Creamed Strawberry Butter

Posted on March 10, 2025 by clarajcarroll

Creamed Strawberry Butter

Elevate your homemade bread, strawberry pecan bread, or butterboard with my Strawberry Butter. Use real butter and fresh strawberries (frozen if out of season) for a real treat! It takes no more than 10 minutes to whip up my Strawberry Butter and have it on the table with your fresh bread.

I baked my Strawberry Bread and made a batch of Strawberry Butter for my Sunday morning Bible Class. A cup of hot coffee and sharing it with my fellow Christian friends is a delightful gift from me as God has shared the gift of baking with me. I am grateful to get to share my talents!

Blessing those around us is using our God-given talents as we are reminded in 1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.”

I took a bakery treat to a widow and she was delighted to receive such a nice surprise. She is both delightful and fun and I am grateful I get the reward of sharing joy and positivity through my baking and cooking. She texted me, told me the taste was perfect, and thanked me for my thoughtfulness. Then, she shared a sweet memory of my Mama and how they collected teapots. My widow friend received one of my Mama’s teapots when I was cleaning out my Mama’s house. A sweet and serendipitous precious moment in time!! 

Prep Time: 10 mins – Total Time: 10 mins – Servings: ½ cup

Strawberry Butter Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter, salted, room temperature
  • ⅓ cup powdered sugar
  • 6-8 chopped fresh strawberries, unsweetened

Strawberry Butter Directions

  • Cream butter for 2-3 minutes in a food processor. Add powdered sugar and blend.
  • Add strawberries and blend.
  • Using parchment paper or wax paper, roll the butter into a log. Or store it in a a clear glass container with a lid.
  • Use immediately and refrigerate any leftovers.

ENJOY! Make memories with the ones you love! 💗

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Strawberry Pecan Bread with Creamed Strawberry Butter

Posted on March 9, 2025 by clarajcarroll

Arkansas Strawberry Pecan Bread

Fresh Arkansas Strawberry Bread is a sweet delicious treat for breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert. My family has enjoyed my strawberry bread for over 40 years, and it is an easy recipe. In less than 10 minutes, you’ll have your bread baking in your oven and the aroma in your kitchen will be irresistible. 

When Elijah battled depression, God didn’t send an Angel to preach to him, tell him he needed to pray more, or condemn him for feeling that way. He sent an Angel to comfort him while he rested. Some people just need to be comforted. I Kings 19 shows us how to care for someone who is depressed. Take them food, sit with them, and encourage them to rest. 

Share a loaf of my Arkansas Strawberry Bread with someone you know who needs it. You can be the hands and feet of our Lord Jesus while you serve and love others.

Prep Time: 10 mins – Cook Time: 45 mins –Total Time: 55 mins – Servings: 3* loaves

Arkansas Strawberry Bread Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup butter, softened
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • 2 ½ cups fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 ¼ chopped pecans
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Arkansas Strawberry Bread Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350℉. Butter and flour three* 9 x 5-inch loaf pans.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the first five ingredients and mix well; set aside.
  • To the sliced fresh strawberries, remove ¼ cup of the dry ingredients and gently macerate the strawberries. Set aside for 10 minutes.
  • Whisk the oil, butter, and eggs. Add to the strawberry mixture.
  • Fold in the flour mixture and pecans blending until the flour mixture is just moistened. 
  • Divide the batter between the three* prepared pans.
  • Bake for 50 minutes. Test for doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread.
  • Cool in pans on a cooling rack for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from pans and let cool on wire racks.
  • Dust strawberry bread loaves with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh strawberries.
  • Serve with my Creamed Strawberry Butter.
  • *Use three prepared loaf pans to have fully cooked loaves of bread. Reducing to two loaf pans will result in a mushy bread. Trust me, I’ve tried it!

ENJOY! Make memories with the ones you love! 💗

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Black Forest Mini-Bundt Cakes

Posted on February 27, 2025 by clarajcarroll

Black Forest Mini-Bundt Cakes

My Black Forest Mini-Bundt Cake recipe needs no extra effort to create a beautifully designed, single-serve dessert! Enveloped in a cloud of whipped cream lies a spoonful of sweet dark cherry compote atop a delicious, dark chocolate mini Bundt cake. The rich, chocolaty flavor is enhanced with a chocolate pudding mix, espresso powder, and chocolate extract that will be a winner for after dinner or the star of your next party.

Imagine the surprise when your guests find out the base of this Black Forest Mini-Bundt Cake is a boxed cake mix. Don’t let that fool you though because the sour cream, whole milk, chocolate pudding mix, chocolate extract, and espresso powder bring out the deep rich chocolate flavor in each bite. It is a show-stopping cake with a pillow of whipped cream and homemade cherry compote.

The Giving Tree taught me sacrificial love.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day taught me everyone has bad days. Finding humor even on bad days makes for an even better day.

