Recipe: Chocolate Angel Food Dessert

Well, tomorrow's the day!  Valentines Day.  I didn't really decorate too much for Valentines Day this year, but I did leave a lot of red accents around after Christmas.  The only hearts to be found are hanging in my window, and on this sweet cupcake place-mat (last year's Kohl's clearance).  Things don't have to be complicated or stressful to be meaningful.  Sometimes it's the simplest little things that can be a special treat -- whether it's random touches of red around the house, or a sweet little dessert to share with the family.

Here's a little last minute yummy-ness for you to share with the ones you love... tonight...  this weekend...  next week -- or whenever!  It's sort of a non-recipe that my mom used to make for our family back in the day.  We haven't had it in years, but I recently heard somebody refer to an "angel food dessert" recipe, and this came to mind.

Chocolate Angel Food Dessert

1 angel food cake  (I grabbed mine in the bakery at the grocery store.)

1 large pkg. instant chocolate pudding  (I chose sugar-free.)

Prepare pudding according to package directions.

Cut or tear angel food cake into bite-sized pieces.

Put both in a bowl, and toss lightly.

Now here's the beauty of this non-recipe: every piece of cake doesn't have to hit the pudding, and every pocket of pudding doesn't have to be spread over cake.  Simplicity at it's finest.  My mom would serve this from a large serving bowl into individual bowls.  I decided to use the dollar "champagne flutes" that we used for our New Year's Eve grape-juice and prepare this dessert more like a "trifle" or "parfait" -- to fancy it up a bit for Valentines Day. I started with a spoonful of pudding, and then a few bits of cake, alternating layers until I reached the top and finished with a dollop of pudding.  Because the glasses were so narrow, I tore the cake up into smaller bits.  But... any way you slice it... it's cake and chocolate pudding.  How wrong can you go?

Of course, since my champagne flutes were so small, I have tons of cake and pudding left,  I'll mix up the rest and save in a covered bowl in the refrigerator for "seconds."  I have a feeling there might be a request for those!  *wink

Happy Valentines Day!

Linking with:

Feathered Nest Friday @French Country Cottage

Fabulously Creative Friday @Jennifer Rizzo
The Party Bunch Linky Party No.17 @Whipperberry
"Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop #48 @Love of Family and Home

Second Sunday: We Could Start a Revolution

You've read what I've written about it in these posts.

Jill wrote about it HERE.

Second Sunday.

In a world where many families barely eat meals together any more, we could start a revolution, you know? Second Sunday.  Gather your family up, and celebrate how much you love each other.  Make a meal.  Have other family members bring food to complete it.  Make sure there is dessert.  Share in the duties.  Tell stories. Play games.  Spend time.  Invest in one another.  Laugh.

Yesterday, we met at our house.  Mom is still recovering from her knee-replacement, and glad to hand off the hostessing temporarily, so Jill and I have been glad to share the duties.

On the menu this month?  Subs.  A family favorite.  They're a make'em-yourself meal.  Jill brought buns, lettuce, and tomato.  I prepared plates of ham, salami, cheese, and onion -- and there's always Italian dressing on hand.

It's the way we learned to make subs back in Buffalo, when we bought them at a little sub shop at the corner of my Gram's street.  Mom used to send Jill and I a few blocks over to the sub shop with her order.  We were out of her hair for a little while, had our own adventure, and came home with a yummy meal. Usually, there was Frosty root beer waiting at home to go with the subs!

Mom (who is quickly on the mend) had whipped up and frozen a Delicious Pumpkin-Spice Cake for this weekend, and had it ready to bring and share.

We set up a buffet this time - though that is not our usually M.O.  Kids went through the line first, and were seated at their table just feet away in the living room.  As the adults made their way through the line (and before the kids could take their first bite), I asked everyone to pause for a prayer.  Usually my sweet hubby takes the lead on this, but he was busily helping the last kiddo to build their sub -- so I stepped in and prayed... and... it's such an emotional thing for me to pray over my dear family -- each of whom I love clear through to their core.

We are a normal family, having seen our share of hard times, unemployment, sickness, and general life frustrations.  But, the bottom line is: we are family.  Always.  Forever.  And no matter what.

You would think I'd have a million pictures -- but no.  We were too busy eating and talking!

