A Southern Grace: a random craving

September 13, 2008

a random craving

Yum

For some completely inexplicable reason, I recently recalled a dessert from my childhood. Once the memory had re-emerged, I couldn't escape it and began craving this particular dish like no other. Has this ever happened to you, or am I even more peculiar than I thought?


Maybe you shouldn't answer that...

Back home, we have a fellowship meal after church every third Sunday. Our congregation is composed of extraordinarily talented home cooks, so the food is always delicious. I, for one, always eagerly anticipated the meal and often got squirmy during the sermon.

The dessert in question was one that was brought in by my aunt, one of the best cooks in the congregation. My initial memory of it was that it was frozen, involved coconut, and had a crumb crust. After quizzing the Mambino and my cousin (also a fabulous cook), I was finally able to recreate the dessert for myself.


(melting has commenced--time to eat)
(you know how I like my drip shots...)


And yes, it was everything I remembered and more. Creamy, coconutty, cold, and crunchy. It was easier than anything to put together--the hardest part was waiting for it to set up in the freezer.

Cold and Creamy Coconut Concoction

2 1/2 cups graham or Ritz cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
1 1/2 cup milk
2 (3 1/2 ounce) packages instant coconut cream pudding mix
8 oz Cool Whip (oops)
1 cup angel flake coconut, toasted

Mix crackers and butter and press into a 9 x 13-inch pan.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ice cream, milk, and pudding mixes and stir well. Pour mixture over the crust. Top with Cool Whip (if you have a brain and remembered to buy some) and any additional crushed crackers and/or toasted coconut. Put the dish in the freezer for at least an hour. Set out 10-15 minutes before serving.

50 comments:

OhioMom said...

You would think by now I would not peek in so early in the morning to see one of your fab desserts, I am drooling !

Hmmmmm ... actually I like your version sans the whip cream.

The pics are fantastic!

Lori said...

When I was pregnant with my first daughter (who is now 5) I had a craving for cheddar and apples in the form of a turnover. After much searching my Mom and I had found the perfect recipe. Darned if I know where it is now. For the past month I have been going crazy looking for it.No other recipe will do although I am sure I can recreate it with different recipes pulled together. So I MUST find it. Yes, I know exactly what you mean!

Lori said...

by the way, that looks delicious! One I would have a hard time keeping away from.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

MmMmMm~
I have the perfect ice cream to go along with that!

Frantic Home Cook said...

Whoa! Scrolling through my RSS feeder and see the coconut, squeal on the brakes and backtrack with my tongue pastered to the screen. I LOOOOVE coconut and this is my kind of dessert. Going into my "must make" folder right this sec!

kat said...

Yummy dessert, I love the list of ingredients they just harken back in time

vanillasugarblog said...

Yeah I had to also put the brakes on and backpeddle when I saw the coconut.
Do you have to tease me so damn early in the morning woman?
This is one amazing creation!

Maria said...

I always have cravings from my childhood because my dad is an amazing cook. I will probably crave this all the time now! Dessert for breakfast, it is Saturday right?

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, I love it and I love the idea of ritz crumbs for the crust...perfection!

Pam said...

I love re-creating recipes from my childhood. This looks amazing. I will devour anything that has coconut.

Melanie said...

I love all things coconut - and since this looks so darn easy to prepare (no oopsing about the cool whip), count me in!

Susan @ SGCC said...

Whoa! This looks dangerous! Definitely one to bookmark. OMG!

Content in a Cottage said...

Today is my birthday and I am on my way to the store right now to buy all the ingredients.

This looks much better than a birthday cake!

Marjie said...

My mother couldn't cook, but I do so love coconut cream pie; this looks nice! I must remember to never look at your pictures when I'm hungry; you take them from the "drool on your screen" angle!

Lucy..♥ said...

Yes, I know what you mean... those cravings can throw you into a tailspin until you get it just right!!

And a piece of this awesome creation would do me just fine just about now... not sweet thing to be had here today ; (

Lisa said...

I do crave foods from the past at times but in my case they never involve coconut! lol! Still your pictures are gorgeous, as usual.

Prudy said...

Oh, Grace, there are too many things that are right with this dessert. Oh, how do I love thee. Let me count the ways.

The Blonde Duck said...

The photos are wonderful! That dessert looks divine!!! I've never heard of it before.

Leslie said...

Very very yummy!
And yes I like your drip shots..ot as I like to call the "money shots"!!

Bunny said...

Oh Grace this is called Yum Yum in my hand written recipe book that I've had for 30 years! Yes this is one heck of a dessert!!

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

Yum Grace! You are queen of the drip shots!

Peabody said...

That looks so good. I have been craving coconut as well, that is why I made coconut shortbread.

Laura said...

I absolutely crave stuff like that--not weird at all. Unless I am weird too!

