Texas Sheet Cake

We have a lot of family in town, so we end up at serveral different houses on Thanksgiving. Therefore, I don't end up cooking a big feast at my house, but usually make a side dish or dessert to take where we go. This year I made a Texas Sheet Cake to take for dessert at my parents house. It was yummy! Here's the recipe...


* 1 cup butter
* 1 cup water
* 1/4 cup cocoa
* 2 cups sugar
* 2 cups flour
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* Frosting, below
* chopped pecans

Frosting

* 1/2 cup butter
* 1/4 cup cocoa
* 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
* 1 box (1 pound) confectioners' sugar, sifted (4 1/4 cups sifted)
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Cake: Combine butter, water, and cocoa in saucepan over medium heat; heat until butter melts. Add sugar, flour, salt, eggs, soda, sour cream, and vanilla; mix well. Pour into a 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Spread frosting over hot cake and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

For frosting, combine butter, cocoa, and milk in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Add remaining ingredients and mix well with electric mixer. Spread over the hot sheet cake then sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Lovey's Mac-n-Cheese

Looking for an easy and super yummy mac-n-cheese. Well, here's the recipe for you. My mom has made this for years and it is a HUGE hit every time she makes it. It has pretty much become a staple for family functions. So here it is...

1 16 oz. box elbow macaroni cooked and drained
2 cans cream of mushroom
1c. mayonnaise
16oz. shredded cheddar

You can also add onions, pimentos and/or mushrooms for a more "grown up" version. But, we like it plain. I also like to add some shredded cheese to the top. In my book you can't have too much cheese.=)

Mix all ingredients. Poor in a 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Voila! You are going to love it!=)

Lemon Bunt Cake

Here's a yummy treat if you're looking for something easy to make for company of just for you and your family.

1 box yellow cake mix
1 3.4oz lemon instant pudding
1/2c. sugar
3/4c. water
3/4c. oil
4 eggs
1c. sour cream

Mix dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients one at a time. Poor into a greased bunt pan.

Bake at 325 for 1 hour. Let cool for a few minutes. ENJOY!

Crock Pot Chicken

So...I have been intimidated for a long time to attempt cooking a WHOLE chicken. But, last week in talking with my Cousin, I discovered you can cook a whole chicken in the crock pot and it's super easy! So, today I attempted it and it turned out very well. Here's a super easy way to cook a chicken that everyone should try.

1 whole chicken (take out the insides)
your favorite dry rub ( I used Emeril's dry rub for chicken)
I also added some chopped, dried onion

Cover the chicken with dry rub, place in crock pot. Sprinkle dried onions on top. Cook on low for 8 hours.

And that's all there is to it. It was falling off the bone. I served it with some brown rice, green beans, fruit and rolls. Yummy!=)

Corn and Sausage Chowder

My sister in law Katie introduced me to this recipe. I couldn't find her exact recipe, but this is very similar to her recipe if not the same. It is a very hearty soup. We have been eating off of it all week. It is also a good soup to double the recipe with and share with company. Enjoy it as the cooler weather is rolling in!=)

1 lb. bulk pork sausage
1 c. onions, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried marjoram, crushed
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 c. water
2 (15 oz.) cans diced potatoes drained
1 (17 oz.) can cream style corn
1 (17 oz.) can whole kernel corn drained
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

Brown sausage with onions, salt, pepper and marjoram. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil for about 15 minutes. Enjoy!=)