ALMOST from SCRATCH DESSERTS for LABOR DAY

The first thoughts and images I have when I think of food gatherings is "Down Home Cookin'" added to great box mix so I have the pleasure of cookin' and "sharing" some of my "almost from scratch" desserts. Good food and great people just relaxing and catching up on all the news. I think of Labor Day as celebrating all workers and just being American cooks:) One of my favorites on my list is called "Sunday go to meeting Dessert" which is quick, easy, comforting, and requested alot no matter the gathering.

"Sunday go to meeting Dessert" starts with bisquick and I follow the directions for shortcake but I greased the cake pan with real butter; I use Land O Lakes and I add a little extra white sugar about a 1/2 teaspoon and about 1/4 teaspoon of brown sugar. I then bake it until golden brown at about 375 and I put a cup of water on the bottom shelf under the cake pan. When it is done I let it cool and I then mix my favorite Apple pie filling with my favorite vanilla pudding and I add cinnamon to that and stir it really good. I then split the cooled shortcake in half lengthwise and put the pie filling, pudding and cinnamon mixture on top of the bottom layer. Next I put the top shortcake layer on top of that mixture. I mix marshmellow creme, cream cheese and powdered sugar together and then drizzle it all over the entire shortcake; if it's to thick I add a little cream and stir it real good. and then I sprinkle a little more cinnamon on the top. Refrigerate. Enjoy!!

My next favorite dessert is called "Mama's Best Snack" and I use Puff Pastry Shells and layer them with a variety of different puddings, sometimes preserves, sometimes pie fillings, and often I use just cinnamon, choc chips, and butter. I just mix up my favorite "Snacks" fixings and spread them on layers of Puff Pastry Shells and bake according to package directions. Once in a while I just make enough for me with about 5 or 6 layers of Puff Pastry and spread peanut butter and Jelly on them. On special occasions for a crowd I follow the box directions exactly so that the pastry is at the right room temperature and I just keep layer and spreading preserves, pie filling, and maybe pudding always making sure that I have a little cup of water to fix any tears. I suppose I think of these as "Mama's Best Snack" as "almost down home cookin" because you can't fix them in a microwave! I like to decorate the top of the puff pastry with whatever comes to my mind such as egg wash and glazed pecans, or sprinkles, and of course my favorite roasted coconut. Well now, writing all this has made me hungry so I am going into the kitchen to check my ingredients and see what "almost from scratch dessert I can dream up today. Happy and Safe Labor Day to Everyone. Please send me an email comment and let me know what "almost from scratch" food you dream up:)