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!!!

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.

buffalo chicken cheeseball

buffalo chicken cheeseball
1 c. chopped, cooked chicken
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese
1/4 c. crumbled blue cheese
1/4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
3-4 T. buffalo wing sauce (frank's red hot)
1 med. jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced

mix ingredients until well blended.
shape into ball.
roll in shredded monterrey jack cheese, if desired.
serve with celery, crackers or tortilla chips.

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!

whole wheat pizza

whole wheat pizza

pizza dough:
2 c. water
4 1/2 c. white wheat flour
1/4 c. honey
2 T. dry powdered milk
2 t. salt
2 t. yeast
1 T. butter or margarine

mix well in bosch or bread machine.
let rise until doubled in size.
roll very thin on lightly floured countertop until size of pizza pan.
spread layer of canned spaghetti sauce.
top with reduced fat cheddar/colby jack cheese.
top with favorite toppings.
---like, ham, pineapple, pepperoni (even turkey), olives, onions, chicken,---
bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes until crust is brown and cheese is melted.

feeds 8-ish