If Jesus Came To My House taught me to treat everyone as if it were Jesus visiting me. 

The Bible has taught me insights to living an extraordinary life, guided by our Lord and Savior with the hands of God lighting our pathway. 

Books are more than words to read and pictures on a page. Books provide doors and windows into other world spaces, ideas, adventures and lives. Words can heal, bring comfort and feed the spirit and soul.

Prep Time:  20 mins – Cook Time:  40 mins – Total Time:  60 mins – Servings: 18 mini-cakes

Black Forest Mini-Bundt Cakes Ingredients

Mini-Bundt Cakes

  • One 15.25 ounce boxed chocolate cake mix
  • One 3-ounce boxed chocolate instant pudding mix
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup sour cream, full-fat
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon chocolate extract
  • 2 teaspoons powdered espresso

Cherry Filling

  • 3 cups frozen dark sweet cherries, pitted
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 teaspoons lemon juice
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • Pinch of salt

Whipped Cream

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cold water
  • 1 teaspoon gelatin, unflavored

Black Forest Mini-Bundt Cakes Directions

Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray the bottom and sides of min-Bundt pans or use muffin pans with cupcake liners.
  • Combine all cake ingredients in a mixing bowl and blend on low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape the sides of the bowl and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.
  • Pour the mixture into your prepared pans and bake.
  • Bake for 18-21 minutes.
  • Cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pan and cool completely before adding the cherry filling and whipped cream.

Cherry Filling Directions

  • Combine all of the cherry-filling ingredients in a medium saucepan. Gently mix avoiding breaking up the cherries.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer Let simmer for 5-10 minutes until thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
  • Taste for sweetness and adjust as needed.
  • Set aside to cool.

Whipping Cream Directions

  • Chill the mixing bowl and the beater.
  • In a small bowl, mix the water and gelatin. Set aside for 2 minutes. Then, microwave for 30 seconds. Set aside.
  • Pour heavy cream and powdered sugar into a mixing bowl and beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. 
  • Add the gelatin and beat at high speed until stiff peaks are formed.

ENJOY! Make memories with the ones you love! 💗

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Farmer’s Pasta

Posted on February 23, 2025 by clarajcarroll

Farmer’s Pasta

Farmer’s Pasta is a hearty comfort food and is all about the cheeses – creamy mozzarella, gooey Gruyere, salty Parmesan, and sharp Provolone. It is an indulgence to share with family and friends.

I recommend using small or medium-shell pasta because the cheesy sauce will gather inside the shells for a delightful bite. Penne pasta works well, too, because the cheesy sauce will pool inside the penne tube.

I attend a church with a congregation of about 1,000 people and it is often that we experience a death in the family. Today a young couple buried their newborn girl and the church provided a meal for the family before the funeral. I took my Farmer’s Pasta because it is a comfort food and sometimes, that is all we need to get through the moment. 

At the death of David and Bethsheba’s baby, David says of his infant, “I cannot bring him back, but I will go to him.” There is no doubt that babies and very young children are in heaven with Jesus when they die. 2 Samuel 12

We are reminded in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This promise includes newborns, children, teenagers, and adults. All of us have the promise of eternal life with God who believes in Him.

Prep Time: 15 min –  Cook Time: 35 min –  Total Time: 50 min  – Servings: 10-12

Farmer’s Pasta Ingredients

  • Butter for the baking dish
  • 3 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 8 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
  • 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 pounds small shell pasta
  • ½ cup basil pesto
  • 6 ounces Provolone, cheese, grated
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 2 cups bread crumbs
  • Fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley

Farmer’s Pasta Directions

  • Heat oven to 375℉. 
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet and add 5 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add the flour and whisk. 
  • Whisk in the milk and cream. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to a medium-low simmer until the sauce thickens – about 5 minutes.
  • Whisk in the Gruyere, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the shell pasta. Boil for 8-11 minutes until al dente. Drain the water and transfer the pasta back into the large pot.
  • Add the basil pesto and Provolone cheese to the cheese sauce and stir until melted.
  • Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Pour the cheese sauce into the cooked pasta and combine.
  • Pour the pasta-cheese-mixture into a buttered 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish.
  • Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and add the remaining minced garlic. Toast for 30 seconds, then add the bread crumbs and gently toast. Spread the toasted bread crumbs over the cheese-pasta mixture.
  • Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
  • Garnish with fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley.

ENJOY! Make memories with the ones you love! 💗

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gourmet Grilled Three Cheese Sandwich

Posted on February 20, 2025 by clarajcarroll

Gourmet Grilled Three Cheese Sandwich

My grandson, Hudson, loves these grilled three-cheese sandwiches! His mom, Monica, created this delicious grilled cheese sandwich which is perfect for dunking into your favorite soup.  My favorite is my Creamy Tomato Soup with my delicious grilled sandwiches. The ultimate comfort foods!

