Sara Evans Missouri Dirt Cake

Today I have another tasty cookbook review and giveaway! A few weeks ago I was sent a copy of Southern Living Country Music’s Greatest Eats. As a lover of country music and country cooking the title immediately grabbed my attention. Country Musics Greatest Eats gives you a close up and personal look into over 30 of today's top country music stars and their favorite foods.   

This 263 page cookbook is your exclusive backstage pass to supper with some of your favorite country music performers. I enjoyed not only seeing all of their favorite home cooked dishes, but reading about their, memories, life lessons, and personal tales about, family, food and fame!

The photography in this cookbook is simply awesome! Some of the stars even shared a few photos with their families. Time and time again throughout this cookbook I noticed just because each of these stars are famous country music performers, they never forgot where they came from. Everyone that is from the south knows how important HOME is and all the special memories that go along with it. This cookbook gives you a sneak-peak into some of the most famous country music performers home kitchens, and over 75 of their beloved favorite family ♥ recipes.

My recipe of choice was Sara Evans - Missouri Dirt Cake. Sara was one of 7 children in the Evans household, so Sara's mom relied on good, simple recipes that could feed a crowd. Over the weekend our temperature was pretty toasty, so I tried Sara's No Bake Dirt Cake. Sara mentions that this easy peasy dessert comes together rather quickly once the cream cheese is softened and the whipped topping is thawed.

From start to finish this dessert took just 15 minutes to assemble. One tip I suggest is.... I found it much easier to freeze the dirt cake versus chilling it in the refrigerator. If you know Texas it is hot hot hot, so anything to slow down the melting process is a welcome relief. Just remove the dirt cake about 30 minutes before serving and enjoy!!! Sara's Dirt Cake reminded me a little bit like a Oreo Cheesecake without all the fuss. I will be making this one again for sure. 

Here is a list of just a few of the CMT stars that were included in the cookbook.

Each artist has their own section with personal information, stories, tales and recipes. Each and every recipe in this cookbook is easy to follow and includes a mouthwatering photo. Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard from Florida Georgia Line share their favorite Serrano Pepper Burgers. 

This recipe was shared from their favorite song writing friend Craig Wiseman, and now has become their go to burger recipe. Not only are new artists featured, but several of the oldies we know and love are spotlighted as well (Hank Williams Jr. The Oak Ridge Boys, Alan Jackson and Randy Travis).

Hank William's Jr. is from Louisiana and shares his favorite Cajun Rice Casserole. Raised in Louisiana, Hank likes his dishes a little more on the spicy side.  A few other dishes shared in this cookbook are, Chicken & Noodles from the Eli Young Band, Wynonna Judd's favorite Broccoli Casserole, Scotty McCreerys favorite Pound Cake, Mamas German Chocolate Cake from Alan Jackson, Kree Harrison's - Gumbo, Lauren Alianas - Blackberry Cobbler, Mothers famous Meat Loaf from Miranda Lambert, Trace Adkins - No Bake Cookies and so much more.

Whether you're a country music fan or just love good down home cooking these recipes are sure to please. I love a good family recipe, so this cookbook is very well written. Would you like to sink your teeth into a copy of Country Music's Greatest Eats?  Well you can because one lucky Mommy's Kitchen reader will win his or her very own copy! See the details below on how to enter. 

This Giveaway has ended: 

Comment #95 is the winner - Anne Marie Haun

How to Enter:

Mandatory Comment:
Just leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite home cooked meal is?  

Bonus Entry:

Tweet the following for a bonus entry: Win a copy of Country Music's Greatest Eats Cookbook @mommyskitchen http://tinyurl.com/n8oeo6f @southern_Living #giveaway  (Leave a separate comment for bonus entry). 

Giveaway Rules:

Giveaway starts today, June 26th 2014 and ends at midnight on July 2nd 2014. Contest is open to U.S and Canadian residents that are 18 years and older.  If you leave an anonymous comment please include your email address in the event that you're the winner. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to reply to notification email, or a new winner will be chosen. Good Luck to everyone that enters!

Sara Evan's Missouri Dirt Cake 

1 - 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1 - 8 oz container frozen whipped topping, thawed (cool whip)
1 - 5.1 oz box instant vanilla pudding 
2 - cups milk
1/3 - cup powdered sugar
1 - 14.3 oz package chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed and divided (Oreo cookies)

Whisk together softened cream cheese and whipped topping in a large bowl.

Prepare pudding using two cups of milk. Fold pudding and powdered sugar into the cream cheese mixture. 

Press 3 cups of crushed cookies in a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish, set aside remaining cookies. 

Spoon pudding mixture over cookies, sprinkle reserved cookies over pudding. Cover and chill in freezer for 3 hours or until firm.

Remove from freezer 30 minutes before serving. Store any leftovers in freezer

Servings: 12

I received a complimentary copy of "Country Music's Greatest Eats" for the purpose of this review.  All opinions stated above are 100% entirely my own.