My Sweet Tooth Is Killing Me

Yesterday was Wednesday....(I know you need no reminding...maybe I do) and you know that meant dinner with the inlaws.

I made French Dip sandwiches.....there is just something about a massive piece of beef slow cooking in broth and onion soup all day that gets your mouth a water'n. Or when you shred that beef and put it on gorgeous fresh soft sub rolls and melt some swiss (or provolone) over it.....and dip them in the juices...mmmmm. I was even craving salt and vinegar chips....so that made the perfect side kick. It was all about me yesterday or so it seems.

For dessert I had been craving that picture on the side of the nilla wafer box....you know the one....with the eggnog eclair on the side...Well I didn't want Eggnog....I wanted a toasted coconut eclair. (think coconut cream pie)

So what does any pregnant chick do? She makes 2....(well I had to anyways....we've got a crowd to feed and I'm glad I made two...there was none left) I made a regular (none eggnog) and coconut one.

Oh sweet goodness if I hadn't died and gone to heaven when I sampled them.

Here's what you need.....

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

2 cups cold milk

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

78 NILLA Wafers

2 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
coconut extract
shredded coconut

Here's what you do....

BEAT cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix, coconut extract; beat 2 min. Gently stir in 1-1/2 cups COOL WHIP and a handful of coconut.(I think it was close to about 3/4 cup...I was eyeballing)

LINE 9x5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap. Arrange 15 wafers, top-sides down, on bottom of pan; cover with 1/4 of the pudding mixture. Repeat layers 3 times. Top with 15 of the remaining wafers. Refrigerate 3 hours.

INVERT dessert onto plate; remove plastic wrap. Microwave chocolate and 1 cup of the remaining COOL WHIP in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 25 sec.; stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. add tbsp of coconut. Mix well. Cool 1 min. Pour over dessert. Garnish with remaining COOL WHIP and wafers. Toast some coconut under your broiler and sprinkle on top of that....(yes I like coconut)

If you are not a fan of coconut (shame on you) then just omit all the extract and shredded coconut steps.

The chocolate topping was sinfully good....I was shocked at how sweet/bitter it tasted and complimented the dessert perfectly.

I wish my picture was better....but I only remembered when there was a small section left....boo to me...

I really need to watch my sweets/carbs. I've decided I'll have carbs at one meal a day and sweets every Wednesday. This way I don't deny myself and binge AND can hopefully keep my weight gain down this pregnancy. So far I haven't gained a lb. (granted I started 10 lbs heavier so I HAD BETTER NOT HAVE GAINED) I usually ALWAYS gain 40 lbs...10 the first 10 weeks. My midwife said it was possible to only gain 15....but I would really have to watch my carbs and make sure I eat low to moderate foods on the glycemic chart and keep my liquids to waters and tea. Today I have failed already.....(deep sigh) I had toast and nutella for breakfast....(I suck)

I'm wondering where all the other pregnant momma's are this time around....the last time I was pregnant (points to Dude) there were 4 other momma's on my street and a handful bloggy friends.....am I alone this time around? Share the bump!