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I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Caramel Corn November 27 2023
- 2/3 cup of Popcorn popped and de-seeded (will make 24 cups)
- 9 Tablespoons of Corn Syrup
- 18 Tablespoons of Butter
- 2 ¼ cups of packed Brown Sugar
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Put in a saucepan, stir together and bring to a boil.
- Let boil for 5 minutes, keep an eye on it and continue to stir it.
- When 5 minutes is up, pull it off the stove and add vanilla and baking soda and stir (it will double in size).
- Add ¾ teaspoons of Vanilla and ¾ teaspoons of Baking Soda
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Homemade Donuts November 22 2023
Ingredients for Bread Machine
- 1 cup of Water
- 1 Egg
- 3 1/4 cup of Bread Flour (yellow bag usually)
- 1/4 cup of Granulated Sugar
- 3-4 Tablespoons of Butter
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoon of Rapid Rise Yeast (for bread machines)
Big Daddy Fryer or Medium, Heavy-Bottomed Pot on Stove
- Crisco or Vegetable Oil (We use a fryer so I use Crisco because it sets back up and can be reused a few times before it needs to be replaced.)
Bread Machine Directions
My bread machine has a quick dough option. It takes about 45 minutes to knead and mix and warm and knead it again or something like that. I usually walk away :). When it is done, I leave it in the bread machine for 15 more minutes and let it rise to make the yeast more relaxed and easy to roll.
***Alternative: 1 frozen loaf of Rhodes bread, thawed and rolled out will do the same thing. :)
Donut Instructions
- Plop the dough on a lightly dusted counter and roll it out to about 1/2" to 3/4". Using a donut cutter, or in a pinch, a large cup or the lid for a canning jar and a small cup about an inch in diameter to cut the center out. I often leave the center slightly attached. This helps it to hold more frosting when you are frosting them to eat. :)
- Place the cut out donut blanks on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. I also toss all the scraps on the sheet, my kiddos love the tidbits as much as the full donuts.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 45-60 minutes until they double in size.
- Heat up the Big Daddy Fryer or a medium, heavy-bottomed pan with about 2-3 inches of oil to 375 F.
- Carefully lower 2-3 donuts into the oil and cook on one side for 1-2 minutes, or until golden. Then cook on the other side for 1 minute or less, until golden.
- Drain fried donuts on a wire rack set over a large tray or on paper towels.
- Once they have cooled, you can embellish them however you like.
I Like Big Buttons! Kiddos Favorite Frosting Options
- Granulated Sugar (Roll in)
- Chocolate Frosting
- Coconut Pecan Frosting (German Chocolate Cake Frosting)
- Cream Cheese Frosting with Sprinkles
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Tater Tot Casserole November 19 2023
My favorite Go-To Dinner/Breakfast/Brunch dish, 🥔 Tater Tot Casserole 🥔.
Ingredients:
- 30 ounces of Tater Tots (frozen)
- 16 ounces of Sour Cream
- 2 cans of Cream of Potato soup
- 1 cup of Shredded Cheese
- 16 ounces of Cubed Ham
- 1/2 cup of Bacon Bits
(Optional) Add during the last 5 minutes of baking:
- 1/2 cup to 1 cup of Shredded Cheese (Cook for 5 additional minutes to melt.)*
Directions:
- Mix soup and sour cream together in large bowl.
- Add tater tots until well mixed then add cubed ham, bacon bits, and shredded cheese.
- Place in greased 9x13 casserole dish and smooth out. Bake.
*Optional, sprinkle an additional 1/2 to 1 cup of shredded cheese on top in last 5 minutes of baking, if you like extra cheese. We do :).
Cook Time: Cook at 375 F until bubbly (about 40-50 minutes)
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: English Toffee November 17 2023
This is one of my Grandma's recipes and a favorite of my family.
Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped nuts (pecan or walnuts)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 6 oz chocolate chips (semi or milk chocolate)
Instructions
- Place ½ cup of chopped nuts in the bottom of an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet.
- Cook ¾ cup of brown sugar (packed) and ½ cup butter to 270 degrees for about 7 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour over nuts and smooth out.