Parmesan Reggiano is mixed with the butter and spread on the outside of the sandwich before grilling. Inside the sandwich are Mozzarella and Cheddar Jack cheeses melted to perfection. 

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. It is a comforting and encouraging message that provides courage to all of us. 

God has put into each of our lives a void that cannot be filled by the world. We may leave God or put him on hold, but he is always there, patiently waiting for us…to turn back to him. 

Prep Time: 5 mins – Cook Time: 5 mins –Total Time: 10 mins – Servings: 2

Gourmet Grilled Three Cheese Sandwich Ingredients

  • 4 slices of sturdy Artisan bread
  • 4 slices of Cheddar Jack Cheese
  • 4 slices of Mozzarella Cheese
  • ¼ cup Parmesan Reggiano Cheese, shredded
  • 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature

Gourmet Grilled Three Cheese Sandwich Directions

  • Spread 1 tablespoon of butter on one side of each of the 4 slices of bread.
  • Sprinkle on the butter the shredded Parmesan Reggiano Cheese. Using a spreader, blend the cheese with the butter.
  • Heat a griddle at medium heat. 
  • Place 2 slices of bread, butter side down on the griddle.
  • Add 2 slices of Cheddar Jack and 2 slices of Mozzarella Cheese to each slice of bread. Cover with the remaining slice of bread.
  • Grill until golden brown, then, flip the sandwiches to grill the other slice of bread. The cheese should be melted and gooey.
  • Serve immediately.
  • Options: Add 1 tablespoon of basil pesto to each grilled sandwich along with a slice of fresh tomato or add 2 slices of cooked bacon to each grilled sandwich.

ENJOY! Make memories with the ones you love! 💗

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cheesy Ham Crescent Sandwich

Posted on February 18, 2025 by clarajcarroll

Miss Carroll’s Cheesy Ham Crescent Sandwiches

Mrs. Ann Wood introduced me to this cheesy ham combination when I was a student teacher under her direction in Family and Consumer Sciences at Judsonia High School. My experience with Mrs. Wood had such an impact on my future that I’m writing this cookbook and including this family-favorite recipe. Over the years, I’ve tweaked the recipe and sometimes added blackberry jam to the inside gooiness to give it a sweet-savory flavor.

This morning my book club discussed “Eddie Winston is Looking for Love” by Marianne Cronin. I baked my Cheesy Ham Crescent Sandwiches as a nod to Mr. Ham and Cheese, one of the book characters. It was a fun addition to our discussion.

You may substitute your favorite cheese to accompany the ham or substitute your favorite meat. I stay true to this recipe since it is a favorite of my daughters and now my grandchildren.

Working hard for something we do not care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion. ”But as for you be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7. 

Prep Time:  10 mins – Cook Time:  30 mins – Total Time:  40 mins – Servings: 8-12

Cheesy Ham Crescent Sandwiches Ingredients

  • 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 tablespoons green onions, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 2 cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
  • 6 ounces ham, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Sesame seeds

Cheesy Ham Crescent Sandwiches Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Blend cream cheese, mayo, and mustard. Stir in the cheese, onion, pickle relish, salt, and pepper.
  • Roll out one (of the two) crescent dough sheets and place on the prepared baking sheet. With your fingers, press together the perforations. 
  • Spread the ham over the entire crescent dough leaving the edges clear. 
  • Spread the cheese mixture over the ham.
  • Roll out the remaining sheet of crescent dough over the ham and cheese mixture. Using your fingers, gently press the perforations together. Seal the outside edges with a fork to seal.
  • Brush the entire top of the crescent dough with melted butter, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Cover loosely with a sheet of foil
  • Bake for 20 minutes; remove the foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.

ENJOY! Make memories with the ones you love! 💗

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Avocado Toast with Egg and Bacon

Posted on February 13, 2025 by clarajcarroll

Miss Carroll’s Avocado Toast

One of my favorite places to order avocado toast is The Hatchery in Henderson, Nebraska. My recipe is my attempt to replicate the deliciousness I experienced at The Hatchery. The addition of the chili pepper flakes lends a kick to the overall flavors. Search for the finest ingredients that are high-quality, fresh, and free of preservatives adding flavor and depth to the avocado toast. 

Avocado toast may be simple to put together but it is on the high-end of deliciousness and nutrients.

We live under the sun, but our destiny is beyond its rising and setting. We must trust God with what we can’t control. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” Psalm 111:10.

