Cuccidati
Cuccidati These are the greatest fig cookies ever. My mother-in-law Frances taught me how to make them. They take some time but they are great. When Frances couldn’t make them anymore, I made sure she had her Christmas supply. I brought her some when she was in...
Butter Tarts
Butter Tarts This is another recipe from my mother-in-law, Frances Rao. She really was a good baker. Dough3 cups flour1 cup crisco1 tsp saltice waterFilling1 stick butter softened4 eggs1 cups brown sugar1 tsp salt½ cup coconut FillingMix allingredients with electric...
Italian Sesame Cookies
Italian Sesame Cookies Mary loves calling these “old lady cookies”. No nuts, no chocolate and not much else. I won’t tell her but in about ten years, she’s gonna love’ em. They are great, keep forever and just the thing you need to dunk in tea or whatever. Mary, I...
Red Wine Biscuits
Red Wine Biscuits DiCamillo’s Bakery in Niagara Falls, New York makes these and they are wonderful. Mine never stay red and I think it’s because they use a little red coloring. Anyway, when you’re up that way, stop in and try some. Don’t forget the Italian bread,...
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Sour Cream Coffee Cake This is another recipe that must be included. It?s a very old recipe and I?m not quite sure where I got it from, probably from one of the books I borrowed from the dentist. I only know every time I?m looking for something good and quick when...
Gerry’s Apple Pie
Gerry's Apple Pie I really need to share this one with you. I think this is as good as it gets. I've made apple pie with crumb topping for years. I made the final changes a few years ago by adding syrupy cider. When our kids were little I always made apple pie...
Chruscki
Chruscki These little fried bow knots were so good. My mother really had the knack for them. You need to have the whiskey or rum so they blister when they fry. Sprinkled with confectioners sugar they are special. 6 egg yolks3 T. sugar1 tsp. vanilla3 T. cream1 jigger...
Whoopie Pies
Whoopie Pies This recipe came from Penny Tidswell in Tennessee. She's a great person and with four girls always busy. Mary, '?m sure you remember the girls, you played with them often. Cake6 T. Crisco1/2 cup buttermilk1 cup sugar1 egg1 tsp. Vanilla2 cups...
Zucchini Bread
Zucchini Bread From a girl I worked with at MK Ferguson. Gosh I?m old. I forgot about it. 2 cups grated zucchini3 eggs2 cups sugar1 cup oil3 cups flour1 tsp. baking soda1/2 cup sour cream1 1/4 tsp. baking powder1 tsp. salt1 tsp. cinnamon1 tsp. vanilla1 cup chopped...
Rum Cake
Rum Cake This is a wonderful recipe from an old friend, Kay Fountain; all of my children should remember her. They lived near us in Tennessee and they really loved to see you. Tommy, you and Mr. Fountain were great friends and usually bickered with one another Kay...
Mary Ellen’s Pumpkin Roll
Mary Ellen's Pumpkin Roll This came from Tom's secretary at MetroHealth many years ago. She is a great person and a good friend. Okay, Mary Ellen, you're in the book! Cake3 eggs2/3 cup canned pumpkin1 cup sugar3/4 cup flour1 tsp. baking powder2 tsp....
Sugar Cream Pie
Sugar Cream Pie The "unofficial" Hoosier State pie. My grandmother used to make this pie for Sunday dinner and was always one of my favorites. I have made this pie before (I know it is hard to believe). Delicious! 1 9 inch flaky pie crusts, baked and cooledFilling1...
Feathery Fudge Cake
Feathery Fudge Cake I think after all these years this is still one of my family?s favorite cakes. This cake goes back a long way. When we lived in Tennessee, and we celebrated a birthday, we went to Shoney?s Big Boy Restaurant. The ?Birthday Person? received a huge...
Chocolate Chip Treasure Cookies
Chocolate Chip Treasure Cookies Jay, this ones for you. I remember baking these when you came for a visit. Mary told me how much you liked them. Okay, you get ONE. 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs1/2 cup butter (softened)1/2 cup flour1 1/3 cups flaked coconut1 14oz....
Chocolate Fudge
Chocolate Fudge You can't go without this one. I make this every Christmas. Aunt Paula gave me this recipe over 30 years ago before her and Uncle Manny were married. They came to Tennessee for Thanksgiving. She brought these individually wrapped in foil in a...
German Chocolate Cake
German Chocolate Cake Everyone should have this recipe. It?s one of the best cakes in the world and has been around for years. This was Grandma Rao?s favorite. She made it many times over for everyone?s birthday, even for her own. It is a little bit of work but well...