It’s the time of year when we are all getting to be in a rush for spending time with family, attending parties, and finding that perfect gift. For some, it’s about that perfect recipe for the Thanksgiving table or that one thing that is sold out at all the stores your kid just had to have because all his friends are getting it. For others, it’s a time for comfort and things that remind you of home like this ooey gooey toffee butter cake.
I love to make this cake for friends, especially my friend Pete. I met Pete and his wife Cristina not long after I was married and we have walked a million miles together as friends. Pete is in the Navy Reserves. In 2007, Pete served a 12-month tour in Afghanistan and once a month leaves his family for a weekend stint at a local base.
In 2010, his wife asked Pete if he minded her donating one of her kidneys to my husband. Pete willingly agreed as they are both about serving others and saved my husband’s life. Pete homeschools his children, works part time and this year is supporting his wife through breast cancer while still remaining in the Navy reserves. Pete always has a smile and gives everyone the true selfless support we have all grown to love. We often don’t think about how much our servicemen and women have going on in their personal lives while they give you and I this gift of selfless service.
Do you ever stop during the holiday craziness to think about the men and women in our military that don’t get to be home for the holidays and whether or not they even get to celebrate and have any fun at all? I’m challenging you to do it this year and thanks to Marie Callender’s Comforts From Home program in partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO) you can help in the easiest and yummiest way possible.
USO Operation Celebration provides a “home away from home” for deployed troops stationed all around the world making sure every holiday, small or large, is not forgotten. This program provides troops a place to celebrate and make every holiday special with or without their families providing that boost of morale needed from the stress of active service. You can help provide events like the Main Polar Express bringing the children’s book to life for service families or a full Thanksgiving dinner to over 600 troops in Germany with all the trimmings, a 100-minute calling card and a Disney DVD for their kids.
From September 1, 2015, through January 29, 2016, you can help them by purchasing delicious Marie Callender’s frozen meals or deserts that have the Comforts From Home packaging. Once you’ve enjoyed your yummy meal or dessert, enter the on-pack code on the back of the box with your computer or smartphone. There are over 51 million specially-marked Marie Callender’s frozen meals or desserts to purchase and you can find see which of your favorites to buy here. Each code you enter online equals a $0.50 donation to the USO**. When I bought mine I was so thrilled when I went through the checkout line to hear the store employee point the code out to me so I would be sure to enter mine!
When I was in high school I lived in Southern California and we frequently ate at our local Marie Callender’s restaurant. Their pies and quiche were to die for! I missed it when we moved back to Georgia, but I am always thrilled to get my fix now with other faves like Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Fried Steak! Their homemade meals and desserts are made with high-quality ingredients and signature special touches that your family can slow down and savor together.
Last year, with help from people like you and me, Marie Callender’s brought care packages to a very deserving group of servicemen and women stationed overseas through a $250,000 donation to the USO2GO program. We can do it again this year and give our support during the holidays to those who, like Pete, deserve so much more. So go to your local grocery store and purchase one of these meals now!
After you’ve done that you can also make this soft and gooey chocolate toffee butter cake and take it to a friend or just enjoy it with your family. It’s super rich and when it’s warm it’s just that ooey gooey comfort food we all need. 
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 large egg
- 1 stick softened butter
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup Heath Bar pieces
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees
- Mix together cake mix, one egg and 1 stick of softened butter.
- Pat down into a 9x13 greased baking pan to make it like a flat crust
- In a mixer beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add vanilla and eggs and beat again until blended.
- Add 1/4 cup softened butter and blend just until incorporated.
- Slowly add in powdered sugar on low speed and mix until incorporated do not over mix it.
- Stir in chocolate chips and toffee pieces and pour over cake mix crust.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes until lightly browned.
**For every entry by 1/29/2016 of an 8-digit code found on participating products, Marie Callender’s will donate $.50 to the USO Operation Celebration program. Guaranteed minimum donation: $100,000. Maximum donation: $300,000. Limit 5 code entries per person/computer each day. Valid in U.S. Only.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
