We are all invited to potluck meals at times.  Whether it is a family get-together, church social activity, office meal, community night-out, or other occasion requiring you to take a dish to share, here are a couple of old fashion recipes that are sure to please.  They are simple, quick, easy to prepare, tasty, and economical.  Beans and Franks are always a crowd pleaser and a special hit with the kids.  Tropical Wedding Cake is an easy cake that looks and taste like you spent lots of time on it.  It is also a good “make ahead” cake since it needs to be refrigerated over night.

TROPICAL WEDDING CAKE AD RECIPE

This recipe for Tropical Wedding Cake is from an old, yellowed and ripped newspaper clipping. A local Southern Indiana grocery store had run this ad as their recipe of the week.

1 box yellow cake mix, prepared as directed on box and baked in a greased and floured 9 x 13-inch pan.

In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar with a one pound four ounce can of crushed pineapple and cook over medium heat for five minutes.

When cake comes from oven, pierce top with a large fork and pour warm pineapple-sugar mixture over the cake.

Prepare one large package of vanilla pudding (not instant) according to directions and spread over pineapple. Cover and refrigerate cake overnight.

When ready to serve, spread Regular or Extra Creamy Whipped Topping over top of cake and sprinkle with coconut.

BEANS AND FRANKS

3 slices bacon, cut in 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 lb frankfurters, cut in 1-inch pieces
1 can (1 lb. 14 oz) pork and beans
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp mustard
4-oz Cheddar cheese, sliced about 3/4-inch wide

In a ten inch skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Saute onion, pepper and franks in skillet with bacon until onion is transparent. In a 3-quart casserole combine all ingredients except cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Arrange cheese slices on top in spoke design. Bake ten minutes longer. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Enjoy!