Pot Luck

We started having a pot luck every third Sunday here in Monroe. It's been fun. And it's been cool to see what everyone decides to bring. For tonight, I made brownies. And the hubby will be making his famous popcorn. Come over if you can :)

Coconut Goddess Cake

From PaperCrafts Gourmet (p.78-Ana Cabrera)
makes one 13"x9" pan

1. Prepare yellow cake mix according to box directions.
2. While cake is baking, pour 1 can crushed pineapple into small saucepan. Add 1 c. sugar. Heat over medium heat until sugar dissolves completely. Bring to a boil, then immediately remove from heat. When cake is done, remove from oven. Using a fork, poke holes in cake about 1/2" apart. Slather cake with pineapple and juices. Let cool completely.
3. Make 2 pkg. (small box) instant french vanilla pudding. Let set up in fridge.
4. Spread 1 1/2 c. shredded coconut onto baking sheet and toast in oven at 325 degrees, stirring often.
5. Once cake is cool and pudding set up, spread pudding over pineapple layer. Then spread 1 tub whipped topping over the tip of the pudding and sprinkle with toasted coconut. Chill for one hour.

This was a pretty tasty cake. It was a crowd pleaser at my baby's birthday party (I made it for the adults). I didn't care for the coconut on top so much, but it was alright. Even my hubby liked this one, which kinda surprised me.

Apple Muffins

From PaperCrafts Gourmet (p. 66-Alisa Bangerter)
Makes 12 regular muffins

1. Slightly beat 1 egg. Stir in 1/2 c. milk, 1/4 c. vegetable oil, and 1 c. raw grated apple. (I used one large Granny Smith)
2. Mix together 1 1/2 c. flour, 1/3 c. sugar, 2 1/4 teas. baking powder, 1/2 teas. salt, 1/2 teas. cinnamon, and 1/4 teas. nutmeg and add to wet mixture until moistened.
3. Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full with batter and sprinkle with topping mixture (1/3 c. brown sugar, 1/3 c. chopped nuts, (which I didn't choose to use) 1/2 teas. cinnamon)
4. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until done. (mine didn't take that long)

These were super tasty, and I think next time I will try them with whole wheat flour to up the healthfulness of them. Plus, the girls ate them right up.

Granola

Mom's Granola
From Amber Dyer
Makes... lots (half the recipe filled two quart jars after I ate some for breakfast)

Dry ingredients:
6 c. oatmeal
1 c. fresh sunflower seeds (I didn't use)
1 c. wheat bran
1 c. wheat germ
1 c. oat bran
1 c. dry buttermilk powder
1 c. slivered almonds (I used sliced)
1 c. coconut
1 TBSP cinnamon

Wet ingredients:
1/3 c. maple syrup
1/3 c. honey
1 c. oil
1 teas. vanilla

Dried Fruit options (none of which I used the first time)
1 c. golden raisins
1 c. raisins
1 c. dried apples
1 c. dried cranberries

Mix all the dry ingredients together. Mix all the wet ingredients together. Then mix both together. Spread a thin layer on cookie sheets and cook at 350 until it turns golden.  

*Serves really well with fruit and vanilla yogurt. Another one the girls love.