Apple Dapple Cake

I found this recipe in a cookbook I've had for about 8 years...and this is the first time I've made it. And let me tell you...my family and I have been missing out! This cake recipe came out of "Recetas Mexicana de Mi Gente" (Mexican Recipes of My People). I don't know if there is any chance that this is an authentic Mexican recipe, but it sure is good!

What you'll need:

3 eggs

1 1/2 c. cooking oil (I use Canola)

2 c. sugar

3 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 c. walnuts, chopped

4 c. apples, peeled and chopped (I used Gala)

1 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. milk

1 stick butter or margarine

2 tsp. vanilla

What you'll do:

Cream eggs, oil, and white sugar. Sift together and fold in flour, salt, and baking soda. Add vanilla. Add walnuts and apples. Stir until just blended. Bake at 350* F for about 40 minutes in a 9x13 cake pan. Place cake (still in pan) on a cooling rack. Boil brown sugar, butter, and milk for 2 minutes and pour over hot cake. Let cool in pan.

*The brown sugar topping will be absorbed and make the cake moist and delicious!

Ice Cream Cake

I haven't made this in ages...which is the main reason there are no pictures to accompany this recipe. I got this recipe from an issue of Kraft's Food and Family. It is delicious...and it's pretty easy too.

What you'll need:

1 package (18.25 oz.) cake mix, any flavor
1/2 gallon ice cream (any flavor, softened)

What you do:

*Prepare cake according to package directions; bake in a 9x13 baking dish, and cool completely.
*Use ice cream that comes in a rectangular carton. Remove the carton and cut the ice cream in half, lengthwise (in other words, long side to long side).
*Place the two layers side by side on waxed paper.
*Place the cooled cake over the ice cream.
*Trim the cake and ice cream so that the edges match. (this is my kids favorite part...they get to eat the "scraps")
*Place a board or serving platter over the cake, hold onto the waxed paper and board, and flip the ice cream cake over. (you may need help with this step...I know I did)
*Remove the waxed paper and smooth out the seam between the ice cream slabs. (a butter knife works well)
*Cover with waxed paper and freeze until firm.
*Decorate as desired.

NOTE: When it comes to the decorating, I always use ice cream that has softened enough so I can spread it like frosting, then I freeze it again.

And...I'm back! and Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

It's been awhile since my last post/recipe. For that, I apologize. I have some pictures of tasty goodies on my husbands laptop. As soon as I can access said laptop I will post more pictures and more recipes. What am I saying??? I don't need no stinking pictures! The following recipe will be passed down in my family for generations to come...I'm sure of it! You've probably seen this recipe before. If you haven't and you haven't tried it...you've been missing out. I think the first time I ever saw this was in an old church recipe book...I'm not sure who to give credit to.

What you'll need:

2 C. crushed pretzels
3/4 C. butter
1 1/2 C. sugar
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, room temp.
1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip
2 (3 oz.) boxes strawberry JELLO (or you can use 1-6 oz. box)
2 C. boiling water
1 pt. frozen, sweetened strawberries

Here's what you do:

*Mix crushed pretzels, butter, and 1/2 C. sugar.
*Pat into 9x13 baking dish.
*Bake at 350* F for 8 minutes.
*Beat cream cheese, 1 C. sugar, and Cool Whip together and spread on pretzel crust.
*Dissolve JELLO in boiling water. Add strawberries; chill until slightly set.
*Pour the JELLO mixture over the cream cheese mixture. Chill until hard.
*May be made a day ahead...but I don't like to do that because you run the risk of the pretzels getting soggy.

Chewy Cocoa Brownies

My husband announced this evening at approx. 8:30 that he wanted brownies. So, being the submissive and loving wife that I am, I baked him some. These aren't just any old brownies from a boxed mix. These are Chewy Cocoa Brownies. The recipe can be found on the back of any box of Nestle Baking Cocoa.

Here's what you'll need:

*1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
*3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, melted
*2 Tbsp. water
*2 large eggs
*2 tsp. vanilla extract
*1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
*3/4 cup Nestle Baking Cocoa
*1/2 tsp. baking powder
*1/4 tsp. salt
*3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
*Powdered sugar (optional)

Here's how you make them:

*Preheat oven to 350*. Grease 9x13-inch baking pan.
*Combine sugar, butter, and water in a large bowl. Stir in eggs and vanilla extract. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl; stir into sugar mixture. Stir in nuts, if using them. Spread into prepared baking pan.
*Baking for 18 to 25 minutes or until knife comes out slightly sticky. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Cut into bars.

These brownies are so delicious! And they really are easy to make. It takes about 10 minutes (if that) to prepare them.

YUMMY!

The hubs...researching stereo systems. He hasn't yet consumed his brownie.