Luscious Lemon Layer Cake with Creamy Strawberry Frosting

Spring has sprung, and it's time for strawberry desserts...you know my daughter loves them!  The last one I made for her was a couple of years ago for her birthday (my Strawberries In Rose Cake with Lemon Glaze).  Although everyone loved it, I thought I'd try something a little different for her birthday this year.

With no time for experimenting, I needed a reliable recipe.  I simply added fresh lemon juice and zest to one of my favorite pound cakes...my versatile evaporated milk pound cake.  This produced a wonderful moist, dense and lemony cake, which easily sliced into three layers.  Using my trusted butter cream frosting as a basis, I developed a creamy strawberry frosting.

This cake actually improves with flavor after a couple of days.  You can make it ahead and refrigerate or freeze, then decorate and garnish with strawberry slices the day you serve it.

                                   Hey, Watch Those Fingers There...

                                     I Haven't Even Served It Yet!
                                   

Hawaiian Mini Banana Split Bundt Cakes with Butter Pecan Glaze

The birth of baby cakes...My daughter and I were discussing what I should make for her husband's pending birthday, and my five-year old grandson excitedly chimed in "banana split cupcakes!"  That sounded like a great idea to us, and my daughter started listing all the goodies they should have...then, they became Hawaiian banana split cupcakes.  I said I wanted to top them with a butter pecan glaze...you may recognize this glaze from my recipe for Fall Harvest Apple Cake.

Cupcakes were what I planned, until I spotted one of my vintage mini Bundt cake pans hanging on my kitchen wall...hmmm, even better.  Was I ever right...the little cakes slid right out of their pans (easier than cupcakes)!  The tunnels in the center of of each cake perfectly accommodated nice dollops of whipped cream...studded with a cherry on the top of each, and ta dah..adorable Hawaiian mini banana split Bundt cakes were born!

                                              All Dressed Up And...

                                                 Ready to Party!

Turkey Polska Kielbasa Sauté with Haricot Verts, i.e. Turkey Polish Sausage with Extra Fine Green Beans!

You're starving and you want something quick, but homemade.  I was recently looking for something like this at the grocery store and spotted turkey Polska kielbasa, i.e. turkey Polish sausage.  I took it home and, with other ingredients on hand, I developed a delectable one-dish sauté.  I was so excited with the ease and fabulous taste of this dish, I immediately wanted to share it!

This recipe offers the option of jarred or fresh mushrooms, frozen or fresh roasted potatoes and frozen or fresh haricot verts (extra fine green beans).  The jarred and frozen items just provide you the opportunity to throw the meal together a little quicker.  Whether you choose to use these items prepackaged or fresh, this dish will still be delicious.

With an array of colorful vegetables, you have a complete, healthy one-dish meal which is easily and quickly made on the stove top.

                                                I'm So Hungry...

                                      And This Looks So Good!

Melt-In-Your Mouth Cranberry or Blueberry Pikelets

I love crumpets and wanted to make my own.  However, they're made with yeast, and I wanted something a little quicker.  I decided pikelets were the answer...they're kind of a cross between a pancake and a crumpet.

Some of the pikelet recipes I found were made with self-rising flour.  Now, I know some the best biscuits are made with self-rising flour.  However, my mother didn't use it; therefore, I've never used it...until now.  Baking powder is added for a little extra boost.

These melt-in-your mouth little pikelets are the size of a large cookie and just firm enough to be handheld.  They have almost a cake flavor...perfect for breakfast, brunch or snack.  I added cranberries, but they're also great with blueberries...or, you can just make them plain.  I resisted the temptation to add nutmeg or cinnamon...sometimes you just want a simple flavor as these offer.

                              I'll Have Mine with Just A Smear of Butter...

                      But, You Might Like With A Dab of Jam or Preserves!

Salted Caramel Bread Pudding with Bittersweet Chocolate ~ Topped with Homemade Whipped Cream

My daughter's mother-in-law gave me a fabulous jar of Williams-Sonoma Salted Caramel Sauce for the holidays and said she was anxious to see how I'd use it.  I knew immediately that I wanted to use it in a bread pudding!

Large morsels of bittersweet chocolate dot this decadent caramel pudding.  You may think that 1/2 c. of these morsels may not be enough for the recipe; but, believe me, it's just the right amount.  Homemade whipped cream perfectly mellows the rich pudding.

Serve this sinfully delicious caramel pudding for Valentine's Day, and you'll be sure to leave them swooning!

                                     
                                                  It's So Good...

                                       I Just Can't Stop Eating It!

Crunchy Retro Turkey Casserole with Wild Grain Rice

It's comfort food weather, and you crave an easy and unpretentious hot dish...like this gratifying retro turkey casserole.  This is an ideal recipe to use up that leftover holiday turkey hanging around in your freezer.  With the water chestnuts inside and the crushed cracker topping, you'll find this casserole satisfies the desire for a little crunch.  And, yes, it's possible to enjoy a good recipe that includes a can of soothing, creamy soup (you know you have)!

Make this as your next take-along dish, and they'll be sure to ask you to bring it to future potlucks!

                          Be Sure To Give Me Lots of Crunchy Topping!