Sloppy Joe Casserole

I love, love, love sloppy joes!  So when a recipe has "sloppy joe" in the title...I'm sold!  This is a little different take on sloppy joes.  As always, simple, and delicious!  (This recipe came from the Pillsbury site:  http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/sloppy-joe-casserole/89b82488-7f2c-4c63-be7f-94a06ad137bf/?ESRC=16033&WT.mc_id=partner_facebook_pillsbury#)

Sloppy Joe Casserole
1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained
1 can sloppy joe sauce (I use ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar to make my own)
1 can refrigerated original breadsticks
1/2 cup (2 oz) shredded cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Brown and drain ground beef.  Add sloppy joe sauce.  Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.  (I added ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar and did not let it boil).

While meat is boiling/warming, unroll breadsticks.  but into 1/4ths. 

Pour beef mixture into an ungreased 9X13 glass dish.  Place breadsticks in a single layer over meat mixtre.

Bake uncovered for 13 minutes.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Bake an additional 2 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Enjoy!

Chocolate No Bake Cookies

I have always loved these yummy cookies!  The school I teach at makes AMAZING no bake cookies and a friend of mine got ahold of the school's recipe and passed it along to me!  They are really easy and delicious!!!

Chocolate No Bake Cookies
1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
2 T cocoa
2 c. sugar

Mix together.  Heat on medium heat and let boil for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add and mix well after each addition.
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 t. vanilla
3 c. oats
Drop by tablespoonfuls (I use an ice cream scoop) onto waxed paper.  Cool and enjoy!

Sugar Cookie Bars

I came across this recipe on one of my favorite baking sites:  My Baking Addiction.  Click here for the direct link to the recipe on her site!  I am a huge fan of frosted sugar cookies, especially when they are soft, chewy, and have a thick layer of frosting!  When I saw this recipe, I knew I HAD to try it!  I took them to work and they were a hit!  Since then I've made them many times and love how easy they are!  Just as good as sugar cookies...without all the fuss!  (I promise I'm going to learn how to take better food pictures...who knew it could be so hard to get a good shot)!
Let me know what you think!

Sugar Cookie Bars

1 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
5 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg.  Add vanilla and mix well.  In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, and soda.  Stir with a whisk to combine.  Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined.  Spread on a greased baking sheet (use a 13 X 18 pan).  Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean.  (Note:  I usually have the best luck baking them for 18-22 minutes...I just watch closely.  Less than that and they're too doughy for our liking).  Cool completely before frosting.

Buttercream Frosting

1 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
6-8 cups powdered sugar

Mix the butter until smooth and creamy.  Add 4 cups of powdered sugar, the milk, and vanilla.  Mix on low until combined.  Add 2 more cups of powdered sugar and mix on low until light and fluffy.  At this point, judging by your desired consistency, either stop or add the remaining 1-2 cups of powdered sugar.  (I usually use 7-8 cups).  (Note:  This is a different frosting recipe than the one posted with the original sugar cookie bar recipe).  Spread over cooled bars and decorate as desired.

ENJOY!