Fruit Trifle

From my friend, Julie. She made this for a mom's meeting last month and I can't stop thinking about it. I think strawberries and blueberries would be perfect for the 4th of July!

Fruit Trifle

1 container Cool Whip
1 package INSTANT Vanilla pudding
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup water
Mix above ingredients together. (If I am making this earlier in the day, I will decrease the water to 3/4 cup, so the trifle doesn't get too soggy before it is eaten.)

1 Sara Lee Frozen pound Cake, cut into 1 inch cubes
Fruit of Choice (I usually use strawberries and blueberries but I have also used:  kiwi, raspberries, blackberries, pineapple)

Layer in Glass bowl :
Cubes of pound cake
Cool whip mixture 
Fruit
Cubes of pound cake
Cool Whip mixture
Fruit

Super easy!!  It is a great summer treat but I make it all year round.

Best Ever Apple Pie

I guess I can't say that this is the "Best Ever" apple pie because it's the only one I've ever made, but it's still very, very good!

Best Ever Apple Pie

Crust (Makes 2 10-inch crusts)
1 cup shortening
2 2/3 cup flour
1 tsp salt
7-8 Tbsp ice water

Filling
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
Dash of salt
8 cups thinly sliced tart apples
3 Tbsp butter

Crust directions:
Cut shortening into flour and salt until it resembles small peas. Sprinkle water 1 Tbsp at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry pulls away from the side of the bowl. Shape into a ball and divide in half. Roll each half into a round about 2 inches larger than your pie plate. Line pie plate with one crust, add filling, then top with the second crust.

Filling:
Heat oven to 425. Mix sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Stir in apples and mix well. Pour into crust-lined pie plate. Dot with butter. Cover with top crust, cut slits for steam to escape, seal edges. Bake about 40-50 minutes until crust is nicely browned and juices begin to bubble through slits in crust. Cover top with foil if it browns too quickly.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream!!!

Crock-Pot Applesauce

This recipe is from Holly and is delicious. It makes your house smell yummy too!

Crock Pot Applesauce

5 granny smith apples
5 gala (or another) red apples
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Peel, core and slice apples into about 8 pieces. Add all to the crock pot. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Use a hand blender (or potato masher) to mash them. Leave a few chunks in it, if you'd like. Enjoy!

**I use whatever kind of apples I have on hand, and it still tastes great.