Delicious Recipes

Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

The other day I shared the recipe for Ooey Gooey Cookies that I had for the first time when my sister in law’s mother was visiting. During that same visit I experienced “dump cake” for the first time. I was an instant fan! This Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake is a simple and delicious dessert that combines the sweetness of pineapple and cherries with a buttery cake topping. It’s easy to make and perfect for gatherings!

Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake Recipe | lookingjoligood.blog
this picture is from the Food Network website

Ingredients

  • 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple (undrained)
  • 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
  • 1 box (18.25 oz) yellow cake mix
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), cut into thin slices

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Layer the Fruit: Pour the crushed pineapple (with juice) into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the pineapple.
  3. Add Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the fruit layers. Do not stir; just spread it out evenly.
  4. Top with Butter: Distribute the sliced butter evenly over the top of the cake mix.
  5. Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
  6. Cool and Serve: Allow to cool for about 15 minutes before serving warm. This dump cake is delicious on its own or served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Dump cakes are incredibly versatile and can be made using a variety of ingredients. Here are some popular dump cake variations you can try:

  1. Peach Dump Cake: Use canned peaches and a yellow cake mix for a simple, fruity dessert. (this is one of my favorites!)
  2. Blueberry Dump Cake: Mix blueberry pie filling with a lemon cake mix for a refreshing twist.
  3. Apple Dump Cake: Combine apple pie filling with a spice cake mix for a warm, comforting dessert.
  4. Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake: Use cherry pie filling topped with chocolate cake mix for a rich, indulgent treat.
  5. Strawberry Shortcake Dump Cake: Layer strawberry pie filling with an angel food cake mix for a light, fruity dessert.
  6. Lemon Dump Cake: Combine lemon pie filling with yellow cake mix for a bright, citrusy flavor.
  7. Caramel Apple Dump Cake: Mix apple pie filling with caramel sauce and top with a yellow cake mix for a decadent dessert.
  8. Funfetti Dump Cake: Use funfetti cake mix with any fruit filling for a festive twist suitable for birthdays or celebrations.
  9. Sweet Potato Dump Cake: Incorporate sweet potato puree and spices with a yellow or spice cake mix for a fall-inspired dessert (I’m planning on making this one for Christmas this year).

These variations allow you to customize your dump cake based on seasonal fruits or your personal preferences, making it easy to create something new and delicious every time!

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Delicious Recipes

Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

Cake Mix Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies | lookingjoligood.blog

Several years ago, I had a version of these cookies while my sister-in-law’s mother was visiting for Christmas. They left such an impression that I’ve thought about them often ever since. Recently, I decided to track down the recipe and give it a try.

Trust me, if you make these Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies, you’re going to have a hard time resisting them. They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with a rich buttery flavor that makes them absolutely irresistible. Perfect for any occasion, they’re the kind of treat that disappears as soon as they hit the plate.

I found this recipe on the Betty Crocker site and wanted to share it with you. I’ve included the link to their recipe and video guide below—happy baking! And don’t say I didn’t warn you—they’re dangerously good!

Ingredients

  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix
  • 1-2 cups powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and butter. Use an electric mixer to beat until smooth. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well blended.
  3. Add Cake Mix: Gradually stir in the yellow cake mix until fully combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
  4. Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This step makes it easier to handle.
  5. Form Cookie Balls: Once chilled, scoop out small portions of the dough and roll them into balls about 1 inch in diameter.
  6. Coat in Powdered Sugar: Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.
  7. Bake: Place the cookie balls on ungreased cookie sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
  8. Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, you can sprinkle more powdered sugar on top before serving.

Tips

  • For variations, consider using different cake mixes like chocolate or lemon.
  • Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
  • Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days (there is no way these cookies are still going to be around three days later. 😉)

Enjoy these delicious gooey butter cookies that are sure to be a hit with family and friends!

Betty Crocker’s recipe:
https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/cake-mix-gooey-butter-cookies/f7a9017b-870f-4b20-b37f-392f53c65fbc!
https://www.bettycrocker.com/videos/cake-mix-gooey-butter-cookies

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Lifestyle

Hearty Ham and Potato Soup

Another great way to use leftover holiday ham is to make soup with it. Ham and potato soup is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for a chilly day. Adding vegetables like carrots, celery, and peas will make it even more hearty and nutritious.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cups diced potatoes
  • 2 cups chopped cooked ham
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Sauté the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add broth and water: Stir in vegetable broth, water, thyme, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
  3. Add potatoes and ham: Add diced potatoes and chopped ham to the pot. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
  4. Add peas and cream: Stir in frozen peas and heavy cream (if using). Simmer for 5 more minutes.
  5. Serve: Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

You can add heavy cream to the Ham and Potato Soup for a richer and creamier flavor. Simply stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream to the pot after the potatoes and ham have cooked. Let it simmer for a few more minutes until the soup is heated through.

Enjoy this comforting and satisfying soup with some crackers or a crusty loaf of French bread!

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Lifestyle

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Yesterday I shared a recipe for Dr. Pepper and Pineapple Glazed Ham. Leftover ham doesn’t have to be boring! Transform it into a delicious appetizer or lite meal with these easy ham and cheese sliders. Perfect for parties or a quick weeknight dinner, these little bites of deliciousness will disappear fast!

