Dessert

Cooking Without Photos – Hawaiian Drop Cookies

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After a short break, I’m back with more recipes and stories to share!

This recipe comes straight from Ola, AR. Back in the day, Ola was first called Red Lick and then Petit Jean. They changed their name to Ola in 1880.

Settlers began arriving around 1840 from all over. Land was cheap and attracted folks from as far away as the Carolinas, Alabama and Tennessee.

The railroad arrived in 1899 and with it came more opportunities for growth. More businesses opened and folks were thriving.

Disaster struck in 1930 when a tornado ripped thru town and again in 1934 when a fire destroyed several businesses.

Over the years and like many small towns, Ola has experience economic turmoil. Today, Ola has a population of about 1,000. A few businesses remain, but mostly Ola is a small town with a big heart.

While flipping thru, “Seasoned With Love: Ola Band Boosters” I was reminded that Ola School District no longer exists. In 2004, Ola School district merged with several other small districts and Two Rivers School District was born. Living history, as they say.

Ola (Yell County)

On to the recipe!

I picked out Hawaiian Drop Cookies to make. Sounded pretty easy for this rainy afternoon.

Couple Things:

  1. I used a cookie dough scoop. The scoop made it way easier.
  2. I cooked these for 12 minutes and let them sit for a couple of minutes after they came out of the oven.

That’s really it. These are a not so sweet, fluffy cookie but very tasty and perfect with a glass of milk. Yessssss!

Cooking Without Photos – Lemonade Cake

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Oppelo “The Turn Off”, Arkansas. Did y’all know Oppelo used to be part of Perry County as did Petit Jean Mountain…until county lines were redrawn and Conway County overtook it ALL!!!!

I digress. Oppelo. Oppelo was settled around 1850 when L.B Opolow arrived with his family from Maryland. Upon their arrival, L.B. started up a sawmill and other timber related operations to the area.

The settlement developed around a spring that was named Oppelo Spring. It was a place where folks came for fresh water, the women socialized and individual family clothes lines were kept. Today, Oppelo Spring is on private land and is the source of water for a stock pond.

In 1867 the first post office opened in Oppelo and operated until 1913. At one time, Oppelo had schools, a drug store, general store and more.

Today, Oppelo is a quiet community. They have a beautiful park and walking trail. Maybe stop in next time you’re on your way to Petit Jean…that used to be in Perry County….we aren’t bitter about that.

While flipping thru, “Variety Pack: Favorite Recipes From Oppelo Kitchens” I stumbled across Lemonade Cake. Yum! Let’s get into it!

Couple Things:

  1. I figured out “coil” was oil pretty quick.
  2. Back in the day, they used to make a 6oz can of frozen lemonade. You’re going to have to use half of a 12oz can, kids.

That’s it. It turns out looking really plain, but it is packed with flavor. You won’t regret it.

Cooking Without Photos – No Crust Coconut Pie

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Just south of Jackson, Mississippi sits the small city of Brookhaven. Brookhaven was founded in 1818 by a settler named Samuel Jayne. Mr. Jayne named Brookhaven after Brookhaven, New York.

In 1858 the railroad came thru Brookhaven and with it the business from New Orleans and Memphis. Sadly, the Civil War battered Brookhaven and it had to be rebuilt, even the railroad was destroyed.

On to the recipe!!!

While combing thru, “A Taste Of Heaven, Jackson Street United Methodist Church”, I found a recipe for No Crust Coconut Pie.

I remember having this when I was a kid. I feel like my Grandma used to make these during the holidays. It’s been a long time since I’ve had one though. Y’all, this is great!!! Let’s get into it.

Couple things:

  1. This looks like it is going to spill over the top of the pie pan when you get it ready to cook. It didn’t but I’d still put a pan underneath just in case it decides to jump ship.
  2. It didn’t say what kind of flour to use, so I used all purpose. I bet if I used self rising, it would have overflowed. I feel like the flour is mainly for binding.
  3. I cooked this just like the recipe says. 325° for 40 minutes. Nope. Wasn’t near done. I cooked it for another 20 minutes. May just keep an eye on it.

It really does make its own crust! Delicious!!! Takes me back home❤️❤️

Cooking Without Photos – Cowboy Cookies

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This one is going to be short and sweet…sort of like the ingredients list for this recipe😆

I’ve already used a cookbook from Dardanelle. Sue me😆. I mainly picked this one up because it was done by the Cub Scouts. Community cookbooks are such a good way to raise money for different organizations.

Since Lake Dardanelle State Park is partially in Dardanelle, I’ll talk about that a little. Lake Dardanelle was created in 1965 after the Dardanelle Dam was completed in 1964 by the Corp of Engineers. In 1966, the lake was officially recognized as a State Park.

