Red Velvet Cake

This is the way my mom made Red Velvet Cake growing up.  It is simple, quick, and very moist. 

Cake:
1 Butter Recipe cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco
1 tsp. cocoa
1 oz. red food color

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat on high speed for 2 minutes.  Spray 3 9 inch pans with non-stick cooking spray and evenly pour batter into pans.  Bake for 30 minutes or until cake springs back. 

Frosting:
1 stick butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 box confectioners' sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients with a mixer until creamy. 

Hint:  I made these as mini cupcakes and baked them for around 12 minutes.  I also added 1 cup of crushed Oreos to the frosting before piping it onto the mini cupcakes.  They were delicious!!!  If you're a pecan lover, you can also add chopped pecans to the frosting.

Chicken Enchilada Soup

4 cans cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 pound of Mexican Velveeta cheese
1 can mild Ro-Tel (tomatoes & green chilies)
4 to 6 chicken breasts, cooked & cut-up
2 cups  of half & half
2 cups of milk (or heavy whipping cream)
1 can black beans (rinsed & drained)
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1/2 can (4-6 oz.) mild enchilada sauce

On the stove:  Mix all ingredients together & heat thoroughly on medium low heat, stirring some while heating until cheese melts. 

In the crock pot:  Mix all ingredients together & heat on high for 3-4 hours or low for
5-6 hours until warm.  Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. 

This makes a large pot!

Serve with tortilla chips.

Cookie Dough Cheeseball

This is a delicious treat to take to your Christmas party!  We love it!

1 (8oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 T. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 c. miniature semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 c. crushed Oreos

In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth.  Mix in confectioners' sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours. 
Shape chilled cream cheese mixture into a ball.  Wrap with plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour. 
Roll the cheese ball in crushed Oreos before serving. 
I serve this with chocolate crackers.