Here is an alternative to the pumpkin pie for your Thanksgiving dinner. This easy pumpkin mousse is cool, creamy, and ready in minutes. Cream cheese, pudding mix, whipped topping, and canned pumpkin are layered with gingersnap crumbles for a fast fall dessert. A pumpkin mousse parfait, warmly spiced and studded with crunchy gingersnap bits, comes…

I was looking for a different kind of recipe for the October Issue. I found this recipe in the Taste of Carriage House. This recipe book has a ton of great recipes. I thought this recipe would be a good one for fall. I hope you enjoy it! Pecan Crunch Salmon Ingredients4 salmon fillets (1-1½…

With the 2025 Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show just around the corner, I thought I would delve into my Aunt Erma’s The Run of the Mill Recipes cookbook for one of her champion cakes. Erma won numerous Grand Champion ribbons for her cakes. Here is her Grand Champion Coconut Cake recipe Coconut Cake Ingredients3 cups…

I found this recipe in one of Pillsbury’s Bake Off cookbooks. This recipe was the grand prize winner in 1978. Biscuits make a flaky home-style crust for a popular pot pie with chicken in a creamy, cheesy sauce. This dish is great for busy households with little time to prepare a meal. Chicken & Broccoli…

The recipe for this month is a recipe from the A Taste of Carriage House cookbook.  Juanita Bowers and her husband owned and operated the Carriage House Candy & Bake Shop in Mt. Pleasant. She developed this cookbook containing some of her favorite recipes. I remember loving to go there for cake decorating supplies and…

Maxine TroxellThis recipe came from the Farm Journal’s Country Cookbook. I have won numerous prize ribbons with this cake. It’s perfect to serve with fresh fruit, and the recipe makes a large cake. This cake has been taste-tested by my late dog, Trixie. I usually make this cake for the Community Show, but one year,…

Maxine Troxell No Bake Banana Split Dessert The No Bake Banana Split Dessert is a classic treat that layers a graham cracker crust, cream cheese filling, bananas, pineapple, whipped cream, nuts, chocolate, and Maraschino cherries on top.  It is a take on the classic banana split, which is claimed to have been created in Pennsylvania.…

Maxine Troxell This cheese and onion quiche is the kind of classic dish grandma would serve up for a cozy brunch or a special Sunday breakfast. With its buttery, flaky crust, creamy egg filling, and caramelized onions melted into gooey cheese, every bite feels like home. It’s simple and timeless, just the way the best…

Maxine Troxell While it’s a common belief that Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake was a product of the Great Depression, its roots can be traced back to the early 20th century. Early cake recipes often included thick dairy products akin to the consistency of mayonnaise, such as sour cream or buttermilk, to add moisture and richness. The…

Maxine Troxell Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Goulash recipe is a classic meal that has been passed down through generations. There’s nothing quite like a big pot of grandma’s goulash simmering on the stove on a cold winter evening. The rich, hearty flavors are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. And best of all, this dish is…

Maxine Troxell Winter is officially here. What is more comforting on a cold, winter day then slippery potpie? My mom used to make it with cooked chicken or ham. Either way, it’s delicious! Slippery pot pie is a combination of cooked chicken or ham, pastry squares, and vegetables. A traditional favorite in the Pennsylvania Dutch…

Maxine Troxell This 1960s retro recipe for Baked Alaska will have you reminiscing about Beatles songs and go-go boots! It combines buttery, rich pound cake; creamy ice cream; and fluffy meringue, for a dessert that is not only delicious, but also makes an impressive ending to any dinner. You can use your own pound cake…

Maxine Troxell I am always looking for new recipes. I came across a cookbook titled Best Recipes several years ago. Recipes in this book came from the backs of boxes, bottles, cans,  and jars. This recipe for Pumpkin Bread is different from the one from Libby’s, so I’m not sure of the source of this…

Maxine Troxell Okay, here I go, divulging the source of some of my secret recipes. Back in 1972, I purchased a cookbook from The Farm Journal called The Country Cookbook. I have gotten a lot of my prize recipes from this book, including a number of bread, cake, cookie, and pie recipes. This Pecan Pie…

Maxine Troxell With the upcoming Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show, I wanted to find a winning recipe to share. This recipe was the Grand-Prize winner in the 1968 Pillsbury Bake-Off. Happy baking, and I hope to see your cake at the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show Bake Sale on September 6 at 7:30 p.m. Nutty…

Maxine Troxell Summer is the ideal time to fire up the grill and enjoy your meal outdoors. Whether it’s hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, or ribs, everything tastes better on the grill. I was looking for some old recipes, and I found this recipe for Texas Honey Sweet & Sour Ribs in my Aunt Erma’s Run…

Maxine Troxell With summer approaching, it’s berry-picking time. I remember picking black raspberries at Catoctin Mountain Orchard. Berry picking wasn’t one of my favorite things to do, especially black raspberries, because of all the thorns on the bushes. When I was growing up, I remember my mother would make black raspberry custard pies.  Anytime someone…

by Maxine Troxell Got a ham bone leftover from the holidays? Lucky you. Put it to good use in this comforting ham and bean soup. The soup was one of my favorites. My mom used to make this soup with rivels. She always made it in a pot on the stove. This recipe uses a…

by Maxine Troxell I come from a family of good bakers. I remember my grandmother making pies and all kinds of cookies. My Aunt Pauline was famous for her cream puffs. My Aunt Ermie was a grand champion baker at the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Show and other local fairs. I want to share one of…

by Maxine Troxell Irish soda bread may be most popular around St. Patrick’s Day, and it’s usually served with corned beef and cabbage. I remember that Shamrock Restaurant served a delicious soda bread with their corned beef and cabbage meals. This version bakes into a lightly sweetened round loaf, resembling a giant scone, with a…