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Archive for the ‘Easy Recipes’ Category

choc icebox platdWhen the weather is hot and I’m feeling lazy, I like to focus as little attention as possible on spending time in the kitchen.

That’s one reason I love good old-fashioned ice-box desserts. They come together in a snap, can be made the night before, and taste wonderful

My latest version involves chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate!

Ingredients ... and out of the 396 packages of Oreos at the store, of course I grab the one with birthday sprinkles in the filling!

Ingredients … and out of the 396 packages of Oreos at the store, of course I grab the one with birthday sprinkles in the filling!

 

Start by crushing the cookies into small, obliterated chunks. You can do this in the food processor, with a meat tenderizer, or have your husband beat them to death. Captain Cavedweller happened to wander into the kitchen at just the right time and got put into service as the cookie pounder.

Start by crushing the cookies into small, obliterated chunks. You can do this in the food processor, with a meat tenderizer, or have your husband beat them to death. Captain Cavedweller happened to wander into the kitchen at just the right time and got put into service as the cookie pounder.

 

While the cookies are being pulverized, whip the cream until thick and luscious. I added about a half-cup of powdered sugar, to give it a little sweetness. Just stir in gently once the whipping cream is thoroughly whipped.

While the cookies are being pulverized, whip the cream until thick and luscious. I added about a half-cup of powdered sugar, to give it a little sweetness. Just stir in gently once the whipping cream is thoroughly whipped.

 

Spread the cookies into the bottom of a 9x13 pan and press down.

Spread the cookies into the bottom of a 9×13 pan and press down.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.

Then add in pudding and milk, blending well.

Then add in pudding and milk, blending well.

 

Pour half the mixture over the top of the cookie crumbs. Work with some sense of urgency at this point because it won't take long for the pudding to begin to set.

Pour half the mixture over the top of the cookie crumbs. Work with some sense of urgency at this point because it won’t take long for the pudding to begin to set.

 

Fold half the whipping cream into the remainder of the pudding mixture.

Fold half the whipping cream into the remainder of the pudding mixture.

 

Spoon on top of pudding mixture already in the pan, then top with remaining whipping cream.

Spoon on top of pudding mixture already in the pan, then top with remaining whipping cream.

 

Spread whipping cream evenly over the top. You can get all fancy and make designs... or not.

Spread whipping cream evenly over the top. You can get all fancy and make designs… or not.

 

I sprinkled mini chocolate chips all over the top of mine. You can add shaved chocolate, toasted coconut, drizzle it with caramel sauce. Whatever strikes your fancy.

I sprinkled mini chocolate chips all over the top of mine. You can add shaved chocolate, toasted coconut, drizzle it with caramel sauce. Whatever strikes your fancy.

The end result is a delicious layered dessert that tastes divine and only takes about 15-20 minutes to whip up.

The end result is a delicious layered dessert that tastes divine and only takes about 15-20 minutes to whip up.

 

Chocolate Icebox Dessert

2 small boxes of instant chocolate pudding

3 1/2 cups milk

1 8oz. package of cream cheese

1 15.5oz. package of Oreo cookies

1 pint of heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Optional toppings (mini chocolate chips, shaved chocolate, coconut, caramel sauce)

Crush cookies until cookies and filling and blended into a crumbly mass (or mess, depending on who you ask).  Press into the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish and set aside.

Whip cream until peaks form. I like mine sweet, so I add about 1/2 cup of powered sugar and stir in gently.

In another bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth then add in pudding mixes and milk. Beat until well blended.

Immediately pour of the pudding mixture over the cookie crumbs in pan. Add half whipping cream to the remaining pudding mixture and stir until blended. Spoon over top of crust and filling in pan.

Top with remaining whipped cream.

Add whatever toppings you like then cover tightly with plastic wrap and let sit over night in fridge. You can serve immediately, but it tastes so much better the next day. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

She Who Needs to Not Make This Again for Self-Preservation Purposes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Since the weather here is finally warming up, foods that are light and fruity sound really good today.

Here are a few of my favorite fruity recipes:

 

fruit-pizza-slicedFruit Pizza

butterfly fruit salad finished

Butterfly Fruit Salad

She Who Loves Summer Fruit

 

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sausage roll plated

I needed to come up with a filling finger-type food for a gathering I was attending and decided Sausage Rolls would be fast and easy to make, but also be a filling and tasty addition to the food contributions.

These come together quickly, require few ingredients and received Captain Cavedweller’s seal  of approval.