- Sprinkle over toffee 6 oz of chocolate chips (or not).
- Cover at once with tin foil and wait for 2 minutes or until chips are soft.
- Then spread the melted chocolate out with a spatula.
- Let Cool.
- Break into pieces. Turn over on wax paper and strike with a heavy spoon or break with hands.
Keep refrigerated. (May freeze)
Makes - 1 lb. candy
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Peanut Butter Fudge November 14 2023
Ingredients
- 8 ounces unsalted butter, plus more for greasing pan
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
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- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pound powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine the butter and peanut butter in a 4-quart microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 2 minutes on high.
- Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes. (Use caution when removing this mixture from the microwave, it will be very hot.)
- Add the vanilla and powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon. The mixture will become hard to stir and lose its sheen.
- Spread into a buttered 8 by 8-inch pan lined with parchment paper. Fold the excess parchment paper so it covers the surface of the fudge and refrigerate until cool, about 2 hours.
- Cut into 1-inch pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Zesty Homemade Chili November 09 2023
This recipe gets rave reviews and is a hit whenever I make it. It is delicious, super easy to make, and made with supplies I keep in my pantry year-round.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. cooked Ground Beef
- 1 large Onion or Dried Onions
- 1 large Green Pepper (diced)
- 2 cans of Italian Recipe Stewed Tomatoes
- 1 can of Water from can above
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
- ¼ teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
- ½ teaspoon of Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon of Oregano
- 1 teaspoon of Ground Cumin
- 2 cloves of Garlic finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- 2 cans of Kidney Beans drained
- 1 can of Black Beans drained
Instructions
- If you have a pressure cooker:
- Layer ingredients as listed above except beans and cook until pressure cooker starts rocking, turn to medium heat and allow to rock for 5 MINUTES and let cool on own (about 20 minutes). Add beans stir and let sit for 5 minutes or so until beans warm through and serve.
- If you don’t have a pressure cooker:
- Put all ingredients in a large pot on the stovetop and simmer for at least 30 minutes to an hour until ingredients are cooked well and serve.
- If using a crockpot and allow to cook through.
Servings 6-8
*Garish with diced avocados, shredded cheese, a side of Doritos, if desired.
**Tip: This Chili is AMAZING with my Homemade Cinnamon Rolls.
***Tip: I often make a double batch of it, so that I have 2 meals worth.
I Like Big Buttons! Family Favorite: Snicker Caramel Apple Salad November 09 2023
A great dessert salad that combines so many amazing flavors and textures!
Ingredients
-
6 regular size Snickers Candy Bars
-
4 medium apples (I use Granny Smiths. The tanginess is a good contrast to the sweetness of everything else.)
-
1 (5.1 oz.) package Vanilla Instant Pudding (dry, do not prepare)
-
1/2 cup milk (optional, half the time I skipped this part and just mixed the dry pudding into the cool whip)
-
1 (16 oz.) tub cool whip (thawed to room temperature)
-
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
Instructions
-
Whisk vanilla pudding packet, 1/2 cup milk (optional) and cool whip together until well combined.
-
Chop up apples and Snickers into bite size pieces.
-
Stir chopped apples and Snickers into pudding mixture.
-
Place in a large bowl and drizzle with caramel ice cream topping.
-
Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Or eat right away if you are impatient like me. :)
Snicker Caramel Apple Salad by ILikeBigButtons.com October 14 2022
Happy National Dessert Day! What is your favorite dessert?
During the fall and apple picking season, Snicker Apple Salad is my go-to dessert. It never disappoints, and it is technically labeled a "Salad" so that means it's a little better for you, right!?! 😜
A great dessert salad that combines so many amazing flavors and textures!
Ingredients
- 6 regular size Snickers Candy Bars
- 4 medium apples (I use Granny Smiths or Pink Ladies. The tanginess is a good contrast to the sweetness of everything else.)
- 1 (5.1 oz.) package Vanilla Instant Pudding (dry, do not prepare)
- 1/2 cup milk (optional, half the time I skipped this part and just mixed the dry pudding into the cool whip)
- 1 (16 oz.) tub cool whip (thawed to room temperature)
- 1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
Instructions
- Whisk vanilla pudding packet, 1/2 cup milk (optional) and cool whip together until well combined.
