cream puff pie

The amazing Christa of Orrin-and-Christa made this for us once, and I was absolutely blown away. So easy. So fancy. So good. Instead of needing to ask her for the recipe yet again, I decided to record it here. Try it; you'll be glad you did.

RECIPE: Cream Puff Pie

Yield: 24 servings

Calories: 193 ea

Ingredients: 

1 c. water

1/2 c. butter

1/4 tsp. salt

1 c. flour

4 eggs

1 pkg. instant vanilla pudding (large)

2 1/2 c. cold milk

2 tubs cool whip

Toffee bits 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F.

Bring to boil the water, butter and salt in a med saucepan. Remove from heat and add the flour all at once. Stir until a ball forms. **Let cool for 10 minutes.** Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well before adding another.

Spread dough on greased cookie sheet and bake for 30ish min at 350F. Allow to cool.

Meanwhile, mix together a large pkg of instant vanilla pudding and less milk than it calls for, about 2 1/2 cups. Chill. Layer on top of chilled cream puff. Then top with cool whip and toffee bits. Serve cool.



Note: For the "good stuff" on top, Christa says: "You can do any kind of pudding and top with nuts or candies or chocolate syrup. It's the best dessert because it can be whatever you want!" When we had it the first time, she had put vanilla pudding on one half and chocolate on the other. Pretty yummy! She also recommends adding toffee bits or chocolate syrup- or both! Yum. You're welcome. 

guava cake

I stole this recipe from my Hawaii-loving friend Aubrey, and I'm so glad I did. It's soooo scrumptious! Creamy and moist and cold and scrumptious. Mmm. I'd make this everyday if health weren't an issue. Ha. Try it; you'll like it. Promise.



RECIPE: Guava Cake

Yield: 18

Calories: 227

Ingredients:
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 c guava juice/nectar
1/3 c vegetable oil
3 eggs
3-5 drops red food coloring (opt)

1 8-oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 8-oz pkg Cool Whip

2 c guava juice/nectar
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c cornstarch
3-5 drops red food coloring

Directions:
Cake: Preheat oven to 350F. Mix cake according to package directions substituting guava juice for water. Add a few drops of red food coloring to tint it a bit (opt). Pour into a 9x13 baking dish. Bake.

Cream: In a med. mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.  Add sugar and vanilla, beat in. Slowly fold in cool whip. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Glaze: In a med saucepan, bring guava juice and sugar to a boil. Make a paste out of cornstarch and a small amount of cold water. Remove guava/sugar from heat and stir in cornstarch mixture. Add some red food coloring. Return to heat and bring back to a boil for one minute. Cool in fridge.

Assemble: Ice the cake with cream cheese mixture. Then glaze the top with guava gel. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Enjoy!