Ingredients:

  • 1 loaf of slider rolls
  • 1/2 pound sliced ham
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Prepare the rolls: Cut the slider rolls in half horizontally.
  3. Mix the spread: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  4. Assemble the sliders: Spread the mixture on the bottom half of each roll. Top with ham and cheese.
  5. Bake: Place the sliders on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Serve immediately.
Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Delicious Recipes

Dr. Pepper and Pineapple Glazed Ham

Ham is a classic holiday dish that is easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser. It is also delicious served as leftovers!

The combination of Dr. Pepper and pineapple juice creates a unique flavor! The Dr. Pepper combined with the sweetness of the pineapple juice creates a delicious glaze that infuses the ham with a unique flavor profile.

You can either use the liquid to baste the ham periodically during cooking or create a glaze by reducing the liquid to a syrupy consistency.

Dr pepper glazed ham | lookingjoligood.blog

Ingredients:

  • Pre-cooked ham
  • 1 cup Dr. Pepper
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. Combine liquids: In a small saucepan, combine Dr. Pepper, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 10-15 minutes.
  3. Glaze the ham: Place the ham in a roasting pan and pour the glaze over it.
  4. Bake: Cover the ham with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes per pound, or until heated through.
  5. Broil: Remove the foil and broil for a few minutes to caramelize the glaze.

Serve with your favorite side dishes, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Delicious Recipes

Creamy Cranberry Dip

I love cranberry sauce! This is tangy and sweet dip that’s perfect for holiday parties.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) can cranberry sauce
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, sugar, salt, and pepper. For a sweeter dip, add a bit of orange zest or a splash of orange juice. Beat until smooth.
  2. Fold in cranberry sauce: Gently fold in the cranberry sauce until combined.
  3. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend.
  4. Serve: Serve with your favorite crackers, vegetables, or chips.
  5. Try not to eat the whole thing yourself 😉
Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Delicious Recipes

Peppermint Bark

A festive and easy-to-make treat that’s perfect for gifting or enjoying yourself:

Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces white chocolate chips
  • 12 ounces dark chocolate chips1
  • 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candy canes

Instructions:

  1. Melt the chocolates: Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until smooth.
  2. Spread the white chocolate: Spread the melted white chocolate onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Melt the dark chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate in the same way.
  4. Drizzle the dark chocolate: Drizzle the dark chocolate over the white chocolate, creating a marbled effect.
  5. Sprinkle with candy canes: Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy canes over the top.
  6. Chill and break: Let the bark cool completely, then break it into pieces.

Tip: For a fun twist, add other ingredients like chopped nuts or dried fruit to the white chocolate layer before adding the dark chocolate. 🎄

This recipe is quick, easy, and always a crowd-pleaser!

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Delicious Recipes

Gingerbread Cookies

I’m in the mood for holiday food. Over the next few days I am going to be sharing some holiday recipes. I love gingerbread cookies! These classic gingerbread cookies are perfect for decorating and gifting during the holidays.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Royal icing (for decorating)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or foil.
  2. Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the molasses.
  3. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until1 just combined.
  4. Roll and cut: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
  5. Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  6. Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies with royal icing and sprinkles.

Royal Icing:

  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons meringue powder*
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5-6 tablespoons water

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and beat with a mixer until smooth and spreadable.

*If you need a substitute for meringue powder, you can use an equal amount of reconstituted egg white powder mixed with water, a slightly smaller amount of aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas), or a gelatin mixture made with warm water and gelatin powder – just be sure to adjust the liquid content accordingly depending on the substitute you choose.

Enjoy these festive treats with a cup of hot cocoa, glass of milk, coffee, or tea!

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Delicious Recipes

Sweet Potato Casserole

I am sharing this recipe again this year because it is my favorite holiday side dish. I just finished preparing it for our dinner tomorrow and I cannot wait to eat it along with the other delicious thing we will be having for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

Ingredients

Sweet potato casserole | lookingjoligood.blog
  • 4 cups sweet potato, cubed*
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Put sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cook over medium-high heat until tender; drain and mash. (or use canned yams and skip this step altogether.)
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, white sugar, eggs, cinnamon, salt, butter, milk and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potato mixture.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly brown.

*If you’re using fresh sweet potatoes, you’ll need four to six sweet potatoes to get four cups, depending on their size. One 15-ounce can of sweet potatoes is equal to one cup of fresh sweet potatoes. 

If you try it, please let me know!  I have a feeling that you will love it too!

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Delicious Recipes

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Casserole

Every year, I look forward to Thanksgiving dinner, and it’s not just about the turkey or mashed potatoes. Even though the pies and desserts are a treat, what I eagerly look forward to eating the most is this amazing Sweet Potato Casserole! Its irresistible flavor makes Thanksgiving truly memorable. I’ve mentioned this before, but as it continues to be my top pick, I can’t resist sharing this recipe once again today. I’ll be daydreaming about this delightful dish all night!

Ingredients

Sweet potato casserole | lookingjoligood.blog
  • 4 cups sweet potato, cubed
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Put sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cook over medium-high heat until tender; drain and mash. (or use canned yams and skip this step altogether.)
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, white sugar, eggs, cinnamon, salt, butter, milk and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potato mixture.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly brown.

If you try it, please let me know!  I have a feeling that you will love it too!

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

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