Strawberry Jello Trifle

I have this fantastic trifle dish that I haven't used. I got it at my bridal shower and have used it more of a display item. I've been wanting to make something in it for years but never found anything that caught my eye. Anyway, I was in charge of bringing "something with jello" to Auntie Susie's for Easter. So, I scoured the internet for Jello recipes and finally came across something I thought looked yummy.....and easy. I found it on www.allrecipes.com and the only difference I made was that I added more fresh strawberries. And yes I bought the pound cake. We were limited for time this weekend!


Now I'm not a Jello or Cool Whip fan so this dessert was definitely not for me (I actually didn't have any). However, I did bring home an empty (but still pretty) dish! 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1 pkg. (8 oz) JELL-O Brand Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• 1 package frozen pound cake, thawed, cubed
• 1 tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 
  
• Directions

1. Stir boiling water into gelatin in large bowl at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Pour into 13x9-inch pan. Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm.
2. Cut gelatin into 1/2-inch cubes. Place in 3-1/2-quart serving bowl. Cover with layers of cake cubes, 1/2 of the whipped topping and strawberries. Top with remaining whipped topping.
3. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve. Store leftover dessert in refrigerator.

Easter Chex Mix

There are a few things in life that I am 100% positive about and one of them is that my husband makes the best, absolute BEST, Chex Mix I have ever tasted. Why is he so good? I have no idea because he won't tell me the "recipe." He won't even start making it until I am out of the kitchen. His Chex Mix only makes an appearance a few times a year and it's usually about Thanksgiving and Christmas so when he started talking about making it for Easter at his Auntie Susie's I knew he had to make it. But he likes to tease me with it and then says "I'm retired from making it." This doesn't fly with a 18 week pregnant wife who now has a craving for his signature recipe. So, what would any wife do? I gave him an ultimatum. He had 2 choices. To make the Chex Mix or to write me an apology letter (handwritten) for even mentioning the idea. Because he is a wise husband he immediately went to the store and stocked up on what he needed. A few hours later (yes hours, he makes me wait while it settles before I can eat it) it was done and I could begin to stuff my face. 

Unfortunately, I have no recipe to share. I can't even share the ingredients because he always adds something new to it. This time he added sesame sticks (I'm not a fan but I would never dare complain about this to him.) All I have to share is a picture of the goodness that I am enjoying. And yes, Auntie Susie we are bringing some to your house. We are just keeping the bigger bowl at our house! 

And YES I would have made him write me a letter! I believe he has learned his lesson but he has especially proven that he is the BEST Chex Mix Maker in the world and the BEST Husband ever as well! 

Nutella Cookies

Yum yum! I love Nutella! In the beginning of my pregnancy the only thing I could eat for breakfast was a bagel with Nutella and crunchy peanut butter.  


Now that I have enough energy to bake again (yay!) I wanted to start with a comfort food and Nutella won out. I wanted a new recipe and found this one on www.allrecipes.com. 


I also have to point out that my hubby, Andy, enjoyed these cookies but requested powdered sugar on top! 

Ingredients
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch salt
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup Nutella

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

3. Add the egg, vanilla, and Nutella and mix by hand until well blended. 

4. Form the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a baking sheet 2 inches apart.

5. Bake in the preheated oven until crispy on the outside, 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to rest on cookie sheet a few minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool.

Baking v Pregnancy

I can't believe how long it's been since I baked anything! No seriously, I haven't baked ANYTHING! I have barely even cooked anything besides mac and cheese and grilled cheese let alone whip up a batch of cookies.

The first trimester really kicked my butt. Now, I am safely into my second trimester (18 weeks tomorrow) and anxious to get baking and cooking again. So, thank you for your patience. I have received a few emails from you-not-so-patient people but I'll be back on track soon!

In the meantime, here is a pic of the bump to tide you over!