Graham Cracker Monster Cookies

These cookies are similar in taste to the Hello Dollies bar recipe, but are in a cookie form.  Delicious!

1  1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 whole crackers, crushed)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 cup flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Coat baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, flour. and baking powder; set aside.  In a large bowl beat the sweetened condensed milk and softened butter with an electric mixer until smooth.  Add vanilla.  Stir in reserved crumb mixture until smooth.  Add choclate chips, walnuts, and cocnut and stir until mixed in.  Roll dough into 1-1/2-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets.  Bake 12 to 13 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool 5 minutes on baking sheets, then move to a wire rack to cool completely!

Makes 3 dozen cookies.

(Source:  "Sweets & Treats with Six Sisters' Stuff--100+ Desserts, Gift Ideas, and Traditions for the Whole Family," pg. 51.)

Homemade Twix Bars

1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup butter, at room temperature

CARAMEL LAYER
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

CHOCOLATE LAYER
2 cups chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Coat a 9x9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, mix together sugar and flour, then cut in the butter with a fork or pastry cutter until mixture has formed into evenly-sized crumbs.  Press the mixture into the bottom of prepared pan and bake 20 minutes, until the edges start to turn a golden brown.

Remove from oven and let shortbread cool completely.

FOR CARAMEL LAYER:
Combine the cup butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Bring to a boil, stirring ocnstantly.  Continue stirring 5 minutes, and then remove from heat.  Stir an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

Pour caramel mixture over the shortbread crust.  Let caramel cool until it starts to firm up.

FOR CHOCOLATE LAYER:
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt together the choloate chips and vegetable oil on high power for 1 minute.  Stir.  Continue to heat and stir the chocolate mixture in 15-second intervals until it is completely smooth.

Pour chocolate over the caramel layer and let it cool.

Once the chocolate has hardened, cut into squares with a warm knife.  Makes 9 bars.

(Source:  Sweets & Treats with Six-Sisters Stuff--100+ Desserts, Gift Ideas, and Traditions for the Whole Family, pgs. 2,3.)

Korean Beef

1 Tablespoon sesame oil
1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (depending on how spicy you like it)
2 to 3 cups cooked white rice
1 bunch green onions, diced

Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.  Add ground beef and minced garlic and brown until no more pink remains.  Drain off most of the fat and add brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper.  Simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors.  Serve over steamed rice and top with green onions.  Makes 6 servings.

(Source:  "Six Sisters Stuff--52 Menu Plans, Recipes, and Ideas to Bring Families Together," pg. 54.)