SIMPLE HOMEMADE VANILLA ICE CREAM

1 quart whole milk
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
dash of salt, optional
2 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla extract

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-high heat but only until tiny bubbles start to appear; do not boil.  Stir in the sugar and salt.  Lower temperature to low.

Stir a tiny beat of the hot milk mixture into the eggs, mixing well.  Stir the egg mixture back into the mixture in saucepan and cook over low heat while stirring for a couple of minutes.  Be careful you do not allow mixture to boil.  Stir in the cream and allow the mixture to cool down; add the vanilla.

Pour into ice cream freezer and follow manufacturer's directions.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings. 

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YUMMY ANDES CHOCOLATE CAKE

This is a yummy chocolate cake I saw on the internet a few years ago. I believe it was from Delish. It is a popular recipe for St Patrick's day.

1 

(16-oz.) box devil’s food cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box

1 c. 

 Andes mints, plus more for garnish

Ganache:

1 c. 

 heavy cream

2 c. 

 chocolate chips

Peppermint Buttercream:

1 c. 

 butter, softened

5 c. 

 powdered sugar

1 tsp. 

 peppermint extract

3 tbsp. 

  heavy cream

6 

drops green gel food coloring (optional)

Bake two 9" round layers of chocolate cake according to box instructions. Let cool completely.

Make ganache: In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring heavy cream to a simmer until tiny bubbles form around the edges. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips, whisking until combined. Let mixture cool until it reaches a spreadable consistency, at least 30 minutes, before frosting cake.

Meanwhile, make buttercream: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, cream together butter, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract until light and fluffy. Add cream and green food coloring and stir until evenly combined.

Top 1 cake layer with buttercream, then place the second cake layer on top of it. 

1. Top with ganache. You can either leave the sides of the cake naked or frost all of the sides with ganache.
2. Decorate with Andes mints. 

NEIGHBOR DOROTHY'S HEAVENLY CARAMEL CAKE

Preheat oven to 350-degrees.

1 3/4 cups cake flour (sift before measuring)

Resift with 1 cup brown sugar

Add:

1/2 cup soft butter

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp salt

1 3/4 tsp double-acting baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

Beat for 3 minutes. Bake in greased pan for 1/2 hour.

Caramel Frosting:

2 tbsp cake flour

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup shortening

1/4 tsp salt

Mix cake flour and milk. Cook to a thick paste over slow flame. Cool. Cream sugars and vanilla with butter and shortening. Beat until light and fluffy. Blend in salt. Mix in cooled paste. Beat until fluffy. Blend. Should look like whipped cream.

This recipe is from Fannie Flagg's book 'Can't Wait to Get to Heaven'.

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CARAMEL PIE

1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk

1 large ripe but solid banana, peeled and sliced
1 carton (8-oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 (7/8-oz each) Health Candy Bars (chilled and crushed
1 9-inch graham cracker crumb crust

Place the unopened can of milk into a pan of boiling water; simmer for 3 hours to caramelize. Remove from pan and cool.

Place the banana slices over the bottom of the crumb crust. Spread the caramel over the banana slices.

Spoon the whipped topping over the caramel.

Sprinkle the candy pieces over the whipped topping and refrigerate.

recipe for reference only

PEACH LATTICE PIE

1 (11-oz) piecrust mix (or your own pie pastry for a 2-crust pie)

3 1/2 lbs peaches, peeled, pitted, cut into 1/2" wedges

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup instant tapioca

1/4 cup peach preserves

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 egg, beaten

Coat a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.

Prepare the pie crust mix according to the package directions for a 2-crust pie. Shape dough into 2 disks.

On a floured surface roll one dish into a 12-inch circle. Fit into the pie pan, folding edges under. Chill.

On floured surface roll remaining dough into 11-inch circle and transfer to a baking sheet. Cover and chill.

Line baking sheet with foil and place on center oven rack. Heat oven to 375-degrees.

In a large bowl, combine peaches, sugar, tapioca, preserves and vanilla. Let stand 15 minutes then spoon into the pie shell. Cut the remaining dough into 1/2" wide strips and some 3/4" wide strips. Arrange on top of peach filling in a lattice pattern. Press edges together and flute. Brush with the beaten egg.

Bake on the hot baking sheet in the oven 1 hour and 30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Allow to cool before cutting.

