I'm such a dessert snob and almost didn't try this because of the cool Whip and instant pudding, but my son picked this recipe out for his birthday so I made it anyway. Holy cow was it fantastic!!! First of all, it's about a million times better the next day, so try to make it ahead if you can. I only used one stick of cream cheese and forgot the sugar (talking on the phone while cooking--bad idea!) but it was marvelous anyway. It isn't much to look at, but your friends won't care once they taste it.

Reviewed On: Mar. 3, 2009

My husband said this was the best soup I've ever made (and I make a lot of soup). I thought it was very tasty too. My kids, even the picky eaters, gobbled it up. I also cooked up a three pieces of bacon in the microwave and crumbled them into the soup. Highly recommended if you have any bacon sitting around. There is a lot of chopping involved, so make sure you start earlier than you think.

Reviewed On: Feb. 12, 2009

So amazing. I used dried figs (near the raisins at the store). I cut off the tops of about ten and put them in simmering water for five minutes before proceeding with the recipe. I thought they were better cut up in smaller pieces. Maybe cut each fig into 6-8 pieces. I also used slivered almonds and they were perfect. This was really marvelous and everybody raved. I also served the Avacado salsa recipe on this site by Barbara Vinson. People went crazy for it!

Reviewed On: Feb. 6, 2009