Grandma Davies Hot Cross Buns- for Easter

1 pkg yeast
2 c scalded milk (cooled)
2 T sugar
7 1/2 c sifted flour
1/2 c butter or margarine
2/3 c sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c raisins or currents
1/2 tsp salt

Dissolve yeast and 2 T sugar in warm milk.
Add 3 1/4 c flour to make a sponge. Beat until smooth. Cover and let rise until light in a warm place free from draft (1 hour). Beat sugar and butter, add eggs and bead, add to above mixture and beat some more. Add rest of flour and the salt to make a moderately soft dough.
Turn onto a floured board and knead lightly, adding raisins which have been floured.
Place in greased bowl and cover, let rise about 2 hours.
Shape into round buns, flatten down and place far apart on cookie sheet.
Let rise again (about 2 hours).
Glaze with egg(beaten slightly) and diluted with a bit of water.
Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
Remove from oven and while still warm put a cross on the top with butter icing recipe.

Grandma Davies Half-hour Pudding

Put in bowl to mix - 1/3 c sugar, pinch of salt, 1 c flour 2 tsp baking powder, 1 c raisins and mix with 1/2 c sweet milk (not buttermilk). Put into greased bowl to cook.

Take 2 c boiling water or a little more. Mix with 1 c brown sugar, 1 T butter, 1/4 tsp nutmeg and pour over batter.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until top part is done. This will have sauce in the bottom. Serve hot or cold with cream or ice cream.

Verda's Pineapple Cake

Take 1 yellow cake mix and mix as directed. Bake in two sheet pans 9 x 13 for 12 - 15 minutes. Take one 6 oz cream cheese, mix with 1 large pkg of instant pineapple cream pudding m,ix and 4 cups milk. Spread mixture on top of cooled cake. Top with well drained crushed pineapple (you might want to use one can per cake. Top with cool whip. This is best made the day before . Store in fridge. Also can be frozen.

Aunt Shirley's Whole Wheat Waffles

1 1/2 c whole wheat flout
2 1/4 t baking powder
3/4 t salt
1/2/T honey
1 1/8 c milk
1/4 c oil
2 eggs, separated

Beat egg yolks light and fluffy, add milk. Add dry ingredients. Add oil and honey. Beat egg whites until light and fluffy, add just before putting on the griddle. Enough for 2 people. Double for 4 adults.

Grandma Davies Boiled Raisin Cake

1 1/4 c raisins
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1 c brown sugar
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 c water
1 1/2 c sifted flour
3 T butter

Combine raisins, sugar and spices, salt and water in a covered saucepan. Bring to boil, boil 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat, add butter, set aside to cool. Add remaining ingredients, mix just enough to blend. Put in 9x9 square pan, bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Aunt Shirley's Large Carrot Cake

1 1/2 c oil
2 c sugar
2 c grated carrots
1 c crushed pineapple
1 t cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 T grated orange rind
1/2 c coconut
1 1/2 c chopped nuts
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 c flour
2 tsp soda
Mix together and bake in a 9x12 pan at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
Frost with the following:
1- 4 oz soft cream cheese
1 lb powdered sugar
1/4 lb soft margarine
1 t vanilla

Grandma Davies Fruit Cocktail Dessert

1 c flour
1 c sugar
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1-15 oz can fruit cocktail (do not drain)
Put all ingredients into bowl and stir, put into greased 9x9 pan and top with 1/2 c brown sugar mixed with 1/2 c chopped nuts. Bake approx. 35 minutes at 325 degrees. Serve with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry on top for a delicious dessert

Rhubarb Pie

Grant fell in love with GG because of her Rhubarb Pie.

3 T flour
1 c sugar
2 c rhubarb cut into small pieces
1 recipe of Plain Pastry
Stir flour and sugar together, add egg, beat thoroughly and add rhubarb.
Line pie pan with pastry and pour in filling. Cover with top crust or lattice and bake in very hot oven (425 deg.) for 10 minutes; reduce temperature to moderate (350 degrees)and bake 35 minutes longer. Makes 1 (9-inch) pie.

Congo Squares

It seemed like GG always had these on hand.
2 3/4 c sifted flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2/3 c melted shortening
1 pk chocolate chips
2 1/4 c brown sugar
1 c nuts
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
Add shortening to sugar and cream well. Add eggs and beat. Add rest of ingredients. Mix well and spread in pan 3/4 inch thick. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minute. Cool and cut.

Pinoche

Grandma Davies used to make this candy- it was rich,decadent,and yummy. You will need a candy thermometer.
2 c brown sugar
2 c white sugar
2 T corn syrup
2 c milk or milk and cream mixed
2 tsp almond extract
1 c chopped walnuts
Mix first 4 ingredients and stir until dissolved, cook to soft ball stage. Pour onto platter, add 2 T butter. Cool. Beat as for fondant, pour into 9x9 pan. cool, but in squares before it gets set up.

Aunt Lila's BBQ Spare Ribs

Aunt Lila is Grandma Davies younger sister. She was a great cook, and had several diners in her day.

