Turtle Cake

Photo source:  Kraft

Love this recipe!  It is quick, easy and delicious.  Made easy by using a cake mix and Cool Whip.

I first found this recipe in a magazine back in the 80's, then found it on the Kraft website when I created this blog.  The website no longer lists this recipe.

This recipe was originally posted to this blog in 2011.

INGREDIENTS

1 tub (8 ounce) Cool Whip 

1 package (2-layer size) devil's food cake mix

1 package (3.9 ounce) Jello Chocolate Instant Pudding

38 Kraft Caramels

1-1/2 Tablespoons water

6 ounce (3/4 of 8 ounce package) Cream Cheese, softened

16 Vanilla Waters

16 Pecan Halves

5 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided

DIRECTIONS

Spoon half the Cool Whip into bowl, refrigerate to thaw.  

Return remaining Cool Whip to freezer.

Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 2 9-inch round layers, adding dry pudding mix to cake mix before mixing with liquid ingredients.

Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes; invert onto wire racks.

Cool cakes completely.

While cakes are cooling, microwave caramels and water in microwaveable bowl on high 1-1/2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every 45 seconds.  Cool slightly.

Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy.

Add caramel sauce and mix well.

Blend in thawed Cool Whip.

Place 1 cake layer on plate, spread half of cream cheese mixture.

Cover with second cake layer, frost top with remaining cream cheese mixture.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Microwave frozen Cool Whip and 3 chocolate squares in microwaveable bowl for 3 minutes or until well blended, stirring after each minute.

Cool 10 minutes.

While cooling, melt the remaining chocolate squares as directed on package.  

Dip half of each vanilla wafer in chocolate and place on waxed paper covered baking sheet.  Top with nuts.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

Spread Cool Whip mixture onto top of cake.

Garnish with wafers.

Keep refrigerated.

Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake - 2 Versions - From Scratch and Semi-Homemade

 

Photo source:  Plain Chicken

You have a choice . . . semi-homemade using a cake mix or made from scratch

I hope you like having both versions!

VERSION 1 - SEMI-HOMEMADE

"Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake Recipe – all the cozy cinnamon-sugar goodness of your favorite cookie baked into a soft, tender cake! Cake mix, vanilla pudding, eggs, butter, sour cream, cinnamon, water, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Great for holidays, brunch, potlucks, or an anytime treat. A simple, comforting cake everyone will love!"  Comment from Plain Chicken

This cake looks and sounds delicious.  Love that it is semi-homemade starting off with a cake mix, making it quick and easy.

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.

VERSION 2 - SCRATCH RECIPE

Photo source:  Recipe Girl

"Unlike traditional snickerdoodle cookies, this snickerdoodle bundt cake is drizzled with plenty of sweet cinnamon icing. This is the kind of cake you make when you’re looking for something new."  Comment from Recipe Girl

Click here to go to the Recipe Girl recipe page.

Sloppy Joe Bubble Up

 

Photo source:  Plain Chicken

"Sloppy Joe Bubble Up Recipe – homemade sloppy joe mixture tossed with chopped refrigerated biscuits and topped with cheese. Ground beef, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, biscuits, and cheese. A delicious twist to your usual sloppy joes. Kids and adults gobble this up!"  Comment from Plain Chicken

This recipe looks delicious!  The use of canned biscuits makes it faster and easier and the article has more ideas to make it even faster.  Love semi-homemade for busy times!

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.

Garlic Parmesan Skillet Bread

 

Photo source:  Plain Chicken

"This Garlic Parmesan Skillet Bread is a great side dish to pasta or a simple party appetizer. Warm some pizza or marinara sauce up for dipping. YUM."  Comment from Plain Chicken

Stephanie always has awesome and delicious recipes!  Love the use of canned biscuits in this recipe to make it fast and easy when you are in a hurry to get a delicious meal together.

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe.

Sausage Biscuit Pinwheels (With Canned Biscuits)

 

Photo source:  Plain Chicken

"These Sausage Biscuit Pinwheels are a staple at our house. We’ve been making these for years! They are effortless to make and taste fantastic! There are only two ingredients in this recipe – sausage and canned biscuits. SO simple yet SO delicious! People go crazy over these things whenever I take them to a party. I usually double the recipe and never have any leftovers. You must give these a try ASAP!"  Comment from Plain Chicken

Fast, easy and delicious pinwheels! Love another semi-homemade recipe made with canned biscuits.

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.

Ghirardelli Brownie Mix Recipe

 

Photo source:  Food Lovin Family

"Chewy and fudgy, a box of Ghirardelli Brownie Mix makes delicious brownies. If you are looking for a fast way to make some of the best brownies, this Ghirardelli brownie mix recipe is the one for you. I have some important tips to follow to make sure your brownies turn out perfect every time."  Comment from Food Lovin Family

It makes sense that a Ghirardelli Brownie Mix would make a delicious brownie.  Love that it is semi-homemade to make it faster and easier.

