banana pudding poke cake

my grandpa holyoak turned 91 this week,

and for his birthday party I wanted to try out a recipe I had seen for a banana cake.

(remember he doesn't eat chocolate & bananas are his fave!)

he's also not supposed to eat a lot of sugar, 

so i tweeked it to have as little sugar as i could.

banana pudding poke cake

1 sugar free yellow cake mix (plus the water, eggs, & oil it calls for)
2 small sugar free, fat free banana pudding boxes
4 cups cold milk
1 tub sugar free cool whip
(opt.) crushed nilla wafers

bake yellow cake mix according to package instructions.
let cool for a few minutes and use a wooden spoon handle to poke holes all over the cake.
mix the two pudding powders with 4c. cold milk and stir well.
let sit for just a minute until it begins to thicken.
pour pudding over entire cake making sure it gets into the holes.
let set in fridge for a couple of hours.
"frost" cake by spreading tub of cool whip evenly over top just before serving.
(opt.) top with crushed nilla wafers.

i'm pretty sure i saw him eat at least five plates of cake,

so i'm gonna call it a success! ;-)

now, the search is on for a cake to celebrate the big 9-2!!!

Frito Crap (guest post!)

Frito Crap (guest post by Bev Turley)
1 c. sugar
1 c. corn syrup
1 c. peanut butter
1 bag fritos (small fritos, not scoops)
bring sugar and corn syrup to boil. once it starts to boil remove from heat and add peanut butter.
stir together until peanut butter melts (I like to use chunky peanut butter) then, pour over the bag of Fritos.
cool on a cookie sheet sprayed with pam!
let it cool........then EAT UP!!

baja chicken salad

baja chicken salad

3 chicken breasts, shredded

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & finely chopped

1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 c. diced red onion

1/2 c. plain yogurt [i used "greek"]

1 T. spicy brown mustard

salt & pepper to taste

mix ingredients until well blended.
refrigerate until ready to serve.
[remember, the longer they sit together the more the flavors meld together....the yummier it is!]

guacamole...Chipotle style

copycat guacamole

2-3 ripe avocados, diced & mashed

1/3 c. chopped red onion

1 finely diced jalapeno

1/2 a bunch of chopped cilantro

3 T. white vinegar

a pinch of salt

mix well & chill.

I swear to you, you will forget you are NOT actually at Chipotle.

It is that close! It's incredible.

frozen lemonade pie

frozen lemonade pie (just like BestBites)
1 14 oz. can fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 [8 oz.] tubs fat free/sugar free cool whip
1 can light lemonade frozen concentrate
1 'sleeve' graham crackers, crushed
3 T. butter or margarine, melted
1/4 c. splenda
[opt.] red food coloring

mix graham crackers, splenda and butter to form crust.
fold milk, cool whip and concentrate carefully together until well mixed.
[add 5 red food coloring drops, if desired]
spoon whipped mix over crust.
freeze!

lemon buddies chex mix

lemon buddies chex mix
9 c. rice chex cereal
1 1/4 c. white vanilla baking chips
1/4 c. butter or margarine
4 t. grated lemon peel
2 T. lemon juice
2 c. powdered sugar

microwave chips, butter, lemon peel and juice uncovered on high 1 minute; stir. 

microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth.

pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.

pour into ziploc bag.

add powdered sugar.

shake until well coated.

spread on waxed paper or foil to cool.

store in airtight container.

[i keep mine in the freezer, it's yummy freezing cold and lasts longer!]

taken from chex.com

party crunch cake

party crunch cake
6 c. fruity pebbles cereal
1 bag large marshmallows
3 T. butter

melt butter over low heat on stovetop.
add marshmallows and stir until melted.
add cereal. mix well. shape into pan.
let cool, and cut.

delightfully fruity & easy party treat. in honor of my special day today. the big 2-9! woot!

bunny bait

this has been all over  Pinterest lately...

bunny bait
3 bags (light butter) microwave popcorn
1 (lb.) bag stick pretzels
1 bag easter color m&m's
handful of springtime candy corn
1 12oz. bag white chocolate chips

mix the popcorn, pretzels, m&m's, and candy corn in a large bowl.
over low heat, melt chocolate chips until smooth.
pour over popcorn mixture, and stir until coated.
spread on waxed paper until hardened.
break into pieces and catch you an easter bunny!

no fail peanut butter cookies

no fail peanut butter cookies

1 c. peanut butter

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 egg, beaten

mix sugar & peanut butter.

add baking soda & egg.

mix well.

roll into small balls.

bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

let everyone think you are a kitchen genius!