Gainesville or Bust

We are taking a much needed break this weekend as we head to Gainesville for Homecoming Weekend at University of Florida. The girls will miss school tomorrow (shhhh, dont tell Megan's LSU alum teacher). Being in Gainesville tomorrow ensures that we can attend the parade and enjoy the festivities and energy in every pocket of town. There is just nothing quite like Gainesville on the weekend during Football Season. If you have been there....you get what I am saying. There is just nothing quite like it.

We look forward to seeing Jeff and Alison, also. They are the ultimate Florida Gator fans and so much fun to be around. I am not sure Jeffrey will allow me inside the city limits without a batch of THESE. Fall is officially ushered in with the first batch of Jeffrey's all time favorites.

It's Great To Be A Florida Gator (or at least married to one) I married in to the Gator Nation.

Have a Wonderful Weekend.

I am off to finish packing and baking....

Dump Cake aka No Stir Cake

So Easy....So Delicious!

Dump Cake aka No Stir Cake

(As in Dump the ingredients in....not get it from the Dump!)

If you have children who love to bake...turn them on to this recipe.

Katherine is constantly wanting to bake, cook dinner,

invent new recipes, write cookbooks, etc.

Sooooooo,

I am constantly on the hunt for recipes she can make all

on her own. This would fall into that category....

So easy an 11 year old can do it!

(So can 9 year old Megan!)

I am not sure a Caveman can do it though... Ask Geico!

Dump Cake:

Layer the following in order in a greased 9x13 Baking Dish. Spread each layer evening on top of previous layer.

1 (20oz) Can Crushed Pineapple in Syrup (spread evenly over bottom of dish)-Don't Drain

1 (21oz) Can Cherry Pie Filling

1 Box Yellow Cake Mix (regular 2 layer size)

1 Cup Chopped Pecans ( we used more)

1/2 Cup Butter, sliced into thin slices and placed evenly over the top

Dont Stir. Bake at 350 for 50 Minutes or until nuts are golden. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Trust me on this one.... it is EASY and TASTY. My kids made the entire Cake and it is almost gone in one day! If Andrew had been home all day...it would already be GONE!!! I was surprised how much the little ones loved it. I never know. But this was a definite home run!!! Make it for Sunday afternoon dessert.... Come on...head to the store an get the ingredients. Or, lucky you if you have them on hand already. Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!

Do you love EASY and TASTY all in one recipe?

Banana Split Cake

It was my friend, John's birthday Saturday. An ordinary cake would not do for this extraordinary friend and person. This over-the-top-delish dessert fit the bill. Sunday, we celebrated his Birthday amongst great friends. When the guests were gone, there was not even a crumb left of this dessert. This is not an exact photo of my recipe, yet you see the idea. I use Strawberries and Chocolate Syrup on the top on my Cake.





Banana Split Cake
Pecan Cookie Crust:
1 1/2 C. Flour
1/3 C Finely Chopped Pecans
1/3 C Brown Sugar
1/2 C (1 stick) Butter (softened)
Mix together until a fine crumb like consistency. Press into an ungreased 9x13 pan. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes. Cool Completely before adding the next layers.

Layer #1
1 C. Butter
2 C. Powdered Sugar
Beat on high 5-10 minutes until smooth, light, and fluffy. Spread over cooled Crust.

Layer the following:
2-3 Sliced Bananas
1 20 oz Can Well-Drained Crushed Pineapple (You may use Fresh Pineapple)
1 Pint of Whipping Cream, Whipped with 1/4 C. Powdered Sugar and 1 tsp Vanilla added
Drizzle Chocolate Syrup on Top (sparingly- you can add additional chocolate syrup when serving)
1/2 C Chopped Pecans

Top with
1-2 C. Fresh Strawberries or Raspberries (if you do not use berries, you may top each slice with a maraschino cherry at serving time)
Refrigerate 4-6 Hours before serving! Enjoy!
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