Mississippi-Mud-PotatoesCategoriesRecipes

Mississippi Mud Potatoes

INGREDIENTS

6-7 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 (1 lb) package bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 325°F.

In a 9×13-inch baking dish, mix together the potatoes, cheddar cheese, garlic salt, bacon, and green onions. Add mayonnaise and stir until everything is well coated.

Bake until potatoes are tender and top is golden brown, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Almond flour CrepesCategoriesRecipes

Almond Flour Crepes

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 23 mins

Resting time 1 hr

Total Time 1 hr 38 mins

Grain Free Low Carb Crepe Batter

INGREDIENTS 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Make The Crepe Batter

  • Mix all ingredients in a blender to form the batter. Let it rest for at least 1 hour to thicken.
  • Pre-heat your pan and pour a little less than 1/4 cup batter into the heated pan. I use a 10″ non stick ceramic skillet.  It’s important to have the right heat, I usually set the stove knob between 3 and 4 when cooking crepes. 
  • As you pour, quickly tilt the pan in all directions to spread a thin layer of batter across the bottom. 
  • Cook about one to two minutes until the edges start browning, flip and cook for another 20 seconds.
  • After you’re done stacking crepes, cover them with a plastic wrap or clean towel to seal the moisture.
  • The longer they stay covered the softer and more flexible they get.
Banana Upside Down CakeCategoriesRecipes

Banana Upside Down Cake

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Category: Dessert

Method: Oven

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 4.5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • About 3 bananas sliced into 1/4–1/3 inch rounds

For the cake batter:

  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter-softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 overripe bananas-mashed (about 1 cup)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • dash of salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For Caramel Glaze:

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease 8 x 8 x 2 inch square cake pan or 9 x 2 inch round cake pan. The pan must be 8 cups volume (cake will overflow 8 x 8 x 1 1/2 inch square pan, it has only 6 cup volume)
  2. Spread 2/3 cup brown sugar on the bottom of the pan and scattered pieces of butter (4.5 Tbsp).
  3. Place the pan in the oven for 5-7 minutes (until butter has melted).
  4. Remove from the oven and stir butter and sugar and spread evenly on the bottom.
  5. Arrange sliced bananas to cover the bottom. Set Aside.
  6. To make the batter in a bowl stir together dry ingredients ( flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt), set aside.
  7. In a large bowl cream 1/3 cup butter and ¾ cup sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix to combine. Add Greek yogurt and mashed bananas and mix to combine.
  8. Turn your mixer on low and add dry ingredients mixture. Mix just to combine.
  9. Pour the batter over bananas, smooth the top and bake.
  10. Bake 30 minutes at 350 F, then reduce the heat to 325 F and bake for additional 25-35 minutes until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out completely clean.
  11. Let it cool in the pan completely, or at least until the bottom is barely warm before inverting on the plate.
  12. Use a knife to loosen the edges from the pan, place a plate upside-down on top of the pan, then invert cake.

To make caramel glaze:

  1. In a saucepan combine butter, brown sugar, heavy cream and salt and bring to boil over medium heat stirring constantly.
  2. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, remove from heat and let it sit for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Pour 2/3 of the glaze over the banana layer.
  4. Reserve leftovers of the caramel glaze for serving.
  5. The glaze thickens as it cools and pale in colors!!!
  6. When serving reheat the leftovers of the glaze and drizzle on each slice.
  7. Sprinkle with toasted chopped pecans if desired.
  8. You can also top each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
orange creamsicle saladCategoriesRecipes

Orange Creamsicle Salad

PREP TIME 35 mins

CHILL TIME 2 hrs

TOTAL TIME 2 hrs 35 mins

INGREDIENTS 

  • 1 3-ounce box orange flavored gelatin
  • 1 3.4 ounce box vanilla instant pudding
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • ½ cup cold water
  • 8 ounce tub whipped topping thawed
  • 1 28-ounce can mandarin oranges drained (reserve 8 – 10 for garnish)
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • ¼ cup mini marshmallows (optional garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS 

