Chocolate Muffins

These are way too easy. You'll almost feel guilty. But don't, they're so yummy and they have great texture. (Note: the picture is with my changes. I added cream cheese and chocolate chips. Leave it to me to make something kind of healthy not even close to healthy.)

1 pkg Rich Chocolate Cake or Devil's Food Cake Mix
1 small can pumpkin

Mix together with mixer.I used a Rich Chocolate cake mix for this batch. I think I prefer the Devil's Food.Put in muffin pan. Bake at 350 for 17 minutes. If you don't like pumpkin, don't worry. These don't taste at all like pumpkin... at all. I was surprised there was even pumpkin in them when I had them the first time. I think it might even be fun to put a small dollop of cream cheese in the middle before baking. But I'm a little obsessed with cream cheese.

Note: A white cake mix can also be used. But the chocolate ones are DELICIOUS!
Variation: I mixed together 1/2 pkg cream cheese, half of a beaten egg, and 1/4 cup sugar with a mixer. Drop by tbsp into each muffin. I tried to put mine in the middle and then sprinkle them with mini chocolate chips on top. But I think making a well in the middle of each muffin and then putting the filling in would work better. I'll have to try that next time. These take a few minutes longer to cook. And they're more like dessert than breakfast. Super rich and yummy. We liked ours with fresh raspberries. :)

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Spaghetti Sauce

from Barbara & Amy
My sister-in-law's mother made this sauce and it was so good. Pretty simple, too. Close enough to homemade for me! Sorry there isn't a picture. I didn't have my camera with me. You'll just have to trust me that it is good!

1 6 oz tomato paste
1 16 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 jar Ragu spaghetti sauce with mushrooms
Fresh mushrooms, cut up to desired size
1 pkg Johnsonville brand mild italian sausage (this brand is the best for this sauce)
Garlic gloves, minced
Onion, minced
Olive Oil
Parsley
1 Tbsp Butter
Sprinkle of sugar, if needed

Brown sausage, onion, and garlic with a little olive oil and parsley. Add fresh mushrooms when the sausage is almost done.

Add Ragu sauce, tomato paste, and crushed tomatoes. Let simmer until desired consistency. Add butter and sugar (if needed) at the end. Serve over hot spaghetti noodles with breadsticks or garlic bread.

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Buttermilk Waffles

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture. They were devoured before I even finished with the last one! They were so yummy and fluffy. We serve them with buttermilk syrup.

1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 egg yolks
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup cooking oil
2 egg whites

In a medium mixing bowl, stir together all dry ingredients. In another bowl, mix egg yolks (beat slightly), buttermilk and oil. Add mixture all at once to dry ingredients. Stir just until moist. In a small mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold gently into batter. Do not over mix, leaving a few fluffs behind. Pour batter onto hot waffle iron and enjoy! Serve with your favorite syrup, jam, or just butter... but I don't know why you'd want to do that!

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Puffed Wheat Squares

from Grandma R.
These are lightly sweetened treats. Perfect for summer or an after-school snack. They make up quick and they're always gone quick, too.

7 cups puffed wheat cereal (not the already sugar coated stuff - It can be hard to find sometimes. I found my bag at Albertson's)
1 cup Karo syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter Over medium heat, stirring almost constantly, cook mixture until it reaches threads (just before soft ball stage).
Coat puffed wheat and press into pan or cookie sheet. Let set and cut into squares.

I have a ton of memories with these squares growing up. My grandmother made them for almost every family gathering/event. The grandkids all loved them. I remember them being part of my grandmother.

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