Birthday Sweet Treat

 Yes, we have a special birthday to celebrate in our house. Mommy turned the big 4-0  Saturday! Actually we do birthday months in our family, so I've been celebrating for about 4 weeks now! Plus my mom's birthday is just 8 days before mine, so it's basically been 2 weeks of cake, great food, shopping, balloons, presents, and of course lots of love! 

I am a firm believer that you don't have to have cake on your birthday if you prefer something else. It's your special day and you can choose the sweet treat you get! Alex and I have both been known to ask mom to make us pumpkin pie on our birthdays. One of my favorites (and what I've gotten the past couple years) is mom's peach custard pie. One year Alex asked for root beer floats. We've done cupcakes, cookies, cookie cakes...whatever the birthday boy/girl requests. 

I love fluff salads so much, it was only appropriate to share this with you around my big day. It is super simple for any night of the week but I thought it would be a terrific addition to an Easter menu too. Our holiday tables always include one or two of these "salads" and this new banana split variety is over the top! 

Some fluff salads can definitely be served as a side dish, and that is why my Grammy always made them at the holidays. They were basically a creamy fruit salad, and then you could still eat dessert too. However this one tastes so much like a banana split you will definitely want to save it for the end of your big meal. 

It's got the bananas, the pineapple, the chocolate, the whipped cream, the cherries and the nuts. Every single ingredient in the ice cream shop classic, in every single spoonful! 

I used walnuts but roasted peanuts or pecans would be delicious too! I get a lot of reader comments about wanting to use real whipped cream instead of Cool Whip. First off, you can do whatever you want, I will never know. But in my experience, salads like this don't set up as well with the real stuff. Just MY opinion, not holy grail or anything! 

I thought I would be more bothered by turning 40, but I'm truly not. It's only a number, and like I told someone when they were teasing me about turning 30, each decade comes with blessings! In my 20's I graduated college, got married and become a mom. And then in my 30's I found a career I could do from home while raising my son, become a mommy for the 2nd time when I never thought I would. I was 35 when our miracle baby came to us! So I am excited to see what wonderful things are in store for this next chapter! And you know it will definitely have some delicious food along the way! 

Banana Split Fluff

1 (3 oz.) box instant banana cream pudding

1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, undrained

1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip

1 (16 oz.) jar maraschino cherries, drained and halved- save a couple whole for garnish

1/2 c. chopped walnuts, reserve a few for garnish

1 c. mini marshmallows

2 bananas, sliced

Chocolate Syrup 

In a large bowl, combine dry pudding mix and undrained pineapple. Mix well. Fold in Cool Whip, walnuts, marshmallows and cherries. Chill for 2 hours. Fold in bananas. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with extra walnuts and cherries. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Don't Let The Name Scare You

 When I told my boys I was making this recipe, I got some weird looks, to say the least! Frog Eye Salad? They really thought mom had lost her mind, and were very relieved to learn no actual frogs were harmed in the making of this dish! 

By now all of you know I have enough fluff salad recipes we could eat them all summer long, and maybe never repeat! From classic and retro ones like Ambrosia to new and fun creations like my Cookies & Cream Fluff, we love them all! 

This would definitely fall into the retro category, and I bet if you asked your parents, or grandparents, they remember if fondly from back in the day. I know my dad certainly did! 

There is nothing to be scared of, the little round bits that give it such a fun/unique name are simply small pasta. Acini de Pepe pasta to be exact. You can find it in the same aisle as all the other dry pasta, usually in a small box on a top shelf. 

I will be honest, when first heard about this salad, I though the "eyes" were actually tapioca. So I was a little shocked to learn it is made with pasta. Pasta, in a sweet , creamy dessert? Might sound strange, but I promise it works! 

In these crazy times we find ourselves, sometimes going back in time with retro recipes can be comforting. Plus, if you tell the kids their dessert has "frog eyes" in it, they might be even more inclined to eat it. Let's face it, kids love gross things. 

If you're still planning your Labor Day Cookout menu, save room for this! I promise you will hear "Oh, my grandma used to make this" more times than you can count!

 Frog Eye Salad

1 c. Acini de Pepe Pasta

1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip

1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained

1 (20 oz.) can pineapple tidbits, juice reserved

2 (11 oz.) cans mandarin oranges, drained

3/4 c. sweetened shredded coconut

1 c. pineapple juice, from canned pineapple

1/2 c. sugar

1 TBS flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg, beaten

1/2 TBS lemon juice

1 (10 oz.) bag mini marshmallows

 Cook pasta according to pasta directions. Rinse with cold water and drain well. Let pasta cool while preparing rest of recipe. In a medium saucepan, over medium high heat, combine pineapple juice, sugar, flour, salt and egg. Cook and stir constantly until mixture is smooth and thickens. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Let cool.When pasta and sauce mixture are cool, mix together in a large bowl. Add pineapple tidbits, crushed pineapple and oranges, marshmallows and coconut. Mix well. Fold in Cool Whip. Chill until ready to serve, several hours. 