Mix together:
1/2 c brown sugar
1 c salt
1/2 c paprika
2 oz garlic powder
2 oz pepper
1/2 c Accent (optional, can use much less)

Put into container, and sprinkle generously when cooking spare ribs in roaster. This is also good on chicken, sausage or steaks.
This makes enough for 50 lbs. of ribs.
This mix stores well.

Layered Salad

This looks really nice made in a trifle bowl- the layers look pretty. It also fits in a 9 x 13 glass or Tupperware pan.
1 head chopped lettuce
1 c chopped celery
4 hard boiled eggs (sliced)
1 chopped green onion
3 diced tomatoes (peeled)
1 c bacon bits*
1 pkg frozen peas
2 grated carrots
Layer these in order given.
Mix 2 c salad dressing with 2 T sugar and spread on top, then ad 2 c grated cheese.
Cover and store for 24 hours before using.
* You can use fresh cooked bacon, chopped up, or chopped left over chicken or almost any other kind of meat.

Hot Cherry Breakfast Cobbler

1 1/2 cups (230 g) uncooked rolled oats
1/2 cup (60 h) whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (165 g) brown sugar
1/4 cup (60 g) butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups (360 ml) milk
1 cup (150 g) frozen sweet or tart cherries
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray a 9-inch x 9-inch (22.5 cm x 22.5 cm) baking pan with cooking spray.
Mix first 5 ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
Place sugar, butter, eggs and milk into a mixer and mix for 30 seconds.
Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and mix well. Fold in fruit.
Pour into prepared baking pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

Sesame Green Beans

2 pounds green beans, stemmed
3 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon brown rice vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients until well blended. Add the green beans and toss to combine well. Season to taste with freshly ground pepper.

Diane's Signature Pizza

· Scald 1 1/2 cups milk. Add 1/4 cup margarine and 1 tsp salt. Margarine will start to melt. Let cool (If in a hurry to cool add 2 or 3 ice cubes and stir)
· In a small bowl put in 1/2 cup tepid water add 1 Tbsp. sugar and 1 Tbsp traditional yeast. Let sit for 10 min. or until frothy. If using Instant yeast, skip this step, add the 1/2 cup water, sugar to milk mixture.
· When milk mixture is warm to the touch stir in 2 cups of flour and if using instant yeast 1 Tbsp instant yeast.
· Let this sit until bubbly (about 5 minutes)
· Stir in 3-4 cups of flour stirring after every cup.
· Knead adding small quantities of flour to the counter and kneading it in until smooth and elastic.
· Cover with a clean damp tea towel, let rise about 45 minutes in a greased bowl in a warm oven (I preheat oven to 150 degrees when kneading then turn oven off when I put in the bowl of dough)
· Divide the dough into 3 pizza greased pans and top with sauce
Sauce
· 1 5 1/2 oz. can of tomato paste (or small can of diced tomatoes, drained and ½ of can pureed. This makes a fresher tasting sauce than tomato paste.)
· 1 can of water (omit if using tomatoes)
· 1/4 tsp. garlic powder/granules or salt
· 1/4 tsp. salt, pepper
· 3/4 tsp. basil and oregano
· A few drops of Tabasco sauce
· Mix up and spread on pizza dough
· Top with toppings and cheeses (I use a layer of cheddar on top of the sauce, then add my meat and veggies and put a layer of mozzarella on top.
- Bake pizza at 450 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and crust is brown.

Lime Sugar Cookies

2 C Sugar
2 1/2 C Flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
14 TBSP Butter (1 3/4 sticks) softened
2 tsp. vanilla
2 large eggs
3 tsp. lime zest(I use the zest of 3 limes as I prefer more lime)
Preheat oven to 350.
In food processor combine 1 tsp. lime zest and 1/2 cup sugar. Process for 30 seconds until fragrant and set aside.
Beat butter and remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar together for 3-6 minutes until it's light and fluffy. Add the eggs, rest of lime zest, and vanilla, and beat until combined.
Sift together flour, soda and salt. Slowly add to wet mixture until combined.
Shape dough into 2 TBSP balls and roll in the lime sugar you've set aside. Flatten the dough with a drinking glass dipped in the lime sugar, just until they look like the shape of babybel cheese (like 1/2 inch tall?) Use any extra lime sugar to sprinkle on top. Bake for 10-12 minutes and LEAVE them on the cookie sheet to cool for 10 more minutes. Enjoy!

Roast Sticky Chicken

4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. white pepper
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. black pepper
1 large roasting chicken
1 cup chopped onion
In a small bowl, thoroughly combine all the spices. Remove giblets from chicken, clean the cavity well and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture into the chicken, both inside and out, making sure it is evenly distributed and down deep into the skin. Place in a re-sealable plastic bag, seal and refrigerate overnight.

When ready to cook chicken put it in the Crock-pot with the onion and do not add any liquid. As the cooking process goes on it will produce its own juices. Cook on low 8 to 10 hours and it will be falling off the bone tender.

