Seven Layer Dip

• 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
• 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (neufchatel- 1/3 of the fat)
• 8 ounces sour cream (light)
• 1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 1 avacado, chopped
• 1 small head iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (I used colby jack)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, blend the taco seasoning mix and refried beans. Spread the mixture onto a large serving platter.
2. Mix the sour cream and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Spread over the refried beans.
3. Top the layers with salsa. Place a layer of tomato, avacado and lettuce over the salsa, and top with Cheddar cheese. Garnish with black olives.

Granola (It Tastes Like a Warm Oatmeal Cookie!)

2 1/2 cups uncooked regular oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sunflower seeds or chopped nuts
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup melted butter
1/4 cup bran or wheat germ
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup raisins

As you may note, this doesn't make a huge amount, so if you have little hands that will want to share with you, I would suggest doubling it. And I've only used sliced almonds (no sunflower seeds yet and wheat germ instead of bran and I don't put the raisins in 'cause my kids don't like them).

Preheat oven to 325. Combine all ingredients except raisins. Bake in a 13 x 9 pan for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in raisins. For cooling, I suggest combining the granola into a big lump, so that it stays moist. If you spread it out to cool it will still taste warm and delicious the first day, but if you have any left by the next day, it will be drier. It's up to you.

Caramel Popcorn

For you Birg :) This stuff is the best!

2 c. brown sugar
1 c. Karo (corn) syrup
1 pinch salt

1 cube butter or marg.
1 tsp. baking soda

1 large bowl of popped corn - usually two full batches in an air popper is plenty.

Instructions: Pop your popcorn, set aside. Bring to boil brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Boil for approximately 2 -3 minutes, or until color changes to darker brown. remove from heat. Add butter and baking soda. Pour over popcorn and mix well. Spread over wax paper to cool.

This recipe takes only about 20 minutes (if you have all your ducks in a row). Also, I find that it works best with fresh popcorn.

Enjoy!

Fruit Bars

These are super easy, and with the granola and fruit in them, I just might eat them for breakfast!

1 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 C oats
1 C brown sugar
1 3/4 sticks butter (softened at room temp) cut into pieces
1 10-12 oz jar of raspberry preserves (could use apricot, strawberry etc)

Mix all ingredients together except for the preserves. Press 1/2 of the mixture into a buttered 8" baking dish.
Spread the preserves over this layer.
Sprinkle remaining crumb topping over preserves layer-tap lightly in place.

Bake at 350* for 30-40 minutes, or until top is lightly browned and preserves are bubbling.

I serve them hot with vanilla ice cream, but they are delicious cooled!

Pumpkin Muffins

1 spice cake mix

1 small can of pumpkin

*When doubling the recipe, add the following (optional) to make even more moist:

- a small packet of vanilla pudding

- 1/3 cup sour cream

Mix ingredients and bake at 350 until done.  Sorry that is not very specific. I did mini muffins and they took about 13 minutes. Bake until they bounce back when you press your finger to them.

I made them just after the truffles.. so I dipped a corner of them in chocolate.. and THAT was even MORE deluxe!

Oh, and I have to give my friend Heather Jones credit for this recipe. I work with her in Young Womens and she is a genius of a cook.  Thanks Heather!

Lip Smackin Apple Dip

3 eight ounce pkgs cream cheese
1 pound brown sugar
2 T vanilla
Heath milk chocolate toffee bits (around 1/2 cup)

Mix together cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Stir in toffee bits to desired amount. Put into serving dish; sprinkle with more toffee bits.

TIPS: I use reduced fat cream cheese (neufchatel.) For easy measuring you can buy brown sugar in a 1 pound box. This recipe is a HUGE hit at parties. Be prepared to hand out recipe after serving!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 C. Shortening1 1/4 C. light Brown sugar2 1/4 C. White sugar
In a large bowl cream together above ingredients. Then mix in:
5 eggs1 TBS. vanilla (pure vanilla will make the cookie taste better) 2 1/4 tsp. salt2 1/4 tsp. baking soda

When the above ingredients are all mixed together add:
5 C. all purpose flour *** ONE CUP AT A TIME ***
DON"T OVER MIX ! ! ! !

add semi-sweet chocolate chips, aprox 2-4 cups, depending on how chocolaty you like it, I like to add some butterscotch pieces with it to add some flavour. Or you can scoop the dough and then dip it into M&M's!
Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375 for aprox 10 min. IMPORTANT!!! Do not overbake these cookies. They are done when they turn "lightly brown" around the edges. (If you cook them longer they will be too crisp.) They may look like they aren't done, but they finish cooking on the pan while they are cooling down.!! AND.... they are even better the next day!!!!