Easter is still fresh in my mind. As I have said many times before, holidays were such a special time in my family.

So many memories flood through at the drop of a hat. I guess growing up in the church and a large community, we were always involved in something or experiencing “life in 3D” as a friend used to say. My father especially was extremely earnest about all of us being exposed to the arts and us having the full benefit of a teaching lesson if there was something to be learned. I guess I inherited that from him.

I remember as a child that we all had to sit in the den at Easter/Passover and watch The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston. It was a big production: popcorn was made, everyone had their bowl/bag, the kids had their blankets (especially me, so I could cover my face at any scary spot), and it was broadcast over a few nights because the movie was so long. I was enthralled, inquisitive, and finally, after a few years, a little bit in awe of the things they did for the effects way back then. I mean, did you know they used Jell-O for the scene with the parting of the Red Sea? I also learned later that baby Moses turned out to be Moses’s baby. OK so it was Charlton Heston’s. Apparently, his wife had just had a baby and it was cast as baby Moses. My mind is also filled with crazy trivia like that.

Anyway, by the time I became a young adult, this movie was starting to become lacking in entertainment. Then, I started dating this coach from Richmond Hill.

Guess what was one of his favorite movies? Yep.

The Ten Commandments.

Yep. I popped the popcorn. The movie tends to be a little bit better if you add a slightly bit more of a buttery taste to the popcorn. Sigh.

Seriously though, the movie tends to get a little bit better if you put the miracles in perspective.

Put them in a daily life situation. Can you imagine having those things happening? They did.

They were documented by several groups, not just one. Start to feel what the people felt. Yes, the various movies take some creative freedoms with the stories, but for the most part, they are based on historical truths. Want to explain to a kid what the exodus from Egypt looked like? Show them I-95 or I-16 on a stand still. Want to show them the red sea miracle? Show them the cars being held back as the train goes through on 144 in Richmond Hill on any given day. (Many sighs) My dad would be proud. Teachable moments still exist.

OK So how does The Ten Commandments and Easter have anything to do with this week’s cooking column? My grandmother and Erma Bombeck would be proud of this one. MIRACLE desserts. That’s right.

Desserts that will make their own crust and are perfect for any meal. Just don’t get so excited that you try to include “the burning bush”. I promise you. If you do that, they won’t be consumed either.

Miracle Chess Pie

(A variation of “Impossible Pie) 1 cup shredded coconut ¾ cup sugar ½ cup Bisquick™ Original Pancake & Baking Mix or All-Purpose Flour ¼ cup butter, melted 1 ¾ cups milk 1 ½ tsp rum or coconut flavoring (or use vanilla) 4 large eggs, slightly beaten Juice of ½ lemon Cool Whip or fresh whipped cream, optional Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 9-inch pie plate.

In a large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients with a wire whisk or fork until blended well. Pour mixture into the pie plate and place pie plate onto a cookie sheet. Place into preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown (or a knife or fork inserted in the center comes out clean). Cool for one hour before serving. Slice and serve with a dollop of Cool Whip or whipped cream if desired. Cover and refrigerate the remaining pie. (For regular Impossible Pie, omit the lemon.)

Three Generation Peach Cobbler

(This was handed down by my grandmother and mother with a little bit of variation from all three of us. This is our basic cobbler recipe. Switch it up with other choices of fruit using rum, almond, brandy, or vanilla extracts/ flavorings depending on the fruit.)

Ingredients 1 cup self-rising flour 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon almond extract or brandy flavoring 2 (16 ounce) cans sliced peaches in heavy syrup ½ cup butter vanilla ice cream (optional) Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Place butter in a 9x 13 pan and place in oven to melt.

Mix together the flour, sugar and milk until well blended. Add flavoring or extract. Pour mixture into the pan. Spread peaches, including syrup, evenly around the pan without stirring. Bake at 350 F for 30 to 40 minutes, until the crust turns golden brown.

Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Top servings with vanilla ice cream if desired.

This is my mother and grandmother’s basic cobbler recipe. Switch it up with other choices of fruit using rum, almond, brandy, or vanilla extracts depending on the fruit.

Longtime local cooking columnist Libby Hires and her family are institutions in Richmond Hill.