First, these recipes are tried and true. I have been making them for over five years and they always turn out great.
For hot drink lovers, this is so good. Better make two batches. I fill 1/2 canning jars, add a pretty fabric top under the lid and attach printed directions to the jar.
Chai Latte Mix
Ingredients
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
Directions
1 In a large bowl, combine milk powder, non-dairy creamer, vanilla flavored creamer, sugar and instant tea. Stir in ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup at a time, until mixture is the consistency of fine powder.
2. To serve: Stir 2 heaping tablespoons Chai tea mixture into a mug of hot water
This is the main food item for my baskets. I bake it in the small loaf pans and the small bundt muffin pans. Or bake a whole loaf. I bake it in a small cast iron skillet too. I make a powdered sugar glaze and pour over it, add nuts, raisins, anything that would taste good. The bread itself is great for toasting for breakfast. I wrap the bread in plastic wrap and it stays fresh for several days so it's great for gifts.
Cinnamon-Swirl Bread
1 1/3 c. granulated sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg (beaten)
1 c. milk
1/3 c. vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Mix 1/3 c. sugar and cinnamon; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and remaining sugar. Combine egg, milk, and oil; add to flour mixture. Stir by hand just until moistened. Pour half the batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon mixture. Repeat with remaining batter and cinnamon mixture. Draw a knife through batter to marble.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes (regular loaf size pan) or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool.
Fried Cheese
You have to use a good non stick skillet for these.
Shred any real cheese you like. Put 1/2 of shredded cheese in hot skillet and let melt to a flat thin circle. When the edges are crispy turn the cheese and fry until crisp. Remove from skillet and drain excess oil on paper towels. I usually make Parmesan and cheddar rounds, that looks pretty in a package. They are very addictive. I like to put a big round of the fried cheese on top of a bowl of chili or soup.
I make this fudge year round. Once you try it you will not believe you made it in about 2 min. I add lots of things to it, rice crispies, nuts, coconut, anything I may want in my fudge.
Old Fashioned Chocolate Drop Fudge
I always find Zachary brand of creme drops in the stores during the holidays. I buy lot of bags and freeze them. I make this all during the year for potlucks.
1 bag of Chocolate Drops (white filling inside)
1 C peanut butter
1 Tbsp butter
1 cup chocolate chips, any flavor
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Place in microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 2 minutes. Mix together making sure to stir in any of the white center that may clump a little. Pour into 8x8 pan and let cool at room temperature.