Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

My mom made this cake all the time when I was a kid.  She sprinkled powdered sugar on top, so I may do that next time I make it.  It tastes great fresh, but even better the next day.  Be sure not to over bake so that it will be a little gooey.

Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix
8 oz cream cheese
2 sticks butter, melted, divided
3 eggs, divided
1 tsp vanilla
 16 oz powdered sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Combine cake mix, 1 stick butter, and 1 egg with blender.
3.  Pat the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.
4.  Beat the cream cheese with blender.
5.  Add the vanilla, 1 stick butter, and 2 eggs, blend.
6.  Blend in the powdered sugar.
7.  Spread over the cake batter and bake 40-50 minutes.

Chicken Manicotti with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce

This is a Southern Living recipe that requires a few steps to make but is worth it!  We usually add salad and garlic bread on the side and the kids eat this dish really well.


Ingredients:
8 oz package manicotti shells
4 cups cooked chopped chicken
16 oz chive and onion cream cheese
10 package frozen spinach, thawed and well drained
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER SAUCE
14 oz jar roasted red bell peppers, drained (these are found by the pickles)
16 oz jar Alfredo sauce
3 oz shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Cook pasta according to package directions, drain.
3.  Stir together chicken and next 6 ingredients.
4.  Cut pasta shells lengthwise on one side.
5.  Spoon about 1/2 cup chicken mixture into each shell, gently press cut sides together.
6.  Place cut side down in lightly greased baking dish.
7.  To make sauce, process all 3 ingredients in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.  8.  Pour sauce evenly over shells.
9.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until thoroughly heated.