berry trifle

I know...I've been addicted to using my trifle bowl lately. Last week I wanted a light, summery dessert recipe for our 4th of July shindig. This one hit the spot! I REALLY wanted to cut the pound cake into star shapes for the occasion, but I couldn't find any star-shaped cookie cutters here in Alaska. Boo!


Ingredients:
1 Sara Lee pound cake (found in the freezer section)
1 container fresh strawberries
1 container fresh blueberries
1 container fresh blackberries/raspberries (whatever you prefer)
1 lg container whipped topping (I used low fat Cool Whip)


Directions:
-Cook the pound cake according to package directions. 
-Slice pound cake and strawberries up into small bite-sized pieces.
-Start with a layer of pound cake in your dish; then a layer of cool whip; then a layer of berries; repeat with 2nd, 3rd, 4th layer etc. 
-Top with remaining berries and refrigerate until use. Voila!

easy southern banana pudding

I scored this trifle bowl at Wal-mart for $8, so I needed something to put into it, pronto! This banana pudding is BOMB! Every time I take it to a party I never have any leftovers to bring home... I guess that's a good thing though? ;o). The key to a good banana pudding is to make sure that you let it sit in the fridge for at least several hours, preferably over night. This ensures all the flavors meld together and the wafers soften up. Crunchy wafers in banana pudding are no bueno.

Ingredients:
2 REGULAR-SIZED boxes instant vanilla pudding/pie filling(not the large boxes)
3 cups milk
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 lg container of whipped topping (I got the biggest container they had)
1 bx vanilla wafers
5 bananas


Directions:
-Combine the pudding with the milk and mix together for approximately 2 minutes.
-Gradually fold in the sweetened condensed milk.
-Gradually fold in the whipped topping. I only added in half of the whipped topping so I could have some leftover for the trifle "layers".
-Slice bananas into 1/4 inch thickness
-Layer 9x13 dish (or trifle bowl) with vanilla wafers; then the pudding mixture; then the banana slices; then the extra whipped topping. Repeat for 2nd layer, 3rd, 4th, etc. You can crush up the remaining vanilla wafers and scatter on the top if you'd like.
-Let refrigerate for several hours. Overnight is best.


Tip: You can also use all FF/SF/Reduced-fat products for a lighter dessert.

chocolate covered pretzels

So I received my Christmas present *from myself* in the mail the other day, and have been dying to try it out! If you haven't guessed already, it's a new camera! Weee! :) These little treats were the perfect test tool! If you like chocolate covered pretzels, you must try making them at home! They're so much better than the pre-packaged kind...not to mention super easy (though a little time consuming). Perfect for filling into clear gift baggies, tie with some festive ribbon, and send them out as holiday gifts! I was feeling generous today so I packaged some up and gave them to Bear's groomer, she loved them :).

How cute would these be if you could find the pretzels in holiday shapes?!

Ingredients:
2 bags chocolate chips
Bag of mini pretzels
Sprinkles of your choice
wax paper


Directions:
Melt chocolate chips (1 bag at a time) in a bowl according to package directions. Dip pretzels one at a time quickly to coat while chocolate is still melted. Place pretzels on wax paper to set and cool. Finish with sprinkles before the chocolate dries! :)

cookies 'n' cream ice cream

This stuff is amazing. 'Nuff said.


If you don't have an ice cream maker yet...you should go buy one.


Right now...

Prep Time: 8 minutes
Ice Cream Maker Time: Approximately 20-25 minutes
Makes: 1 1/2 quarts
Servings: Ten 1/2 cup servings

Ingredients:

1 cup milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup crushed Oreo cookies*

*Place Oreo cookies in a Ziploc bag. Seal bag. Crush cookies using the heel of your hand or a kitchen mallet.

Directions: 

Using a wire whisk or hand mixer, mix milk and sugar until the sugar dissolves (about 1 -2 minutes).

Stir in heavy cream and vanilla extract.

Pour into ice cream maker.

Churn about 20 minutes or according to manufacturer's instructions.

Add crushed Oreo cookies to ice cream.

Churn for 5 additional minutes.

May need to freeze for several hours or overnight, mixture will be of milkshake consistency.

oreo truffles

These things are amazing and I don't even like oreos! My first attempt at making any kind of cake balls/truffles. A must try!


Ingredients:
1 package Oreo cookies
1 8oz. package cream cheese, softened (I use low-fat or fat-free)
Your choice of melting chocolate (I used 2 boxes of Baker's white chocolate)
1 box of dark/milk chocolate for drizzle, optional (I used Bakers dark choc)


Directions:
Finely crush package of oreos in a large food processor or place them in a ziploc bag and crush into a fine consistency.

Stir in softened cream cheese. I found it's easiest to just mix it with clean hands.


Use a small melon baller or cookie scoop and roll into small balls.


Put them in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes to keep the balls from falling apart.


Melt chocolate as directed on package (I microwave it inside of a large glass measuring cup) and then dip one at a time into chocolate (I use 2 spoons to mix ball around and cover completely, and then pick it up with one of the spoons), tap off the extra chocolate and then slide them onto wax/parchment paper to dry.

(Optional) Dip a fork into melted dark colored chocolate, then drizzle onto each cake ball.


Keep refrigerated IF you have any leftovers ;)

Variations- Using Mint Oreos and dark chocolate Bakers melting chocolate. Drizzle with green colored chocolate!  :)

heather's big chocolate cookies

My friend Heather is AWESOME at baking. She made these one day and brought them into work, and I was hooked! You can't have just one of these cookies. If you're not careful you'll end up eating 10. That's how good these things are. I LOVE brownies, cookies, and cake...so this recipe is the best of all 3. It's like that ooey gooey brownie that we all love...but in cookie form. I'm eating one as we speak :) Doesn't help that this is like the eastiest baking recipe ever (I'm a baking newb) and it makes a TON. I end up always making over 2 dozen cookies and freezing the other half of the batter. These are a huge hit at parties.



1 pkg dry brownie mix
2 pkgs dry cake mix (I like the triple chocolate kind)
3 eggs
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water


Preheat oven to 325. In a LARGE bowl, mix all ingredients together. It will be very sticky.

Spoon batter onto oiled baking sheet. Bake in oven at 325 for 10 minutes. 


They will look like they're not quite done, but that's how you want them! :) I usually get 2 baking sheets going at once because there is so much batter. I'll cook 1 baking sheet while spooning batter onto another...then while the first batch cools, I'll stick the 2nd one in the oven. Goes alot quicker this way. Let cookies settle for about 10 minutes then dig in! Yumm!