Click here to go to the Food Lovin Family recipe page.

Cherry Dump Cake UPDATED

 

Photo source:  Food.com

This post was originally posted

 to this blog on July 30, 2016

It doesn't get easier than dumping three ingredients in a pan and baking it.

Can't wait to serve it warm with some ice cream!

Gotta love dump cakes!

UPDATE

After making this dump cake, I need to make a few notes to add to the recipe.

First of all, after dumping all ingredients into the pan, stir until the cake mix is moistened.  We found that just dumping them into the pan left some spots "floury" after baking and left too many crunchy pieces throughout the cake.

Otherwise, the taste was excellent, but was very sweet and almost needs whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to offset the sweetness.

We really liked it and will be making it again!

Click here to go to the Food.com recipe page.

Another recipe . . .

"While many dump cakes use cake mix, frozen or canned fruit, and pats of butter or a melted butter drizzle on top, this version switches things up a bit. It’s dump cake-inspired, but produces a treat that stands on its own."  Comment from Simply Recipes

Click here to go to the Simply Recipes recipe page.

Lobster Ravioli Bake

 

Photo source:  All Recipes

"This lobster ravioli bake is rich, creamy, and cheesy, and could not be easier, thanks to store bought lobster ravioli and lobster bisque."  Comment from All Recipes

Love the simplicity of this recipe which includes some of my favorite things.  Quick, easy and delicious is a winner for me.  Can't wait to try this one!

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.

Cream Cheese Chicken Croissants

 

Photo source:  Devour Dinner

"I first made this recipe, Cream Cheese Chicken Croissants or Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls years and years ago when my now 25 year old son was little.  Now this recipe has reached more than 2 million viewers and growing daily.

Cream Cheese Chicken stuffed in a flakey Pillsbury Croissant has become a stable recipe in our home. It's tried tested and true. There are many Pillsbury crescent roll recipes with chicken but trust me, this one is the BEST."  Comment from Rebecca of Devour Dinner

Look at that photo!  This recipe looks delicious with cream cheese and it is easy with the use of my favorite Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and a rotisserie chicken.  It is a winner before I even have a chance to taste it.

Click here to go to the Devour Dinner recipe page.

Apple Cinnamon Roll Casserole

 

Photo source:  All Recipes

"This apple cinnamon roll casserole, made with refrigerated cinnamon roll dough, is puffy and warm, with a crunchy streusel topping and a drizzle of cinnamon icing. It's perfect for holiday breakfast or brunch."  Comment from All Recipes

A recipe that is so fast and easy with such a beautiful presentation and looks so delicious is a winner to me.  The use of refrigerated cinnamon roll dough is genius.  

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.

Cheesy Chicken & Salsa Skillet

 

Photo source:  KraftHeinz.com

"Turn regular chicken into salsa chicken with our Cheesy Chicken and Salsa Skillet recipe! See how to make this Healthy Living salsa chicken dish here."  Comment  from KraftHeinz.com

This recipe sounds like it has that texmex kick.  You can adjust the amount of heat dependent on the salsa you use.  Quick, easy and semi-homemade.

Click here to go to the KraftHeinz.com recipe page.

Chicken Alfredo ~ lighter version

Photo source:  Recipe Girl

Alfredo-style pasta is my favorite type of pasta!

The recipe is from Recipe Girl . . . I have not tried it yet, but it looks like a keeper! Her blog is awesome :)  Click here to go to the recipe page.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Bubble Up

Photo source:  Plain Chicken

"Great weeknight casserole! Only 5 ingredients and ready in 30 minutes. Chicken, swiss, ham, Alfredo sauce tossed with refrigerated biscuits. Everyone cleaned their plate and asked for seconds!"  Comment from Plain Chicken

Love those recipes that take advantage of leftovers and are semi-homemade.  

This one is quick, easy and economical!  Oh yeah, delicious too.

A word about alfredo sauce out of a jar . . . they are a bargain (generic brands are just as good) and give you the best bang for your buck.  I have not found a brand that did not turn out delicious.  It is what you do with that plain jar of sauce, how you doctor it up . . . the flavored ones are awesome.  My favorite is roasted red pepper.  Adding a jar to a sofrito of onion, peppers and garlic, along with your spices of choice, is the beginning of a wonderful meal for me.  

The alfredo sauces are on buy one get one free sale at least once a month at my local grocery store, so I make sure to stock up and always have at least a couple of jars on hand for a quick and delicious meal.

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.

Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

 

Photo Source:  Taste of Home

"While other homemade chicken and rice soup recipes typically require an extended cooking time on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, this simple version comes together in only 30 minutes. This short cooking time is possible thanks to precooked chicken, plus the fact that the rice doesn’t need to be cooked in a separate pot.

From the Recipe Creator: I came up with this creamy chicken rice soup recipe while making some adjustments to a favorite stovetop chicken casserole. We like this soup for lunch with a crisp roll and fresh fruit. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado"  Comments from Taste of Home

This soup sounds delicious!!

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.

Ore-Ida Loaded Potato Soup

Every day is Potato Day in my house.  I absolutely love potatoes!

This recipe comes from one of my old magazines from back in the 80's.  Ore-Ida does not have this recipe listed on its website.  What is listed is a slow cooker recipe submitted to All Recipes, which I have also posted on this blog.

I've lost track of the magazine article, so I can't list the date of this article.  What I can tell you is that it was a winner in the Ore-Ida Employee Recipe Contest.

Click here to go to the Kraft/Heinz Ore-Ida potato recipes page for lots of yummy potato recipes.

Cooking time: 15 minutes
No. of Servings: 4-6


Ingredients:

1 24 oz. bag Ore-Ida® Steam n' Mash Garlic Seasoned Potatoes
2 cups broccoli florets, frozen
1 jar (12-16 oz) Creamy Alfredo sauce
2 cups milk
1/4lb bacon
1 cup cheddar cheese
¼ cup green onions, chopped


Directions:

Prepare Ore-Ida Steam n' Mash Garlic Seasoned Potatoes in the microwave, as directed on package.

While the potatoes are cooking, cut bacon into mall strips, chop green onions and shred cheddar cheese. Fry bacon in a sauce pan over med-high heat, set aside.

Turn heat down to medium-low and pour jar of Creamy Alfredo sauce into sauce pan.

Add milk and broccoli florets, and stir soup occasionally.

Pour one cup of cooked potatoes into small bowl, mash.

Blend mashed potatoes into soup.

Pour 1 cup of cooked potatoes into individual serving bowls. Ladle soup over
the potatoes.

Top with cheese, bacon and green onions.

Ore-Ida Slow-Cooker Loaded Potato Soup

 

Photo source:  All Recipes

"This ORE-IDA slow-cooker loaded potato soup recipe makes a rich and creamy slow-cooker loaded baked potato soup with Cheddar cheese, hash brown potatoes, and bacon — it's comfort food at its finest."  Comment from All Recipes

This recipe was submitted by Ore-Ida, who has had years to perfect this recipe, so you know it has got to be good.  Love the semi-homemade type of easiness and the convenience of using the slow cooker.  Got to try this recipe soon!

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page, recipe submitted by Ore-Ida.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Photo source:  Six Sisters Stuff

"This Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a quick, family-friendly dinner with shredded chicken, boxed stuffing, diced ham, broccoli and more!"  Comment from Six Sisters Stuff

Anything made with stuffing is already good enough to make, but this recipe has ingredients that I love.  Sounds like an awesome recipe.

Click here to go to the Six Sisters Stuff recipe page.

Sausage Breakfast Pastries

 

Photo source:  White On Rice Couple

"You can’t go wrong making our sausage breakfast pastries. It only takes 4 ingredients and about 30 minutes of baking time. Your house will smell like a bakery and you can feed a group for breakfast simply! Best of all, this recipe is easily customizable by adding other little ingredients."  Comment from White On Rice Couple

This recipe is genius and uses two of my favorite items - puff pastry and sausage.  They look delicious, versatile and make a beautiful presentation for your next gathering!  Quick and easy, but looks like you spent hours. 

Click here to go to the White On Rice Couple recipe page to learn how to make these fabulous pastries!

Sausage & Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole

 

Photo source:  Taste of Home

"Canned crescent roll dough is incredibly versatile and convenient for crafting everything from quick desserts to crowd-pleasing, last-minute appetizers. One of our test kitchen’s favorite uses for this flaky, buttery dough is to create a delicious breakfast casserole with classic ingredients and a crispy crust."  Comment from Taste of Home

Love these breakfast casseroles with sausage and made so easy with canned crescent rolls.  This one is a winner!  Breakfast is my favorite meal.

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.

Cinnamon Fruit Biscuits

 

Photo source:  Taste of Home

"Because these sweet treats are so easy, I'm almost embarrassed when people ask me for the recipe. They're a snap to make with refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, sugar, cinnamon and your favorite fruit preserves."  Comment from recipe creator, Ione Burham, Washington, Iowa for Taste of Home

These biscuits are one of the easiest recipes I have seen yet and they look delicious.  You can also substitute the fruit used based on your preferences.  Love it!  Semi-homemade!

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.