Moon Pie Banana Pudding

I'm not sure if you remember a couple of years ago I shared with you a trip to Pikeville for one of the best hamburgers in Alabama.  For the record that was a poll from al.com that voted it that.  It was a great burger though.  Also what I found there was moon pie banana pudding.  Now I have become a big fan of the banana pudding at Dreamland so I was curious about this pudding.  It was really good.  It was made with chocolate double decker moon pies.  So when I found this recipe and I had a request for banana pudding I had to try it.  Then came the search for moon pies but that is a story for another day.

It makes a pretty bowlful of goodness.

 I only found banana mini moon pies so I ended up using all 12 of the small ones.  The recipe calls for 6 double deckers.

 Start with 8 oz of softened cream cheese

 Beat that well.

 Add one can of sweetened condensed milk.  I used fat free.

 Mix that well.

 In another bowl add 2 cups milk.  I used 2 %

 Add the 5.1 oz box of instant vanilla pudding.  This is the large box.

 Mix that well until the pudding is dissolved.

 Now add the pudding to the cream cheese mixture.

 All added.

 Mix that well.  Let that sit while you cut up the moon pies.

 If you use the large moon pies you will cut them into 6 pieces but the minis I just cut in 4.

 Add about a cup or so of the pudding mixture in the bottom of your bowl.  You will need a large bowl or triffle dish for this.

 Add the cut moon pies.

 Cut three bananas and add on top.

 Add some more pudding mixture on top of the bananas.  I tried to make sure all the bananas were covered.

 Add the rest of the cut pies on top.

 Cut three more bananas on top.

 Add the rest of the pudding mixture.

Then top with the whipped cream.  Make sure everything is covered well with the whipped cream.  Then cover and place in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

Moon Pie Banana Pudding Recipe

For the filling
8 oz softened cream cheese
1 can sweetened cream cheese
2 cups milk
5.1 oz box instant vanilla pudding

For the banana pudding
6 double decker moon pies cut into pieces
6 bananas
8 oz cool whip

Fresh Strawberry Pie

It's fresh strawberry season and I dropped by Maggie Valley to get some fresh ones.  They are so good this year.  I don't know if the rain we have had made them sweeter or what but they have so much flavor this year. So what do you do when you have fresh strawberries?  You make a pie of course.  This is a new pie for me to try.  It is part Shoney's strawberry pie part creamy goodness on the bottom.  I think you will like this pie.

That is a pretty pie.   And you don't even see the surprise on bottom.

 Make sure you have a deep dish pie shell.  Bake it following the package directions and let cool before using.

 Start with  8 oz softened cream cheese

 Add 3/4 cup sugar

 Mix well until nice and creamy.

 Add 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream.

 Beat until you have soft peaks.   You can add lemon zest and a little juice if you like at this time.  I chose not to.

 Add the cream cheese mixture to the bottom of the pie shell.  Slice the strawberries and add to the top of the cream cheese.

 Now for the top of the pie.  Add 1 cup water to a saucepan.

 Add 2 Tablespoons cornstarch.

 Whip until smooth.

 Add 3/4 cup sugar

 Stirring constantly until it starts to boil.

 Once it boils and starts to thicken...

 Remove from heat and add gelatin to the mixture and stir until dissolved.

 Pour the gelatin on top of the strawberries.  Place in the fridge and let chill for a couple of hours.

 The gelatin is set and the pie is ready.

 You see the surprise on the bottom?

I think you will like this different strawberry pie.

Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe
1 deep pie crust baked and cooled
strawberries washed hulled and dried
8 oz softened cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
3 oz pkg strawberry gelatin

Amish White Bread

It has been a really long time since I made homemade bread.  I thought I would give it a try a few nights ago.  So I went looking for a recipe.  I found this Amish White Bread recipe and it looked easy so I gave it a try.  It was really good bread.  There was a nice golden brown crust.  When you tap on it it had a nice hollow sound.  It was one of the easiest bread recipes I have tried.  I will be using this one again. 

There is not much better than warm homemade bread and butter.

This is all that was needed for this recipe.

In a bowl add 1/3 cup sugar

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast or 2 teaspoons fast acting or bread machine yeast.

1 cup warm water.  Around 110 degrees

Let that sit and foam for about 10 minutes.  If your yeast doesn't start foaming pretty quick then you need to start over.  The water might have been too hot or you have old yeast.

Put a little oil in a bowl.

Roll it around to coat the inside.

After 10 minutes add 3/4 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons oil

3 cups all purpose or bread flour.  Add the cups one at a time.  You may need to add a little more flour if your dough is too sticky.

Mix the dough until it all comes together.

Change out for the dough hook.

Mix the dough for about 3-5 minutes.  I set the timer on my phone.

The dough should be soft not sticky.

Now place in the bowl.

Turn it over so both sides will be coated with oil.

Spray the plastic wrap so it won't stick.  Cover and place in a warm draft free place for about 1-1 1/2 hours.  I put mine in my van in the garage.  No draft but it is warm.

After the rising time, take it out.

Punch the dough down.

Turn out onto a floured surface.  Shape into a loaf shape.

Place in a loaf pan.  Cover again and let rise 30 minutes to an hour. Back in the van it goes.

After it's last rise time it should be over the edge of the pan.  Place in a preheated 350 oven.  Bake for 30 minutes.

 Take out of the oven.  Isn't that a pretty loaf of bread?

 Turn out on a cutting board.

Now enjoy with a little butter.

Amish White Bread Recipe

1 cup warm water 110 degrees
1/3 cup sugar
2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons oil
3 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350.  Bake 30 minutes.