Blueberry Muffins (kid favorite)

Ingredients:
1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 3/4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. table salt
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. grated orange or lemon peel
1 large egg
3/4 c. buttermilk
1/3 c. canola oil
1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries
1 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. sugar

Streusel Topping:
1/4 c. sugar
2 1/2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 Tbsp. butter

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Combine flour (1 3/4 C) with baking powder, salt, sugar and citrus peel in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the mixture.

3. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk and oil.

4. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.

5. In a small bowl, combine the remaining flour (1 Tblsp.) and sugar (1 Tblsp.). Toss the blueberries in this mixture until they are well-coated.

6. Gently fold the blueberry mixture into the batter.

7. Spoon the batter into lined muffin tins, filling 2/3 full.

8. Make the streusel topping by combining the 1/4 c. sugar, 2 1/2 Tbsp. flour and cinnamon. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or two butter knives until the mixture is crumbly.

9. Sprinkle topping over the batter.

10. Bake for 18 minutes or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the muffins comes out clean.

11. Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack. Makes 12 muffins.

Sugared Pecans

Ingredients:
1 egg white
1 Tblsp water
1 pound pecan halves
1 C white sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
2. Grease a rimmed baking sheet, or line with heavy-duty foil.
3. In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt and cinnamon.
5. Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly.
6. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated.
7. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes. DO NOT INCREASE OVEN TEMP OR NUTS WILL BURN.

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER

Ingredients (for 2 dozen cookies):
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
2 tbsp. shortening
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1-1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2tsp cornstarch
1-2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preparation:
1. Combine shortening, butter, sugars, egg and vanilla in a medium-sized bowl. Mix thoroughly with an electric mixer on medium speed.

2. Add baking soda, cornstarch and salt. Mix.

3. Slowly add flour until thoroughly blended.

4. Add chocolate chips and nuts, then mix.

5. Roll or scoop dough into 1" or 2" balls. Place on a cookie sheet lined with a Silpat mat or parchment paper.

6. Bake at 350* for 8 to 10 minutes. For a softer cookie, bake until the edges are slightly golden brown.