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Every slice tells a story, every crumb holds a memory—welcome to the heart of family celebrations and sweet delights

Table of contents

  • Fruit Cobbler

Fruit Cobbler

⏰ Prep: 10 min | 🍳 Cook: 30 min. | 🔥 Method: 350°F

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¾ cup self-rising flour
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ stick butter, melted
  • 1 can/2 cups fruit pie filling

Mix the Batter

Combine sugar, self-rising flour, and milk in a mixing bowl, stirring until smooth.

Layer & Assemble

Pour melted butter in dish, add batter (don't stir), then spoon fruit filling evenly on top. The fruit will sink while baking.

Bake & Enjoy

Bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.

👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy (Lillie Dean Moots) | Originally entered December 6th, 2020

Fresh Apple Cake

⏰ Prep: Not Specified | 🍳 Cook: 1 hour & 2 mins. | 🔥 Method: 325°F

Fresh Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 cups chopped fresh apples
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 3 cups self-rising flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Mixing Process

  • Combine sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla
  • Mix in flour mixture gradually
  • Fold in apples and pecans
  • Pour into 9x13-inch pan

Final Result

  • Bake at 325°F for 1 hour & 2 minutes
  • Cool before serving
  • Perfect golden-brown finish

👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy (Lillie Dean Moots) | Originally entered December 6th, 2020

💭 Mammy's note: The recipe specifically calls for 1 hour and 2 minutes cooking time. While the reason isn't known, we honor her precise timing!

Homemade Cheesecake

⏰ Prep: Not Specified | 🍳 Cook: 50-55 mins. | 🔥 Method: 350°F

Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups chopped pecans
  • 1½ cups self-rising flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1⅓ sticks butter, melted
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 12 oz whipped cream
  • Pie filling of your choice

Cooking Instructions:

Cook

  • Crust: Mix the chopped pecans, self-rising flour, brown sugar, and melted butter. Press this mixture into a greased 9x13-inch pan.
  • Bake the crust for 15 minutes at 350°F.
  • Filling: In a separate bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream.
  • Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust.
  • Topping: Add pie filling of your choice on top of the cream cheese layer.
  • Refrigerate before serving

👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy (Lillie Dean Moots) | Originally entered December 6th, 2020

Hot Fudge Cake

⏰ Prep Time: not specified | 🍳 Cook: 35-40 mins | 🔥 Oven: 350°F

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 6 tbsp baking cocoa, divided
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup 2% milk
  • 2 tbsp canola oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1¾ cups hot water
  • Whipped cream (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

Cook

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, and vanilla until blended. Add the flour, sugar, 2 tbsp of baking cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Stir just until moistened.
  • Transfer the batter to an ungreased 9-inch square baking pan.
  • In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and remaining 4 tbsp of baking cocoa. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter.
  • Pour the hot water over the entire mixture. Do NOT stir.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is set.
  • Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired

👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy (Lillie Dean Moots) | Originally entered December 6th, 2020

Icebox Fruit Cake

⏰ Prep Time: None | 🍳 Cook: None | 🔥 Oven: None

Fresh Ingredients

  • 1 box crushed graham crackers
  • 1 can pet milk
  • 1 large bag marshmallows
  • 1 (16 oz) bag coconut
  • 1 jar cherries
  • 2 cups pecans
  • 1 cup raisins

Preparation Process

  • In a large bowl, mix the crushed graham crackers, raisins, coconut, cherries, and pecans.
  • In a double boiler, combine the pet milk and marshmallows. Heat over medium heat until the marshmallows are melted.
  • Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Mix thoroughly until everything is well combined.

Final Dessert

Refrigerate until firm. Will last up to 3 weeks when refrigerated, though best enjoyed within a few days.


👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy (Lillie Dean Moots) | Originally entered December 6th, 2020

💡 Note: Although Mammy says 3 weeks, I wouldn't eat anything left in the fridge more than a few days

Pig Picking Cake

⏰ Prep Time: 15 mins. | 🍳 Cook: 10-25 mins. | 🔥 Oven: 350°F

1

🥣 Gather Your Ingredients

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • ¾ cup oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges
  • 1 (11 oz) can crushed pineapple in heavy syrup
  • 1 package instant vanilla pudding
  • 1 large container of Cool Whip
2

🎂 Bake the Cake

  1. Mix the cake mix, oil, eggs, and mandarin oranges in a large bowl.
  1. Drain pineapple (save juice) and mix with instant vanilla pudding
  1. Poke holes in cake layers with toothpick and drizzle with pineapple juice
  1. Divide into 3-4 layers and bake at 350°F until done. Let layers cool completely before icing. (Time varies based on layer thickness)
3

🧁 Create the Icing Magic

  1. In another bowl, mix the drained pineapple with the instant vanilla pudding. Set aside until ready to use.
  1. Just before icing the cake, fold the Cool Whip into the pineapple and pudding mixture.
  1. Spread the icing mixture over each layer and on top of the cake.

👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy (Lillie Dean Moots) | Originally entered 2002

Chocolate Éclair Cake

Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: None | 🔥 Oven: None

Ingredients:

  • 2 packages of graham crackers
  • 2 small boxes of French vanilla instant pudding
  • 1 tub of chocolate frosting
  • 3 cups milk
  • 8 oz Cool Whip

Cooking Instructions:

  • In a bowl, mix the pudding with the Cool Whip until well combined.
  • In a 9x13-inch dish, arrange a single layer of graham crackers on the bottom.
  • Spread half of the pudding mixture over the graham crackers.
  • Add another layer of graham crackers, followed by the remaining pudding mixture.
  • Top with a final layer of graham crackers.
  • Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the pudding to set.
  • Soften the chocolate frosting by microwaving it for about 15 seconds. Stir, then spread it evenly over the top layer of graham crackers.

👩‍🍳Recipe by Jessica Peaden | Originally entered December 6th, 2020

Carrot Cake

⏰ Prep: 10 min | 🍳 Cook: 40-45 min | 🔥 Oven: 350°F

Cake Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1¼ cup oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cups shredded carrots

Icing Ingredients

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 1 box powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup coconut
  • 1 cup chopped nuts

Preparation Steps

1

Mix Dry Ingredients

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl

2

Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in oil, eggs, and shredded carrots until smooth and well combined

3

Bake

Pour into 9x13-inch pan or two 8-inch rounds. Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes until done

4

Make Frosting

Mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in coconut and nuts

5

Finish

Let cake cool completely, then frost and serve

👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy (Lillie Dean Moots) | Originally entered December 6th, 2020

Jessica's Cake Recipe

⏰ Prep: 10 min | 🍳 Cook: 25-30 min | 🔥 Oven: 350°F

1

Gather Cake Ingredients

  • 1 box of Betty Crocker Cake mix (your choice)
  • Ingredients from the back of the box
  • 1 cup of vanilla or chocolate pudding (depending on your cake flavor)
2

Prepare the Cake

  • Add the ingredients from the back of the cake mix box to a mixing bowl
  • Add the pudding to the mix
  • Mix on low for 1 minute, scraping bowl sides
  • Mix on medium for 2-3 minutes
  • Pour into prepared pan and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes
  • Test with toothpick for doneness

💡 Advice to pass down: Spray pan with nonstick spray. For best results, only use Betty Crocker mix. You can make cupcakes or double the recipe if desired. If doubling, double the pudding as well.

3

Prepare Icing Ingredients

  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ⅓ cup room temperature unsalted butter
  • 2 tsp light corn syrup
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp clear vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring

💡 Advice to pass down: Use gel coloring to prevent runny icing and clear vanilla for true colors. Corn syrup smooths the icing, especially for decorating.

4

Make the Icing

  • Mix butter, corn syrup, vanilla, and water until sticky
  • Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing on low
  • Mix on medium for 3 minutes, adjusting consistency
  • Beat on high for 2 minutes until fluffy
  • Add gel food coloring if desired

👩‍🍳 Recipe by Jessica Peaden | Originally entered 2009

Favorite Memories or How I learned the recipe: Jessica started making birthday cakes for her kids, and over the years, her kids requested only her cake. Many family members even call them "Walmart Cakes." Jessica adapted her recipe from Aunt Viv's icing, making it her own over the years with small improvements.

Texas Sheet Cake

⏰ Prep Time: not specified | 🍳 Cook: 20 mins | 🔥 Oven: 350°F

Gather Cake Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup water
  • 5 tablespoons cocoa powder

Make the Cake

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, sour cream, and eggs
  • In a saucepan, melt the butter with the water and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil, then cool slightly
  • Pour the butter mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until well combined
  • Pour the batter into a 10x15-inch pan
  • Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes

Prepare Icing Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • ½ cup butter
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Make the Icing

  • In a large saucepan, combine the milk, butter, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil
  • Stir in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and nuts (if using)
  • Spread the icing over the warm sheet cake

👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy (Lillie Dean Moots) | Originally entered December 6th, 2020

You Are My Sunshine Family Recipes

You Are My Sunshine Recipes is a celebration of love, laughter, and the joy of cooking together. These recipes are crafted with heart and meant to be shared across generations.

🧁 Sweet Treats

🍹 Beverages

💝 Read Mom's Note