Chocolate-Drizzled Strawberries and Cream Pie

 I saw this online and HAD to make it. It was so easy and so good. I ended up serving it at a family b-b-q and it got GREAT reviews. It is very impressive in appearance but so simple. ~BJ

Chocolate-Drizzled Strawberries and Cream Pie

Recipe by Our Best Bites


1 quart fresh strawberries (frozen’s not gonna cut it here. If you use them and then leave a comment telling us how gross this recipe is, we’ll cut you. Just kidding. But seriously peeps, don’t use frozen strawberries.)
1 8-oz. package cream cheese at room temperature (light is fine)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. packed light brown sugar
1 c. heavy whipping cream
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1 9″ graham cracker crust (store-bought or homemade)
1-2 ounces chocolate


In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. In a separate large bowl, beat the whipping cream and powdered sugar until medium peaks form.  Add about 1 c. of the whipping cream mixture to the cream cheese mixture. Beat until smooth and well-combined. Add the remaining whipping cream mixture and mix until just combined.  Spread in the graham cracker crust and refrigerate for a few minutes while you prepare the strawberries.
Wash the strawberries and cut off the stems. Blot dry with a paper towel and then gently press, cut side down, into the whipped cream mixture. Set aside.
If using a chocolate bar, break it into equal pieces and place in a small Ziploc bag. Microwave for 1-1 1/2 minutes, stopping the microwave every 20 seconds to mash the bag. You want the chocolate to be melted but not hot at all. When the chocolate is melted, snip a corner off the bag and drizzle it over the strawberries. Refrigerate for at least three hours before serving. Serves 8.

Creamy Coconut Dessert...Easy as 1-2-3!

This is SO easy and yummy. It's as easy as 1-2-3!
1 quart of Vanilla Ice Cream. Choose your favorite brand
2 Cups of Milk
3 Small Packages of instant vanilla pudding
Mix the above together in a mixer until smooth and creamy. Then add one teaspoon of coconut extract. Pour into a 9x13 pan that is lined with either crushed graham cracker crumbs OR crushed townhouse crackers (that has been mixed with one cube of melted butter to make it stick together). Top with cool whip and coconut. Refrigerate until chilled, but do not freeze.  -Laurel

Chocolate Layered Pie

I got this recipe from a good friend. It is very rich...but oh, so good!~BJ

Chocolate Layered Pie
recipe from Meredith Jones

crust (makes 2):
1 box chocolate cake mix
3/4 cup butter (softened)

pie:
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup Cool Whip

2 boxes chocolate pudding (instant)
3 cups milk

Cool Whip

For the crust mix dry cake mix together with butter. Spread into two pie pans and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cream together the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Fold in Cool Whip. Spread onto the cooled pie crust. Next, mix the pudding and milk, then spread over the cream cheese mixture. Top with Cool Whip. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Lemon Meringue Pie

I have a friend in town who loves Lemon Meringue pie and we don't have any local bakeries that make this pie, so every year, for her birthday I make one for her. I must admit, this is not an easy pie to make and it takes a lot of attention but it is all worth it.~BarbaraJo

LEMON MERINGUE PIE
1 9" pie crust, cooked and cooled
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 T. cornstarch
3 T. flour
dash of salt
1 1/2 c. hot water
3 slightly beaten egg yolks
(save the egg whites of the meringue)
2 T. butter
1/2 t. lemon zest
1/3 c. lemon juice

In a sauce pan, mix sugar, cornstarch, flour, and salt. Gradually add hot water stirring constantly. Cook mixture until it comes to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 2 minutes. Temper egg yolks, add to mixture and return to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes. Add butter, zest and lemon juice, mix well. Fill pie shell with lemon mixture. Top with meringue, be sure to seal
all edges with meringue. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.

MERINGUE
Beat 3 egg whites
1/2 t. vanilla
1/4 t. cream of tarter
Begin to whip above ingredients, gradually add
6 T. sugar
Beat until stiff