Dewey Apple Dessert

Easy, unusual and delicious!

• 2 cans crescent rolls
• 2 apples, cut into eighths
• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 12 oz Mountain Dew

Wrap each apple section in a cresent roll, arrange in casserole dish. Melt butter, add sugar and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew over all. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Carrot Cake

This is my favorite carrot cake recipe. I like that it's made in a tube pan: no fussing with layers. If you're going to do a carrot cake from scratch, you might as well spring for homemade icing, too. I made this for my husband's birthday cake this year.

• 1 1/2 cups oil
  
• 4 eggs
  
• 2 cups sugar
  
• 2 cups flour
  
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
  
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
  
• 2 1/2 cups grated carrots
  
• 1 cup nuts (optional)
  

Combine first three ingredients. Mix dry ingredients together, add to sugar mixture. Fold in nuts, if desired. Pour into greased and floured tube pan, bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes. Remove from pan and cool before frosting.

Cream cheese frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese
  
• 1 stick butter
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
  
• 4 cups powdered sugar
  
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
  

Soften cream cheese and butter, beat until creamy.  Add vanilla.  Gradually beat in powdered sugar.  Add as much of the milk as needed, until frosting is desired consistency. Note: this makes a bit more frosting than needed for the cake.  About enough for a pan of brownies.

Pork spareribs

Another dish from our New Year's dinner. Enjoy!

• 3-5 pounds pork spareribs

Sauce:

• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic
• 1/4 cup margarine
• 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 4 dashes Tobasco sauce

Bake ribs in 325-degree oven for 90 minutes. Drain. Cook onion in margarine for 10 minutes, then add rest of ingredients and bring sauce to a boil. Pour sauce over ribs and bake 45 more minutes.

Beef shortribs

I made these for our New Year's Eve dinner. Delicious!

• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 3-5 pounds beef shortribs
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 medium carrots

Mix flour, sugar salt and pepper; coat ribs in it, saving remainder. Brown ribs in melted shortening in Dutch oven. Add rest of flour mixture, water, allspice and bay leaf. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until meat is tender. Add carrots and cook for 45 minutes. Remove bay leaf and serve.

Pumpkin Bread

There are lots of recipes for this floating around, but here's my favorite. Moist, holds its shape and slices well, with a cake-like texture.

• 3 cups sugar
• 1 cup oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 pound pumpkin (15 oz. can is fine)
• 2/3 cup water
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves

Mix oil with sugar, beat in eggs. Stir in pumpkin. Mix dry ingredients and add to pumpkin mixture alternately with water. Bake in greased, floured pans about one hone, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Makes 2 large or 3 small loaves.

Peppermint Toads

I made these today for my son's upcoming Harry Potter birthday party.

• 1 lb white (or red) meltable candy beads (I use Merckens or Wilton's, available at craft stores)
• 4 candy canes, crushed
• 3-4 drops peppermint oil

Melt white chocolate, stir in crushed candy and peppermint oil. Pour into frog-shaped molds. (I got mine from Confectionery House) Harden in freezer and remove.

Tomorrow I'm using the same technique with dark chocolate for Chocolate Frogs.

Fudge sauce

My grandma used to make this. It's easy and delicious. I frequently fill jelly jars with it and give it as Christmas gifts to my kids' teachers. Best when served with Mayfield's Peppermint Stick ice cream (or some lesser brand if you can't get Mayfield's.)

• 3 squares unsweetened chocolate
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine first three ingredients, bring to boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring vigorously with wire whisk. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla. Serve warm or cold.