Chocolatey Oreo Pudding Trifle

Cool, creamy, and chocolate-y, and requires almost no baking.

1 unfrosted chocolate cake (use your own recipe or prepare your favorite boxed mix)
4 packages instant chocolate pudding, prepared
1 16 oz. package of Cool Whip Lite (or your favorite whipped cream)
1 package Oreo cookies, chopped and ground in a food processor to make crumbs

Break the chocolate cake into crumbly, bite-sized pieces. On the bottom of a large glass bowl, spread 1/3 of the cake pieces. Top with 1/3 of the chocolate pudding, spreading with spatula. Top pudding with 1/3 of the Cool Whip or whipped cream, spreading with spatula. Sprinkle Cool Whip with 1/3 of the Oreo crumbs. Continue to alternate the layers in this order for a total of two more times, finish off with a final layer of Oreo crumbs to garnish. Chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight before serving.

Delicious Apple Crumb Cake

I came across this apple cake on AllRecipes when looking for non-chocolate dessert recipe for my non-chocolate loving dad on Christmas Eve. It turned out absolutely delicious...moist and cinnamon-y, perfect for winter. It would be great served with vanilla bean ice cream.

1/4 cup butter-flavored shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream
1 chopped, peeled tart apple

For topping:
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon cold butter
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream the shortening and sugar together in a large bowl with electric mixer. Add egg and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and then add to the creamed mixture. Add sour cream and continue to mix. Stir in chopped apple, and transfer batter into greased 8" square or 9" round baking dish. For topping, combine brown sugar and cinnamon and then cut in butter till crumbly. Mix in nuts and sprinkle topping mixture over batter. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Egg nog Recipe!!

MM, it's the most wonderful time of the year for Egg Nog!! I got this recipe from my grandmother, who has been making it for many many years, and it's soooo good! Definitely a crowd pleaser :)
This particular recipe will always make me think of all the wonderful Christmases I had during my childhood.


Eggnog recipe - makes 5 Bottles.

4 cans of condensed milk
5 cans of evaporated milk
1 dozen raw eggs
vanilla - 1-2 tbsp
nutmeg - 1 tsp
bacardi 1 small bottle (to taste)

Blend together all ingredients except for condensed milk. Pour condensed milk in while evaporated milk, eggs, vanilla, rum and nutmeg are mixing. Chill for one hour and serve cold.