Share a Spoon---A Sweet Summer Appetizer That'll Make You Swoon!

I am linking up today with Brandee over at Think Tank Momma for Share a Spoon. The theme for this week is appetizers. I'm veering off the beaten path with an atypical appetizer, and it's one that is sweet for summer and easy on both you and your wallet! I served it last night and it was a hit. Unfortch I can't take credit for this recipe---it is one my neighbor, Carrie C., shared with me several months ago. I also like deluding myself into thinking it's semi-healthy because of the fruit served with it.

Carrie's Apple Dip:

1 tub whipped cream cheese
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Toffee chips (regular or chocolate, as much as you like!)

Mix all ingredients well. Serve with slices of Granny Smith apples.

Want to share your own recipe & link up? Visit Brandee's blog now!

I'm Sharing a Spoon today with Think Tank Momma: Banana Cake

I'm Sharing a Spoon today with Brandee over at Think Tank Momma. I have a terrible sweet tooth and banana bread has always been one of my favorites, especially lightly toasted and slathered with butter. I generally use Martha Stewart's recipe for that, which you can find here. Her secret is the sour cream. However, my mom gave me this killer recipe for banana cake. I was skeptical at first, but lo and behold it is actually BETTER than plain ole' banana bread. Try it and see for yourself! And be sure to go visit Brandee for her awesome cobbler recipe!  Better yet, post your own recipe and link up at her place!


Cake ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 tsp. vanilla
16 oz. sour cream
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder

Filling/topping ingredients:
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans
12 oz. chocolate chips


Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9 x 13 pan.

Blend sugar, butter, and eggs in a large bowl. Add mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla. Mix well. Sift dry ingredients (I actually forgot to sift them and it turned out fine) together, add to batter, and blend. Pour 1/2 the batter into the greased pan.

In a small bowl mix together the topping ingredients and spread 1/2 of this over the batter. Cover with remaining batter and spread the remaining topping over the top. Bake for 45-60 minutes. Cool before cutting. YUM-O!

(I never claimed to be a photographer, let alone a food photographer)