Earthquake cake

1 chocolate cake mix of your preference
1 cup coconut
1 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips


Grease the bottom a 9x13 pan. Spread coconut and pecan pieces on pan's bottom.
Mix cake mix as directed on box. Spread mixed batter over the coconut and pecan pieces. In a separate bowl mix the butter and cream cheese and vanilla. Add in the powdered sugar bit by bit until it has a creamy consistency. Drop the cream cheese mixture in dollops over the cake batter at least one inch from edge of pan. Sprinkle on chocolate chips evenly. Bake at 350, 40 minutes

Strawberry Pie

Ingredients

3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
10 ounces of lemon lime soda (like 7-up or Sprite - regular or diet)
1 (3 ounce) box of strawberry gelatin
1 pound of fresh strawberries, rinsed, sliced and drained
1 homemade or commercial pie crust (Pillsbury recommended), precooked and cooled
Homemade whipped cream or non-dairy whipped topping

Instructions

Place the sugar, salt, and cornstarch in a small saucepan and whisk until well blended. Add the 7-up and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat and thoroughly whisk in the strawberry gelatin. Set aside to cool.

Clean the strawberries by removing the hull and rinsing them in a colander. Slice into 3 to 4 slices per berry and return to the colander. Run a quick rinse over the berries and let them drain completely.

If preparing a pie crust from packaged, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F or according to package directions. If preparing from scratch, you can find a recipe here.

Place the crust into an ungreased glass pie plate and fold the top edges under the pastry (not the pie plate) all the way around. Flute the top edges of the pie crust by taking one hand and barely pinch together a small section of the dough edge between your thumb and forefinger, while pressing the thumb of your other hand in between those fingers at the same time. Do this all the way around the top.

Using a fork, dock the bottom of the pie crust by pricking it in multiple spots all along the bottom. This helps to vent the crust so that it doesn't buckle. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or according to your package direction, until light golden brown. Remove, set aside and let cool for at least 10 minutes before filling.

Layer the strawberry slices in the precooked, cooled crust. Pour the gelatin mixture evenly all across the top of the strawberries. Chill until set and serve topped with a dollop of whipped cream or Cool Whip.

Stuffed Peppers/Southern Plate

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This is what I am cooking today

Ambrosia

Ambrosia

Image via Wikipedia

Makes 4 servings


1 1-pound can fruit cocktail drained
1 banana peeled and sliced
1 orange peeled and cut in sections
1 can of Mandarin oranges
1/2 cup cream whipped
1/3 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 cup miniature marshmallows
Flaked coconut

Combine first six ingredients. Chill. Sprinkle with coconut.

Cookie Exchange

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Every year my neighbor and I do a cookie exchange. So, I am always looking for something simple and yummy to make to put in her cookie tin. I have found just that in these pretzel turtles. Three ingredients make this super easy. Beside the fact that my pecans are free of cost. Thanks to my step-daughter and her hubby. Now let's see if I can make them without my husband devouring them all before I put them in the cookie tin with the other cookies.

Bread Machine Ricotta Bread

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This recipe is one I found on a former high school friends website. It is EXCELLENT!

Fried Peach Pies

I am not one to promote many fried foods but this one looked absolutely scrumptious.
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Aunt Bea and Me Recipes: Bread Machine Dinner Rolls (Yeast Rolls)

Aunt Bea and Me Recipes: Bread Machine Dinner Rolls (Yeast Rolls)

Garden Vegetable Quiche

Garden Vegetable Quiche

 1 pie crust, uncooked
6 ounces shredded cheese, mild cheddar
1 small zucchini, diced
1 small summer squash, diced
2 green onions, chopped
¼ cup red bell peppers, diced
¼ cup fresh basil leaves
4 large eggs
1 cup Hickory Hill Milk
1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
2 tbsp. parsley, chopped

Heat oven to 350.
Coat skillet with olive oil and add diced veggies. Sautee for 6-8 minutes.
Add fresh basil leaves, cook an additional 2 minutes.
Scoop sautéed veggies into pie crust. Spread evenly.
Top veggies with shredded cheese.
Whisk together eggs and milk. Pour over cheese and veggies.
Top with sliced tomato and parsley.
Cook in oven 35-40 minutes

Spiked Lemonade

I like a Mike's Hard Lemonade now and then.  This spiked lemonade might be good too.  Of course, it won't be like Mike's Hard Lemonade because they will be no carbonation but I may try this.

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Light strawberry shortcake

Apple-Pecan Salad

    1/4 Cup fat-free sugar-free vanilla yogurt
    1/4 Cup tablespoons reduced-fat whipped topping
    1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
    2 medium red apples
    1 large Granny Smith apple
    1/4 cup dried cherries
    2 tablespoons chopped pecans


    Chop all apples to 1 inch  chunks.In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, whipped
    topping and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Add apples and dried cherries; toss to coat.   Refrigerate until serving. Sprinkle with pecans and remaining cinnamon before serving.