Ingredients

Ingredients

Brown sausage, drain grease, set aside. Roll out crescent dough, seal perforated edges and spread with cream cheese. I happened to have whipped in the fridge, but as long as it is spreadable you could use softened cream cheese from a block, too.

Brown sausage, drain grease, set aside. Roll out crescent dough, seal perforated edges and spread with cream cheese. I happened to have whipped in the fridge, but as long as it is spreadable you could use softened cream cheese from a block, too.

Top cream cheese with sausage.

Top cream cheese with sausage.

Sprinkle on cheese.

Sprinkle on cheese.

Sorry... got involved in rolling this up and slicing before I realized I'd forgotten to take any photos. Place sliced rounds on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes.

Sorry… got involved in rolling this up and slicing before I realized I’d forgotten to take any photos. Place sliced rounds on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes.

When the crescent roll turns golden brown and the cheese is melted, pull from the oven and serve.

When the crescent roll turns golden brown and the cheese is melted, pull from the oven and serve.

Sausage Rolls

1 pound ground sausage

1 tube of crescent rolls (8)

1/2 cup shredded Colby-Jack chese

1/4 cup cream cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and coat with non-stick cooking spray. (You can spray the baking sheet and skip the foil or parchment, but I’m a lazy slug and don’t want to have to scrub the pan later.)

Brown the sausage and drain off grease. Set aside.

Unroll the tube of crescent rolls, pinching the perforated edges together to form a long rectangle of dough.

Spread cream cheese in a thin layer over the dough. Spoon sausage on top then sprinkle with cheese.

Starting on one long side of the rectangle, start rolling up the dough and filling. I forced Captain Cavedweller to help me because I couldn’t quite keep everything rolling forward like it should without an extra hand.

Once you have a nice, tight roll, slice off rounds about 1/2 inch thick and place on baking sheet.

Bake about 12-15 minutes or until crescents begin to brown and cheese has melted.

Remove from oven and savor the yumminess!

You can serve with barbecue sauce or ranch dressing if you want a little extra burst of flavor.

She Who Likes Easy Recipes

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danish plated

If you are looking for something delicious and simple to make for a brunch (especially with Easter right around the corner), this fast and easy recipe is sure to fit the bill.

It takes just a few minutes to assemble, about twenty to bake and you have a warm, tasty dish ready to serve!

Ingredients

Ingredients

danish dough

Unroll a tube of crescent dough. Place in baking sheet so that points are resting on the edge of the pan. Seal the edges together. You may have to smoosh the dough a little along the edges where it joins to make it work.

Mix powdered sugar with cream cheese.

Mix powdered sugar with cream cheese.

 

Spread over crescent dough.

Spread over crescent dough.

Layer on strawberry jam.

Layer on strawberry jam.

Top with sliced fresh strawberries.

Top with sliced fresh strawberries.

 

Fold up the crescent dough edges so they meet in the middle. Pinch edges to seal.

Fold up the crescent dough edges so they meet in the middle. Pinch edges to seal.

 

Bake at 350 until dough is golden brown and juice is bubbling.

Bake at 350 until dough is golden brown and juice is bubbling.

 

Nuke frosting for about 12 seconds until pourable then drizzle over top of danish.

Nuke frosting for about 12 seconds until pourable then drizzle over top of danish.

Force yourself to share and bask in the compliments sure to come your way.

Force yourself to share and bask in the compliments sure to come your way.

 

Easy Strawberry Cream-Cheese Danish

1 tube of refrigerated crescent dough (8 crescents)

1/2 cup whipped cream cheese

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup strawberry jam

1 cup sliced fresh strawberries

1/2 cup cream cheese frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix powdered sugar with cream cheese, set aside.

Line a baking sheet with foil and give it a quick coat of non-stick cooking spray (you don’t have to line the baking sheet with foil, but I’m lazy and don’t want to scrub baked on berry juice of the pan.)

Line up crescent rolls down the center of the baking sheet, using the straight line of two crescents to form the center line with the pointy ends hanging off the edges of the pan. (It should like you have four sets of pennants in your pan placed back to back – if that makes sense at all. If not, refer to photos above!).

Spread cream cheese down center of crescents, top with jam and berries. Fold ends of crescents toward center, sealing edges by pressing together as best you can. It’s okay if you leave a little “breathing” room here and there. Crimp the ends to seal.

Bake until crescent dough turns a rich golden brown and berry juice if bubbly – about 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with cream cheese frosting. Put frosting in a microwaveable container (I use a small glass creamer) and nuke for about 12 seconds. Pour over top of danish and serve while still warm.

She Who Liked This Way Too Much

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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