- Chop up apples and Snickers into bite size pieces.
- Stir chopped apples and Snickers into pudding mixture.
- Place in a large bowl and drizzle with caramel ice cream topping.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Or eat right away if you are impatient like me. :)
Homemade Donut Recipe from ILikeBigButtons.com Kitchen June 03 2022
🍮 I Like Big Buttons! Homemade Donuts 🍮
Ingredients for Bread Machine:
- 1 cup of Water
- 1 Egg
- 3 1/4 cup of Bread Flour (yellow bag usually)
- 1/4 cup of Granulated Sugar
- 3-4 Tablespoons of Butter
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoon of Rapid Rise Yeast (for bread machines)
Big Daddy Fryer or Medium, Heavy-Bottomed Pot on Stove:
- Crisco or Vegetable Oil (We use a fryer so I use Crisco because it sets back up and can be reused a few times before it needs to be replaced.)
Bread Machine Directions:
My bread machine has a quick dough option. It takes about 45 minutes to knead and mix and warm and knead it again or something like that. I usually walk away :). When it is done, I leave it in the bread machine for 15 more minutes and let it rise to make the yeast more relaxed and easy to roll.
***Alternative: 1 frozen loaf of Rhodes bread, thawed and rolled out will do the same thing. :)
Donuts:
- Plop the dough on a lightly dusted counter and roll it out to about 1/2" to 3/4". Using a donut cutter, or in a pinch, a large cup or the lid for a canning jar and a small cup about an inch in diameter to cut the center out. I often leave the center slightly attached. This helps it to hold more frosting when you are frosting them to eat. :)
- Place the cut out donut blanks on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. I also toss all the scraps on the sheet, my kiddos love the tidbits as much as the full donuts.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 45-60 minutes until they double in size.
- Heat up the Big Daddy Fryer or a medium, heavy-bottomed pan with about 2-3 inches of oil to 375 F.
- Carefully lower 2-3 donuts into the oil and cook on one side for 1-2 minutes, or until golden. Then cook on the other side for 1 minute or less, until golden.
- Drain fried donuts on a wire rack set over a large tray or on paper towels.
- Once they have cooled, you can embellish them however you like.
I Like Big Buttons! Kiddos Favorite Frosting Options:
- Granulated Sugar (Roll in)
- Chocolate Frosting
- Coconut Pecan Frosting (German Chocolate Cake Frosting)
- Cream Cheese Frosting with Sprinkles
Cinnamon Roll Recipe from ILikeBigButtons.com Kitchen May 17 2022
🍮 Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting 🍮
Ingredients for Bread Machine:
- 1 cup of Water
- 1 Egg
- 3 1/4 cup of Bread Flour (yellow bag usually)
- 1/4 cup of Granulated Sugar
- 3-4 Tablespoons of Butter
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoon of Rapid Rise Yeast (for bread machines)
Bread Machine Directions:
My bread machine has a quick dough option it takes about 45 minutes to knead and mix and warm and knead it again or something like that, I usually walk away :). When it is done, I leave it in the bread machine for 15 more minutes and let it rise so that the yeast is more relaxed and easy to roll.
***Alternative: 1 frozen loaf of Rhodes bread, thawed and rolled out will do the same thing. :)
Cinnamon Filling Directions:
In a bowl mix:
- 1 cube softened butter
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
Building the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Plop the dough on a lightly dusted counter and roll it out about 18-24 inches long and 10-12 high. Spread the sugar/butter/cinnamon mix on the dough and roll it up. It should still be 18-24 inches long.
- Then cut the dough into 1 1/2 to 2-inch rolls. I use a steak knife or dental floss. You should get approximately 12 rolls.
- Place them in a 9x13 greased pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 45-60 minutes until they double in size.
- Then bake them at 350 degrees for about 20 to 25 minutes. Watch them closely towards the 20 minutes, they start to brown fast.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 cube of softened Butter
- 1/2 cube of softened Cream Cheese (4 oz)
- 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla
- About 1/2 pound of Powdered Sugar (added in gradually while mixing)
- Whip it until smooth and fluffy. It will lighten in color as you whip it.