Today, Lake Dardanelle attracts bass fisherman from around the world. They offer camping, pavillions, picnic sites and a fabulous visitor center.

On to the recipe! While reading, “Cub Scouts Pack 69: Dardanelle, Arkansas” I came across Cowboy Cookies. Gah! These take me back to my high school days!

Let’s get to it! Nothing hard about this recipe. Straight and to the point. You boil a couple of things and stir in the other ingredients. Badda Bing, Badda Boom! Cookies❤️❤️

Fabulous and easy!

Cooking Without Photos – Apple Dumplings

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Jumping in, we head to Roland, Oklahoma. Roland began as a small community called Garrison or Garrison Creek. They voted to change their name in 1904. Within a few years, Roland had a population of over 200, postal service, public school, general stores and grocery stores.

The town doubled and then tripled in size over the next 70 or so years. Their main population spike came when the Cherokee Nation built the casino. It was originally called, Cherokee Nation Bingo Outpost.

It’s a sweet little town, full of history and just across the border into Oklahoma from Arkansas.

On to the recipe!

While looking thru, “Taste Of Heaven: Zion Missionary Baptist Church” I came across Apple Dumplings. I’ve actually made these a few times but it’s been probably 10 years or more. Our youngest had never had rhem before, so I decided it was time to get back at it. And he could also help me.

Couple things:
This recipe is pretty spot on.

  1. I used Granny Smith apples
  2. You can also use Sprite if you’d like instead of Mountain Dew.

That’s it. Enjoy!

Cooking Without Photos – Grandpa’s Peanut Butter Cookies

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This time we head way up in Northwest Arkansas to Boone County. Lead Hill is our destination and if you blink, you’re gonna miss it.

Lead Hill has a population of 271 people. Situated on the shore of Bull Shoals Lake, there is seriously plenty to do to keep yourself entertained.

Lead Hill was named because of the lead deposits that were mined there in the early 1900s. Actually the original town of Lead Hill is now located under water. When Bull Shoals was built, the people of Lead Hill uprooted the whole town and moved to higher ground. Yes😳

On to the recipe!

While flipping thru, “Tasty Temptations: Monarch Tabernacle Church Of God” I immediately noticed that there was a paper clip marking a recipe. I took that as a sign that we needed to try Grandpa’s Peanut Butter Cookies.

Couple things:

Actually only one🤔. It says to cook for 10 minutes and I cooked mine for 12. “Monitor and adjust”, that’s what my Mama always says.

These are the best! Super fluffy and taste wonderful! Thanks, Earl T. Johnson! May you RIP knowing your recipe is being shared still today❤️❤️❤️

Cooking Without Photos – Banana Cake

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Cooking Without Photos – Week 35

I know right where this week’s cookbook came from! My pal Debbie gave this one to me when she found out that I would be sharing recipes this way.

Ohhhhh Memphis! I’ve been to Memphis only once. I went there as a teen to tour the Titanic exhibit. It was spectacular! I remember coming out of there in tears.

Memphis, Tennessee founded in 1819 and named after Egypt’s Capitol of Memphis. Makes sense that they have a pyramid🤔. Cotton was a huge part their economic growth and in surrounding areas, it still is today.

Many notable musicians grew up in Memphis and upper Mississippi. Big names included in this roster are: B.B. King, Isaac Hayes and Elvis Presley.

Memphis is just as famous for their bbq as they are their Blues musicians. They are home to the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Mmmmmm! Tasty!

On to the recipe!!

While flipping thru, “The Memphis Cookbook: Junior League Of Memphis” I came across a recipe for Banana Cake with “Never Fail Creamy Caramel Icing”. Yes please!

Couple things:

  1. I didn’t have an 8 x 12 1/2 inch pan. I’ve never even heard of a pan that size. I just used two round layer pans. Boom! Done!
  2. I didn’t put nuts in mine and I didn’t sift the flour. Sue me🤷🏻‍♀️
  3. Sour Milk = Buttermilk. I had to look it up.
  4. Ya know how they say, “Never say never”? Welp, I failed the ”never fail” icing. I mean FAILED!! I threw it all out and thankfully had a can of frosting. Maybe someone could look at the recipe and tell me what I did wrong. The first part of the recipe ended up being a huge ball of hard candy and it went downhill from there.

Other than the icing being a disaster, the cake turned out perfect and it is super moist and tasty!!! Enjoy❤️❤️❤️

Cooking Without Photos – Lemon Squares

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Walking into the Little Rock Zoo, you automatically sense the history that surrounds the entire complex. Personally, I connect with all of the rock work throughout the park. It just makes me feel at home.