Prep Time:  5 mins – Cook Time:  10 mins – Total Time:  15 mins – Servings: 1

Avocado Toast Ingredients

  • 2 slices of sturdy Artisan bread, thickly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 boiled eggs, sliced or scrambled eggs
  • 2 slices bacon, cooked
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Chili pepper flakes
  • 4 cherry tomatoes, halved

Avocado Toast Directions

  • Toast both slices of bread. Butter one side of each slice of toast.
  • Remove the avocado from the peel and mash with a fork. Add lime juice and mix.
  • Spread avocado over each slice of toasted bread.
  • Roughly chop bacon and spread over avocado, add eggs over bacon.
  • Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and chili pepper flakes.
  • Garnish with halved cherry tomatoes.

ENJOY! Make memories with the ones you love! 💗

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Miss Carroll’s Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Posted on February 12, 2025 by clarajcarroll

Miss Carroll’s Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

I have baked these cookies for more than 45 years delighting my family and friends with every warm cookie. I demonstrated how to make my Chocolate Crinkle Cookies at Paul Guess’s Christmas at the Warehouse and Paul fell “in love” with them. He told me he would pay good money for more of them! 

They are rich and fudgy with reminders of my Texas Brownies and melt in your mouth. Add the extra chocolate chips for additional chocolate delight!

Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. — Isaiah 59:1

Love still wins. Prayers still work and God is still able. 

I love the words that Isaiah wrote here, it reminds us that God’s hand is not shortened at all. Nothing has cut off God’s ability to intervene and execute in our lives. There is no earthly power, no challenge, no trial, not one single thing that can stop God and His ability to work in your life.

Prep Time:  40 mins – Cook Time:  10 mins – Total Time:  50 mins – Servings: 3 dozen

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Ingredients

  • ¼ cup butter softened
  • ¼ cup oil
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
  • 4 eggs, room temperature 
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Powdered sugar

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Mix butter, oil, chocolate, and sugar until creamy.
  • Blend in one egg at a time, until well mixed. Add vanilla.
  • Stir in flour, salt, and baking powder.
  • Stir in the chocolate chips.
  • Chill for 30 minutes.
  • Roll into 1 tablespoon-sized cookie balls. Drop into a small bowl of powdered sugar and completely cover the chocolate ball with the sugar.
  • Place on prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart from each other.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes.

ENJOY! Make memories with the ones you love! 💗

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Homemade Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese

Posted on February 11, 2025 by clarajcarroll

Miss Carroll’s Not Your Grandma’s Sausage Balls

I created this version of sausage balls after eating way too many dry sausage balls. These sausage balls are moist and tender, and you will never have to eat another dry one!

The cream cheese and heavy cream keep the sausage balls tender. The chives and garlic powder give the sausage balls that over-the-top savory flavor. They are best served warm right out of the oven.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

Prep Time: 15 mins – Baking Time: 20-25 mins – Total Time: 45 mins

Servings: 12-18 sausage balls

Sausage Balls Ingredients

  • 1 pound of pork sausage at room temperature
  • 1 ¼ cups of Bisquick
  • 1 8-oz. block of cream cheese at room temperature
  • 4 ounces of cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 ½ tsp of garlic powder
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh chives
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • Fresh chives, for garnish

Sausage Balls Directions

  1. Mix all ingredients until well combined. I use my gloved hands but a heavy-duty stand mixer will work, too.
  2. Using a 1-inch scooper, make loosely round balls. Do not compact the balls.
  3. Place on parchment lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
  4. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or lightly golden.
  6. Garnish with fresh chives. Serve warm.

ENJOY! Make memories with the ones you love! 💗

Posted in brunch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Clotted Cream for Scones, Biscuits, and Breads

Posted on February 9, 2025 by clarajcarroll

Miss Carroll’s Clotted Cream

My twin granddaughters and little grandson enjoy a good tea party with their Nanny and I am happy to host a fun and delightful time with them. My fresh scones with clotted cream are a special treat, especially when my grandchildren help make them before our tea party. I make the tea party time special with a linen and lace tablecloth, a china tea set, and a silver-tiered serving tower. The time spent together is important and the delicious scones with clotted cream add to the special experience.

Serve my clotted cream with my vanilla bean and peach scones for a delicious and delightful culinary experience!

As much as I provide the best gifts and experiences I can give to my grandchildren, God provides all good gifts to his believers. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” James 1:17. Romans 8:28 tells us “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” “In all things”… “God works for your good”.

Prep Time:  5 mins – Cooling Time:  30 mins – Total Time:  35 mins – Servings: 3 cups

Clotted Cream Ingredients

  • 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup of powdered sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or vanilla extract
  • 2 ⅔ cups heavy whipping cream

Clotted Cream Directions

  • Cream the cream cheese until light and fluffy. 
  • Add the sugar, salt, and vanilla paste and combine.
  • Slowly add the heavy whipping cream and whip until stiff peaks form.
  • Chill 30 minutes before serving.

ENJOY! Make memories with the ones you love! 💗

Posted in bread, brunch, scone, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment