Easter {Egg-free}

Easter is only a week away!  Because the date changes every year, it always sneaks up on me.  I am still trying to decide what we should have for Easter dinner.  I always serve ham for Easter, so that is decided.  I am thinking about maybe baked potatoes and green beans.  Some other things things that have been on menu in the past...

Resurrection Rolls (EF) - We make these with the kids Easter morning.

Lemon Cream Pie (EF,) - I made this for our Easter dinner last year.  It is one of my husband's favorites!

Easter Cupcakes (EF) - We made these fun cupcakes the past two years.  I think we may skip these this year and have only one dessert in an attempt to cut back our holiday indulgences.

Easy Banana Pudding (EF) - I think this creamy light pudding is a pretty color for Easter.  Plus, I really like it!  I may make this for our Easter dinner dessert this year.

Slow-cooker Ham and Beans (EF, DF, GF) - This is what I plan to do with my leftover ham.  Yummy!

Dirt Cake

Are you looking for a quick fun activity to occupy a rainy summer afternoon?  Try this dirt cake.  We made vanilla as described in the recipe below.  I also only used one 8 ounce carton of cool whip because I misread the recipe and it turned out fine.  Next time, we will try it with chocolate pudding!

Dirt Cake - Click here to link to recipe.  Note:  I only used one 8 oz container of cool whip.

Bread Pudding with Butter Cream Sauce {Egg-free}

When my husband was diagnosed with his egg allergy, I initially thought that bread pudding would forever be off the menu.  But that didn't keep me from experimenting!  I have been so pleased with how this recipe turned out.  I cook the bread pudding with a little less pudding mixture to keep it from getting too soggy.  This causes the top to be a little crunchy (which I happen to like).  Immediately adding the butter cream sauce, softens it right up and the taste and texture is just like that you would taste at your favorite Cajun restaurant.  We enjoyed this delicious dessert over the weekend per my husband's request for his Father's Day meal.  It still tastes great the next day straight out of the refrigerator.

Recipe inspired by The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook

  
Bread Pudding

1 lb loaf soft French bread

1 c half and half

1 c whipping cream

1 c sugar

½ c chopped pecans

½ T vanilla

1 t cinnamon

¼ c unsalted butter

1 ½ t powdered gelatin

1 T water

Tear the bread into pieces about ½ inch square.  Mix in pecans.  Melt margarine in a 13x9 baking pan.  Sprinkle gelatin over water to soften.  Set aside.  Mix half and half, cream and sugar.  Bring to a soft boil.  Remove from heat and add gelatin, stirring until dissolved.  Add vanilla.  Spread bread and pecan mixture in prepared pan.   Sprinkle bread mixture with cinnamon.  Pour cream mixture evenly over bread mixture allowing the cream to soak into the bread.  Bake 325^o for 40-45 minutes.   

Butter Cream Sauce 

6 T unsalted butter

½ c half and half

1 c sugar

During the last 15 minutes of cook time for the bread pudding, prepare the butter cream sauce.  Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan.  Cook over medium heat until comes to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Remove from heat.  While still warm, pour butter cream sauce over bread pudding allowing the sauce to soak into the top of the pudding.

Serves 12

Easy Banana Pudding {Egg-free}

I got this recipe from a co-worker several years ago.  I am not sure where the recipe originated, but I can't take credit for it.  This banana pudding is so easy and tastes awesome.  It is the perfect warm weather treat and feeds a crowd!  Can you tell I am ready for summer?  I do recommend letting it chill overnight.  It sets up so much better, that it is worth the wait.

If you like this recipe, you may also like Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream (EF, DF, GF).

Banana Pudding

1 large instant vanilla pudding mix

1 can Eagle brand milk

1 tub cool whip

Bananas – about 3 medium

Vanilla wafer cookies ^1,2 – the greater portion of a 12 oz box

Make pudding according to the package directions.  Add eagle brand milk and cool whip, mixing until combined.  Layer wafers, bananas and pudding.  Top with more wafers.  Chill overnight.

¹Check the label on the vanilla wafer cookies, as some contain eggs.  Nabisco Nilla Wafers do contain eggs but the Reduced-fat Nabisco Nilla Wafers do not contain egg.  Keebler Vanilla Wafers do not contain egg.  It has been my experience, that most of the generic versions do not contain egg.

²To make gluten-free, I would omit the cookies all together in the pudding and layer just the banana and pudding.  The pudding will still have the same delicious fresh banana flavor.  Then I would serve the pudding with your favorite gluten-free vanilla cookie.  I think this will keep the gluten-free cookies from getting too gummy.