Easy trifle

Family Features

Are you hungry for a sweet treat but don’t have the time or energy to create something from scratch?

These no-fuss dessert recipes are sure to delight. Start with convenient ingredients, such as Sara Lee Pound Cake, and make a few easy enhancements. In no time, you can put together an Easy Trifle, Pound Cake S’Mores, or even a Classic Strawberry Shortcake. With a few extra minutes, you can create a delectable Banana Nut Pound Cake Pudding, or Grilled Pound Cake with Ice Cream, Pineapple and Chocolate Drizzle — perfect for sharing any day of the week.

All of these easy recipes can be made with Sara Lee Pound Cake Slices, too. The pre-sliced and individually-wrapped slices are ideal for making perfectly-portioned desserts or snacks.

Get more delicious, no-fuss recipes at www.saraleedesserts.com. And to get recipes and tips delivered to your inbox, sign up for a free newsletter at www.saraleedesserts.com/enews-sign-up.

Easy Trifle

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2

2 Sara Lee Pound Cake Slices, or 2 (1/2-inch) slices from 1 package of Sara Lee Pound Cake

1/2 cup Greek peach yogurt

1 cup light whipped topping, divided

1/4 cup sliced fresh peaches

1/4 cup whole raspberries

1 tablespoon toasted almonds

Thaw 2 pound cake slices according to package directions. Cut thawed pound cake into 1-inch cubes.

Mix yogurt with 1/2 cup light whipped topping, reserving remaining whipped topping for later.

Put two parfait glasses on a work surface. Layer 1/4 of the pound cake cubes into each glass. Top each with 1 tablespoon sliced fresh peaches and whole raspberries, and 1/4 yogurt mixture. Repeat layers, ending with yogurt.

Top with remaining light whipped topping and toasted almonds.

Tip: You can make this recipe for more people, by scaling up the ingredients and presenting in a pretty glass bowl.

Pound Cake S'Mores

Pound Cake S’Mores

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 2

2 Sara Lee Pound Cake Slices, or 2 (1/2-inch) slices from 1 package of Sara Lee Pound Cake

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1/4 cup mini marshmallows

2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.

Place each pound cake slice on the bottom of the baking pan.

Top each slice with 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons mini marshmallows.

Bake for 5 minutes or until marshmallows are melted and lightly toasted.

Top with peanuts, if desired.

To cook in microwave:

Thaw 2 pound cake slices according to package directions and place each pound cake slice on a microwave-safe plate.

Top each slice with 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons mini marshmallows.

Microwave on high for 15 to 20 seconds or until marshmallows and chocolate chips are slightly melted. Top with peanuts, if desired.

Grilled Pound Cake with Ice Cream, Pineapple and Chocolate Drizzle

Grilled Pound Cake with Ice Cream, Pineapple and Chocolate Drizzle

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2

2 Sara Lee Pound Cake Slices, or 2 (1/2-inch) slices from 1

package of Sara Lee Pound Cake

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 1/2-inch pineapple rings

2 small scoops vanilla ice cream (about 1 cup)

1/4 cup chocolate sauce

Thaw 2 pound cake slices according to package directions.

Pre-heat a grill or grill pan to medium.

Brush each slice of pound cake with melted butter.

Grill pineapple slices 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and caramelized on both sides.

While pineapple is grilling, place pound cake slices on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until each side is lightly golden brown.

Top pound cake slices with grilled pineapple and a scoop of vanilla ice cream (or other desired flavor). Finish with a chocolate sauce drizzle.

Banana Nut Pound Cake Pudding

Banana Nut Pound Cake Pudding

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Serves: 4

4 Sara Lee Pound Cake Slices, or 2 (1/2-inch) slices from 1 package of Sara Lee Pound Cake

2 eggs

1 cup half and half

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

2 small ripe bananas, thinly sliced

1/2 cup candied pecans (optional)

Whipped topping (optional)

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Thaw 4 pound cake slices according to package directions. Cut pound cake slices into 1/2-inch squares and place on a baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly toasted.

Whisk eggs, half and half, vanilla and brown sugar until well blended. Set aside.

Spray a 1-quart baking dish with cooking spray. If using, sprinkle 1/4 cup pecans onto prepared baking dish. Top with toasted pound cake and banana slices and pour egg mixture on top. Press down pound cake cubes with back of spoon to submerge completely; let stand 10 minutes. If using, sprinkle with remaining pecans.

Cover baking dish with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue baking 15 minutes or until eggs are set.

Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.

