Month: April 2012

Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Squares

Ingredients

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted

Filling::

  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) Kraft Philadelphia® – Cream Cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • /2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coating:

  • 24 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons shortening

Directions

  1. Line a 9-in. square baking pan with foil and grease the foil. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, pecans and butter. Press into prepared pan; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and sour cream until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in vanilla. Pour over crust.
  3. Bake at 325° for 35-40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate until chilled. Freeze overnight.
  4. In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Cool slightly.
  5. Using foil, lift cheesecake out of pan. Gently peel off foil; cut into 49 squares. Remove a few pieces at a time for dipping; keep remaining squares refrigerated until ready to dip.
  6. Using a toothpick, completely dip squares, one at a time, in melted chocolate. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets; spoon about 1 teaspoon chocolate over each. (Reheat chocolate if needed to finish dipping.) Let stand for 20 minutes or until set. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. Yield: 49 squares.

VIA seductionmeals

Did You Know – All About Your US City?

Check out this very informative site. You’ll find loads of info – especially great if you are looking to move. Find out about your new neighborhood; from weather, to crime, to businesses, to religious affiliation, and on and on…

Click HERE to go to City Data

Click on the state, then on the city.

Bean Bag Balloon Balls

 

Beanbag Balls 
  • Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

These totally tossable, squishable balls are lightweight and easy to grip, making them perfect for novice jugglers, beanbag games, or a good old game of catch.

Materials
  • 9 (11-inch) balloons (for 3 balls)
  • Funnel
  • 2 1/4 cups of dried lentils
  • Scissors
 Instructions
  1. Beanbag Balls - Step 1 Stretch the first balloon by inflating it halfway, holding it closed for about 30 seconds, and deflating it.
  2. Beanbag Balls - Step 2 Place a funnel in the balloon’s neck and gradually pour in 3/4 cup of lentils, pushing them in as you go. The balloon should be firm but squeezable.
  3. Beanbag Balls - Step 3 Snip off the balloon’s thick rubber lip. Cut the neck off a second balloon and gently stretch the opening.
  4. Beanbag Balls - Step 4 Ease the second balloon over the filled balloon, tucking in the neck as you go.
  5. Beanbag Balls - Step 5 Cut the neck off the third balloon, stretch the opening, and ease it over the other two. Repeat this process to make a set of three balls, or however many you’d like.
via familyfun.go

Recycle Old Candles into Layered Ones

How many of you have candles that look like this?

I have an entire shelf of them hidden behind picture frames!

So in an effort to declutter and get a little things organized before we decorate for the holidays I decided to take these ugly things and make brand new layered candles.

 This was such an easy project to do.  I can’t believe I never did this before.

All I needed to get were these wicks from Michael’s and one new glass container.  I decided to get a new glass container because it was only $1 and I needed something clean to pour the first candle in.  Then you can start cleaning out the old ones and reusing those glass jars.

Step 1:  Melt your first candle down completely.  I put mine in a pot of boiling water.  It only took about 5 minutes for the candle to turn to liquid.

Step 2:  Place the new candle wick in your clean jar.  I wrapped it around a popsicle stick so it wouldn’t fall over.
Step 3:  Pour melted wax into new jar.  Let cool completely.

Step 4:  Once the first layer of wax was completely hard, I melted the next candle down on the stove and poured it over the first layer.  Repeat with one more layer or until your glass container is full.

Step 5:  Cut the wick.  Burn and enjoy your new candle!!

Read more HERE at HappyGoLuckyBlog!

Caramel Cheesecake Apple Dip

Ingredients:
12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
3 Tbs. heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Caramel sauce (recipe below) or store bought
Heath milk chocolate pieces
mini chocolate chips
2-4 Granny Smith or other crisp tart apples, sliced and soaking in lemon juice/water until ready to serve

Check out the entire recipe at half-baked!