We in the Betty Crocker Kitchens evaluated more than 1,000 cookie recipes made with Betty Crocker Cookie Mix for our Bake Life Sweeter Cookie Mix Contest. Our team of tasters narrowed down all these recipes to the final 15 best recipes. Okay—I know that sounds like a really fun job but as they say, "Someone has to do it!" I'd like to tell you more about these ...

Tags: Cookie Contest, cookies

Many members of our staff just met in the test kitchens for lunch today because the word got out that we had lots of yummy leftovers from yesterday's taste panel. While we were enjoying our lunch, Lisa told me that she was planning a baby shower this spring and that she was looking for some great food ideas for it. If you ask a Food Editor for recipe ideas, you are likely to get some—sooner than later.   ...

Tags: appetizers, baby bib appetizers, baby shower, Cheddar cheese, ham

As a cooking enthusiast, I love trying new recipes. I like to use recipes from cookbooks, magazines, and from my friends. I search the internet looking for great new recipe ideas. I have files of recipes ideas, both at home and at work. When it comes to the holidays however, I have found that our family really doesn't want to try "new" recipes.   When I first met Jack, his mother aske...

Tags: asparagus, Easter, ham, potatoes, recipes

On a very cold Saturday morning two weekends ago, we left our cozy, warm cabin in the North woods of Wisconsin to visit the Cable Natural History Museum, in downtown Cable, WI.   After visiting the temporary museum and looking at the hole in the ...

Tags: beef sandwich, bettycrocker.com, Cable Natural History Museum, grill, Panini, sandwich

Our days are getting longer and warmer and for some of you, this means a change in your cooking. I plan to start looking for new grilling recipes – that is after Jack shovels off our deck where our gas grill is. Here in Minnesota, it's supposed to snow (or maybe rain) on Monday, so winter's not quite over yet.  ...

Tags: Corned Beef Brisket, Reuben Sandwiches, slow cooker, Swiss Steak

A couple of times a year, I'm asked to plan a menu for a fellowship dinner for our church. The way it works, it that members sign up to attend the dinner and then they are assigned to a host home – eight members per home. Every couple or guest has to bring a part of the menu. After dinner, we all go to one house for dessert.   I've learned to keep these menus easy. My criteria for rec...

Tags: Corned Beef Bites, dark beer, Grasshopper Fudge Cake, Irish Chicken Stew, Irish Soda Bread, St. Patrick's Day menu, stout

As a food editor for the Betty Crocker Kitchens, my job is to develop recipes for magazines our readers will want to make. Based on consumer research, I know that you like using your favorite family recipes, but are looking for a new twist on them. This can sometimes be quite a challenge. Take a grilled cheese sandwich, for example.You might be tired of sandwiches that are made with American cheese and white bread, so we’ve developed recipes such as:     ...

Tags: grilled cheese sandwich, new recipes

Many years ago, I volunteered to help my friends Guy and Pat move into a new home. Since I'm not able to offer much help lifting heavy boxes or carrying furniture, I asked if I could make dinner for the moving crew instead.  I knew this meal had to be really easy and not call for many cooking utensils, since I wasn't sure if we'd get them unpacked in time to make dinner...

Tags: boiled shrimp, Dutch Pear Pie, moving