- Apply a generous dollop of Cream Cheese Frosting on each warm Cinnamon Roll and enjoy! Straight out of the oven is our favorite. :)
*Tip: These Cinnamon Rolls are AMAZING with my Zesty Homemade Chili.
Favorite Christmas Candy: English Toffee @ ILikeBigButtons.com December 14 2021
ENGLISH TOFFEE CANDY
Ingredients:
* ½ cup chopped nuts (pecan or walnuts)
* ¾ cup brown sugar
* ½ cup butter
* 6 oz chocolate chips (semi or milk chocolate)
Instructions:
1. Place ½ cup of chopped nuts in the bottom of an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet.
2. Cook ¾ cup of brown sugar (packed) and ½ cup butter to 270 degrees for about 7 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Pour over nuts and smooth out.
4. Sprinkle over toffee 6 oz of chocolate chips (or not).
5. Cover at once with tin foil and wait for 2 minutes or until chips are soft.
6. Then spread the melted chocolate out with a spatula.
7. Let Cool.
8. Break into pieces. Turn over on wax paper and strike with a heavy spoon or break with hands.
Keep refrigerated. (May freeze)
Makes - 1 lb. candy
Tater Tot Casserole from ILikeBigButtons.com Kitchen April 14 2020
My favorite Go-To Dinner/Breakfast/Brunch dish, 🥔 Tater Tot Casserole 🥔. It is delicious, makes my husband grin from ear to ear when he realizes that IT is what is for dinner, and crazy easy to make.
🥔 Tater Tot Casserole 🥔 (Breakfast/Dinner)
From: I Like Big Buttons' Kitchen
Ingredients:
- 30 ounces of Tater Tots (frozen)
- 16 ounces of Sour Cream
- 2 cans of Cream of Potato soup
- 1 cup of Shredded Cheese
- 16 ounces of Cubed Ham
- 1/2 cup of Bacon Bits
(Optional) Add during the last 5 minutes of baking:
- 1/2 cup to 1 cup of Shredded Cheese (Cook for 5 additional minutes to melt.)*
Directions:
Mix soup and sour cream together in large bowl. Add tater tots until well mixed then add cubed ham, bacon bits, and shredded cheese. Place in greased 9x13 casserole dish and smooth out. Bake.
*Optional, sprinkle an additional 1/2 to 1 cup of shredded cheese on top in last 5 minutes of baking, if you like extra cheese. We do :).
Cook Time: Cook at 375 F until bubbly (about 40-50 minutes)
Christmas Crafting 2 In My Kitchen @ ILikeBigButtons.com December 20 2018
#3 Foolproof Fudge
Super quick and tastes amazing with almost no effort - my two favorite baking requirements! 😀
I make multiple batches of this recipe. This year I made Mint Chocolate Fudge and Milk Chocolate Fudge.
Christmas Crafting In My Kitchen @ ILikeBigButtons.com December 18 2018
This week I am spending time crafting in my kitchen. 😊 One of my kiddos favorite tradition is a few days before Christmas we visit all our neighbors with treats and wish them "Happy Jesus' Birthday!"
We spend upwards of 20-30 minutes at each house. 😂 Our cookie run often takes a few evenings to complete. Not the swiftest, but a wonderful time where we get to really talk with our neighbors and enjoy them in more than passing.
This year I thought I would share my favorite easy, but tasty Christmas treats.
- ½ cup chopped nuts (pecan or walnuts)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 6oz chocolate chips (semi or milk chocolate)
Directions:
- Place ½ cup of chopped nuts in bottom of tin foil lined cookie sheet. Cook ¾ cup of brown sugar (packed) and ½ cup butter to 270 degrees about 7 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over nuts and smooth out.
- Sprinkle over toffee 6 oz of chocolate chips (or not).
- Cover at once with tin foil and wait for 2 minutes or until chips are soft. Then spread the chocolate out with a spatula.
- Let Cool. Break into pieces (turn over on wax paper and strike with a heavy spoon or break with hands)
Keep refrigerated. (May freeze)