Saucer Magnolia - I'm looking forward to Spring

Saucer Magnolia

The Saucer Magnolia is one of my all time favorite Magnolias. This time of year my thoughts begin to turn towards Spring and the first blooms I anxiously anticipate are the blooms of the Magnolia. The Saucer Magnolia gets its name from the large size and shape of its beautiful saucer-shaped bloom. If you have never seen a magnolia in bloom or caught the magnificent fragrance of these Southern beauties, you simply must make plans for Spring 2007 !!!
Now that the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over, it is time to start looking forward to seeing all of your favorite trees and flowers in bloom !!!
There is no better to chase away the Winter blues, than to grab a cup of hot cocoa or a cuppa coffee and start browsing the net to help you make plans for your Spring and Summer garden.



Our Kentucky Home and Gardens

Old Fashioned Kentucky Crumb Cake Recipe

Old Fashioned Kentucky Crumb
Cake Recipe

2 Cups Brown sugar
3 Cups plain flour
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Lard
1 Cup Sour Cream
1 & 1/2 tsp. Soda
3 Eggs
1 Cup Raisins
1 tsp. Allspice
1 tsp. Cocoa

In a large bowl, mix together with hands:
brown sugar, flour, butter and lard.
*Reserve 1 cup for topping layer.
Add to the bowl with the brown sugar mixture:
sour cream, soda, eggs, raisins, allspice and cocoa.

Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan.
Crumble the reserved cup of topping over the cake.

Bake at 350° for 45- 50 minutes.




Our Kentucky Home and Gardens

Kentucky Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

Kentucky Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

preheat oven to 350 degrees
1 box Butter Cake mix
1 Egg
1 stick margarine
1 box Powdered Sugar
8 oz. Cream Cheese
2 Eggs

In medium bowl, mix cake mix, 1 egg and margarine together
Press mixture in bottom of greased 13 x 9 pan to make a bottom layer.
Mix powdered sugar, cream cheese and 2 eggs together.
Pour over bottom layer

Bake for 45 minutes.

~Merry Christmas Eve


Our Kentucky Home and Gardens

Kentucky Christmas Caramel Crunchies Recipe

great for Christmas...

KENTUCKY CARAMEL CRUNCHIES RECIPE

24 squares Graham crackers
1/2 c. party peanuts, chopped
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
36 caramels
2 Tablespoons Milk
*optional last layer - 1 cup + of mini marshmallows

Place graham crackers in single layer on well-greased large cookie sheet.
Evenly sprinkle peanuts and chocolate chips over grahams.
Microwave caramels and milk in a small bowl, for about 1 to 1 and 1-1/2 minutes; stirring every 30 seconds or so, until the caramels will pour easily.
Evenly drizzle caramel mixture over peanuts and choc chip layer.

Bake at 350 F for 10 minutes.

*optional layer of mini-marshmallows:
If you would like to add marshmallows prepare as directed above; except bake at 350 for only 8 minutes, sprinkle on the marshmallows and bake an additional 2 minutes, just until marshmallows just begin to puff.

Cool completely.
Cut or break apart into squares.
Store in airtight container.

Makes appoximately 24 squares.


Our Kentucky Home and Gardens

Kentucky Bourbon Tarts & Cream Cheese Pastry Recipes

Kentucky Bourbon Tarts &
Cream Cheese Pastry Recipes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream cheese pastry recipe

1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch salt
1/2 cup softened margarine
1 pkg (3 ounces) Cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons sugar

In small bowl, combine flour baking powder and salt.
In large bowl mix margarine, cream cheese and sugar until well combined. Stir in flour mixture until well blended.
Using your hands, Press dough firmly into balls.

Just to make it easier to work with, divide dough in half.
Each half makes 12 tarts.
On floured surface, roll out pastry to 1/8 inch thick
*If needed, add small amount of flour to keep pastry from sticking.
Cut into 12 -2 1/4 inch rounds
Press rounds evenly into bottoms and up the side using a
mini muffin pan. (1 and 3/4 inch)
Repeat with other half of pastry dough.
Refrigerate.


Tart Filling:
2 eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup Karo light or dark corn syrup
2 Tbls Kentucky bourbon
1 Tbls margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
Powdered sugar

In medium bowl beat eggs slightly.
Stir in granulated sugar, corn syrup, bourbon, margarine
and vanilla until well blended.
Spoon 1 heaping teaspoon of pecans into each pastry lined cup
top with 1 tablespoon of the corn syrup mixture.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Let cool in pan five minutes.
Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar when cool.

Our Kentucky Home and Gardens