Pumpkin Crunch Cake

 Yummy dessert perfect for the fall and holiday season.  Can be eaten warm or cold, with a scoop of ice cream or without.  Also, as noted in the list of ingredients, the caramel sauce is optional.  I added some on my serving the first day, but I thought it was already plenty sweet, so I don't think it's necessary.

INGREDIENTS:

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree

12 oz evaporated milk

4 eggs

1 1/2  c sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground ginger

pinch of ground cloves

1 tsp salt

1 box yellow cake mix

1 c chopped pecans

1 c melted butter

Optional:  caramel sauce for topping

DIRECTIONS: 

In a bowl beat together pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar and spices.  Pour into lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.

Sprinkle top with yellow cake mix, followed by the chopped pecans.

Pour melted butter evenly on top of cake.

Bake 60-70 minutes at 350 degrees farenheit, or until top is lightly browned and custard is set.

Serve warm or cold.  Enjoy!

Pineapple Pops

INGREDIENTS:
1 (20oz) can crushed pineapple (drained)
1 (20oz) can crushed pineapple (with juice)
1.5 cups heavy whipping cream (whipped a bit)
1 lime
sweetened condensed milk

In a blender, add the pineapple, lime juice, and about two tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk.  Blend well until the mixture is pretty smooth.  Add whipped cream, blend.  At this point try it and see how sweet it is.  If you would like your pops sweeter, add more sweetened condensed milk.  You may also replace the sweetened condensed milk with the sweetener of your choice.  When your mix tastes just right for you, pour into popsicle molds and freeze.  Enjoy!

Creamy Orange/Coconut Ice Cream

This ice cream is so easy to make and has mostly healthy ingredients.  

My family loved it!

INGREDIENTS:

1 3/4 cup coconut milk
2-3 oranges
4 tbsp sweetened condensed milk (or sugar)
1 tsp vanilla

Peel and section the oranges and place on a cookie sheet.  Place cookie sheet in the freezer for a few hours.  Throw the somewhat frozen orange wedges and coconut milk in the blender along with the vanilla and sweetened condensed milk.  Blend until creamy and then pour your mix into your ice cream maker.  Follow directions on your ice cream maker.  Mine took about 20 minutes to be ready.  Enjoy!

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

I wanted to find a good mint chocolate chip ice cream and I think I found a winner.  Allrecipes.com had a great one and I just made one slight change to it.  You can find the original recipe by clicking here.

INGREDIENTS:

2 c milk

2 c whipping cream

1 c sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp peppermint extract

3-5 drops green food coloring

5 oz chopped Andes Chocolates

Mix the first seven ingredients and pour into an ice cream maker.  Mine takes about 20-25 minutes for the ice cream to be freeze, so just follow your manufacturer's instructions.  About ten minutes before it's ready, pour the Andes chocolates in.  Transfer to a container and eat right away, or freeze to enjoy later!