Better than Sex, Out of this World Dessert: It’s safe, try it

This recipe has been around the states a few times now. Definitely worth trying. About the Sex part? You’ll have to form your own opinion.

Also known as: Better Than Robert Redford, Chocolate Sin, Sex in a Pan, Heaven in a Pan, Almost a Sin, Chocolate Slush, Girdle Buster, Chocolate Pudding Dessert, Chocolate Delight, Chocolate Dream, Mississippi Mud and referred to as Holy Smoke in some places.

Not to be confused with Better Than Sex Cake or Better Than Sex Cookies. Could be a Better Than Sex Barbecue Pork Sandwich out there too.

valentinesdaycake 002Better than Sex, Out of the World Dessert:

Enis 1970s-1980s, from a family recipe book

  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 stick margarine
  • 1 cup chopped nuts
  • 1 8 oz. package of Philadelphia cream cheese (softened)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup Cool Whip
  • 1 small package instant chocolate pudding
  • 1 small package instant vanilla pudding
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 Hershey bar
  • Whipped Cream

Mix first four ingredients and press into well-greased 9 x 13 pan and bake for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Take baked curst out of the oven and cool completely.

Mix together cream cheese, vanilla and Cool Whip. Spread over cooled crust.

Mix together chocolate pudding, vanilla pudding and milk. Spread on top of the cream cheese mixture.

Spread whipped cream and shaved Hershey bar bits on top. Chill thoroughly before serving.

Variations: Substitute butterscotch and pistachio puddings for chocolate and vanilla puddings.

Use broken pieces of Heath candy pieces instead of Hershey candy bar shavings.

valentinesdaycake 008Oreo Delight:

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Combine 6 tablespoons of melted butter with 1-½ cup crushed Oreo cookies. Press into the bottom of the pan and bake 8-10 minutes. Cool completely. Continue with remaining recipe above. Add ¼ to ½ cup crushed Oreos to garnish.

Talking Fruit Baskets

In courtships from another era, a gift of flowers or a basket of fruits came with a special language.

Here’s a list of meanings for fruits and their blooms:

  • Lemon: zesty faithful
  • Orange: happy
  • Black raspberry: remorse
  • Red raspberry: fulfillment
  • Cherry: good job
  • Grape: prosperity, happiness at home
  • Peach: feminine, healthy
  • Blackberry: dangerous
  • Strawberry: you are delicious

Words of wisdom from the past: If you want to be pretty, eat cornfield peas or a hundred chicken gizzards. To prevent ugliness, don’t let the moon shine on your uncovered face. Children at the Hearth, Barbra Swell

These recipes continue to follow me around. Here is one more variation of Pigs in the Blanket, an older one from the 1930s. This appetizer recipe has nothing to do with hot dogs or crescent rolls.

Pigs in the Blanket Recipe:

San Francisco Examiner, United States Regional Cookbook, 1930s-1950s

  • 12 large oysters
  • Salt, pepper and cayenne
  • 1 pimento
  • 12 slices of bacon

Season oysters. Slice pimiento into 12 strips, placing one on each oyster. Wrap each oyster in a slice of bacon and skewer. Broil about 8 minutes or until bacon is golden brown and crisp. Serves 6.