My Online Recipe Box

Monday, December 21, 2009

Candy Cane Swirl Cheesecake...or what will be entering my belly on 12/25

UPDATED:

We has this for Christmas. It was really good. I used choc. instead of peppermint b/c I am not a peppermint fan...that meant it just tasted like a choc. swirl cheesecake. If I make it again (the cheesecake had a good flavor and was easy to make) I will use a caramel kiss or something.

Found this recipe today and I can't wait to try it.
However, I will substitute the candy cane kisses with either cherry ones, chocolate ones, or caramel ones...

Candy Cane Swirl Cheesecake

Ingredients for Cookie Crumb Crust:

  • 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (about 45 cookies) – This is a great place to get kids involved. Put the cookies into a large zip top bag and let the whack it or smoosh it or roll over it with a rolling pin. They’ll love it.
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted

Ingredients for Candy Swirl Cheesecake Filling:

  • 3 packages (8 ounces each) of cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs
  • 42 Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses (that’s a whole 8 ounce bag, give or take a couple of Kisses)
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • Sweetened whipped cream

Instructions for Cookie Crumb Crust:

  1. Heat oven to 350.
  2. Stir together cookie crumbs and sugar. Blend in melted butter.
  3. Press crust mixture into bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
  4. Bake 8 minutes; cool.

Instructions for Candy Swirl Cheesecake:

  1. It’s important that you don’t overbeat the cheesecake batter. If you do, it will raise too much in the oven and then become totally hideous when it falls. It will still taste good, certainly, but it will be much less impressive to serve.
  2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, completely incorporating each before adding another.
  3. Set aside 1/4 cup butter; pour remaining batter into crust.
  4. Unwrap Kisses. Place 30 candies and milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for one minute, stir. If necessary, microwave in 15 second increments at 50% power until candies are melted and mixture is well blended when stirred.
  5. Gradually blend reserved cheesecake batter with melted candies. Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls on top of plain cheesecake batter in crust. Gently swirl with knife for a marbled effect.
  6. Bake 45 to 50 minutes until center is almost set. Remove from oven to wire rack. Separate pan from edges using a scraper or knife, but allow cheesecake to rest in pan until completely cool.
  7. When cheesecake is cool, remove sides of pan. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.
  8. Garnish with whipped cream and remaining Kisses.
  9. Refrigerate leftovers.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

hot cocoa

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/best-hot-cocoa-mix-684253/

Ingredients
  • 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions
  1. Measure all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk them until they are evenly blended.

  2. Store the mix in a tightly covered container at room temperature until you're ready to package it. Makes about 4 cups of mix.

The secret ingredient in this mix is the mini chocolate chips, which melt when combined with the boiling water and give the cocoa an extra-rich flavor. The recipe makes enough for four gift-size portions, each of which can be measured into a small plastic bag and tucked into a cup or mug filled with mini marshmallows, candy stick stirrers, and a spoon. Wrap each filled gift cup in cellophane and don't forget to include a tag with the following instructions: "Spoon 3 or 4 generous tablespoons of cocoa mix into your cup (depending on the size), add boiling water, and stir well."

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Craft Ideas


This is my post where I am saving craft ideas I find on the internet that I want to try...I find so many cute things while working on the PC downstairs and I never get to bookmark them upstairs...so this is my "bookmark"

sock monkey appliques for shirts

How to use the cricut to cut fabric

Wooden or ceramic photo blocks

Paper or wooden block/ornament/gift idea

Tee shirt dress for Brooklyn and Sophia

Hinged blocks w/ wire photo clips

Fishing pole and fish for church or home

halloween bags

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/09/tres-leches-cake/

Tres Leches Cake, by the Pioneer Woman...I am thinking this will make an appearance at my house...SOON!