Persimmon Bars
Persimmon bars as done by my husband’s grandmother for years. A family holiday favorite. Sweet frosting tops these delicious cakes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Lightly grease a 10×15 inch jelly roll pan.

In a small bowl stir together persimmon pulp and baking soda; set aside.

In a separate bowl mix together egg white sugar vegetable oil and raisins.

In a large bowl stir together flour cinnamon nutmeg salt and cloves.

Stir persimmon mixture and egg mixture into the dry ingredients.

Fold in walnuts.

Spread batter into prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile combine confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice.

Stir until sugar is dissolved.

Remove bars from oven and spread with glaze.

Baked Chicken Breasts and Vegetables
For a healthy yet filling sheet pan dinner, this baked chicken and vegetable dish bakes chicken breasts with carrot, bell pepper, and celery.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Arrange chicken breasts on a baking sheet; spread carrots celery green onion bell pepper and parsley around chicken.

Drizzle olive oil over chicken and vegetables; season with Italian seasoning chili powder lemon pepper salt and black pepper.

Cheesy Eggplant Rollatini
These cheesy, comforting rollatini are rolled up with a creamy spinach mixture and topped with marinara sauce.

Set oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees C).

Use parchment paper to cover a baking sheet.

Salt the slices of eggplant with kosher salt.

Allow the eggplant to drain for 10 to 15 minutes.

Transfer to baking sheet after patting dry with paper towels.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in a preheated oven to soften.

After taking it out of the oven, season with black pepper.

Over medium-low heat, combine the spinach, onion, and garlic; cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted.

Italian seasoning is used to season.

Ricotta cheese and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese are combined in a bowl.

Add spinach mixture and mix thoroughly.

Over each eggplant slice, evenly distribute 2 spoonfuls of the spinach mixture.

wrap the eggplant

Creamy Cheesecake
This cheesecake is creamier than most cheesecakes, and very easy to make. Use grated lemon zest or 1 teaspoon lemon extract for flavoring.

Set oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees C).

Lightly beat softened cream cheese.

Add the lemon zest, sugar, and vanilla.

Beat until fluffy and light.

Fill crust with mixture.

Bake for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) or until firm.

If desired, add cherry or blueberry pie filling to the cheesecake after it has cooled.

Before serving, place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours.

Hearty Hamburger Soup
This recipe for hamburger soup is a thick and filling meal packed with vegetables and barley. It comes together quickly and will become a family favorite.

Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat and crumble in ground beef.

Cook and stir until beef is evenly browned and no longer pink.

Drain and discard any excess grease.

Stir in onion carrots celery and barley.

Pour in beef broth diced tomatoes water and condensed soup.

Season with bay leaf parsley garlic thyme and pepper.

Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and cover.

Air Fryer Garlic-Parmesan Potato Wedges
These quick and simple to prepare crispy air fryer potato wedges are flavorful thanks to the addition of Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.

Preheat an air fryer to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Line the basket with nonstick foil.

Pierce the potato several times with a paring knife.

Microwave on high power until very soft 7 to 10 minutes flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Remove and let cool enough to handle.

Use a serrated knife to carefully slice potato in half lengthwise.

Slice each half into 4 wedges then cut the wedges in half.

Drizzle with oil and brush to coat.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Dipping Sauce
When you season extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), including with garlic and red pepper flakes, it becomes a fantastic bread dip.

Stir olive oil garlic red pepper flakes parsley oregano kosher salt and black pepper together in a small bowl; marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Kid’s Favorite Baked Oatmeal
Baked oatmeal, made with applesauce, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, is kid-approved, quick and easy, and perfect for on-the-go breakfasts.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Mix oats milk eggs applesauce brown sugar butter white sugar baking powder cinnamon and vanilla extract together in a bowl until oats are evenly moistened; pour into prepared baking dish.

Bake in the preheated oven until set and just golden brown 20 to 30 minutes.

Great Apple and Carrot Muffins
These delicious apple carrot muffins are great for breakfast, brunch, or as a snack!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Grease 20 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.

Mix water and flax seeds together in a bowl.

Stir all-purpose flour whole wheat flour baking soda and salt together in a large bowl.

Add carrots and chopped apples; toss to coat.

Stir applesauce white sugar brown sugar olive oil eggs walnuts and flax seed mixture into the flour mixture.

Mix until batter is well combined.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups filling each cup about 3/4 full.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed about 18 minutes.

Brown Sugar Biscuits
Although these delicious rolls aren’t actually biscuits, they are named after rolls I used to purchase from my neighborhood bakery. My family doesn’t think they need icing because they are sweet enough, but a basic powdered sugar one would be nice.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Lightly grease a baking sheet or use parchment paper.

In a large bowl combine flour brown sugar baking powder salt and cream of tartar.

Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Mix in milk and vanilla.

Knead briefly on a floured surface.

Roll out into a large rectangle 1/2 inch thick.

Spread softened butter onto surface of dough.

Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over butter.

Roll tightly and cut into 12 equal slices.

Place on prepared baking sheet.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.