A Very SPECIAL Mac 'n Cheese

Our Favorite Dish of Mac'n Cheese.  

When our family gets together, we look forward to grandson Philip treating us to his speciality. When I requested his recipe for publication, he sent as I have it posted. You will love it.  I am posting his reply and recipe.

Hey Grandma, I don’t really have a set recipe, I adjust it as I go/see fit but below is the general idea.  

Don't you just love it?  I do!

Ingredients:
1 box of pasta (any shape)
6 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
8oz half/half
24oz 2% milk
8oz White Cheddar
8oz Cheddar Sharp Cheddar
6oz Gruyère
4oz Mozzarella
Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder to taste
2 teaspoons of ground yellow mustard powder
1 teaspoon of Cayenne pepper

Save about 1/4 of the shredded cheese to top the Mac n Cheese for a crispy crust. Breadcrumbs optional

Directions:

Cook the pasta to the point of 3/4 doneness.  Drain pasta and return to pan, add butter to melt.

Make a roux with 1/4 cup flour and adding milk stirring as you add to prevent lumps.  Add cheese and spices to create the sauce stirring well over low flame to prevent burning.

Combine pasta and sauce.  Pour into in a baking dish which you have buttered bottom and sides.  Sprinkle reserved cheese on top.  Top with bread crumbs if using.

Hazelnut Date Pumpkin Bread

Hazelnut Date Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:
5 cups flour
2 1/2 cups sugar
4 teaspoons baking soda
1-3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 can (29 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
1 cup 2% milk
1 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups chopped hazelnuts
2 cups chopped dates

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk the first 7 ingredients. In a stand mixer, beat eggs, pumpkin, milk, oil, and vanilla until blended. Beat in flour mixture just until moistened. Fold in hazelnuts and dates.

Transfer to 3 greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 50-55 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool. Freeze option: Securely wrap cooled loaves in foil, then freeze. To use, thaw at room temperature.

Dipping Brownie Dessert

Dipping Brownie Dessert

Ingredients:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened,
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup 2% milk
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup M+Ms mini, optional

Directions:
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.  

Beat in confectioners sugar, cocoa, milk, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth.  

Sprinkle with M+M's (minis).  Serve with dippers of your choice.  I serve it with animal crackers.