It's a Party . . .

It's a party around my house today! I've had so many wonderful friends sharing all their great 50+ stories and thoughts with me, that I've really arrived in a festive place. So we are celebrating at my blog today!

We have balloons!

Any my favorite dessert recipe of all time - this is soooo good, you are just gonna die almost when you try it.

Macadamia Fudge Torte

NGREDIENTS:

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Filling
1/3	cup low-fat sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
1/2	cup semisweet chocolate chips
Cake
1	(18.25-oz.) pkg. Pillsbury® Moist Supreme® Devil's Food Cake Mix
1 1/2	teaspoons cinnamon
1/3	cup oil
1	(15-oz.) can sliced pears in light syrup, drained
3	eggs
1/3	cup chopped macadamia nuts or pecans
2	teaspoons water
Sauce
1	(17-oz.) jar butterscotch caramel ice cream topping
1/3	cup milk

DIRECTIONS:

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1.	Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9 or 10-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. In small saucepan, combine filling ingredients; cook over medium-low heat until chocolate is melted, stirring occasionally.
2.	In large bowl, combine cake mix, cinnamon and oil; blend at low speed for 20 to 30 seconds or until crumbly. (Mixture will be dry.)
3.	Place pears in blender container or food processor bowl with metal blade; cover and blend until smooth.
4.	In another large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of the cake mix mixture, pureed pears and eggs; beat at low speed until moistened. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Spread batter evenly in sprayed pan. Drop filling by spoonfuls over batter. Stir nuts and water into remaining cake mix mixture. Sprinkle over filling.
5.	Bake at 350°F. for 45 to 50 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool 10 minutes. Remove sides of pan. Cool 1 1/2 hours or until completely cooled.
6.	In small saucepan, combine sauce ingredients; cook over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until well blended, stirring occasionally. Just before serving, spoon 2 tablespoons warm sauce onto each individual dessert plate. Top each with wedge of torte. If desired, serve with ice cream and garnish with chocolate curls.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft) Add 1/4 cup flour to dry cake mix; increase water to 1/4 cup. Bake as directed above. If you think it sounds familiar it is! It won the grand prize for the Pillsbury Bake off several years back. It is soooooo easy to make. And now . . . as a special treat, I'm heading over to Carolyns to read a great story entitled the "Mormon Vegas Wedding" I can hardly wait. She is a great story teller!

Keep your eye on Pickled Pepper Photography today, I'll be posting a fabulous engagement preview of Cory & Sara!