Red Velvet Cake Cookies

I am all for short cuts!  Don't get me wrong.  Sometimes it's great to make a mess in the kitchen and bake from scratch.  But having four little ones means that 9 times out of 10, I don't have the time.  This is one of those easy ones, and as a bonus, you can change up the combinations and make all sorts of yummy flavors.  I typically makes these every year for Valentine's Day to give our friends and neighbors.

Red Velvet Cake Cookies

1 pkg red velvet cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
2 eggs
1 Tbl vanilla
2 cups white chocolate chips

Directions
Combine cake mix, melted butter, eggs and vanilla until well blended.
Stir in chips
Drop onto cookie sheet with cookie scoop
Bake at 350 degrees for 9 to 10 minutes

Loaded Potato Casserole

This recipe is very similar to funeral potatoes, but in my opinion is BETTER. I made these as a side dish with our ham at Easter and there were no leftovers.  They are a perfect side dish.

Loaded Potato Casserole

10 cups shredded hash browns, thawed

12 oz sour cream

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 onion, diced

2 cups sharp cheese

8 to 9 slices of bacon, crumbled

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Saute onions in butter until translucent

Mix all ingredients in a bowl

Pour mixture into a 9x13 baking dish

Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes

Coconut Shrimp with Pina Colada Dipping Sauce

This is a take on Red Lobster's coconut shrimp, and I LOVE this dipping sauce. So good! These would be perfect for a party or just dinner one night.

Coconut Shrimp

4 to 6 cups canola or vegetable oil (for frying)

24 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails on

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

2 Tbl sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup milk

2 Tbl pina colada mix

1 cup panko Japanese breadcrumbs

1 cup shredded coconut

Directions
Heat oil to 350 degrees in a deep fryer or large heavy skillet

Measure 3/4 cup of flour into a medium bowl

In another medium bowl mix together the remaining 3/4 cup flour, sugar, and salt

Stir in milk and pina colada mix

Let batter stand for five minutes

In a third medium bowl mix panko breadcrumbs and shredded coconut

Dip each shrimp once in the flour, then wet batter, and then coat with panko/coconut

Place all shrimp on a plate until all of them are battered

Fry shrimp by dropping one at a time into the hot oil for 2 to 3 minutes or golden brown

Only fry about six at a time depending on your pan size (cooking too many will bring down the oil temp)

Remove shrimp to paper towels to drain
Sprinkle with a little extra salt if desired

Serve shrimp with dipping sauce

Pina Colada Dipping Sauce

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup pina colada mix

1/4 cup crushed pineapple

2 Tbl granulated sugar

Sausage Cheese Balls

These are pretty old school.  I remember eating them when I was growing up.  I think they have stuck around because they are simple to make and taste good.  I like to serve them with a sweet honey mustard for dipping.

Sausage Cheese Balls

1 lb roll sausage
2 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheese
2 cups biscuit mix
1/2 cup water
1 tsp baking powder

Directions
Heat oven to 350
Combine ingredients in large bowl until blended
Shape into 1 inch balls (I use a cookie scoop)
Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet
Bake about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown

Sweet Honey Mustard
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbl spicy mustard
2 Tbl honey
1 tsp sweet pickle juice