Banana-Sour Cream Cake

Jordan found this recipe in our Kraft Foods magazine and asked if I'd make it for him for Father's Day. It turned out really good! It was one of those cakes where you can only have one piece because it's so rich, but the one piece was delicious! Plus it was pretty easy to make! I made the mistake of not waiting until it was completely cooled to frost it (I am lacking in the patience department) but other than that it was a hit! Happy Father's Day!!

Ingredients:

1 pkg. yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
1 cup Sour Cream
1/4 cup oil
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar (about 4 cups)
1 cup Walnut Pieces, finely chopped <--- Just spend the extra money to buy the pre-finely chopped ones. It's worth it!

HEAT oven to 350°F. Beat cake mix, eggs, bananas, sour cream and oil with mixer on low until moistened, scraping bottom of bowl often. Beat on medium 2 min. Pour into greased and floured 13x9-inch pan.

BAKE 35 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake completely in pan on wire rack.

BEAT cream cheese and butter with mixer on medium until blended. Gradually add sugar, beating well after each addition.

REMOVE cake from pan. Carefully cut cake crosswise in half using serrated knife. Place 1 cake half, top-side down, on plate; spread top with frosting. Top with remaining cake half, top side up. Frost top and sides. Press nuts onto sides. Refrigerate leftovers.

Want Some "Mower?"

I saw these on Disney's Family Fun Website and had to share! They are so cute and look really easy to make!!

These sweet lawn mower cupcakes are a cut-above choice for Father's Day.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
Chocolate-frosted cupcakes
Coconut, flaked
Green food coloring
Hershey's Nuggets
M&M's
Frosting
Black licorice laces

1. For each cupcake, mix a handful of flaked coconut with a few drops of green food coloring. Press a chocolate-frosted cupcake into the coconut to cover.

2. The mower is made with a dark chocolate Hershey's Nuggets body, brown M&M's wheels, and a red M&M's engine, held in place with dabs of frosting.

3. Shape the handle from a piece of black licorice lace, then insert the ends into the cupcake.

Cabbage Cashew Salad

1 Head cabbage chopped/sliced thin
1 bunch green onions sliced

Saute in 1-2 Tbsp Butter
1 cup cashews
1 package sliced almonds
2 Tbsp sesame seeds

then add 1 pkg of ramen noodles broken into peices and set aside

Dressing
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
Mix and refrigerate

Pour dressing mixture over salad and nuts right before serving.

Rice Krispee Peanut Butter Treats

1 c. Karo syrup
1 c. sugar, white or brown
1 c. peanut butter
6 c. Rice Krispies
1 c. butterscotch pieces
1 c. chocolate chips

Mix Karo and sugar together in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter, mix well. Pour over cereal. Flatten into lightly greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Melt butterscotch and chocolate pieces together over low heat. Spread over treats. Cut when cool.

Low Fat Strawberry Peach Trifle

1 box (4-serving size) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
2 cups fat-free (skim) milk
2 cups frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup peach preserves
1/2 cup amaretto or orange juice
8 cups cubed (1-inch) angel food cake (10 to 12 oz)
3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
3 medium peaches or nectarines, peeled, sliced, or 2 cups frozen sliced peaches, thawed
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted*

1. In large bowl, make pudding mix as directed on box for pudding using 2 cups milk. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Gently stir in whipped topping until blended.
2. Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix preserves and amaretto until blended.
3. In 3- to 4-quart trifle bowl or clear glass bowl, arrange half of the cake cubes. Top with half of the strawberries and peaches. Drizzle with half of the preserves mixture. Spoon and spread half of pudding mixture over fruit. Repeat layers, ending with pudding. Sprinkle almonds over top. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate no longer than 8 hours.
*To toast almonds, sprinkle in ungreased heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until nuts begin to brown, then stirring constantly until nuts are light brown.
From Eat Better America