Chocolate Trifle

1 package brownie mix

1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix (I use sugar free)

1/2 cup water

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (8 ounce) container cool whip, thawed

1 (12 ounce) container cool whip, thawed

1 candy bar, cut in chuncks

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and cool completely. Cut into 1 inch squares.   

In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, water and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth, then fold in 8 ounces cool whip until no streaks remain.               

In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish, place half of the brownies, half of the pudding mixture and half of the 12 ounce container of cool whip. Repeat layers. Sprinkle candy bar chunks on top for garnish. Refrigerate 8 hours before serving.

Fruit Salad with Strawberry Glaze

A woman in our ward brought it to the Christmas Party and made three HUGE bowls of it. It was gone so fast that almost half of the people didn't even have a taste. She gave me the amounts for a very large group... so I sized it down. You may have to adjust the sizes as you make it.

Strawberry Glaze (Maria's or Rosetta's)- found in the produce section
1 pkg (qrt) of Strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1 group of Grapes
3-4 bananas
NOTE: some people add pineapple chunks (20oz can, drained) and/or mandarian oranges (15 oz can, drained)

Cut strawberries and grapes in half. Cut bananas in slices. Then pore Glaze on fruit and mix. Chill 1 hour before serving.

Friendship Amish Bread

This is one of my favorite recipes. It takes a lot of patience (well for me). My neighbor used to make the BEST Amish Bread and I have been working on trying to replicate it for 4 years! Hopefully I will get as good as her.
NOTE: There are some variations of this recipe but I usually pick the most simple and then "sugar" it up! I usually butter the top up and sprinkle LOTS of cinnamon on the top and that really makes it good.

Amish Friendship Bread Recipe

Day 1 - receive the starter (the recipe for the starter is below)

Day 2 - stir

Day 3 - stir

Day 4 - stir

Day 5 - Add 1 cup each flour, sugar and milk.

Day 6 - stir

Day 7 - stir

Day 8 - stir

Day 9 - stir

Day 10 - Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Divide into 4 containers, with 1 cup each for three of your friends and 1 cup for your own loaves. Give friends the instructions for Day 1 through Day 10 and the following recipe for baking the bread.

After removing the 3 cups of batter, combine the remaining cup of Amish Friendship Bread starter with the following ingredients in a large bowl:

2/3 cup oil
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 to 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Using a fork beat by hand until well blended. You can add 1 cup raisins and 1 cup nuts (optional).

Grease two loaf pans with butter, sprinkle with sugar instead of flour.

Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes to 1 hour (individual oven temperatures vary). Cool 10 minutes, remove from pans. Makes two loaves of Amish Friendship Bread.
Amish Friendship Bread Starter

This is the Amish Friendship Bread Starter Recipe that you’ll need to make the Amish Friendship Bread (above). It is very important to use plastic or wooden utensils and plastic or glass containers when making this. Do not use metal at all!

Ingredients:

1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110°F)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup warm milk (110°F)

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water for about 10 minutes. Stir well.

2. In a 2 quart glass or plastic container, combine 1 cup sifted flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or the flour will get lumpy when you add the milk.

3. Slowly stir in warm milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Loosely cover the mixture with a lid or plastic wrap. The mixture will get bubbly. Consider this Day 1 of the cycle, or the day you receive the starter.

For the next 10 days handle starter according to the instructions above for Amish Friendship Bread.

Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies

This frosting would be good on a cake too! I only made HALF of this recipe to frost my pan of brownies, and I am telling you, it is soooo GOOD! The frosting tastes similar to the insides of Reese's Pieces, so if you like those, you'll love this.

Make brownies from your favorite mix, cool completely. Frost with:

Fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk, or as needed
• 
  
• Cream the butter and peanut butter together till well-blended (and try to ignore the fact that you are about to eat all of that fatty buttery goodness). Add in the sugar gradually, mixing well. Finally, add in the milk. Mix just till blended and creamy. If you overmix, it may start to look grainy. Supposedly you can fix that by microwaving it for a couple seconds and then mixing it a bit more.