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Quick Doughnuts

Refrigerated biscuits
2 T cinnamon
1/2 c sugar

Preheat oil to 375. Take each biscuit and flatten slightly with palm of hand. Punch holes with finger in each biscuit center to shape into doughnuts. Fry 2 minutes, turning once. Remove from fat and drain. Roll in mixture of cinnamon and sugar.

Strawberry Ice Cream Cake

2 pints vanilla ice cream
20 small strawberries, hulled and cut into small pieces
½ c  cream

Line bottom of a 9-inch springform with parchment or foil. Place pan in freezer to chill, about 10 min. beat ice cream with mixer until soft but holding its shape, about 2 min. Add strawberries and beat until ice cream is pink and berries start to break down, about 1 min. Transfer to chilled pan and spread to smooth surface. Freeze until firm, 2 hours to overnight. Whip cream in clean bowl ot form soft peaks. Remove cake from springform and frost with whipped cream. Use a hot chefs knife to cut and serve.

Easy Doughnuts

¾ c vegetable oil
1 8 count tube of refrigerator biscuits, like Grands
12 c sugar,
¼ t cinnamon

heat ½ c oil in medium skillet over medium low heat. Place biscuits on a cutting board. Using a 1-inch cookie cutter or shot glass, cut a hole in the center of each biscuit. Test oil by dipping the edge of a biscuit in the oil; it will bubble when oil is ready. Place 4 doughnuts and 4 holes in the skillet and cook until golden brown, around 1-1/2 minutes per side. Transfer to wire rack or paper towels to drain. Add remaining oil to to skillet reheat and cook remaining 4 biscuits.  Combine cinnamon and sugar in large bowl and toss warm doughnuts in the mixture a few at a time.

Carb Shortcuts (or "Semi-Homemade")

Almond brickle: Use Werthers Original candies unwrapped and crushed. 40 candies equal 1 cup.

Use Keeblers Harvest Bakery Corn Bread Crackers instead of corn bread.

Puff Pastry: Use Pepperidge Farm or Dufour (at Whole Foods)

Piecrust: Use for rolled cookies. Try Pillsbury.

Strawberry Shortcake -- Shortcut

2 quarts fresh strawberries
½ c plus 1 T sugar
1 12-oz tube Homestyle Buttermilk Biscuits
1 7-oz can whipped cream

Wash and hull strawberries, slice them into a large bowl. Sprinkle with ½ c sugar, toss and set aside.  Place biscuits on baking sheet, sprinkle with remaining 1 T of sugar, and bake according to package directions.  Let cool 3-5 minutes, then slice in half.  Place bottom half of each biscuit on a plate and spray on some whipped cream. Spoon on the berries including some juice, then place the other half of the biscuit on top.