Layered Banana Pudding (SC version)

My in-laws, Jim and Belle Benson, served a mission in South Carolina. They brought back some really great recipes. This is so delicious! We just visited Belle a couple of weeks ago, and she made this for us one night. I asked her for the recipe, and she sent it to me in the mail. I never get mail anymore, and it felt so special! Love her so much. She wrote a note at the bottom of the recipe: "Hi. Yesterday it was 85 degrees, today it is raining and blowing at 60 degrees. Still hoping for a great summer. It was great to have you here for a few days. Looking forward to July. Love, Mom."



Line bottom of a 9x13 with vanilla wafers.

8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
2 Tbsp. milk
1 c. powdered sugar
8 oz. cool whip
4 bananas, sliced
2 packages instant vanilla pudding (3 oz. size)

Mix cream cheese, milk, powdered sugar, add 1/2 of cool whip.
Mix pudding (per package instructions) and fold into cream cheese mixture.
Pour half over the wafers. Top with sliced bananas. Pour rest of mixture over the bananas.
Top with cool whip and chill.

(For an 8x8 pan, half the recipe)

Sour Cream Raisin Pie

Bart's favorite pie, and one they made at holidays when he grew up. Belle's mother, Thora Welch, used to make this pie. Belle said that even people who don't like raisins usually like this pie, and that she and Jim would serve it often to company.

Combine and set aside:
1 c. whipping cream
2 Tbsp. vinegar

Beat together:
2 eggs
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/8 tsp. salt
1 c. raisins, cut fine

Combine cream mixture with egg mixture. Mix well, and pour into a pie crust. Bake at 450 degrees until browned, then for another 20 minutes at 325 degrees.

Cracker Jack-style Caramel Corn

I grew up eating soft caramel corn, and have converted Bart to the same. However, this yummy recipe from his mother Belle's Aunt Bessie is what he was used to eating before he met me.

2 c. brown sugar
2 sticks butter
1/2 c. light corn syrup
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

Boil brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add baking soda and cream of tartar. Pour caramel sauce over 10 quarts of popped popcorn and stir to coat. Bake for 1 hour at 200 degrees.

Applesauce Cake

Bart's mother, Belle, says this is her favorite cake. It is delicious, like a spice cake.

2 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 c. shortening
1 1/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. molasses
17 oz. applesauce
3/4 c. chopped nuts
1/2 c. raisins

Mix dry ingredients well. Add remaining ingredients and mix. Pout into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool to frost.

Frosting:
Boil:
1/3 c. butter
1/3 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. canned milk
Remove from heat, and add:
3/4 powdered sugar

Rice Pudding

One of Bart's favorite things to eat, rice pudding was something I actually watched his dad make once. It is a warm and filling traditional treat.

1/2 c. uncooked rice
1 qt. milk
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
dash of salt

Combine ingredients and bake covered for 90 minutes at 300 degrees. Is yummy with raisins added.

Buttermilk Pancakes

Jim Benson (Bart's father) was famous for his perfect buttermilk pancakes. His mother, Laura, used to make buttermilk pancakes without a recipe. Jim watched his mother and learned. He perfected the formula, and this is his recipe, as found in Belle Benson's recipe collection. I guess we each have to figure this out for ourselves!

flour
buttermilk
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. oil
salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Mix ingredients, leaving the batter lumpy. Do not stir again.