glutten for punishment

It's no wonder this michelin tire around my waist never seems to go away.  How could it when the only thing I know how to cook is DESSERT?!?!

Here are a few recent faves.  I thought I'd share because I love finding recipes on blogs.

Hope you enjoy!

Coconut Pecan Cake

* warning *  if you don't like coconut, don't attempt

1 box yellow cake mix

1 package instant vanilla pudding (small)

1 1/3 C water

4 eggs

¼ C cooking oil (I use canola)

2 C grated coconut

1 C chopped pecans

Blend cake mix, pudding mix, water, eggs and oil in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed approximately 4 minutes to ensure all ingredients are well blended. Stir in coconut and nuts and blend well. Pour cake batter into 3 greased and floured cake pans. Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out “clean.”

Frosting:

One 8 oz pkg. cream cheese

4 T butter

2 C toasted coconut (see below)

2 T milk

3 ½ C confectioners sugar, sifted

½ t vanilla

Melt 2 T butter in a skillet, add coconut, stir over low to medium heat until toasted. Spread coconut over absorbent paper (I use a brown paper grocery bag). Cream 2 T butter with cream cheese. Add milk, then beat in sugar. Blend in vanilla, then stir in 1 ¾ C of the toasted coconut. Frost cake with icing, then sprinkle/press remaining coconut on top of cake. Placing the cake in the refrigerator helps set up the icing for easier cutting.

Bakerella's Cookie Dough Brownies (so easy!)

Recipe go to bakerella's blog.

Banana Cake with Burnt Butter Frosting

This goes into the recipe box for LIFE!

Banana Cake:

2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar (IMPORTANT - I used 1 cup white sugar and a 1/2 cup brown sugar)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup shortening

1/3 cup buttermilk or sour milk

2 medium ripe bananas, smashed

2 eggs

1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Mix everything together. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed. Pour into 9x13 pan (I used the Demarle sunflower mold). Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Burnt Butter Frosting:

1 cube butter

1 tsp vanilla

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

milk to consistency

Melt butter in pan on stove until foam cooks off and the color is a deep caramel. Pour butter over powdered sugar. Add vanilla and milk to the consistency you want. Beat for about one minute.