Banana Graham Cracker Cake (no bake)

This is one of the most delicious and easiest no bake cakes you could ever make. It's always a hit wherever I take it.

1. Place a layer of whole (not crushed) graham cracker on the bottom of a 13 x 9 cake pan
2. Add a layer of sliced (long ways) bananas over the graham cracker

3. Alternate these two layers ending with graham cracker. I usually only end up with two or three layers.

4. Spread a butter cream icing over the top layer generously. Refrigerate over night.

Butter cream icing

Ingredients:
1/2 c. solid vegetable shortening
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter or margarine softened (1 c. of butter or margarine can be used if you'd rather not use the shortening
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 c. sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
2 tbs. milk

In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Note: Your cake will slice as nicely as any other cake would

Candy Cookies (No Bake)

2 c sugar
4 tsp. cocoa
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. margarine

1. bring all of above to a full boil in saucepan
2. remove from heat

Add:
1-1/2 c. oatmeal (do not use instant)
3/4 c peanut butter (chunky is a great option)
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt (yes...I said pinch-about as much as you can pinch between two fingers)

Drop by spoonfuls on wax paper

Note: Although my kids love these cookies they have nick named them "Ugly Cookies."
I sometimes have problems with these cookies hardening on a rainy day, the solution is simple...don't make them on a rainy day :-)

Strawberries or Cherries in the Snow

2 envelopes of Dream Whip
1 c. cold milk
1 tsp. vanilla
18 oz. cream cheese
1 c. powdered sugar
2 cans of dark pitted sweet cherries drained
or
1 quart large strawberries sliced
2 angel food cakes cut in thin slices

1. Mix Dream Whip with milk and vanilla according to package.
2. Soften cream cheese and gradually add powdered sugar and Dream Whip.
3. Beat until smooth
4. Spread thin layer of mixture over bottom of pan.
5. Alternate layers beginning with cake and ending with the whipped mixture. Two or three layers is sufficient.
6. Top with cherries or strawberries

Note: This is a fantastic no bake recipe (buy the cake pre-made in any grocery store)
When copying this recipe over to this blog I had a difficult time reading the words because the recipe card is peeled, faded and tearing.
This has been a New Years Day traditional desert in my family. I have in fact only ever given this recipe to one very good friend.