Edible Memories

We're starting what's predicted to be a pretty rainy weekend around these parts (thanks to Hurricane Patricia), so I'm getting ready to head to the store and grab a few things to munch on while we're hunkered down indoors.  Adam doesn't have a game until tomorrow night, so we're planning on  cuddling up in blankets and watching movies tonight.  Okay.  I guess I might be the only one planning on cuddling up in blankets :) A pretty perfect Friday night in my opinion.

The morning will be reserved for something sweet like donuts because nothing's better than sleeping in, eating donuts, and then falling back into a sugar coma.
 #motheroftheyear

I grew up with the world's BEST donuts.  If you're from Houston you know exactly what I'm talking about...

No other donut compares.  And don't even get me started on their glazed donuts when they're fresh out of the oven.  I die.

 I think I missed Shipleys the most when I lived in the Dallas area.  There was only one location there and it was only open until mid-morning and it wasn't as good as the locations in Houston.   The Shipley Donuts around here stay open all day to cater to all of our afternoon cravings :)  

When I moved home the summer between my freshman and sophomore year in college, I waited tables at this amazing little Mexican restaurant (Escalante's anyone?!?!).  I typically worked lunch shifts and had to clock in around 10.  I moved back in with my parents that summer and they have a Shipleys right down the street from them.  I'd wake up, get dressed, and head to Shipleys and order the same thing every morning...two cinnamon sugar donuts and a medium Dr. Pepper.  By the end of the summer those sweet ladies already had my order waiting for me at the window :)  Bless.  My expanding waistline and thighs would never let me get away with that kind of breakfast these days.  Oh, to be 20 again :)

It would only stand to reason that I wasted no time introducing my boys to Shipleys life-changing donuts as soon as they were old enough to eat solids :)  They've been hooked ever since.  THey love spending the night at my parents because they know they'll have Shipleys donut holes and a few extras waiting for them when they wake up.  Grant loves the white powdered donuts and Landon's personal favorite is the chocolate iced.  

I remember my grandma and grandpa picking me up from school sometimes and it seems like we'd always head to Shipleys for an afternoon eclair.  Be still my heart.  Shipleys has the BEST eclairs.  It wasn't too long ago that I went to a family party and someone delighted the crowd with an eclair cake.  Took me back to those after school dates to Shipleys with my grandparents.  Of course, I had to grab the recipe so that I could have those edible memories at my fingertips whenever I wanted.  While this is no Shipleys eclair, it sure is amazing.  A definite crowd pleaser for sure!!!

ECLAIR CAKE

Cake

1 box of honey graham crackers

2 (3.4 oz) pkgs. instant French vanilla pudding

3 1/2 C. milk

1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip, thawed

Frosting

1 1/2 C. powdered sugar

1/2 C. unsweetened cocoa

3 TBSP. butter, softened

1/3 C. milk

2 tsp. light corn syrup

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Grab you a 9x13 baking dish and lightly coat with a non-stick cooking spray of your choice.  Line the bottom of your baking dish with a layer of graham crackers.

In a small bowl, mix together the milk and pudding packages.  I used my handheld mixer for this to speed things up a bit.  

Once the pudding mix is combined, fold in the Cool Whip until combined.

Divide the pudding/Cool Whip mixture and spread half over top of the layer of graham crackers.

Now place another layer of the graham crackers on top of the pudding/cool whip layer.  

Spread the other half of the pudding/cool whip mixture on top of the graham cracker layer.

See the pattern?!

Now cover the pudding/cool whip with a final layer of graham crackers and set aside.

Go ahead and make your frosting because you're not finished just yet!!  In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and cocoa.  Add the softened butter and milk and mix well until combined.  Finally, add corn syrup and vanilla and stir until the mixture is creamy.

Evenly spread the frosting over the top of the final layer of graham crackers.  Cover and refrigerate 24 hours before serving.

Like I said earlier, this is a definite crowd pleaser.  And if you grew up enjoying the delectable flavors of Shipleys eclairs, then this is a dessert that will have those memories flooding back in no time :)  An edible memory sure to have your taste buds screaming, "THANK YOU!!!!!"