"I USED TO make Mama's beans from scratch, just like she did. But, one day when I was pressed for time, I resorted to canned beans and doctored them up a bit. To my surprise, this 'doctored dish' took first place in a contest! Of course, I've been preparing my beans this way ever since!"

When our office held a bridal shower, we presented the future bride with a collection of our favorite recipes. I included this one. I like serving this savory pork as an alternative to a typical ground beef barbecue. -Karla Labby, Otsego, Michigan

Toffee and chocolate dot the golden brown batter of these fudge-like brownies. “I do a lot of cooking for the police officers I work with, and they always line up for these delicious bars,” writes Jennifer Ann Sopko from Battle Creek, Michigan.

Chocolate chips and a convenient brownie mix provide the rich chocolate flavor in these sweet cookies from Ellen Govertsen of Wheaton, Illinois. Rolling the dough in powdered sugar gives them their inviting crackled appearance.

I enjoy making up recipes and began experimenting with squash a couple years ago. Lase fall, my garden was loaded with squash, so I came up with this creamy pie. It really went over well at Thanksgiving dinner. -Sandra Kreuter Barney, California

Convenient cake mix hurries along the preparation of these tasty bars from Kimberly Biel. "I bring these quick-and-easy treats to church meetings, potlucks and housewarming parties. I often make a double batch so we can enjoy some at home," writes the Java, South Dakota cook.

Santa himself might find it hard to resist this hearty, colorful chicken salad packed with veggies, pasta and flavor. Our Test Kitchen added just the right touch of heat to warm and welcome friends and family in from the cold! TIP: This versatile recipe can be varied for all seasons of the year by adding hard-cooked eggs, different meats, such as turkey, ham, tuna or shrimp…even by changing the nuts and vegetables to whatever you have on hand!

Although winters in Virginia are not necessarily harsh, it still gets cold enough to chill you to the bones. This tasty soup warms you through and through.

As a farm girl, I often made Christmas goodies with my mother for our family of eight candy-loving kids. Now, my own children and grandkids say the season wouldn't by the same without a tray filled with this chocolaty peanut brittle.

Red-hot candies and canned cherries flavor this memorable dessert from my childhood. I hadn’t had it in years, so when I found my mother’s recipe, I had to make it to see if it was as good as I remembered…and it was! —Betty Zorn, Eagle, Idaho

These jazzed-up oyster crackers created by our Test Kitchen have such great flavor, we bet you’ll have trouble not eating them all at once! With Parmesan cheese and seasoning from a soup mix, they’re a sure-fire hit with any soup.

"As soon as you try these moist and flavorful peach muffins, you'll know why they are a family favorite," relates Jody Borowski of Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. "I'm always happy to make them because they're so fast and easy to prepare."

"I combined our daughter's two favorite foods—pizza and grilled cheeseburgers—to create this main dish," says Tanya Gutierro from Beacon Falls, Connecticut. "It's very simple to make, and she and her friends love it. If you don't like the toppings, replace them with whatever you prefer."

I never made barbecued ribs until I moved to the South. Now I have learned how to fix 'em tender and finger lickin' good. Everyone loves the tasty sticky sauce on these ribs. They're my favorite entree, served with slaw and baked beans.

"My mom always brightened my lunch with these yummy cookies," shares Tammy Orr of Wharton, New Jersey.

"My husband has fond memories of this recipe," pens Lorrie McCurdy of Farmington, New Mexico. "Every Sunday morning, his dad would get up early to make the family pancakes and syrup. They didn't have much money, but the kids never knew that. What they do remember is that their dad always had time to make their Sundays extra special."

People who don’t like carrots often change their minds after tasting this easy-to-fix dish. It’s nice for potlucks because you can prepare it ahead of time. —Bertha Johnson, Indianapolis, Indiana

“This recipe is so easy to make and it smells and tastes absolutely delicious,” writes Jacqueline McComas of Paoli, Pennsylvania. Our taste testers loved its peanut buttery flavor and creamy texture.

Meet the Cook: In our chocolate-loving house, this cake disappears very quickly! My husband and I have a 6-month-old son. We enjoy the peacefulness of country living. -Dorcas Yoder, Weyers Cave, Virginia

Peanut butter and chocolate are always a delicious duo, but they're extra-special paired in this tempting treat. Even with a sizable collection of brownie recipes, I reach for this one quite often. The marbled look attracts curious tasters...the flavor brings them back for seconds. - Linda Craig, Hay River, Northwest Territories

Years ago, I received a bread machine for Christmas- along with a collection of recipes. These treats that have a peanut butter filling and icing soon became a favorite. People always ask for the recipe.

Meet the Cook: I started cooking and baking at a young age - just like my sisters and brothers. Our mother was a very good teacher, and she told us all we would learn our way around the kitchen. Now, I've let our children know the same thing! -Cindy Middleton, Champion, Alberta

Pickle relish and ketchup add a touch of sweetness to this sandwich spread that uses up leftover beef. "I often turn to this recipe after I have made a large roast," says Carolyn Zimmerman of Fairbury, Illinois.

Meet the Cook: Vary my recipe if you like. In place of peanuts, try using walnuts, pecans or cashews on occasion. Or substitute peanut putter chips for the chocolate chips. For a luscious dessert-on-the-go, put a double dip into a cone. You can also serve this for fancy occasions...it looks luxurious in a clear-glass sauce dish. -Sheila Berry, Carrying Place, Ontario

The best way to describe this tender pork recipe is "yummy!" Bottled barbecue sauce, canned green chilies and a few other kitchen staples make preparation fast and easy. We like to wrap the seasoned pork in flour tortillas. -Jill Hartung Colorado Springs, Colorado

You're sure to love the heavenly aroma and pleasant herb flavor of this tender bread from Lois Gelzer of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. "It's great with spaghetti and meatballs or most any Italian pasta dish," she suggests.

"I combined a few great-tasting meat loaf recipes to create this flavorful family favorite," says Deb Thompson of Lincoln, Nebraska. "My husband loves it, and because it's made in the microwave, it's ideal for busy nights."

"These spicy barbecue wings are so easy to make," remarks Joan Rose of Langley, British Columbia. "I fix a double batch since my family thinks they're great. You should see them disappear!"