Anonymous said...

Mmmm that sounds so good. Like a coconutty flavoured ice creamy cheesecake! Thanks for the recipe, we have summer coming up and this sounds like a must make! Is Cool Whip like whipped cream? We don't have it here.

Anonymous said...

My oh my, you sure are the queen of foodporn-ic drip shots! That looks like it's begging to be licked.

And don't worry, I've got those weird craving pangs from childhood too.

Anonymous said...

mmm i just loooove coconut and everything coconut. this looks amazing!

giz said...

It's interesting how there are little things from our childhood that see to crop up as incredible memories. I especially love the name you've given it :)

Anonymous said...

Cool whip is nothing to be afraid of! This sounds delish.

Paula said...

Oh lordy, after looking at your post I'm left both hungry and drooling. How wonderful that you were able to recreate something from your youth! This looks so pretty too. I'd like a serving, or two, or three. YUM!

Sophie said...

What a sweet recipe. Yes, sometimes I have cravings that I haven't had in about ten years :). This sounds too yummy, I like the idea of using ritz crackers. Salty and sweet go perfectly together :).

Anonymous said...

I think we all get undeniable cravings and I'm big on the drip shots too! That sounds so delicious, and is killing me because I have nothing cold creamy and coconutty in the house... but the recipe sounds like it might be simple enough for the likes of me!

Natalie Que said...

YES! I have had that happen to me. However, where yours looks like a nice tasty treat, what I was craving this weekend was complete white trash. I had a severe hankering for chicken diced and fried in Dixie Fry, Broccoli, and Rice-a-Roni... Uh? I had ONE box I smuggled over here for a rainy day, it wasn't the flavor I was craving but after not eating it in years I didn't really know I was going to need to have it on hand... Then I mixed some Old Bay with some local crumbing mixture for the chicken. The lengths I went to for such an unclassy meal from my childhood!

Anyway, this sounds great, I love coconut -and I LOVE your drip shot!

Jeanne said...

Oooh, look at that toasted coconut! Sounds addictive, even if it's not the most chi-chi. Funny how addictive Cool Whip can be - peppermint crisp tart, one of my favourite South African desserts also features Orley Whip (our equivalent non-dairy cream)!

Albany Jane said...

Grace, this sounds like great quickie food. And frozen food like this always bring back memories of childhood for me, too. (Especially frozen cool whip)

Anonymous said...

Yummm! I am craving this now too. Mmm haven't had anything coconuty in a while now.

LyB said...

Oooh, my better half would love this, he looooves coconut. It looks fabulous with that lovely, toasted coconut all over it, beautiful!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

This sounds both yummily delicious and easy to make! A winning combination!

BTW, I love the pix that are oozy, gooey, and dripping with yummy goodness!

Suze said...

Um.....YUM! I love coconut stuff...I'll have to add that to my 'must try' list!!

Deborah said...

Haha - I know all about cravings since I'm pregnant! This sounds sooo good (and I - too - love your drip shots!)

Vera said...

I love everything coconut! It must taste good.

Sandie said...

Good golly this sounds delicious. Glad you provided the recipe so I didn't have to covet it!

I once read that your body signals your brain of what it needs in nutrients by giving you cravings.

I don't know if that's true or not, and really doesn't explain why I'm always craving chocolate dipped pretzels....chocolatey/salty....I don't know, but it sure tastes good!

Veronica said...

This sounds absolutely incredible...I just love coconut. Have you ever made it with chocolate ice cream? I'll bet it would taste like a Mounds bar...yum.

La Bella Cooks said...

Ohh, I love the idea of the ritz crackers providing a salty taste with the sweet of the rest of the dessert. Love that combination.

Elle said...

I love it when we can recreate something from our childhood! Even better when it's as good as we remember!

alexandra's kitchen said...

yes, this does happen to me, but I never know how to recreate them! this sounds fabulous. I love coconut. I usually end up craving Greek desserts with phyllo and syrup and I never know where to begin. I need to sit down with my grandmother and get these recipes before it's too late!

Marilyn said...

Grace, I think they like it! What a noisy happy chorus. Your coconut craving looks scrumptious; once in a while, you've just gotta have that thing, that delicious thing from long ago. Thanks for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

Hhaa.. Food and alliteration is always fun :) I say stick with the name no matter what anyones says!

Lore said...

The photos are SO inviting....I keep looking at them and somehow fail to read the recipe, I'm mesmerized by them!

Jaime said...

wow, what a simple recipe...but so delish! mmmm you have me craving some now. i love coconut!

Anonymous said...

i love those childhood recipes that you crave every now and then. my grandmother used to make an angelfood cake with an apricot glaze and smarties on the top...would love to have a slice of that again!

this sounds simple, sweet and great - yum!