Crazy Cake

"Magic" cake that Marilyn made for Michael and Ryan's 7th Birthday Party.  She always came through with the cutest birthday cakes!!  This one is a rabbit coming out of a hat.

Makes a 9x9 cake – Double for 9 X 13 pan or 24 cupcakes

Note: I increased the amount of cocoa since my husband likes it really chocolately! The original Lavin recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of cocoa.

1 ½ cups flour
1 cups sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Sift & blend in large bowl.

1 tablespoons vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup salad oil
1 cups water


Make 3 holes in dry ingredients mixture. Put in oil, vanilla, vinegar. Pour 1 cup water over all and mix. Bake at 350 degrees:

30 min. for 9 X 9 pan
40 min for 9 X 13 pan
13-15 min for cupcakes

Cranberry Cream Cheese Jello Salad - Marilyn

1 (6-ounce) package cherry gelatin
2 cups boiling water
2 large apples, peeled and grated
2 cups chopped pecans or pecan pieces (toasted is best)
2 cups cooked or 1 (16-ounce) can whole cranberry sauce
Cream Cheese Topping
Additional pecans
~
Dissolve cherry gelatin in boiling water. Cool slightly. Add apples, chopped pecans and cranberry sauce. Turn Into 13x9 inch glass baking dish and refrigerate until firm.

Spoon Cream Cheese Topping over top, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with additional pecans (about 1/4 cup chopped) or garnish with pecan halves, if desired. Cover and chill overnight until set. Makes 12 servings

CREAM CHEESE TOPPING

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 (1 pound, 4-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained.
1 (1.4 ounce) envelope whipped topping mix (Dream Whip)
1/2 cup cold milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
~
Blend cream cheese and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in crushed pineapple. Whip topping mix with cold milk until stiff. Stir in remaining powdered sugar and vanilla. Gradually add to cream cheese mixture.

Pic of salad w/o cream cheese topping:

NOTE: Instead of using reconstituted whipped topping mix, 2 cups of frozen whipped topping (omit sugar) may be used.

Marilyn's French Dressing

Marilyn's Corned Beef & Cabbage

Place Corned Beef Brisket (flat cut) into Dutch oven, cover with water.

Add bay leaves, garlic, and ¼ c. vinegar. Bring to a boil, and then simmer 3 hours on low heat.

At the last 20 minutes, add cabbage wedges.

Green Chile Casserole - Marilyn

2 4oz. cans green chiles
1 lb. grated sharp cheddar cheese*
1 lb. grated jack cheese*
4 eggs
2 T. flour
2 lg. cans evaporated milk
2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce

Split chiles, remove seeds. Line baking dish with chiles, cover with half of the cheddar cheese and another layer of chiles and cheese.

Beat eggs with mixer, add some milk then flour and remainder of milk. Pour over chiles & cheese.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and cover with Jack cheese and then cover with tomato sauce. Return to oven for 15 min. or less

*Some have suggested that using half the amount of cheese is just as delicious, but a little lower in fat!

Dad's Biscuits

Brown Rice - Marilyn