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And now... do you need to start your Christmas shopping?
It's never too early to plan ahead, so...
While I'm on the subject of supporting family, I thought I would share a link to my daughter's recent sophomore fundraiser.  They are selling YANKEE CANDLES and other goodies.  She has her own fundraiser page on-line where you can order and pay directly, giving credit to her sophomore class, and to her specifically as well. If you choose to order this way, your items will ship directly to you!  Thank you for considering.  {Just so you know, I'm not doing all the work for her.  She's been a good little salesperson -- but when they offered this techie web-page option... well, it was just too hard to resist!}

YANKEE CANDLE Fundraiser link [click HERE]

'13 Gratefulness

* grateful for time to gather with family -- all 11 of us

* grateful for our commitment to Second Sunday through the years, and all of the great memories

* grateful for a wonderful church family

* grateful for successful "homecoming" shopping over the weekend

Feel free to chime in with a comment!  What are you grateful for today?

My Top Recipes ~ A Heaping Helping of Comfort Food

If you visit here often, you know that I share recipes here on my blog.  Not often, and not regularly.  But, I do share.  Some of the recipes I share are old family favorites.  Some are new recipes that we've found via blogs or Pinterest.  Others are recipes shared by friends.

My Killer Hashbrown Casserole was a recipe originally from my husband's cousin in Minnesota.  I got the recipe via my mother-in-law who makes it for family dinners, and knows I love it.  I posted it not all that long ago, but it already comes in at #3 on my "favorite posts of all time" stats.

The next recipe-post comes in at #4, but the recipe isn't mine at all.  I found it on Pinterest.  This Pumpkin Roll was something my daughter really wanted to try.  We got the recipe from Stilettos and Diapers.  The fun part about my post is that my daughter told how SHE made the Pumpkin Roll.  It turned out NOT to be her favorite thing to eat, but I was more than willing to help her out with that! (sigh)

Another recipe that we found on Pinterest is Crescent Pepperoni Roll-Ups (#7) from Plain Chicken.  These ooey-gooey pizza-style crescents are a family favorite, and great for an easy dinner!

The recipe for Sweet Pepper Poppers (#8) came from a church-friend.  She made them for a lunch at her house, and I HAD to have the recipe.  They're a bit addicting for me, I confess!  They're a great colorful dish to share for the holidays -- but also a super summer appetizer.  No cooking involved!

The #9 favorite post of all time is a post called "Scavenger Hunt" -- and you might not think you'd find a recipe there, but... you will!  Towards the bottom of the post, you'll find the recipe for Pineapple Angel Dessert.  My mom shared the recipe with me, and it came from a friend of hers.  This is a decadently sweet dessert, and so light and fluffy.  It's a real treat!  You'll have to turn on the oven, but as far as ingredients, the only thing easier is to buy a pre-made cake at the store.  TWO ingredients here!

And coming in at #10 with NO PHOTO is my mom's Holiday Cheese Ball.  It's a real favorite as well, and I never seem to arrive in time to take pictures before it is consumed -- or at least destroyed.  You'll just have to trust me.  It's yummy.

Do you cook/bake a lot during the summer?  We definitely tend to keep things simpler on the cooking side, and don't do anywhere CLOSE to the baking that we do during the colder months.

This has been a crazy VBS week with my sweet hubby working a late shift.  He's at home in the morning, but my daughter and I are at VBS.  We're at home in the evening, but by the time he gets home, we're thinking about bedtime.  Our son is on an ever-changing schedule, so add that to the mix.  No dinners together this week. (sad face)  I'm looking forward to next week and a fresh start!

What have you been cooking up lately?

What are your summer specialties?

Pinterest: Five Minute Cake

(and a great giveaway link!  Please read to the end!)

Internet connection has been slow, and unpredictable lately.  Of course --since I was just recently bragging on how few problems we seem to have with it!  OY!  Anyways, I'm happy to be able to connect and post after a couple days with not much internet success.

