Food Friday - Birthday Style

Yesterday I posted about my 40th birthday.  Today, I wanted to share the recipes from the day. Specifically, Pretzel Salad, Macaroni Salad, and Turtle Cake.

Pretzel Salad
adapted from All Recipes AND my own original recipe

I have made this recipe several times and each time I make it I think to myself, "This is not a perfect recipe".  Why?  There are no measurements.  I don't know where I got it but the estimates written down are a little off so I searched All Recipes to find a recipe that was was similiar but exact with measurements.  The one I linked too above is exactly what I was looking for (i.e - my recipe says 2 cups of long pretzels - but you really need to crush them and then measure out 2 cups or you don't have enough!) Also, it is very important to let the crust cool before putting the cream cheese layer on top.  Then, I would suggest to refrigerate it in  order to firm up while the Jell-O is setting.  It is also important to make sure the Jell-O has started to set before pouring it on or it will just run under the crust and make it soggy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups crushed pretzels
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 2 (3 ounce) packages strawberry flavored gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen strawberries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Stir together crushed pretzels, melted butter and 3 tablespoons sugar; mix well and press mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until set. Set aside to cool.
4. In a large mixing bowl cream together cream cheese and 1 cup sugar. Fold in whipped topping. Spread mixture onto cooled crust.
5. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in still frozen strawberries and allow to set briefly. When mixture is about the consistency of egg whites, pour and spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate until set.               

Macaroni Salad
adapted from . . .. . .well, you'll see.

So, I love a GOOD Macaroni Salad and several years ago I found just that and my husband agrees.  Do you want to know what it is???

Walmart Amish Macaroni Salad

So my recipe is:

Drive to Walmart and buy a container of their Amish Macaroni Salad HA!

Turtle Cake

adapted from Lynnette McMaster (My sister-in-law)

My sister-in-law made this cake years ago and I've been making it every since.  It doesn't need any frosting because the caramel and chocolate chip center gives it just what it needs.

Ingredients:

1 box German chocolate cake mix

1 – 14 oz bag of caramels

¾ cup butter

½ cup evaporated milk

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup pecans

 Directions:

Prepare cake mix according to package directions.  Pour half in a 9 x 13 greased pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, melt the caramels with butter and evaporated milk.    Top with chocolate chips and pecans.  Pour the rest of the cake batter on top and bake at 350 degrees for another 20 minutes