Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake (slightly adapted from AllRecipes, Servings: 24, Total Time: 1 hour)

Ingredients

·         24 vanilla ice cream sandwiches, unwrapped

·         2 (8 oz.) containers fat-free whipped topping

·         1 (12 oz.) jar hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed

·         ¼ cup chopped candy (I used Reese’s Cups, a friend of mine used Heath bars)

Directions

1.)    Arrange a layer of ice cream sandwiches in the bottom of a 9x13-inch dish; top with a layer of whipped topping, hot fudge topping, and chopped candy. Repeat layering with remaining ice cream sandwiches, whipped topping, hot fudge topping, and candy.

2.)    Cover dish with aluminum foil and freeze until set, at least 30 minutes.

This is probably the most delicious dessert that is this easy to make!  Ice cream, chocolate, fudge, and candy?  Delicious!!  As would be expected, this is super chocolatey, but I am more than OK with that.  I love the hard crunch of the candy against the softness of the other ingredients.  I also want to try Kit-Kats as a topping.  If you like chocolate at all – I definitely recommend this dish.  I also love that it is so easy to make – and, you can make a mini size if it’s just for one (or two).

Strawberry Margarita Squares

Strawberry Margarita Squares (slightly adapted from Kraft Foods, 24 servings, Time: 6 hours)

Ingredients

·         1 ¼ cups  crushed pretzels

·         ¼ cup margarine, melted

·         1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

·         1 cup  pureed strawberries

·         ½ cup  lime juice

·         1 tub  (8 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed

·         1 cup  sliced fresh strawberries

Directions

1.      Mix pretzel crumbs and butter in 13x9-inch pan; press onto bottom of pan. Refrigerate until ready to use.

2.      Combine condensed milk, pureed strawberries and lime juice in large bowl. Gently stir in COOL WHIP; pour over crust.

3.      Freeze 6 hours (or overnight). Remove from freezer about 15 min. before serving; let stand at room temperature to soften slightly. Serve topped with sliced strawberries.

Another picnic favorite!  I thought it had a little too much of a lime flavor, so I suggest cutting the lime juice down just a tad.  I used sugar-free Cool Whip and it didn’t sacrifice the flavor at all – plus it cut down on calories and fat!

I suggest using a food processor or blender to crush the pretzels.  I put them in a bag and used a rolling pin, but one of the pretzels popped a hole in the bag, causing a mess.  Be sure to clean out the electric machine of your choice before pureeing the strawberries!  I put a cup of strawberries to the side of the dessert and let guests top their own bars, some also topped with Ready Whip.  Everyone loved it no matter how they ate it!

Amazing Chocolate Trifle

This trifle looked delicious in the online pictures and sounded very yummy.  Well, let me just say, Mmm, mmm, mmm!  I have made this dish twice in a month and it has gone over very well both times.  Absolutely delicious and so easy to make – especially if you are short on time. 

Amazing Chocolate Trifle (expected time 1 hour)

Ingredients

·         1 (20 oz.) package brownie mix – I have used both Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate with great results!

·         1/2 cup vegetable oil

·         1/4 cup water

·         3 eggs or equivalent Eggbeaters

·         1 (5.9 oz.) package instant sugar-free, fat-free chocolate pudding mix

·         3 cups skim milk

·         1 (16 oz.) container lite frozen whipped topping, thawed

·         8-10 Oreos, crushed

Directions

1.      Prepare the brownies according to package directions, using the oil, water and eggs. Bake in a 9x13 inch pan (if you use a smaller pan, you will not have enough to fully cover the trifle dish). Allow to cool.

2.      When brownies are cool, prepare the pudding; in a large bowl, combine pudding mix and milk. Mix until smooth and set aside to thicken.

3.      Cut the brownies into 3 inch squares. Line the bottom of a trifle dish unevenly with 1/2 of the brownie squares. Pour half of the pudding over the brownies, then cover with half of the whipped topping. Repeat layers. Refrigerate as needed.  Sprinkle top with crumbled cookies prior to serving.

Not exactly healthy, but can be made healthier by using applesauce or mashed black beans instead of vegetable oil.  All of the ingredients meld together into one deliciously gooey mess.  It is a very smooth dessert with just a little crunch added from the Oreos.  The good thing is that a little of this dessert goes a long way on satisfaction.  Enjoy!