Our friend Judy is going through an “Old Family Recipes” book that she put together in 1998 and gave to her family members to showcase some of her favorite recipes, so she shared with us the following quick and easy dessert recipes. and without flour:
banana split cake
(No baking required)
Ingredients
5-7 bananas
3 sticks of butter
1 large container of whipped topping
1 bottle of red maraschino cherries
half a cup of crushed pecans
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 medium can crushed pineapple in its own juice
2 cups of powdered sugar
2 eggs
Addresses
o Beat the eggs, 2 sticks of butter and powdered sugar for 15 minutes. Set aside.
o Mix 1 stick of butter and graham cracker crumbs. Punch into a 13 x 9-inch pan.
o Spread mixture over crust first, then top with sliced bananas.
o Spread well-drained pineapple over plantains and top with whipped cream.
o Sprinkle pecans on top, placing a cherry in each section about the size you plan to serve.
o Refrigerate several hours and serve.
Chocolate Eclair Cake
(No baking required; easy as 1, 2, 3, 4)
1. Butter a 13 x 9-inch plate, then line with graham crackers.
2. Mix one 6-ounce package of instant French Vanilla Pudding with 3 cups of whole milk and mix for 2 minutes.
3. Add one 9-ounce container of whipped topping. To get a good layer of the mixture on top of the cookies, add another layer of cookies and then more pudding mix.
4. Top with graham crackers. Frost with fudge frosting made as follows:
o Combine ¾ cup sugar and ¼ cup honey, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup cocoa, ¼ cup milk.
o Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute.
o Remove from heat.
o Add ¼ cup butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring.
o Cool, then beat until smooth and thick enough to spread over top of cookies.
o Refrigerate for 24 hours, then serve.
iced fruitcake
(No baking required)
Ingredients
1 box graham crackers, crushed
1 stick of butter, melted
1 can of evaporated milk
1 bag of coconut
1 cup sugar (alternatively minus 1 tablespoon, then add 1 tablespoon honey)
2 cans of sweetened condensed milk
1 bag of small marshmallows
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Candid cherries, if desired
Addresses
Melt marshmallows and mix all ingredients in a large skillet.
Pour into individual containers to store in the refrigerator at least 24 hours before serving.
Ritz Cracker Cake
(A light bake is required, but it stirs quickly)
Beat the whites of 3 eggs until stiff.
Beat in 1 cup of sugar
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring, 1 cup chopped walnuts, and 25 crushed Ritz crackers.
Pour into a greased cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Chill then cover. Serve when your guests are ready.
chocolate pudding from scratch
(Minimum bake required)
Ingredients
2 cups of sugar
2 large or 3 small eggs
4 tablespoons of cocoa
4 tablespoons cornstarch
a hint of vanilla flavor
Addresses
Mix sugar, cocoa and cornstarch until smooth. Add the milk and beaten egg yolks. Cook in a skillet (preferably cast iron) until thickened. Add vanilla. Pour into a baking dish and top with whipped egg whites and bake at 350 degrees until egg whites are lightly browned.
Alternatively, add walnuts or coconut. Substitute 3 tablespoons of cornmeal for cocoa. Pour into a greased pie pan and bake for a crustless pie.
We haven’t tried all of these recipes yet, but Judy and her family highly endorse them. We encourage you to use them as the basis for some creative cooking. We see the opportunity to add other flavors and spices, substitute honey for some of the recommended granulated sugar, and generally just have fun.
Get the kids involved and take notes so you can start your own new family recipe book with your favorites.