Three Recipes for December

Canning Jar Cakes

This is the perfect gift for sending to loved ones and friends. You can choose any flavor cake or quick bread to make. 

Ingredients:
1 boxed cake mix of your choice (prepared as directed)
6 pint size mason jars with bands and seals
1 baking sheet
spray oil for jars
scraps of fabric
rubber bands/ribbon

Glaze
1 cup pounded sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Prepare the cake batter as directed on the box.
2. Scoop the cake mix into the clean jars, filling to the 1 cup line or about halfway.
3. Bake for about half the time as directed on the box or for about 25 minutes.
4. While the cakes are baking you can prepare the glaze topping by mixing the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together.
5. Use a toothpick to test for doneness.
6. Use a metal straw or a wooden skewer to quickly make holes in the cake so the glaze will soak in.
7. Pour the glaze evenly between the six jars.
8. Quickly put the seals and bands on the jars while they are hot, this is how the jars will seal. 
9. When cooled, decorate, or eat.

Peanut Butter Buckeyes

Ingredients:

1 cup butter softened

2 cups creamy peanut butter

4 cups confectioners’ sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl mix together the softened butter and peanut butter.
2. Add the sugar and vanilla. Mix well. 
3. Make one-inch balls out of the dough and lay them on a cookie sheet.
4. Now we need to melt the chocolate baking chips. I melted mine in a small bowl in the microwave. You can melt the chocolate in a double boiler if you like. It is easier to dip if you use a small bowl. Do not overheat the chocolate in the microwave. Watch it closely.
5. You can keep reheating the bowl of chocolate when it gets cool and clumpy. Usually after every couple of peanut butter balls.
6. Using a toothpick, roll in the chocolate.
7. Set them on a cookie sheet to dry.
8. You can freeze Peanut Butter Buckeyes for up to three months.

Super Cheesy Lasagna

Ingredients:

8-ounce lasagna noodles cooked

1 pound ground chuck

1/2-pound ground sausage

1 large jar of your favorite marinara sauce

2 15 oz cans organic diced tomatoes

15-ounce ricotta cheese

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

2 cups mozzarella cheese

2 eggs

1 tsp parsley

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
2. In a medium bowl combine ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and eggs. Mix well.
3. In another bowl add the ground meat to the pasta sauce and tomatoes, mix well.
4. Spread sauce on the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch pan.
5. Place 3 lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
6. Spread 1/2 of the cheese mixture, top with 1/3 of the meat sauce.
7. Repeat layering. Top with noodles, meat, and slices of mozzarella.
8. Cover with foil and back for 55 minutes. Uncover and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until brown and bubbly.
9. Let stand for 15 before you cut into pieces and serve.

Diane Sikora 

Reporter