Sugar Cookies

This recipe was on the same page with the famous Grandma Grimm Oatmeal Cookies. I can only assume they are just as tasty. 1 cup shortening 1 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs, beat until blended 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 cup milk 3 cups flour, sifted 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt

Combine all wet ingredients. Sift in flour and baking powder. Add salt last.

There are no directions for what temp to bake them at or for how long, but most cookies are 375 for 8-10 minutes. Just try it out and see what you get.

Rum Cake

I think this is the only reason my parents ever had alcohol in the house. Mom originally would make this in a Bundt pan, but lately has been making cupcakes and tiny loafs because she likes the crispy edges. Just reduce the time a little. Cake 1 Duncan Hines Supreme yellow cake mix 1 large package instant vanilla pudding 4 eggs 1/2 cup wesson oil 1/2 cup cold water 1/2 cup Bacardi light rum 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Grease and flour an angel food cake or Bundt cake pan. Sprinkle chopped pecans in bottom of pan. Mix all other ingredients and pour over nuts.

Bake @ 325 degrees for 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes, then remove from pan. While still warm, prick top with fork and pour glaze over cake.

Glaze 1 stick butter 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup rum

Mix and boil butter, sugar and water. Add rum. Allow glaze to cool approximately 5 minutes.

Banana Bread

I asked Rich if this should be under Desserts or Breads and he immediately said, "Dessert. You wouldn't make a sandwich out of it would ya?" So let it be written, so let it be done. As a note, if you don't have sour milk sitting around, you can put a bit of vinegar in good milk to "sour" it.

1 cup sugar 1/2 cup Crisco 1 egg 5 tbs. sour milk 1 tsp soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 cup unsifted flour 1/2 cup nuts 2 mashed bananas (preferrably well done, almost brown)

Mix all ingredients and pour into standard loaf pan.

Bake @ 325-350 degrees for one hour (may be less). Be sure to check at 45 minutes or so. If an inserted straw comes out clean, then the bread is done.