Mini Cheesecakes with Cherry Filling

I have made these individual cheesecakes countless times and they are a huge hit everywhere! You can use any filling you like- cherry, strawberry, blueberry, apple, or seasonal fresh fruit - the variations are limitless.... They are absolutely delicious, so versatile, and really easy to make!

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line muffin tins (tassie pans) with foil/paper liners.

Place one vanilla wafer into each paper cup.

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy. Fill each miniature muffin liner with this mixture, almost to the top.

Bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool. Cheesecake will most probably sink in the center but that is okay- you actually want that because this indentation is the perfect home for the topping- a teaspoonful of cherry pie filling in each mini cheesecake.

Recipe adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/mini-cheesecakes-i/detail.aspx

Pineapple-Raisin Cake

One of my personal favorites, simply delicious without any icing. Very, very moist and bursting with flavor!

Apple Struesel Bars

I just made this dessert today. The original recipe called for an 8-inch pie dish but I found that the crust was too much for just an 8-inch pie dish, so I put mine in a 9x13-inch baking pan. This way, it wasn't too thick and I think it was somehow better balanced in relation to the apples. Also, I ended up baking it for close to 45 minutes (instead of the 35 stated in the original recipe) because the crust was too pale on both top and bottom at the 35-minute point. Otherwise, once done, the taste was very good- my husband and I both had three servings each! :)))

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chilled butter, diced
2 egg yolks, beaten

1 1/4 pounds Golden Delicious apple - peeled, cored and cut into 1/4 inch slices
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C.)

Sift four, 1/2 cup sugar and salt into a large bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Fold in egg yolks (mixture will be crumbly). Remove 1/4 of mixture, and set aside. Press remainder onto bottom and sides a 9x13 inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine apples, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place apples into crust, and sprinkle reserved crumb mixture evenly over top.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue baking 20-25 minutes, or until top is golden brown and filling is bubbling.

Courtesy: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-shortbread-pie/Detail.aspx

Very-Berry Mini Muffins

These were a little tricky to make but still worth it.

More Scones!

This was an encore on the cranberry-lemon scones. They are such a big hit in my family!

Irish Soda Bread

With St. Patty's day approaching, I figured I'd make my own Irish soda bread. :)

Cranberry-Lemon Scones

These cranberry-lemon scones are to die for! Favorite, favorite yummies in my home!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

My husband's favorite: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies :) These are delicious and very easy to make. If you like them chewy, make sure you do not over-bake them!

 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened                                        

1/2 cup vegetable shortening (or try coconut oil for a healthier substitute)                                                                  

1 cup packed light brown sugar                                                                     

1/2 cup white sugar                                                                     

2 eggs                                                                     

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract                                                                     

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour                                                                     

1 teaspoon baking soda                                                                     

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon                                                                     

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves                                                                     

1/2 teaspoon salt                                                                     

3 cups rolled oats                                                                     

1 cup raisins

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Stir in the oats and raisins. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes until light and golden. Do not over-bake! Let them cool for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

Recipe courtesy: allrecipes.com



Banana Carrot Muffins

This first post has been a looong time coming! And instead of wasting time chatting, I will get to work and start posting pictures...
So, here we have it- banana carrot muffins:

Racetrack Cake

I made this figure eight racetrack cake for my son's birthday- this is what he chose from a book.

It was one of my very attempts at decorating a cake and looks pretty rookie but he was happy and that's all that matters!

Bundt Cake

And that is why I say it is a challenge to bake when you have little children... My one-year-old can truly climb on anything! :)

Birthday Cupcakes

I whipped these cupcakes up for my oldest daughter's birthday- to take to her preschool. I used fluffy vanilla pudding frosting which is not very stiff but still works for piping. They were gone! :)

Fluffy Pudding Frosting 

1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, such as Cool Whip, thawed
1 (3.5 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix (or the flavor of your choice- I have made it with chocolate)
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, combine pudding mix with milk and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Gently fold in whipped topping until no streaks remain. Spread evenly over cake. (If you need the frosting to be thicker for piping, you could add some powdered sugar, or use less milk.)

Recipe courtesy: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cool-whipped-frosting/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=pudding%20frosting&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe