Jacy’s Favorite Cheesecakes

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Jacy has tons of cookbooks, in fact, she has hundreds and at least one-half of that number are dessert cookbooks.  From this site you can tell she loves sweets.  She also loves cheesecake and in particular, the old fashioned “New York Cheesecake” from the recipe by Philadelphia Cream Cheese and has several of their cheesecake books.  She also likes to visit the “Cheesecake Factory” to try different versions of their cheesecakes and then take the idea home to create her own version. 

Here are some favorite places for cheesecake recipes:

My favorite:  Philadelphia Cream Cheesecake Center
Favorites: Pillsbury

If no time to bake, visit a Cheesecake Factory or stop in a CostCo and pick up a Cheesecake Factory cheesecake there!

 

YUM! Twice-Baked Sweet Potato Casserole with Bacon

For a change from regular mashed potatoes, try this hearty dish made with roasted sweet potatoes and bacon.

Prep Time:

15 Min

Total Time:

2 Hr 10 Min

Makes:

18 servings (1/2 cup each)

recipe…

 

Food Network Super Quick Suppers

Quick & Easy One Dish Dinners

Mealtime is a snap with these simple one-pot dinners, crowd-pleasing casseroles, slow-cooker favorites and easy pastas. Plus, get 30-minute meal ideas from Rachael Ray and five-ingredient recipes from Claire Robinson …recipes….

 

Yummy Pumpkin Bread & Muffins

One of my favorite things about fall is the delish pumpkin recipes, especially for breads, muffins and pies. In my October edition of Southern Living, they have some yummy ones of which I will post later but it led me back to their website for some of my favorites from times-past.  Southern Living really does have a nice selection in their recipe index and lots of “tummy warmers” for those chilly, frosty days. I will post a few “fall-ish” posts over the next week or so and of course, when we get there, Thanksgiving goodies. Here are a few favorites:

Cream Cheese-Pumpkin Bread
Prep: 20 min.; Bake: 1 hr., 15 min.

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups canned unsweetened pumpkin
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
4 large eggs
Cream Cheese Filling
Stir together 3 1/2 cups flour, sugar, and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk together pumpkin and next 3 ingredients; add to flour mixture, whisking just until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon 3 cups of batter into each of 2 greased and floured 9- x 5-inch loaf pans. Spoon Cream Cheese Filling evenly over batter. Spoon remaining batter evenly over Cream Cheese Filling.Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of bread comes out clean. Let cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and cool completely on a wire rack. Yield: Makes 2 (9-inch) loaves.

Pumpkin Muffins

3 cups self-rising flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
4 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
2 cups chopped dates
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Vegetable cooking spray
Brown sugar
Stir together first 3 ingredients in a large bowl, and make a well in center of mixture. Stir together eggs, oil, and pumpkin; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Stir in dates and pecans. Place paper baking cups in muffin pans, and coat with cooking spray; spoon batter into cups, filling two-thirds full. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake at 400° for 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from pans immediately, and cool on wire racks. Yield: Makes 2 dozen

Enjoy!

 

2009 Editors’ Favorite Recipes from Southern Living

Photo courtesy of Southern Living

If you haven’t already seen or tried these recipes, they are a must!  We buy the Annual Southern Living hardcover recipe book each year…they are always a favorite and you don’t have to clip them from the magazines!  Yummy recipes and you must try the Chicken and Potato Pancakes!

2009 Editors’ Favorite Recipes

 

50 Easy Soups

It’s that time of year again!  Check our our soup recipes here at CTAW, and also at FoodNetwork.  They are featuring

 50 Easy Soup Recipes

 

October Wallpapers

Jump over to our ClassyWallpapers site and pick up our new wallpapers for October

Classy Wallpapers

 

Delish Double Chocolate Strawberry Cream Croissants

How about a mouth-watering yummy dessert for your weekend pleasure?  This one is not only extra-yummy but also reduced in calories and you would never know.  If you really want something special to wow your family and friends, give this a try.

Ingredients:

12 large Croissants

Strawberry-Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Filling:
1 8oz. Philadephia Cream Cheese (regular or low fat, softened)
2  Tbsp Strawberry Preserves (w/Splenda)
1/4 to 1/2 cup of Splenda (sweeten to your taste)
1/4 cup Mini-Chocolate Chips

Fresh Strawberries:
Fresh Strawberries (washed, sliced or chopped) (as many as you want)
1/4 to 1/2 cup of Splenda (sweeten to your taste)
Vanilla Extract

Dark Chocolate Ganache:
1/2 Cup Extra Dark Chocolate Chips
1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 Tsp. Cream (optional)

* * *
1. Prepare Croissants:
Slice Croissants in half on large cookie sheet and toast face up in broiler until brown.  Remove from oven to cool.

2.  Prepare Strawberry-Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Filling:
Mix softened cream cheese in bowl with 2 tablespoons of Strawberry Preserves, 1 tsp. vanilla, Splenda to taste, mix well; add 1/4 cup of mini-chocolate chips, mix.

3.  Prepare Fresh Strawberries: 
Place sliced/chopped strawberries in bowl; add Spenda and Vanilla Extract and blend.

4.  Assemble Croissants: 
Spread strawberry-chocolate chip cream cheese mixture on bottom layer of each croissant; top with fresh strawberries; place croissant top on.

5.  Place assembled croissants under broiler to brown top.

6.  Prepare: Dark Chocolate Ganache:  Melt chocolate chips in microwave; add 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1 tsp cream, mix until smooth. 

7.  Spread or drizzle ganache on warm toasted croissants.  Cool.

8.  Grab a hot cup of your favorite tea or latte and bon appetit!

__________________________
Notes:  You can use any kind of croissants or mini-broche for this recipe.  I use the large Costco croissants which are yummy and fresh.  All Splenda and low calorie ingredients can be substituted with regular ingredients. For a really quick version, you can use any Strawberry Cream Cheese and even frozen strawberries.   Improvise to your own preference and taste.  Refrigerate leftovers.

 

September Apple Season in the Valley

Our favorite time of the year is coming soon but our favorite fruit is already here! Great times are to be had in apple season in Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley! Apples, Apple Desserts, Apple Butter, Apple Fun and Frolic are sure to be had. Check out “Virginia is for Lovers” apple festivities and in be sure to go “apple pickin”!!

Virginia Apple Activities

 

Delicious Desserts with “Maida Heatter”

Maida Heatter is one of my favorites for desserts.  I have all of her cookbooks and have used them for years and I am always rewarded with great results and compliments when I use the recipes in them for any occasion.  My favorite is her “Book of Great American Desserts” and especially her “Cinnamon Buns” recipe but all of them are great.  A website which features many of the recipes from the book is located here:  The Ravenous Guide to Maida Heatter Dessert Recipes  You can find her books at Amazon.com.  She is still the “best” in my “book”!  Watch for my upcoming “Cinnamon Bun” recipe!