M&M Sugar Cookies

I have searched high and low for a best M&M cookie recipe out there, and here is the result. These cookies remind me of the yummy M&M cookies you can get in the mall. The best part is you can make them as chocolaty as you would like, since you put most of the M&M on top before baking.

1 c. shortening (can substitute real butter, but I found shortening works best)
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. M&Ms candy

Cream together shortening, sugars, eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Add 1/2 c. candies and mix until candies are incorporated. Drop by teaspoon into cookie sheet and decorate with remaining candies (just push them into the top). Bake at 375 for 9-12 minutes - they should be a golden color. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes before removing.

Hint: Since I have OCD tendencies, I like to make sure each cookie has every color of M&M. Sounds silly but they look so pretty when they have a rainbow on top. The girls love to put the M&Ms on the top, so this is a great recipe for little hands (and little mouths!).

Li'l Bit O Lemon Sugar Cookies

This recipe is actually a mistake that turned out great. I was making sugar cookies and didn't have any cream of tartar, and I had already started. I decided to substitute lemon juice and add a little zest and viola - delicious sugar cookies with a little zing!

1 c. butter, softened

1 c. butter-flavored Crisco

2 c. powdered sugar

1 c. sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

Zest of two lemons

1 tsp. baking soda

3 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. salt

4 1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. sugar

Cream butter, Crisco and sugars together. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla, zest, soda, juice and salt. Mix well. Add flour slowly. Chill for about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Roll dough into a walnut-sized ball. Dip in sugar. Place on a greased cookie sheet and flatter with a spatula or your hand. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes before removing to wire cooling rack. Enjoy with a tall glass of milk

Yield: About 4 dozen cookies

Cheryl's Sweet Southern BBQ Sauce

I made this for ribs last night and it was a big hit. (I put the ribs in the crock pot for a few hours, then put them in the oven at 250 for about an hour and a half, basting with this sauce every 30 minutes. They were tender and yummy. I think next time, I will try plopping them on the grill for a bit too).

1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. molasses
1 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
2 tsp. prepared mustard
1 c. ketchup
1/2 c. water
1 tsp. cornstarch (or as needed for desired thickness)

In a small sauce pan, add garlic, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, molasses, brown sugar and mustard. Cook and stir 5 minutes, then mix in ketchup, water, and cornstarch. Reduce heat to low, and continue cooking 10 minutes, until thickened. Use on burgers or baste ribs or chicken with sauce.