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Samantha's Sweets Recipes

On this page you will find...
 Samantha's Sweets Top Secret Recipes -more to come so check back soon!
Well, I guess they aren't secret any more, but I'm happy to share them with you. 😉


Frosting Recipes:

Best Buttercream Frosting:
*icing recipe from Samantha's Sweets
1 1/2 sticks softened salted butter
1/4 cup pure vegetable shortening
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk(more for thinner consistency)

Whip butter and shortening until light and fluffy with mixer.  Mix in vanilla. Add 1 cup sugar, 1/2 tablespoon milk, mixing and alternating until all 4 cups and 2 tbsp. are added.  Add more milk for thinner consistency, and less milk for thicker.  Be sure and whip it good!  ;)  
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Best Whipped Buttercream Recipe:
ingredients:

1 1/2 sticks butter SOFT
3/4 cup pure vegetable shortening
2 tsp. vanilla extract or (1 1/2 vanilla, 1/2 tsp. almond extract)
2 1/2 - 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (depends on desired consistency)  *If you want it sweeter, add more sugar! 💗

I don't use milk in this recipe.  You can make your favorite buttercream frosting recipe and use the tips above to have a smooth whipped buttercream :)

Directions:
With your whisk attachment, mix on high, butter and shortening.  Add vanilla.  Mix on high until smooth and fluffy, "whipped."  This varies due to mixers and materials, but I usually mix it for at least 15 minutes sometimes 20 or more.  Then whip in your powdered sugar and continue mixing until your frosting is silky smooth. 

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Cookie Recipes:



Snowball Cookie Recipe
     A.K.A. Russian Tea Cakes ~ Mexican Wedding Cookies
Snowball Cookies---Light and delicate and oh so easy!
 1 cup softened butter
 1/2 cup powdered sugar
 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
 1/4 cup cornstarch
 1/2 tsp. vanilla
 more powdered sugar for coating. 

Heat oven to 350, cream butter, add other ingredients and mix well.  Add more flour until dough may be formed into balls.  Roll into balls, bake about 9 minutes or until set and just golden brown on bottom.  Watch they don't burn.  Roll in powdered sugar gently.  So light and delicate!  Can add different flavorings or nuts, etc.  Yum!

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Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies Recipe ~ Cookie Press
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies ~ Cookie Press
8 oz. (1 cup) butter, softened at room temperature
3 oz. cream cheese softened at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. pure almond extract
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 egg white, lightly beaten plus a dash of water.
Colored sugars or other decorations for sprinkling 
Let chill for 30 minutes.
Heat the oven to 350°F.
Fill cookie press.
Press on ungreased cookie sheet, brush with egg wash, and bake
10 to 12 minutes, until just golden on edges. 
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Oat Cakes Recipe ~ Nova Scotia Cookies
Oat Cakes ~ Nova Scotia Cookies
   ingredients...
*3 cups rolled oats
*3 cups flour
*1 3/4 cup sugar
*1 cup shortening
*2 sticks margarine or butter or 1/2 and 1/2
*1 tsp. baking soda
*1 tsp. salt
*3/4 cup cold water

Mix well, drop by rounded spoonful on greased cookie sheet, bake 350 degrees, about 10 minutes until golden brown edges(see photo above.)
May be molded or rolled and cut if adding a little extra flour. :)

These are a family favorite - great with tea!
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Best Sugar Cookie Cut Out Recipe

Best Sugar Cookie Cut Out Recipe

ingredients 
1 cup butter softened
1 cup+ 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. extract -- pure vanilla, or other
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3 cups flour

Mix well!  Roll, cut, and bake at 350 degrees just until set, lightly golden on bottom.  

This sugar cookie icing is a lot like our favorite Eat n' Park cookies!!!  It's a color flow icing that's self leveling and perfect for fill in and piping!  We love it!  

Best Sugar Cookie Icing ~ Color Flow

ingredients
3 cups powdered sugar
4 tbsp. water
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract or other
2 1/2 tsp. corn syrup
a few drops lemon juice if desired

Mix well until the consistency of glue.  Add more powdered sugar for thicker consistency.  Use gel food coloring.  Just smooth it on with a spatula or spoon and it also works great in a piping bag. Add your sprinkles quickly before the icing sets.  Let dry for several hours before packaging.  If you really want that professional look, start by outlining your images with royal icing, then use color flow to fill in.  


Best Sugar Cookie Cut Out Recipe




Some of these cookies are decorated in my marshmallow fondant!  Try it!  It's really not that hard to make...

1 lb mini marshmallows
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
4 tbsp (table spoon at time)
2 lbs powdered sugar

On flat greased surface, mix and knead shortening with melted marshmallows, adding in sugar, water, sugar, water, until incorporated and rolling consistency.   :)
Roll and cut in shapes.  Ice cookies in butter cream and then add your fondant pieces. 
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Sour Dough Sugar Cookie Recipe
Sour Dough Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
1 stick (1/2 cup) softened butter
3/4 cups sugar
1 small egg
2 tablespoon sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar for sprinkling on cookies prior to baking
*For Christmas time:
Use red and green sprinkles!!!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Using a mixer or fork, beat together the butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add in egg and vanilla extract. Blend in the dry ingredients.
Roll into loose balls of dough and sprinkle a little sugar on top.
Place on lined cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes until cracked and set.  Don't allow them to get golden brown on edges.  Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet.  Store in your favorite cookie tin and ENJOY!!!
Makes about #40 small cookies.
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Candy Dandies ~ Pecan Toffee Bars
This recipe is a true family favorite!  It comes from The Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library ~vintage! ;)
Candy Dandies ~ Pecan Toffee Bars

1 cup pecans, chopped
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips (semisweet, milk chocolate, or both)

Butter baking pan(cookie sheet with edges), spread pecans out.
Heat sugar and butter to boiling, stirring constantly.  Boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, 7 minutes.  Immediately spread mix evenly over nuts in pan.
Sprinkle chocolate chips over hot mix; place sheet in oven at 350 for just a little bit until chocolate pieces melt completely.  
Chill and cut into squares.
I like to double this recipe so I have plenty of mixture.  Be sure your sugar cooks well and dissolves.  You can even slightly toast those pecans prior.  :)
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Seven Layer Cookie Recipe
Here's a yummy one...
Seven Layer Cookies  ~ a bar cookie, and also family favorite!

Ingredients 
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup crushed graham crackers
1 cup coconut
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup nuts
1 - 15 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

9 x 13 greased pan
Press grahams and butter mix into bottom of pan. Layer in order, coconut, butterscotch, chocolate, nuts.  Pour milk over. Bake 350 for 25 -30 minutes.

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Best Peanut Butter Blossom Recipe



Peanut Butter Blossoms!

Ingredients... 
1 bag Hershey Kisses
1/2 cup margarine (I use 1/2 butter and 1/2 margarine)
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Bake at 375 until cracking and slightly gold on edges.  Immediately place kisses and let cool.  I put mine in the refrigerator to cool quicker.  I also double this batch and use 1/2 margarine/ 1/2 butter.  
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Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever
Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
    from Samantha's Sweets
Ingredients...

2 1/2 sticks butter
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup and 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. coarse salt
3 2/3 cups flour 
1 bag chocolate chips (your preference---milk, dark, or semi-sweet)  I like a mixture of all!

Bake at 350 until slightly golden. :)
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