Layered Pumpkin Dessert

I made this for something, but then ended up serving it at something else. Several people commented on how much they liked it and some wanted the recipe. I couldn't remember exactly what I did to it, but think I have it down now!  It's really only changing up the pudding mixture from the ever-popular Chocolate Pudding Delight (or Quad, or Pudding Cake, or Chocolate Lasagna - whatever YOU call it!)

The crust:  

1 cup crushed pecans

1 cup flour

1 stick of butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together and pat into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch dish.  Bake for 15 - 20 minutes until crust is lightly browned.

Cream Cheese filling (I doubled this from the chocolate version)

2 - 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

2 cups Cool Whip (I like this brand, myself....no the cheaper brands)

Spread filling over cooled crust.

Pumpkin pudding layer:

3 small packages Pumpkin Spice Jello Instant Pudding  

1 can Eagle Brand (sweetened condensed milk)
2 cups milk

In medium bowl, mix well until mixture begins to thicken. Let stand 5 minutes, then spread onto cream cheese layer.

Cool Whip layer:
1 large container Cool Whip
1 tablespoon vanilla
Cinnamon

Mix ingredients together - using cinnamon according to your taste preferences.  Spread over pudding layer.  Sprinkle with more cinnamon.

Chill for several hours, then serve!

Marshmallow Candy Pops

I've done marshmallow pops with chocolate many times before, but never with candy.  A friend was planning to use the pink Candy Melts for something else, but was busy decorating for the baby shower and didn't have the time to make what she planned. I had bought a LOT of big marshmallows for another event and had enough to use for this quick little treat for the baby shower.  I had never actually used the candy melts, so it was fun trying something new!

Melt the candy as directed on the package.  Insert a lollipop stick into a marshmallow, then dip the marshmallow into the melted candy.  Dip into sprinkles, if desired, and allow to harden on waxed or parchment paper.  I used clear crystal sugar sprinkles.  They turned out so cute!  Of course, that pink color may very well be my favorite color, so that helped :).  Baby girl pink is so sweet!  

And, by the way....I have a new great niece, so I got to see baby girl pink just a few days ago!  

Homemade Hot Chocolate

The oldest boy made homemade hot chocolate today and all of us thought it tasted like Starbucks! I actually thought it was a little better!  He's racking up quite a few recipes now. He's even got himself a notebook keeping them all for the future.  So neat!  I'm glad he likes to cook and try new things. And we're all glad he likes to share them with us!

HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE 

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/3 cup boiling water

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup white sugar

1 pinch salt

3 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup half-and-half OR evaporated milk (He used evaporated milk.)

Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring continually.  Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes.  Be careful not to scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and half-and-half and condensed milk.  Pour into mugs and serve! 

Texas French Toast Bake

My son, Zachary, subscribed to an online cookbook that's filled with breakfast recipes. He made this Texas French Toast Bake. He made it for the Science Fair at school today and those that ate it said it was delicious! It sure smelled good this morning as it baked! I look forward to having him make it - or me making it - for our family!

Instead of serving the syrup on the side, Zachary poured it on top while it was hot - and he just used Log Cabin brand, not pure maple.

Directions:

Breakfast Quesadillas

You can make almost anything into a quesadilla, I suppose!  Yesterday I made my 16-year-old a "Breakfast Skillet" (posted recently) with eggs, real bacon bits, and cheese. I made it with four eggs, knowing he'd only eat two, so I could use the left-overs in a burrito. Instead, I turned it into a breakfast quesadilla! 

In a small skillet over medium heat, melt a pat of butter.  

Put down one medium sized flour tortilla, shredded cheddar cheese....

add the leftover mixture...

...add a little more cheese to "glue" the tortillas in place....

....then top with another flour tortilla.

Turn when browned and brown on the other side. Cute into four or more pieces.  Eat and enjoy!