Millionaire Salad!!!

Remember the recipe for Millionaire Pie?  That rich and wonderful concoction we've been making since at least the 1970's in the south and serve mostly for holidays!    I decided to make it one day and then realized that I didn't have any graham crackers for the crust, so I thought why not make it a salad!   You know those sweet 'salads' we love to make for holidays , potlucks, church suppers, or just because in the south!!! 

I must say, the results were wonderful.  I am not a huge fan of these sorts of recipes sometimes, because they are heavy on fruits I cannot or don't eat that much and even I loved this one!   My daddy said it was one of the best things he's eaten in a long time and he's a picky one at times! 

It's also super easy which is always  a good thing!     This is perfect for the holidays and all ages seem to love it!

Here is what you will need for this:

1 (8 oz.) block of cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 (14 oz.) can of sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
1 (20 oz.) can of crushed pineapple, drained well
1 (16 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1  1/2 cups pecans or walnuts, chopped and divided
1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped (leave a few whole to garnish the top)

In a mixing bowl, with an electric mixer beat the cream cheese until smooth.  Add the sweetened condensed milk and beat until combined.  Beat in the vanilla.  With a large spoon, stir in the crushed pineapple.

Fold in the whipped cream and miniature marshmallows.  Add 1 cup of the pecans or walnuts, reserving the other half cup to garnish the top.   Add the chopped maraschino cherries.

Pour into a large serving bowl and garnish the top with some of the whole cherries and the other half cup of pecans or walnuts!!!  Chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours or overnight and then serve!  This serves 8 - 10 people easily! 

If you are interested in making the Millionaire Pie, here you go! It's also pretty wonderful!!!  Click on the recipe name and it takes you to the recipe!   Enjoy!!!

Aunt Ann's Sweet Potato Bars!

This is another of my Aunt Ann's recipe creations, so you know it's gonna be good!  She had a bumper crop of sweet potatoes this year so she has been cooking up sweet potatoes in all sorts of new  and delicious ways.  These "Sweet Potato Bars" are sort of a sweet potato cheesecake bar and they are scrumptious.  If you like sweet potato pie, you will love them.  Here is what you will need:

1 yellow cake mix

4 eggs, divided

1/2 cup butter, 1 stick

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese

2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes

1 (3.4 oz.) pkg. instant vanilla pudding

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

1  (8 oz.) container of frozen whipped topping, thawed

additional cinnamon for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the cake mix, 1 egg and 1 stick butter.  Press into the bottom of  a 9"x13" pan.

Beat the cream cheese, brown sugar, 3 eggs, sweet potatoes, dry pudding mix, cinnamon and vanilla until smooth.   Pour over the cake mix crust. 

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or unit a pick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove and cool completely.

When the bars are cool, spread the whipped topping over the top and sprinkle with just bit more cinnamon for garnish.   Refrigerate.