 

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Happy Memorial Day

The gateway to summer has finally arrived! All things sun, sand and surf are here for the next few months, and our family is rejoicing! Even if summer vacation is going to look slightly different this year, it is still summer and we are going to enjoy every single second

Before we get to all things fun this Memorial Day weekend, let us always remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can gather together in freedom. Always honor those brave men and women who stood up and said "not on my watch" and did the job most of us aren't brave enough to even consider, let alone do. The true heroes are the reason we have this holiday, and defending our American ideals are the most generous gift they could give us.

If you are planning a Memorial Day cookout, picnic or just supper at home, I've got a terrific no bake, cool, creamy sweet treat for you. Ya'll know how much I love a tasty fluff salad, and this is the ultimate one! Not only did my family love this, but I also made some for a family I took a meal to recently, and they raved about it! So, it's been taste tested by two different houses just in time for your holiday, and summer feast plans!

Chocolate, cream, marshmallows...it's a party in a bowl! Everyone young to old will be licking their spoons and asking for the recipe!

I hope you and your family have a fun kick-off to summer and find a way to salute those who gave everything they had for us. Add in something delicious to eat, and that's the icing on the cake!

Cookies & Cream Fluff

1 (3.4 oz.) box instant vanilla pudding

1 1/2 c. milk

1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip

1 (19 oz.) package chocolate sandwich cookies

1 (10 oz.) bag mini marshmallows

In a large bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk. Chill until soft set. While chilling, place cookies in plastic bag (reserve a couple for garnish) and crush using rolling pin or heavy bottom skillet. When pudding set, fold in Cool Whip, cookies and 1/2 bag of marshmallows. Break apart the 2 cookies you saved into bigger pieces and place on top. Cover and chill until serving. 

Inspired by Crazy for Crust
Shared at Weekend Potluck 
Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Welcome May

Well kids, we made it. I know, it's hard to believe after 739 days in April, but yes we have arrived! May is the gateway to summer! Sure, I live in Indiana so one day it will be 70, gorgeous and sunny, and the next will be 50 and rain, but we know summer is knocking on the door!

This month also brings many reasons to celebrate. Mother's Day, end of school, graduation, Memorial Day...just to name a few. And while many of those will look different this year in the world we are living in, they still have one major thing in common. Such special occasions call for extra special sweet treats!

This was actually our dessert on Easter, and I purposely saved it for my first post in May because I think it is going to be a go-to summer cookout, pool party, backyard barbecue sweet treat for many of you! Lemon is almost the mascot flavor of summer, and this not only super easy, it bursts with bright lemon flavor!

Oh, and it just happens to be no bake, so no need to heat up the house when those 90 degree days finally do arrive.

Now, let's talk lemon extract. No, it is NOT the same as lemon juice. You will find small bottles of lemon extract in the baking aisle next to the other extracts like vanilla, almond, coconut, etc. It has a much higher concentrated flavor, and really packs a punch. Hence why the recipe calls for 1-2 tsp depending on how strong a lemon flavor you wish. For us, I used 1 1/2 and it was the perfect combo of sweet and tart.

Mom would love this next Sunday for a sweet treat made from the heart. It will be a star at that first neighborhood cookout  you can hopefully have before summer is over. Or, if you're hunkered down and are just eating your way through shelter in place, it would be delicious just because too!

However you are celebrating the beginning of another month, one that gets us closer to summer, I pray you are safe, healthy and snacking on something yummy!

Lemon Icebox Lush

2 (8 oz.) blocks cream cheese, softened

1 (3.4 oz.) box instant lemon pudding mix

1 c. milk

1-2 tsp. lemon extract

1 lemon, zest grated

1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip

1 box honey graham crackers

In a large bowl beat together cream cheese, milk, pudding mix and lemon extract until smooth. (Begin with 1 tsp and add more for how much lemon flavor you want.) In the bottom of 8x8 baking dish, layer graham crackers, breaking to fit if necessary. Spoon layer of cream cheese mixture and spread evenly. Spoon Cool Whip and spread evenly. Grate some lemon zest on. Repeat layers 2-3 more times depending on size of your dish, ending with Cool Whip. Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight. Before serving use garnish with lemon slices and extra zest. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck
Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Celebrate #Oatober with Peanut Butter & Co.

Just in time for Halloween, and all the sweetness that goes with it, I've teamed up with my good friends at Peanut Butter & Co. and Bob's Red Mill to transform October into "Oatober"!

I've got something that the little ones can not only enjoy for an after school snack, lunchbox treat, or Halloween party dish, but can also help make! They will love getting their hands sticky and messy, and then maybe even licking them when done!

So many schools don't allow homemade treats at classroom parties, but if yours is okay with it, these would be perfect! So yummy and a perfect little sweet bite.

We love peanut butter. Like eat from the jar with a spoon love, so the double peanut butter punch in these, with the Reese's candies, makes them extra special.

If you're looking for something fun to make with your kids, or maybe something to feed all those little goblins and witches that come to your big Halloween bash, I've got you covered!