  1. Using a medium size heat safe bowl, stir together the orange flavored gelatin and boiling water. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
  2. Stir in the cold water. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
  3. Remove the cooled gelatin from the refrigerator, and whisk in the vanilla instant pudding until completely incorporated. Cover the bowl and return to the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
  4. Remove the bowl from the refrigerator. Fold in the whipped topping, drained mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows. Return to the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours or overnight.
  5. Just before serving, garnish with the reserved mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows.
BLT DipCategoriesRecipes

BLT Dip

PREP TIME: 10 MINCOOK TIME: 30 MINTOTAL TIME: 40 MIN

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound bacon, cooked, drained, crumbled and divided
  • 2- 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 6 slices of provolone cheese, cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
  2. Spray a 1 1/2 quart baking dish with non-stick spray
  3. Set aside 1/2 cup crumbled bacon.
  4. In a large bowl combine remaining bacon, cream cheese, mozzarella, provolone, sour cream, mayo, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, dijon, and pepper. 
  5. Spoon mixture into the baking dish. 
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. 
  7. Sprinkle with lettuce, tomatoes and remaining bacon. 
  8. Serve immediately with crackers, pretzels, tortilla or pita chips!!
Italian Easter CookiesCategoriesRecipes

Italian Easter Cookies

PREP TIME 1 HR 15 MINS

COOK TIME 15 MINS

LET COOL 5 MINS

TOTAL TIME 1 HR 35 MINS

SERVINGS 24

INGREDIENTS

  • ▢FOR THE COOKIES:
  • ▢2 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
  • ▢1/2 cup Butter softened
  • ▢1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
  • ▢3 Large Eggs
  • ▢2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • ▢Zest of 1 Lemon
  • ▢1 Tbsp Baking Powder
  • ▢1/4 cup Milk
  • ▢1/4 tsp Salt
  • ▢FOR THE GLAZE:
  • ▢2 cups Powdered Sugar shifted
  • ▢2 Tbsp Lemon Juice fresh
  • ▢1 Tbsp Milk
  • ▢Multi-Color Pastel Sprinkles

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Beat together the butter and sugar in a stand up mixer or with a hand held mixer until the ingredients are creamed together and smooth.
  • Then add in the eggs, vanilla extract and lemon zest. 
  • Mix until combined and light and fluffy.
  • Then add in the milk and mix until incorporated.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt together. 
  • Then gradually add these dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. 
  • Mix together until the ingredients are just combined – do not over mix.
  • Then cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  • Then preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Remove pieces of dough from the bowl and roll into 5-6 inch long ropes (the ropes should be thin as they will rise as they bake).  Then form knots out of the dough ropes.  Place the formed knot cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes until the cookies are lightly golden brown.
  • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • While the cookies are cooling, make the glaze. 
  • In a bowl, stir together the powdered sugar, lemon juice and milk.
  • Once the cookies are cool, cover them with the glaze and top  with the pastel sprinkles.
  • Enjoy!
banana pudding cakeCategoriesRecipes

Banana Pudding Cake

INGREDIENTS

For the cake:

Cooking spray

1 cup full-fat sour cream

1/2 cup whole milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 (15.25-ounce) box vanilla or white cake mix

1 (3-ounce) box cook and serve banana cream pudding mix (not instant)

For the frosting:

8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

1 1/4 cups cups powdered sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups cold heavy cream

For assembly:

1 (11-ounce) box Nilla Wafers, divided

2 medium ripe (but not spotty) bananas

INSTRUCTIONS

Make the cake:

Place the 8 ounces cream cheese for the frosting in the bowl of a stand mixer and let it sit out at room temperature while you make the cake. (Alternatively, use an electric hand mixer and large bowl.)

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F.

Coat 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray, then line the bottoms with rounds of parchment paper.

Place 1 cup full-fat sour cream, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, and 3 large eggs in a large bowl and whisk until smooth.

Add 1 box cake mix and 1 box banana cream pudding mix and whisk until smooth.

Evenly divide the batter between the prepared baking pans.

Bake until the cakes are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

Place the pans on a wire rack and cool completely.

Make the frosting:

Add 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the bowl of cream cheese.

Beat with the whisk attachment on medium speed until smooth, 3 to 4 minutes.

Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually pour in 3 cups cold heavy cream.