I've been waiting for a while now to share this Project Pinterest post with you all...

~~~~~~~

We came home one Sunday after church, and baking was on my daughter's mind. "What can I bake?" she wondered aloud. Since it was hot, and the air-conditioning was cranking away, I tried to discourage it. "Or else," I said, "Make something that doesn't need to bake long -- or that you can bake in the MICROWAVE!"

And then I remembered this pin for FIVE MINUTE CAKE IN A MUG.  She checked to make sure we had the ingredients on hand, and she was on her way.  This one was easy, successful, delicious, and RICH.  We each had a fork-full, and it was enough until later.  Well, some of us (clearing of throat) got an additional taste later.


This is just the thing for a bite of something sweet at the end of a meal.  You won't need much.  It's decadent and delicious -- and did I mention, RICH?

Here are the guidelines for Project Pinterest:

1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you'd like to recreate.

2. Create it!

3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin's url.

4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!  (*From now on, to be considered a "Featured Pinner" you need to add the button to your blog, please.)

5. Link up and check out other bloggers' posts!

Psssssst.... just found out my friend Sasha @Lemonade Makin' Mama is hosting a great giveaway HERE.  Her friend Laura from The Ironstone Nest has put together a great collection of goodies to give away including:

• a tiny bird's nest and faux egg
• a mini preserved boxwood wreath with sheer ribbon for hanging
• an ironstone soap holder with a bar of yummy soap
• some book pages tied with twine
• a chippy-wood numbered tag
• an adorable French sign that reads: "The joy of life is in you!"
• a black wood base and petite glass cloche
• a vintage orange marmalade crock

Stop over to Sasha's blog to find out how to enter for a chance to win!!

Pinterest: Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake

I've been waiting for just the right opportunity to make this Lemon Poppyseed Cakecake, and guess what?  An opportunity didn't come up, so my daughter and I just decided we'd go for it anyway.  It's a super-simple recipe from McCormick (you know, the spice people.)

If (like me) you wouldn't typically have lemon extract or poppy-seeds on hand, you might be surprised to see their price.  I grabbed mine at a 50% off spice sale at our local grocery store.  It pays to watch for those sales! Apparently poppy seeds are little bits of GOLD.  Who knew?  LOL

Anyways, with all of my supplies finally on hand, we were ready to go for it.

Seriously, I think I've been dreaming of this recipe for so long that I actually thought I had a bundt pan. Apparently, however, I gave that to Goodwill a long time ago because it was just taking up space.  Well, phooey.  I DO, however, have an angel food cake pan - so we made do.  Honestly, it worked just fine -- but the shape was a little wonky -- at least when you see just a slice.  No worries.  I'm pretty sure it'll taste just as good!

We decided that we didn't want an entire cake sitting on the counter-top begging to be eaten.  So, we cut the cake in quarters, cut each quarter into four slices, and put the slices into squarish plastic freezer containers. We kept out four slices so that we'd have a treat tonight.  We don't usually do dessert -- just every now and then, so thawing those pieces from the freezer here and there will be perfect!

P.S.  The verdict?  DE-LI-cious!

I'm linkin up HERE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posts I've recently enjoyed:

• are you a NO-REPLY blogger?
• 5 Ways to Support Your Favorite Blogs
• What Two Wild-Haired Princesses Taught Me About Parenting
• helping her find her wings (may be the cutest post EVer!)

Recipe: Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert

Well, we're back from a fabulous beach vacation, and guess what I'm doing today?
L-A-U-N-D-R-Y.  The only thing good about it is the sand and sea that I smell as I open each suitcase.  Aaaah, memories!

Well, while I'm doing laundry, and trying to get things back in order around here, I thought I would share a recipe that is a real favorite in our family.  We usually make this in the summer time, and traditionally on our beach vacations. It is always unanimously voted onto the week's menu.

This is one of those great recipes that you can adjust for any pan size, and for any "chocolate+" flavor preferences.

Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert

Here's what you need.

• whatever pan you'd like according to the size of the crowd you're serving -- and it will need to fit in your freezer!
• enough ice cream sandwiches to cover the bottom of the pan.  You may have to cut and piece into odd spots.