No Bake Halloween Balls

2 1/2 c. old fashion oats ( I used Bob's Red Mill)

1 c. creamy peanut butter (I used PB & Co. Smooth Operator)

1/2 c. honey

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. mini chocolate chips

1/2 c. Reese's pieces

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Roll into balls. Chill for 30 minutes to set. Store in fridge in airtight container. *NOTE* When rolling, some of the candies will want to fall out. Just keeping pressing. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Disclaimer: As part of Yum Squad I received product in exchange for this post. All thoughts, opinions and the recipe are all mine.

Jump on the Pumpkin Bandwagon

Pumpkin Spice is everywhere....in every thing! From chapstick (yep I saw that) to coffee creamer, cupcakes and candy...tis the season! Now, I'm not complaining because I have yet to find something pumpkin flavored I didn't like, so I figured why not jump on the bandwagon?

I know many of you share my love of all things "no bake" during the hot summer months, but who says that convenience has to end at Labor Day? I say let's carry it right on through to fall, after all our schedules aren't any less busy, so why not make dessert something we can whip up in no time? Plus, there are still going to be days that are warm enough we don't really want to bake anyway.

Parfaits are a great no bake treat when you don't have much time, but want to impress. Layer anything into a nice dish or glass and it looks so fancy, nobody will care it only took you about 20 minutes!

A couple notes about this recipe. One, if you make your own granola, of course use that instead. I was going for all out help from the store. Secondly, if you can't find the pumpkin spice pudding (it's a seasonal thing) you can easily substitute vanilla, and add pumpkin spice to taste.

I'm all about welcoming fall in the most delicious way, and if that means I need to find more ways to fit pumpkin into recipes, well I'm okay with that too!

Pumpkin Spice Parfaits

12 oz. bag granola with raisins and almonds

1 small box (4 serving) pumpkin spice pudding

1 1/2 c. milk
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Cool Whip
Ground Cinnamon

Combine pudding mix and milk in large bowl. Whisk well. Chill for 10-15 minutes to set. Open bag of granola. Add pumpkin pie spice. Shake well.  In parfait cups, place a couple TBS granola. Top with a couple TBS pudding. Continue layers.Top with Cool Whip. Sprinkle with extra granola and cinnamon.

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Childhood In A Bowl

When I was a little girl, summer time meant many things. Lazy mornings, sleeping in. Riding my bike all over my home town (As long as I didn't cross the "big" highway.") Coming home for supper, leaving again and not having to come back until "the street lights came on." Yeah, that's how the world was in my small town back then. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be that way in the world we live in today, sadly.

But one of the things I remember more than any is my mom making her old fashion Strawberry Shortcake, over...and over...and over...and over again. It was always (and still is) my dad's favorite and we ate as much of it as possible during those warm summer months.

Now, if you ask my dad, who learned from his dad, me or my son, there is one special addition to mom's shortcake that is a must. See, once mom serves it up, dripping in those sweet, delicious berries, we take ice cold milk and pour down over the top. Hey, don't knock it til you try it. I know many who eat ice cream on theirs, and when it melts....kinda the same idea.

Why do we do this? Simple. My grandpa started to years ago. See, mom's shortcake recipe came from her mother in law. And when Grammy made it, Popeye (that's what we called our grandpa) couldn't resist. And he decided he could eat more of it, if he ate it all day, not just after supper. So, he declared "If I pour milk on it, I can eat it for breakfast." And history was made. A legacy that has been passed down for 3 generations. Oh, we also do the same thing with apple dumplings...for the same reason!

This NO bake sweet treat takes me back those childhood summers. I have all the yummy things from a bowl of mom's shortcake, milk included, in one bite.

If you have to take a dish to a cookout or family get together, here is your inspiration. I guarantee it will be a huge hit!

Strawberry Shortcake Fluff

Inspired by Inside Bru Crew Life

1 small box instant white chocolate pudding mix

1 1/2 c. milk

1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip

1 lb. strawberries, diced, reserve some for garnish

1 1/2 c. mini marshmallows

1 (11 oz.) pound cake loaf

Red food coloring

In a large bowl whisk together pudding mix and milk. Fold in Cool Whip. Add a few drops of food coloring to get desired pink color. Add berries, cake, and marshmallows. Mix until combined. Garnish with extra berries. Chill at least an hour before serving. 

 

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Soul Food Saturday

Especially in the middle of summer you just want a sweet treat right now. As in mix it up and eat it, am I right? This one is just that. Some yummy chocolate and crunchy granola in a cup just for you! Sound good? Grab a spoon, it's time for dessert! 

Quick Pudding Parfaits 

2 small boxes chocolate pudding 

4 c. Half and half

4 c. Granola

In a medium bowl add pudding and milk. Mix to combine, until begins to thicken. Cover top of pudding with cling wrap to prevent skin from forming.(Directly on top) Refrigerate until set, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from chilling, remove cling wrap and stir to combine. Add approx. 1/4 c. of pudding to bottom of cup, then 1/4 c. of granola. Repeat with pudding, more granola, and final layer of pudding. Sprinkle top with granola. Repeat with remaining pudding and granola. 

Makes 4 very satisfying dessert cups. Use up the last of your granola and get creative with dried fruit or even whipped topping! Enjoy!