Apple Crumb Pie

This was my first try at an apple pie.  I did some thinking and changed the recipe a little, (1) so I could call it my own, and (2) because I hate a soggy crust and I figured that was inevitable.  I will say that it got rave reviews...Someone even said that it was the "best apple pie they had ever had..." :)

Filling:
1 (9 inch) deep dish pie crust - if you want to make your own...fine...I just haven't perfected the art of pie crust yet...
5 cups apples - peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 tsp cinnamon (I add a touch extra)

Topping:
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
6 tablespoons cold butter

Preheat oven to 400.  Toss the apple slices in the 1/4 cup of flour.  In a small separate bowl, mix the 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon.  Arrange half of the apple slices in unbaked pie shell (this is personal preference, I thought maybe I would need to bake the pie crust by itself for 5 minutes or so but the crust didn't come out soggy at all!)  Sprinkle about 1/3 of the cinnamon/sugar mixture over the apples.  Layer the rest of the apples and sprinkle the rest of the sugar mixture over the top.  (Don't worry if your pie looks super tall...the apples will bake down).  Use two knives or a small food processor to cut in the butter/sugar/flour.  Cover the top of your pie with this mixture.  Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until apples are soft and the top of the crust is a little browned.

Gooey Butter Cake

Courtesy of my Grandma Lee.  This is so rich, you can only have it about once a year.  Thank goodness my husband isn't very big on sweets, otherwise my hips and I would be in trouble!

1 box yellow cake mix
4 eggs
2 sticks butter, melted separately
1 8 oz brick cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar

Mix cake mix, 2 eggs, and one stick melted butter together and spread into a greased and floured cake pan.  This will be stiff.  Mix the remaining ingredients together and pour over the batter.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Best-Ever Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake

This is my mom's recipe- and it really is the BEST chocolate cake I've ever had.

Best-Ever Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake
1 pkg. (8 squares) Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, divided
1 pkg. (2-layer size) chocolate cake mix (I used Devil's Food Cake Mix)
1 pkg. (4-serving size) Jell-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & PieFilling
4 eggs
1 cup Sour Cream
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 Tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping


PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch roundbaking pans. Chop 2 of the chocolate squares; set aside. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil and milk in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed just until moistened. Beat on medium speed 2 min. Stir in chopped chocolate. Spoon into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 min. or until wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 min. Loosen cakes from sides of pans. Invert onto racks, gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.

PLACE frozen whipped topping and remaining 6 chocolate squares in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 1/2 min. or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth, stirring after 1 min. Let stand 15 min. to thicken. Place 1 cake layer on serving plate; top with 1/4 of the chocolate mixture. Place second layer on top of first, use remaining 3/4 of the chocolate mixture to "frost". Store in refrigerator.