• your favorite hot fudge sauce (I like Smuckers) - enough to cover the ice cream sandwiches
• whipped topping (like Cool Whip) - enough to cover the fudge sauce (are you catching on?)
• and.... something fun and flavorful to sprinkle over the whipped topping.  The original recipe called for Heath toffee pieces (which I have found in the baking aisle in bags like chocolate chips -- or you can crush Heath candy bars).  OR, we've also used mini chocolate chips, MINT chocolate chips, crushed Andes mints, or crushed starlight mints (red & white hard candy).  See?  You can get creative with this part of the recipe.

After you have layered all of your ingredients (eaten the odd remnants of ice cream sandwiches, and licked the hot fudge jar), THEN cover your pan, and place in the freezer until you are ready to eat.  We usually make it in the morning to serve for dinner.  The sandwiches will get pretty soft while your working, so everything really needs time to set up!

Oh my - if you are a chocolate lover... just wait.  You're gonna love this one!  And if you can eat it with the sea air swirling around you... all the better!  ENJOY.

And now, back to my regularly scheduled laundry load!

[Linking to the cool, impromptu Linky Party at Hating Martha.]

Also here:

Recipe: Delicious Pumpkin-Spice Cake

Need a crazy-easy dessert recipe?  When my daughter was looking to bake something for her Biblestudy group, we were reminded of this recipe from my mom:

1 spice cake mix (dry)
15 oz. canned pumpkin
1/2 c. water

Yep - that's it.  Three ingredients!  Mix well, and pour into a 9x13 pan, baking according to the directions on the box.  Serve topped with your favorite whipped topping.  It's the moistest cake you'll ever eat -- and one of the trickiest to cut, I learned.  But -- it's not really around long enough for anyone to notice if you've cut it neatly.

And an added bonus?  While it's baking, your kitchen will smell like Thanksgiving!

Try it.  You'll like it.

linking up with:

and At the Picket Fence

Scavenger Hunt ~ 2.26

Crossed - do you see it?
My sweet hubby spotted this photo op on our downtown walk today.

A Glimpse - of the American Flag from inside the library.

Handwritten - a thank you note from our niece

Bliss - Pineapple Angel Dessert (see recipe below)

Gray - Saturday

Oh, looking for that yummy dessert recipe, are you? It's only got TWO ingredients. Can you handle it? Easy, easy, and easy -- and unbeLIEvably delicious!

Pineapple Angel Dessert
15 oz.  Betty Crocker Angel Food Cake Mix (dry)
20 oz.  crushed pineapple (undrained)

Mix undrained pineapple & dry cake mix.  Beat 30 seconds on low; scrape sides of bowl with spatula. Beat 1 minute on medium.  Spread into a 9x13 ungreased baking dish. Bake 25-30 at 350 degrees until lightly browned.  Cool completely.  Cut in squares and serve.

My mom shared this recipe with me.  A friend shared with her.  I'm sharing with you.  It's nice to share!  What you should know... It's apparently important that you use Betty Crocker cake mix.  It has only ONE packet - where some others have two for Angel Food Cake (flour packet and egg white packet).


Linking up with:

Project Pinterest: Orange Sherbet Cake

Here's my original PIN.

I found the idea at It's On The Tip of My Tongue.
(This is Sarah's "orange sherbet" variation.)

Sarah found the recipe at What Makes Savanah Smile.
(Savanah's version uses diet 7-Up, and is called "Soda Cake Cupcakes.")

I pinned this idea several months back.  Recently, when my daughter was browsing through my pins, she spotted it again, and decided that she would like to make this for her birthday cake this year.  SHE.  Meaning, Mom was not allowed to make the cake!! MY DAUGHTER used the sugar-free cake mix, and diet orange Sunkist, just like Sarah.  SHE added no egg whites, and SHE made sure that she only "whisked for 30 seconds" as Sarah recommended, because you know... we had THIS surprise outcome.

We served the cake up (with some rainbow sherbet) to family members when they joined us to celebrate my daughter's birthday.  They all loved it.  There wasn't a crumb left!

One thought about the cake:  my daughter (like Sarah) decided not to add the egg whites that Savanah recommended.  Here's what I read about egg whites: "Reducing or omitting egg whites can result in less volume."  I would have to say that the cake did not rise much. The egg whites might have been a good idea.  Next time, we'll make that adjustment.

After birthday presents were opened, I went to the kitchen to find candles.  I may or may not have forgotten why I was there, and CUT THE CAKE instead.  (Oh brother!)  When I finally remembered the candles, I had neither "regular" candles, nor the correct numbers. Yeah.  I guess "1" and "4" candles never made it to the shopping list, and I keep forgetting that I took the regular birthday candles to my sisters one time when SHE forgot to buy candles.  (Guess it runs in the family, ay?)

