Friday, August 10, 2012

to grandmother's house we go

Often a meal never lasts long enough for my taste. I linger with friends and family around a table wishing the flavors would continue to erupt on my tastebuds and the laughter would carry on until my face cramps from smiles.

But the foods themselves remain. I'm not talking about that moldy bread sitting on the counter.... I mean the recipes that one generation passes to the next. So satisfying is the feeling of biting into one of my grandmother's sweet treats and instantly being transported to her kitchen with the tacky daisy wallpaper and flower pots with flourishing plants. 

So here's to Grandmom. All of these recipes are in honor of her!

Grandmom's Brownies

Ingredients:
2 c sugar
¼ c cocoa
1 c butter (melted)
4 eggs (beaten)
2 t vanilla
1 ½ c flour
1 t salt
Preheat 375. Mix sugar & cocoa. Stir in melted butter. Add beaten eggs & vanilla. Beat well. Sift together flour and salt. Add cocoa mixture. Pour into greased casserole dish. Bake for 25 minutes.
Icing:
½ box powdered sugar
¼ c evaporated milk
3 T butter
3 T cocoa powder
Combine all ingredients. If too thick add more ev. Milk, if too thin more pow. Sugar.

Grandmom's Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:
2 pkg yeast (2 ¼ t)
¼ c warm water
1T sugar
1 c oil
½ c sugar
2 c boiling water
2 eggs
6 ½ c self-rising flour (try adding more till dough not quite as sticky)
3 T butter, melted
½ c sugar
1 ½ t cinnamon
Dissolve yeast in warm water; add 1 T sugar & set aside. Combine oil & sugar, add boiling water & mix till cools. Beat in eggs. Add risen yeast mixture. Add flour & mix well. Cover in bowl for 45 min or till double. Punch down. (can refrigerate at this point if want to)
To make rolls: roll dough flat on WELL floured surface. Melt butter & spread with melted butter. Mix cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle on top of rolled out buttered dough. Roll dough into long roll (roll long ways & can cut in half to make more manageable). Slice in ½ inch segments. Place in GREASED, round CAKE pans. Bake at 375 for 20-30 min.
Icing:
2 c powdered sugar
3 T milk
2  t vanilla
Mix till thick but still runs off spoon slowly.