Buttercream Icing

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon clear vanilla
4 cups sifted confectioner's sugar (approx. 1 pound)
2 tablespoons milk

Cream butter and shortening with electric mixer. Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep icing covered with a damp cloth until ready to use. For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored 2 weeks. Rewhip before using.

YEILD: 3 cups

Credit: Wilton

Hawaiian Wedding Cake

1 box yellow cake mix (and whatever ingredients are called for to make it)
1 can crushed pineapple (15 oz.)
1 3 oz. package of vanilla instant pudding mix
1 cup milk
1 8 oz. tub of Cool Whip

Bake the cake as directed on box. While still hot, poke holes all over the cake and pour the entire contents of the pineapple, including the juice over the cake, spreading the pineapple evenly. Set aside and allow to cool slightly.

While the cake is cooling, mix the pudding mix and milk, beating well for 2 minutes. Fold into the Cool Whip. This is your frosting. Spread onto the cake. Refrigerate for several hours, even overnight. The longer the better.

Credit: Lori at Simple Life at Home

Savory Roasted Chicken Breasts

Savory Roasted Chicken Breasts
4 bone-in chicken breasts, with skin (about 3 1/2 pounds)
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon-pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon dried, ground thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. Loosen skin on chicken breasts and pull back, but don't completely detach.

2. In a small bowl, combine the seasonings, except for the lemon juice. Rub the seasonings on the meat, and then pull the skins over top.

3. Pour a tablespoon of lemon juice on top of each breast, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place chicken breasts in a foil-lined roasting pan.

4. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees F for about an hour, or until chicken juices run clear and a meat thermometer reads 180 degrees F (cover loosely with foil if browning too quickly). Cover and let stand for 15 minutes.

Credit: Heather at "Want What You Have"

Butter Cake

1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
5 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon premium almond flavor
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray pans with vegetable pan spray, or use Cake Release. In mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla and almond flavor. Mix flour with baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture alternately with milk, starting with the flour; mix well. Pour into prepared pans. Refer to baking chart, for baking times and temperatures for specific pans. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Loosen sides and remove. Cool completely before decorating.

Credit: Wilton

Old Fashioned Snickerdoodles

1/2 cup margarine (1 stick)
3/4 cup sugar
1 medium egg
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-2/3 cups flour
2 tablespoons white sugar mixed with 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

In a large bowl mash together the margarine and sugar. Add the egg and beat until everything is creamy. Add the baking powder, salt, and flour. Stir it up until you have a nice thick dough. In a cereal bowl, combine the cinnamon and 2 tablespoons sugar.

Now comes the fun part; let the kids help. Make sure every one's hands are clean and then shape the dough into balls the size of a walnut, or an egg yolk. Roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place the coated balls on an oiled cookie sheet. using the bottom of the smooth cup or glass, press the dough down to flatten the cookies slightly. Bake them at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. If your oven runs hot, turn it down to 375 degrees. These cookies are great in lunch boxes and for after school snacks.

Credit: Hillbilly Housewife

One Dish Chicken & Rice Bake

1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (regular, 98% fat free or 25% less sodium)
1 cup water*
3/4 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Mix soup, water, rice, paprika, and black pepper in a 2-qt. shallow baking dish. Top with chicken. Season with additional paprika and pepper. Cover.

Bake at 375 degrees F. 45 minutes or until done.

*For creamer rice, increase water to 1 1/3 cups.

Credit: Campbell's Kitchen

Cooked Grits

1 cup quick cooking grits
4 cups water
1 teaspoons salt

Get out a 2 quart saucepan. In it combine the grits, water, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes. The instructions will tell you to cook them for 5 minutes, but the grits are better after 10 minutes. Serve hot with eggs and sausage for breakfast.

Credit: Hillbilly Housewife