Wendy's Easy Cheesecake

This is how my Mother in Law makes her "famous" cheesecake. We call it famous because she has made it with this way for years and the whole family asks for it often. Everyone loves this stuff and it is so easy!  I always double this to a 9x13.  -Kristin

1 box Jello No Bake Cheesecake mix

1 (8oz.) package cream cheese, softened

Pie Filling of Choice

Cool Whip

• Make the cheesecake crust as directed on the box and press into 8 inch square pan.
• Mix the filling as directed on the box and add the softened cream cheese to it. Beating until smooth.
• Pour filling over crust and refridgerate.
• When ready to serve, spread with pie filling and top with cool whip.

Fruit Dip

I have been making this since I was a teenager, it's so simple, and so yummy! I love it with bananas, any fruit is good though. We have also used this to make a torte, layered with angle food cake pieces and fruit. -Sarah

1 pkg. instant vanilla pudding
2 cups milk
8 oz. Cool whip

• Make pudding with milk and fold in Cool Whip. Different variations change the flavor slightly, like using french vanilla pudding or Cool Whip.

Hot Fudge Sauce

This is the most delicious hot fudge sauce! It's originally from a dessert recipe, but we started making it for our hot fudge sauce needs. It is awesome no matter how you eat it! It keeps very well in the freezer. -Sarah

1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
3 cups powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla

• In a small saucepan melt chocolate chips and butter, add powdered sugar and evaporated milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened.  This will take at least 30 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Bread Maker - Honey Whole Wheat Bread

I love this bread. It has awesome crusty edges that are great to dip in soup! This recipe is for a 2 # loaf. -Kristin

1 1/2 c. warm water

2 t. salt

1/3 c. honey

2 1/4 c. bread flour

2 c. whole wheat flour

2 T. shortening

2 T. dry milk

1 t. bread machine or quick active dry yeast

• Place all in bread maker pan in order recommended by the manufacturer.
• Select Whole Wheat or Basic/White cycle. Use light or medium crust color.

Black Bean Rice Salad

This is a great cold rice salad that goes great with many meals or as a light lunch. -Kristin

2 c. cooked brown rice
1 can corn kernels

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 small red onion, diced
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced (or 1-3 canned pickled jalapenos minced)
4 T. red wine vinegar
3 T. lime juice, fresh
2 T. olive oil
1/2 t. salt

• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and stir well.
• Refrigerate for at least an hour.

Cornflake Cookies

These are so yummy and so quick to throw together. -Kristin

1 c. sugar

1 c. light corn syrup

1/4 c. melted butter

1 c. peanut butter

6 c. corn flake cereal

• In a saucepan combine the sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil and then remove from heat.
• Stir in the butter and peanut butter.
• Pour over cereal and stir well.
• Put on wax paper in a 1/4 c. measure.

Low Sugar Banana Bread

This is a recipe of my Mom's, it's a healthier version of her original banana bread and it's so yummy, my kids gobble it up without thinking it's any different! -Sarah

1 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup mashed banana
1/3 cup oil
1 egg
1/2 cup orange juice

• Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
• Mix wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
• Combine dry with wet and mix just until combined. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.

Pizza Crust in the Bread Maker

I always used this recipe before I got the other one that's posted on the blog. This is a really great recipe too, it takes a little more time to plan, but it's worth it! -Sarah

single crust
7 1/2 oz. water (80 degrees)
2 T. oil
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 t. sugar
1/2 t. salt
2 t. yeast

double crust
10 1/2 oz. water (80 degrees)
4 T. oil
4 cups all purpose flour
1 t. sugar
1 t. salt
2 1/2 t. yeast

• Place all ingredients in bread machine, according to manufacturer.
• Making sure to select DOUGH setting.
• When the machine is finished, remove dough and knead about 1 minute. Then let rest for 15 minutes.
• Roll dough out onto greased pan and let rise in a warm place for about 20-25 minutes.
• Top with sauce and your favorite ingredients, bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Bread (bread maker)

This is a great recipe for raisin bread, and it's so easy when all the work is done for you. It makes the house smell great while it's baking. We like this bread plain or toasted. It's also great with peanut butter. -Sarah

1 1/2 pound loaf
11 oz. milk (80 degrees)
2 T. butter
2 3/4 cups bread flour
3/4 cup oats
2 T. brown sugar
1 1/4 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
2 t. yeast
1/2 cup raisins

2 pound loaf
13 oz. milk (80 degrees)
2 T. butter
3 1/4 cups bread flour
1 cup oats
2 1/2 T. brown sugar
1 1/2 t. salt
1 1/4 t. cinnamon
2 1/4 t. yeast
2/3 cup raisins

• Layer in order according to your bread machine's instructions. (all except raisins)
• Add raisins when the alert sounds during the knead cycle.
• If you are using the time delay feature place the raisins on top of the ingredients, around the edge, away from the yeast and making sure they don't touch the liquid.

Old Fashioned White Bread for the Breadmaker

I don't experiment with bread maker recipes often. I have my favorites that I come back to again and again.This bread recipe is one of them. This recipe makes a very soft and flavorful white bread that is perfect for sandwiches or bread and butter. -Sarah

1 1/2 pound loaf
11 oz. milk (80 degrees)
2 T. butter
3 1/3 cups bread flour
2 T. sugar
1 1/4 t. salt
2 t. yeast

2 pound loaf
13 oz. milk (80 degrees)
2 T. butter
4 cups bread flour
2 1/2 T. sugar
1 1/2 t. salt
2 1/4 t. yeast

Layer in order recommended for your bread maker.

Pumpkin Apple Bread

This is yummy bread! I love the pumpkin and apple combination. -Kristin

2 c. all purpose flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 t. pumpkin pie spice
1 egg

1 c. low fat buttermilk
1 apple, cored and grated
1/2 c. canned pumpkin puree

• Preheat oven to 350 and spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.
• In large bowl whisk together all dry ingredients; set aside.
• In smaller bowl combine the rest of the ingredients.
• Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir till just combined.
• Pour into prepared loaf pan.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes.

BBQ Lentils

This is a great vegetarian dinner, my family surprised me by how much they loved it. This is a great meal, frugal and yummy! -Sarah

1/2# lentils
4 cups water
4 t. beef boullion
2 T. olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 cup chopped carrot
1 cup chopped celery
3 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper
3/4 cup BBQ sauce
1/4 cup ketchup

• Place lentils in a pan with water and boullion. Bring to a simmer, cook about 15 minutes, till just tender, drain, reserving broth.
• In another pan, cook vegetables in oil, until just tender. Add to lentils with BBQ sauce and ketchup. Thin with a little broth.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
• Serve over rice.