantro.  It was wonderful! Not-so secret Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies Twenty-three years ago these cookies were delivered to my door after the birth of my daughter.  My friend would not share the recipe as it was a family recipe, BUT with a little perseverance, I finally discovered a recipe that leads me to believe the secret is out!!                 Enjoy!! Crispy CC Cookies Ingredients: ·                     1/2 cup butter ·                     1 cup sugar ·                     1 egg ·                     1 teaspoon vanilla ·                     1 1/4 cup flour ·                     1/2 teaspoon baking soda ·                     1/4 teaspoon salt ·                     2 cups Rice Krispies or Special K cereal ·                     1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips ·                     1 cup chopped nuts, optional   Method: 1.            Beat butter and sugar together until well blended. 2.            Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. 3.            Combine flour, soda and salt.   4.            Add to creamed sugar mixture and mix until combined. 5.            Stir in rice cereal and chocolate chips (and nuts).  6.            Drop by tablespoon onto parchment lined cookie sheets. 7.            Bake at 350° F for  10-12 minutes...or until lightly browned. 8.            Allow to cool for several minutes, and then transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.  Or better still...eat them warm!           Yield: about 3 dozen fair-sized cookies. Confectionately  Yours, Sue