(Ahem...) So, I got creative.  Can you see how I got 14?  (12+1+1)  And guess what?  Let's eat, because some smart person has already CUT the cake!

It got a little crazy serving 12 adults and 10 kiddos (and living in the moment), and the whole idea of picture-taking was forgotten -- so, there's a great picture of a piece of the cake over at Sarah's.

This Project Pinterest = Success.  (Thanks Sarah!)


Here are the guidelines for Project Pinterest: 

1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you’d like to recreate.

2. Create it!

3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin’s url.

4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!

5. Link up and check out other bloggers’ posts!

I'm also joining the "Friday Food Fight" at Run DMT.

Project Pinterest: Chocolate Caramel Cookies

I remember the wrapped square Kraft Caramels from when I was a kid.  My mom used to purchase them (upon occasion) as a special snack.  I remember that there were only three or four chocolate caramels in the bag, and we used to scramble to find those first.  Aaaah, memories.

Anyways, I digress.  Here's the new generation of baking caramels:

I decided to go the chocolate route for Valentines Day rather than pink and fluffy.  So, I went in search of a recipe using these caramel bits.  In my search, I came across this recipe from Rookie Cookie, and pinned it, just in time for the occasion.

original pin

I got up on Valentines morning, and after sending my hubby and son out the door, I got to work.  My daughter was getting ready to start her homeschool day, and I was busy in the kitchen -- still in my jammies.  What can I say?  I was on a mission.

Wouldn't you know that one cookie fell apart when I was taking it off the baking stone.  So, I tested it to make sure it was ummm... safe for my family.

Two words:

Oh. My.

This is a super-easy recipe to put together, and oh-so-delicious!
Head on over to Rookie Cookie to get all of the details.

Here are the rules:

1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you’d like to recreate.
2. Create it!
3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin’s url.
4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!
5. Link up and check out other bloggers’ posts!

I'm also joining the Rural Thursday Blog Hop

over at A Rural Journal.

Come join the fun!

Come on over to Somewhat Simple

and link up

for the "Strut Your Stuff" Link Party!

I'm also linking up over at Fireflies and Jellybeans

for the "Show Off Your Stuff" Party.

Weekend Review

It's Monday, and technically not still the weekend, but it IS part of OUR 4-day weekend, thanks to a school records day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Two of the four of us are sick.  Colds, I guess.  Although our son's asthma always makes it seem worse for him.

We have been hunkering down mostly.  Laying low.  Hibernating.

Except for my sweet hubby and daughter who went on an adventure Saturday morning, and did all of the grocery shopping.  They love a good adventure, and are so good at taking care of me when I'm not feeling up to par.

So, a winter weekend at home has turned into a weekend of good eats.  Last night, we enjoyed homemade bread and soup.  Today, I stayed home while the rest of the family went to church.  In between naps on the couch, I got a spurt of energy, and made Impossible Breakfast Pie for lunch -- with prosciutto, green peppers, diced potato, and onion.  It was YUM-MY (even if I do say so myself).

At Christmas, my daughter and I made jars of Peppermint Stick Cocoa to give as gifts, and ended up with leftover dry milk.  Do you use dry milk for anything?  I don't think I've used it my entire married life, and now here I am with leftovers!  Right away, I thought of my mom's recipe for Brown-Eyed Orange Bars.  It calls for dry milk, which I never have on hand.  TaaDaa - the answer to today's "What shall I bake?" question.

Brown-Eyed Orange Bars

Beat well, at low speed:
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1/2 cup orange juice
1 egg
1 T. orange rind
2 tsp. vanilla

Add in:
1-1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup dry milk (in dry form)
1/3 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix well.                                                                                                                                    
Stir in:
6 oz. chocolate chips
(I used 6 oz. mini-chips)

Spread in a greased 9 inch pan. Bake at 375F for 25-30 minutes, or until cake pulls away from side of pan.



These were a great success at our house!  Lucky for us, there's still some dry milk left.  Gee - that might mean we have to make these again.  Or as my daughter likes to say, "Keep practicing!"