Continue beating until the mixture thickens and is smooth, 4 minutes.

Increase the speed to medium and beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and doubled in volume, 1 to 2 minutes.

Transfer 1 cup of the frosting to a small zip-top bag and set aside.

Assemble the cake:

Place 3 1/2 cups of the Nilla Wafers in a large zip-top bag.

Seal the bag and gently crush the wafers with a rolling pin or the bottom of the frying pan into coarse crumbs.

Peel and thinly slice 2 medium ripe (but not spotty) bananas.

Remove the cakes from the pans. Using a serrated knife, trim the rounded tops off of each cake.

Place one cake layer, cut-side down, onto a serving platter or cake stand.

Dollop with 1 cup of the frosting and smooth into a thin layer from edge to edge with an offset spatula.

Top with the sliced bananas, then 1 cup of the crushed Nilla Wafers in an even layer.

Top with the remaining cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.

Cover the sides of the cake with the remaining crushed Nilla Wafers by taking a handful of the crushed cookies and gently pressing them against the side of the cake (start at the bottom and work your way up) so they stick to the frosting.

Any pieces that don’t stick and fall off can be pressed back into the frosting until the sides are completely covered.

Snip off one bottom corner of the bag of frosting. Pipe small decorative mounds of the frosting around the top of the cake.

Insert a whole Nilla Wafer between each mound of frosting.

Peanut-Butter-Dog-TreatsCategoriesRecipes

HOMEMADE PEANUT BUTTER DOG TREATS

PREP TIME 10 mins

COOK TIME 17 mins

TOTAL TIME 27 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 egg
  • ½ ripe banana, mashed
  • 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour

INSTRUCTIONS 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and set aside a baking pan that is lined with parchment paper.
  • In a mixer, beat together the peanut butter, egg, banana, and maple syrup until fully combined. Slowly beat in the whole wheat flour.
  • Take the dough and roll it out on a floured countertop until it is ½ inch thick. It should be a crumbly dough. If you would like to firm it up slightly, add in 2-3 Tablespoons of water.
  • Once rolled out, use a dog-inspired cookie cutter to cut out cookies and set them on the sheet pan.
  • Bake for 15-25 minute or until golden brown. Remove and let cool before serving.

NOTES

  • The dough will be crumbly as you’re working with it. If you want to firm it up slightly you can add in 2-3 tablespoons of water.
Caramel FrappuccinoCategoriesRecipes

CARAMEL FRAPPUCCINO

yield: 2 prep time: 10 MINUTES total time: 10 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups strong coffee, chilled
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ⅓ cup caramel syrup
  • 4 cups ice
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • whipped cream, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Add ice, coffee, milk, caramel, and sugar in a blender.
  2. Blend on high until ice is chopped finely.  
  3. Pour and top with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle, if desired.
Tornado CakeCategoriesRecipes

Tornado Cake

PREP TIME10 minutesCOOK TIME45 minutesTOTAL TIME1 hour 10 minutesSERVINGS12

Ingredients 

Cake

  • 1 tablespoon salted butter for greasing pan
  • 1 package yellow cake mix
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup evaporated milk
  • 20 ounces pineapple crushed

Topping

  • 2 egg yolks
  • ¾ cup evaporated milk
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1 cup pecans chopped

Instructions 

Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9×13 inch glass baking dish with a tablespoon of butter and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl beat together cake mix, 3 eggs, vegetable oil, and evaporated milk on medium speed for 2 minutes.
  • Mix in crushed pineapple (including juice) until combined.
  • Pour the cake batter into the baking dish.
  • Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Topping

  • In a heavy saucepan whisk together egg yolks and evaporated milk.
  • Add sugar, butter, and vanilla and heat over medium heat until butter melts and mixture comes to a boil.
  • Simmer, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and deepens to a golden color.
  • This takes about 5 minutes after mixture has come to a boil).
  • Remove from heat and stir in pecans and coconut flakes.
  • Set aside until the cake finishes cooking.
  • When cake comes out of the oven, poke all over with the handle of a wooden spoon.
  • Gently spread topping evenly over the top.
  • Allow the cake to cool slightly before cutting into pieces and serving.