Here are some quick facts about the zoo that I bet you didn’t know:

  1. Little Rock zoo began in 1926 with only a timber wolf and a brown bear.
  2. The public quickly rallied, raised money and bought three buffalo. They also donated animals of their own to add to the zoo’s collection.
  3. By 1928, the zoo had about 3 dozen animals.
  4. In 1952 a 13 ft alligator named Big Arkie was on display and drew huge numbers. He lived 18 years at the zoo and was believed to be the largest captive alligator in the western hemisphere at that point.

Over the years several organizations and groups have helped raise money for the zoo and it has held strong. One of those organizations put out a cookbook as a fundraiser for the zoo.

While flipping thru, “What Would Zoo Like For Dinner?: A Cookbook By The Little Rock Chapter AAZK” I came across a recipe for Lemon Squares. Mmmmmmmmm! Yes please!

Couple things:

  1. It didn’t say to use self rising flour. I did.
  2. It says to “mix” the crust ingredients together. I found it difficult to “mix” butter with dry ingredients. I tried a pastry blender too. Nope. Since I’d made a huge mess, I popped it in the microwave and melted the butter. TaDa! Perfection! Just melt your butter to begin with and you won’t have that problem.
  3. Cooks up pretty!
  4. After tasting it, I feel like it may need more lemon🤔

Enjoy!!!

P.S. I’d estimate the cost of this to be under $3. Very cheap and a whole lot of flavor…just add more lemon😆

Cooking Without Photos – Blueberry Buckle

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This week we make our way up north to Concord, New Hampshire. Clearly this cookbook came from a flea market down here in the south because I’ve never once been to New Hampshire.

Concord, NH was first named Rumford and was incorporated in 1734. In 1765 it was renamed Concord by then governor Benning Wentworth. In 1808 Concord was named the official county seat.

Throughout history Concord has been the home of several notable people. Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott are among those folks that called Concord home.

Concord is also well known for Concord Coaches. The carriage company was known worldwide in the 19th century. Today the Concord Coach Square Dance Club is keeping that name alive and preserving history at the same time. This cookbook was written in 1977, but the square dancing group is still active and you can find them on Facebook.

When I opened the cookbook, “Concord Coach Cook Book: Favorite Recipes From Our Square Dancing Friends” I wasn’t sure what to expect. Then I saw it. Blueberry Buckle. Yes. Yes indeed.

Let’s get into it.

  1. Use a 9×13 pan. I almost used an 8×8. That would have been a disaster.
  2. When you get the batter mixed up, it’s going to feel more like cookie dough.
  3. Keep going. Don’t add any milk or anything extra.
  4. Doesn’t say anything about adding ice cream or whipped cream. I can’t see how you could go wrong with either.
  5. This would also be great for brunch. Reminded me of coffee cake.

Enjoy!!!

Y’all share with your friends❤️

Cooking Without Photos – Peanut Butter Treats

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🎶🎵 Georgia, Georgia 🎵🎶. I’ve never been to Georgia. Maybe one of these days I’ll get to travel there. Until then, I’ll live vicariously thru this next cookbook which comes to you from Fort Stewart, Georgia.

The land for Fort Stewart was bought in 1940 and a short two years later, it was opened as a training center for the US Army. Camp Stewart was complete with a firing range and impact areas. Fort Stewart was named after a local Revolutionary War General named Daniel Stewart and spans 280,000 acres.

When I opened, “Garry Owen Grub: A Collection Of Recipes By 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Family Support Group”, the first thing I noticed was the hole in the front cover. Then I quickly decided that it was supposed to be there as there was also a hole in the back cover as well. Bullet holes, Man. Bullet holes. Yes, they thought of everything.

And true to military style, this cookbook showcases folks from all over. Folks that came together to help make our country better. So even though this cookbook is from Georgia, it’s easy to see that this is an eclectic mix of recipes from all over the country. A treasure indeed❤️

While flipping pages, I landed on a simple recipe. Scanning the recipe for Peanut Butter Treats, I just knew it was the recipe my mom uses for her Peanut Butter Rice Krispies. Guess what? It ain’t. This one is good too, just not the one I’m looking for. Could I ask my Mama to give me her recipe? Yes, but I’m stubborn and I’m determined to find it myself😆

Couple things:

  1. It doesn’t say anything about needing a double boiler. I was nervous not to use one. Turns out you don’t need it. It melts down fine and doesn’t stick.
  2. 12 Oz bags of butterscotch chips have shrunk and are now 11 Oz bags. I put in 1/2 cup less Rice Krispies to accommodate this problem.

Y’all enjoy!