Grandma's Lebkuchen Cookies

Lebkuchen cookies are a German cookie passed down farther back than I can remember. The recipe has adapted to fit the makers; it used to have molasses, white icing and decorated with colored sugar, now we use corn syrup, a light glaze and an almond flower on top!

As a family, the girls get together every year during deer hunting season to make these. They are a huge hit for our family! They taste great when you are done making them, but they are the BEST right out of the freezer! (my dad loves to let them "age" for a year, he says they taste better.....if there are any left!)

This is how many we make....i think its about triple the recipe (we have a BIG family) :D

Ingredients:

1 cup of shortening (heated)

1 cup dark corn syrup

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 lb. orange peel (ground)

1 lb. citron peel (ground)

1 cup almonds (ground)

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup sour cream

flour enough to make dough stiff (5-7 cups)

Glaze:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

heat in double boiler until it starts to thicken, add 1/4 cup powdered sugar.

Instructions:

Heat shortening, add brown sugar, corn syrup and beat.

Add eggs, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, soda and baking powder. beat/mix.

Add ground orange and citron peel and ground almonds and sour cream. beat/mix

Add flour enough to make stiff.

Use cookie cutter to make circles, squares or other shapes. Use 5 slivered almonds to make a flower on top (press in gently).

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes OR 325 degrees for 20 minutes. Glaze and let cool.

Enjoy!

Chicken Lasagna

Ingredients:

2 cups diced & browned chicken breast
9 cooked lasagna noodles
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 can of milk
2 cups shredded cheddar
cottage cheese
parmaesan cheese

Instructions:

Combine soup, milk, cheese and cooked chicken in a large saucepan.

Layer:

noodles

chicken mix

cottage cheese

parmaesan cheese

repeat.

Last layer: noodles, chicken mix, sprinkle of parmaesan.

Cook 45 minutes to 1 hour at 350 degrees. Let stand to cool for 10 minutes.

**I added mushrooms to the top of half of it....because unlike my dad, I am not a fungus fan :P

Sheet Cake

Now, as much as my mom makes the peanut butter sheet cake (for everything), it has an EVIL twin....we call this the Chocolate Sheet Cake.....

This recipe ACTUALLY came from my mother's side of the family....go figure!

Ingredients:

1 cup of oleo

4 tbsp. of cocoa}melt together

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup of milk

2 cups of flour

2 cups of sugar

1 cup of water

2 eggs

Instructions:

First melt oleo and cocoa together; then mix all ingredients together and pour into prepared sheet cake pan. Bake in oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Frosting:

1/2 cup of oleo

4 tbsp cocoa}melt together

1 tsp. vanilla

6 tbsp. milk

3 1.2-4cups of powdered sugar.

First melt oleo and cocoa together; then mix all ingredients together (this frosting will be thinner than the peanut butter one, so if you are attempting to make them both; like my mom, just keep that in mind). Spread frosting on cake when removed from the oven. Sprinkle with a handful of milk chocolate chips OR white chocolate chips (the white chocolate gives it a nice contrast). Warm in oven.

Enjoy!

**I also suggest if you are making the cakes at the same time, make the peanut butter one first (because it bakes at a lower temperature) ....that's a tip from the pro (my mom)**

Peanut Butter Cake

Pretty much anyone and everyone who knows my mom, knows about and absolutely LOVES her peanut butter sheet cake, it is to DIE for! She makes it for every: open house, wedding, family reunion, chuch get together, you name it, she's probably made one for it. The most HILARIOUS part is, even after giving people the recipe, they find that for some reason, NO ONE, and I mean no one, can make it like my momma! But what's even better, this recipe came from my DAD's side of the family....AMAZING HUH? This one is for you mom! I LOVE YOU!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix in a bowl:
2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Bring to a Boil:
1 stick oleo
1 c. peanut butter (HEAPING, seriously.....momma uses a lot :P)
1 c. water

Pour mixture that you have boiled over dry ingredients. Add 1/2 c. buttermilk (1/2 soda and 1/2 c. milk=buttermilk). Add 1 tsp. vanilla and 2 eggs. Stir with a spoon. Pour into a greased baking sheet cake pan and bake for about 20 minutes in 350 degree oven (or until it can pass the toothpick test).

Frosting:

1 stick oleo
1/2 c. peanut butter (heaping again)
5 tbsp. milk
1 lb. or 4 c. powdered sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla

Melt oleo, peanut butter and milk. Bring to a rapid boil and remove from stove. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. (you may need to add more powdered sugar; if it is too thin, or more milk if it is too thick) mom judges her frosting based on thickness and color :D...Spread frosting on hot cake, top with a handful of chocolate chips and warm in oven (to let the chips set in, so they dont fall off)...thats it!

I hope you enjoy this as much as I have!!!!! :D