Dot's Vermont Maple Cookies

As served by Dot at our ladies' Bible study...

1/2 C. shortening (can substitute butter or lard)
1 1/2 C. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 C. sour cream
1 Tbsp. maple flavoring
2 3/4 C. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 C. nuts

Mix shortening, sugar, and eggs thoroughly.  Stir in sour cream and maple flavoring.  Add flour, baking soda, salt, and nuts.

Bake 374 degrees for 10 minutes.  Top with maple frosting.

Maple Frosting

1/2 C. melted butter
2 C. powdered sugar
2 tsp. maple flavoring
Add 2-4 Tbsp. hot water

Dot's Upside-Down Berry French Toast

We had this at a brunch at my friend Dot's house.  She had modified it significantly, and I've modified it further.  Here's the recipe as originally written.

5 eggs
3/4 C. milk
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 loaf French bread, sliced into thick slices
frozen berries
sliced bananas
1 C. sugar (I only use about 1/3-1/2 C.)
1 Tbsp. apple pie spice (opt.)
cinnamon sugar

Combine eggs, milk, baking powder, and vanilla.  Place bread in shallow dish and pour egg mixture over bread.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Combine strawberries, bananas, sugar, and spice.  (Any fruit will do.  Dot used frozen mixed berries and less sugar.  I use a lot less sugar.)

Spoon fruit mixture in bottom of large, greased baking dish.  Place bread in a single layer over fruit.  Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake 20-25 minutes.  Makes 8 servings.

NOTE: Dot spooned this out to serve it, but I like to dump it over and serve it like upside-down cake.  Yum!

Dot's Zesty Carrots

I have not actually eaten these yet, but several people have asked my friend Dot for this recipe, including many who don't normally like cooked carrots at all. I figured I'd post it here and give it a try.

(Note: we did make these, and they are yummy!)

Pour mixture of the following over lightly cooked carrots:

1/2 C. mayonnaise
1/4 C. water (use cooking water from carrots)
3 Tbsp. grated onion
3 Tbsp. horseradish
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Top with croutons or 1/4 C. bread crumbs and 1 Tbsp. butter.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.