I have never made crepes for my family.  I can’t believe that!  We’ve enjoyed them with friends at their homes, but I just have never thought to make them myself.  So I went on a hunt for a good crepe recipe and found Julia Child’s version.  They were super easy to make, but just need to be refrigerated for an hour or two in order to let the flour particles absorb the liquid and make the crepes tender.

While you’re waiting for the batter to rest, this is a great time to make the warm topping and sweet cream filling.  For the filling, I mixed 3T. powdered xylitol*, a dash of vanilla and 1 package cream cheese.  I was making it a lower carb version, but regular powdered sugar would work fine!  I also added 1T. half and half to mine, but I would add more next time to get it to a more spreadable consistency.

*to make powdered xylitol, I took the regular xylitol crystals and put them in a small jelly size mason jar.  I screwed the regular blender bottom onto it and blended until it looked powdered.  Easy!

Next put together the raspberry topping.  I’ve done this with blueberries, too, and it was amazing.  Take 2c. of frozen raspberries and sweeten it to your taste — I used 3T. powdered xylitol.  I added glucomannon as a low carb thickener, but a sprinkle of cornstarch would work just as well.  Add a couple tablespoons of water and let it cook on medium low until it gets all warm and thick and it’s ready to go!

Once the batter is done sitting, heat your nonstick pan, then grease it and pour a bit of the batter into the center.  Swirl the pan until it is completely covered with the crepe mixture.

Let it cook for a minute or so until it looks done on the edges.  Gently flip it (I used a spatula approved for high heat) and let the second side cook until very lightly golden.  You don’t want to make these too browned or they won’t roll well.  Spread the sweetened cream mixture on the inside and either roll or fold into quarters.  Spoon the warm raspberry topping over it and indulge in deliciousness!

I also made some with sliced bananas and Nutella and it was amazing.  Next time I am going to try homemade lemon curd with a sweetened mascarpone to see if I can recreate an amazing crepe from a shop at our local market.  I think I might also pick up some chocolate spread from Trader Joes and add sliced strawberries.  The options are endless! Please tell me in the comments how you filled yours!

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I didn’t like banana pudding.  Most times I had tried it, there was this overwhelming fake banana flavor that I just hated.  It reminded me of those banana flavored witches’ brooms that we got in our trick or treating bags as a kid.  So gross.  I was hosting Life Group at our home and one of the couples brought my least favorite dessert to share.  Blech.  But, I grew up in a home where I had to taste everything, even if I didn’t like it.  So I did and I was shocked!  It was delicious!  I got the recipe that night and I’ve been making it ever since, to rave reviews.  So here’s my recipe for the best banana pudding you’ve ever eaten!

Start by making a large package of vanilla instant pudding according to the package instructions.  I actually always forget to get a big one and end up using 2 smalls.  On the package it says to use two cups of milk.  So I do two packages of vanilla instant pudding with 4 cups of milk.  Whip it up and put it in the fridge for about 10 minutes to set up.  Add 1 package of cream cheese and whip it up again, along with 1t. vanilla.  I tend to still have lumps in mine, even though I beat it well.  Tastes great, though.  Maybe if I would remember to soften the cream cheese?  Let me know if you find a way to eliminate lumps!  
OK, my advice is to VERY SLOWLY raise the level on your mixer.  This is what happens when you’re super impatient like me!

So don’t do that!  Next, fold in an 8oz container of Cool Whip and this is what you will have…a light, fluffy, creamy vanilla mixture.

Then crush up 12oz of vanilla wafer cookies.  I do mine in the Vitamix so sometimes they are more crushed than other times!

And then start layering!  At home I just do it in a bowl, but this time it was to take to someone’s house for dinner, so I used a trifle bowl.  Start with pudding, then bananas, then cookies.  I layer mine about 3 times and use 4-6 bananas.

This is my kids’ favorite part and they love to help.  You can top it with more Cool Whip if you desire.  So there you have it!  No fake banana flavor.  Just deliciousness in a bowl.  But please wait to make this until you’re bringing it somewhere to share.  It’s way too tempting to keep in your fridge and steal by the spoonful throughout the day and I can’t be responsible for you having to buy all new jeans!

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I love to give simple gifts from the heart.  These pedestal plates have been all over Pinterest, but because you’re using something different every time, they look new and unique each time!  They are so simple to make, but you just need to plan ahead because they take a little time to set up.  These three above were given as teacher gifts last year, topped with yummy pastries.  This one below was dropped off to a friend on her birthday.

Start by shopping for candle sticks and unique plates.  I always check Salvation Army and Garage sales for candle sticks and oftentimes pick up clearance plates at Target. The process to make them is simple.  I use a candle stick on bottom.  If it’s not a clear candle stick and plate, I fill the gap with a cork in order to make more surface area for the glue to adhere to.  If it is clear, I just glue around the edges because it would be ugly with a cork in there.  I pop the cork in as tightly as possible, and cut the top flush with the top of the candle stick.

Pick up some of this E6000 epoxy glue.  I got mine at Hobby Lobby but I’ve also seen it at Joann’s.  It’s less than $5 with a coupon!  Put the glue on and follow the instructions on the package.  I think mine said to put the glue on both surfaces and wait one minute before joining them.  But just do what yours says!

Turn it upside down and put some heavy books on top.  Do not move it for 24 hours.

I usually let mine cure for about a week before I give it as a gift.  They need to be handled with care, because unlike one that is molded as one piece, these plates can come apart at the joint.  As a disclaimer, I did break 2 or 3 in the beginning.  I think those ones mostly separated because I was not careful when I transported them.  Also, I didn’t let them cure long enough before they were used.  I wash and dry mine by hand because I don’t trust the dishwasher.  I began making them a couple years ago and this one below was one of the first I made.  I use it all the time and it has held up perfectly.  It’s so simple and versatile.

I hope you make some of these to give away as gifts, or to use for your next party!  I made at least ten of them for the dessert buffet at my niece’s wedding.  It was gorgeous to have all different sizes and heights.  Try it out…the sky is the limit!

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