Easy and Cheap Recipes

Here are a couple of recipes I've discovered recently. These are all easy to prepare, cheap, and actually liked by every member of my family. They also use ingredients that with the exception of a couple, are staples in my kitchen.


"Maple" Syrup
I really like this maple syrup recipe, not just because it costs less than what I can buy at the store. We tend to go through a lot of the stuff thanks to our affinity for crepes, waffles, pancakes...you get it. This recipe is made without corn syrup, and in my opinion, tastes really good! It does need to be refrigerated, but can be warmed up as needed.


1 3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
1/2+ tsp. vanilla (I always like MORE vanilla!)
1/2 tsp. maple flavoring


Combine sugars and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn off the stove, but allow the saucepan to remain on the burner for several minutes, stirring occasionally (make sure the sugars are completely dissolved).
Remove from burner and allow to cool a little, then add the vanilla and maple flavoring, stirring well. Cool completely before pouring into container (I use a store-brand syrup bottle!)




Cake Mix Cookies
This is another super easy recipe, and a great way to use up that cake mix that is just sitting in the pantry, or those leftover nuts from another recipe (or the half-eaten bag of chocolate chips...because your family thinks your pantry is a snack bar). You could also just buy a box of cake mix, such as German Chocolate Cake (yum!), since on sale or with a coupon you can usually get them for around $1 per box.


1 box of cake mix (any flavor)
2 eggs (better if you have Piper Crazy Chicken Farm eggs!)
1/2 cup oil
Optional ingredients: nuts, chocolate chips, m&m's, coconut, etc.
Optional: Flavoring such as vanilla, orange, etc. if you are using a white cake mix.


Preheat oven to 350.
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. I did this by hand with my strong arm (cough, cough) and a wooden spoon.
Drop by spoonfuls or cookie scoop onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until done. Let cool slightly on cookie sheet before removing to a wire rack. Or just eat them as you are taking them off the cookie sheets!!!
If you manage to not eat them all at once, you can frost them or make ice cream sandwiches with them.


I saw a variation to this recipe where one egg, 1/4 cup oil, and 1/4 cup water was used instead of what I listed above. I have not tried this variation, but am curious to know how they differ. I wonder if the cookies come out flatter...they are probably a little healthier with the smaller quantity of oil. All in all, not a big difference, so you can choose.


I think I need to go make some cookies now!