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PAULA DEEN'S APPLE BUTTER PUMPKIN PIE

1 cup apple butter 

1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin 
1/2 cup packed brown sugar 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger 
3 eggs, slightly beaten 
3/4 cup evaporated milk 
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell 
Sweetened whipped cream, for garnish

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Combine apple butter, pumpkin, sugar, salt and spices in a bowl. Stir in eggs. Gradually add milk and mix well. Pour into pie shell. Bake for about 40 minutes or until set.

Cook’s Notes:

-If the crust begins to burn, place tin foil around the crust and lower the temperature of the oven.

-A tasty topping for this pie is praline pecans.

WHITE MOUNTAIN FROSTING WITH VARIATIONS

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tbsp water
2 (1/4 cup) egg whites
1 tsp vanilla extract

In a small saucepan mix together the sugar, corn syrup, and water; cover and heat to a rolling boil over medium heat.  Uncover and boil rapidly to 242 degrees on a candy thermometer or until mixture firm ball stage. (Firm ball stage: a small amount dropped into very cold water forms a firm ball that holds its shape until pressed.)

As the above mixture boils, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.

Pour the hot syrup very slowly in a thin stream into the egg whites, beating constantly on medium speed. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form.  Stir in the vanilla during the last minute of beating.

Variations:
Cocoa Mountain Frosting - Same as above but sift 1/4 cup cocoa powder over the frosting and gently fold in until blended.

Cherry-Nut Mountain Frosting - Same as above but stir in 1/4 cup chopped candied cherries and 1/4 cup chopped nuts.

Pink Mountain Frosting - Substitute 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry syrup for the water.

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PUMPKIN PIE WITH SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

You may be asking why I am posting a pumpkin pie recipe in February.  The answer is simple.  Pumpkin is healthy and should be eaten year-round!  So, bake up a tasty pumpkin pie to enjoy with family and/or friends.

1 can (15-oz) pumpkin
1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 large eggs
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 9-inch-deep dish pie crust (boughten or your favorite recipe)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Place pie pan on a cookie sheet and line with the crust.

In a large mixing bowl combine the pumpkin, milk, eggs, and spice; mix together until smooth.  Pour the filling into the crust.

Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.  Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake another 40 minutes or until a knife inserted about an inch from the crust comes out clean. 

Remove from oven and set on a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve with whipped cream, if desired. Top that whipped cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.

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NO BAKE ITALIAN CAKE

If you know me, you know I love coconut.  I will make me a sugar-free version of this!  Thanks Anna DeLong for sharing this recipe with me!

1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 small can crushed pineapple, undrained
40-50 vanilla wafers
1 8-oz. carton cool whip, thawed
2 cups sweetened, flaked coconut
12-16 maraschino cherries, rinsed

Whisk together sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice in a small bowl until thoroughly combined. Mix in pineapple with juice and set aside.

Line the bottom of a small glass baking dish (8x8 or 7x10) with vanilla wafers. Pour all of the pineapple mixture over vanilla wafers then add another layer of vanilla wafers on top of pineapple mixture. Spread cool whip evenly on top of vanilla wafers then sprinkle with coconut. Top with cherries then cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours before serving.

 

LOW FAT ROCKY ROAD BROWNIES

Note: This is a recipe from Musselman's. This is why their product name is listed. I do not usually use brand names but when using a brand's recipe, I believe their products should be listed.

1 package Family size brownie mix
1 Egg
MUSSELMAN’S^® Unsweetened Apple Sauce
Water
2 cups Mini marshmallows
½ cup Walnuts, chopped
¼ cup Mini chocolate chips
 
Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.

Mix together brownie mix, egg, apple sauce and water.(see amounts for your  box mix below) The batter will be slightly lumpy, do not overmix.
19.9 oz brownie mix calls for 1/2 cup oil, 1/4 cup water, 2 eggs.
          Use 1/2 cup apple sauce, 2 Tbsp water, 1 egg.

18.4 oz brownie mix calls for 1/4 cup oil, 1/4 cup water, 1 egg.
          Use 1/4 cup apple sauce, 2 Tbsp water, 1egg.

18.4 oz brownie mix calls for 2/3 cup oil, 1/4 cup water, 2 eggs.
          Use 2/3 cup apple sauce, 2 Tbsp water, 1 egg.

Spread evenly in greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake according to box directions.

Sprinkle marshmallows, nuts and chocolate chips on the top. Bake for an additional 3-5 minutes until marshmallows are just starting to brown. Cool completely and cut into bars.

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