With a little thought and foresight, you can get your mother a gift she’ll treasure for years. PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Getty Images

(StatePoint) No two moms are alike. Whatever her interests, finding a gift that fits mom just right shows you’ve put thought into it, rather than simply choosing something off the shelf.
This Mother’s Day, why not thank Mom for everything she does, with a gift that celebrates her one-of-a-kind personality?
“Most moms don’t pamper themselves a lot, so customizing a gift that speaks to her hobbies and personal style will feel like a real indulgence,” says Amy Myers, vice president of creative services for Things Remembered.
Here are some ideas to help you find the perfect gift:
*Mom that Needs Me Time: When Mom needs to recharge her batteries between play dates and grocery trips, she’ll appreciate a gift that helps her unwind. A gift certificate to her favorite place to relax—a spa, coffee shop or even a bookstore—can be just want she wanted. Or you can hire a cleaning service and babysitter for the day.
*Techie Mom: Maybe she has her own blog, or she’s always first in line to buy the latest tech gadget. If so, look for techie gifts with a personal touch. Nameplates are now available on everything from iPad cases to laptops. And by adding a simple engraving, like “Chief Executive Mother,” you can make the gift more meaningful.
Alternatively, you can look for portable gifts that make her life easier. For example, Things Remembered offers a USB photo keychain that lets Mom keep her loved ones—and her work—with her at all times.
*Matriarch Moms: Proud moms and grandmas love to brag about their families. Between smart phones and computers, photo sharing has never been easier. Grandmothers, however, are often left out in this digital age. Consider researching the family genealogy online and create a family tree. Or you can give a traditional gift a twist by engraving a personalized message on a picture frame or photo album. Some retailers even offer multiple birthstone jewelry as a way to cherish each child.
*On-The-Go Mom: After having kids, it seems like there are never enough hours in the day. For the mom who makes the most out of every second, opt for a practical and portable gift. Tote bags make a stylish gift and are great for pool days or shopping trips, especially when monogrammed with her initials.
Or, to help mom freshen up on the way to her next event, consider getting her a perfume atomizer and matching compact. When engraved with a special message, her one-minute makeover will remind her how beautiful and loved she is.
For more personalized gift ideas, visit www.ThingsRemembered.com.

It’s true – the kitchen is the heart of the home. Ever notice how people always gather there? Whether baking treats, making dinner or spending time with family and friends, the kitchen is my favorite place to be. Since my day job is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens, you can bet I love to stir things up. This column lets me pass along to you some of my best recipes, tips and baking secrets.

(Family Features)
Start Mother’s Day off right with a beautiful breakfast in bed. A pretty tray set with some of the good dishes and real linens, a fresh flower, and some delicious food will put a smile on mom’s face that will last all day.

Golden Sunrise French Toast is made extra special with evaporated milk and a splash of vanilla extract. Make sure you use firm bread so the toast doesn’t end up soggy.

If she loves eggs, making Scrambled Eggs with a little evaporated milk gives them such a creamy texture that she’ll want to eat them this way all the time. Add one tablespoon of evaporated milk for each egg used.

Pour her a Mock Mimosa by mixing sparkling lime juice or ginger ale to orange juice. Garnish with a fresh strawberry on the rim of the glass.

For more delicious ways to surprise mom on her special day, visit www.TheCookingMilk.com.

Photo courtesy of Nestle

Golden Sunrise French Toast

Prep: 10 minutes
Cooking: 10 minutes
Makes 4 to 5 servings

2     large eggs
1    can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk
2     teaspoons vanilla extract
2    tablespoons granulated sugar
1    tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/4     teaspoon salt
8 to 10 slices (3/4-inch-thick) firm, day-old French bread
Unsalted butter
Maple syrup
Fresh seasonal berries or sliced fruit

HEAT large skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
BEAT eggs in shallow pan or large pie plate; whisk in evaporated milk and vanilla extract. Whisk in sugar, flour and salt. Add several slices of bread; soak without over saturating.

SWIRL 1 tablespoon butter in hot skillet. Remove bread from batter, allowing excess batter to drip off; transfer prepared bread to skillet in single layer. Cook for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Turn over; cook for an additional 2 minutes or until golden. Serve immediately with syrup and berries. Continue with remaining bread slices, adding 1 tablespoon butter to skillet for each new batch.

Nutrition Information per serving: 450 calories; 120 calories from fat; 14g total fat; 7g saturated fat;  0g trans fat; 140mg cholesterol; 680mg sodium; 67g carbohydrate; 3g fiber; 28g sugars; 15g protein; 15% DV vitamin A; 6% DV vitamin C; 30% DV calcium; 15% DV iron

Jenny Harper is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com.