Eskimo Pies and Easy Desserts

Today is Eskimo Pie Day!

The original ice cream on a stick and covered in chocolate all began back in 1921 when school teacher and candy shop owner Christian Kent Nelson was inspired by a little boy's inability to decide between ice cream and a candy bar and so the frozen snack was born. They say necessity is the mother of invention and some of our best inventions have come in a round-a-bout way!

What is your favorite frozen ice cream treat? Ice cream sandwiches? Drumsticks? Fudgecicles (Haven't had one of those in YEARS!). I think the most delicious frozen treat I ever tasted was during my first trip to Disneyland. Dad and Mom took us (2 brothers, 3 sisters and myself) to California, specifically Disneyland, when I was a Senior in high school. While at Disneyland, I tried a frozen banana, dipped in chocolate and covered with crushed peanuts. YUM! It was delicious! I've tried to recreate the taste, but somehow, it just isn't the same.

We shared some easy dessert recipes on the show today. If you like pecan pie, you will have to try these Pecan Pie Muffins. (see below). They taste just like the real thing-and only use 5 ingredients! Also the recipe for Black Forest Chocolate Cake that you make in the slow cooker. Both are EASY and EXCELLENT!

Pecan Pie Muffins 1 c. packed light brown sugar ½ c. all purpose flour 1 c. chopped pecans 2/3 c. butter, softened 2 eggs, beaten Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour 18 mini muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners. In medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and pecans. In separate bowl beat butter and eggs together until smooth; stir into dry ingredients just until combined. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. They should be about 2/3 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool on wire racks when done.

Easy Slow Cooker Black Forest Cake ½ c. butter 1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained & juice reserved 1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling 1 pkg. chocolate cake mix Melt butter in small saucepan, mix with reserved pineapple juice; set aside. Spread crushed pineapple in layer on bottom of slow cooker. Spoon cherry pie filling in even layer on top of pineapple; sprinkle with dry cake mix. Stir butter & pineapple juice together; pour over cake mix. Set slow cooker to LOW; cook for 3 hours. Spoon dessert into bowls;let cool about 5 minutes before eating. Yield: 10 servings.

Gingerbread and Good Neighbors

Today is National Good Neighbor Day.
So why not offer to do something nice for one of your neighbors. Maybe you can help them with outside yard work, run errands, or bake an extra batch of cookies to share.


If you don't know your neighbors, today would be a good day to get acquainted. Why not try these delicious Gingerbread Cupcakes and share them?

GINGERBREAD CUPCAKES
1 c. all purpose flour
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. baking soda
Dash of salt
1 slightly beaten egg white
1/3 c. molasses
1/3 c. water
3 Tbsp. cooking oil
Sifted powdered sugar (optional)

Line 8 muffin cups with paper liners; set aside. In medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, soda & salt; set aside. In small mixing bowl
Stir together egg white, molasses, water & oil. Stir molasses mixture into flour mixture just until blended. Spoon mixture into prepared muffin cups. Bake at 350° for
15-20 minutes or until cupcakes spring back when pressed lightly in center. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve warm or cool. Yield: 8 cupcakes

How to make a "Murphect" Muffin:

• Don't over mix!
• Recipes with less butter and sugar will give you a more "bread-like" muffin. Those with more butter and sugar will result in a more "cake-like" muffin.
• All ingredients should be at room temperature before you begin.
• Thick, lumpy batter is good.
• Position the oven rack in the middle for best heat distribution.
• Let muffins cool a few minutes before turning out of the pan.
• Muffins are best when made fresh, however, if you wish, wrap cooled muffins in plastic wrap; freeze for up to two months. Thaw, still wrapped, at room temperature.