Turtle Cheesecake

I post pictures of my baking on my Facebook page, and my relatives who live far away always complain they never get to try anything! Well my step-cousins came to visit for Easter, and I knew I would have to make something amazing! Cheesecakes are my specialty so I knew I had to make one of those. But my grandpa only likes one kind, and thats turtle. So, turtle cheesecake it was! I used a recipe from Kraft Canada, but I put my own twists on it. It was absolutely DELICIOUS! I highly recommend it. We left the last few pieces at my grandparents house because they enjoyed it so much, and my relatives don't ever get to enjoy it. Trust me, I wanted to bring it home!

Kraft Canada Ultimate Turtle Cheesecake (Modified)
14 pieces

2 cups of chocolate wafer crumbs
3 tablespoons melted butter or margarine

40 small wrapped caramels
1/3 cup milk
1 cup chopped pecans

3 pgk (8 ounce each) Cream cheese. (I did 2 low fat and one regular)
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
3/4 cup sour cream
3 eggs

2 ounces chopped semi sweet chocolate or any kind of chocolate (I used milk)

Pre heat over 325•F

Mix baking crumbs and butter, press onto bottom of a spring form pan, pushing up the sides slightly.

Microwave caramels and milk for 1 minute and stir. Continue to heat until caramels have completely melted. Stir in chopped pecans. Pour 3/4 of mixture over crust. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Store leftover sauce in fridge until ready to garnish.

Put a pan with water in the oven on the bottom rack so that the cheesecake won't dry out when baking.

In a large bowl beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until very well combined. beat in sour cream until smooth. beat in eggs one at a time, just until incorporated. Don't over-mix! Pour over top of crust.

Bake 50 minutes. Don't open the oven while it's baking, or it will crack. The middle will be jiggly when it comes out of the oven! Thats ok because it will keep cooking until completely cooled. Then refridgerate.

Before serving spoon/drizzle caramel pecan mixture over top. Melt chocolate and top as well.

HOPE YOU ENJOY! Cheesecake is mine and my family's favorite dessert!

Low Fat Chocolate Brownies

My dad has not the best cholesterol, so I had to come up with a brownie recipe that could satisfy both his heart and his hunger. These are best not to be over-baked because they have no oil to keep them moist. They have only about 140 calories per serving so if your looking for a low fat alternative to a super yummy treat, I highly recommend these! They are even yummier warmed up and served with low fat ice cream or vanilla frozen yogurt.

Low fat Brownies
Makes 16

1/2 cup pure cocoa powder
1/2 cup whole wheat flour*
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 egg whites
1/2 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1/2 cup of all purpose flour may be substituted for whole wheat.

Grease or spray an 8x8 inch square baking pan. Dust with flour if desired. Pre-heat oven 350•F

In a medium sized bowl sift cocoa powder, whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg whites, apple sauce and vanilla extract, whisk to combine.

Add flour mixture into wet ingredients until just moistened. Pour into prepared baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes on middle rack. Cool completely before slicing into squares.

I hope you enjoy these delicious brownies! My family is!

Yogurt Filled Crepes with Blueberry Compote

Well I do baking at school (of course) and last week we made crepes. Unfortunately I missed the day we made them because I was sick. And it wouldn't have been all that fair to put my germs in my partner's food. Anyways, I didn't make them. And at school in order to get marks for making them, you have to make them at home. The recipe for school wasn't all that exciting so I used a different one. WAY BETTER. I didn't have any cream cheese so I just filled mine with Greek yogurt, but you may use anything you want :) I hope you enjoy this recipe! It was my first time making crepes and they were delicious! My Dad demands these more often and since they are so easy to make, I will be doing that!

Crepes with Blueberry Compote
Makes 8-10

Batter

2 eggs
1 cup milk
2/3 cup all purpose flour
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil or melted butter/margarine. (I did margarine)

Blueberry sauce

3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons water
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 teaspoon lemon juice (or orange juice...)

For batter there are 2 ways to prepare it. I did it the easiest way which is the second method.

1. Whisk together milk and eggs with a fork or spoon. Slowly add flour, stirring constantly. Add salt and oil/margarine/butter. Stir until no lumps are visible. Refrigerate for 1 hour to let flavors mingle or cook right away.

2. Blend all ingredients together in a blender or food processor until smooth. I used my magic bullet, worked perfectly. Continue with above steps.

For blueberry sauce in a small saucepan; whisk sugar and cornstarch so there's no lumps. Add water and blueberries. Cook over medium heat until the liquid has thickened and berries have burst, 5-7 minutes. Add lemon juice and remove from heat. Set to the side or refrigerate for a different use.

To make crepes; Pour approximitly 1/4 cup of batter onto a lightly oiled pan on medium-low heat. Cook until slightly dry looking, and flip. Cook other side. Remove from pan. Along right side of pancake, spread filling vertically. Roll up and top with blueberry sauce. Dust with powdered sugar or serve with whipped cream. Best served hot as they cool quickly.

Thanks for reading!!!

No Yeast Cinnamon Buns

Well I've made many cinnamon bun recipes, and this one is everyone's favorite. It's soft and doughy; the 2 elements my family rely's on to give it a thumbs up. I don't have a specific frosting, but this is generally the one I use because it makes LOTS. I don't think it's the best one for somebody looking for a glaze. But boy is it delicious! I plan to make these Easter Sunday for lunch for my family that is coming to visit. I hope you enjoy them!

No Yeast Cinnamon Buns with Cream Cheese Frosting
Makes about 8-12... depending on size!

Dough

2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup milk

Filling

3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon
*1/3 cup walnuts, optional

Frosting

1/4 cup butter, softened
125 g cream cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons milk
1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

In a small bowl cream butter, brown sugar and cinnamon to make a crumbly mixture. Put in refrigerator until dough is ready. I find it's just easier to sprinkle this way.

In a large bowl mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until well combined. Stir in milk with a fork until soft dough forms.
Roll out dough on floured surfaced until 1/4 inch thick. Spread filling on dough, sprinkle walnuts. Roll up dough and cut into 2 inch slices with dental floss. Put on cake pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Beat butter, cream cheese, milk and vanilla until well blended. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar until blended. Once rolls have slightly cooled but are still warm, spread icing over tops to serve.

I hope you like them! They are an Easter staple at my house!

Easter Sugar Cookies

I LOVE Easter! Everything is decorated so delicately, and pastels are just so pretty! I made these cookies last week because I was dreaming of spring. The weather here is pretty icky in the winter and these treats were inspired by some blooming flowers! I hope you enjoy them :)

I'd also like to say since this is my first post, that I don't do any kind of professional training. It's all self taught and just for fun. I also don't have a ton of tools yet, but I'm going to buy a pastry bag set soon!!!

Sugar Cookie Cutouts:
Makes about 4 dozen depending on cookie cutter size

1 cup sugar.
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened.
1 egg.
3 tablespoons whipping cream or milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl combine sugar, butter, egg whipping cream (or milk) vanilla and almond extract. Beat at medium speed until fluffy. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Beat at low speed until a soft dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1-2 hours or until firm.

Preheat oven 400F. On floured counter roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut out desired shapes. Bake for 4-6 minutes or until edges are very lightly browned. Cool and decorate with frosting.

Frosting

3/4 cup icing sugar
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons butter or margarine
1/4 teaspoon vanilla.
Food colouring.

Beat all ingredients with an electric mixer, adding more milk or icing sugar if needed :)

Made me about 4 dozen cookies. ENJOY!!!