Chicken Fajita Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1 (1.27 ounce) packet fajita seasoning
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1 poblano pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1 large onion, cut into thin strips
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can seasoned black beans
• 1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
• 1 dash hot sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Place chicken in the hot oil; cook, stirring only occasionally, until brown, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle fajita seasoning over the browned chicken and stir well to coat. Add the red and green bell pepper, poblano pepper, and onion to the seasoned chicken. Stir and cook over medium heat until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.
2. Pour the fire roasted tomatoes, black beans, and chicken broth into the pot with the chicken and vegetables. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Season the soup with hot sauce, salt, and pepper to taste before serving.

Hot sauce is optional. I just let my husband put it in his bowl. I don't like it too spicy. This recipe was found at allrecepies.com

Colorful Popcorn Balls

Color them with different flavors/colors of Jello for different holidays

9 cups popped popcorn
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 package (10 ounces) large marshmallows
6 tbsp fruit-flavored gelatin (lime for St. Patrick's Day)

Place popcorn in a large bowl; set aside. In a saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows over low heat. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Pour over popcorn and toss to coat. When cool enough to handle, lightly butter hands and quickly shape mixture into balls. Yield: 1 dozen
You can also just press into a pan and cut them.

You could also just color the butter green with food coloring.

Raspberry Cranberry Jello

GG always served this in a big glass bowl the shape of a leaf. It showed off the nice layers.

1 lg. pkg cherry jello
1 can whole crushed cranberry sauce
1 small can crushed pineapple
1 pt sour cream
1 lg. pkg raspberry jello
2 pks frozen raspberries- crushed

Dissolve cherry jello in 1 1/2 c. boiling water, add cranberry sauce and pineapple. Chill until firm , spread with sour cream. Dissolve the raspberry jello in 1 1/2 c. water, stir in raspberries until thawed. Pour over the sour cream layer. Serves 10-12 people
Make in a 9x12 to serve about 15. Serve on a leaf of lettuce.

GG's Black-Bottom Cupcakes

This is GG's special recipe.

1/2 c cocoa
3 c flour
2 c sugar
2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
Mix together in bowl. Make three depressions in mixture; put 3/4 c salad oil in one, 2 T. vinegar in one, and 2 tsp vanilla in the third.
Add 2 c cold water and stir.
Fill muffin papers 2/3 full with batter. Drop 1 tsp filling on top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Cool and frost with icing recipe below.

Filling:
1- 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 c sugar
Mix these together and a 1- 6oz pkg of chocolate chips

Frosting:
3/4 stick margarine
3 T sour cream
3-5 T cocoa
1 1/2 T peanut butter
Mix together and add powdered sugar till right consistency and good taste. You can add a small amount of canned milk if you need to thin it down.

Davies Family Recipes

Please feel free to post your special recipes. As the "label" be sure to put your name and what category the recipe falls into. (i.e., dessert, beverage, bread, etc.)
You can also attach any photos of the recipe or of your family.
See you all at the reunion this summer.

N.Y. Cheese Cake

2 graham cracker crusts

Mix together 2 large and 1 small cream cheese, 1 c sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 eggs, then blend in 1 pint of sour cream. Put in pie shells and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.
Cool, serve with cherry or blueberry pie filling.

Carrie's Flapper Pie

Uncle Walter really liked this pie.

14 honey graham wafers, rolled fine, add 1/2 granulated sugar, 1/2 c melted butter, 1 tsp cinnamon. Mix together and pat into pie tin, saving about 1/2 c mixture for top of pie.
Make filling as follows and put into pie shell.
2 c milk
2 egg yolks
2 T cornstarch
1/4 c granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Beat and cook over heat until thick. Fill pie crust. Beat egg whites stiff and add 3 T powdered sugar and spread on top, put on remaining crumbs and bake in slow over 250 degrees for 20 minutes.
Cool before serving.

GG's Aggression Cookies

These get mixed with your clean hands- work out your frustrations or aggressions!

In a very large bowl, put 3 c packed brown sugar, 3 c margarine, 6 c uncooked oatmeal, 1 tsp soda, and 3 c flour.

With your hands, mash, knead and squeeze until it becomes a well-mixed firm dough.

Form into small balls: dip the bottom of a small water glass into granulated sugar and flatten each ball. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets in a 350 degree over for 10-12 minutes.

Grandma Davies Sugar Cookies

These are the best- so moist and delicious!

3 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp nutmeg
1 c sugar
1 c butter or margarine
1 egg
1 c sour cream

Mix dry ingredients together. Work in the butter like pie crust. Make a well in the center and drop in 1 egg, add 1 c sour cream. You might need a little more, but just enough to make a soft dough. Roll 1/8 inch thick, cut, sprinkle with sugar. Bake 8-10 minutes in 375 degree oven until light straw color.

Davies Family Reunion Recipes

The Wm. George and Carrie Davies family will now have an online Blog for our recipes. I will try to add the recipes of GG's that are in the cookbooks, but feel free to add any additional recipes. Pictures may be added also.