Strawberry Angel-Food Cake Trifle

I got this recipe from a really nice cookbook called:

Simple Stunning Parties at Home written by Karen Bussen.

It is so gorgeous and really delicious.  You don't need to make from scratch Angel Food Cake for this one, a box/mix is perfect.   I'll post the homemade angel food cake recipe from scratch I made for another party later on.

1 pound of frozen strawberries, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 store-bought angel-food cake or make one from the box, 16 ounce container of fat-free or full-fat Greek Yogurt.

Place strawberries and sugar in a saucepan.  Heat gently until the strawberries are soft and the sugar has dissolved.  Allow the juices to reduce by one quarter, or about 8 minutes.  Let the strawberry mixture cool.  Tear first-sized pieces from the angel-food cake and use them to line the bottom of a large clear bowl or trifle dish.  Cover with a layer of Greek yogurt and layer of strawberries in syrup, filling in any holes in the previous layer.  Add another layer of cake and continue building until all the ingredients have been used, ending with a few spoonfuls of yogurt and strawberries as a garnish.

You will love it and so will your guest!

Wine Jellies

Who doesn't love booze in a dollop of jello? These are a yummy fun but sophisticated dessert you can serve to your friends this weekend. Set and serve in gorgeous wine glasses and top with whip cream.

2 envelopes of unflavoured gelatin, 1/2 cup of cold water, 2 cups of boiling water, 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of wine, 3 tbsp. of lemon juice.

Add cold water to gelatin and let sit for 5 minutes. Add boiling water, stir until dissolved, add sugar. When cool add wine and lemon juice. Pour into wine glasses and chill until firm. Serve cold.

Baking Powder Cinnamon Rolls

Did you ever take home economics in school aka home ec? This was one of THE most delicious biscuity flavoured buns I'd ever had. Must make them for the boys tomorrow for an afterschool treat.

2 cups of flour, 3 tsp. of baking powder, 1/3 tsp. of salt, 2 tbsp. of butter, 2/3 cup of milk.

Melted butter, 1/2 cup of chopped raisons, 2 tsp. of sugar, 1/3 tsp. of cinnamon.

Mix first 5 ingredients and roll out with a pin to 1/4 inch thick. Brush with the melted butter and sprinkle with raisons, sugar, and cinnamon. Roll up like a jelly roll and slice into 1/2 inch rounds and put onto a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 10-15 at 375 degrees.

Orange Flavoured Chocolate Chip Cookies

My friend made these years ago and they are superb!  Mix together 1 cup of margarine, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 cup of white sugar.  In a separate bowl mix together 2 eggs and 1 tsp. of vanilla.  Then mix up the following ingredients together with these ingredients:  In a big bowl add 3 cups of quick oatmeal, 2 cups of flour, 1 tsp. of salt, 1 tsp. of baking soda, and grate the rind of 1 orange and add, as well add one chopped up orange, remember to remove the seeds, then 2 cups of chocolate chips.  Mix up and then drop on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes - depending on your stove at 350 degrees.

Hallelujah's Never Fail Pie Crust

Listen to me. This is very important information and trust me when I tell you.....Never Fail means that you won't!!!!!! For years I was making a pie crust that was of standard puritanical fare. Meaning - that you had to put your heart on the line, hope for the best, and then feel like crap when the pie crust didn't turn out. For years my pie crust did work using the standard lard recipe. But then something happened. I don't know if it was the nervous energy in my hands or the new granite counter top I installed - but my pie was not working out. I was heart broken....thought I'd lost my special touch. For a person who takes pride in recipes well done, this was a cookery disaster! Then my prayers were answered. My mother-in-law had passed this recipe on to me, but being stubborn in some way, I decided not to use it. However, this past Christmas I used the Never Fail Pie Crust Recipe and I urge you all to use it. Bring Pie Back!!!! You will not fail and my God it is delicious!

3 cups of flour, 1 1/2 cups of shortening (I just used Tenderflake), 1 tsp. of salt, 1 egg, 1 tbsp. of white vinegar, 5 1/2 tbsp. of water.

Whisk flour and salt together, then cut in the lard using a pastry cutter or a couple of knives together until the mixture looks like little peas, or coarse crumbs. Mix together the egg, vinegar, and water and pour into the flour mixture and mix together. Now separate the dough into 4 equal parts by rolling them into balls. Now here is the most amazing part. I can barely contain myself!!!!!! I'm crying I am so happy about this part.

Put a large piece of parchment paper on your counter, plop the dough on it (I use two balls for the bottom and two for the top I always have lots left over to spare to make more, but this is dough insurance to me so I can completely cover the pie plate....you know what I'm saying right?), and cover the dough with another with another piece of parchment paper. One thing I've learn in how you can roll your dough out into a lovely circle, is to shape it into a round disk before hand. With your rolling pin begin rolling the dough out in a big circle. Roll out to about 1/4 inch thick. Once you've rolled out your dough disk......peel the top piece of parchment paper off, and lift the bottom parchment paper up off the counter and turn the dough out into the pie pan. Hallelujah!!!!!! This is incredible. I'm going to add my New Fashioned Apple Pie Recipe after the pie crust recipe so stay tuned. XOXOX